January 01
Workshop on poverty reduction
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: A two days training cum workshop on capacity building for poverty reduction (CBPR) conducted by Papum Pare DRDA, Yupia was held at Doimukh on December 29 and 30.
Over 65 participants from Doimukh and Mengio block attended the training cum workshop. The trainees comprised of PRI members, officers and officials from DRDA and block level.
The training aimed to develop and deliver training needed by those working to reduce poverty.
Pama Bagang, EAC (in-
The training programme was conducted in collaboration with Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Naharlagun.
Christmas with a cause
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: Pentecostal Christian Fellowship Church, East Kameng Unit celebrated Christmas in a befitting manner on December 25 at Seppa.
On the occasion, special offering was also collected and the offered amount of the day was given to a differently abled person and a cancer patient.
Later, the Church members distributed fruits to the indoor patients and staff of district hospital Seppa.
Bandh postponed
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: The Arunachal Pradesh Abo-
APCSD opposes bandh
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal (APCSD) has opposed the
12-
The Seva Dal termed the bandh unjustified and politically motivated. It appealed to the citizens to protest such bandhs.
APCSD vice chairman Kipa Kaha further condemned the demand of the resignation of Minister PWD, Finance & Planning Chowna Mein as totally unconstitutional and meaningless.
The APCSD further appealed to the district administration and Superintendent of Police to arrest the callers of the bandh.
Priest dies
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: Tagin Welfare Society(TWS), Itanagar has deeply condoled the sudden
demise of founding Nyibu (priest) of Donyi-
He rendered his service as the chief priest of Central Donyi-
All Tam Socio-
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
Bandh called off
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Job Contract Employees Union, NEEPCO Ltd, Itanagar has temporary suspended its bandh call after Chief Minister and Chairman cum Managing Director, NEEPCO Ltd assured to provide employment in Category C and D to the affected people of the ongoing Kameng Hydro Electricity Project (KaHEP) and Pare Hydro Electricity Project (PaHEP) being executed by NEEPCO within 15 days.
Meanwhile, Subansiri Middle Power Project Local Implementation Committee has called off its indefinite bandh after having a joint meeting with Parliamentary Secretary for food and civil supply Nido Pavitra and authorities of M/s Jindal Power Ltd here on December 29 last.
School inaugurated
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: Deputy Speaker, Arunachal Legislative Assembly Jomde Kena inaugurated the newly upgraded middle school at Hime village under Kangku circle yesterday.
Addressing the gathering, he donated some amount to the villagers and advised them to repair the village road with the donated money.
Kena further assured to provide fund from his MLALAD fund for construction of girls hostel and three teacher’s quarters.
DDSE, West Siang also assured to provide fund for construction of three classrooms.
Amongst other, SDO Likabali and CO Kangku attended the function.
News Impact
Indigenous Faith Day celebrated across the state
NIRJULI, Dec 31: Indigenous Faith Day was celebrated across the state with colourful functions.
Addressing during the Indigenous Faiths Day celebration organized by the Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) at Nirjuli Nyikum Niya Ground here, Chief Minister, Nabam Tuki emphasized that every faith and religion should propagate peace which is the only catalyst for development.
The Chief Minister asserted that celebration of festivals shouldn’t be overtly dependent on chief guests and long speeches. Taking a cue from other developed countries, he said that chief guests will come and go but the festival must go on. He suggested IFCSAP to elaborate its celebrations of the Day by holding various literary and cultural competitions besides holding indigenous games and sports events for youths so that an interest is created in the minds of the younger generation.
“I would also advice IFCSAP to broaden its activities by establishing cultural centers and opening up schools, where students can learn about their culture and tradition along with their formal education,” Tuki said.
Speaking eloquently about the rich cultural heritage of the Arunachalee society, the Chief Minister was particularly worried about the dwindling practice of indigenous priesthood. He expressed regret that affluent people remember and use the services of local priests only when needed and then forget about their well being.
“Our priests are oceans of knowledge. Every word in their chants has meanings beyond imagination. But in today’s world, the status of our priests has come down forcing prospective priests to search for other more profitable professions,” Tuki pointed out and called on the people to take proper care of their respective priests and give them the status they deserve.
Emphasizing on documentation and propagation of the local chants rendered orally by indigenous priests, Tuki promised support and cooperation to any individual or organization like IFCSAP to work in this line. He also assured to find out means to make priesthood a sustainable livelihood so that indigenous priests are not forced to quit for economical reasons. In order to imbibe a sense of responsibility and pride in youngsters towards their cultural heritage, he hinted a thought to replace formal uniforms with traditional dresses in schools of the state. This, he stressed, would not only bring about a sense of understanding in students but also give a fillip to local weavers and boost the small but rich handlooms and handicrafts sector.
Underscoring the role of youths in progress of the state in every sector, Tuki expressed
hurt the way certain misguided youths were wasting their time and energy in regressive
activities. He minced no words to denounce people in position for misguiding the
youths and taking advantage of youth-
“By calling and enforcing bandhs, show me a single person who is benefited,” he challenged.
Reiterating his call against bandh culture, the Chief Minister reassured the people
that the Government will not show any leniency in dealing with law-
Earlier, Parliamentary Secretary for Home, Gadam Ete lucidly emphasized on preservation of the rich indigenous culture of the state. He heaped praises on members of IFCSAP and other indigenous societies for dedicating their time and energy to preserve and propagate the rich cultural heritage, which if not taken care, would disappear with time in a fast changing materialistic world.
Present on the occasion were Lok Sabha MP Takam Sanjoy, Education Minister Bosiram Siram, Parliamentary Secretaries Nabam Rebia and Nido Pavitro, MLAs Karya Bagang and Tani Loffa, IFCCSAP President Y D Thongchi and others.
Culture is the essence
of life: Lowangdong
Tirap: The Indigenous Faith Day was celebrated all over Tirap district today.
Speaker Legislative Assembly, W. Lowangdong while speaking at the function said that culture is the essence of life. He said that with the advent of materialistic world people tend to ignore the basic need to preserve the ethos of indigenous culture. He urged the people not to forget who and what we are as this is the real identity of them. He appealed to the people to preserve the importance of community work like construction of houses, community fishing and hunting as these are part of indigenous culture.While dwelling over the importance of indigenous culture he expressed his unhappiness over the use of deadly modern medicines for fishing instead of the less lethal local one. He said that to help preserve the culture and tradition of the tribal people folk songs and dances need to be documented for the future generation.
Deputy Commissioner Tirap W. Lowang, also spoke on the occasion and urged the people to come forward and participate openly in such celebration as this help in the preservation of the indigenous culture and traditions.
Participants from various villages performed rituals and displayed indigenous games and sports. The prizes for these were sponsored by the Brigadier, Jai Singh of 117 Infantry Brigade Khonsa.
Earlier Chafung Wangsu, Secretary, Tirap Indigenous People’s Society (TIPS) highlighted the importance of the celebration of the Indigenous Faith Day all over Arunachal Pradesh.
PASIGHAT: The people of East Siang district celebrated the Donyi-
Followers remembered and paid floral tributes to Golgi Bote Talom Rukbo. The festivities continued throughout the day with prayers, presentations of cultural tableaus and community feasts.
The main function was observed at the Central Ganging, Pasighat, organized by the Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Pasighat.
At Dambuk, East Arunachal MP Ninong Ering attended the celebration. In his message Ering stressed on the need of preservation and propagation of indigenous culture and traditions upholding the spirit of secularism.
He sanctioned Rs 10 lakhs and Rs five lakhs respectively for construction of community halls at Dambuk and Bomjir respectively.
On the way to Pasighat the MP accompanied by the OC (BRO) RS Rao, SDO T Tali and Oku Dai local leader inspected the ongoing bridge construction at Sisiri and approach road of Auhali and expressed his satisfaction over the progresses.
Sources informed that President AVP East Siang unit along with office bearers visited all the nine Ganggings in and around Pasighat and offered prayers on the auspicious occasion.
The believers of indigenous faith today observed indigenous faith day at Donyi Polo Dere 1st APPBn colony Chimpu. Flag hosting was done in which several members participated wearing traditional attires. (DIPROs)
The Day was also celebrated at Boleng with religous fervour. Over 500 believers attended the celbration. Er. O Taga of Rumgong PWD division attended the celebration. The day was also celebrated at Pareng in a efiting manner.
Taloh assures industrial development
PASIGHAT, Dec 31: The Minister for Industries, Textile & Handicrafts, Tapang Taloh,
accompanied by host of officers and leaders of Pangin-
In a public meeting held at Riga-
Later, Taloh, while focusing in length on developmental initiatives taken up by the present Tuki led state government, urged all to be partners in development process and shoulder the responsibility by being responsible citizens. He also emphasized on supporting hydro power projects in the state which is the economic backbone of the state that can sail the state from the present situation to a self reliant and self sufficient status.
Responding to memorandum submitted by the PRI members, the minister assured to look into the genuine grievances for progress of the area. DIPRO
Customers pay the price for UD, BSNL standoff
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: Before the cellular phones made massive inroads, there was a time when landline was considered the most reliable and hassle free medium of telecommunication. Arguably it is still going strong.
However hundreds of private residences and government establishments in the state capital have been forced to do without landline and broadband facilities in the last one year. Remaining few which are functioning are plagued with frequent loss of signals or too slow.
According to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the fiber optic broadband and landline cables were majorly disrupted during eviction drive carried out by district administration for road widening under Jawaharlal Nehru National Rural Urban Mission, a central sponsored flagship programme executed by Urban Development department.
Term it departments’ apathy or easy going attitude, the disrupted cables are lying strewn without any attempt to repair or restore the lines. Interestingly the telecommunication department is equipped with excuses to fend themselves off and astutely passed the buck to Urban Development Department for causing huge disruption of cables and gridlock in networks.
On being asked, the BSNL general manager Shyam Narain maintained that telecommunication department has no separate allocation for repairing and restoration of cables dislocated by other departments.
However, the GM added that some uprooted cables were restored by his department. He further disclosed that BSNL had submitted an estimated cost for repairing and restoration to UD department few months ago but it is yet to get any reply so far.
Meanwhile, Director Urban Development Taba Tedir said that UD should not be held responsible for disruption, as according to him, the district administration had clearly directed various departments including BSNL, PHED and Power to shift their cables and pipes before it carried out the eviction drive.
However, he said his department would look into the matter if telecommunication had sent the estimates, but at same time he sounded skeptical about his department’s chances of bearing the expenses.
It is obvious that BSNL users are the sufferers in the battle or rather lack of coordination between the departments and many are angered by the indifference of BSNL for failing to restore the connectivity.
“Despite repeated complaints, the department is not ready to restore the phone connection,” a resident said.
Now it remains to be seen how long both departments would maintain their unilateral standoff. It is also interesting to note that state government has been watching the battle without any attempts to resolve the impasse. Definitely they have to act.
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: The Forum for Siang Dialogue and Siang People’s Forum jointly slammed the statement by Member of Parliament Takam Sanjay who had yesterday accused the anti dam activists of getting funds from China to stop the infrastructure development in the North East region and hobnobbing with the Maoists.
Terming the statement as irresponsible, the organizations accused the MP of diverting from the core issues confronting those areas which are set to be affected by building of big power projects running into thousands of megawatts.
It urged the MP to take up with the centre, Assam and Arunachal on the likely impacts of the dams instead of accusing the anti dam proponents of being anti development.
It said that respective Arunachalee governments and centre was yet to address the environmental concerns, large scale dislocation of indigenous communities and influx of outsiders once these projects come up.
The organizations wanted to know from the MP and the government on the punitive action being taken against alleged Maoist infiltrations in Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, the organizations while expressing solidarity with Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) led by Akhil Gogoi and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) protests against the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower project also appealed to the organizations to allow commuters and vehicles carrying essential items to reach the three Siang districts which have been worst hit due to blockade of the national highway.
ALSU organizes seminar on codification of customary laws
ITANAGAR, Dec 31: A brain-
Describing codification of customary law a gigantic task, Lohit deputy commissioner gave emphasis on involving village leaders and GBs in this matter since they are the custodians of the customary laws and traditions of the society. While appreciating the move, the DC advised ALSU to conduct such seminar at village level where such laws are mainly applicable. He opined that codification of customary laws would help in preserving rich culture of Arunachal Pradesh in written form.
B Bohum, chief judge, district and session court, Eastern division, emphasized on Assam Regulation of Justice Act wherein the institute of village council comprising GBs have been entrusted and empowered to resolve local dispute of civil nature.
“Customary law is not superior to the statutory law. Customary laws especially in case of marriage is not easy as Arunachal Pradesh has many ethnic groups/tribes having their own custom and tradition governing the system,” he observed.
He, however, suggested ALSU to coordinate with the Law Department even with High Court in regards.
Tezu ADC and EAC also took part in the seminar and shared their views on codification of customary laws.
Loiling village GB K Boo introduced the age-
Tezo CO K Kri highlighted the administrative justice among the Mishmi community and B Mossang the land holding system.
Earlier, ALSU president Tadar Tarish informed about various seminars conducted by the union on the issue at district level in phase wise. He said that awareness campaign cum legal seminar on codification of customary law would be organized in Anjaw, Changlang, Tirap, Upper Siang, Kurung Kumey and Papum Pare from April, 2012.
The seminar was attended by GBs, PIs, CALSOM members, women representatives, elderly and experienced persons on the subject matter, students leaders, students and faculty members of IGCC, according to an ALSU release.
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