The Arunachal Times - Archives

SDP for school drop outs

ITANAGAR, July 21: The ongoing Skill Development Programme (SDP) for School Drop-outs sponsored by NABARD Regional Office, Itanagar and organized by AMYAA NGO covered Jorong Village of Kharsang Circle.

The organizing agency with its target to cover 25 villages under Miao and Kharsang Circles of Changlang has completed SDP in 10 villages. The learning from this programme has a message for every responsible person in the State, that the youth of this category need guidance and an opportunity to plunge their life for meaningful living, said a release by the Organisation. The high rate of school drop-outs cause due to financial problem, lack of interest in studies, lack of encouragement from parents who are illiterate, peer group influence, poor educational facilities, poor teacher-student relationship calls for serious attention from all, it added.

Queen’s Baton arrives today

ITANAGAR, July 21: The Queen’s Baton, on the country-wide relay in the run up to the Delhi Commonwealth Games, would enter the State Capital from Tawang tomorrow at 2.20 pm.

Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) president Padi Richo will receive the Baton at Naharlagun helipad. Thereafter, it would be brought to Rajiv Gandhi stadium, Naharlagun at 3 from where the actual relay would start.

The Baton would be kept for few minutes at the stadium for public viewing before Parliamentary Affairs, Tourism and Power (E) Minister Jarbom Gamlin launching the relay.

The relay would pass through Itanagar Capital Complex DC’s office, Raj Bhawan, Itafort south gate, Thupten Gatsaling Gompa, Legi complex, Akashdeep, Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy, IG Park and culminate at Banquet Hall.

A cultural programme of 40 minute duration is being organized at Banquet Hall in the evening.

The Baton would be kept at Raj Bhawan for a night before being flown to its next stop Dimapur, Nagaland.

Muskan to organize socio-cultural event

ITANAGAR, July 21: The Muskan Welfare Society, a nonprofit organization working for betterment of lives of women, children and the youth of Arunachal Pradesh would organize a socio-cultural event on August 12 next through which it proposes to garner resources for rehabilitation of differently abled children and children who have been freed from the bondages of child marriages. This was decided at a meeting of the society chaired by the State’s First Lady Anupama Singh at Raj Bhawan here this evening. Performances by differently abled children as well as rescued children would be the highlight of the programme, besides a showcase of different traditional outfits of a multicultural state like Arunachal Pradesh.

The Muskan Welfare Society will also organize a Seminar on concerns of Women & Children during September 2010 with the objective of raising awareness among women and youth, on laws relating to women and children and their well being.

Blood donation camp held

ITANAGAR, July 21: In an effort to bring an awareness about the need of good health among the Arunachalees, particularly the youth, Arunachal Jagriti, an NGO has organised a blood donation camp at R K Mission Hospital yesterday.

The chief guest of the programme and local MLA Techi Kaso encouraged the NGO volunteers and youth to come forward for such noble work and launch a crusade against use of tobacco. The NGO also distributed fruits and food at the General Hospital Naharlagun as a part of the programme today.

Ten traders booked

ITANAGAR, July 21: During surprise raids by the Mobile Team of Officers (MTO) today, ten traders of A-Sector area, Naharlagun were apprehended for violation of weights & measures law.

Most of the offenders were dealers in motor parts and car decors who were detected for keeping those parts in packaged form without mandatory declarations.

Maximum retail price (MRP) declared on many of the packages were smudged with an intention to manipulate the prices for earning undue profits. Besides, one of them was found using unverified electronic weighing scale and selling measuring tapes without dealership license, which is also a punishable offence under the law.

Accordingly, the Department has booked cases against the offenders under relevant sections of the Weights & Measures Enforcement Law. The Department also appealed to the buyers of motor parts to ensure quality, quantity, brand and prices (MRP) inclusive of all taxes as declared on the packages and to insist for issue of cash memo/receipt by the traders before negotiated for payment.

APCC complete organisational elections

Itanagar, July 21: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has elected 60 block presidents and 17 district presidents in the recently conducted party's organisational election, informed Pradesh returning officer of AICC for the state Virendra Bakshi today.

Addressing media persons, Bakshi informed that the process of APCC organisational elections was over and he would soon announce the date for holding election for the post of APCC president after due consultation with party's election in charge Oscar Fernandes.

He said of the 77 elected Block and District presidents along with three MLAs, ten members would be elected as AICC members who would be able to participate in AICC presidential election likely to be announced soon. ''We are able to strengthen the party in the state with a record enrolment of over eighty thousand new members,'' he said, adding Arunachal though was the last state to conduct organisational elections but is the fast state in declaring results.

Tawang DA to step up checking

ITANAGAR, July 21: Deputy Commissioner, Tawang Gamli Padu during a coordination meeting of the Security Agencies today emphasized on regular checking to prevent unwanted element from entering the district.

The meeting discussed about common issues like allotment of land for various security agencies in the district, so that these agencies get the required land in time.

Issue of permits to the local grazers especially in the border areas of the district was taken up with the concerned security agencies as rearing animal is the basic occupation of the villagers in these remote areas.

The Deputy Commissioner also appealed to the various departments to adopt measures to prevent illegal sale of government stores through unauthorized persons / dealers. He also appealed to the Para-military organizations in the district to prevent deforestation, illegal cutting of timber and use of Plastic in the district. The issues relating to improvement of BRTF road was also discussed at length in the meeting. BRO was requested to maintain the road to keep it through during monsoon season so that the essential commodities reach the district timely. (DIPRO)

Army recruitment rally attracts many youngsters

By Staff Reporter

BHALUKPONG, July 21: Braving inclement weather, many youngsters from the nook and corner of the state turned up for the on the spot mass recruitment drive for the upcoming Arunachal Scout conducted by Indian Army here this morning.

Recruitments were conducted for general duty soldiers and clerks with under-matric and plus two qualifications respectively, who were exclusively APST boys.

Almost 500 boys from every corner of the state turned up for the event that comprised scrutiny of original documents, running and obstacle races, height and medical examination rounds. Reflecting intense aspirations, many boys explained that there had been transportation and accommodation problems due to the chakka bandh and lack of hotels at Bhalukpong. “We had to change several buses in Assam because of the chakka bandh in our state and had to travel while standing. Also, almost all the hotels at Bhalukpong were full and so we had to sleep at deserted buildings near the rally ground. However, our spirits are high and we would love to serve the nation”, echoed many young boys trying their luck at the maiden event.

Nine-day long Jagannath Puja ends with return yatra

PASIGHAT, July 21: The nine-day-long Jagannath Puja (Rath Yatra) ended here today with the return Yatra of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra to the temple situated at Pasighat Bazar (opposite of Balaji temple). The Bishnupriya Manipuri community celebrates the Rath Yatra annually with devotional fevour and joy at Pasighat today. Hundreds of devotees thronged revered Manipuri Jagnnatha temple, Pasighat and offered puja.

ATNS adds: The Bishnupriya Manipuri community at Naharlagun also celebrated the Rath Yatra on the concluding day of nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath at Polo Colony with religious fervour. Around 200 community people participated in the festival. The day-long programme included performance of Jaydev, Jaganath Arati, Jugal Arati. There was a arati competition between the gourapai and purijelai devotees. However, the group of Purijelai enthralled the audience with the devotional Arati Song and won the competition.

This spectacular Puja/festival is celebrated in the month of Asarha, on the second day of the lunar fortnight that falls during June-July. Popularly known as Rath Yatra, this is celebrated in the honor of Lord Jagannatha who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rath Yatra commemorates the journey of Lord Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. It also symbolizes a journey to light from the dark.

NCP calls for restoration of power supply

ITANAGAR, July 21: The NCP leaders under Sagalee assembly constituency in a meeting held at Mengio recently have urged the power department, particularly Mengio power subdivision to restore power supply. The NCP block unit said the Mengio administrative circle has been reeling under darkness for almost six month due to disruption in power supply. The meeting also called for transparency in collection of power bill and staying of officers in posting place.

Resenting over backwardness and lack of development in all spheres under Mengio, the meeting also urged the Papum Pare DMO to provide all possible assistance to concerned officer of Mengio in order to contain seasonal disease in the area.

Teachers for disbursement of salaries

ITANAGAR, July 21: The Assistant Teachers of the Papum Pare district under the banner of Arunachal Teachers Association in a meeting held here on July 17 at Naharlagun has discussed the anomaly in pay fixation under the 5th and 6th Central Pay Commissions. It also discussed the reported assurance of state education minister to rectify the wrong fixation of pay without arrear benefit of the past.

After threadbare discussion, the meeting unanimously decided not to claim the past arrear if the Govt rectified the wrong fixation of pay. The house also constituted an adhoc committee of Assistant Teachers A of Papum Pare district unit with Taniang Chera Jeena, president, Techi Tapa, vice president and Tadang Siram as general secretary.

Meanwhile, All Arunachal Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association East Kameng district unit has appealed the authorities to release their salaries at the earliest. The Association said that the SSA teachers have not got their salary for the last 4 months, it resented and demanded timely disbursement of SSA teachers salary.

Union demands reopening of hostel

ITANAGAR, July 21: Dera Natung Govt College Students’ Union has demanded the Education Minister to make functional the hostel for the 1st year students of the Dera Natung Govt School within a week.

The union in a representation to the education minister said that the hostel (1st year block for boys) has already been constructed but remains useless as there are no furniture.

Demanding reopening and admission to the hostel, the union threatened to stage dharna at the office premises of the director of higher and technical education if the Govt does not pay heed to its demand within a week’s time.

It also demanded construction of college boundary and renovation of college building.

Awareness campaign on drug de-addiction

ITANAGAR, July 21: ‘Shine Tirap’ an Tirap based NGO will organise an awareness campaign on Drug De-Addiction cum Miss Tirap-2010 with the theme “a crusade against drug abuse and injustice; a mission to create a land of beautiful hearts” at Nehru Statium Khonsa in October next.

ASM rules out objection to Jote industrial area

ITANAGAR, July 21: Anchal Samity member of Jote Panchayat Nabam Radhe has ruled out any objection to the establishment of industrial area at Jote panchayat.

Reacting to a news item regarding objection against the declaration of Jote as industrial area, the ASM further said that there is no question of unauthentic survey and land for this purpose was surveyed by Industries commissioner and other officers in presence of panchayat leaders and public concerned. Denying land dispute among the land donors, he further said, land has already been donated for this purpose to industries department for industrial area.

Appeal for teacher and doctor

ITANAGAR, July 21: Tarasso Circle Youth Association called on the concerned authority to post subject teachers at Govt Sec School Tarasso and various other schools of Tarasso circle. It said that Govt Sec School Tarasso is running without Math and Science teacher for last five years.

The Association further called on the concern authority to post Medical Officer and Medical Staff at Primary Health Center Tarasso and Bormai with life saving medicine. It said that cases of malaria has risen in the area and due to lack of medical attention, people are suffering.

Agricultural development in Arunachal: the new ways out

Dr. T. Heli

Introduction:

The farmers of the Arunachal practice mixed type of farming with Agri crop as the core activity supported by horticulture, animal husbandry, sericulture, pisci culture and agro-forestry. The crop production which is done only during Kharif season and plot is left barren during rabi season just suffice the family needs and liv. & Poultry rearing is for the economic gains.

Livestock rearing is an important and integral component of the agricultural system that brings sustainable income to all the sections of farming community in our state. Livestock and poultry farming is basically a rural base occupation. Traditionally, the farmers keep few Mithuns, cattle, pigs, goats and few poultry birds for their sustainance and income. With the increasing consensus on nutritional value of milk and milk products as well as importance of draft power of bullocks for the agricultural operation, more and more dairy enterprise is coming up in the recent trend.

The agriculture production per unit area is much below the national average with small land holdings of 5.03 percent by the farmers in the state. The total agri. crop produce is from 1.32 lakh hectares of cultivable land which is not economically sustainable to feed 12 lakhs population of today in the state. The situation of insufficient cultivable land and sizable land area under the community forest has prompted the farmers to opt for the ‘shifting cultivation practice’ for their livelihood. Through this traditional cultivation practice (Jhum), they get variety of crops starting from vegetables, maize upto cereal crops and pulses. Ofcourse, ‘jhumming’ has couple of disadvantages viz. deforestation leading to soil erosion, draining off the soil nutrient and scarcity of feed & fodders etc. but one can get a variety of crops from the single plot. Today, with the advent of the modern technologies and their adoption by the farmers, most of them have opted for the wet rice cultivation (WRC) and getting the single crop from their agri plots and compelling them to depend on common markets for other commodities viz. vegetable, pulses or spices etc.

Opportunities ahead:

The demand for the agri. Produce/products (cereal, vegetables, fruits, meat, milk, eggs and fish) has increased many folds with the increase in human population in the recent times. Thus, there is a big gap between the demand and supply in the common market. The local production of agri. Produce is so meager or insufficient which is unable to meet up the local market. Even if some quantity is produced, the cost of production and transportation cost is on much higher margin that cannot compete with the commodities brought from the neighbouring state.

To bridge the gap, the agri. Produce/products are brought from the neighboring state and sold in the common market in a sky rocketing price. The consumers finding no any options have to buy such commodities. Thus, the state resources are pumped outside without circulation of it’s own resources within the state. On the other hand, the local producers cannot afford to reach the agri. commodities produced to the consumers market due to transportation bottle necks.

Challenges:

There are enormous challenges being faced by the farmers which hindering the agri. Production scenario in the state. With a series of issues being faced by the farming communities which is not properly addressed or focused at the policy level which ultimately leading to low productivity and non-remunerative activities to the farmers. The main key issues includes the lack of awareness on improved technological packages, weak service delivery supports, transportation and communication bottle necks and lack of proper marketing supports etc. To highlight the challenges faced, I begin with quotation engraved in the ‘Kurukshetra’ for the poor farmer-

The small farmer has many names

And is yet nameless,

He has much voice

And is yet voiceless,

He is seen every where

And is yet nowhere,

The country side is full of him

And yet he is seldom noticed.

We know him as small farmer, marginal farmer, less farmer or we simply call him as poor villager. In the past and present, there has been a lot of talk about him but what actually has been done for him is yet the another story………

Lack of quality seeds/seedlings: There is non-availability of improved/high yielding variety seeds/ seedlings for the needy and inquisitive farmers to start any enterprise in the state. Even if there are some breeding farms in any sector, they remain fractured for the want of the resources or the financial supports which is due to non-availability of quality seeds /seedlings to fulfill the requirements of the farmers in the state. In case of the livestock sectors, there is non-availability of improved breeds of quality birds or the livestocks compelling the progressive farmers to procure quality chicks and pig lings from outside the state at the higher price. Even if the govt livestock & poultry breeding farms exists, there is the lack of support for the maintainence resulting sick farms which are unable to supply the quality seeds to the deserving farmers in the state.

Similarly, in the agriculture or Horticulture sector, the quality seeds/seedlings are not available to fulfill the farmer’s needs. The most pathetic situation in the agri. development is there is no any common outlet/distributor in the common market for making quality seeds/seedlings available to the farmers.

Lack of quality seeds/seedlings coupled with lack of awareness on improved technologies has resulted the low productivity of the crops which is leading to insufficiency of food supply inviting a question mark of the ‘food security’.

2. Lack of improved production system:

The local farmers lack awareness on improved technologies as a result of which they still practice the age old traditional farming system. This has resulted the low productivity of their crops.

l The livestocks and poultry birds are maintained under the “free-range system” without any provision of shelter or supplement feeding or any health care resulting stunted growth and mortality due to deficiency /diseases.

l The heavy infestation of pests in plants and in-adequate nutrient management coupled with luxuriant growth of weeds resulting poor productivity of crops demoralizing the farming community.

3. Weak credits and service delivery support:

The linkages between the line departments as well as bankers are weak at present.

The farmers the awareness on credit supports and even if they try, the lengthy and hazy official procedure demoralizes them to avail the credit supports.

On the other hand, even if they opt for any kind of farming or enterprise with their limited hard earning resources, they are often demoralized because of the fact that the service providers do not reach them at their needy hours.

4 . Communication & transportation bottle necks:

In the difficult hilly terrains like Arunachal, transportation is the major key issue hindering the Agri. development activities. The resource poor farmers cannot afford to start or bring their in-puts (seeds/seedlings, feeds and medicines etc) or market out their produce/products (out-put) to the common market. The transportation cost of in-puts or the out-puts (produce) has been the major bottle neck at present in the country side. Even if some small quantity is transported and reaches the market, it is becomes costlier because of the high transportation cost which frustrates the farming community.

More over, the inaccessibility and remoteness of the hilly terrains hinders the reaching of the extension functionaries thereby the service delivery supports to the needy farmers at their door steps is impaired.

5. Lack of infrastructures:

There exists no any infrastructure for the collection or storage of agri. produce/products. No any agri. processing plants for processing and packaging or any cold storage to collect and preserve the agri. produce of the flush season to be marketed during the off-seasons.

6. Lack of marketing net work:

The major set back in Agri. development has been the lack of marketing linkages. With lot of efforts the poor farmers produce some crop in in their plots but there is no nay organized mechanism to market out their produce in the market. Even if a little quantity of their produce is brought to the market, it is of the higher price because of the high production cost as well as transportation cost.

More over, the local producers lack the entrepreneurship quality to market out their agri. produce/products. They feel shy in sitting with their produce for selling in the market rather they sell it to other sellers in the market in lots thereby they are deprieved of the profitable margins.

All these issues in agriculture and allied sectors coupled with difficult terrains of hills and also feeble attention of the local govt in these sectors has generated a bitter taste in the tongue tips of the farmers with the assumption that agriculture is non remunerative especially in mind set of the up coming young generation.

Strategies:

The Agri – Allied sectors can be made more attractive and remunerative to improve the socio-economic status of the farming community thereby improving crop productivity through following measures:

1. Capacity building programmes of the farming community:

In the identified thrust areas, the farmer’s training programme should be organized to create mass awareness and demonstrate the available technologies to the farming community for their adoption. The particular package of practices with the innovations should be taught and selected technologies which can easily be adoptable by the farmers for enhancing the crop productivity should be demonstrated.

In such training or demonstration programmes, the experienced and knowledgeable farmers should be invited as the resource person to share their practical experience to the participants. The participants will be more benefited if they are exposed to field demonstration either at the Private / Govt farms with the principle of ‘seeing is believing’.

2. Organizing the farmers into groups:

Identifying the interested farmers among the others and organizing into a separate groups or clubs and motivate them. When farmers are grouped under one umbrella, it is easy to approach and out-reach with technologies through capacity building programmes viz. training , demonstration and farmers exposures to production centres to provide first hand knowledge.

In united, the farming activities can be done in better and meaningful way and in time. Their problems can be addressed in such common plate form and resolved effectively.

3. Combating the adverse environmental situations:

There is a need to develop or design the contingency plans to combat the flood or drought like situations –

Contingency plan for 3 –different situations-

* Deficient rainfall scenario

* Optimum rainfall scenario

* Excessive rainfall scenario

The line deptts along with technical supports from KVK (ICAR) to percolate or to provide appropriate advisory services to the farmers on monsoon behaviour, disease and pest survillience as well as improved package of practices

4. Improving the linkages between the Deptts:

There is the need for the co-ordinated and collaborative efforts among the line deptts working for the cause of the farming community in the state. Hence, strong linkages among the line deptts are the need of the hour for the effective technology supports, credit supports and service delivery supports including ensuring of the inputs (seeds/seedling, feeds and medicines etc) to the farming community at the right time.

The KVK which is the wing of ICAR to reach the farming community at their door steps and revamp with the latest technologies for enhancing the productivity of the crops serve as the catalyst by tieing up with the line deptts viz. Banks for credit linkages, line deptts for the service delivery supports and marketing network.

5. Entrepreneurship development:

Through the capacity building programmes the farmers be trained on sense of belongingness and entrepreneurship quality for marketing out their Agri. produce/product for the economic gain. The training programmes for getting higher price for their hard works be inculcated by encouraging value addition of agri. produce and good marketing network.

Conclusion:

We need to over haul our socio-economic and farm policies to remove the rural poverty. This could be possible through diversified and intensive approaches for gearing up the crop production at the farmer’s field. For the same, we need to have farmer’s first policy programmes, farmer’s commission to address the farmer’s problems at the govt level. And there is need for annual interface of all the line deptts to discuss and design the mitigation plans for farmer’s friendly programmes for augmenting the crop productivity for self sufficiency and food security. (The contributor is Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Papum-Pare)

Teachers without salary

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw the attention of authority concerned and the enlightened denizens of the state that the education department of Arunachal Pradesh is neglecting and ignoring its responsibilities by non – releasing of SSA Teacher’s salary since April 2010. Interesting, Education Department wants to achieve quality education in the state without paying to teacher’s salary. I wonder under what circumstances education department is going to achieve quality education in the state without paying salary to the teachers on time.

I hope that department would release the salary as early as possible.

Yours,

N. Taipodia (on email)

Woes of Anini

Dear Editor,

Anini is miserably caught up in crisis quagmire so intense and so pronounced that the currency we use as an Indian has lost its accent, sky rocketing to fifty years in future and the social state has gone back to fifty years in the past. The situation has crafted new ways of illegal activities. Despite regular briefings by the district administration on immediate restoration of the lone accessible bridge over the Dree River, there is still no sign of human interference. Failing to cope up with the circumstances, the district administration went up to declaring Emergency but the State Govt. seems to be not even least bothered. The Administration and general public are tired of sending SOS to indiscreet authorities who commit assurances profusely but it is seldom or never if ever pursued to the end. This has proved beyond an iota of doubt that they are evidently insensitive to grievances of the Dibang people who are fighting their appetite with allotment of plain 10KG rice per household once in a month since the last three months.

The serious state of situation has intensified even further with the weather condition worsening again and BRO’s ineffectiveness and sluggishness in restoration of Roing-Anini Road. Anini, with its unreliable terrain, speedy progress on restoration to normalcy cannot be anticipated impetuously and that the occurrence of Natural Calamity is a Natural Phenomenon and the Govt. is in no way responsible for it. The glaring question is how much has the Govt. undertaken and succeeded in relieving the people facing starvation situation. Was not AIMSU’s and DVSU’s demand for Military intervention correct? The District Administration after being tired of splitting hairs and finding no other solution appealed for Declaration of Emergency in the district. What else is holding back the Government from declaring Emergency? Are they waiting for more disastrous calamity or foreign aggression?

Indeed, there have been high-profile visits from the highest offices of the state during the previous month and the calamity-hit people heaved a sigh of relief with a hope that things would dramatically change for better but has in fact failed to live up to expectation of even 1/4th of needs, hopes and aspirations of the crisis victims. Right after the visit, more irregularities took place in sortie services and ration item (rice) hardly ever reached the district. It would have been better if the chopper had been loaded with rations instead of high profiles.

Particularly, the Govt. employees in the district are in the state of between the devil and the deep sea as neither are they permitted to leave the station nor they had a square meal for consecutive three months. The situation is likely to persist till another one month or more and the day is not far away when employees will spontaneously stop going to office and the offices in lock will not be a bolt from the blue for anybody. This jogs one’s memory that Anini is being called “Kala Pani” by all for no wrong reasons.

What is amazing is the patience of the public despite their grievances have not been addressed even after protracted period of 3 & ½ month. It is mystifying what stuff of men they are! Are they really happy-go-lucky sort of men or have they gone into coma aggrieved by colossal crisis? Won’t they ever realize that they figure themselves as the democrats during the political hubbub and it’s the ripe time to react? It seems that they have well-adapted themselves to the changing situation and learnt a strange survival strategy to cope the situation. Thanks to ‘Big Bang’ for blessing us with a very celestial power, “Adaptability”.

Yours,

Simbu Miri

Anini, (on email)

Arunachal is committing a cold-blooded suicide

Dear Editor,

This is in response to Mr. Tajen Dabi's article "Why castigate the most convenient language?"( 18 July).

While commenting on the "most convenient" language, Mr. Dabi describes Hindi as the "national" language! Yes, right from the "Rajbhasa"

committee in every Centralised sector to the Railways, Hindi gets projected as the "national" language. But what these "nationalist" brigade of New Delhi and brainwashed individuals like Mr. Dabi fail to comprehend is that by zealously championing the cause of Hindi, they are merely committing contempt of Court.

Gujarat High court's Chief Justice S.J.Mukhopadhaya ruled that neither the Constitution of India nor Indian Law specifies any language as "National". Thus, what the Hindi-zealots are doing is nothing but indulging in blatant linguistic imperialism whereby the language of the cow belt is the tongue of the "Rajas", while that of the 60% of Indians are simply "Prajas"( subjects)! But, far from feeling insulted despite such indifference towards the rest of Indian population and their languages, certain non-Hindi speakers like Mr. Dabi don't hesitate to take the cudgel in favour of Hindi to exhibit their "nationalism".

Had Mr. Dabi possessed a bit of devotion towards his own native tongue or the indigenous languages of Arunachal Pradesh, he would have perceived what harm the Hindi-brigade has committed towards the sons of the soil of the unique North Eastern state. Thanks to the imposition of Hindi in schools in the name of "uniting" the country, brainwashing programmes highlighting the "greatness" of "Rajbhasa", investing millions and millions of tax payers' money on promoting solely Hindi, intrusion of satellite TV in remotest areas( even the foreign cartoon programmes and channels like National Geographic, Discovery are being telecast in Hindi) and popularity of third class Bollywood "culture"; Hindi has captured the imagination of Arunachal people.

Thus, Hindi's dominance in Arunachal Pradesh is not due to its "superiority"

over others. And due to this imposed "glamour" on Hindi, the Arunachal people themselves have started to think that ability on speaking the language of Bihar and UP is proof of "modernity" while inability to speak it is specimen of being "rustic"! The survival of a community is directly dependent upon its love for the mother tongue and self-respect. By immersing in all things Hindi, that too by neglecting their own indigenous tongue, Arunachal Pradesh is committing a cold-blooded suicide. What an irony! A language of North India is flourishing in Arunachal Pradesh while the indigenous languages of the state are meeting its end in own backyard! Since Bengalis have also at last "realised" that succumbing to Hindi is true "nationalism" and thus go all out to forsake their Bengaliness, they are respected neither in rest of India nor in their own land West Bengal.

If Arunachal Pradesh wants to survive with heads held high, the people and the Government should immediately work together to uplift their languages and protect their unique culture from invasion of Hindi. Not only in Government sector, but the indigenous languages need to be vigorously promoted in schools too. Just like most of the Indian states, study of any local language of the state should be made compulsory in school syllabus right till the highest class. It is high time we realise that India is not a colony of cowbelt, but a conglomeration of different regions, each having a distinct linguistic and cultural identity of its own. If we fail to protect this heterogeneity, India will lose all its colour and variety and end up as a monolithic country with a particular linguistic dominant group ruling the roost in every sector.

Yours,

Kajal Chatterje, Kolkata (on email)

Reconsider decision

Dear Editor,

I appeal to state government to make necessary policy to stop sponsoring students to pursue PG and undergraduate course in RIMS, Imphal. Instead the state should sponsor students in some other safer colleges.

I appeal to APDA, AMSA, and student’s body to take up the matter for the benefit of the medical students.

The appeal is not to create panic in the minds of parents whose ward are studying here but to highlight the grievances of the students in general.

Yours,

A concerned student

(on email)

Check the fees

Dear Editor,

The fee of North East Homoeopathic Medical College Hospital, Vivek Vihar Itanagar is too high even though the students are joining through Arunachal Pradesh Joint Entrance Examination (APJEE).

The college fee for 1st year it is Rs 69,000, for 2nd, 3rd and 4th year it is Rs 54,000, for the 5th year it is Rs 27,000 and also hostel fee is taken separately i.e. Rs 48,000 every year. Then what's the need of joining college through APJEE?

I request the college authority kindly look into the matter and also request to apex students bodies to give serious though in it for remedial measures.

Yours,

Moti Gyadi

Nyokum Lapang

Let there be justice

Dear Editor,

I would like to comment on inhuman act of police personnel which led to the death of an innocent citizen.

Instead of providing humanitarian aid, they took the life of an innocent citizen. The police personnel involved in the 15th July'10 incident should be prosecuted under law and the deceased family should get justice.

Yours,

Koj Kapa,

( On email )

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All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.

----Editor