The Arunachal Times - Archives

In his address, PHED Minister Chowna Mein congratulated Parliamentary secretary CC Singpho for his effort in rejuvenation of the celebration.

“I have toured the world and participated in many seminars. Everywhere, I have found that every society or community is working for preservation of their culture, tradition and heritage. Therefore, we must also do the same,” he said. Mein also appealed the people for their contributions and help in setting up an institution for cultural preservation, which he is initiating.

Earlier, in his welcome address, CC Singpho, MLA said, this occasion is for preservation of Singpho culture and tradition. He appealed all for maintaining the cultural identity. Local MLA also urged upon all to create a secular society with respect and tolerance.

Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi festival committee Working President Mayong Maio dwelled in length on the mythology. Festival Committee Secretary Khakula Singpho and Singpho Development Society President S.N. Singpho, ZPM, Bordumsa also spoke on the occasion.

In recognition for their social services rendered to the Singpho Community, TNN Singpho and RT Singpho, wife of CC Singpho, MLA were honoured on the occasion. A trophy and citation handed over to them by the Governor and the first lady.

Gen Singh also visited the exhibition stall, where old and new Singpho community’s household items were displayed. The guests were served with exotic Singpho dishes in a model Singpho house near the festival ground. As tradition of the festival, damsels in their best attires offered food and drinks to the guests and elders on the occasion. PRO to Governor

‘Confer bravery award, ensure

safety norms in institutions’

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: The Rajiv Gandhi University Student’ Union (RGUSU) has appealed to the state Govt to confer bravery award posthumously to the unknown school hero who after saving the life of seven of his friends ultimately gave away his life when he reportedly went inside for eighth time to save his fellow friends during recent fire incident at Palin. The RGUSU requested the grievances redressal committee to identify the young school hero to facilitate the state Govt to award him posthumously.

While urging the state Govt to review the system through which the private school is running, the union said that the Govt should formulate the strict rules and guidelines to be implemented to ensure safety and good health of the children. Guidelines should also be applicable to all private colleges, it said.

Expressing deep shock over the death of school children in devastating Palin fire incident, the union conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed almighty god for eternal peace of the departed souls and speedy recovery of all injured.

Meanwhile Arunachal Citizens Rights (ACR) while appreciating Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu for timely responding to the tragic situation including constitution of high power committee to look into problems and grievances of the families of the victims feels that government needs to constitute a Task Force to evolve comprehensive policy which will ensure the children friendly environment in both Govt. as well as private educational institutions by addressing safety measures including hygienic condition of children on whom the future of the state depends.

The first and foremost task of the government now is to accommodate the victims and adequate steps for their relocation, treatment and befitting compensation. Focus should be given to find ways and means to prevent such happenings in the future, added an ACR release.

FCI urged for timely supply of PDS rice

KOLORIANG, Feb 14: Pointing out interruption in supply of PDS rice by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the Kurung Kumey district administration today said there has been severe food crisis in the entire district.

Blaming the FCI for causing the crisis, an official release, said the PDS rice under various schemes for January last could not be drawn from either Ziro or North Lakhimpur FCI godowns because of huge difference in per quintal/per km rate of land transport subsidy (LTS), fixed by the FCI and the state government.

Citing the example, the release said the FCI has fixed the LTS of Rs 79.50 per qtl/per km from N/Lakhimpur to Ziro where as the rate from Ziro to K/Kumey is Rs 2 per qtl/per km. This huge difference was responsible for non-lifting of the rice quota by the wholesale nominee-cum-carriage contractor for K/Kumey. Moreover, the poor infrastructure at Ziro FCI base depot was also delaying the lifting process, the release added.

While requesting the FCI to expedite timely supply of rice to Ziro for lifting to various destinations of the remote district where people depend upon only the PDS, the release feared that there will be more severe food crisis if the present situation prevailed.

Police team seizes 283 strips of

Spasmo Proxyvon and 5.3 kg cannabis

H.K. Roy

PASIGHAT, Feb 14: Pasighat police achieved a major breakthrough in its drive against narcotics/drugs smuggling in the district recently.

OC Pasighat police station, A.K. Pandey informed that while raiding a courier service counter in Pasighat market, the police team seized 283 strips (6,792 in numbers) of Spasmo Proxyvon capsule (market value worth Rs 3 lacs), which had been dispatched from Patna (Bihar) and a case has been registered U/S IPC-188 and the police are still investigating the matter to ascertain the truth.

Earlier, on 2nd February, the police team while patrolling near police check gate area at Raneghat seized 5.3 kg cannabis amounting to Rs 53.000, which was being brought to Pasighat by a scooter bearing Registration No: AR/09/1954. A case has also been registered under 20 NDPS and two suspects have been taken into police custody for further investigation and interrogation.

SSP Srivastava appreciating the police team said ‘despite strict check, the peddlers were importing and supplying the banned drugs in the district’. He appealed the people to co-operate the police and come forward to give information about drug peddlers and assured that the identity of the people giving information would be kept secret.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Bosiram Siram, DC, ABK President and public appreciated the police team for their commendable job.

Love in the air as young

Arunachal celebrates Valentine’s Day

Madhurjya Doley

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: For some people it is just like another ordinary day. But for many, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to express their love to their near and dear ones, brothers and sisters and other family members in extraordinary way.

With love in the air, the people of Capital Complex, especially young couples, boys and girls were not in far behind in celebrating Valentine’s Day today. It was easily gauged from the young people in large number rushing to departmental stores to purchase V-Day cards, flower petals etc.

This reporter has seen a big crowd of camera-shy young boys and girls purchasing V-day cards in a shopping complex at Ganga.

"We were able to do a brisk business in the last two days in otherwise a era of electronic gadgets", said a salesman of Archie’s Gallery, Ganga.

Vendors were seen selling of flower petals at prices ranging from Rs. 30 to Rs 300 depending upon their quality and quantity in front of Akash Deep complex.

Valentine’s Day may be a combination of romantic dinners, giving and getting gifts for many young people, but it is also a special day for some special people to express their feeling of love by offering a red rose when they fall short of words as the flower expresses the deepest feelings and desires of the heart.

It is said that love is the most wonderful feelings in the world and Valentine’s Day offers one the best chance to let his/her dear ones to know that he/she loves them. Therefore, there should be no any controversy in celebrating the day. People often accuse our younger generation for ‘blindly’ following western culture. Adoption and changes without dilution are always acceptable to a certain extent to match with the ever changing world.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 every year throughout the world.

Royal Enfield riders to re-discover

Arunachal’s tourism potentials

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: The hardcore Royal Enfield riders from Northeast region are all set to embark on a whirlwind tour of Arunachal Pradesh in order to re-discover state’s rich tourism potential and generate awareness among the masses of the need to protect and preserve environment and wild life for better and greener tomorrow.

Themed "Ride For a Cause" and organized by its sister unit of the State, the tour aims at promoting and carrying forward the message of "Clean and Green Arunachal," a clarion call by the state government, to every nook and corner of the state.

The 25-member riders aims to visit schools, villages, public places in urban areas so that maximum amount of awareness could be generated on cleanliness, hygienic way of living, protection and preservation of environment and wildlife, preservation of rich culture and tradition, said a release of Arunachal Bullet Club.

It also aims to explore tourism potential and promote tourism related activities, so that the people could be engaged in income generating activities to uplift their economic status through such activities.

The ride would be flagged-off from Itanagar on February 22. The team will take out a ride around the Capital Complex before proceeding to Doimukh from where they will visit Kheel, Laptab, Nimte, Sagalee, Leporiang, Bobia, Pakke-Kessang, Passa valley, Papu Valley, Pampoli, Bamin, Chayang Tajo.

They will also join Nyokum Yullo celebration at Seppa with a slogan "Lost of Culture is Lost of Identity".

The visiting team will be received by the East Kameng Deputy Commissioner and the District Planning Officer, who are also the President and General Secretary of Arunachal Bullet Club.

It is worth mentioning here that most of the places in Arunachal Pradesh with tourism potentials are still unexplored due to inaccessibility and communication bottleneck. For instance, Pakke Valley, Passa Valley and Papu Valley are some of the most beautiful valleys ever seen in India with lust evergreen forest, serpentine river flows in the mid of the valley, pleasant climatic condition throughout the year, the release said. To pass through these valleys are next to impossible because of non-existence of motorable roads.

"As briefed by few officials posted in Bameng and Chayang Tajo, these areas could be one of the finest tourist destinations of the state, if road connectivity and other infrastructure are developed. The area is blessed with the mighty Kameng river, stunning combination of haunting virgin beauty. But due to wrong projection by some people with vested interested, this area could not be developed as tourist hub. Otherwise, the district by now could have been one of the best tourist hubs of the state, it claimed.

Meanwhile, the organization sought cooperation from well wishers for successful conduction of the noble programme.

AIMSU serves ultimatum, urges

authorities to nab kidnappers

Correspondent

ROING, Feb 14: In an emergency meeting called at DC’s chamber today to monitor and contain the law and order situation which is being cropped up following kidnapping of a local businessman on Feb 2 at Dholla under Tinsukia District, Lod Gambo ADC (Sadar), T Karga SP, M Tota, A Pertin, M Pertin EACs, Rakesh Tacho CO, Nomo Linggi, Mibong Pertin ZPM Roing and Meka have come to preliminary conclusion to bail-out the present state of affair by arresting the culprits involved in kidnapping and to find out lasting solution to avoid any future insecurity of the people in the twin district of Dibang and Lower Dibang Valley.

Presiding over the meeting, Lod Gambo ADC informed the AIMSU and the Panchayat leaders present that the administration has been putting all necessary effort to arrest the offenders and every communication and information have been getting from the Assam administration and police to sought out the crisis as early as possible.

T Karga SP revealed that so far 4 persons suspected in the case have been arrested, two motor bikes were seized and Rs 20,000 has been recovered. He appealed the AIMSU members to cooperate with the police and administration.

Terming the situation as serious and condemnable, Namo Linggi ZPM Roing also advised the Union to extend solidarity with the authority and maintained restrain in order to avoid repercussion and law and order crises.

He also suggested the authority to call a high level meeting within the leaders of both the state to find out lasting solution and preserve the age-old brotherly relation of the states.

Mibing Pertin ZPM Meka block while condemning the cowardice act like kidnapping urged both side of the administrations to punish the culprits as per law.

It needs to be mentioned here that one budding local business man of township was kidnapped on Feb 2 last at Dholla under Tinsukia district at gun point and was released on Feb 4 after paying a ransom of Rs 525000.

Earlier in resorting to its demand All Idu Mishmi Student Union (AIMSU) has stopped all buses to ply from Roing to Tinsukia and vice-versa until their demand of arrest to those culprit involved in kidnapping are met. The AIMSU has also submitted its ultimatum to the law enforcing agency to nab the perpetrators at the earliest else the union will continue its agitation till its demand are met. “The snail pace of action initiated by the police and administration is discouraging; the history of kidnapping and harassing people of these districts is not new. If the authority acts tactfully then we could rule out such incident in future but your silence compel us to take our course of action”, rued Unti Umbrey President AIMSU. Andra Mihu GS AIMSU appealed the authority to find out lasting solution to address all these sorts of incident including harassment reportedly occurred especially to the indigenous people of the Dibang and Lower Dibang Valley.

However, the AIMSU has withdrawn its strike temporarily.

Mra ready to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: Tapi Mra, Everester is proceeding tomorrow morning for the base camp of Mt. Kilimanjaro. He will leave Moshi town in the morning by vehicle up to Moshi gate, the last point of motorable road which is approximately 18 km distance from Moshi town. Thereafter he will take three days continuous trekking on the Feb 15, 16 and 17 upto the base camp.

On midnight Feb 17 he will start climbing and is expected to reach the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro at around midday Feb 18 where he will flutter Indian national flag and state logo of Arunachal.

A ten years experienced trekking agency M/s A.M.Tours & Safari, Moshi, Tanzania is extending trekking guide to Tapi Mra.

His dream of climbing all the seven highest peaks of the seven continents is expected to be completed within the year 2011. The highest peak of Asian continent is the Mt. Everest which he climbed last year and African continent's highest Peak is Mt. Kilimanjaro for which he is proceeding tomorrow and the North American continent's highest peak is the Alaska which is scheduled sometime in June, 2010. The 35% expedition cost for Mt. Alaska is already arranged and the next expedition on the list is Mt. Elbrus of European continent which is expected sometime in September 2010.

The remaining expedition of the three highest peaks of Australian, South American and Antarctic continents are expected in the next year 2011 provided he gets sponsorship. Once again Taro Opey Foundation, Ziro appealed everyone to pray for the success of this expedition and also extend sincere thanks to all the contributors.

IDEA empowers the SHGs on entrepreneurship & sustainable livelihood

BOASIMLA, Feb 14: IDEA (Itanagar Diocesan Empowerment Association) in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Lower Subansiri, conducted a two-day training programme on rural entrepreneurship development and sustainable livelihood for the IDEA SHG leaders at Boasimla from February 11 to 12. The programme was supported by NEDSF Guwahati.

Altogether 181 beneficiaries from the villages of Raga, Tamin, Tajgi, Buscamp, Lot, Yangte, Rupari, Balu basti, Yatap and Boasimla SHGs took part in it. They were divided into different groups according to their field of interest and aptitude.

The programme was aimed at reduction of rural poverty through increase in income, food security, and access to markets, financial services, technology and reduce vulnerability and improve well-being and capabilities.

The topics focused were organic manure or vermi-compost, integrated eco-friendly and cost effective farming of fisheries and pig rearing, poultry, vaccination, mush-room cultivation, agro-based such as potato, zinger, chilli cultivation, etc.

The resource team from KVK was headed by Dr. Debnath, the Programme Coordinator. He said that IDEA SHGs at Boasimla have huge potential for agro-allied sector development and could become a replicable model for Arunachal Pradesh. He assisted the participants in analyzing the livelihoods of individuals and the community in relation to their capital assets, their vulnerability context and the transforming structures.

Bipul Kumar Kakotti SMS (Fisheries) imparted knowledge on various types of Fish Farming integrated with Pig Rearing and Livestock Farming. While encouraging the participants on fish farming he informed that in Arunachal Pradesh only 10% of the fish is locally produced while the rest 90% is imported.

Many other resource persons also imparted training in their respective field of activities.

The resource team also made a field visit to the orange and banana garden of the nearby participants and suggested technical tips for increased productivity.

IDEA animators Anima and Maria played a vital role in bringing together all the IDEA SHG leaders of Boasimla.

Yachuli MLA emphasizes road

connectivity for development

Ziro, Feb 14: Yachuli MLA Likha Saaya, while emphasizing the need of proper road connectivity announced Rs.15 lakhs for improvement of road connectivity to remote Kugitago village, in Lower Subansiri district during his visit to the village on Feb 13.

Announcing the fund, Saaya said, road connectivity is the back bone of all development. The state government and the centre is also giving priority to road connectivity for overall development of the remote areas. But the funds should be properly utilized and the village elders should have a collective responsibility and say in its proper utilization, he added.

The MLA, accompanied by Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Hage Takka, Yachuli ADC, Yuwa Topu, Lower Subansiri Zilla Parishad Chairperson Likha Tongum, and District Officials while visiting the village under Pistana circle had a development meeting there after assessed the developmental activities of the area by inspecting the ongoing PMGSY road and local middle school.

Agreeing that villagers demands are all genuine, he assured them to look into all their grievances including construction of school buildings, football ground, link roads to adjoining villages, water supply facilities, medical sub-centre, electrification etc., in a phased manner. He however, asked the villagers to remain united and work together for the development of the area.

Lower Subansiri DC Hage Takka, while assuring of all cooperation of District administration and other departments to the MLA in brining development in the area asked the villagers to give necessary support to the MLA, so that there is no hurdle in the process of development.

The Yachuli, ADC, Yuwa Topu, informed the villagers that the independent ADC Hq. at Yachuli have started function since February 1 last for bringing administration to the doorsteps of the people. He further informed that the new ADC office has started issuing Tribal Certificates, Gun license, trading license, birth certificate etc.

Zilla Parishad Chairperson Likha Tongum, who also hails from the village while assuring unstinted support of the villagers sought personal attention of the MLA to various problems of the area. District officers, Panchayat leaders, senior citizens of the area also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier in the morning, the MLA had his third Public Darbar at his New Pania residence for hearing the grievances of general public of Pistana circle. DIPRO

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arriving Arunachal on four-day visit

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: Renowned spiritual and humanitarian leader and founder of the Art of Living His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is arriving in Itanagar on the 18th February on a four-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

The highlight of the visit will be a unique event titled 'Harmony In Diversity' to be held on Friday at DN College Grounds. The evening of Music, Meditation and Knowledge, which will also feature ‘Fusion Dance performance’ by local artistes. Thousands of people from all over the state are expected to attend the event and interact directly with Sri Sri.

Sri Sri will also address a gathering of student and youth leaders on the 19th at the Art of Living ashram located in Pagatara Village on Julli Road. Representatives of nearly 30 organisations are likely to interact with Sri Sri.

While in the state, Sri Sri will also interact with people from all sections of society apart from meeting decision and opinion-makers. He is also likely to call on the Governor and Chief Minister apart from other dignitaries.

AAPSU resents transfer of school teachers

ITANAGAR, Feb. 14: All Arunachal Pradesh Student’s Union (AAPSU) has called upon concerned authorities to halt transfer of teachers in view of the ongoing school exams and keeping in mind the forthcoming CBSE exam. In a press release issued AAPSU general secretary Tujum Poyom asked authorities not to transfer teachers for politically vested motives as student are worst sufferer in such kind of situations. He asked government to follow proper procedure in the matter of teacher posting.

Joint initiative to educate child labour

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: National Youth Project of Arunachal Pradesh and NABARD have taken initiative to provide educational facilities to the child labour at Itanagar.

In a meeting attended by Dr. Mukhopadhaya of NABARD and NYP president H P Biswas resolution was adopted to start educational support to child labour after consulting their owners/parents.

NYP will run three centres at Vivek Vihar, secretariat and O’ Point Tinali for weekly classes for child labour.

NYP will provide reading – writing material and take classes. Finally after one year selected children will be admitted to schools for their better future. NYP will request the entire child labour owners to spare two to three hours for their study.

Greetings

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh has extended heartiest greetings and best wishes to all the people of Arunachal Pradesh on the occasion of Lossar.

The Governor has given a call for renewing our commitment towards the progress of our State on this sacred occasion of New Year of the Buddhist community of Mahayana sect.

He has expressed hope that this festive occasion will usher peace, prosperity and all round development in the State.

While extending sincere greetings on the joyous occasion of Tamladu, the Governor hoped that the festivity heralds new height of peace and prosperity.

“The celebration of the festival not only brings the community members together but also helps in carrying forward our age-old cultural heritage and customs. Let us be proud of our rich customs and traditions and our cultural diversity. While preparing ourselves for embracing a golden future, let us continue to be firmly rooted in our glorious past”. “On the auspicious occasion, I offer my prayers to Almighty Jebmalu for his choicest blessings for all”, the governor said in a message.

Condolences

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: Expressing shock over the tragic incident of inferno at Palin, Arunachal Citizens’ Right (ACR) observed that the incident was an unparalleled one in regard to loss of human life and suffering that an educational institution has ever faced in Arunachal Pradesh.

ACR chairperson along with other members of ACR shared their heartfelt condolences to the departed souls of young children and pray almighty to bestow enough strength to the bereaved family members.

Palin Employees Welfare Association visited Palin fire accident site and share their solidarity with the bereaved family members.

They also conduct a condolence meeting at Palin and observed two minutes silence and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls.

Meanwhile, the association thanked Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and constituting high power committee to take stock of the situation and also thanked Education Minister B Siram, MLAs and other officers for visiting and consoling the bereaved families.

Later, they also met the provincial father of Dimapur at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Itanagar and apprised about the ground situation and also discussed about welfare of the affected students of the Palin inferno.

North East Students’ Organization (NESO) also expressed grief and deep sense of condolence over the recent Palin incident and prayed for the early recovery of the injured students.

It appealed the state government to put a check on all the private schools of the state that are mushrooming without proper guidelines and established norms.

Meanwhile, All India Catholic Union, Itanagar unit also conveyed their condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed for the early recovery of the injured students.

Integrated RCH camp held at Khasa and

Chanu village in Tirap district

ITANAGAR, Feb 14: Two RCH camp was organized by District Health Society Tirap, at Khasa in Pongchau circle and Chanu village in Kanubari circle on Feb 12 and 13 respectively.

At Khasa village people from adjacent village like Votnu, Jagan and Khamua Noknu also attended the camp. The aim of the RCH camp is primarily to immunize pregnant women against Tetanus and to immunize children against vaccine preventable disease.

14 ANC was done and 88 children were vaccinated along with vitamin A supplementation. General medical check up, de-worming of children, eye screening and mass blood slide collection were also carried out. Altogether 312 patients were treated and given free medicine.

At Chanu also patient from neighboring village like Ozakho and Chathing were benefited in the camp. ANC was done to 12 pregnant women and 33 children were immunized against 6 killer disease. In total 209 patients were treated. In both the camp same type of disease were found namely Amoebiasis, worm infestation, scabies, common cold etc. No sign of impending outbreak was noticed.

Apart from attending patients Dr K Perme DRCHO Khonsa conducted IEC/BCC activities among village Chief, GB and PRI members on JSY scheme and immunization. Asha’s of the village also took active participation in the camp in mobilizing pregnant women and children for immunization.

The village people expressed their gratitude to the visiting medical team as it was the first time that this kind of medial camp was held in these remote areas. The team consisted of Khonsa DRCHO Dr. K.Perme and medical officers of Khonsa Dr.K.Socia, Dr.P.Monwangham, Longding, Dr.T.Dulom, Longding, Dr.W.Wangsu, Pongchau and Paramedical workers, according to an official release.

Drug HIV/AIDS awareness campaign

PASIGHAT, Feb 14: J.N. College Students Union, Pasighat is organizing an awareness seminar on Drug and HIV/AIDS at Pasighat on February 21.

Meanwhile, Minister Education Bosiram Siram has consented to attend the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Phenix Group opens franchise

PASIGHAT, Feb 14: The Phenix Properties Limited expanded its new franchise at Pasighat, which was formally inaugurated by the C. Mukherjee, Inspector (DRDA) amidst the board of Directors and public on February recently.