April 14
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: Longte, the oldest festival of the Abotani group, particularly
the Nyishi’s symbolises universal unity and peaceful co-
Though the Nyokum festival is more popular amongst the Nyishis, but the relevance of Longte is more relevant today as the humanity is confronting violence and bloodshed everywhere and every moment, said celebration committee secretary Amit Bengia.
Longte is a barrier between the humanity and the unforeseen forces, he said while
explaining the genesis of the festival conceived by the great Abotani for helping
the humanity to lead a peaceful co-
While Longte festival celebration committee Chairman Lokam Nai unfurled the longte flag. Dr Bengia Tubin, the chief patron and the first doctor among the Nyishis, declared the festival open and wished one and all a happy Longte Festival 2013.
The most striking feature was young ones in their best traditional attires performed
Gungte-
Senior journalist of the state Pradeep Kumar inaugurated 12 food stalls set up by
young women entrepreneurs from interiors places like Damin, Sarli under Kurung Kumey,
Chayang-
Though the festival is scheduled for April 15 but numerous competitions are in the
offing to showcase the indigenous talents. Archery (Opuk Apnam) and trial of strength
with the help of a stick (Dapo Nyarnam) thrilled the gathering at the venue today
while modern sports competitions, tug-
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki along with concerned officials today made an unscheduled visit to the site of a collapsed bride over River Poma near Jote here this morning. The Bailey bridge had collapsed on March 30 last triggering voices of concern from various civil society organizations including several students’ unions of the area. Reportedly few persons were injured in the incident.
Inspecting the site, Tuki expressed concern over the incident that has snapped vehicular
movement to Jote and Basarnallah areas. He directed the officials concerned to enquire
into the reasons for the collapse and assured the people that the bridge would be
restored immediately. He promised that the 180 ft bridge would be re-
Training for women group concludes
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: The two day motivational training programme for women group of all section belonging to SHG’s, PRI’s and unemployed women conducted by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh concluded today. This is the 2nd batch of such training programme.
In the inaugural programme, outgoing Director AK Singh who has been recently posted as Deputy Commissioner, West Kameng district in presence of the new Director Taru Talo lauded the participants for taking up this training programme which would benefit towards development of tourism in the state. The inaugural programme coincided with farewell to the outgoing Director AK Singh who is the longest serving Director in Tourism Department history. Participants were invited from different places where the tourist faces accommodation shortages so as to encourage opening up of more homes stays to cater to the growing demand of accommodation. The women were briefed about increase inflow of tourism and its importance, opening of Home stay ,Eco Tourism and methods to make it more sustainable, Importance of website and Internet, travel and legal formalities, Gender Issues, Introduction to legislation to protect and safeguard women, Role and involvement of community in Promoting Tourism etc. The participants actively took part in the group discussion during the programme.
The main objective of the training programme was to promote Home stay, rural tourism
and Eco-
Assistant director Bengia Manna Sonam exhorted the participant to train their neighbours and expand the home stay avenues in their own community as well and encourage the local masses to try to have a better understanding on hospitality. She urged them to take back the knowledge they learn during training to their respective home district and requested the participants to act as a messenger generating awareness about tourism in the society as women are the torchbearer in a Society. Amongst the trainees, 20 participants have been selected for onward training on Home stay, Eco tourism and Rural Tourism to Sikkim (Namchi) and Maniram village ,the most successful destination on Home stay and Rural Tourism at Sikkim who are be leaving tomorrow.
NCP alleges favouritism in BADP scheme
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: Submitting a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Chief Secretary, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, the State unit of Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) alleged that the ruling Congress Legislators in 38th Border Blocks of the State have converted the BADP (Border Area Development Programme) schemes into another MLALAD. According to BADP Implementation Guidelines issued by Ministry of Home GOI, the power to select schemes and implementing agencies rest with the PRI’s and the traditional village authorities and not with the MLAs or MPs. Citing instances from Mechukha, Monigong and Koloriang wherein schemes were allotted to workers of the MLAs, NCP regretted that such interferences are unfortunate and defeats the very purpose of the noble idea of nation building and providing safety, security and all round development of the border people. The present practice wherein schemes are distributed based on political consideration and whether the beneficiary has voted for the ruling party candidate, has unfortunately divided the close knit tribal groups into political groups of haves and have not, NCP alleged. Citing two instances one each from East Kameng and Kurung Kumey Districts wherein the High Court too has directed the Govt. to adhere to the implementation guidelines, NCP President Kahfa Bengia further revealed that some MLAs in connivance with State Planning Department and few officials at the level of the Joint Secretary rank under Ministry of Home for Border Management, have evolved a concept of Additional BADP allocation running into hundreds of crores that will beautifully bypass the laid down procedures of going through the scrutiny of Village, Block and District Level Steering Committee on BADP. The illegal practice of taking post facto approval of additional BADP Schemes from the Deputy Commissioners by the Planning Department is violative of the laid down norms of Decentralized Planning and therefore, shall be challenged in the Court of Law for meeting the end of justice and also putting an end to interference by the Legislators in the affairs of the Grass Root Institutions, the NCP added.
of Jia church begins
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: The Christian community of the largest Adi village of Lower Dibang Valley District, Jia begun celebrating Golden Jubilee Year to commemorate the completion of 50 years of the church establishment in the village today. The first Church building (OB Type) was established in the village on 13th April’ 1963 under the pastorship of Late Oken Pertin, the first Pastor of the Baptist Church Jia. The Golden Jubilee Year is being celebrated with the theme, “The People who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows but now light is shining on them”.
Mukut Mithi, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) inaugurated the Golden Jubilee year Celebration of Baptist Church. In his inaugural speech, Mithi exhorted the people of all community and religion to live peacefully together with brotherhood and harmony. He informed that at present in Arunachal Pradesh, Christian community constitutes a major portion of state’s population. Though India is basically a Hindu Country with 80 % of the population as Hindu, other religions like Muslim, Bhuddist, Sikhs, Christian, Jain etc also exists. This became possible due to secular nature of Indian Constitution adopted by the drafting committee under the chairmanship of great visionary Dr Ambedkar stated Mithi.
Chiliko Meto, Zilla Chairperson attending the programme called upon everyone to maintain
one’s culture, tradition and language irrespective of the religion they adopt. “Whether
we believe in Christianity, Donyi-
Roding Pertin, Ex-
Nimina Namchoom
The month of April ‘is the cruelest month’ says T. S. Eliot, but goes on to say that it stirs the ‘dullest roots with spring rain’. It is the month of new beginning and new hopes and new celebrations. It is a month when many communities in the country celebrate their festivals. The Sangken festival is celebrated by the people of the Khampti tribe. Sangken generally falls in the month of 'Naun Ha', the fifth month of the year of the Khampti Lunar calendar coinciding with the month of April. It is celebrated in the last days of the old year and the Lunar New Year begins on the day just after the end of the festival.
Before the beginning of the Sangken festival, a temporary shrine called 'Kyongfra' is constructed for keeping the idols of Buddha during Sangken. In this Kyongfra during Sangken, clean water is sprinkled through a specially designed water fountain called the 'Lungkong'. Clean and scented water poured through the fountain is sprinkled over the idols of Buddha kept inside the Kyongfra. This water, which has washed the Gods, is collected as holy water by the devotees.
Sangken festival is celebrated for three consecutive days. On the first day and at an auspicious time, the images of Lord Buddha are taken out of the shrine, given a ceremonial bath and placed in the 'Kyongfra’ to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals. People pray, offer sweets and food as offerings in the temple and then distribute sweets and goodwill amongst all by pouring water over each other.
Water is also poured over all the holy objects, including the Boddhi tree, the Sailiks
(ropes of the holy book), Chausangphau-
During the three days, people do away with ill feelings and seek togetherness by coming together to form groups and visit temples in different villages, pray, pour water over the idols and relics (Sonfra) and distribute sweets. Young and old alike can be seen going towards the temples to pray in the morning and evening during the festival.
On the final day of the Sangken festival at the appointed time, the images are taken back to their original places and this marks the end of the old year. The Sangken festival marks a farewell to the old year and a warm welcome to the New Year. The New Year is welcomed with community prayers and feast during the ‘Poi Sangken’ celebrated after the end of the festival. This day is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by all and marked by people going to the monastery to wash and clean up the shrine, idols and sprinkle holy water in the premises and a community feast which follows. This festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Buddha so that he can bless mankind with prosperity.
During the celebration, the Khampti people observe certain percepts which include abstinence from killing, stealing, lying, taking intoxicants, cutting trees, indulging in sexual misconduct, involving in dispute among others. This festival is observed for peace and harmony.s
In our race towards modernity and development we have forgone many of our beliefs and the percepts that we are to follow as good beings. These are the three days that can be kept for us to free ourselves from the hectic race and tensions in life and get in touch with ourselves, our families and the simpler pleasures of life following the teachings of Buddha.
Historical Uyu Liisik pillar unveiled
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: A popular historical place in ADI history Uyu Liisik pillar was unveiled by MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary JK Panggeng amidst huge gathering at Mariyang on April 10.
Situated in the east of Mariyang in Upper Siang district about 2km from the township, Uyu Lisik is an important and famous development in the folklore of Adi (specially Padam).
It is the place where Jalying and Kesing Olung first met together and recognized one another, thus identification and social development took place between Jalying and Kesing Kumting.
Organization of community feast at Dorik Yiibe (Feasting place) which led to the
migration of two groups to present Padum Gidang now Damroh which led to the birth
of new sub-
The event of Uyu Liisik also led to the identification of ‘Emo’ (aconite) to other clan through Jalying dwellers.
The possession of ‘Emo’ by the Padam/Padum sub-
Speaking on the occasion the Panggeng emphasized to develop Uyu Liisik as tourist spot as the landscape is attractive and ideal to be a tourist place.
The function was attended by R Perme, SDO Mariyang, Dukkang Pertin, ZPM (Mariyang block), all Gaon Buras, PRI members and other senior citizen, according to Lego (Lingging) Erang, Itanagar release.
Cash reward stands
The cash reward of Rs 10 lakhs announced by the Arunachal Pradesh Police for giving information or clue leading to arrest of the assailant/s of Tongam Rina, Associate Editor of The Arunachal Times still stands. The identity of the informer/s will be kept secret. The informer/s may contact Capital SP at tele. numbers : 09436040006
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President of India invites Nani Oniya
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: The 2nd National Level Exhibition & Project Competition, 2012 winner
for the state Nani Oniya, a class-
In the function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, President Pranab Mukherjee encouraged the students and referred to them as young scientists of India. Union Minister for Science and Technology Vayalar Ravi highlighted the achievements of science and technology department. Delighted on being part of the invitation, Oniya said, “It was a wonderful experience. I will always cherish those great moments that I experienced all my life.” Meanwhile, the teachers and students of VKV, Ziro while congratulating her, hope that she would achieve much more success ahead in life.
AAPSU pay condolence to Late Sonam
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has condole the death of former Bameng MLA Donglo Sonam. AAPSU expressed shocked on his sudden demise and term his death as irreparable loss for the society. He was a dedicated politician as well as social activist of the society. His contribution for the betterment of society shall never be forgotten in future. He spearheaded many social movement of the district for positive changes in educational upliftment and eradication of social evil too, AAPSU stated in a release.
AAPSU remembered him as famous leader since student life and said he was pioneer in shaping East Kameng district and relentlessly worked for the cause of society till his last breath. AAPSU sent condolence message to the bereaved family.
Festival greeting
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh General (Retd) J.J. Singh has conveyed warm greetings and good wishes to people of Arunachal Pradesh on the auspicious occasion of Sangken.
In his festival message, the Governor expressed his hope that the occasion will inspire all to follow the path shown by Lord Buddha.
May the propitious occasion enthuse each one of us to strive towards the universal peace and harmony, the Governor wished. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki in a separate message this evening has conveyed his best wishes on occasion of Sangken, Bihu and Baisakhi to the people.
April 14 will be celebrated as Sangken by the Tai Kamptis of Lohit while Bihu will
be celebrated by Assamese community and Baisakhi by others across the country. “Let
this New Year celebration of our brothers and sisters across the state and in various
parts of the country bring in prosperity and peace. Let us celebrate the occasion
as a day to reaffirm our respect for each other and re-
NWS resents granting of bail to rape accused
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: Neelam Welfare Society (NWS) has expressed strong resentment over granting of bail to Joram Punio the alleged accused in the rape of a minor school girl on April 9 last.
The accused has been released on bail by the Judicial Magistrate, Ziro without the knowledge of IO of the case as well as without case records pertaining to the case in question which is against the laid down procedure, NWS alleged in a release.
NWS in its release even feared that the rapist and his parties may conceal the evidence and may pose threat to the life of victim girl as well as innocent parent (justice seeker) in days to come. Even they (the accused party) are trying to manipulate the Medical Board Report which is still awaited, NWS alleged.
“The Society has lost faith on handling of rape case by District Administration,
Police and Medical board of Lower Subansiri District,” the release said and appealed
all the NGOs, Civil Societies and other likeminded people to co-
Training on SRI held
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: A two day training programe of agriculture field functionaries of Papumpare district on system rice intensification (SRI) was held at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Karsingsa under ATMA Papumpare. SRI is a technology to achieve increase yield in rice by a typical method of nursery sowing and transplantation. The training was imparted for implementing cluster demonstration on rice under NFSM in the district.
Speaking on the occasion Director Agriculture Marketing said that SRI is best technology to increase rice yield and production. Programme coordinator, KVK, Karsingsa Dr Taba Heli along with hosts of officers from KVK, Agriculture department and ICAR Basar attended the programme.
APCTA to boycott RGU exam evaluation
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: In a meeting held here the central executive members of Arunachal Pradesh College Teachers’ Association (APCTA) has resolved to abstain from Rajiv Gandhi University’s exam evaluation if authority failed to fulfill their demand. APCTA demanded the RGU authority to exempt the serving college teachers from appeariing entrance test for Ph.D registration. Association also demanded for designating the eligible college teachers as Ph.D supervisors.
Condemnation
ITANAGAR, Apr 13: The Indian Engineers Federation, North Eastern Region (INDEF-
Corrigendum
This to inform all concerned that there is a Correction article carried on Arun ePDS dated 13th April 2013 in our daily that Amit Premi is the ICT Consultant and Technical Expert to the Deparment Of Food & Civil Supplies, Govt. Of Arunachal Pradesh and has NO Association with M/s Beacon Analytics of Delhi. The error is a typographical mistake and the same is highly regretted.
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272 days have passed. The culprits involved in the July 15 attack on The Arunachal Times associate editor Tongam Rina are still at large.
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