History found a new voice at Cafe The Twins on the 30th of March, 2026 as Foothills Publishing held the book launch of ‘The Story of Ghum Museum’s little engine – Baby Sivok’. The air was thick with nostalgia and the scent of fresh ink as community leaders, artists, and railway enthusiasts gathered for the official launch of The Baby Sivok Project—a groundbreaking "dual-read" story and coloring book by author and illustrator David Charlesworth.
The event was more than a book launch; it was a vibrant tribute to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) and the "Iron Lady" of the mountains that has connected these slopes for over a century. The afternoon commenced with a gesture of growth. Mr. Rishav Choudhary (Director of the DHR), Mr. Raj Basu (Founder of Help Tourism and ACT), and Mrs. Lekha Rai (Founder of Foothills Publishing) officially inaugurated the event by watering a plant—a symbol of the blossoming narratives and the spirit of creation and growth. This was followed by the official unveiling of the book – ‘The Story of Ghum Museum’s little engine – Baby Sivok’. The book is the second offering from Foothills Publishing, following the well loved ‘Ganju Lama VC – Sikkim’s Hero in War and Peace’. The power of the written word then took center stage as Ananya Chamling delivered a soul-stirring recitation of "Iron Lady," a poem by Dr. Sangmu Lepcha. The verses personified the DHR steam engine not just as a machine of steel, but as the rhythmic pulse of the hills. Lekha Rai of Foothills Publishing spoke passionately about the mission to provide a platform for local voices, while Mr. Rishav Choudhary reminded the audience of the DHR’s status as a living, breathing heritage site that requires our collective guardianship. One of the most poignant addresses of the day came from Mr. Raj Basu, who spoke on "Heritage Awareness and Ownership in DHR Geography." He challenged the audience to see the railway not just as a tourist attraction, but as a legacy that belongs to every resident of the hills. Anuradha Sharma, author and journalist, introduced the man of the hour, David Charlesworth. David detailed the "Baby Sivok" project, explaining the meticulous research and the decision to create a dual-format (story/coloring book) to encourage interactive engagement with history Srinika Chakraborty then brought the book to life with a reading of an excerpt, sharing her personal reflections on how the story of the Sivok engine resonates with a new generation of readers.
The atmosphere was further elevated by the students of the Ashok Rai School of Music, founded by sisters Snehshree and Sannidhya Thapa in honor of their grandfather, the veteran composer Ashok Rai. The children, young artists, performed beautifully bringing smiles to faces and songs that touched the soul. As the shadows lengthened, the event concluded with a journey down memory lane. Mr. Suraj Moktan, a veteran artist and educator from Singamari, shared evocative stories of his childhood spent alongside the tracks. The event drew to a close with a heartfelt vote of thanks to the organizers, the contributors, and the staff at Cafe The Twins. As guests departed, there was a shared sense of pride—not just in a new book, but in the enduring spirit of the "Iron Lady" that continues to climb the hills of our home. The launch of ‘The story of Ghum Museum’s little engine – Baby Sivok’ thus came to an end.