April 19
News Impact
- NEFA building in Shillong in forlorn condition
- Location identified for Arunachal Haat
- Indian Federation of Working Journalists, NFNE condemn attacks, demand stern action
- Library reading strengthens school education: CBSE Chief
- Zero Energy Cool Chamber: A Potentional Storage Structure for the dry hilly areas
of North-
Eastern states - LSHEP future uncertain as Aalo hearing postponed too
Historical Dipa Foundation day
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: The VIth Dipa Ego Welfare Society (DEWS) Foundation Day was celebrated on April 16 at Dipa village. A simultaneous awareness campaign on importance of Environment & Forest was organised followed by Avenue Plantation which was led by Divisional Forest Officer, Likabali Jumdo Geyi, and Range Officer Yide Potom.
The Divisional Forest Officer appraised the villager regarding the importance of forestry, protection of wildlife and plantation of trees. The occasion was marked with speeches from Panchayat leaders, elders and mass participation of villagers followed by traditional folk dances and cultural show. An essay competition and drawing competition was organised in Govt. Secondary School, Dipa on the topic of Environment & Forest.
Dipa, the only village bisected by the North Eastern Frontier Railway (NEFR), located in the foothills of present West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh has existed in the vicinity of the present location even before India attained Independence from the British Rule. By the time India attained Independence, this village was located somewhere near Simen Chapori of Assam where on 15th August, 1947, the National Flag of India was hoisted for the first time that was later to become the State of Arunachal Pradesh by Late Moj Riba and Late Moji Riba to mark India’s Independence from British Rule.
The original territory of Dipa village along with much of the land processed by the villagers have shrunk to the present silhouette following the transfer of territory from undivided Assam to NEFA which was followed by influx of humanity heaved in by the NEFR. Dipa village being located in the remotest corner of West Siang District has suffered from acute lack of development. The district administration has not succeeded in reaching this far flung locality to desired extent and therefore, fruit of development remains a distant dream for the simple villagers.
Revoke Govt order for constitution of boards, says committee
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Raj Coordination Committee in a meeting
held here yesterday took strong exception to the recent government order regarding
constitution of boards in the districts under the chairmanship of the respective
Deputy Commissioner. The meeting urged the state government to re-
During the meeting, the house discussed on creation of an independent post of DPDOs in the districts, regularization of ZPC office staff and enhancement of their salary, involvement of PRI members in the planning process and Micro planning at the district level, official status to the chairman, APPRCC and complete functional devolution of powers to the PRI in the state.
Meanwhile, it demanded immediate action against the culprits and the individuals involved in the alleged misappropriation of public funds under the Bamboo Mission, Mini Hydel, DATA Base Computerization and IMPRCS building under PR department.
Police announces reward
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Arunachal Pradesh has announced cash reward for any information about proclaimed offender one Palden Wangchuk of Payengdem village in Upper Siang district.
PIO of police headquarters in a release today informed that Palden forged the signature of SP (SB), Itanagar with an intention to obtain passport fraudulently and is now absconding since May 2009.
Palden has been declared as proclaimed offender by the judicial magistrate, first
class, Capital Complex vide order No CB-
Any informer may give details of the accused over phone Nos: 0360-
Nagaland officers on exposure visit to Arunachal
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: A team of 14 officers of Nagaland Agriculture Department is on an exposure visit to Arunachal Pradesh to familiarize themselves with the farming system and recent developments in Agriculture sector of the state. The team had an interactive session with the senior officers in the Conference hall of the Agriculture department at Naharlagun on April 18. The team shall visit Ziro to have firsthand experience of the famous Paddy cum Fish culture.
Siram visits ACH
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Education Minister Bosiram Siram visited Arunachal Charity Home (ACH), Dibrugarh branch. He met the patients and gave them some amount as medical expenses.
He appreciated ACH for carrying out selfless services for the people of Arunachal Pradesh and encouraged them to continue carrying out such activities in the years ahead. He also donated some funds for ACH.
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
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All rights reserved.
Itanagar; where people do as they please
Dear Editor,
Often a state’s development graph can be gauged by its capital city. It’s sad but a stark reality that the condition of our capital Itanagar is not something which can be boasted about. As one travels from Assam back to Itanagar, this reality is often magnified. Roads are in pitiable condition which needs immediate repair and attention. Right from our ATM booths to buses to roads to law and order situation, the tag “land of “khusi khusi”, as Bakin Pertin once famously quoted about our state is written all over in bold capital letters.
Let us not even consider the outskirts of the Itanagar; the glaring example is right in front of our eyes, the newly cemented barricade in the road leading to Banktinali. What is the point or logic behind putting it, when the road is in a deplorable state, not fitted to be two lanes. The problem has infact aggravated as drivers do not posses traffic sense, all they want is to race ahead of one another, even in traffic jams. They should learn a lesson from Shillong city. Their traffic system is exemplary. What about the pedestrians, the lane for them to walk has become so narrow that often vehicle are moving just a feet away. The other roads too are in pitiable condition: Our roads are like those vehicles which get a makeover during vishwakarma pujas, but at least it’s once in a year, but for our poor roads, they have to wait an eternity, exception: when “dignitaries” from Delhi are to visit Itanagar, not only roads but the whole Itanagar undergoes a makeover. Moreover with the growing population and economy, the capital in coming years is most likely to face a crisis of traffic jams. Aren’t we seeing a trailer of it already?
The buildings being constructed rapidly at any place people is totally unacceptable, that even if the government wants to expand the roads it’s impossible to bring down all these buildings. Now million dollar question is do they follow proper procedures while getting allotment or is it possible because they have something for the officials under the table. A capital city like Shillong quite similar to Itanagar in demography, inspite of the good roads and proper management is gripped by traffic jams so much that the government is banging its head to find a solution. Wonder what would happen to our Itanagar.
Our ATM booths are used but often abused. I pity the condition of them particularly the S.B.I A.T.M in Legi complex. People fail to read the instructions, and mostly follow them. Once I had an argument with a man regarding the rules. Isn’t it the rule that when a person is withdrawing cash from an A.T.M, that the other person wait outside?
He replied sarcastically: “hum aapka paisa shoor karega kya?” It’s not about paisa “shoor” but about decorum. And what if he really was to “shoor” my paisa?
Despite being a capital city, there is no provision of pay toilet in Itanagar: We often find people, to our embarrassment releasing themselves at public places. Add to that the litters and garbage thrown all over but not in the dustbins provided. It seems instructions like “don’t throw”, “don’t spit” are an open challenge to us. Go to Gandhi market, Nyokum Lapang or Ganga market you will know what I am talking about. It’s not that I expect Itanagar to be sleek and spanned. It is remotely impossible for a town like us to sustain but a certain level of hygiene can be achieved with collective and sincere efforts. The recent bazaar cleanliness drive in Naharlagun is praise worthy.
The other day I was travelling by JNURM BUS, many of the elderly women were standing while young men were comfortably sitting. What was even more surprising was that they were sitting in the seats reserved for ladies. They didn’t budge despite repeated requests. The conductors are supposed to issue tickets for the bus fares; but none was issued. This negligence gives boost to malfunctioning and as a result government incurs losses. But this is Itanagar. People do as they please.
The recent law and order disruptions: the prominent one being the vandalism of The Arunacahl Times office. That is happening? The system is going haywire and is leading to chaos. Questions like “who are they”? “What they want?” are of not much importance as much as “what we are doing to curb it” is? Do we have proper mechanism and force to counter such elements?
Itanagar is the face of Arunachal Pradesh: but we instead of climbing the development
ladder it is stepping down. We must become true citizens; leave the age-
Yours,
Gaby Miyum Damin
Safety and fourth pillar of democracy
Dear Editor,
The ransacking of Arunachal Times office yet again by some unknown miscreants is
a cowardice act and it deserves wide condemnation from all cross section of the
people. The media houses have been trespassed and media persons attacked for last
many years but action taken by the Government is still not known. It should be kept
in mind that the Govt alone cannot perform for well-
The district administration has also miserably failed to ensure security to the media fraternity in particular and public in general. Apart from this, granting of bail to the persons, who were involved in criminal activities in the Capital Complex, is rather encouraging and morale booster for the miscreants.
The rising of criminal activities in the Capital Complex indicates lawlessness and ineffective functioning of law enforcing authorities.
Therefore, the Govt must have will power to separate judiciary from executive in order to prevent criminal activities in the state.
It is demanded that the authority arrests the culprits responsible for attack on Arunachal Times office last Sunday and conducts high level enquiry by investigating agency like CBI or constitutes investigation agency with sitting high court judge to investigate all the pending cases relating to attack on Press so that truth can be revealed and culprits get exemplary punishment.
Yours’
Kara Gambo
President, Papum Pare NCP Unit
Neglect towards all-
Dear Editor,
This is in response to Marjo Angu's letter titled "Urgently required but only Non-
West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh are undoubtedly the only two states in India where
none other than the very indigenous languages are gasping for breath after getting
trampled under Hindi -
As if such supreme indifference to the indigenous languages and succumbing to all-
In the 12th November 2006 issue of a leading newspaper in Kolkata, a city -
It is nothing but a matter of utmost shame that instead of taking stern action against
the employers who feel no hesitation in posting racial advertisements which discriminate
against certain ethnic groups, thereby assaulting the very foundation of this multi-
If the ethnic Arunachalis and Bengalis hold minimum desire to not get denigrated to slaves in their own land, then they should become truly united and vote against the political parties who are scandalously engaged in appeasing the migrants to reap electoral dividends and exert "nationalism".
Yours
Kajal Chatterjee
Kolkata
All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.
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NEFA building in Shillong in forlorn condition
Amar Sangno
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: NEFA building in Shillong, once a pride of Arunachal Pradesh, has become a dejected and forgotten house today. The building is now engulfed in darkness.
Arunachalee students residing in ground floor of the NEFA building have been staying in darkness for last two months without electricity due to short circuit. Worst sufferers are the students who are going to face examination in June.
According to a source, the short circuit occurred due to decayed and rusty wire. Power supply line inside the building was not been ever replaced or repaired since the last 20 years.
“So far I know, there was no any repairing of electricity supply line inside the building since 1990” said an electrician who has been posted there to look after the building.
Arunachal Students Union Shillong (ASUS) had informed the deputy residential commissioner
in written about the plight of the students due to non-
When investigated, this correspondent came to know that NEFA building in Shillong has become more or less a forlorn and forgotten house.
As per records, no attention was given to this building by any Arunachal government since the state secretariat was shifted to Itanagar way back in 1972.
When contacted deputy residential commissioner Onam Lego said that the building really needs the state government’s attention. However, she was unable to give detailed information whether the building was ever renovated, while saying that the general administration can only provide more information about it.
There may be abundant reasons for lackadaisical attitude of the state government towards its own property, but it is a fact that no proper direction was given to any department for looking after the building.
Location identified for Arunachal Haat
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Arunachal Chamber of Commerce & Industries had identified few
locations at Itanagar for establishment of State of Art Multi-
As per the proposal Arunachal Haat would be housed in a multi-
Phosum Khimhun has appreciated the ACC&I team for conceiving an innovative idea and
for arranging a vast track of land in the prime location. Khimhun, further, said
that he will appraise the progress to the Chief Minister while directing the officers
of Trade & Commerce, Department and officials of NEDFi to work out a preliminary
site-
He, further, said that when this Complex is completed, it will be an important landmark and sought after destination for entrepreneurs and traders.
Indian Federation of Working Journalists, NFNE condemn attacks, demand stern action
Orgs deplore attack on The Arunachal Times
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has strongly condemned the vandalisation of the office of the Arunachal Times.
In a statement issued today at New Delhi, the IFWJ General Secretary Parmanand Pandey
has deplored that rampaging The Arunachal Times, a premiere newspaper of the state
and the north-
The sternest possible punishment must be handed down to goons and goondas; otherwise
they would feel emboldened to commit such horrific crimes again; said Pandey. It
is shocking, that the anti-
National Federation of Newspaper Employees (NFNE) has also condemned the attack on Arunachal Times office and urged the authority to book the culprits immediately. The NFNE extended its moral support to the decision of Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists and Arunachal Press Club ‘not to entertain any press releases issued by the government’ from April 24 till the culprits involved in the attack are
booked and punished.
“We extend our supports to the media fraternity of Arunachal Pradesh at this hour,
but we hope that the issue will be resolved before the State media is compelled to
take the path of non-
The NFNE appealed to the State Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to take serious note out
of the incident and requested him to play a pro-
A bad precedence: IMCLS
Idu Mishmi Cultural and Literary Society has condemned the incident of ransacking of Arunachal Times office. The culprits involved in the attack of the Arunachal Times must be booked and punished, it said while adding that if the culprits are not booked, such incidences are going to establish a bad precedence. It is very unfortunate on part of law enforcing agency that they are still clueless where as the attack was made on broad day light and in middle of town, said apex
body of the Idu Mishmis.
In order to prevent such incidences in future the govt should act boldly or else a day will come when there will be no media house, no law and order and the entire state will be in a chaos, it added. The Society further said that the Govt should give adequate compensation for the damages caused to the media house.
Cowardice attack: Payi Gyadi
Condemning the vandalism in the office of the Arunachal Times on Sunday by masked miscreants, Sango Lamte (SLF) Foundation Chairman Payi Gyadi termed the act as cowardice. Gyadi demanded the state government to book the culprits immediately otherwise he said that it would invite state wide agitation. He also urged the government to ensure that there is no political interference if the culprits happened to be traced out. Coming down heavily on the state security system, SLF Chairman appealed to the government to provide security to media houses in the capital to enable them to work without fear. He also appealed to the state government to lift its ban in issuing arms licenses particularly for working journalists in the state for their security while taking consideration of frequent threats to their lives. He further suggested police department to spread its networks to nab the culprits while engaging it’s intelligence with help of people. Gyadi requested the police department to step up its security by deploying more menpower in patrolling to instill sense of sacurity among the people in the state.
Insult to the very existence of Press: APPDSU
All Papum Pare District Students Union (APPDSU) said that repeated attack on the local Press is an insult to the very existence of Fourth Pillar of democracy in the state. The humiliation meted out to the media house and its staffs is condemnable and is more condemnable when the state machinery could not book the culprit and give justice to the expectations of the helpless media house of the state, said a release.The miscreants must be booked at the earliest and exemplary punishment should be awarded to them as soon as possible, it said. The rise of such incidents and physical assaults on the journalists of the state is a sign of direct challenge to the healthy growth of media in the state. If said that such a trend was a deterrent to young people willing to pursue a career in journalism. It urged the media fraternity to stick to their demand till justice is delivered and not to be discouraged to such immature act of ignorant minds. The students further demanded the authority concern to take all measures to control law and order problem in the twin capital city.
Alarmed at deteriorating law and order: ALSU
Condemning the repeated attack on media houses and press personnel, Arunachal Law Students Union (ALSU) also expressed dismay and displeasure over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Safety and security of the Fourth Pillar of the democracy is essential to ensure peace and progress in a democratic set up.
Pointing out the brutal attacks on Haku Tatak, a law student, who is till recovering at a Guwahati based hospital, illegal eviction drive carried out by Assam officials at Malinimela ground, assault on Taba Murtem and Gocham and recovery of dead bodies at Papu Nalla and Chimpu and burning down of PWD office, APPSC office building and APST buses in recent past, the ALSU resented that no miscreants involved in those incidents were arrested till date.
It demanded immediate separation of judiciary from executive and establishment of as Law Commission for proper working of police department to ensure rule of law.
ANYA, Youth Organization, AAPTWA, Seva Dal decry attack
All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) has condemned the attack on Arunachal Times office by unknown miscreants.
Terming the ransacking of media house as inhuman act, ANYA said media help the organizations and society to highlights their grievances.
The association demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and adequate compensation to the media house.
Arunachal Pradesh Abo Tani Clans Youth Organization appealed to the law enforcing authority to enquire into the ransacking incident of Arunachal Times office and demanded exemplary punishment to the culprits.
Condemning the incident, the organization said the freedom of expression and safety and security of the media houses must be ensured.
Pointing out the recent demolition of infrastructure by Assam officials inside Arunachal territory at Likabali and reported assault on Kherbari HGB under Dollungmukh circle and brutal attack on Haku Tatak, a law student, the organization urged the state Govt to improve law and order situation in the state. It further demanded establishment of one more Police Station at Itanagar and temporary police stations near old SP office, Ganga and Chandranagar near Police Hq. It threatened to launch democratic movement if the Govt fails to improve law and order and ensure peace and security of the people of the state.
All Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Welfare Association (AAPTWA) has appealed to the district magistrate to arrest the culprits involved in the attack of the Arunachal Times office within seven days. It further demanded exemplary punishment to the culprits.
Kipa Kaha, Vice Chairman, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal (APCSD) has condemned the attack. It appealed for immediate arrest of culprits as it said that the attack on Press will demoralise and directly affect the civil society. He appealed to all the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh to cooperate with law enforcement agencies of state for immediate arrest of anti social elements.
Assault on media its own creation: Former Minister
Former Minister T C Teli in unequivocal terms said that assault on media is because of its “own creation”. While accusing the media of being hypocritical and sycophants, he said that “Fourth Estate is doing its constitutional duties over the world except in Arunachal”.
The former Minister went on to add that “My attention is drawn to the attack on media houses time and again. It is said one hand cannot clap and every action has equal and opposite reaction. These sayings are absolutely right when once I see the history of human civilizations. There are limits for everything. Media/Press being the fourth estate should … project/focus the reality to public after all public is the supreme in the democratic world. Press/Media in Arunachal is not free from interference by proprietors, hypocrisy, and sycophancy” said the former minister.
“In my 25yrs in active politics including being lone opposition in Assembly had the experiences of press/media” and such continuation in today’s days will create (be) counter product. Today’s Arunachal is not yesterday’s Arunachal. One cannot make fool of others easily. To me what had happened with media/press is its own creation” read the statement from Teli.
Library reading strengthens school education: CBSE Chief
AWIC honours for Etalo Mega, and readers Arpita and Ashish from Lohit
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: “Library habits and book reading are vital for the all round education.
You students should pursue them vigorously” exhorted CBSE Chairman, Vineet Joshi,
as he gave away the AWIC 2012 Awards for outstanding librarians and reader-
Quoting incidents from Gandhiji’s life, Joshi highlighted the keen reading habit of the Father of the Nation that enabled him to read and write several Indian languages in his hectic and eventful life.
Etalo Mega of the Bamboosa Library, Tezu was the sole recipient of the AWIC Librarian of the Year 2012 Award from the entire country, outside Delhi. Young library activists from Bamboosa Library Ashish Singh, a student of Class IX, Govt. HSS, Tezu and Arpita Dwivedi, a Class 7 student, Govt MS Tezu were also among the young reader awardees.
Thanking the AWIC and Convenor of its All India Children’s Library Project, Surekha
Panandiker for their keen interest in reading promotion in Arunachal and the support
to the Lohit Youth Library Movement since 2006, Etalo Mega elaborated how a variety
of reading promotion activities by the Lohit library volunteers have kept alive the
movement in the region, bringing out new volunteers and reader-
These readers have brought in a cascade effect, he said, explaining their keen involvement in running the libraries and taking them out to the villages, as in Wakro circle. Mega also thanked the leaders, the district administration and the Education Departments of Lohit and Anjaw as also the participating organizations like ASSET, Wakro, CALSOM, Tezu, 48 BRTF, the Police Welfare School, Tezu and the news media for strongly supporting its reading promotion activities.
Surekha Panandiker, Convenor of the AWIC Children’s Library Project, lauded the winners, all of whom were spreading a new light of learning in areas, so far not benefitted by a strong reading movement. She also remembered the spirited performance of the young readers of Bamboosa Library, Ashish Singh and Arpita Dwvidi, for their innovativeness and enthusiasm in spreading the joy of reading.
Speaking to Mega after the award function, Prashant Lokhande, founder-
Zero Energy Cool Chamber: A Potentional Storage Structure for the dry hilly areas
of North-
Dr.Pijush Kanti Biswas and Minonti Pait
The farmers of dryland villages have poor resource availability particularly where the vegetables are grown as subsistence crop by the small and marginal land holders. In absence of proper storage technique the farmers usually sell their vegetables in the local markets soon after the harvest. Transporting their harvest in gunny bags on bicycles every alternate days to markets induced a considerable stress on them.
Zero energy cool chamber -
LSHEP future uncertain as Aalo hearing postponed too
Siang Valley Bandh called off
ITANAGAR, Apr 18: In a major embarrassment to the state government, Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board and Jaiprakash Arunachal Power Limited (JAPL), the third public hearing for the 2700 MW Lower Siang Hydro Electric Project scheduled at Aalo has been postponed for indefinite time.
The West Siang Deputy Commissioner Amzad Tak said that he had written for postponement of the public hearing due to fear of breakdown of law and order in the district.
The first one at Jeying in Upper Siang and second hearing at Rottung were postponed after unprecedented pressure from protestors opposed to the mega project in the Siang Valley.
The state government had put in all efforts to conduct the hearing including large deployment of security personnel at the three venues further infuriating the local citizens opposed to the project.
Meanwhile, Forum for Siang Dialogue, Adi Students’ Union, Siang Peoples’ Forum and
Siang Bachao Federation called off the Siang Valley bandh instituted against the
Public Hearings. The bandh is being called-
RTE and its implementation
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which is often referred as Right to Education (RTE) Act in common parleys, came into force from 1 April, 2010. The Act provides for free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years.
Despite this Act being in place, there have been cases where children were denied admission on the grounds of not having transfer certificates, birth certificates or local residence proofs.
Two years after the implementation of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, information and trends gathered by Child Rights and You (CRY) at grassroots level across several states indicate that providing free and compulsory education to all under this legislation continues to remain a big challenge.
According to various case studies done by CRY and its partners in several states
over the period of last two years-
There are cases where admission was denied due to not having transfer certificate,
birth certificate or local residence proof. In many cases parents had to pay admission
fee and were asked to pay monthly fee. No receipt of any kind against paid amount
was provided to the parents by the school. There are also cases where children are
being denied admission in mid-
There is an urgent need to strengthen the delivery mechanisms in the area of school education especially at the grassroots level and there is also a need to create greater awareness at community level to implement various provisions of the RTE Act.
