The Arunachal Times - Archives

DoTC Chairman stress on infrastructure development

Changlang, Feb 25: Khonsa West MLA–cum-Chairman DoTC Yumsem Matey was at Changlang for his three days whirlwind tour to check and verify the completed and ongoing schemes in the district under DoTC.

In a meeting here at Changlang with the Panchayat members, public leaders and heads of the offices, he called upon the work departments to undertake those schemes which would create assets for the people of the district. He urged them all to utilize the fund for infrastructural development especially under the essential sectors like education, health, Public health engineering, drinking water, etc.

Giving a clarion call for full co-operation from each and every one in bringing pace to the developmental activities in Tirap and Changlang districts, the DoTC chairman assured the house in bringing full transparency in all activities under DoTC.

While speaking on the role of the department in development of the eastern-most twin district of the state, he revealed that he is pursuing the state government to open a nodal office of DoTC each at Khonsa and Changlang. He also visited the work sites in nearby town to take stock of progress as well as the quality of works under implementation before his departure to Deomali.

During the tour Matey visited Miao, Kharsang, Jairampur, Namtok and Manmao circles. With brief meeting with the administrative officers, executing agencies, panchayat leaders and public he also paid site visit to take stock of the work completed as well as ongoing schemes.

ADC, Changlang L Borang, ZPMs Changlang South and North, ASM Kantang D Salnang and public leader C Tekhil also spoke on the occasion.

The meeting was attended by ADC, Changlang L Borang, ZPM Changlang(S) J Jugli, ZPM Changlang(N) Marina Kenglang, ASMs, public leaders and all the heads of the offices, Changlang. DIPRO

NCP demands demarcation of Assam-Arunachal boundary soon

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Arunachal Pradesh today urged the Centre to demarcate the Assam-Arunachal boundary at the earliest.

In a letter to union Home Minister P Chidambaram, the NCP state unit president Ngurang Pinch said the Central Govt had declared Arunachal Pradesh a full-fledged state with an inappropriate boundary demarcation map with Assam counterpart which is one of the reasons behind the boundary clash between the two brotherly states.

Stating that the boundary dispute started before attaining statehood, Pinch further said that first agreement was signed on April 4, 1979 between the two quarrelling states to maintain status quo and peace in the boundary areas. However, despite several peace accord between the two states for maintaining status quo, Assam Govt has been time and again carrying out eviction drives on border villages thereby displacing thousands of Arunachalees, the letter said.

Eviction are carried out almost on daily basis to the Arunachalee villages and the innocent villagers are looted, tortured and standing crops destroyed, the letter said, adding peace can not be maintained by one state only when neighbouring state continues its eviction. The neighbouring state not even spare the festival ground of the tribal people, the letter added.

PPA condemns Dipa incident, appeals for peace and harmony

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: People's Party of Arunachal strongly condemned the recent incident at Dipa in Assam where large number of people from Arunachal Pradesh including elected leader were reportedly harassed by the People of Assam for 10 hours.

It seems that the Assam Govt is deliberately allowing their people to harass Arunachalees for long time as their district administration did not intervene during ordeal hours, PPA said in a release.

This is not an isolated incident, the PPA said and urged the Arunachal Govt to take up the matter urgently to their counterpart. The Govt should set up help lines at various places of Assam where people of the state make frequent travels, the party said.

Gorkha Students Union and Gorkha intellectuals should refrain from such provocative activities and instead should maintain harmony and fraternity, the party said and also appealed people of Arunachal Pradesh to maintain peace and calmness for harmonious co-existence with nieghbouring people.

US Consul General calls on Governor

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: US Consul General, Beth A. Payne of Consulate General of the United States of America, Kolkata, who is on a three-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh called on the Governor Gen JJ Singh at Raj Bhavan here today. The hour-long meeting touched on Indo-US interest, natural resources, development programmes and investment potential of the State.

Throwing light on the hydropower potentials, its policy and programme, Gen Singh said, the State has the potential to meet one third demand of country’s power requirement.

He added, once Trans Arunachal highway is completed and with its pristine environment, people will prefer Arunachal Pradesh than Switzerland. It is one of the 18 hotspots in the world and in terms of law and order, the most stable and peaceful state in the region and in the country. Informing the Consul General on Stilwell Road, named after General Vinegar Joe Stilwell of the U.S. Army who took lead in the construction of the road in early 1945, Governor told her that State Government is seriously looking for its reopening as it will connect India with South East countries and also with Yunnan province of China, which means better trade and commerce activities. He also talked on ‘The Hump’, the Himalayan Mountains over which the American planes had to fly over during the Second World War and in which they lost many men and machines.

Amazed by the development activities and the initiatives of Governor in the State, Payne said, I always wanted to meet you as I heard lots about you and people takes you with very high esteem.

US Consul General profusely thanked the people, government and the Governor for their cooperation during the joint mission to scavenge lost aircrafts in the region.

Showing interest on the development projects in the State, US Consul General informed of American investors’ interest in hydropower projects. She also made queries about the tendering process to which the Governor informed her that it is done through international tendering process and with utmost transparency.

Sharing her experiences on tourism in Eritrea, Payne said, in spite of remoteness and other problems, the country has flourishing tourism business through the use of small landing patches and stripes and not fancy but nice hotels. She also informed the Governor on the follow up action for US investment in the State. (Pro to Governor)

Thai ambassador stress on cultural ties

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: Thai Ambassador Krit Kraichitti, who was on a state visit to Arunachal Pradesh called on the Governor Gen JJ Singh at Raj Bhavan yesterday.

During the hour-long meeting, they dwelled in length on bilateral interests, cultural similarities and connectivity.

Ambassador Kraichitti called for reinforcement of better cultural ties and promotion of trade and commerce activities through Stilwell road.

Before leaving Itanagar today, as tradition, the Ambassador planted a sapling ‘Bokul’, a flowering tree in the lawn of the compound. The Governor and Thai Ambassador’s wife were present on the occasion. (PRO to Governor)

Recognition to 5 Arunachalee farmers

NAHARLAGUN, Feb 25: The success stories of five farmers of Arunachal Pradesh have been included in the Coffee Table Book brought out by the union ministry of Agriculture on 101 success stories of Indian farmers.

The progressive farmers who find place in the coffee table book are Bewang Lowsang, village-Bera, Tirap district, Aiyojyoti SHG, village-Sengapathar, Lohit district, Api Bakang SHG village-Yugrung, Pasighat, Milanjyoti SHG village-Lekang, Lohit district, and Tana Tapu, village-Mani-Chiputta, Papumpare district.

Bewang Lowsang is reportedly attending the function organized by the Ministry of Agriculture at Vigyan Bhawan on Feb 26 at which this Coffee Table Book will be released. Lowsang will be honoured by the Ministry for his progressive farming technique and for converting his Zoom cultivation into Settle cultivation at Bera village, Tirap district, informed D. S. Pandit, Secretary Agriculture in a press release today.

Gandhiji’s principles -- source of inspiration for Americans

Ranjit Sinha

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: The United States of America may have been the global super power, but India and its people have always been sources of stimulation for many people of America. The trail of humanity exposed by Swami Vivekananda and weapon of non-violence propagated by none other than Mahatma Gandhi are still a dynamic force for Americans. This was disclosed by US Consul General Beth A Payne in Kolkata during an interaction session with the media persons here today.

Pointing out the ever-growing relations between India and USA, Beth A Payne said, today more Americans have access to Indian culture and Gandhiji’s principle of non-violence is still a source of inspiration of many Americans. ‘As a resolve, today we have Afro-American president’, she said without mentioning the name of American President Barack Obama.

India and USA are natural friend. There are so many regional and global issues, where both the nations can work together for development of the whole world, she said while pointing out the nuclear power pact signed in recent past.

“ We really want to work with India in development and research front. American technology and brain of Indian Scientists would be a nice combination towards development of new technology,” she asserted.

Pointing out the need of clean energy to curb global warming, the consul general said, the nuclear pact with India will go a long away in development of clean energy. India is well aware of the need to enhance the energy sources, she added.

Regarding the America’s stance to control global warming, Payne informed that America has been spending billion dollars on clean energy in an effort to reducing global warming. Focused has been given on new technology to reduce carbon emission, she said.

When her attention was drawn to the Copenhagen summit on climate change, she said climate change is a biggest issue, we should work together towards a solution to this alarming global issue.

Stressing on eco-tourism, she said the tourism policy being adopted by the neighbouring states like Bhutan has able to draw more American tourists in Bhutan.

Govts, IAF appreciated

She also highly appreciated the cooperation extended by the Indian forces, especial Indian Air Force, Centre and Arunachal Pradesh Govt in ‘Joint Prisoners of War, Missing in Action Accounting Command ( in short JPAC mission) in searching for remains of US fighter plane pilots missing-in-action during World War II in Arunachal Pradesh.

The searches under JPAC Mission are being conducted in different parts of Arunachal Pradesh as a humanitarian mission to retrieve remains of pilots of hundreds of US fighter aircraft missing during World War II which carried supplies to the allied forces.

It may be mentioned here that six locations in Arunachal Pradesh reportedly had been sighted what the US believes are wreckages of US aircraft lost during the World War II. “Ninety aircraft accounting for nearly 430 US personnel are suspected to have been lost in or near India,”.

Consecration ceremony of Golden Pagoda ends on high note

Chow Bilaseng Namchoom

Chongkham, Feb 25: The sweet chanting of Buddham Saranam Gacchami, Dhammam Saranam Gacchami, Sangham Saranam Gachami echoed Tengapani before the end of three days fiesta of consecration ceremony of Golden Pagoda here today.

Tengapani near Chongkham now truly has become a place with a throbbing pulse as for the visitors there long lasting perennial affair with the place will get an added verve every time they will return to it.

It was a perfect toast of the Kongmu Kham festival as it was celebrated at the left bank of Teeng River along NH 52 A with numbers of monks from different parts of the country and Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore and Malaysia based in Buddh Gaya and Sarnath and tourist inflow shattering records. Revelers from various parts of the country especially from nearby towns in Assam to witness the magic of sacred ceremony constituted the bulk.

The pagoda was constructed by Chowna Mein, Minister PHED and MLA Namsai Nang Sati Mein and being dedicated to the people that will be enshrined with Buddha relics. The pagoda that will house centre Buddhist study and research would help to keep intact the Institute of cultural research and work on folklore and folks song which are losing first due to the onslaught of modernization.

It is believed that with the installation of the Golden Pagoda in Tengapani, Lohit district will finds its place in tourist map which will help attract thousands of foreign and domestic Buddhist devotees to this remotest part of the country.

A concealed place surrounded by peace and happiness came to alive as the festive evening witnessed cultural extravaganza with other attractions like release of fire balloon, floating lamps, and religious procession with Buddha relics that left the spectators spellbound and grasp for breath.

Mithun Husbandry training Concludes

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: Training programme on ‘Improved Mithun Husbandry Practices’ organized by KVK, Papumpare under the sponsorship of Agartala Regional Centre , IGNOU concluded today which started last Monday at Nirjuli.

Accordingly to a release, all total 40 Mithun owners of this district got benefitted from this programme. They have been given the first hand knowledge on breeding, feeding, disease prevention and control measures by various resource persons from the KVK, IGNOU including Dr. A. Chakraborty (Director, Research of College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara) in 4-day programme.

An eye opening power-point presentation was made by Chuku Loma (Dy. Chief Wild Life Warden) on Conservation of Mithun and its natural habitat. He emphasized the need for forest conservation through Community Forest Laws to safe guard the flora and fauna thereby conserving the natural habitat of Mithuns.

The Mithun owners were also taken to Mithun Breeding Centre, Litchi to give first hand knowledge on Scientific Mithun management under Semi-range management system including visit to Diseases Diagnostic Lab (DDL) at Nirjuli. Dr. Biswakarma (i/c DIO) briefed the participants regarding common prevailing diseases of Mithuns and disease diagnostic techniques. The participants were also given group works on different conservation aspects of Mithun to brush up their knowledge gained during the training programme.

The valedictory function was attended by Dr. S.D. Neethirajan (regional Director IGNOU Centre, Naharlagun) as the Chief Guest. He impressed the participant that this training programme was a first foot step in Mithun Husbandry and stressed the need for conservation of Mithuns through community participatory approach, the release said.

Coordination meeting to enhance small savings

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: The second coordination committee meeting of Public Complaints and Grievances Cell was held in the Directorate of Small Savings, Naharlagun in collaboration with National Savings Institute on Feb 24.

P.B. Sen, Regional Director incharge, National Savings Institute, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India, Guwahati along with his officer participated in the meeting.

Y. Megu, Director of Small Savings delivered magnificent ideas and techniques for uplifting collection under various Small Savings Schemes in rural and remote localities of the state. He informed the meeting that due to shortage of manpower in the department, maximum number of agents have been appointed to mobilize the collection drive. The Department could achieve collection figure of Rs. 114 crore upto December, 2009 against target Rs 100.00 crore as Gross and Rs 42.07 crore net against Rs 25 crore net projected for the year.

“So far we have received loan of Rs 50.89 crore from the Govt. of India against net collection”, Megu said.

Amongst others K.K. Pradhan, Assistant Director, NSI, Guwahati, K. Pandit, Inspector of Public Grievances of Postal Department, agents were present.

The R.D., NSI highlighted unique measures of coordination among agents, investors and postal employees.

In the afternoon, a training programme was held in presence of about 25 newly appointed agents who were imparted depth of knowledge about applicability of various schemes to classified deposits. Both the officers from NSI P.B. Sen, Regional Director i/c and K.K. Pradhan, Assistant Director delivered lectures on unique techniques to be adopted by agents to increase collection, to motivate depositors etc.

BJP to launch signature campaign against price rise

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: Arunachal Pradesh State BJP in its state level steering Committee meeting held here today reviewed the further phases of the party’s nationwide Prices Rise Protest (Sangharsha) Abhiyan and constituted District level Organizing Committees headed by the District BJP presidents and concerned Party MLAs to spearhead the movement against price rise.

The party also decided to launch public signature campaigns through out the state against the reported uncontrolled prices rise in the country, according to a BJP release.

National safety day

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: A meeting for observance of national safety week campaign was conducted at the Office chamber of Parliamentary secretary for Land Management, Labour and Employment today.

The meeting appealed all the Industrial establishment comes under Industries departments and all works department PWD, Power, RWD, WRD, UD and Housing, PHE, Hydro Power, NHPC, NEEPCO, BSNL, CPWD, Public undertaking department and other work departments to observe the national safety day on March 4 next.

Training workshop on export procedure and documentation concludes

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), a premier institution in the field of international trade in India, has successfully conducted a two day training programme on ‘Export Procedure and Documentation’ at Itanagar on Feb 23 and 24. The programme was conducted at the behest of the Directorate of Trade & Commerce, Arunachal Govt.

Workshop was earlier inaugurated by Setong Sena, Minister (Trade and Commerce) as chief guest and Thangwang Wangham, Parliamentary Secretary (Trade and Commerce) was the guest of Honour.

It may be pertinent to mention that IIFT was entrusted with the responsibility in carrying out an extensive study to identify the export potential of the state and chalk an action plan so that the state can be brought in the export map of India.

Earlier the team from IIFT headed by Prof K. Rangarajan, head Kolkata Campus presented the findings of the study in presences of the stake holders of the state. The study entitled “Export Potential Survey: Strategies for Arunachal Pradesh”, has indicated a number of products as exportable from the state and made suitable recommendations so that exports can be possible from the state.

The training programme was attended by 53 prospective export oriented entrepreneurs coming from different parts of the state. When the study unearthed the exportable of the state, the training was directed towards equipping the participants with the nitty-gritty’s of export procedure. The programme started with inputs on how to identify external markets where the products from Arunachal may be marketed. The programme also delved extensively on export formalities and documentation procedure.

Dr. Gautam Dutta of IIFT, programme director of the training opined that in order to materialize the export potential of Arunachal Pradesh, there should be a steady supply of export-oriented entrepreneur. He further added that “the more entrepreneurs the state would be having, the faster the potential would be encashed. This is for obvious reason that a group of entrepreneurs who are trained and well versed in the field of export would effectively get themselves involved in the lucrative export business through which not only the state but at the same time the country would also prosper”.

The participants of the training programme expressed their satisfaction on the inputs provided to them. Most of the participants opined that the training was need of the hour and they felt comfortable to take export as their career option. They urged for more such programme in the near future so that they can successfully exports the products from the state.

T. Pertin, Director of the Department of Trade and Commerce, in his valedictory speech of the training programme assured the participants of all the support which they may require while carrying out the export trade, according to an official release.

Greetings on Nyokum

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen J J Singh has greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Nyokum Yullo.

In a message, the governor said, “on the auspicious occasion of Nyokum Yullo, I extend greetings and best wishes to all my brothers and sisters of Arunachal Pradesh. I trust the festivity will further strengthen the spirit of unity and at the same time, help in preservation of our cultural diversity.

On this festive occasion, I offer my prayers to Nyokum Ane for her choicest blessings for all of us.”

Mra to return India today

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: After the successful Mt. Kilimanjaro Expedition, Tapi Mra, first Arunachalee Everester left Kilimanjaro International airport, Tanzania today evening. He is expected to reach New Delhi on Feb 26 afternoon.

Mra left Itanagar on Jan 22 for New Delhi and on 9th February he left Delhi for Africa via Mumbai and landed in Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania in evening from where he proceeded to Moshi town about 40 Kms distance from airport which is the nearest town of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

It took him 33 days to complete the Mt. Kilimanjaro expedition starting from Itanagar and returning back India till 26th February.

Mra will be in national capital Delhi for some days where he will chalk out his further expedition for Australian continent's highest peak Mt.Kosciuszko, 7310 ft height, provided he gets sponsorship as a part of his seven summit of seven highest peaks of the seven continents of the world.

While talking to chairman Taro Opey foundation from Kilimanjaro International airport, Tanzania Tapi told that Mt. Kilimanjaro is a real treasurer of Tanzanian country where thousands of adventurous tourists from several country flock in who spend several days in costly Moshi town. Only few professional climbers like him climb this peak for record but maximum of them are only adventure tourists who go upto certain height of the peak and enjoy the views of Mt. Kilimanjaro with photographs and descends. Tapi said the snow peaks in Arunachal Pradesh can also become a place of attraction for adventure tourists of regional, national and international level if they are explored, he added.

ASKA resolutions

ITANAGAR, Feb 25: The 3rd State level ASKA (Arunachal Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Association) tournament would be organized by ASKA, Itanagar for the session 2010-2011. It was decided in a meeting held during the 2nd State level ASKA tournament at Tezu in January 2010.

Other resolutions adopted in the meeting, among others, were conduct of yearly seminar cum technical session for all the Shodan Grade, Belt grading test in every six month by the respective district units, dress code for referees and judges for state level tournament.