The Arunachal Times - Archives

Siang River Festival gets off to a colorful start

Selja bowled over by scenic beauty of Arunachal

Ojing Tayeng

AALO, Jan 11: Simply bowled over by the scenic beauty of Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty alleviation and Tourism, Kumari Selja said, the state blessed with natural beauty and flora and fauna could generate huge employment opportunities in tourism sector.

She was addressing the inaugural function of the five-day long 4th Siang River Festival 2010 here this evening at General Ground Aalo.

Showering praises on Arunachalees for preserving age-old culture and tradition, and for their hospitality Selja said that the state is blessed with huge potentials for development in every sector.

Many projects have been sanctioned to the state by the Centre, she said and assured more developmental projects in future as well.

Stressing the need of initiatives to attract more tourists, both foreign and domestic, she called upon the people and the Govt to cooperate with developmental initiatives.

She further revealed that hotel management institution has been approved at the cost of Rs 10 crore at Yupia in Papum Pare district, and added that two projects -- development of circuit houses for different places and construction of tourist infrastructure at Tape Hapa have been sanctioned.

Power Minister, Jarbom Gamlin also expressed hope that the festival would be listed in the calendar if it maintains continuity. Gamlin further highlighting the importance of tourism said that the recognition of the festival at the national level will pave a way for inflow to tourists in the state and will also provide a platform for the unity of various tribes.

For last three years it had been celebrated at a river bank but this time it has been shifted at general ground due to non-availability of the permanent place, informed, ZP chairperson, Jarsa Gamlin. He also appreciated the participants coming from various places and state including Manipur and Assam. He expressed hope that the festival would be a major success in future.

The festival was attended by Aalo (East) MLA, Jarkar Gamlin, tourism parliamentary secretary, Gojen Gadi, tourism secretary, Bandana Deori, Aalo deputy commissioner, Amzad Tak and many other dignitaries.

Earlier, Selja also visited the various stalls put up by various departments and NGOs, model houses of the various tribes of Siang belt set in the ground and interacted with the stall owners.

Around 25 different types of stalls have been temporarily set up in the ground. The exhibition stall built jointly by Agriculture, Horticulture, Fishery and Veterinary departments attracted large number of crowd.

On the opening day local artistes enthralls the visitors. From tomorrow the cultural competitions will be organized, besides participants from the Siang belts, Manipuri cultural team will display Thang-ta (art of displaying sword) and other cultural items.

Lohit all set to welcome pilgrims

Parshuram Kund mela from Jan 13

NAMSAI, Jan 11: Lohit district is all set to welcome the pilgrims to the Parshuram Kund Mela scheduled to begin from January 13 to 15 on the occasion of Makar Sangkranti.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made after a threadbare discussion with the security agencies.

It is expected that a large number of pilgrims from various states of country and Nepal and some VIPs will visit the holy Parshuram Kund on the mela days whereas hundreds of people from the neighbouring states have already started to come into for Picnic and religious visit.

A team of Vishwa Mangal Gow Gram Yatra is also visiting Parasuram Kund on the occasion.

Lohit Deputy Commissioner Kaling Tayeng along with Namsai Addl. Deputy Commissioner R.K. Sharma and all Head of departments visited the Mela site today.

While reviewing the final arrangement for mela, he suggested some improvements so that pilgrims visiting the holy place could take a dip in the Kund with comfort and convenience.

It is to be mentioned that the Tourism department has constructed two dormitories which could be used by the pilgrims. Steps leading to the Kund and ralling thereof have been constructed.

Bathing ghat and changing place have also been constructed. Parking places have been identified and it is decided that no vehicle will be allowed beyond parking zone. All the pilgrims shall be frisked thoroughly. These steps have been taken in view of security of the pilgrims and it is appealed to all the visitors and pilgrims to bear with the arrangement even if some inconvenience will be caused to them. Arrangements have also been made to issue Entry permits for the vehicles going to Parshuram Kund and for issue of ILP to the visitors at Dirak and Sunpura Checkgates.

The Parshuram Seva Samity, Tinsukia will be providing free food to all pilgrims during the Mela days. Volunteers from Vivekananda Kendra and Arunachal Vikash Parishad will extend all help and assistance to the pilgrims. Medical facilities will be provided by the District Medical authorities, Arunachal Pali Vidyapeeth and Arunachal Vikash Parishad will be provided round the clock. To facilitate the transportation, the APSTD will be running buses from Tinsukia to Parshuram Kund and back.

Selja inaugurates Housing Complex

PASIGHAT, Jan 11: Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism Minister Kumari Selja inaugurated a housing complex for ‘Safai Karmchari’ at 2 miles, 2 km away from Pasighat main town.

Speaking on the occasion Selja said that under the guidance of the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the union government headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been implementing several projects in Arunachal Pradesh which are bringing developments in every corner of the state.

She assured that she would attend as Chief Guest during the forthcoming golden Jubilee celebration of Pasighat Township which is scheduled to be held on 2011 next.

The project implementing authority HPL (Hindustan Prefab Limited), a govt. of India enterprise executed Rs. 224. 56 Lacs project and it was started on September 5 last and completed within the sanctioned period, stated the Deputy Director (UD) Pasighat Er. Taring Darang.

The minister was accompanied by Education Minister Bosiram Siram, MP Ninnong Ering, MLA Passang Sona and MLA Ralom Borang, DC Onit Panyang, Chairman & Managing director Sanjoy Khothari, Vivek Nangia Dy. Secy to Govt. of India, Yeshi Tsering Principal Secy to Govt. of AP and Bandana Deori Secy to Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh. DIPRO

MLA visits Sisiri, Siine river sites

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: Local legislator of 42-Dambuk Assembly Constituency, Jomin Tayeng (IAS Retired), visited Sisiri and Siine river sites, which often becomes cause of sorrow during monsoon for the people of Dambuk along with head of departments, panchayat and public leaders of area.

Siine River was a small nallah in the past and many hamlets settled around their prior to the earth quake of 1950 which had rocked the north east region. Since then river became turbulent and started inundating the nearby hamlets due to which the main Dambuk town was shifted to the present location. Many flood protection measures were taken in the meantime with canalizing and construction of embankments but it did bear fruitful results. During monsoon seasons, the river becomes turbulent carrying with it large boulders and sands thereby raising the level of river bed year by year.

In the May 1987, the river water over flowed the embankments and flooded the erstwhile Poblung Village, which was known for its beautiful landscape. In the subsequent year, the river continues to inundate and flood the places like Tapat (Patbuk village and half of the Patku village) besides flooding many agricultural fields and cultivated lands. Till date the river poses a great threat to the Dambuk headquarter and is just 100 metres away from the Remi Village.

Sisiri River too has been posing as a great threat to the main Wet Rice Cultivated land of Dambuk stretching around 200-300 hectares. In the preceding year 2009 in the month of July, the river water has inundated agricultural fields at Iprom, 6 km away from Dambuk Sub-Divisional Headquarter.

Keeping in view the above dangers posed by the twin sorrow of Dambuk, the newly elected MLA has taken it seriously and efforts are being made on his part to find some permanent solutions against the odds of the nature.

Inspecting the river site, Tayeng asked the Executive Engineer, Water Resource Department to channelize the river water before onset of monsoon as an exigency measures to direct the course of water through the middle of the river until some permanent flood protection measures are taken up.

The dignitaries also inspected the RCC Bridge Site over Sisiri River which if completed would be the lifeline between Dambuk and Pasighat. DIPRO

Sally Lake Resort, Yatri Niwas need Govt. attention

Bishnu Rana

ROING, Jan 11: Sally Lake, one of the tourist hotspots in Lower Dibang Valley district has become the dumping ground and left to ruin over the last many years. Though the entire asset of the resort has become disputed among Fishery, Forest and Tourism departments, the wildlife department who actually owned this resort has failed to restore the lost glory of it.

The most exotic fishes in the lake are in threat due to regular poaching. Moreover endangered animals in the Mihao Wildlife Sanctuary are equally in peril which need urgent protection. The lackadaisical attitude of the wildlife department is clearly visible.

We are in helpless situation, the variety of rear and endangered fishes (chocolate Masher) in the lake are not safe, we cannot take measures of our own as the lake is under the control of wildlife, said, Dayum Davi DFDO.

The lake could be the best place for tourists’ with its scenic beauty and initiatives could have been taken for water sports but nothing happened.

However, the wildlife department also expressed its helplessness. On the other hand, Yatri Niwas constructed at the cost of Rs 99.69 lakh with a purpose to meet the acute accommodation shortage at the Eze river site is totally damaged beyond recognition. Surprisingly no officials from tourism department had visited the site to assess the situation till yet.

The District Level Tourism Development Committee (DLTDC) is also in place to promote tourism in the district but unfortunately the promotion of tourism remains only a dream.

Recently, a meeting was held at DC’s chamber to give a serious thought to tap the tremendous potential especially adventure & eco-tourism in the district, but nothing substantial came out of the meet. However, there was discussion on restoration of tourist lodge at Sally Lake.

The tourism department has been spending crores of rupees in creating concrete structures and that too become the dumping ground at last! What could be most ridiculous then this way of construction and then destruction?, rued tour operator Jibi Pulu. He suggests infrastructures portraying tribal culture and tradition to attract foreign tourists.

A thin line between outsiders and locals

Taba Ajum

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: Haring, Nepak, Bihari, etc these are some of the words people use to address outsiders, precisely speaking the non-tribal population of Arunachal Pradesh, who comprise chunk of mass. Most of the outsiders staying in state are either engaged in business or employed with state and central governments.

Though majority of them have been living here for long period but still they are not able to completely assimilate with local population and there is a thin line between local and outsiders.

Few days ago this reporter was driving around Naharlagun market and unluckily bumped with a bike coming from opposite side. As I was trying to get up, two bikers with whom I had crashed came running towards me and offered every kind of help including repairing of bike. Both of them were outsiders and I would sense that they were relieve to see me alright but were scared about how I will react? Saying thanks for their sweet gesture, I moved on but their fear-stricken eyes disturbed me a lot till date.

In the entire North-East, our state is considered to be most peaceful and having welcome attitude towards outsiders. The first generation of migrant workforce coming from states like Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, etc have witnessed topography of Arunachal changing in front of their eyes. Most of them are honest enough to admit that off late local population have become little bit hostile to them.

“I started working here in the year 1979 and since have been transferred to various districts of state. My kids have grown up here and I feel myself to be true Arunachalee,” told Sanjeev Sharma, a government school teacher. He further told, “In the last decades atmosphere has changed considerably as people have become hostile to outsiders like us. Often we get bullied and I make sure to always back off when confronted with such embarrassing situation.”

Second generation outsiders mostly who had grown up here, feel more at home in Arunachal than their native villages. Even though they consider themselves to be part of this state they are disillusioned with their present status. Akhilesh Singh working with a MNC in Delhi, who were educated in a government school at Itanagar feels that things are going from bad to worse for outsiders in state.

“My father retired from state power department and is presently living in my native land in Bihar. Whenever I visit him, often he talks about his time at Arunachal and I can feel he misses that beautiful state and its lovable people,” told Akhilesh whom this reporter meet up at a Bank as he was trying to withdraw his father’s provident fund money.

He also told he considers himself to be real Arunachalee. “I can speak local dialects like Nyishi and Apatani quite fluently. Whereas there are many local kids who cant speak their own dialects. My father has contributed to the development of this state and my entire childhood was spent here. Arunachal Pradesh will always remain special to me but it’s sad that some anti-social elements are creating trouble for outsiders,” moaned Akhilesh.

Majority of the outsiders who come here are mostly poor people and they are just looking to make a living out here. Running small businesses like grocery shops, meat stalls, etc they too are looking to provide better life for their family.

“I am operating this small hotel since the year 2000. Many occasion youngsters leave without paying after eating. When I asked for money, they abuses and bullies me,” said an hotelier from West Bengal, who didn’t wished to be named.

I guess we ourselves are to be blamed for creating this situation where our fellow countrymen are feeling like foreigner in their own country. There is a need to do serious introspection.

KGBV parents-teacher meet vows to reduce gender gap in education sector

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: A parent-teacher association meeting was held at Kastuba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya School campus recently to elaborately discuss the problems and achievements of the KGBV. About 200 parents took part in the meeting.

Presiding over the meeting Komini Meto, secretary, Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society(AMMS) has called upon the educated mothers to play a pro-active role for more participation of girl children in school education.

Lamenting over the low percentage of literacy in interior and backward places of the state, Meto informed that KGBV aims to bridge the gender gap in the literacy with more participation of girls in the elementary education.

Pointing out the financial problems faced by NGO due to late and untimely release of fund from the state government, he informed that NGO is in great trouble in running the school such as procurement of ration items, payment of salary to the teachers etc.

Later the house discussed the ways and means to collect fund and decided to sought financial assistance from the MP and local MLA for infrastructure development of the Vidyalaya.

The house also decided to approach elected representatives for upgradation of the KGBV.

Sumila Linggi, the Headmistress of the School gave the detail progress and achievement of the children in the last five years and this half yearly examination 2009. She expressed his satisfaction for the better performance of the students.

IPPI conducted accorss the state

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: Along with the rest of the country Arunachal Pradesh conducted Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) Programme on the occasion of the National Immunization Day yesterday.

Altogether 2252 polio booths were set up and 70,489 children between the age group of 0-5 years were administered polio drop across the state. In Papum Pare district, a total of 17,393 children were administered polio drop.

The Rotary Club of Rising Sun Itanagar (RCRSI) joined the Health and Family Welfare Department in the IPPI programme at Itafort Govt Dispensary here.

Parliamentary secretary for Health and Family Welfare Nido Pavitra inaugurated the immunization programme in presence of Health Service Director Dr T Basar and Rotarians Kishor Nath (RCRSI president), Jarjum Ete, former president, Avijit Chakraborty, RCRSI secretary, Jayashree Gosh and Tage Taki among others.

Lower Subansiri District also conducted first round of the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) throughout the district by feeding two drops of polio vaccine to the children of 0-5 years on January 10.

According to official source, 100 polio booths were set up in the district facilitating easy reached of the people.

Out of 100 booths, 25 were set up in district Hq. in which more than 1400 children of age group were given polio oral polio vaccine. The Lower Subansiri DMO and DFWO supervised the programme, sources said.

At Dirang, the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) national programme was inaugurated by local MLA Phurpa Tsering at the community health centre here yesterday. An IPPI transit camp was also organized at bazaar line by 4th BN ITBP and at Jyotinagar by 30th SSB BN which was also inaugurated by the MLA.

2281 children were immunized at Dirang and Thembang circles during the IPPI round, according to Dirang senior medical officer Dr. S.K Singh.

Laa Talar - A hope for sports lovers of Arunachal

Madhurjya Doley

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: It is a matter of immense pleasure to know that sportspersons of Arunachal Pradesh in some certain disciplines have been doing exceptionally well. Of them, promising badminton player Laa Talar-- a student of class VIII standard-- is one.

Talar, ranked 8th in singles and 2nd in doubles in sub-junior category in the recently released national ranking table, have won many laurels for the state so far. He was also ranked number one in U-10 and presently, he is holding the numero uno position in his category (U-13).

The budding shuttler, who have won many titles in different championships and categories, is determined to improve his ranking further in the coming years. Talar, a student of Nandi Pipes Badminton Academy, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh told this reporter that his very next target is to win the national sub-junior title and improve the national ranking further by participating in maximum number of tournaments.

Showing two old Yonex racquets, Talar said he is presently using these two as he can not afford buy a new one for want of money. He informed that a good badminton racquet costs around Rs 6000 to Rs.12,000 depending upon their quality.

Meanwhile, Ribe Laa, father of Laa Talar and a school teacher, said that badminton being a very costly sports, he was unable to provide all the requirements of his son. A pair of sports shoes, shirts and pant costs around Rs.10,000 to 12,000. The shuttle cocks required for practice costs Rs.750 a box. Being a poor school teacher with limited earnings, how can I manage all these things besides maintaining the family, Ribe, burdened with three children, lamented. He, however, praised Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu for extending financial assistance of Rs.three lakh from his side last year.

Talking about fitness of a sportperson, Talar’s coach K Venkateswara Rao told that sportspersons need to take lots of nutrious food to keep their body fit. They must maintain a balanced diet also. He blamed injury as one of the main causes of many a sportspersons ending sporting career at the pick stage in our country. If an individual player (except cricket) injures himself, neither his organization nor government concerned take proper care of the player resulting in abrupt end of sporting career.

When asked about Talar’s present performance and future, the coach said he has seen a lot in Talar. If he could maintain his present form and continue hard practice, no doubt, he will become number one shuttler of the country within next few years, the coach said. He also urged the Arunachal Pradesh government to establish more and more sport academies to groom raw talents of the state.

Talar, who lost to Railway’s B Kiran Kumar 21-16, 18-21 and 21-18 in 74th Senior National Badminton Championship which concluded at Guwahati on January 10, has many a feather in his cap.

He won the singles title in U-13 championships held in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh in 2009, Cochin in 2008. He was a member of the champion team of All India School Tournament held in Vishakhapatnam in 2009 and runners up in the singles event, quarterfinalist in Patna and Bangalore leg of the championship held in 2008 and 2009.

He also won the doubles final in Guntur in 2009 and reached upto quarterfinals in doubles championships held in Cochin, Bangalore and Patna in 2008.

Earlier, in 2007, Talar won the boys U-10 title in tournaments held in Chennai and Cochin, reached final in another tournament held in 2006 in Indore. He also reached the doubles (U-10) quarterfinals in three events and pre-quarterfinals in as many tournaments he played in 2006 and ’07. He also reached Boy’s singles 3rd round of Junior National Championship held in Jaipur, Rajasthan last year. Talar pairing with Sai Tanuj of Andhra Pradesh lost in doubles quarterfinal in the championship.

Another budding player of the state, Jokom Rebia reached the quarterfinal in singles in the tournament and lost the doubles semifinals. He also reached the final of Junior Ranking Tournament held in Chennai in May, 2009.

Vintage XI play Seppa United today

SEPPA, Jan 11: Vintage XI will lock horns with Seppa United in the last quarter final match of the ongoing Yeza Memorial Twenty-20 Cricket Tournament at general ground here tomorrow.

Three teams, namely, Engineers XI, Gorkha XI and Chayang Tajo Cricket Club have already made it to the semi-finals.

Miao MLA Kamlung Mossang will distribute prizes to the winner and runners up in the valedictory function as chief guest.

Orchestra party from Tezpur, Assam has been especially called-in to enthrall the gathering on the valedictory function.

The tournament organizer has announced to reward Rs 50 for each six and another Rs1000 for the man-of-match from the semi final onwards.

It is worth mentioning that the winning team will walk away with cash prize of Rs.50,000 along with trophy. The runners up team would be given Rs.25,000 The man of the series will get Rs.5000 while the highest wicket ticker will get Rs 2500 along with citation and trophy.

Assoc. formed

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: A village youth association in the name of Karsingsa Dobum Village Youth Welfare Association (KDVYWA) was formed in a meeting held recently with Phassang Siro as president, Tadar Harming as vice president and Kipa Tasuk as general secretary respectively. Nabum Nime has been appointed as the association’s women wing president.

Entrepreneurship dev. Prog

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: Branch MSME Development Institute, a Govt. of India organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises would organize an entrepreneurship skill development programme (ESDP) for weaker section on tailoring and readymade garments at Itanagar from January 16 to February 16 next.

The main aim of the month- long programme is to create awareness and scope for the women, educated unemployed youth to take up self-employment ventures and income generating activities in Arunachal Pradesh. Eminent resource persons from various agencies will deliver information during the programme.

Kulo, Techi congratulated

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has congratulated its secretary A.T. Kulo and A. K Techi, ZPM and vice chairman of APRGPRS for being appointed as the chairman of Board of Directors of Arunachal Pradesh State Cooperative Union and Joint Secretary of All India Weightlifting Federation respectively.

APCC hoped that both Kulo and Techi would render valuable services and work with dedication for the greater interest of the people of the state.

Church silver jubilee

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: Pira Baptist Church under Tirbin circle of West Siang district will celebrate its Silver Jubilee from January 15 to 17. Games and sports, Bible quiz, traditional cultural competition and releasing of souvenir will be the main highlights of the programme.

NABARD sponsors artisans and SHGs

ITANAGAR, Jan 11: NABARD has sponsored Arun Kutir Udyog Co-operative Society, an NGO based at Ziro, Lower Subansiri district to participate in the Exhibition cum sale of Rural Products in Mahalaxmi SARAS Fair 2010 at Mumbai from Jan 21 to Feb 2. Two artisans have been nominated by the agency to participate in the Fair. The artisans will display various items on jute handicraft products of utility besides handicrafts and other handloom products during the 10 days fair.

NABARD has also sponsored Seva Kendra, Borduria, Miao, Changlang district to install 5 stalls for 15 SHGs members to participate in the Pampsu Pass Festival to be held from Jan 20 to 22 at Miao. The SHGs shall be displaying traditional weaving materials, cloths, food products and various local crafts in the exhibition.