December -  12

• Anna holds day-long fast; non-UPA parties share dais
• Army steps in to help school
• VoA: Five left after 7th round
• AAPSU reach out to Ziro fire victims, suggests model villages
• RKVY starts at East Siang
• Poju Mimak centenary celebration concludes
• Death of discipline among students: AMSU
• UN climate meet approves roadmap for 2015 landmark deal

AoL school excels at inter-school meet

PASIGHAT, Dec 11: The students of Sri Sri Vidya Mandir Pasighat shined in the just-concluded  two-day Inter-School Sports & Games Meet-2011 conducted by All Pasighat Private School Association at General Ground here on December 5 and 6 last.

The school run by Art of Living won 10 prizes, including the football trophy.

The school also emerged champions in cricket.

Sori Tasi was adjudged the ‘Man of the Series’ for scoring highest runs.

The sprinters, both boys and girls, won the first prizes in 4x100 m relay race.

 

Awareness cum workshop programme

ITANAGAR, Dec 11: AN awareness cum workshop programme was held at Donyi-Polo Dere, Chimpu today.  On the occasion, school Principal Subhas Chandra Dixit delivered lecture on “approach to child from infancy till adolescence” as resource person.

Highlighting the parent-children relation, he advised the parents that instead of scolding the child parents should convince and console their child whenever they are found guilty. It is the duty of the parents to give time to their children’s education and care for their bright future.

Secretary RK Mission Hospital Visweshananda Maharaj threw light on “how to cultivate optimistic thoughts and over pessimistic emotion”.

He also highlighted the role of the parents in moulding the character of children while describing them as the first teacher and practical god of their children.

 

Coordination meeting

ITANAGAR, Dec 11: A public coordination meeting of Gangte Circle under the banner of Gangte Circle Intellectual Forum (GC1F) and All Taning Talam Welfare Society (ATTWS) was held at Itanagar yesterday under the Chairmanship of Hidung Niki (ASM), Techpu.

 In the meeting all sections of the society, Panchayat leaders, elite college and the University Students' discussed about the construction of Phaa Steel Bridge over Kumey River. After prolong discussion, everyone present passed 3 resolutions. The first being that the construction of Phaa steel Bridge over Kumey River shall be done by floating open tender by concern authority under the guidelines of CPWD norms without involving any third party. They further warned that if any third party is involved in this regard, then the general public of the concerned area shall not tolerate and will be compelled to lunch democratic movement in near future. They also decided that people of Gangte Circle headed by the Intellectual Forum in collaboration with all section of the societies shall jointly meet the concerned MIA, to place its grievances shortly.

 

CM condoles AMRI deaths

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has deeply condoled the death of numerous people in the AMRI hospital inferno. While extending his heartfelt condolence, Tuki termed the incident as very unfortunate and expressed solidarity to the aggrieved family members and the government of West Bengal.

Tuki further appreciated the West Bengal Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for its prompt action in rescuing many victims and initiating action against the hospital authority.

 

Body found, one arrested

ITANAGAR, Dec 11: The alleged murder of one girl has shocked the citizen of capital. The murder came to light on December  9 after people informed the police about a dead body at Chimpu area. The body has been identified as that of Yasok Kaji, a 19 year old girl from Taliha circle under Upper Subansiri district, who was currently staying in Itanagar.

While talking to this daily, Capital SP Alok Kumar informed that one person has been arrested in this connection.

“We have arrested one person and the case is under investigation. The girl went missing on December 7 of this month but no missing report was lodged with police. On  December 9 at around 3  pm we got information that a dead body was lying in Chimpu area,” said the Capital SP.

Meanwhile Tagin Welfare Society (TWS) has strongly condemned the brutal murder of  Yasok.   TWS alleged that late Yasok was raped and murdered subsequently. Claiming that this is the rarest case in the Arunachal’s history, the Society appealed to the authority concerned to investigate the case thoroughly and award exemplary punishment to the accused person. They also appreciated the prompt action of Chief Minister Nabum Tuki in regards to Dapirjo fire incident.

News Impact

Anna holds day-long fast; non-UPA parties share dais

New Delhi, Dec 11: Leaders of non-UPA parties today shared the dais with Anna Hazare during his one-day fast here backing him on a strong Lokpal but made it clear to him that it will be Parliament that will take the final call and civil society cannot expect all its demands to be accepted.

Congress and other UPA constituents kept away but prominent leaders, including those from the Left and the Right, came together on a visibly anti-Congress platform at Hazare's symbolic fast at Jantar Mantar, in protest against the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Lokpal Bill.

Most of the leaders concurred with Hazare's demands for inclusion of Prime Minister, lower bureaucracy and CBI's anti-corruption wing under Lokpal but they did not favour bringing higher judiciary under the ombudsman and argued for a separate mechanism to check corruption in it.

Arun Jaitley (BJP), Sharad Yadav (JD-U), A B Bardhan and D Raja (CPI), Brinda Karat (CPI-M), K Yerran Naidu (TDP), Pinaki Mishra (BJD), Ramgopal Yadav (SP) and S S Dhindsa (Akali Dal), who participated in a debate, promised Hazare that they would do their utmost in Parliament to pin the government down to ensure that Lokpal is effective. INLD also sent a nominee with a letter of support.

Before winding up his fast, 74-year-old Hazare targeted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying he was "not able to take decisions" and there are "three-four people" who think they are Prime Ministers, but did not take any name.

He also attacked Rahul Gandhi, saying "spending one day in a hut is just not enough" for him to aspire to be a Prime Minister.

Hazare appealed to opposition to join his agitation for a strong Lokpal if they do not have the numbers to correct the government in Parliament. "If government hesitates in passing a strong Lokpal Bill or rejects your suggestions and if you (opposition) fall short of numbers, we can do one thing. The people are here with us," Hazare said.

"You can join us with all your parties and partymen and come to the streets for a larger campaign. Let us see how the government does not do it. We will ensure that no jail in the country remains empty, such will be our campaign," Hazare said after political leaders put their views on the issue.

The Congress hit back at Team Anna and the Opposition accusing them of putting pressure on Parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal said Parliament was "paralysed by people sitting on the dais with Hazare and they want to show the world that they are against corruption.

"This is time-pass for them," he said.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said, "Laws cannot be made at Jantar Mantar. I have no hesitation in saying that Annaji is insulting Parliament."

It was CPI General Secretary Bardhan who sought to deliver the message home to the civil society when he warned Team Anna against branding as "corrupt" all those who disagree with them.

"Team Anna should not expect that each and every point it makes is accepted. They should show some flexibility. You should not think that 9-10 people of yours are the repository of the all worldly wisdom. There is no dearth of scholars in a country of 120 crore. Team Anna should also listen to others and have patience to listen to others," he said.

The message was carried further when his party colleague Raja virtually snatched the mike from Arvind Kejriwal and told him to leave the detailed discussions on the Lokpal Bill to Parliament.

Agreeing with him, Jaitley said all the leaders have already discussed the fundamental issues and agreed with most of the key demands of Team Anna.

"We all agreed that there should be a strong and effective Lokpal and we will do our best to make it happen.

But details on specific issues should be left to Parliament for discussion," said Jaitley.

CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat wanted big corporate houses to be brought under Lokpal. "They (private companies) will have to brought under Lokpal. They are looting the country like anything and they should be under the body."

Karat also said her party agrees with Team Anna on its demand that government nominees should not dominate search and selection committees for Lokpal. PTI

 

Army steps in to help school

AALO, Dec 11: The Keak Middle School, which completed its Golden Jubilee in 2006, still exists as one of the oldest learning centers of the district without any headway in terms of infrastructures and modern facilities.

The plight of the school located on the roadside drew the attention of 5 Mountain Brigade, Aalo, who gave face lift to the school within a short period of time after adopting it.

To start with, they  renovated the school, girls hostel and drainage system much to the delight of teaching community, villagers and students.

Attending the inaugural function to mark the occasion on December 10 last, Brig. Raj Pal Ponia, YSM Commander 5 Mountain Brigade urged the village community to take lead role in school uplift. He assured that army will give all supporting roles to make it a model school.

He called upon the teachers to discharge their duty properly and mould the destiny of students in their formative period. Education should not be confined to teaching and learning but human values should also be infused in the minds of youth to create feeling of love, liberalism and humanity. They should be taught to stand in their own, he said.

Stressing  on Mid Day Meal and other incentives to children by Govt. of India, he insisted on enrollment of more students in the school. Though the army is constantly involved in the defense of the nation, this nature of Civic Action Programme would  continue to nurture the spirit of camaraderie between army and civil society, he said. The commander also distributed games and sports equipments to school on the occasion.

Col. K.D. Jas Pal, commanding officer Kaying, who is personally supervising the needs of the school, and other army officers from 5 Mountain Brigade were also present.

The Headmaster of the school, Ritum Tato, teachers Jartum Tali and N. Pandey who were instrumental in tying up with army for the noble cause expressed their gratitude and sought cooperation of all for the tasks ahead. (DIPRO)

 

VoA: Five left after 7th round

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Dec 11:  The 7th elimination round of Voice of Arunachal (Season-2), a singing talent hunt, was held at Cinema Hall, Naharlagun yesterday. Altogether five contestants have qualified for the next (8th) round. Senge Basar of West Siang was eliminated after the end of 7th round  last evening on the basis of public voting.

Attending the programme, APCC  Chairman (Labour Cell), M Sonam praised the organizing committee for giving platform to the young  singers to exhibit their talents.   

He encouraged the singers to participate in national level competitions too instead of confining their singing activities only in the state.

Pritam Taffo, a senior advocate, suggested the contestants to work harder for better results. “Winning and losing are part and parcel of competition. But participation in such event is more important,” he added.

He encouraged the upcoming singers to go beyond state level competitions.

The next elimination round would be held on Saturday next.

Earlier, all the contestants Nido Yalem, Neelam Akam, Nokngam Lukham, Tarh Paul, Senge Basar and Sweety Mara entertained the audience with their melodious numbers.

 

AAPSU reach out to Ziro fire victims, suggests model villages

ITANAGAR, Dec 11: The members of All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) today visited the site of Hapoli fire incident and met the victims.

The AAPSU team led by president Takam Tatung included Duyu Nama Secretary Federal Assembly, President and General Secretary of Apatani Youth Association (AYA).

 While sharing pain of fire victims, Tatung on behalf of AAPSU distributed blankets and buckets to the victims.

“In such fire accident student communities suffer most due to burning down of books and documents. We are here to express our solidarity with our fellow students and their parents who lost everything in the fire,” he said.

 AAPSU appealed to the state government to set up model villages in and around Ziro, so that congestion in the town can be reduced. Further, this will not only help beautify the  Ziro township but also reduce the chances of major fire.

 

RKVY starts at East Siang

Prafulla Kaman

PASIGHAT, Dec 11: Rastriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY), a central-sponsored agricultural programme has been implemented in East Siang district, which is drawing attention of the rural farmers. Official sources informed that an amount of Rs. 15 Lakh agriculture fund for the fiscal year 2010-11 has been sanctioned against East Siang district in order to implement the RKVY schemes.

The district agriculture department is going to implement the scheme covering all its 10 Agricultural Development Circles.

Under the RKVY programme, 10 units of scheme under land development, 9 units for temporary vegetable gardens, 12 units of permanent vegetable gardens have been approved besides distribution of a total 195 hand tools among the individual horticulturists of the district.

The East Siang district agriculture officer (DAO), Ojong Yomso informed that the department recently conducted a meeting involving all Zilla Parishad Members of the district, where implementation of RKVY schemes were discussed.

Sources further informed that out of the 10 units in ‘Land Development (by terracing)’- 2 units each in Boleng, Pangin, and Koyu ADO circles, one in each at Mebo and Pasighat (HQ) were approved. As such, out of 9 temporary vegetable gardens- a single unit scheme has been placed for each of the circles. Likewise, 2 units of permanent vegetable gardens are approved against Ruksin, Silley, Bilat, Pasighat and Pasighat(HQ), while the Mebo and Nari circle have been allotted one unit each.

 

Poju Mimak centenary celebration concludes

Sacred duty to honour the valiant heroes: Ering

DENKI (KEBANG), Dec 11:  Member of Parliament Ninong Ering attended the concluding programme of centenary celebration of Poju Mimak, the 4th and last Anglo-Abor War,  at Dengki of Kebang-Pogleg village.   

An eventful existence of patriotism and century long history of breviary is an indelible honor, Ering said.

‘It is our sacred duty to remember and honour our forefathers who fought against the British bravely to protect honour, democracy and freedom, indeed is a part and parcel of freedom struggle of India, he opined.’

Inaugurating a Centennial Community Hall, constructed under MPLAD at Kebang village, the MP said the memorials we build today would forever reflect our nation’s gratitude and lasting reminders of breviary and sacrifices of our great Adi warriors.

While seeking cooperation from the people in state building, Ering said many have wrong notion about the mega-dam issue. He claimed that all precautions are being taken and the state would be in a better position within 10 years by earning huge revenue from hydropower.

He donated Rs one lakh to the celebration committee and also one ambulance for public service.

The two-day centenary celebration of Poju Mimak,  organized under the aegis of Paator Gumin Heritage Preservation and Research Foundation at Denki of Kebang (Poglek) on December 9 1nd 10 provided a perfect platform to commemorate the unsung Adi heroes. DIPRO

 

Death of discipline among students: AMSU

TEZU, Dec 11: The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Mahadevpur is hit by death of discipline among students, alleged All Mishmi Students Union (AMSU) over the recent report of death of two students.   

Pipali Choutang (16) and Ajitso Manyu (16) of class X were reportedly found dead on Friday near Noa-Dihing River, after they reportedly went  missing on December 6.

“It has been a daily habit of students to go out of school campus without permission,” said Sohalo Ngadong, AMSU president from Mahadevpur, on Saturday.  

He claimed that the students were absent from the school campus since December 4. The school authority reported the matter to police after their nonattendance was noted during a roll call, he informed.

The union during its visit to the school interacted with the principal and other teaching officials. Assistant Commissioner of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Ministry of Education from Shillong also visited the school to take stock of the situation.

An FIR (no 16/2011) has been lodged with Mahadevpur Police station by the school authority. The police, not ruling out possibility of foul play, have converted the FIR under section 302 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Drawing the attention of  Finance Minister Chowna Mein and local MLA of Mahadevpur on failing standard of the school and lack of discipline, AMSU appealed to the government to take immediate corrective measures for the school. It also appealed for compensation to the family of the deceased.

The union after its site visit of school campus drew concern over absence of boundary walls, which made the students to sneak out every day, and even during nights.

"The girls’ conduct and their hostel campus is, however, much better than the boys’," Ngadong added.

 

UN climate meet approves roadmap for 2015 landmark deal

Durban, Dec 11: UN climate negotiators today struck a compromise deal on a roadmap for an accord that will, for the first time, legally force all major carbon emitters to cut greenhouse gas emissions, ending days of wrangling between India and the EU over the fate of the Kyoto protocol.

While the new pact to be finalised till 2015, will for the first time bring India and China under the ambit of a legal mechanism guiding emission cuts, the accord will go into effect only from 2020.

The pact on tackling climate change -- the agreement on which came after hard negotiations that ran 36 hours beyond schedule -- must be completed by 2015, and talks on the new legal deal covering all countries will begin next year, when Kyoto Protocol expires.

Under the compromise, while India and China agreed to bring themselves under a governing treaty, the developed nations agreed to a second commitment period under Kyoto Protocol, putting to rest concerns that they would walk away from commitments once the 1997 treaty expires in 2012.

Kyoto Protocol remains the only legally-binding treaty for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and India had batted hard for its revival at the 194-party conference here.

Kyoto Protocol sets binding targets for 37 industrialised nations and the EU to slash carbon emissions to 5 per cent below the 1990 levels by 2012.

Up to now, China and India have been exempt from any constraints because they are developing countries, while the US has opted out of the Kyoto Protocol. .

During the conference, which was originally scheduled to close on Friday, the EU had pushed hard for a "roadmap" to a new, legally-binding treaty against fierce resistance from India and China, whose delegates argued that mandatory cuts would slow their growth and condemn millions to poverty.

"Am I to write a blank cheque and sign away the livelihoods and sustainability of 1.2 billion Indians, without even knowing what the EU 'roadmap' contains?" asked Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan. "Please do not hold us hostage."

The final text of the Durban conference said parties would "develop a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force". That compromise averted the use of "legally-binding".

"The equity of burden-sharing cannot be shifted," Natarajan said, while rejecting the EU proposal which, she argued, undermined the two-decade-old principle that developing nations had less responsibility than industrialised countries.

The intense debate went on past midnight last night, prompting Conference President and South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to call a recess.

Nkoana-Mashabane gave Natarajan and European Commissioner Connie Hedegaard 10 minutes to come up with a compromise formula.

After their talks, India and EU agreed to the compromised formula, with Natarajan saying: "We have shown our flexibility and we have agreed to this...." UNFCCC chief Christiana Figueres seemed happy with the outcome at the Durban talks.

"In honour of Mandela: It always seems impossible until it is done. And it is done!," Figueres tweeted, citing the words of the former South African President and anti-apartheird icon. .

"I think in the end it ended up quite well... The first time you will see developing countries agreeing, essentially, to be bound by a legal agreement," US chief negotiator Todd Stern said.

Describing the agreement reached at the climate talks in Durban as "significant", UN chief Ban Ki-Moon said it represents an "important advance" in the work on tackling global warming and sought its quick implementation.

Many delegates earlier felt the host South African government lacked urgency and strategy to clinch a deal.

However, there was applause in the main conference hall when Nkoana-Mashabane announced the final outcome.

Apart from the roadmap for a new deal, the meet agreed to the management of a fund for climate aid to poor countries, though how to raise the money was not specified.

Under the agreement, EU will place its current emission- cutting pledges inside the legally-binding Kyoto Protocol.

Xie Zhenhua, head of the Chinese delegation, said the outcome was fully in accordance with the mandate of the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Roadmap.

Describing the outcome as "progressive and balanced," he said it was also in line with the two-track negotiation process and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

"The conference made decisions on the arrangement of the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, which is the most concerned issue of developing countries," Xie was quoted as saying by China's official Xinhua news agency.

Earlier, the EU said the developed nations do not want India to harm its economy but insisted the country still needs to agree to a legally-binding treaty.

"We would never dream of asking India to harm its economy," Hedegaard told PTI. "We fully recognise India's right to grow and we are fully aware that India has lot of development needs and needs to access energy." PTI

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Give something back to the society

Dear Editor,

This pertains to the demands of the teachers, regular & contractual which appear in the press from time to time.

The salary of the teachers have increased manifold after the 5th & 6th CPC. Unfortunately, it has failed to bring the desired impact so far as performance is concerned. We have surplus teachers on pay-roll but insufficient or no teachers in the rural areas. Most of the school teachers are concentrated in urban areas like the state capital, district and sub-divisional headquarters. Numerous complaints regarding their absenteeism or insincerity are pouring in. Only rarely do we hear about any action being taken against them. The schools of remote areas are abandoned. As a result, the average workload of a teachers in soft belts is only one or two periods per day which means, the post has become sinecure.

Teachers of the 70s and 80s were poorly paid yet; very devoted to their duties in spite of inaccessibility or harshness of places. These days, private tuition are making holes in parent's pockets. An estimated 60% of their income is spent on private schools and tuition. Only around 40 % of government teachers are dutiful. And a huge portion of the public exchequer goes in form salaries for teachers. One after another, most of their demands have been fulfilled. But, their charter of demand is multiplying! Instead, the general public would now, like to see the performance of the teachers. There are many highly qualified employees in other departments/posts drawing meager wages.

Hiking of wages is OK provided an effective mechanism is evolved for their accountability. The authorities may ensure that no section of govt. servants take the society for granted.

Yours,

Tameen

 

 

As police watched

Dear Editor,

On 6th of Dec at around 7:30 pm, a resident of Ngorlung village P.O./P.S. Ruksin was beaten up just a couple of metres away from the Ruksin check gate. Police personnel on duty at Ruksin Check gate were standing as mere spectators enjoying the scene instead of performing their duty.

It was luck that one of his friends saw the victim and rushed him to Ruksin Police Station to register FIR. But the policeman on duty refused to register the FIR on the ground that it is not in their jurisdiction and told him to go to Jonai police station.

The next morning when victim went to register FIR at Jonai police station, the boy who had physically assaulted him had already registered a counter FIR against him and the next thing the Assam police locked him up behind the bars and beat him and forcibly made him stand naked and charged Rs. 7000 for the bail and the boy, against whom the police should have acted was hanging around with fake plasters and bandages outside.

Now why the policeman on duty at the Ruksin Check-gate didn’t take action to stop the incident? Even if not so, why didn’t they rush the victim to hospital? Why did not the Assam Police officials respond to the victim’s pleading? Why can’t the Arunachal Pradesh Police personnel give security to its own boy? Is Arunachal Pradesh Police(APP) scared of Assam Police?

This isn't a new and rare incident in these bordering areas of our state with Assam, which is why I think every citizen of our state should take this issue seriously.

Yours,

Elijah Taying

Shillong

 

 

Reward Laa Talar

Dear Editor,

I would like to suggest the Government to allot a suitable plot of land at Itanagar to Laa Talar, young shuttler of the state who make us proud. It will inspire the other budding sport persons too.

Further Govt should send him abroad for proper training under internationally famed coach.

Since last couple of years sports persons are achieving laurels for the state. Credit must also go to the Sports Department, the Directorate being headed by a Sportsman. Govt needs to recognize and keep sufficient fund for capacity building, holding games and sports popularisation programme, regular tournament, matches at village, block, district, and State level.

Yours

T. Ronya, Itanagar

 

 

Take up issues pertaining to students

Dear Editor,

All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) seems to be mute spectator towards the untold problems being faced by the student’s community in the state. AAPSU is considered to be Apex student’s body which stands for the welfare of students in all fronts, but it is unfortunate to see that it has not addressed the problems of student’s community.

Non-imbursement of stipend on time, low-quality students uniform by state to poor students, non-payment of SSA teachers’ salaries on time, shortage of subject teachers in various schools in the state are some of the issues that problems that’s need the attention.

 All these problems are directly or indirectly giving birth to a multiple hindrance in bringing quality and proper education to the student’s community today.

I suggest to all the students organization of the state, AAPSU in particular to approach the government for the timely bail out from the problems.

Instead of involving in activities which does not pertain to the welfare of the student’s community and attending programs as chief guest and guest of honor in various social gathering, it should help address the problems confronting the students.

Yours,

Nabam Simon,

Itanagar

 

 

 

If we don’t stand up for ourselves, who will?

Dear Editor,

I am constrained to write in response to the thoughtless letter by our brother Mijong Ripuk. Let not the purpose of our writing be exhibition of rhetoric skills, pedantic knowledge, false exhibitory broadmindedness and sophistry. Our brother should understand that every word we write has subtle but powerful repercussions. If Kumar had the propensity to write such disparaging and uncivilized remark against us; you can imagine how he must have spread such hateful thoughts against us within his community. Did you hear about a student from Tezu killed by locals in Pune as fallout of protest against eve teasing couple of years back? Did you hear about two of our girls raped by eve teasers in Delhi an year back, or the Naga boy chopped to pieces and thrown to sewage by locals for protesting against racial remarks or for that matter our boys being beaten by locals in Karnataka about a month back? Do you think these things are subjects to be discussed in a light vein? It’s the same set of people like Kumar who instinctively incite such hate inspired crimes everywhere in the world. Did you even read the lines written by Kumar properly? The lines he wrote were not even criticism, leave alone constructive criticism. His every word was filled with sheer hatred for us. Such people should be rebuked and stopped from spreading more hatred. The least you could do was to stay out of this discussion. I wonder if you even read the lines written in protest against the hateful rantings of Kumar by our people. None of the protests were retaliatory in nature to the mainland people; it was to rebuke the narrow-mindedness of Kumar and the band of such people which they very much deserve. If we don't stand for the pride and dignity of our people who would? And were a few protests against the thoughtless letter by Kumar too much to ask for. I sincerely appreciate your rhetorical skills, go forth, read more books and travel more. It will augment your skills and broaden your outlook, but for now, please stay out of this mess. If you can't, then try writing a hateful letter in the columns of some national dailies against the locals staying elsewhere in the mainland.

Yours,

Syndulum Ngadong

Tezu

 

 

Hope good sense will prevail upon Govt.

Dear Editor,

This is really painful to see and hear that a convention hall is being constructed within Indira Gandhi Park, the only recreational park in entire Itanagar area.

There are lots of suitable land available in and around the Capital Complex for the said purpose. But Govt has preferred IG Park for the purpose which is surprising. In fact, construction of the building would further reduce the size of the park to a considerable extent.

However, it is heartening to see that few conscious organizations like All Arunachal Pradesh Youth Organization, Arunachal Law Students’ Union are raising voice against the construction.

I hope, good sense will prevail upon the Govt. and it will respect the public concerns over construction of the hall.

Yours,

Rumesh Mugli

Aalo

 

___________

 

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.        

----Editor

 

The divide

 

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report says inequality in earnings has doubled in India over the last two decades, making it the worst performer among all emerging economies. The widening gap between rich and poor is being driven in part by a growing disparity in wages, as skilled workers command a disproportionate share of the bounty made possible by technological progress, the report said.

It also says that 42% of Indians live below the poverty line, as against the official figure of 37%. Some 42% of its 1.21 billion people live on less than $1.25 a day.

The report comes after a World Bank report in May said attempts by the Indian government to combat poverty were not working as aid programmes were beset by corruption, bad administration and under-payments.

Brazil, Indonesia and, on some indicators, Argentina have recorded significant progress in reducing inequality over the past 20 years. By contrast, China, India, the Russian Federation and South Africa have all become less equal over time," the report says. The United States, Turkey and Israel have among the largest ratios between the incomes of those at the top and the bottom, roughly 14 to 1. Germany, Denmark and Sweden have among the lowest — 6 to 1 — but the ratios are up from the 1980s. The gaps in Chile and Mexico have been declining but remain the highest among OECD members, at more than 25 to 1.

To reverse the trend, the report said, countries should implement tax and social policies that extract more from top earners while offering more support to those at the bottom. But the opposite has been happening: As many countries wrestle with sluggish economies and burdensome debt, they generally have been pushing to cut government spending while reducing taxes in hopes of stoking economic growth.