The Arunachal Times - Archives

Siram calls for energy conservation movement in Arunachal

APEDA quiz contest on energy conservation

Ojing Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: Arunachal Pradesh has been termed as powerhouse of the country. We have to exploit it through power projects to generate electricity from our available water resources in a proper way, said Education Minister, Bosiram Siram during Inter School Quiz Competition organized by Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency on National Energy Conservation Day held at Banquet Hall today.

Despite abundant water resources, we are not utilizing the resources properly, due to lack of knowledge on conservation, utilization and due to some wrong perception. We have to initiate the energy conservation movement as a social movement and the ideas should percolate down to grassroots, Siram said.

He further emphasizing the importance of electricity conservation said that our state have so many defective architectural houses, due to wrong designing, even in day times some of the rooms are devoid of light and people keep their light 24 hours on. In addition, even our tradition houses have some structural defects as there is no proper ventilation and windows, and ultimately all these lead to wastage of electricity energy. We have to take remedial steps to address the wastage of electricity within our traditional houses also, suggested Siram.

While, exhorting the teaching community and the students to play active role sharing, he suggested the APEDA Director to write a letter to Director Education to incorporate energy conservation as one of the subjects in school education and also assured to discuss the matter with Director of school education and educationists about the possibility of inclusion of energy conservation in the syllabus.

Parliamentary Secretary, APEDA Likha Saaya advocating for conservation of energy lamented that the electricity is being misused by our people due to lack of knowledge on energy conservation. Citing examples of some countries to minimize the consumption of fuels and excess uses of motor vehicles, he said that in some of the foreign countries people are using Bicycle as their main conveyance. He suggested that if our people could adopt this attitude. He urged the people to positively work for the preservation of the mother earth for future generation and advised the student to play a role model in energy conservation.

APEDA, Director Marki Loya highlighting the aim and objectives of the essay and quiz competition also briefed about global warming.

He informed the gathering about decreasing non renewable energy resources in the country and the world due to continues exploitation and emphasized on energy conservation measures.

APEDA Project Officer Er. SK Shahi through power point presentation highlighted about ‘why do we need to conserve energy’.

Spearheading the message of energy conservation and energy efficiency throughout the state, besides conducting Quiz competition amongst the students from all over the state, APEDA had also organized Essay writing competition for the students all over the state on the topic ‘Save Electricity Save Money’. Altogether 92 best essay were selected from various schools, and finally the jury selected 25 essayists to participate in state level competition on Conservation of energy and efficient use in containing global warming.

Later, the Chief Guest, Education Minister B Siram and Special Guest under Secretary Education Marge Sora gave away the prizes to the winners of Quiz and Essay competitions.

MLA calls for restoration of Mechukha and Tato mini hydel

Hydro power department review meeting

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: State Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu convened a review meeting of Hydro Power Department in his office conference hall today.

Parliamentary Secretary Hydro Power Development, R T Khunjuju, Chairman Arunachal Pradesh Agricultural & Marketing Board Pasang Dorjee Sona, Power Secretary T Bagra along with host of Engineers and officer from Hydro Power department participated in the meeting.

While discussion on detail were made on the progress of various old and new hydel projects, Sona called for restoration of Mechuka and Tato mini hydel for ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the area. He reasoned that Mechuka being an important tourist hotspot and witnesses frequent inflow of VIPs and VVIPs, uninterrupted power supply is urgently required. He further stated that till new hydro power projects are commissioned the existing mini hydel need to be made functional.

Agreeing with the request, Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu directed the department to immediately look into the matter. Various developmental issues pertaining to the department were raised and discussed in the meeting. (PRO to CM)

NEPA calls for legally binding reduction strategy

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: North East People’s Alliance has urged upon all countries to agree to a legally binding carbon reduction strategy. We don't think the current framework of market mechanisms is going to solve the problem of climate change at all. We cannot play with lives in this way. We believe climate change is best tackled in a planned, conscious way based on a binding agreement, said a release signed by the representatives of eight states.

The Alliance will, post Copenhagen, will strongly resist any high carbon initiatives by any party while supporting better sustainable systems for NE and beyond.

The Alliance is also doubly alarmed by the unprecedented India government supported expansion of jathropa plantation and carbon sinks in the region. While the Alliance not only strongly believes that none of this mitigation mechanisms will solve the current climate crisis, the promotion of jathropa in Indigenous lands is destroying precious jhum lands, reduce food production and taking away long term sustainability of indigenous form of agriculture and forestry and hence for all humanity. At the national front, India’s un-sustainable and egregious economic growth is trampling upon the rights of Indigenous Peoples on their territories, forest and water. India’s pursuit for energy through dam building and increased oil extraction is leading to destruction of Indigenous Peoples land and territories in addition to adding to climate change. India will not only have to redefine its current growth path but also uphold the rights IPs. India is following a path not different from what other ‘developed’ countries have trodden and its justification for right to emission will be an addition to the death trap for all. There are choices, both for growth and technologies and therefore India must mandatorily restrict its GHG emissions, the signatories said.

VC concerned at language loss amongst the younger generation

A Grammar of Adi Language released

RONO HILLS, Dec 14: “A Grammar of Adi Language” jointly authored by Prof. Tamo Mibang, and Prof. P.T. Abraham and published by: University Book House(P) Ltd. Jaipur, Rajasthan was released by Prof. Belliappa, Vice-Chancellor, and Rajiv Gandhi University today.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. K.C Belliappa congratulated the tireless efforts by Prof Tamo Mibang and Prof. P. T Abhraham for coming up with the book on Adi grammar. He emphasised that a work on any language especially by the native speakers themselves is always a great asset not only to the linguists but also to the larger community who cannot speak the language. Citing examples from other languages and he said that to know any language one needs to be competent in the grammar of the target language. He also expressed the plight of mother tongue and language loss amongst the younger generation today and hoped that this commendable work on the grammar of Adi language will definitely help in growth of the language and literature.

The book is an attempt to study on the language spoken by the Adis of Arunachal Pradesh. Certain dialectal variations at phonological and lexical levels are found in the dialects spoken by various groups within the speakers. The work tries to capture the rule system and vocabulary of the variety that is shared by the majority of the speakers of Adi language. It is an exercise to design the grammar as a basic material for pedagogical purposes. It will be useful for typological and comparative studies.

State for amendment of Article 371-H: Panggeng

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: The state govt is planning to write to the centre for amendment of Article 371-H of the Constitution of India to safeguard customary practices and ownership and transfer of land of various tribes Arunachal. This was informed by the Parliamentary Secretary (Law & Justice) J.K. Panggeng, today during an interaction with the Senior Officers of his Department.

He asked the department to initiate necessary action in this regard.

Various legal issues confronting the State and the status of customary Laws and practice of various tribes came up for discussion during the meeting.

The Parliamentary Secretary desired that Law Research Assistant needs to be appointed for codifications of laws of various tribes for which the Law Department has been directed to initiate necessary action. He also desired that an instruction be issued from the Law Department to all the Fast Tract Courts that they hold circuit Courts in the District Head Quarters to mitigate the litigants considering the volume of cases pending for trial.

AAPSU decries “not reachable” mobile phone network

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has expressed displeasure at the erratic service of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and other private telecom service providers in the state. The Union said that these service providers are duping the people of the state by not providing service as expected. It said that instead of lessening the communication bottleneck, the service providers have become irritants.

In recent times, one-way call has become the order of the day where as charges were levied. It is time the concerned authorities open up their eyes before the union takes a stand, it stated.

The union also decried the dismal standard of state run transport system and the poor infrastructure of various bus stations across the state. One of the glaring examples is the Naharlagun Bus station, which is congested and dilapidated with no provision for passenger comfort, it said.

It called on the state government to provide necessary funds to revamp and renovate the existing bus station with sitting facilities and other amenities while stating that one of the most potential revenue generating departments has been neglected. The communication bottleneck whether be it in the form of degraded transport system in the state or inconsistent telephone network in turn adversely impact the tourism sector, the union said.

The union on the other hand urged the state government to immediately set up hill resorts and rope ways in the vicinity of the capital complex and also sustained support for promotion of tourism in the state.

The Union further called for immediate staffing of security personal at water treatment plant in the Capital Region and also suggested that City Administration and alternative route for the entry of heavy vehicle via Gumto-Doimukh-Yupia-Pappunallah-Jully to Ganga.

DPC meeting for approval of proposal under BRGF

DAPORIJO, Dec 14: A District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting was held on 8th December 2009 at Rijo Conference Hall here for approval of the supplementary proposal under Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF), TFC grant and appointment of chartered accountant.

Nakap Nalo, Chairperson, District Planning Committee chaired the meeting. A request was made by him to the Member Secretary and Elected Panchayat leaders to implement schemes under BRGF in a free and fair manner so that no legal complicacies and complaints were received from any corner.

ADC cum District Panchayat Dev. Officer, G. Ete saying that the district was most fortunate in having been selected under BRGF amongst the 16 districts in the state, laid particular stress on the accountability of elected Panchayat leaders and Govt. officials for proper implementation of schemes. He also requested the members not to take up schemes in piece meal manner but rather to create durable and tangible projects for better development of the district.

S. Timba, DPO highlighted the background of the BRGF and informed the house that under the Backward District Initiative, Upper Subansiri district got selected from amongst 250 backward districts identified in the country. Further, he requested the member secretary, administrative officers, ZPMs and Anchal Chairperson to successfully implement the BRGF projects so that the face of the district could be changed.

Poi Pee Mau ends on impressive note

Namsai, Dec 14: Third edition of Khampti New Year festival, Poi Pee Mau, ended on Monday in a grand manner. The three day festive extravaganza saw participation of large number of Khampti people from every walks of life. The final day of festival witnessed impressive display of rich culture and tradition of Tai Khampti community. A fashion show and dance programs presented by students were the highlight of last evening of Poi Pee Mau Festival.

Truly representing the rich tradition of state, every cultural item of evening was greeted with loud cheer from applauding audience. The best applause was reserved for the participants of fashion show. When young models started ramp walk wearing traditional Khampti dress and modern attires, they set stage on fire with crowd cheering their move. The coming together of modernity and traditionalist under one roof was treat to watch. Recitation of patriotic Khampti numbers was also important event of the evening. Earlier on the day, games and sports event saw large number of participation.

Apart from cultural events, a meeting was held by Tai Khampti Development society to discuss various problems faced by the community in general. Meeting was attended by all elder leaders of community including Chongkham MLA Chow Tewa Mein and members of Tai Khampti Development Society. Some of the issues discussed by them include steps to eradicate social evil, fixation of permanent location for celebration Poi Pee Mau, etc.

Khamtis grapple with drug menace

Taba Ajum

Namsai, Dec 14: Home to Chowkham, once richest village of Asia, the sleepy Namsai Sub Division is today in grip of dangerous drug menace which is threatening to cripple life of the scores of youngster. According to unconfirmed reports at least 80 percent of young Khampti population have fallen prey to drug abuse. Drug de-addiction centre located near Namsai town where many drug user come for addiction related treatment tell you the dark reality of the life of this town, which otherwise is inhabited by warm-hearted Khampti tribe.

The main objective of celebrating this year’s ‘Poi Pee Mau’, Khampti New Year festival was to bring awareness among youth about consequences of drug use. But even at the venue of celebration, drug users had their way. The entire sorrow of Khampti youth indulging in drug abuse was explained by CS Choutang, president of Tai Khampti Development Society, “If at this moment we don’t stop our youth from taking drugs, then it will be too late. It is sad that instead of joining mainstream society, younger generation from our tribe is lost to drugs.”

Such has been the problem of drug abuse that parents are always worried for their kids. “My son is 10 years old and soon he will make new friends. It gives me nightmare imagining what if he develops friendship with drug addicts,” said one parent from Nalung village.

It is not that everything is lost for the people of Namsai, there are some youngsters who have become ray of hope for the community. This reporter caught up with young a boy named, Chow Mongon Mantian who is working as tourist guide and has been to places like Thailand and Tibet. “Working as tourist guide I got opportunity to travel places like Bangkok, Phuket and Tibet. I got training at Bodhgaya and since has been able to support myself with my job,” told Chow Mongon. Being part of the land of Rising Sun, there is hope among Khampti people that they too will rise above drug menace plaguing their society in the coming days.

Training of PRIs on Rajiv Gandhi Vidyutikaran Yojna begins

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: The National Franchisee Training Programme (Training of Trainers) being conducted by the Department of Power has begun today at Vidyut Bhawan Conference Hall.

During the weeklong training programme, the Panchayat Raj leaders will be trained by master trainers- Narsimha Murty and Gopal Krishna from Central Institute of Rural Electrification of Rural Electrification Corporation Hyderabad.

Executive engineers, assistant engineers, junior engineers and ZPM chairperson are participating in the training to comprehend the franchisee of revenue collection in rural areas.

PRI Commissioner Tape Bagra, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the importance of power in our day today life and said that electrification is a pre –requisite factor in developing rural areas. He told the trainees, consisted of Zilla Parishad chairperson from various districts and District Panchayat Development Officers and Officers of the Power Department, to work in unison so that the Rajiv Gandhi Vidyutikaran Yojna, a flagship programme gets implemented successfully. He urged the Zilla Parishad chairpersons and other participants to properly grasp the objectives and limitation of the Notification of Franchisee Scheme before drawing any conclusion, during the weeklong training.

The Notification of Franchisee Scheme enables franchisee to manage the electricity supply in the rural areas with distribution transformer capacity aggregating to about 500 KVA. 75% of the revenue will be handed over to power department and rest 25% will be for the panchayat.

Area covered shall be defined by the department based on available assessment prepared by the Assistant Engineers, recommended by the Executive Engineer and the Superintending Engineer and approved by the Chief Engineer.

The PRI Director Bida Gadi suggested that the constant monitoring by the panchayat raj leaders would ensure proper implementation of the scheme. Gadi urged the PR leaders to fully aware of their responsibilities towards the welfare of the people and to be well informed on the things happening around them. He urged the two master trainers to use simple language while educating the participants on the schemes so that they could carry forward the information in their respective areas.

Power Department Chief Engineer (Eastern Zone) A Perme and SE Headquarter Gumdo Doji also spoke on the occasion.

Annual School Day

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: Annual School Day celebration of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Itanagar began today with formal inauguration by the school principal.

Former MLA Kipa Babu will attend the valedictory function as chief guest on December 16 while former MLA Lichi Legi would be the guest of honour.

Sikarijo gets Community Hall under BRGF

DAPORIJO, Dec 14: Community Hall at Sikarijo-I was inaugurated by Nakap Nalo, Zilla Parishad Chairperson on Dec 10.

Contractor Matok Dulom constructed the Community Hall under the BRGF. The construction, done with a low budget and the will to create a community space for the people, is a good example of sacrificing profits for the happiness of the community by the contractor.

Speaking on the occasion, Nakap Nalo expressed his happiness over the participation of the community in taking an effort to create an asset for the place and also commented that the visibility of utilization of funds in the area would be an example for others to follow suit.

He also praised the initiative taken by the ZPM and ASMs of the area in doing a good work and added that leaders could work well only with the help and support of the people.

The ADC, while addressing the gathering, congratulated the people on their village being a developed one and expressed hopes of seeing more developed villages in the district. He specially mentioned and praised the contractor on doing such a good job and said that such individuals should be appreciated and recognized by the govt.

It was decided that the contractor would be specially felicitated for his efforts and his good work would be made known to the govt. departments, agencies and the public. The day turned out to be a celebration of not only a man’s good will but also the community getting a place to celebrate.

Christmas celebration at Roing

Bishnu Rana

ROING, Dec 14: Local MLA Laeta Umbrey appreciated the role being played by the prayer centre, Roing for upholding the dignity, bringing peace and happiness among hapless, ailing people and downtrodden selflessly. Umbrey said this while attending the advance Christmas celebration at prayer centre here.

Deepak Nabum, ministries in Christ, while briefing about the aims and objective of the prayer centre, clarified that the Gamgu Prayer Centre was not a church but a prayer centre through which the message of peace is sent to the people irrespective of caste, creed and religions. Its main aim is to give a ray of hope and relief to those hapless through prayer.

Colourful dances, message of Christ from the pastors visited from East Siang and Lohit were the main highlight of the day-long celebration.

Kasu Borang and Er. Getom Borang donated a plot of land for construction of the centre and 5000 sqm of land for burial ground.

T Karga SP, district officials, public and religious leaders, followers of Christ from East Siang and Lohit participated.

Awareness camp on PMEGP

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: A district level awareness camp on Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme was held at office hall of NN Charitable Society (NNCS), Sagalee recently.

Attending the programme as chief guest, Sagalee ADC Obang Dai lauded the charitable services carries out by NNCS for solving unemployment problems of the region by imparting training to various NGOs, SHGs, farmers clubs etc. to make them self employed.

Officials from various line departments also attended the camp as resource persons, who included Joint Director of Industries, Papum Pare, EO (credit) Sagalee etc.

The camp was attended by various SHGs, farmers Club, PMEGP units, PRI leaders, HGBs, GBs and general public of the area.

Dist. level Taekwondo C’ship

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: The 7th District Level Taekwondo Championship, 2010 would be held at Solung Ground, Pasighat from December 16 to 18.

Taekwondo Clubs of East Siang, West Siang, Tirap and SAI SAG, Naharlagun will participate in the championship. Education Minister Bosiram Siram and Jaypee Arunachal Power Limited president BN Sharma will attend the event as chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

PNB organizes training prog

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: Punjab National Bank, a leading bank of India, organized a training camp for farmers club at Jote village yesterday with coordination of Rural Development Society (RDS).

Branch manager Sunil Kumar Gupta discussed each and every parameter of the subject matter, including how farmers’ financial position will be strengthened with the help of bank. He said that Bank is always ready to finance as per their genuine requirement but they will have to prove their sincerity, honesty and labour. A cordial banker-Customer relationship is the basic factor for the prosperity of individual as well as society, he said. Development in agricultural sector in Punjab and Haryana with the help of financial institutions proves the bank-customer relationship, he added.

RDS president Tabu Diu also spoke to the members on the subject matter and motivated them for good banking habits.

Si-Donyi tourney begins

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: The Si-Donyi Sports Tourney organized by Daporijo Si-Donyi Festival Celebration Committee 2010 began with a football match at Rijo ground, Daporijo yesterday.

The inaugural match was played between Maying Lingdi-Lingney and Giba XI in which the latter defeated the former by solitary goal scored by Tapa Pute in 54th minute of the match.

The inaugural function was attended by Er. Jilik Hiri, AE (RWD) as chief guest while Dr. Taha Piya, MO was the guest of honour.

Social service organized

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: Nationalist Congress Party’s youth wing the Nationalist Youth Congress organized a social service recently to clean the medical compound at Seppa.

Further, the NYC conducted a quiz competition at its office and first three winners were given gold, silver and bronze medals.

Bifurcation of the judiciary from executive in phased manner: Panggeng

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: A week-long training programme on “Court Procedures” commenced today at ATI. The training was exclusively meant for newly inducted APCS (EG) officers of 2009 batch. The Training Programme is being conducted under the sponsorship & Course Fee assistance of DoPT, Govt. of India. As many as 26 officers are attending the training programme.

Parliamentary Secretary Law, Legislature & Judicial J.K Panggeng, said that the Govt have already taken steps for bifurcation of the judiciary from executive successfully in some of the districts & the process of complete separation of judiciary will take place in phase manner.

J.K Panging informed the participants that he is contemplating to improve the judiciary system in the State & would be taking advice of other State Legislators for introducing new measures which may include conferring of judicial powers to the executives (COs) after having successfully undergone qualifying training course on Law & Judicial first.

The Chief Guest further reminded the officers that since Govt. of AP have already introduced the provision of the National Property Act & Stamp Duty in the State, therefore it becomes more important to sensitize the public at large the need & necessity to follow the provision & guideline of the Act/rules. The Chief Guest further requested newly inducted State Civil Service Officers in particular & other Govt. officers & functionaries of the State in large to fight against the social evils of corruption, bribes & participation of Govt. employees in business which is highly detrimental for the healthy growth of the State.

The Chief Guest once again reminded that state is in the transition period & development affairs & therefore all the stake holders should work in tandem with the present leadership to achieve a sound future for the state.

Earlier, Director (Training), Pema Tshetan in his welcome address pointed out that this week-long training programme will help the officers to acquire good working knowledge on law & judicial matters to improve their present level of knowledge & drafting skills of judicial procedures & orders. The Director spoke on the need to acquire maximum knowledge possible about various Acts that are promulgated/ passed by the State Legislature from time to time a part from Central Acts to enable them to correctly interpret & execute it to avoid misuse & misinterpretation. He added that, this week-long training programme is thus aimed at providing them with the scope to understand various functions under Court procedures considering the fact that the functions of both judiciary & executives are mostly on the shoulder of APCS officers & thus they are responsible for administrating justice in addition to carrying out their own executive responsibility without inviting un wanted litigation & adverse court verdict indicting their actions in future.

T. Lodo, Dy. Director (Trg) informed that the week-long training programme on “Court Procedure” is being conducted exclusively with the help of local resource person consisting of Goto Ete, Additional District & Sessions Judge, (Fast Track Court), Yupia, Chuku Apa, Principal, PTC, Banderdewa, Rajiv Takuk, Director Border Affairs/ Tai Taggu EAC, Balijan, A.K Singh, Prosecuting Officer, PHQ, Itanagar, Sunil Mow, Budi Habung, Pritam Taffo, Senious Advocates of Guwahati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench .

Earlier, Prescilla Tayeng, Course Coordinator sought full cooperation of participants for the success of the programme.

CE calls for cooperation for successful implementation of TSC

Changlang, Dec 14: Chief Engineer (Eastern Zone), PHED, Arunachal Pradesh Er T Ketan was here at Changlang on a 4 days official tour.

On Changlang leg of the tour, the CE(E/Z) visited Miao & Kharsang Circle to get the first hand account of all the water Supply Schemes and TSC (Total Sanitation Campaign) programme implemented by the department. He also visited the Circle Office Complex and Project site under SPA grant.

A review meeting on progress of on-going works was also convened at the circle office at Miao wherein the Power Point Presentation of NRDWS (National Rural Drinking Water Supply Programme) schemes, TSC and other centrally sponsored Schemes like SPA/SCAScheme for W/S at Miao township and 10% lump sum grant scheme for W/S Jairampur township area, was presented by the respective field Engineers.

The Chief Engineer later visited the various structures constructed/under construction Water treatment plant (WTP) site for Jairampur W/S Project under Jairampur-Nampong Circle. He also visited the Circle Headquarter, Rima Putok to take stock of the water Supply Schemes Implemented and inspected the School Toilets, Anganwadi Toilets and individual Households Latrines constructed under TSC Programme at Rima putok vill, Machum vill, HSS Nampong and Lungvi village.

While interacting with the villagers of Lungvi village, he called upon them to render full co-operation and proper utilization of TSC structures implemented by the department.

Earlier the Chief Engineer also toured Khonsa under Tirap District.

The CE before leaving for Itanagar expressed satisfaction on the works done by the deptt. in the district and extended his desire to visit the district HQ, Changlang and Bordumsa-Diyun Circle which he couldn’t cover due to lack of time. He also instructed the field engineers to carry-on the good work and added minor rectification/improvement works to be carried out on various structures that he saw during the course of the tour.

Er Ketan who was on his first official tour since bifurcation of the department into two Zones, was accompanied by Superintending Engineer, PHE Circle, Miao Er. L Kri, EE(PHED), Changlang Er J G Bhagat, Assistant Surveyor of Works, PHED, Changlang Er R J Longchang and other officials of PHED, Changlang District. (DIPRO)

Bharat Scout and Guide training camp organized at Bhalukpong

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: For the first time, Bharat Scout and Guide training camp was organized by Himgiri Scout and guide group at Bhalukpong from Dec 11-13. 120 Scout and guide from Govt Secondary and Middle School Bhalukpong under the leadership of T.C Borah, Govind Ramdasow, O. Panyang took part. The camp started with flag hoisting and with the message to work selflessly for the cause of Socio-Cultural Development of the country by S. Lowang, Headmistress cum chairperson, Himgiri scout and Guide group.

They were trained on importance of sanitation by N. Jamoh, A.E, PHED while Health care, first-Aid, Protection from Swine flue & AIDS were done by medical staff.

B.P. Gupta SOC (Scouts) highlighted the purpose of scouting and guiding to produce Happy, Healthy and useful citizens of the country.

MLA Kumsi Sidisow who was the Chief Guest of the camp expressed his happiness & assured to provide all possible supports for the development of students and scouting and guiding as a whole.

The guest of honour I/C EAC Bhalukpong R.D. Thougam emphasized on the importance of quality education for the all-round development of the children.

Dr.B.Barooah Cancer Institute to become a Center of Excellence

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has identified Dr.B.Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati as one of the four Regional Cancer Centers to be developed in to Centers of Excellence. Dr.B.Borooah Institute will be the Centre of Excellence for the eastern region. Each center will receive a grant in aid of Rs.15 crores during the 11th Five Year plan for procurement of infrastructural facilities like PET-CT/IGRT.

Amarjit Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India informed this development to the Board Members of Dr.B.Borooah Institute in the 10th Meeting of the Board of Directors held in New Delhi last week under the auspices of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. The meeting was chaired by Minister of DoNER & Chairman of North Eastern Council, Bijoy Krishna Handique.

The Board of Directors of the Institute approved the funding allocation of Rs.40.46 crore for the remaining period of the 11th five year plans, FY 2010-11 & FY 2011-12.

Handique assured the Board that there would be no cause of uncertainty regarding the future funding of the Institute. He mentioned that a Five Year funding pattern will be finalized for future before the completion of the 11th Five Year Plan. A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the funding constituents of the Board and its term would be co-terminus with the next Five year Plan.

Jayati Chanda, Secretary, DoNER also allayed any apprehensions on the future funding of the Institute.

The board was informed that the third Linear Accelerator machine for Radiotherapy will be procured in FY 2010-11. Additionally, the Board also approved the creation of twenty four numbers of Grade-I posts.

Handique took note of the significant improvement in the services and functioning of the institute. He also lauded the initiative of Ministry of Science and Technology in sanctioning Rs.2.3 Crs for setting up a DBT Centre for Molecular Biology and Cancer Research at Dr.B.Barooah Cancer Institute.

An estimated 30,000 patients came for treatment to BBCI this year.

PhD to Rajib Chowhai

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: Rajib Chowhai, son of Late H. Chowhai, Gidding, Bordumsa, Changlang, has been awarded with the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the Department of Geography, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Rono Hills. He has worked on “Changing Profile of the Tai-Khamptis of Arunachal Pradesh: Social Economic and Cultural: A Case Study of Namsai Sub-Division of Lohit District, under the Supervision of Dr. N.C. Singh, Associate Professor, presently Head of the Department, Geography, RGU.

Yingkiong celebrates Advent Christmas

YINGKIONG, Dec 14: Upper Siang Christian Forum celebrated the 9th Advent Christmas on Sunday at Yingkiong in which all the churches took part. Mass prayers were offered for world peace and prosperity of country and State as a whole and for Upper Siang in particular.

Meanwhile First ever District Level Singing competition titled “Echo of Upper Siang” was conducted among the youths of all the churches of the District in which Api Panggam was crown with the Title of Echo Of Upper Siang,followed by Anki Tamang and Antony Darang.

Amendment of Gallong in winter session: PM

ITANAGAR: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh assured MPs Takam Sanjoy and Dr. Thokchom Meinya and Mr. Thangso Baite that bill for amendment of change of Nomenclature from ‘Gallong to Galo’ and inclusion of Matey Tribe of Manipur to the Scheduled tribe list by amending the Schedule Tribe Order of 1954 would be tabled during the current session of parliament.

The bill got delayed due to more time sought by Mr. Baite to clear some misgivings of Matey people before an amendment to the Constitution is brought by the Central Govt. The delegation urged upon the Prime Minister to clear the deck for bringing the bill within this session since ’Misgivings and misunderstandings’ have been once and for all cleared. The Prime Minister asked the Manipur MPs to see that no unnecessary complaints and letters are written to PMO that stalls the bill being brought to Parliament as scheduled.

NSUI office bearers take charge

ITANAGAR: The newly elected State and District units office bearers of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) have taken over the charges of office and duty at APCC office, today.

The meeting was attended by APCC president Nabam Tuki, APRGPRS chairperson Jarjum Ete, APCSD chief organizer Taki Taba, among others.

Kaso assures help to SLSA

ITANAGAR: Legislator Techi Kaso today inspected all the construction sites of Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy (SLSA), Chimpu and assured all possible help in getting the project completed within stipulated time period.

During his visit, the MLA also assured to solve boundary issue and will take all necessary initiatives to construct a new approach road to avoid the trespassing through the sports complex, according to an official release.