The Arunachal Times - Archives

CBTC committed to work with APIDFC, PRIs and community

Ranjit Sinha

ITANAGAR, Aug 26: The Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) has shown interest to work with Arunachal Pradesh Industrial Development and Finance Corporation (APIDFC), Panchayat Raj Institutions and communities of Ruksin circle of East Siang to explore cluster model concept of Bamboo development initiatives in convergence with other block development models like Hariyali, Wasteland, watershed projects and others government and public initiatives under PPP and PPF.

Under this initiative, the CBTC would provide technical know-how and capacity building like improvement of skill, resource mapping, and expansion of plantation of bamboo to the Panchayat leaders of Ruksin and community members. However, the CBTC would undertake a detailed study and conduct field visit to take first hand information about the resource and minimum infrastructure at the ground level.

Highlighting the natural resource of Ruksin area and the need of integrating the Govt development schemes with the bamboo and cane industry in a meeting held here today, West Pasighat MLA and APIDFC chairman Omak Apang said that any community can not develop fully without the help of Govt or some other development agencies and the CBTC can play a vital role to harness the vast bamboo resource of the area to enhance economic development of the people. The community people need guidance and expertise of the CBTC so that they can utilize the resource in right direction. Omak disclosed that the panchayats and community members are keen for convergence of block development initiatives including Hariyali projects, watershed and wasteland management. Fund would not be a problem in implementation of the developmental schemes, he said.

He said that the community members have taken bamboo plantation in bigger away and bamboo species like Dendrocalamus brandisii, Dendrocalamus Asper Balcooa, Tulda are being planted. The local MLA of the 37 West Pasighat offers the services of trained persons and resources to CBTC so that it can come out in a big way. 30 acres of land for bamboo Technology Park are already in Niglok.

The need of the hour is to provide expertise, upgradation of skill, exposure and marketing for bamboo production to compete with its neighbouring country like China. Election is the part of the democracy but development should not be hampered due to poll process, the MLA maintained.

CBTC director and World Bamboo Organisation president Kamesh Salam while highlighting the bamboo resource of Arunachal Pradesh informed that CBTC is ready to sign MoU to extend all possible help for bamboo growing and introduction and adoption of latest bamboo technology. Salam said that Arunachal Pradesh is not only known for its bamboo production, but cane industry could also be taken up in bigger way. The people of the North East live with bamboo, eat bamboo, and sleep with bamboo therefore, initiatives must be taken on how to develop and grow bamboo industry, he said. Salam said now most of the countries of the world are taking initiative to utilize bamboo products in various sector for its cost effectiveness and environmental friendly ways but the marketing of bamboo products is the main problem. To capture the international market, we should know modern technological know-how, he added.

Meanwhile, Mongal Taga local entrepreneur and Nalanda Kadu, social entrepreneur have been selected as coordinators to liaison with CBTC for further initiatives.

APIDFC director Tony Koyu also spoke on the occasion. Large number of panchayat leaders including Ruksin Anchal Block chairperson Takin Taying also present on the occasion.

Thakur calls for 30% job reservation for women

ITANAGAR, Aug 26: A State level meeting of Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee was convened at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Itanagar on August 25.

Speaking on the occasion MP and President, AIMC Dr. Prabha Thakur urged the women congress workers to concentrate more on the welfare of the women and their rights and also appealed the State Government to take up the issue for the welfare of the women, particularly in educational and constitutional rights.

Advocating for 30% women reservation in government job, Thakur said that there is enough provision for women reservation in government job and various other fields. It is for the state government to implement the provision in totality so that women empowerment becomes a reality, she added.

She further informing about AICC directives to all PCC Presidents for 33% women’s reservation in the legislative assembly assured to put forward potential women candidates to AICC for consideration for issue of tickets in the forth coming state Assembly election.

Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, President Yari Dulom briefed about the activities of the Mahila congress in the state and expressed the hope that 10-I5 Women aspirants of the INC Party will get tickets in the forthcoming Assembly Election.

She further appealed the government to establish Women Police Battalions to tackle the problems of women community.

APMCC, Vice-President Niani Natung also spoke on the occasion.

Amongst other, AIMC, Vice President Dr. Shobhana Shah and Secretary AIMC and in-charge Arunachal Pradesh, Naznin Farooque attended the meeting.

Developing young minds our utmost need: Col Jayram

TEZU, Aug 26: Developing young minds through extensive library reading is Arunachal’s present utmost need”, highlighted Col. P. L. Jayram, Commanding Officer, 26 Maratha L I, as he addressed a packed audience of school students, teachers, Govt. officials and youth Library enthusiasts at Chongkham on Sunday.

He was delivering the Valedictory Address of the “Children’s Workshop on Promotion of Library Reading habits” organised by the VT-AWIC Youth Library Network, jointly with the Lohit District Education Dept. and ASSET, Wakro.

“Poor indeed is a man who does not read”, said he, quoting well-known writer Ruskin Bond, and pointed out to the young listeners, the distinct improvement reading brings in the personality of a youth. Expressing his hearty congratulations to the young readers from Bamboosa Youth Library, Tezu, and the Apne Library, Wakro who spiritedly conducted the workshop and trained a large group of young students in just a few hours, he assured the full support of the Army for promoting the Youth Library Movement in the district.

The workshop, an exciting event that won cheers from all grown-ups present, consisted of sessions in which 100 students of class V to VIII from different schools in Chongkham circle were trained in reading- related activities like skit presentation, story-telling, poetry recitation in both English and Hindi, mono-acting and street-plays. The groups thereafter presented their items during the concluding session.

The training teams led by Ashish Singh, Arpita and Abhinav Dwivedi, Ashish Mishra, Yogesh, Ravi (Bamboosa Library), Sonianso Tayang, Luckyso Rangmang, Abhi Padung and Amonlu Halai and Diumlu Appa (Apne Library) also presented their own special items.

A humorous but meticulously prepared skit on “Swine Flu” by the Bamboosa Library team and an imaginative Hindi street-play on ‘deforestation’ by the Apne Library team won the hearty applause of the entire audience, clearly demonstrating the rewards of extensive reading.

A group of scientists from DRDO of the Army on a visit to Chongkham, also lauded the participants for their creative displays.

Meghnath Bori, a parent and an active library enthusiast hoped the participants would continue to actively participate in the forthcoming reading campaign in Chongkham circle.

The students trained in the workshop would later act as resource-persons in the Campaign on Library Reading promotion in Schools in Chongkham circle. The campaign had received an enthusiastic response earlier in Tezu during July 2009.

PR leaders express displeasure at public hearing

ITANAGAR, Aug 26: The villagers of Namshu, Thembang, Munna Camp, Cherong and Panchavati besides the public of Dirang are not satisfied with the public hearing on compensation and rehabilitation for Gongri Hydro Electric Project affected people conducted at Rahung Village of Thembang Circle on August 20 last, said Zilla Parishad Chairperson West Kameng District Phurpa Tsering.

The executing agency, Patel Company has completely excluded the affected people of these villages on compensation and rehabilitation matters, he alleged.

We will not allow work on the project until the affected villages are properly rehabilitated and compensated, he added.

The motive of the survey team which was constituted few months back for assessment and recommendations on the project affected people is questionable as the largest villages affected by the project were excluded. This is not only surprising but also a serious question on the integrity of the survey team, he added.

He further informed that a general meeting of the Panchayat leaders, Gaon Buras and Public Leaders of the affected villages was conducted on August 23 to discuss the matter and it was unanimously decided that the Project affected people in particular and Dirang in general will stand together and take up democratic means to ensure that these affected villages are included in the list of compensation and rehabilitation of the proposed project.

Adolescence Education Prog aimed at responsible growth

Naharlagun, Aug 26: With the objective to further strengthen the “Adolescence Education Programme(AEP)” in the state by acquainting masters trainers (teachers) drawn from the 16 districts with the fresh revised materials on Adolescence Education – as the new materials have been framed catering to needs of the state, a four day training Programme began yesterday at Bharat Scouts & Guides State H.Qrs Naharlagun.

This time special emphasis is on equipping among the teenagers/Adolescents with practical assertive social skills / life skills to cope with various risky and vulnerable situations and behavior like peer pressure particularly on matters of irresponsible sexual behavior, HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse.

Addressing the inaugural function, the resource person from Arunachal Pradesh AIDS Control Society (APSACS) Deputy Director Dr. Riken Rina informed that the Present “AEP’’ is an assimilation/integration of National Population Programme,School AIDS Education Programme and Adolescence Reproductive and Sexual Health Project under one umbrella .He stated that in the matters of prevention and protection from HIV/AIDS and other sexually Transmitted infections, knowledge only is not enough adding that enhancing and equipping Adolescences with social and assertive skills to cope with peer pressure is required.

Project Director, APSACS Dr. Emi Rumi underlining the role of master trainers in sharing their knowledge and skills with the Nodal teachers in their respective districts for the success of the AE Programme in the state- urged them to extract maximum benefit from four-day Training Programme.

Terming Adolescence as a Complex and turmoil phase for Boys and girls Dr. Rumi informed that due to various factors children are maturing faster citing that some children attain puberty as early as 8 years whereas the normal onset of Puberty earlier used to be 12 to 14 years while reiterating the need for such intervention programme.

The State Coordinator, AEP, G.C. Baral highlighting the objectives of the AEP training added that at this critical stage of their life-the adolescents boys and girls constituting 22% of the Country’s Population – are vulnerable to sexual abuse, exploitative and unsafe sexual behaviour with risks of unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, and drug abuse etc and in today’s age with growing early exposure to sex and crimes through cinema, TV and cheap literature, they are more prone/vulnerable to pressure and temptations leading to high risk and irresponsible behaviour. The Master Trainers have vital role to play in the effective implementation of this \ much needed intervention programme, he emphasized .The Adolescence Education has been introduced in the School Curriculum by following, both the Curricular and Co-curricular approaches.The AEP launched in 2005 is implemented in the state by the Adolescence Education Cell of the State Institute of Education, Naharlagun with the Technical and resource support of Ministry of Human Resources & NACO, New Delhi and APSACS with the collaboration of DDSEs, DIETs and Master Trainers at the District level and Nodal Teachers and Peer Educator at the School Level.

Besides providing accurate and adequate knowledge to Adolescents in all matters related to Adolescents Reproductive and Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS and Substance abuse the AEP also aims at equipping with appropriate life skills and positive attitude towards sex, phenomenon of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and mental health issues so that they develop a respect towards the opposite sex, take responsible decisions and show responsible behaviour in life, the background note stated. (DIPRO)

Royal Enfield Club Members meet

Vijay Sonam

ITANAAGR, AUG 26: Royal Enfield Club Members of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal congregated at Kaziranga from August 21-22. The theme of the ride was “when we meet- we grow”.

They not only had fun but had discussion on conduct of “Riders Mania” and “NorthEast India Odysseys” in line with the events held in rest of India. They also discussed on ways to popularize northeast through their rides. Meanwhile ride to Bumla in September and November has been fixed as the next destination.

LTC executives of AIR demand regularization of jobs

ITANAGAR, Aug 26: In a memorandum submitted to the Member of Prasar Bharati V Shivakumar regarding regularization of Long Term Contract Transmission Executive (Dialect & Translation) demanded one time relaxation in age and educational qualification.

They are demanding regularization in the post of Transmission Executive (Dialect & Translation) or Regular appointment in the post of Transmission Executive, (General and Production) for the graduate and regular appointment in the ministerial posts for the under graduate.

They started their journey as Short Term (six days) basis casual workers and later on engaged on monthly contract basis in their respective dialect sections at All India Radio, Dibrugarh. On shifting of the Regional News Unit to Itanagar, they were retained as Long Term Contract Transmission Executive (D&T)s.

“We have been working in the posts for the last thirteen to twenty six years without break in service, against the existing regular vacancies, in hope that the All India Radio authorities would absorb us straight way in due course of time” the LTC employees said. Seeing the apathy of the AIR authorities and slipping of age eligibility out of hand, they filed a Writ Petition in Guwahati High Court in November, 2000, seeking direction for regularization. After long three years, the High Court disposed the petition with the observations that they were not qualified as per Recruitment Rules of AIR, as they do not possess Hindi as a main subject in graduation level. But the High Court had directed the AIR authorities to frame a scheme to absorb them to any post within the organization according to the suitability of the educational qualifications.

“We waited for another one year for the AIR authorities to implement the court verdict, but instead, the AIR authorities were preparing to terminate us from our present job. So on knowing the Government's motive we again went to the court. This time we challenged a clause of Recruitment Rules, which states that a candidate for the Transmission Executive (D&,T) should posses Hindi as a main subject or medium of instruction in the graduation level. The case is still pending at the Itanagar Permanent Bench and we had also filed and SLP in the Supreme Court which is still pending”.

Meanwhile, despite the pendency of the cases the AIR authorities advertised against the same posts which they were holding. The group went to the High Court again which restrained further process of the Recruitment.

The irony of the whole situation is that these long time contact executives are given script in English which they translate in their local languages.

Conference cum election of Sajolang students

ITANAGAR, Aug 26: The 5th General Conference Cum Election of All Sajolang (Miji) Students’ Union (ASSU) for the session 2009-11 was held at Tippi at West Kameng District where former MP Khiren Rijiju, and K. T. Khunjuju, Senior Citizen attended the programe as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.

Minda Longthen, Ram Miji and Solung Miji were elected as president, vice president and General Secretary respectively.

While, Sanijam Khiluju, Richey Yangchung and Bajanti Dipeang have been elected as women wing president, vice president and general secretary respectively.

The conference was attended by 400 students from various schools, colleges and universities.

Meanwhile, it was unanimously decided that the office of the ASSU would be shifted from Nafra to Bomdila.

Sajolang (Miji) students of Guahati and Shillong congratulated Minda Longthen and Solung Miji on their appointment as President and General Secretary of All Sajolang (Miji) Students Union (ASSU).

Awareness generation programme

ITANAGAR, Aug 26: Teli Chach Society (TCS) conducted awareness generation programme at Dobum, Karsingsa under the aegis of Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), New Delhi and Arunachal Pradesh Social Welfare Board, Naharlagun on August 23.

Speaking on the occasion, TCS Chairman Daniel Teli highlighted on the various scheme under taken by the CSWB, New Delhi and APSWB, Naharlagun for the welfare of the women and children in the state.

He further said that CSWB is implementing awareness generation project programme with the aim of creating awareness in the community on the issues relating to the status, rights and problems of women.

AAPGDLU and AAPFWU supports

ITANAGAR, Aug 26: All Arunachal Pradesh Government Department Labour Union (AAPGDLU) and All Arunachal Pradesh Forest Workers Union (AAPFWU) extended support to Graduate Unemployment Youth Welfare Association’s demands for cancellation of illegal appointments of 5 TIO, 5 DTO in Tourism department and suspension of Director Tourism AK Singh.

State Level Science Seminar

ITANAGAR: A State Level Science Seminar on the topic “Chandrayaan: Promises and Concerns” would be held at the Library Hall of Government Higher Secondary School on Aug 28. The Seminar is being organized by Directorate of School Education.

Prof Anwar Hussain of NERIST has consented attend the state level Science seminar as chief guest while Tapang Taloh, Director School Education would be the Guest of Honour.

“Shun school playground”

ITANAGAR: School Authority and Students Community of Government higher secondary school, Itanagar appealed the citizens of capital complex not to use school play ground for driving lessons.

It said that due to over use of school play ground for driving lessons by individuals, the ground have become dilapidated and unfit for games and sports activities.

(Readers’ Forum)

No one should attempt to belittle others

Madam,

Apropos the letter under the headline - Ten year after - published in 24th August edition of your daily, I as an elected panchayat leader of Changlang South assembly constituency would like to bring the following facts to clarify the misgivings created by the letter with unfounded facts and figures.

Every citizen has the constitutional right to highlight his/her genuine grievances, but none should attempt to belittle others by making wrong comparison with baseless statistics.

After 1999, Khimiyong circle of the Changlang south assembly constituency was lucky to get a CD block to benefit over 7,000 population for their speedy socio-economic develaopment. A post of CDPO was also created to facilitate flow of various schemes of the Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Department. There can not be more good news than the notification upgrading Khimiyong CO headquarters to EAC HQs.

Not only an electrical sub-division has been created but every village of the constituency has been electrified during the last one decade. Moreover, in tune with the state government's priority to tap hydropower, 150 kvv Chikong mini micro hydel project has been taken up and is scheduled to be commissioned within few months. Another 60 kw micro hydel project on Tinging river is also under construction.

Under the PPP policy of the government, the Khimiyong PHC was handed over to Karuna Trust, a reputed NGO, and it has been providing the much needed health care services to the needy and the poor, which was not available till 2005. Moreover, an ambulance procured with Rs 5 lakh provided by the DoTC has been placed at the PHC for the welfare of the poor villagers. Moreover, medicines worth lakhs have been provided from time to time to the PHC with funds wither from DoTC or MLADF.

A 30-beded boys' hostel at Yanmang government secondary school, suspension bridges between Panlom and Lungsang and another in between Longkey and Yanmang over Chiklong river have been built, among a numerous schemes undertaken in the area under the BADF.

Road connectivity got a major thrust during the last 10 years with connectivity reaching every nook and corner of the constituency. To name a few, 22 km Changlang-Manmao road funded under NABARD, 6.5 km Old Rangran-New Rangran and improvement of 34 km Changlang-Manmao to Old Rangran under the SPA, 7 km Changlang-Khimiyong road to Saching and Chingsa villages under the PMGSY have been taken up.

The condition of 35 km Changlang-Khimiyong road worsened after 2007 for want of maintenance. Repeated pleas were made to the sate government but resource crunch and retrenchment under the Golden Handshake policy resulting in non-availability of labourers besides massive rain falls contributed to the present poor condition of the road.

While welcoming any probe into fund utilization, I take exception to such politically motivated letter to serve some vested interest.

When the state Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh and Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu are taking keen interest for the development of Changlang district, such letter would send a wrong message as if Changlang North is fully developed.

Yours,

John Jugli, ZPM,

52-Changlang South, Khimiyong

Defection virus has devoured the mindset

Madam,

When we were seeing a little flicker of light in the state politics in the form of Kiren Rijiju, it is a matter of great dismay and shock that Rijiju, the firebrand future leader of Arunachal Pradesh has ditched the public of the state at large who had pinned a high hope on his shoulders, cutting across political affiliations, that he would carry the state forward to a new dimension. But, alas! All the hopes of the people especially the younger generations has been shattered which is beyond the imagination of anyone. The people of Arunachal, tired of all the tall promises made by the so-called politicians had expected something new and better hope for their future under the leadership of Kiren Rijiju. But it seems that the virus of deceit and defection has also devoured the mindset of a person of Kiren Rijiju's stature. Somebody has rightly said, Arunachal is 'Land of Khusi-Khusi' and so is the case with our so-called leaders. They are very unpredictable. You never know when they would shift their loyalty from one political party to another and back. There is no any soul left in Arunachal's politics and the public are always taken for granted as fools who can be taken for a ride anytime, anywhere.

Come this October, it was thought that with leader like Rijiju, we would be having strong opposition (if not forming the government) in the Assembly who could have redressed the public grievances and check the governance of the ruling party in the interest of the common mass. But all the high hopes and aspirations of the people of Arunachal has been flushed down the drain. He has shown that he is no exception and belongs to the same category of the so-called politicians of Arunachal Pradesh. It is matter of great irony that the leaders of Arunachal do not follow what they preach and go astray from their political manifestos bestowed upon the public at the time of election campaigning. It seems that this disease of ditching the public at the nick of time will remain forever as a political nature of the politicians of Arunachal Pradesh. If such is the trend in days to come, God knows where the future of Arunachal lies!

It is the high time that we the common Arunachali's who are the true pillars of democracy open our mind to the widest extent and ponder deep into the political crisis (leadership) and unanimously elect the right person as our representatives to run the state so that the future of our new generations are at safe hands.

Yours’

Bengia Guma

On e-mail

Dream merchant has opened a new shop

Madam,

The shifting allegiance of Kiren Rijiju to Congress was so subtle and swift that it took every body by surprise, once dubbed as the youth icon and a role model just turn out be a turncoat. As the saying goes politics make strange bedfellows and in politics there are no ironies and surprises, however in case of Kiren he took along with him a little bit of every one of us, it turn out to be a foul Tuesday morning when the media broke the news. Every one who identify himself with him someway especially the younger lot felt let down by his conduct (though he has every rights choosing his political path).

He was a fresh whip of air in the murky politics of Arunachal, rare breed of a leader but alas in the great corrupting authority of money, fame and power our hero is domesticated. Though his legacy in parliament is quite enthralling I doubt his new chapter may won’t excite the masses any more something has gone missing, the shine has wither off. Every body thought here is a man who is destined to go the distance, but the script turned sour and our one time so called youth icon turn out to be a mere mortal, may be it was not his fault, his iconic status was just a media making or may be the deprivation and extreme thirst for role model in our society has made us look upon him belie ourselves that he is also a mere human being.

His place in Arunachal history was almost assured, now it need to be re-evaluated and have a fresh look into for every one of us are conditional human being unlike our unconditional hero. He told us stories of his Dream of Arunachal and sold & made it take into us for it winged our imagination. But now see they are empty, shallow dreams that are clipped.

The Dream merchant has opened a new shop, but it’s unlikely we will buy it from him anymore for we find sometime the shop is bereft of Self respect, Dignity and Honor we are looking for.

Yours,

Tobom Dai

Barapani

Naharlagun