The Arunachal Times - Archives

KVK Papum Pare introduce Baby Corn

ITANAGAR, July 16: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Papum-Pare under its On-Farm-Testing (OFT) programme has introduced Baby corn variety (HM-4) under the guidance of Directorate of Maize Research, ICAR, Pusa campus, New Delhi for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh. The first crop was harvested today and the production was found to be optimum.

Although the seasonal trial is still to be undertaken, if found suitable the crop will be demonstrated en-mass amongst the farming community.

Tadang Meena, Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy), of KVK, Papum-Pare stated that Baby Corn is a young finger like unfertilized cob of Maize with two to three centimeter emerged silk. It can be eaten raw and included in diet in number of ways as salads, Chutney, Vegetables, Pickles, Kheer, soups etc. It has great potential both for family food security as well as for export to the Asian countries round the year as 3-4 crops of Baby Corn can be taken in a year. Baby corn is nutritive and its nutritional quality is at par or even superior to some of the seasonal vegetables. Besides energy, proteins, vitamins and iron, it is one of the richest sources of phosphorus. Moreover, the fibrous proteins present there is easy to digest for all ages. Number of byproducts can be obtained during the baby corn cultivation such as tassels, silks, husks, green plant materials which are highly nutritious and can be feed to the cow for higher milk yield.

The Programme Coordinator of KVK, Papum-Pare also stated that after the completion of OFT on Baby Corn a massive awareness and training programme will launched for its popularity.

Alarming malaria cases in Namsai Subdivision

ITANAGAR, July 16: Despite all efforts being put forward by the health department, citizens of the state continue to battle malaria. Many lives are lost every year, more so during monsoon.

Out of the total 219 Numbers of blood samples collected, 114 malaria positive cases were detected which points towards an outbreak of malaria, according to a report from Namsai.

The cases were detected after a Malaria camp was organized by the The Arunachal Pradesh Medical, Educational and Research Trust (APMERT) recently at Wingko village under Piyong Circle, Namsai Sub-Division, Lohit.

The trust has organized the camp owing to the epidemic-like situation following malaria infection during June/July 2009 in the area.

The APMERT has also decided to conduct 5 days Malaria camp from 17.07.09 at Nongtaw, Chesing Wingkow,Pangen,Lekang, Mengkeng villages in view of the alarming situation of the malaria epidemic and to initiate vigorous control measures to reduce the morbidity and mortality.

As many as 339 patients from Wingko and adjoining areas were examined by a team of three doctors led by Dr.Supindra Enling from CHC Namsai during the camp.

A national level toll-free call centre number 1075 is operational for monitoring malaria cases by the Union health Ministry.

Most of the malaria cases in Arunachal Pradesh are P V (Plasmo Bium Vivax) while in neighbouring Assam and Myammar, most of the cases are that of P F (Plasmo Falciferom).

Kiren not to stand for state poll

ITANAGAR, July 16: Kiren Rijiju, former Member of Parliament will not contest the State legislative assembly election.

According to a party release, he will devote his time for the party and reach out to the people through out all sixty Assembly constituencies.

Kiren Rijiju who is spearheading the state BJP’s Mandal Chalo Abhiyan coinciding with his Abhinandan Yatra after the recent Lok Sabha elections arrived inWest Siang District yesterday after Lower Subansiri district.

He is on a mission - Arunachal for Change appealing people’s blessings, Support and Cooperation for responsive, productive and inclusive growth and development.

Further, the State BJP unit has also taken decision to keep option open for meaningful alliance with Regional Parties of the state that opposes the Congress’s Corruption, Nepotism, Criminalization, Communalism, Bribery, Embezzlement and Scams.

BJP is on election mode and has in fact started its campaigns. Leaders have been deputed to all over the state to undertake Party’s Mandal Chalo Abhiyan.

“Even though BJP is passing through traumatic political isolations and harassments under the illegal Congress rule, it is committed to sacrifice and dedicate for the state, said its spokesperson Tai Tagak.

Dept continue crackdown

ITANAGAR, July 16: In its ongoing drive to detect irregularities in weights & measures, Mobile Inspection Team from the Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs department detected more irregularities from various localities of Itanagar, on July 15 last.

M/s Ganopati Store, M/s Losha Shop, M/s Capital Motors, M/s ShreeGanesh Auto Agency, M/s Jyoti Store, M/s Dony Polo Gas Agency of Itanagar were apprehended and cases booked for violation of different provisions of the Weights & Measures Law.

It is significant to mention that out of 10 LPG cylinders of M/s Dony Polo Gas Agency, Chimpu test-checked by the inspection team, nine cylinders were found under-weight ranging from 200 gram to 600 gram as compared to the declared net content, according to K.P. Tago ACLM.

Animal protection law sought

ITANAGAR, July 16: The People for Animals, State Unit requested the State Government to take appropriate measures to check the hunting and Killing of Animals as per various Animals protection laws.

Earlier on People for Animals have rescued an endangered Deer species from a hunter of East Siang District.

The Rescued Deer was shifted to Biological Park, Itanagar for treatment, and rehabilitation.

The Organization thanked Zoo authorities for their kind co-operation.

First Apatani teacher passes away

ZIRO, July 16: Khoda Pugang, the first teacher from Apatani area has died after a brief illness at his Reru resident on July 14 last. He was 67 and left behind his wife, two sons and four daughters. Born to Lt. Khoda Tagyung of Reru village of Lower Subansiri district in 1942, Pugang entered the government service as Assistant Teacher in 1959. He was the pioneer of the modern education in the area.

During his 50 years of service, he served in various schools of the state. His last posting was at Govt. ME School, Suluya, Old Ziro as the headmaster from where he retired on superannuation on 31 March, 2009.

In recognition of his outstanding service, the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh had conferred him State Award in the year 1983.

Many local and representatives of organizations attended his funeral today.

Some of the schools in Ziro valley remained closed as a mark of respect to the widely respected teacher.

TDF continues its battle against HIV/AIDS

ITANAGAR July 16: The Tribal Development Foundation (TDF) is engaged in targeted interventions project covering the entire district of East Siang in battling the killer AIDS.

Working under Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), department of Health and Family Welfare, the TDF is targeting the high risk groups like Injecting Drug Users, Commercial Sex Workers and Migrant populations at Ruksin and Pasighat. The Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society is regarded as one of the best performer under the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) particularly in integrated counseling and testing centre.

The virus is spreading mainly from migrated labourers working in the State. The rise in HIV/AIDS infection is due to the fact that information about HIV/AIDS and mode of its infection has not reached the migrants.

The TDF is relentlessly campaigning against the disease and trying to educate them about it. The staffs of TDF have registered more than 11873 migrants so tar using BCC materials and Outreach activities. The foundation hopes that this initial dealing will motivate more people living with HIV/AIDS to come forward without fear and seek the services that are being provided. HIV/AIDS requires waging of persistent battles at all levels and by all section of the society to decisively conquer it.

TDF further appeals to all to join hands to fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS and make this State an AIDS free State.

We would achieve success if the elected representatives, civil society, youth leaders, bureaucrats and volunteers come forward and voice unitedly against stigma and discrimination attached to HIV/AIDS said Project Manager John Panyang.

It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that HTV/AIDS epidemic continues to increase across the globe with approximately 16,000 infections per day.

India has the highest number of HIV infected people, the number of HIV positive in India is estimated to be 4.58 million cases every year including 40 millions STDs/ ST1s cases are reported through out India.

As per records of January 2009, there are 135 HIV sero positive detected so far in the state of Arunachal Pradesh from more than 71,000 tests, of which six have succumbed to AIDS. HIV/AIDS can have adverse impact on the workers, families, communities and society at large.

AUSCWA calls for monitoring SPA

ITANAGAR July 16: All Upper Subansiri Contractors Welfare Association (AUSCWA) request the concern authorities to monitor the on going projects in the district under Special Plan Assistance (SPA).

Rs. 1 30.35 Lakhs against the cluster flood control works under Daporijo Sub-Division in the water resources department has been approved, the association said.

It further urged that the said project work be tendered for the greater interest of the local registered contractors of the district.

The association also requested Daporijo local MLA not to award the work to any individual as it may hamper the development process of the district rather a tender be floated so that common people can expect transparency and judicious utilization of sanctioned fund for the speedy development.

The association further requested the state project Director SSA to intervene and check on the low quality CGI sheets supplied under SSA Scheme during 2008-2009 financial year.

This sub- standard CGI Sheet material is virtually unfit to use for roofing of the school buildings, the association said.

The Association urges the concern authority to take necessary corrective measure and redirect the concern CGI Sheet supplier to supply good quality of CGI Sheet.

Panchayat to generate revenue

ITANAGAR, Jul 16: A general public meeting of I-Bath, Chimpu Panchayat was held on July 15 at Community Hall, Chimpu, which was attended by all PRIs, GBs and Public of Chimpu area.

They decided to collect revenue from the respective panchayat area, which shall be utilized in rural activities, fire accident, medical cases, school problems and maintenance of community assets, fixed rates of river bed materials, which shall be paid to quarry owners of I-Bath.

The meeting further resolved to ban hunting, use of explosive, chemical and electricity for fishing and extraction of forest product from the Chimpu village upto Holongi boundary, Chimpu river area, Budhpatu, Bdhi. Bedra, Lorputang Zoo Area and WTP Bath area.

The house unanimously resolved to dissolves self style constitution of any committee under the Panchayat area and discouraged formation of such committee.

Population education week observed

ITANAGAR July 16: A week long Population Education Week was observed at Government Higher Secondary School, Itanagar in conformity with state wide observation of Population Education under the aegis of Adolescence Education Cell, Director of School Education of Arunachal Pradesh from July 10 to 16.

As per the guidance and resource support of NCERT, New Delhi, the intensive observance of Population Education Week was inaugurated by the Principal T. Talom.

Self determination, hard work and self confidence are the key of success the principal said and urged the students to spread the ideas what they learned during this week.

He also spoke on the importance of Population Education and added that the topic does not only concern about population but the quality of people is to be uplifted.

C D Sarma, nodal teacher for adolescence education and coordinator of the programme highlighted on the importance of this population education.

The motive of this Population Education programme is to give awareness among the masses in general and the students in particular for developing awareness and a positive attitude among them towards these issues at a young age, he added.

The programme was observed in the school in collaboration with Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) and Doordarshan with the theme "Environment and Sustainable Development and Population Problem" on July 13 last.

State Commission for Women Deputy Chairperson Mipung Tadar on the occasion said that lack of proper development of skills amongst the youths lead to growing adolescent problems like various sexually transmitted infections, increasing incidence of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs abuse among others.

VHAI Senior Manager Ajay Kumar Tripathy as resource person called for regular attention about the quality of people in terms of their status in education and health, environment and sustainable development.

Vice Principal B Kato urged the students to follow the advices and guidelines given by the resource person and spread the message in the society on population education.

Senior Teacher, Life Science Likha Bida also spoke on adolescence and HIV/AIDS. He said that it was important for adolescence to have full knowledge about HIV infection and should protect oneself by knowing scientific information.

As a part of the programme different literary activities such as drawing, posture competition and essay writing were conducted among the student. Postures and photo exhibition were displayed in the school where all students, teachers and other witnessed which was most informative and benefited all.

NSS State Liason Officer Dr. V. N. Sharma presided over the prize distribution ceremony. He exhorted the students to become responsible citizens of the society and be a pillar of strength for all.

Scientific poultry farming

ITANAGAR, July 16: A training programme on improved method of poultry farming was held recently at Emuli Village by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Balek, Lower Dibang Valley. Resources persons provided technical guidance to the farmers on scientific poultry farming. They also visited a farmer club to asses suitability for small scale poultry rearing unit.

PDS Streamlining: No more a Utopian Task

Changlang, July 15: In order to minimize the public grievances and make PDS distribution more transparent, the Changlang Deputy Commissioner Dr S B Deepak Kumar, IAS issued an order to all the concern administrative officers in the district to submit report on functioning of the FPS in their respective areas as per Form –‘A’ in compliance of Clause 8 of the PDS Control Order 2001. The order further directed to strictly avoid any kind of diversion by the agencies involved in collection and distribution of PDS items failing which, action would be taken as per Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and relevant Sections of Indian Penal Code. The information on FPS wise Sub-allocation of food grains to be drawn from the wholesale nominees for the month of July 2009, containing statement showing Circle wise /FPS wise number of ration cards as on 30.06.2009 and Allocations under APL, BPL, AAY and ANN has been made available for public at a click of mouse in the district website www.changlang.nic.in/pds.html. All the FPS under Changlang district has also been directed to display the same in their respective shops in public view.

This is a sincere effort of the District administration towards improving the lives of the rural population of the district. This will help provide the people all the facilities that had eluded them for so long. (DIPRO I/C)

Tawang gears up for electoral revision

Tawang, July 16: District Level Consultative Committee of the political parties was held in the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’ Office, yesterday in connection with special summary revision of Photo Electoral Rolls.

The parties present were asked to appoint Booth Level Assistants and the required forms in this connection were also made available to them.

The DC cum District Election Officer said that the special revision will help in preparing a defect free electoral roll and the eligible voters who attained the 18 years of age on 01.01.2009 will be able to enroll themselves as electors. He highlighted on the procedural methods of filing claims and objections and asked the EROs to maintain complaint registers.

While appealing parties to help in 100% EPIC coverage he informed that Tawang has the highest photography coverage with 95.4%.

The role of Booth Level Officers was explained in detail to the members and asked them to take their help. Other than the representative of the political parties, Chairperson Zilla Parishad, ZPMs, and Ex- MLA also attended the meeting. (DIPRO)

ATU demands cancellation of MoUs

ITANAGAR July 16: Arunachal Tribal Union (ATU) earlier served a three point memorandum to the chief minister Dorjee Khandu to immediately cancel the MoUs and MoAs signed between the state government and the private hydro developers’ project that are not following the guidelines of the agreement.

The union further alleged that our local youths and dam affected citizens are not being employed.

It also demanded that land acquisition certificate to any private hydro developers should not be issued.

The union said that it is unfortunate that the state government has taken no action against the concerned private developer authorities and demanded that the chief minister redress the problems within two weeks.

Lower Dibang Valley on retrospection mode after poor performance by schools

Bishnu Rana

ROING, July 16: Expressing dismay over the academic scenario of the Lower Dibang Valley district, the who’s who of the education department including school principals, vice principals and headmasters and school incharge held a serious discussion to find out the loophole in education system and its remedies in a meeting under DC Y W Ringu at Anchal Samity Hall here yesterday.

DDSE E Lego appealed the principals, headmasters, school in charge to encourage and motivate themselves to create a friendly atmosphere. “We have to dig out the loopholes to improve the system and should not succumb under any excuses or emotion to improve quality of education”, he exhorted.

The DDSE also called upon them to comply with the directive and guidelines of the DSE for the cause of the district.

This district once upon a time was a torch bearer in Arunachal and had maintained the good reputation in producing first IAS, Doctors, Engineers and many officials but now the education is at the receiving end and the students are finding it tough to compete with other schools of the state, Lego added.

Strongly insisting on to improve the education delivery system, Y W Ringu DC also made a plea to the school in-charge to work out modalities to revamp the deplorable scenario of education. “Not having awareness and effort within the teaching fraternity and lack of self motivation, uniform timing of school, Parent-Teacher interaction are the palpable reason behind this poor show. We have to take immediate remedial measures and come up with proper plan to change the deteriorating scenario”, the DC further exhorted. She also suggested the Vidyalaya Management Committee (VMC) for the effective management of the school.

“Acute shortage of subject teachers especially for Maths, Science and English is the main cause of poor performance”, said one of the headmasters. Opening of number of schools without sufficient teachers was sighted as one of the causes of deteriorating education scenario. “Overcrowded student and failure of maintaining 40:1 ratio in teaching/learning process is another serious factor that the schools are still plaguing with. The capacity of 45 strength room is overpopulated with more then 100 student in one section of class”, opined U Pertin Principal GHSS, Roing.

Another cited the shortage of infrastructure, politicizing of transfer and posting, lack of motivation and coordination within the teaching fraternity as the cause of the bad educational scene in the district.

One of the headmasters complained the absentees of the local teachers for days together on one pretext or another.

“Lack of accountability within the parent toward their children is also one of the factors of poor performance by the student”, observed another.

It may be mentioned here that the district’s academic performance for the last several years have been degrading at an alarmingly rate right from the ECC (Early Child Care) to Higher Secondary level. Despite highly qualified teaching fraternity and lot of inputs being invested, the output in fact is not satisfactory and the quality of education is yet to come up to the expectation.

Only 49% in the Mathematics and Science subjects in the district is a big disappointment for the Director of School Education, Itanagar who directed the DDSE to initiate urgent step to redress the deplorable education scenario.

According to department sources, the aggregate pass percentage (class XII) of the only three GHSS, Roing, Dambuk and Bolung in the year of 2006-07 is 50.3%, 38% in 2007-08 and 35% in 2008-09 respectively. Moreover the pass percentage of the overall 9 secondary schools (class-X) in the year of 2006-07 is 15.5%, 23.8% in 2007-08 and 18.8% in the year 2008-09 respectively in the district.

School up gradation

ITANAGAR: MP Takam Sanjay and Minister, Education Tatar Kipa would attend the school up gradation programme of Talo Secondary School to Higher Secondary School as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour on July 19.

GSU to boycott CM

ITANAGAR: Galo Students Union (GSU) have decided to boycott Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu from visiting any Galo inhibiting areas as a mark of protest against the state government’s failure to respond to the ultimatum served by the union.

The union further said that chief minister should not only visit the concern area for political gain, he should also take interest in the problems being faced by the people.

Wanglet appointed NCP president

ITANAGAR: Lowangcha Wanglet, former Home Minister has been appointed as president of Nationalist Congress party Arunachal unit while former president of the state unit has been made the National Vice Chairman of Nationalist Kisan Congress.

Kaha appointed observer

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has appointed Kipa Kaha, Vice President of Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress as party observer of Along west Constituency to analyze the party organization in the constituency. Along with two of the secretaries, Kaha will tour from July 21 to take stock of the situation as well as organize meetings at the block level.

Bank employees appeals defaulters

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh State Cooperative Apex Bank Employees Association has called on the bank defaulters to repay their dues within Aug 15 next to enable the bank to cater to the needs of the needy and deprived. It said that if the dues were not cleared within stipulated time, it would carry out “door to door recovery drive”.

Two SSA Teachers terminated

YUPIA: The District Project Director SSA, District Mission, Papum Pare District, Yupia has terminated two Assistant teachers, Tana Hawa serving under Govt Residential School, Doriabill under Tarasso circle since 2007 and Tana Atung Tara serving under Primary School, Townbill, Tarasso Circle (DIPRO)