Dree celebrated amidst traditional gaiety
ROING, July 06: Speaking on the occasion of Dree festival celebration at Roing on
July 5 as chief guest MP Mukut Mithi said ‘the rich culture and rituals of the Apatani
community is the symbol of being the unique tribe which at the same time is eco-
He appealed the younger generation to protect and preserve their rich cultural heritage in order to maintain the sanctity of ritual and culture heritage in days to come.
MLA Laeta Umbrey, the guest of the honour termed the Apatani community as special
Tribe for their rich embroidery, costumes and unique practices of wet cultivation
including pisiculture. The entire Zero Valley and its wet cultivation maintaining
the ecology is the real identity of the Apatani tribe which is declared as a hot
Bio-
Both the chief guest and guest of the honour assured to have common festival ground at the township for the interest of tribal communities serving in the district.
Chairman of the Dree Celebration Committee highlighted Dree Mythology,
Secretary of the Dree Celebration Committee Pumyo Yaje briefed on importance of Dree festival and appealed MP, MLA and district administration to allot a plot of land for the common festival ground for all tribes.
Besides, Apatani traditional cultural and games and sports, others tribes also presented their dances. It also felicitated the academic excellent students on the occasion.
Amongst other DC Y W Ringu, SP T Karga, Zilla Chairperson Chiliko Meto and PRI Members attended the festival. (Bisnu Rana)
At Bomdila: “I will also pray to Lord Buddha to shower a bumper harvest not only
to Apatani community but also to entire Arunachal Pradesh,” said chief guest and
Thrizino-
While appreciating the Apatani people for their hard working nature, Glow equated the cool and humble character of the Apatani people with that of Monpas and asked them to maintain this spirit in the sands of time. As a token of love and appreciation, he also donated Rs 50,000/= to the Dree committee for ensuring a smooth and colourful celebration.
A special guest and a research scholar from Japan Ishi Motto while deeply impressed by the traditional and colourful celebration by the young and old said in chaste Hindi that the Arunachal people and Japanese resembled each other in every aspect. “I feel like I am an Apatani not Japanese being in front of all similar looking people”, she drove home the point.
Narrating the mythology of the festival, Dree committee chairman Dr. Hage Lasa said that the festival was an important and integral part of Apatani culture which was a platform not only to appease the Dree goddess for a bumper harvest but to bond the spirit of brotherhoodness amongst all tribesmen of the state. He also appealed the Apatani people of the state to maintain peace and camaraderie. Festival committee general secretary Er Millo Tade thanked the West Kameng district administration and all heads of department for actively cooperating with the committee in ensuring a smooth and successful celebration as usual this year also.
On the occasion, several traditional games and sports events, cultural items and a community feast was organized for the guests of all tribes and walks of life who had thronged the Kameng Club to witness the colourful celebration. (Gyati Kacho)
At Tezu: Dree celebration would eliminate epidemic and natural calamities and fetch bumper harvest said Deputy Commissioner, Kaling Tayeng at Tezu.
He was speaking as chief guest on the Dree festival celebration yesterday and appreciating the organizing committee.
Tayeng donated an amount of Rs. 20,000 to organizing committee and Rs. 15,000 to cultural troups.
Organizing committee secretary Kago Loma highlighted the Dree Mythology and its importance. Committee president Lod Sambyo thanked all for participating the festival.
Later, prizes were distributed to the winners of cultural, games and sports events.
At Doimukh: The Dree festival was jointly celebrated by Apatani, Nyishi, Adi and Tagin community at Banderdewa on July 5.
ZPM Tana Bado attended the festival as chief guest and ASM Tadar Tayum as guest of honour.
In the occasion, various tribes presented cultural programme which was followed by tree plantation. Both Bado and Tayum appreciated the way of celebration and cooperation of all tribes.
74th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama celebrated
ITANAGAR, July 06: Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society celebrated the 74th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama here at Siddhartha Vihar Gompa today as a tribute of gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Mandrel Timsum was offered to shower peace, prosperity and long life to Dalai Lama and to also commemorate his 50 years of stay here in India.
Sangsul, flag hosting, dumtsemonlam, distribution of dressi and butter tea to the thousands of people who thronged Gompa took place.
Khada was also offered to the portrait of His Holiness Dalai Lama by the devotees informed IBCS sources.
Meanwhile, The Tibetan Community living in Bomdila & Tenzingang Tibetan Settlement has collectively organized the celebration of 74th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Thupchog Gasteling Monastery, Bomdila.
Beholding this auspicious occasion, "Thank you INDIA" a commemoration of 50th anniversary of Tibetans in Exile was also observed.
The celebration is a gesture of gratitude and deep respect to the people, the government of India and to the people of Arunachal Pradesh in particular for rendering every possible help to the Tibetan Refugees since 1959.
The program begins with a special puja to avail peace, happiness & brotherhood in the world & long live of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
Deep Prachileet & Mandal Tendoe (A long life Puja) were performed by monks with offering of scarf/khatak by chief guest, guest of honour, two Tibetan Parliamentarians, Settlement Officer which was followed by Indian/Tibetan National Anthem with the Central School for Tibetans, Tenzingang School Band.
Lekyi Dorjee, Tibetan Settlement Officer, Tenzingang/Bomdila delivered the message of Kashag/Cabinet, Central Tibetan Administration.
Pema Jungney, Member of Parliament, CTA, Dharamsala delivered the message of Tibetan Parliament in Exile.
Former MP Kiren Rijiju who is an active supporter of the Tibet cause appreciated the celebration organized and presented a sum of Rs. 150000.
MLA Naresh Golow attending the programme extended support to the Tibet cause and presented a sum of Rs. 50,000.
Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Member of Parliament, CTA Dharamsala, Budhhist Culture Society President Dorjee Tsering, Dr. N.T. Shakya and Tashi Norbu, Secretary, Tibetan Welfare Office, Bomdila also spoke on the occasion.
Need for financial empowerment to help indigenous people: Governor
ITANAGAR, July 6: To help the indigenous people and tribals in true sense, we should work for their financial empowerment said Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh, while interacting with members from Janjati Suraksha Manch at Raj Bhavan here today. We can do it through tourism which has huge potential in the State. As tribal, we have inherent advantages, like exotic cuisines, exquisite attires and natural pristine environment which the tourists from other parts of the country and aboard are very interested.
Further stressing on the tourism, Gen Singh said once it starts transportation business
will follow which in-
Our traditional cultural expertise, which needs utmost care will be rejuvenated along with flow of incomes. These activities will definitely lead to creation of large numbers of jobs and avenues for entrepreneurship like it is in Rajasthan, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, he pointed. Dwelling in length on the other avenues for financial empowerment, such as bee keeping, poultry and dairy Gen Singh urged the members to focus on the youths.
Agreeing with the members, he also stressed on protection, propagation and preservation of Mithun on the line of age old tradition of the indigenous people which is unique to Arunachal Pradesh and few other States of North East region.
The Governor said with lots of development programmes especially power projects in the pipeline, our indigenous people are going to be benefit as it will bring roads, schools, free power and other amenities for them.
Earlier, submitting the memorandum, Janjati Suraksha Manch convener Taba Hare said that to develop the country, we have to develop our tribal community.
To seek the opinion on it, we carried out signature campaign covering fifteen districts, 103 circle and 985 villages in the State. On behalf of the Manch, Hare requested the Governor to convey the message to the President of India.
Arunachal Vikash Parishad working President and former Higher Education Director P Potom, Nyishi Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society President Techi Gubin, Central Nyedar Namlo Chairman Rekhi Tana Tara, Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society Secretary Augung Bengia and its Assistant Secretary Rutham Kamgo accompanied Hare to the meeting. (PRO to Governor)
Legend of Marathon lives on in Tirap
Denhang Bosai with inputs from Tirap DC Ankur Garg
ITANAGAR July 06: Elaborate preparations are on at Khonsa for the D-
The 1st Half Marathon is being organized at Khonsa by the District Administration
with an aim to spreading the message of peace through it and also create awareness
on importance of games and sports in our day-
The name marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. The legend states that he was sent from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon.
It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and announced the message of victory before collapsing and dying. The account of the run from Marathon to Athens first appears in Plutarch's On the Glory of Athens in the 1st century AD who quotes from Heraclides Ponticus's lost work, giving the runner's name as either Thersipus of Erchius or Eucles.
Lucian of Samosata (2nd century AD) also gives the story but names the runner Philippides (not Pheidippides). When the idea of a modern Olympics became a reality at the end of the 19th century, the initiators and organizers were looking for a great popularizing event, recalling the ancient glory of Greece.
The idea of organizing a marathon race came from Michel Bréal, who wanted the event to feature in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. This idea was heavily supported by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, as well as the Greeks. The Greeks staged a selection race for the Olympic marathon, and this first marathon was won by Charilaos Vasilakos in 3 hours and 18 minutes (with the future winner of the introductory Olympic Games marathon coming in fifth).
The winner of the first Olympic Marathon in 1896 (a male-
The women's marathon was introduced at the 1984 Summer Olympics (Los Angeles, USA) and was won by Joan Benoit of the United States with a time of 2 hours and 24 minutes.
In the world of athletics, the Marathon occupies its place of pride and glory and is much different from other races. It is not only a test of physical endurance and strength, but also of one’s courage and guts.
It is said that a marathoner does not run against other contestants but against the route and against himself. It demonstrates a constant urge to push oneself harder – that one last bit, a trait which has been the primary reason for all that the human race has been able to achieve in its many centuries of existence.
This was the primary reason behind conceptualizing the first ever Tirap Half Marathon 2009.
This race will cover 18 kms from Khonsa HQ to Borduria village and back along the
main Hukanjuri-
1st Tirap Half-
I recall Edmund Burke who had once said – ‘The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for the good men to do nothing’. I hope that this small initiative will play its own part in reminding all people of the State and the District of the delicate situation that Tirap finds itself in today and shrug them out of inactivity to make them contribute, in whatever small way possible, in restoring peace to this land.
The idea of this half-
To all the runners, I pass on this message from John Elliott – ‘Remember what got you running in the first place and use the marathon to keep you inspired and become an inspiration for the others.’
Runners from across the State, -
Be it gratifying or grueling, let this be an experience which you will cherish for the rest of your life. May you also be blessed with that Universal Pride that comes from accomplishing a noble race like the marathon.
ACCI express strong resentment over growing law and order problem
ITANAGAR, July 06: Taking exception to the rising law and order incidents in the Capital Complex, particularly against the business community, Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) today expressed strong resentment against the deplorable situation.
Referring to the unprovoked attack on Mukesh Choudhury, the young manager of Max-
It was unfortunate that when the police station was contacted about 3 am, there was none to respond till the intervention of ACCI. This should be viewed seriously and steps taken to not repeat it as trading bodies are cooperating with the police which they should reciprocate.
A foolproof arrangement is the need of the hour for the security and safety of the people, particularly traders and outside investors in tune with the state government’s new industrial policy.
Many investors would head for Arunachal to avail the PPP model of the state government and work for state’s development, provided a congenial atmosphere is created for them.
ACRYA felicitates meritorious youths
ITANAGAR, July 06: With 70% marks in CBSE as the cut-
Tilling Tani and Lesap Gongo were the toppers in Class XII and X with 78.8% and 87.2% respectively.
Other students felicitated were Sultan Sangchoju Miji, Mongli Gandam, Tamuk Apang, Wishna Neri, Kenpi Riram, Millo Halley, Tap Sangeeta, David Waii, Dolo Tani, Tana Jumi, Kadum Taggu, Yabi Gadi, Minam Tapak, Tad Jameson, Subu Kobing, Minam Padung, Geali Tayem, Solomon Sangchoju Miji, Doka Ete, Karjum Sora, Lina Nyori, Lanurenla Sor, Hibu Yase and Ngilyang Nobin. The felicitation consisted of citations, cash awards and gifts to each one of them.
Legislator Nikh Kamin attending the programme as chief guest congratulated the students and urged them to remain a good example.
While recalling his school days, he further said that prayer has the power of bringing changes and encouraged the gathering to be trendsetters with true faith in Christ Jesus.
He also donated a sum of Rupees one lakh towards the ACRYA’s felicitation fund.
APCRCC president Sama Dodum who was the guest of honour said that with good academic excellence we should upkeep the basic doctrine of a Christian youth and that is to honour their parents.
He further stressed that one should strive to be a complete person seeking the reality and truth in life.
Felicitation day speaker Evan. Dr. Techi Anand, Principal Apostolos Bible College Itanagar while dealing briefly with the theme of the event said that Jesus is the author of our life. Set your aim and have the goal in your mind and strive hard to achieve it, he further said.
ACRYA president David Pertin, general secretary Evan. Dr. Joram Dol, assistant general secretary Domar Bomjen, Er. Bomi Nyorak, Pastors Tomar Ete and Marsen Laye also spoke on the occasion.
Other prominent guests who attended the programme were Commissioner Makbul Pertin, APWWS Secretary General Bengia Dipti Tako besides government officers, public leaders, parents, guardians of students, APCRCC, APCRWW and ACRYA leaders.
Review meeting of RGPRS
ITANAGAR, July 06: The Arunachal Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan of
the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee headed by Chairperson Jarjum Ete along with
her Vice-
The review meeting of the RGPRS, AICC which is headed by Mani Shankar Aiyar, one
of the authors of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and former Union Minister of
Panchayati Raj and DONER as the National Convenor was also addressed by senior Congress
leaders and AICC office bearers Motilal Vohra, Oscar Fernandes and Digvijay Singh
and CP Joshi, the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. All the
speakers appreciated the efforts of the RGPRS in the mobilisation of the grassroots
leadership in the country, which also had a major impact on the positive outcome
of the recent Lok Sabha elections, leading the Congress Party to come back to power
in the centre to continue its good works and agenda for the socio-
All of them also were unanimous in their voice to support the recognition of the RGPRS as a very important frontal organisation of the AICC.
The Arunachal APRGPRS team also called on the Union PR and RD Minister CP Joshi in his office at Krishi Bhavan and apprised him about the status of the Panchayats in Arunachal Pradesh and the efforts made by the state government towards devolution of powers to the PRI bodies.
The leaders also appealed to the Minister to help the state government in all ways, particularly in Rural Development and Panchayat matters so that devolution of Funds and Functionaries can take place early.
The Minister was also requested to entwine both the RD and PR ministries into one body in all the states as done in the union ministry.
Jarjum Ete also made a proposal to the Union Minister, PR and RD and also the Congress leaders in the AICC to make Arunachal Pradesh as a model Tribal State with a vibrant Panchayat in place.
Arunachal Pradesh is the only tribal state to have had the privilege of panchayats since the late 60s, thanks to the statesmanship of the late Congress Leader Daying Ering, she said.
Today, the Panchayats of Arunachal Pradesh has 38% women representatives in the three
tiers -
She also made special mention of the women's groups which are involved in the socio-
Joshi agreed to visit the state at the earliest possible. He also informed that Agatha Sangma is his young and dynamc MoS, RD with independent charge of the North East.
The APRGPRS team also called on the chief minister Dorjee Khandu who is in Delhi and apprised him of their works and conveyed to him the need for focused attention towards devolution of Funds, Functions and Functionaries in Arunachal Panchayats.
His own and his government's priority and slogan being ‘people first’, the Panchayat leaders appealed to bless the Conference of the Zilla Parishad Members, scheduled to be held on July 17 in Itanagar with his presence.
This would also encourage the grassroots leaders who are the soldiers of the government.
Absence of government servants affect people
ITANAGAR July 06: Kargu Kardi Students’ Union (KKSU) said that there has been constant plea from the public for proper functioning of government establishments in various parts of the West Siang district.
However many offices remain close throughout the year due to the absence of government servants, the union said. It further alleged that the concerned departments have failed to listen to the cry of the common mass.
A complaint was lodged at the Deputy Commissioner Office, also against the absentee
government servants on April last. In response to that the DC served an order (No.WS/EST-
Such negligence by the government officers and officials will further worsen the condition of the remote and rural areas, the union said.
Absences of government servants from their respective posted area have affected the life of the people. For carrying out any official works regarding one has to travel down to town where the officials are not easy to locate and this have also hampered the developmental activities, it further alleged.
EPG for river conservation
ITANAGAR, July 06: With a view to protect the environment and conserve the river water and rich flora and fauna of the Basar area, a volunteers of officers comprising Scientists of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and local officers of the area has formed Environment Protection Group (EPG) recently.
In its first meeting held on June 28, the EPG underscore the need of immediate conservation
of three main rivers of Basar area, Kidi, Sie and Bam Hile which is receding in its
volume in an alarming rate due to shifting cultivation and denudation of the forests
at upper catchments areas. The EPG has estimated that these rivers may get dry within
a period of 20-
Besides these effects, the deforestation through shifting cultivation had lead to loss of flora and fauna of the area. Numerous wild animals and birds which were abundantly found living in the forests earlier is now hard to be seen due to the destruction of their dwelling areas.
Although the shifting cultivation has such adverse effects on the environment, the local people of the area are compelled to adopt this traditional cultivation practices as there is no alternate means of livelihood.
The endeavor of EPG is to find out the alternative livelihood for the shifting cultivation
dependent farmers and to engage them in remunerative cultivations like intensive
horticulture (fruit, vegetable, Spices and medicinal plant) cultivation, integrated
farming system (Agri-
In order to work out the location-
After tallying the ground survey with the satellite map of the area, the EPG will work out the best schemes for the farmers suitable to the locality.
Although Arunachal Pradesh is known for rich bio-
EPG appeals to all individuals, NGOs and government organizations to help its efforts of environment conservation before the irreparable loss is caused to the environment and society.
EPG is patronized by Lomdak Tago, Director Horticulture and Dr. R Bhagawati, Joint Director ICAR and headed by Egam Basar, HDO, Basar as president and Dr. P. Suresh Kumar, Scientists, ICAR as secretary.
Committee demand benefits from NHPC
ITANAGAR, July 06: Subansiri Lower Power Project Implementation Committee (SULPIC) said that after repeated intimations to authority of NHPC, Ltd Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Power Project for granting benefits, the project affected families were still deprived of any benefit from the project.
The committee further added that NHPC is also not following the pollution policy as granted by ministry of environment and forest, government of India.
Threatening indefinite strike, SULPIC appealed the NHPC authority to fulfill the demand of the project affected people immediately.
ZPM demand road restoration
ITANAGAR, July 06: Zilla Parishad Member, 13 Pakke-
Tok further said that State transport department has agreed to introduce bus services
from Seppa to Rilloh only if the said road condition is improved. The improper road
connective has also halt the RGGVY rural electrification works with its sub-
Improve road condition: NSU
ITANAGAR, July 06: The Nocte Student’s Union (NSU) in a meeting discussed on various factors relating to the pathetic maintenance condition of the district headquarter Khonsa Township on June 26 last.
The condition of the roads within the township area is at its worst which has hampered
the socio-
Along with the roads the bad drainage system is further contributing to the pathetic and unconditional condition.
With the recent heavy rainfall it has become dangerous for the vehicles to ply and the people to walk on the road.
The union appeal to the higher authorities, the local MLAs and the Deputy Commissioner,
Tirap to look into this matter seriously as it is harming the socio-
Due to the bad road condition of the Khonsa Township, a scheme was provided for the road widening from the S.P office to the Bank colony but the work has not been done properly. The union appealed the higher authority concerned to check such offense.
In another meeting with the Deputy Commissioner in his chamber on June 30, the union expressed grievances on the medicines distributed in the district general hospital.
The medicines supplied for the General hospital were found to be expired and very cheap that even the poor can afford, the union said and hoped that the state government would take its responsibility seriously and take care of the health related facilities.
The union also appealed to the DC and CRPF authority to vacate the Khonsa government Higher Secondary School Boys hostel that was given to the Central Reserve police Force on temporary basis.
It said that the need for accommodation of the students is the need of the hour and the NSU appealed that the hostel is vacated within July 15 next.
The local MLAs and the district authorities should give more emphasis on the development process, the union said and added that new schemes must be launched for the rapid progress in the filed of development in every sphere.
ADEO and PRIs meeting
ITANAGAR, July 06: Panchayat leaders and ADEO Tali Pipsorang Block jointly conducted
a meeting regarding re-
In the meeting, the house appealed the teachers of the various schools of Tali circle
to reach the respective posting place immediately to re-
It also appealed the teacher in-
The release further said that ADEO team will visit school in the month of July to collect all related data to study the ground realities.
Check illegal price rising
ITANAGAR, July 06: East Kameng Middle Zone Students’ Union (EKMZSU) appealed the Bazar secretary, Seppa town to bring down sky rocketing prices of meat in the town.
It claimed that the seller charges unauthorized rate for Mithun meat without bone at Rs 180 against authorized rate of Rs. 100, mithun meat with bone at Rs 150 against Rs. 80, Broiler at Rs. 180 against Rs 130, Broiler dressed at Rs. 200 against 150, Local chicken at Rs 250 against Rs. 150.
It further said petrol, Kerosene oil and alcohol are sold at high rate in various grocery shops in different corners of the town without valid license.
It appealed the district authority and the Bazar committee to fix the commodity rates immediately.
Youth Festival to be held
ITANAGAR, July 06: Former Rajya Sabha MP Nabam rebia and Food Processing North East India Zonal chairman cum APYC president Likha Saaya have consented to attend the Youth Festival 2009 as chief guest and guest of honour at Balijan from July 10 to 12 next.
The festival is being organized by Doimukh Constituency Youths with an objective to encourage and promote the indigenous tradition and culture and to also have cultural exchange amongst various tribes.
Deputy Wild Life Warden Chuku Loma will also be attending the festival as special guest will highlight the importance of protection of wildlife and afforestation.
Free health camp for women organized
CHONGKHAM July 06: A one day free health checkup camp for women with screening for cancer was organized at Gunanagar near Chongkham, Lohit District on July 4.
The camp was organized by Arunachal Vikas Parishad with support of Community Health Center Chongkham, Youth Welfare Association Chongkham and local Administration.
Gynecologists from Assam medical College Dibrugarh under HOD Atul Medhi participated in the camp.
Hundreds of women benefited from the camp and the patients were also supplied with medicines free of cost.
Dr. M.N Dongre of AVP coordinated all the activities of the camp and Ex-
AAPSU demands
ITANAGAR: All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) in a representation to the state Home minister Jarbom Gamlin demanded that the perpetrator and brutal killer of Late Wangcha Rajkumar be immediately found and exemplary punishment be given within a time period of fifteen days.
Young artiste scholarship
ITANAGAR: North East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur in collaboration with Directorate
of Art and Culture, Naharlagun is going to award scholarship to young talented artiste,
of worth Rs. 10,000 for the year 2009-
Candidate between age group 18-
Echo goes global
ITANAGAR: Echo of Arunachal, the first newspaper from the state, attained a new milestone by launching its website yesterday with its own colour offset.
The auspicious occasion was celebrated in an impressive function at the residence of Editor, printer and publisher Nanni Dai, wife of Former Editor late Lummer Dai, at Naharalagun amidst well wishers and state media fraternity.
The newspaper was first launched as weekly on February 20, 1988 and became a household name soon under the guidance of then director of IPR Lummer Dai.
Dai, after his retirement in 1998 added a new dimension to the newspaper with his thought provoking editorials.
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