The pilgrimage

So much has happened since my last entry, I left India after journeying to wonderful Sikkim, NE India bordering with Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. Its a separate state, but even more separate than Scotland from Engand in some ways, foreigners need a special permit to go there. Its a real break from India, prices are regulated, no plastic bags are allowed, there is a curfew of 9pm when everyone has to be off the streets, there is all sorts of messages everywhere reminding one to be environmentally aware. I think I saw a Red Panda in the jungle at 2100 m scooting through the trees. Then I made a mad dash to Nepal before WBengal shut down into strike for 30 days as part of the campaign for the separate state Gorkhaland. Me and my compatriot made a dawn escape into Nepal, only to find more strikes... My pal decided to fly to Kathmandu, but I wanted to wait for the strike to be over and take the bus. Well it is all clear now why, Buddha wanted me to go to him. I met Vision/ Darshan who told me about a living Buddha in the jungle, I was captivated, and wanted more and more stories of a Bodhisatwa in the jungle in E Nepal

Gorkhaland

I am in NE Bengal, on the border with Nepal, the community here wants independence from WBengal to be their own state of Gorkhaland. Its lovely to see people exercising their right to protest. It feels much more relaxed than my hot home in Tamil Nadu, I didn't realise how conservative it was until I have somewhere to compare it to. Its so much cooler, I am at 2100m here and headed to Sikkim tomorrow with my new friend and his tent, we hope to find hot springs, and drupchas and masked balls. However expectations are never without trickiness as we all know. Sikkim is another interesting state, foreigners need a special permit to go there, it borders with Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. Others travellers and locals say that it is magic.
I went to Mirik, a cute wee town (approx 10000) on the Nepal border and made many friends. I was taken to the local hospital, and was totally gobsmacked.... there was nothing there.... a few overworked doctors and nurses... and electricity, but nothing else. I commented my disbelief to my local friend Nick 'But the Indian government are rich, how can they let health care facilities be in this state?'. He answered that because officials are corrupt the money never gets spent on what it should be. How grim thinks me? What possible solution? Answers on a post card please.... Tighter regulation needed but when that too is corrupt, what to do? Work with their motivations. Thats all I can think of. But how?