The Arunachal Times - Archives

Khandu apprises Sonia of developmental activities, submits projects

NEW DELHI July 17: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has pleaded New Delhi for sanction of 8 major projects for addressing the infrastructural bottleneck of the state.

The chief minister called on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence today and submitted the proposal.

The proposal includes 132 KV Trans-Arunachal Grid, Drinking Water facility in Border blocks, Porter Tracks & Foot Suspension Bridges/Log bridges in border areas, ‘Connecting 22 unconnected Administrative Centers along the International Border’, Myanmar Border Fencing, strengthening of Police Infrastructure, expediting construction of Greenfield Airport and fund for clearing pending HTS bills for strengthening the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state.

Gandhi assured Khandu that she would expeditiously take up the proposals with appropriate ministry and impress upon the Government to address the same. She lauded the pace of developmental activities undertaken in the state under the leadership of Khandu and advised him to upkeep the momentum.

Khandu informed Gandhi that all centrally sponsored schemes including the flagship programmes of Government of India are being judiciously implemented in the state. “Third party monitoring, uploading of works execution in the government websites are some of the examples that Arunachal Government is ensuring that no stone is left unturned in order to give a facelift to the state in the developmental front”, Khandu briefed the UPA chairperson without mincing a word.

Khandu dwelt in length the achievements made by Congress led Government in the state. The people of Arunachal Pradesh have given my Govt., the mandate of transforming their hopes and visions into reality and my team will leave no stone unturned in the realization of this noble goal. I am happy to share with you that my Govt. is already in the process of creating necessary policy frame-work environment and also fine-tuning the administrative processes towards an ultimate aim of realizing its stated objective – People First” Khandu assertively said. The Chief Minister assured Delhi that the fund meant for developmental activities would be utilized judiciously ensuring complete transparency under his personal supervision.

Among others, Union Minister of State for Planning V Narayansamy, AICC Political Secretary Ahmed Patel, former Union Minister Oscar Fernandez and State PWD & UD Minister Nabam Tuki were also present in the meeting. PRO to CM

Young Green Champions prepare for Queen’s Baton Relay

Itanagar, July 17: An orientation session on the project “‘Creating Young Green Champions for a responsible Citizen’s Force to link with the Commonwealth Games’ was organized today by Future Generations Arunachal (FGA) in Itanagar for the schools participating in the project to coincide with the Queen’s Baton Relay in the city on July 22 and 23, 2010. Representatives of the teachers and the students attended the session in the FGA office.

Eight schools including Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (Nirjuli), Kingcup Public School, (Itanagar), JNK Public School (Itanagar), Arunudaya Higher Secondary School (Itanagar), Government Middle School (Niti Vihar, Itanagar), Green Mount Public School (Itanagar), Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (Chimpu) and Government Middle School (P Sector) are participating in the program. The students will prepare posters on low carbon practices and take out rallies on the routes of the Queens Baton Relay in Naharlagun and Itanagar. In addition, they will plant trees in the schools and other public places in order to create awareness on low carbon lifestyle among the communities.

The XIX Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in New Delhi from 3-14 October 2010. As the host of the Commonwealth Games (CWG), the Govt. of Delhi has committed itself to hosting “Green Games” by inducing behavioral change towards low carbon practices. Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Global Environment Facility (GEF)/United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Small Grants Program (SGP) partners join the Delhi Government in taking this endeavour forward. FGA is coordinating the project in Arunachal Pradesh.

The project, by involving the students and teachers, aims to create awareness on low carbon practices in the cities along the Queen’s Baton Relay Route all over India. It will also prepare students from schools across states in India to act as young environment ambassadors with a special focus on the low carbon practices and sensitizing public at large at places about sustainable lifestyle practices in cities along the route of the Commonwealth Games Queens Baton Relay (QBR). The participating teachers, students and the institutions will get certificates in creating the Young Green Champions (YGCs).

AdiSU question Govt policy

ITANAGAR, July 17: Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU) spearheading the Quit Siang Movement against mega dams’ construction in the Siang belt said that the government is trying to suppress the union, its members and the well wishers through local MLAs.

Criticizing the movement of the government, the union further alleged that the local MLAs are personally asking the ignorant public of the Adi belt not to attend awareness programme organized by the union regarding construction of Dam.

However, the union despite such pressure from the local MLAs has decided to accelerate the Quit Siang Movement and will start series of awareness campaign related to Tato-II hydro electric project, West Siang District, it informed. Meanwhile, AdiSU in a memorandum to Member Secretary, State Pollution Control Board Arunachal Pradesh demanded the authority to scrap the proposed public hearing for Tato-II HE Project scheduled on August 12 next.

The union questioning the authority said that, without proper and sufficient details about the EIA reports, how can the public hearing be conducted.

As per the EAC rules 2006 maximum copies needs to be made available for the public prior to public hearing and the same EIA report has to be published in local dialects/language but the authority failed to do so and only 10 copies of environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of the project is made available in the office of APSPCB, Itanagar, it said.

The union also appealed to the individuals and groups employed by any of the dam proponents to restrain from making loose comments on the union and its activities. The AdiSU is against the wrong hydro power policy of the state government, not against any particular power proponents, release added.

Minister, MLA express happiness at coronation of Tai Khampti chief

ITANAGAR, July 17: Public Heath and Water Supply Minister Chowna Mein expressed extreme pleasure over the Coronation of Chou Pha Chou Meohow Namchoom as the Tai Khampti chief yesterday.

In a message to revered Namchoom, Mein said ‘a huge vacuum created after demise of former Khampti chief Late Revered Choukhamoon Gohain, is now filled with your selection as Khampti chief’.

Recalling the contributions of new Khampti Chief, the Minister said ‘with your sprawling knowledge and personal oceanic experience, the entire community, including womenfolk and youths who are the most vulnerable stock of the community will be benefited immensely and will avail new ideas and idealism to prove themselves the most meaningful and productive citizens of the society’.

Namsai MLA Nang Sati Mein in a similar message also expressed happiness over the coronation. The MLA believed that the vast experience and knowledge of Chou Meohou Namchoom will certainly lead the Khampti society to a new era of peace, prosperity and development and he will also able to lead the society for preservation of rich traditional and cultural heritage of the Khamptis.

1730 mosquito nets and 563 curtains impregnated at Namsai

ITANAGAR, July 17: Recently, lots of Malaria cases were detected in Namsai area. To curtail further spread of Malaria, a daylong social service to impregnate mosquito net and curtain by Keo-trin was jointly conducted by Malaria branch of Health department and Water Resources Department of Namsai at Namsai town. The social service was organised by Dr. A.C Gohain, M.O in-charge Namsai PHC and Er. Gonong Pertin, AE WRD Namsai.

The staff of WRD and Malaria branch Namsai was divied into 7 groups. Each group consisted of 5 to 6 members.

During the day long social service from 6 AM to 1 PM, in spite of intermittent rain shower, 7 groups managed to impregnate 1730 mosquito nets and 563 curtains. They used 26 litre of Keo-trin. Dr. A.C Gohain, MO in-charge Namsai PHE praised the WRD department staffs for their missionary Zeal and asked for more help for controlling malaria as the Malaria branch does not have sufficient manpower. He further says that this was the highest single day impregnation of mosquito net and curtain in Namsai.

RGUSU to meet MHRD minister

ITANAGAR, July 17: The four-member delegation of Rajiv Gandhi University Students Union (RGUSU), which left here today for New Delhi, will discuss various developmental issues relating to Rajiv Gandhi University with the Human Resource Development Minister, the Director of Central University, UGC Chairman and other officers of RGU at New Delhi.

During their meeting with the Ministry, the delegation will urge for creation of more departments, namely Physics, Chemistry, Sociology and Law disciplines, enhancement of development grants to the university for rapid infrastructure development and sanctioning special aid for the immediate construction of Students’ Sports Complex (Indoor Games) within the university campus.

The delegates will also brief the MHRD and other high profile authorities in New Delhi about their democratic movement against the VC and its 13 points memorandum submitted to him (VC) earlier.

Meanwhile, the RGUSU has extended support to the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU)’s demands for immediate cancellation of five posts of Aviation officers and six posts of Charge-Men, which were appointed by the concerned authority without maintaining the laid guidelines.

Why castigate the most convenient language?

Tajen Dabi

In recent times, the emotive question of language is resurfacing in Arunachal. The immediate concern-as is being debated in the local media especially in your daily-is the ‘threat’ to the native language(s) from the ‘mainstream’ Hindi. Columnists and intelligentsia, both within the state and from ‘outside’, dwell at length on various aspects related to it. Some are in the nature of SOS call to save the native tongue; others reflect a sense of nostalgia for those days when Assamese was the dominant lingua in the region. There was no Bengali; no Hindi; the way Assamese was, then.

Given the sheer diversity of language in the state, it’s too obvious that a particular ‘dominant’ language emerge as a mode of communication. The sad story is: we do not debate which one to ‘adopt’, and to which extent. There only seems to be a long tirade against Hindi. In the process we miss out much on the critical issues, which I think, can be started by asking the question: why do we ‘Aruncahalis’ love Hindi? Or to put it more correctly, why is Hindi so popular here that it comes naturally to any children in urban areas cutting across ethnic boundaries? After all, did not we renounce Assamese as the medium of instruction in favour of English much to the chagrin of our neighbour across the Inner Line decades ago? Right from the kindergarten we read, write and cram English, only to grow up speak Hindi in our own ingenious version, a ‘second language’ subject in our schools. We are, in writing, English, Hindi by tongue, and now, ‘native’ by temperament. All non-Hindi speaking ‘outsiders’ end up speaking Hindi in Arunachal. It’s almost like you go to Somalia and come back learning Japanese from people there! What an irony, one might exclaim. But the fact is, Hindi, in Arunachal today, perfectly fits the growing cosmopolitan space; it is the emerging mode of communication in secular establishments (offices, banks, shops, transport, public gatherings etc). I came across this phenomenon especially in Aalo (headquarters of West Siang district), where people from same language group converse in Hindi just to appear ‘formal’. To many, it seems, speaking in Hindi- more ‘fluent’ the better- gives one a sense of confidence and achievement. You may disagree, but that’s the fact. Add the widely spread business community, people from ‘outside’ in public establishments (who themselves belong to varied linguistic group), the military and para-military personnel, and the huge popularity of cable/satellite TV; you have the perfect recipe for Hindi to emerge as a dominant language.

Most of the growing middle class in the state is hooked to the TV soap operas partly because the native (cultural) forms of entertainment are largely limited to traditional festivals only, it does not cater to our middle class taste. This same class of people are a role model-local diaspora, if I may- to the rural folks. Consequently, the cable TV ‘invasion’ is making inroads into faraway villages; Hindi takes a role of what sociologist M N Srinivasan calls ‘Sanskritization’ in our own local context. Inability in speaking Hindi is seen as ‘rustic’; and the trend is towards being ‘modern’.

Forget about illiterate migrant labourers (who form the bulk of ‘casual’ work force in government departments and in the fast growing construction sector), even a large majority of educated ones take unkindly to people speaking to them in English. The reason could be three fold: one, most are themselves uncomfortable conversing in English (this commentator included, lest you call me David Cameroon’s cousin); two, there is a general perception that English is to be spoken only when a certain official or personal exigency demands so. In the latter case, our Macualian pedigree takes a solemn reincarnation when we are either drunk or too angry; and three, there may be an underlying perception that English is the language of ‘masters’. Conversely, the growing popularity of Hindi also reflects the transfer of the language to the natives in more subtle form, without a tint of ‘imposition’.

Various community organisations, of late, are bringing out ‘dictionaries’ of local languages; attempts are on to teach the same as ‘third language’ in government schools in respective areas to ‘protect’ and ‘preserve’ the native dialects. This is an encouraging step. But it falls short of the gargantuan challenge. Also, such efforts target the rural students which in any case learn the native tongue. Not every child joins the school in their locality. Almost all the salaried and affluent class send their children to private schools and those run by reputed NGOs, where the above mentioned ‘third’ language scheme does not exist. It is from this middle class that much of the debate is emerging because of their varied experience: being mocked outside the state for speaking an ‘alien’ language (this comes especially from brethrens of ‘ethnic’ North-East), the sense of urgency to relate to one’s ‘pristine’ past after having had a taste of ‘confusing’ forces of modernisation, the inspiration drawn from similar movements in other parts of the country and the world, etc. This brings another dimension to the problem. Contrary to the much publicised slogan of “Loss of Culture Loss of Identity” by some NGOs running schools across the state, they actively discourage use of any local language among the students. This has two serious implications: one, the student(s) lose the natural privilege of having to speak in one’s native tongue. Two, students from other areas/ districts are denied any opportunity to learn the local language of the place where they spend their critical years- the formative period. Send your child to, for example, VKV Roing, and after he/she graduates from the school ask him/her what ‘water’ is called in Mishmi or in Idu, you won’t have an answer. So much to the ‘preservation’ of our ‘unique’culture! After so much of enthusiastic investment in ‘preserving’ and promoting ‘the’ ‘unique’ culture of each of the tribes, an assessment of the cultural policy of such patronising organisations in the state is due. Advocating ‘Unity in Diversity’ is good not only in Indian context, but for the world over; actively inventing and emphasizing traits and cultural forms to create constituencies of ‘unique’ cultures is another, especially so when there are avenues enough to identify and bridge commonalities. Inter alia, it defeats Article 44 of the constitution.

There are many pitfalls along the way. And we need not be too pessimistic about it. In our process of negotiation with ‘development’ and modernity, there will be obvious sacrifice we will have to make, especially so when we want the best of both the world. It does not look nice to blame a particular language just because most are adopting it. After all isn’t Hindi the only (emerging) common cultural denominator in the state today? No? Did you say “corruption also”? May be you are right, but that is beside the point. Given the way we are bent on (or taught to) promoting a ‘unique’ culture that is only ‘ours’, it’s too good that we are adopting the National language as our own. And our love for having adopted a particular language should not die just because ‘mainstream’ people laugh at our accent. Else, we can start by promoting and teaching local language in Government as well as Private/NGOs/’Missionary’ run schools in respective areas.

To wind up, here is a joke doing round in social circles in Itanagar: some ‘Arunachali’ village folk were touring Delhi as part of a government-sponsored programme. They visited a cloth vendor, started bargaining the price in our own version of Hindi. The salesman was somewhat surprised to hear similar sounding words coming from a group of ‘chinkees’, he paused for a moment, and said, “Bhai sahib, aapka aur humara bhasa milta-julta hai (sic)!” (The contributor is an Assistant Professor, Dept of History, RGU)

Social service

ITANAGAR, July 17: The Capital Youth Welfare Organisation (CYWO) in collaboration with the department of urban development has conducted a social service from the Legi Complex area to P-sector (near Raj Bhawan) today. Town magistrate Talo Putum and DC Nandini Paliwal attended the social service and assured cooperation in such noble cause. The social service was conducted in response to the Govt initiatives for green and clean capital.

Blood donation camp at PTC

ITANAGAR, July 17: An advocacy programme on HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse and Voluntary Blood Donation, followed by a Voluntary Blood Donation Camp was organized with the Staff/trainees of Police Training Centre, Banderdewa yesterday.

Principal, PTC, Banderdewa Chuku Apa exhorted the jawans to protect themselves from the menace of HIV/AIDS and practice safe sex behavior. He further called upon the policemen to become regular blood donors to wipe out the scarcity of blood in the Blood Banks.

Joint Director (BSD), APSACS Dr Riken Rina, held an interactive session with the participants on HIV/AIDS & Drug Abuse. He answered many queries on HIV/AIDS- its mode of transmission and prevention methods, put forth by inquisitive audience.

Voluntary Blood Donation and Donor Motivation was dwelt on by Drug Inspector, APSACS Ibom Ete. He encouraged the gathering to go for regular blood donation as human blood is scarce and it can be only procured from another person through voluntary donation.

Finally, the programme concluded with Voluntary Blood Donation Camp at PTC, Primary Health Centre, where 12 units of blood were collected.

Vice Principal, PTC, Banderdewa JS Yadav, led the donation by being the first volunteer to donate blood.

Talar and Tanuj gets second spot

ITANAGAR, July 17: Laa Talar of Arunachal Pradesh partnering with Sai Tanuj of Andhra Pradesh finished runners up in Boys Double U-16 category both in Bangalore and Cochin legs of All India Junior Badminton Ranking Tournament held recently. Taring Yaniya of Arunachal and Pinky Karki also finished runners up in Girls Doubles Under 13 year category at Cochin. Talar, however, lost his Singles Under 16 quarterfinal match against his doubles partner Sai Tanuj 21-18, 19-21, 21-17 at Bangalore. He made first round exit at Cochin losing 20-22, 17-21 to No.1 rank Arun George.

Another Arunachalee boy Laa Tukam (U-13) reached 2nd round of the Bangalore tournament while he made an early exit at Cochin. Laa Yajum (U-13) could not cross the first round hurdle both at Cochin and Bangalore.

Aalbe aade released

ITANAGAR, July 17: Aalbe aade! (good bye) an audio video album by Gonyabin Cine Production was released yesterday at Itanagar. Gemo Diyum, ,Rerik Karlo and Bijoy Nalo are the singers while the lyrics are by Nyabin Ete and Rokom Bado. The album is directed by Bindiya Ete.

The album was formally released by Parliamentary Secretary Civil Aviation Gadam Ete .

While speaking on the occasion Gadam Ete praised the effort by filmmaker to promote and preserve dying traditional culture and language through its film and music.

Nyabin Ete , SIRD Director, who is also lyricist of the album appreciated the efforts by young director of Aalbe aade ! and assured to help promote film and music in Arunachal Pradesh.

SE power Rokom Bado, Commissioner Home Tajom Taloh and media personality Taro Chatung were present during the function.

Udyog Rattan Award

Guwahati, July 17: Rajendra Chamaria, the Vice Chairman & Managing Director of CMCL (Star Cement) has been conferred with the prestigious “UDYOG RATTAN Award” by Institute of Economic Studies, New Delhi in a glittering ceremony held on 10th July, 2010 at the India habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. The award was presented by Shekhar Dutt, Governor of Chhattisgarh, Devanand Konwar, Governor of Bihar and K.P.S. Gill, Former D.G.P., Punjab.

CMCL was also conferred with the Excellence Award in the same Ceremony.

This award is a presentation of his sincere endeavours and prolonged dedication towards the success of the Cement Industry in the North-East. Also, this award is a true recognition of Mr. Chamaria’s success and his relentless efforts in successfully establishing industry in the most industrially backward areas of the country likeBanderdewa (Arunachal Pradesh), Badarpur (Assam), Lumshnong (Meghalaya) and Shamgarh (Madhya Pradesh)

Improve infrastructure: NCP

ITANAGAR: NCP called on the state government to give more attention to the infrastructure development of Capital Region. Nera techi, the media incharge of the party said that state government should come up with a plan to improve the dilapidated condition of the city. It decried the bad road conditions of the highways, sectors, lack of drainage and sanitation and regular power supply in the city.

Show cause notice for NHPC

ITANAGAR: The Lower Dibang Valley district labour and employment cell has directed the General Manager, Dibang Multipurpose Project, NHPC Ltd to show cause its failure to furnish information under payment of wages Act 1936 for verification/inspection within five days from the date of issue of the letter.

Referring to the earlier letter (Dt Roing the 29-06-2010) addressed to the DMP (NHPC Ltd) GM seeking information within 7 days, R Tayeng, DLEO, inspector under payment of wages Act 1936, Roing, directed the GM to show cause in person or authorized representatives and in writing along with relevant documents as asked for, failing which, the letter said, legal prosecution will be initiated. The information is required to verify the issue and prevent future disputes, the letter added.

PRIs meeting

ITANAGAR: All Upper Subansiri District Gram Sabha Coordination Committee meeting was held at Daporijo recently.

The meeting discussed about the proper implementation of BRGF, MGNREGA and BADP and appealed to the concerned authority that the selection of the schemes under these programme should be done through Gram Sabha of the respective village.

Meanwhile, Tare Baki and Tasar Dui have been selected as the President and General Secretary of the committee.

ARPA supports AAPSU

ITANAGAR, July 17: The newly formed Arunachal Registered Pharmacists Association (ARPA) extended its support to the AAPSU demand for cancellation of illegal appointments under civil aviation department.

Denouncing such illegal appointment, the Association also demanded fresh recruitment to the posts as per norms.

Football Tournament

Daporijo, July 17: 138 BN CRPF has organized Inter District Friendship Football Tournament as a friendship gesture under Civic Action Programme. The Semi Final matches held on July 17 between Higher Secondary School Dumporijo and District Sports Association (DSA) Daporijo was won by the DSA team 3-0 and in the next semi final match the Higher Secondary School Daporijo was defeated by the Young Star Club 4-1.

The Final match will be played between the District Sports Association Daporijo and Young Star Club on July 18 at 14oo hrs at Rijo Ground, Daporijo.

Kalapani day

ITANAGAR, July 17: To mark the 125 anniversary of congress foundation day, Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, Itanagar has organized a symposium on Kalapani here today in memory of those freedom fighters, who were exiled and imprisoned at Kalapani Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The programme was attended by Home Minister Tako Dabi as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, APMCC President Yari Dulom briefed about Kalapani.

In the symposium, VP APMCC Niani Natung, DMCC President Roing Reenaki Lingi, DMCC President Aalo Yajum Ete, DMCC President Pasighat Oter Tayeng, DMCC President Lower Subansiri Toko Yaram, General Secretary APMCC Yame Tok, ZPM Taro Modi, General Secretary APCC Minkir Lollen, Chairman Public Grievances cell APCC Haryom Bam also spoke on the occasion.

Felicitations

ITANAGAR, July 17: Attu Dhassang Welfare Society (ADWS) has felicitated CBSE 1009-10 top three toppers of the clan.

While giving away the prize to the top three students as Chief Guest, advisor to Chief Minister Tame Phassang advised the students to be devoted in their study and also assured to enhance the prize money of the academic excellence awards of the clan.