July -  28

• IAF to induct more fighters, radars in NE
• Highest level of groundwater Arsenic found in Lower Dibang valley
• Society appeals for withdrawal of bandh
• Victims of Green Belt eviction drive demand action
• CM Talent Award
• District level vigilance & monitoring committee meeting held
• The girl who dared to dream big
• Tiger 7 Soccer Tournament
• Coordination meeting calls for early completion of PMGSRY work
• District level training programme for agricultural census- 2010-2011

 

Boy rescued from River Island

ITANAGAR, Jul 27:  A rescue team of Daporijo fire service led by Koj Gambo (sub-fire officer) along with a local swimmer Bengia Dabu have rescued a boy who got stranded at Subansiri river island on July 26.  The gushing flood water of the river washed away the four boys when they are swimming at Subansiri river. However, three of them swum ashore and another one washed away and stranded at the island. Meanwhile, the Daporijo OC Fire Service said that the Daprijo fire station required mechanical rescue boat to over come such incident in future.

 

Bameng cut off

Itanagar, Jul 27: The road blockage in between Pakke and Bameng due to landslide left the residents cut off from rest of the world since last two weeks thus paralyzing their normal life.

The people of the area are facing hardship due to non availability of essential items due to communication problem caused by road blockage, Bameng-II (Tara) ASM Tame Tara  said in a release.

He appealed to the state Govt. and the department concerned for early clearance of the road to bring back normalcy to the area.

Meanwhile, the ASM alleged that the road is left for many years without proper maintenance. He informed that 60% of fund sanctioned under PMGSY have been utilized but almost 80% work is yet to be done.

 

Staff development programme at NERIST

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: The Department of Mechanical Engineering of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli is organizing All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) sponsored two week Staff Development Programme on ‘Recent Advances in Mechanics and their Application in Nano Engineering & Technology’  from August 1 next.

The objective of this programme is to disseminate knowledge of the recent development in mechanics in various fields of science and technology.  It is hoped that this programme would provide a comprehensive package in the field of nanomechanics and useful for the participants to make them conversant with the subject as well as would encourage them to start their R&D career.

Several Internationally renowned academicians from the leading academic institution such as Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science(IACS), Kolkata; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai; National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar; Jadavpur University, Kolkata; Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Punjab; National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTTR), Kolkata;  Defence Institute for Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune and NERIST Faculty will deliver the lectures on they key subject.

More than 60 faculty members from all over the country like SGSTI, Indore, Madhya Pradesh; BLDEA’s Dr. PGH College of Engineering & Technology, Bijapur, Karnataka ; MANIT, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; Coachbihar Polytecnic, West Bengal; Siliguri Institute of Technology, Darjeeling, West Bengal  and NERIST Faculty from all departments are also expected to participate.

 

Union demands  college in Upper Subansiri

ITANAGAR, Jul 27:  All Upper Subansiri District Students Union has appealed to the state Govt for establishment of a college and introduction of  Commerce stream in Upper Subansiri district. It further appealed to the govt improve the educational infrastructure in the district besides posting of senior teachers in various schools of the district.

 

Panggeng mourns AG’s death

ITANAGAR, Jul 27:  Parliamentary secretary, law, legal and justice J K Panggeng deeply mourned the death of C K Sharma Baruah, Advocate General, Arunachal Govt who died at Guwahati on July 24.

With the untimely demise of Sharma Baruah, Arunachal Pradesh lost a true friend, philosopher and guide. Besides being one of the legal luminaries of the North East, Late C K Sharma Baruah was truly a good man, said Panggeng in a condolence message.

Panggeng prayed Almighty to grant eternal peace to departed and bestow enough strength to bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

 

Coordination meeting

ITANAGAR, Jul 27:  The Child Development Project Officer, Sagalee  organized a day-long project level coordination meeting at Sagalee town on July 26 last. The meeting chaired by additional deputy commissioner, Sagalee  was  attended by block development officer, medical officer, branch manager (Rural Bank), Anchal Samiti member and staff of ICSDS.

During the meeting need for effective implementation of centrally sponsored schemes like RGSEAG-SABLA and IGMSY were discussed in length.

 

Union demands demarcation of school land

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: A delegation of All Palin, Chambang, Yangte, Gangte and Tarak-Langdi Students Union meet Kurung Kumey deputy commissioner on 25th of this month with single point memorandum for boundary demarcation of government higher secondary school, Palin.  During the meeting DC assured to look into this long pending problem and stated that eviction notice against encroacher of school land will be issued within August month.

 

Results declared

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: The result of Ph.D and M.Phl entrance test held in the months of June last has been declared. The result may be accessed from RG university website www.rgu.ac.in

 

Felicitations

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: Nabam Welfare Society has  felicitated student toppers and research scholars in a felicitation function held at Naharlagun on July 25 last.

On the occasion, Nabam Mepung, Nabam Naanu, Nabam Kayang, Nabam Nakia, Bapi Nabam, Nabam Punna, Nabam Luke, Takam Nabam, Nabam Akin, Nabam Raja, Nabam Mecha have been felicitated for their excellent academic performance in Class X and XII and JEE examination 2011 and also felicitated Dr. Nabam Nakha Hina on being conferring the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy.

The programme was attended by officers and elder members of the society.

 

Admn. declares bandh call illegal

ITANAGAR: Capital district administration has declared the reported 24-hours capital bandh call announced by ARTIAF on July 29 as illegal and directed the Forum to refrain from their proposed bandh call.

In an executive order issued today, the Capital D C Bokar Bassar directed all the heads of officers, shop keepers and PSUs to keep their offices and shops open and also directed all private transport authorities to keep their vehicles plying. The violators of the order shall be viewed seriously.

Such bandh call not only handicaps the transport and communication system but also badly affects and hampers the entire law and order situation and also creates impact on the normal life and economy of the daily wage earners, the order said. Moreover, such bandh call is also vehemently opposed by various organizations, the order added.

 

EADYM calls for solution to insurgency problem

ITANAGAR: Eastern Arunachal Democratic Youth Movement taking serious note over the insurgency problem in Tirap and Changlang Districts appealed to the state and central governments to find out an amicable solution to it.

It also said that the roads from Banderdewa to Itanagar and sector roads  in Capital are in dilapidated condition. It appealed to the state government to give directives to concerned department to properly execute works for improvement of roads within the state capital immediately.

Meanwhile, the EADYM decided to organize the Winter Youth Festival in December next and also to launch Ekta Yatra to cover eight districts of eastern Arunachal from August. During the yarta the members will conduct interactive meeting.

 

Condolences

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee expressed shocked at the untimely demise of Tana Tatik former Anchal Chairperson of Tarasso Circle who died on July 18 last.

APCC prayed to the almighty god for eternal peace of the departed soul and bestowed strength to the bereaved family members to bear the irreparable loss in this hour of grief.

Arunachal Teachers’ Association CEC, ATA Papum Pare District Unit, students and teaching staff of government secondary school RGU Campus mourned the sudden demise of Vijay Kumar. Kumar was serving as Assistant Teacher at Government Middle School, Bobia, Leporiang circle. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son. He joined the education department as AT (A) in 1987 and was a sincere and dedicated teacher.

The ATA, District unit, students and teaching staff prayed almighty god for the eternal peace of the departed soul and bestowed enough strength to the bereaved family members.

Dani Welfare Society Itanagar deeply mourned the sudden demise of its active member Dani Sai of Pachin Colony who died on July 19 last.

The society prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed their condolence message to the bereaved family members.

Arunachal Pradesh Community Information Centre Employees Association condoled the demise of Migi Bame of Dali village, who died on July 23 after prolonged illness. Late Bame was the mother of Doge Bame, former president and present advisor of the Association.

 

Condolences

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: The GGL Group of (SSB unit) publication division deeply condoled the untimely demise of Dr B B Pandey, who died at New Delhi on July 24.  Late Pandey, former deputy director of Research (Culture), was one of the renowned social scientists and writer of the state, said chief editor of the publication group Nyamo Dojeh in a release today.

 

Appointments

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: Tania Veo and Kama Gungly have been selected as president and general secretary of All Arunachal Pradesh Gaon Bura Welfare Association, East Kameng District Unit.

Meanwhile, Tania urged that state government to appoint senior most GB as public interpreter.

Tai Mama, Sama Yangfo and Tarh Achak have been selected as president, vice president and general secretary of All Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture and Horticulture Dealership Tribal Contractor Association (AAPAHDTCA) in a meeting held here recently.

News Impact

IAF to induct more fighters, radars in NE

Shillong, Jul 27: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct more Sukhoi Su-30 combat jets, as also more radars in the northeast as part of a strategic deployment of advanced assets close to the Chinese border, an officer said Wednesday.

"Two more squadrons of Sukhois will be inducted by 2015 in the region," Air Marshal K.K. Nohwar, who currently heads the Shillong-based Eastern Air Command and will August 1 take over as the IAF vice chief, told reporters at his farewell press conference.

The IAF had inducted its first Su-30 squadron at Tezpur in northern Assam in June 2009. In March, a single Su-30 was stationed at Chabua, also in Assam and their number will gradually be raised to full-squadron strength of 18.

The decision to deploy the Su-30s, the most potent fighter in the IAF inventory, follows repeated instances of Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh in the last few years.

The Tezpur and the Chabua air bases are within striking distance of the India-China border along Arunachal Pradesh.

Nohwar also said that light and medium combat jets would be inducted in place of the ageing MiG-21 aircraft that are being phased out from the northeast.

"As a replacement of the MiG-21s, we will induct more aircraft of different types, whether light or medium jets. I am sure the Eastern Air Command would get these aircraft in the near future," he said to news agency IANS.

"The Eastern Air Command would also get a share of Mi-17B-5 helicopters (the IAF is purchasing)," he said.

Apart from the aircraft, Nohwar said the IAF would soon replace the old radars with modern ones to enhance its air defence capabilities over the eastern skies.

"We are upgrading our assets in the region. After all, our old assets need to be replaced," he said.

Noting that the process of upgrading six Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Arunachal Pradesh is on, Nohwar said: "The upgradation is primarily aimed at improving the air connectivity in (land locked) Arunachal Pradesh to ease the problem of transportation of people and goods. The ALGs will also be used for operational purposes."

The ALGs are at Tuting, Mechuka, Along, Passighat, Vijaynagar and Ziro along the Chinese border.

 

Highest level of groundwater Arsenic found in Lower Dibang valley

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: Arsenic has been found at levels of health concern in sources of drinking water in various districts in Arunachal Pradesh with Lower Dibang Valley highest among those.

 

Contamination of groundwater by Arsenic has been found highest in Lower Dibang Valley (see table in page 3) among six districts, including Papum Pare, East Kameng, West Kameng, Lower Subansiri and Tirap, Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society said in its letter to the  Director, Community Capacity Development Unit (CCDU) PHED, on the basis of a report by A.K.Singh, Associate Professor and adviser, Soil & water testing & microbiology Lab North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management, Assam.

While expressing serious concern over the level of Arsenic concentration in ground water at Hunli and Midland, which may cause serious health problems, the NGO appealed to the Director to make a long term policy to get rid of this serious problem.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended value is 0.01 milligram Arsenic for per liter of water and the maximum permissible limit is 0.05 mg/l. It is matter of great concern that in many cases the Arsenic concentration in the ground water in Arunchal Pradesh crossed the WHO recommended value and maximum permissible limit.

However, the preliminary and probability report, the water Ph of Desali circle was found slightly acidic as per water field test conducted in Hunli-Desali block. The Ph of drinking water was found within the permissible level as per guideline of BIS.

“Lack of awareness among the rural masses about the water quality, issues and the problems related to water has become a  serious cause of concern,” the NGO said and advocated for capacity building of Panchayats to own the field test kit and take up full O&M responsibility and monitoring of all drinking water sources in their respective areas.

“To strengthen the National Rural Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Programme, sponsored by Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission, Ministry of Rural Development through Community Capacity Development Unit, (CCDU) PHED Itanagar a mass awareness programme is to be rejuvenated,” the NGO said.  As per multi-parameter field test kit user manual, the NGO has been entrusted for Turbidity, Ph, Total hardness, chloride, residual chloride, Iron, Nitrate, fluoride tests without arsenic component.

The NGO appealed to the department concerned to continue to engage the NGO by providing available resources and technical support and arsenic test component.

 

Society appeals for withdrawal of bandh

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: Tebw Lappa Welfare Society has appealed to the Arunachal RTI Activist Forum(ARTIAF) to withdraw their proposed bandh call on 29th July seeking resignation of chief minister Jarbom Gamlin and Heath and Family Welfare Minister Atum Welly.

The Society stated that at this stage when state is going through bad time due to natural calamities striking poor citizens, need of the hour is to work together for the development of state.

 Till date there has been no concrete report on alleged involvement of Atum Welly in illegal appointment including that of his own children, the Society said. “During the time of alleged illegal appointment of his son, he was not even Tax and Excise minister. How could he be blamed for so-called alleged illegal appointment under another ministry,” the society questioned.

Further, they added, “We support the fight against corruption started by RTI Activist Forum but we request them to take up corruption issues of every department. However we believe that bandh call is not the proper way to fight corruption. Arunachal RTI Activists Forum being an intellectual group, we hope they will adopt better ways of fighting against corruption. Also this whole case of illegal appointment is under investigation and let police do their job. Till the final report comes, we urge everyone not to drag name of Atum Welly cheaply in media in the near future.”

PR leaders oppose bandh Meanwhile, the Panchayat leaders and senor citizens of Pakke-Kessang area condemned the movement launched by ARTIAF against a minister Atum Welly and termed it as political motivated.

In a meeting held here at Itanagar today, the leaders decided to oppose the bandh call on July 29 and also appealed the Govt employees to attend their respective offices, according to a joint press release signed by 20 panchayat leaders and party workers.  Arunachal Pradesh Elite Youth Organization (APEYO) has also opposed the proposed 24 hours capital bandh on July 29 against illegal appointments. Such bandh call not only affects the daily wage earners and business community, but also badly hampers the economy of the state, the  Organization said. Moreover, there is a law enforcing authority and administration to deal with corruption issues. Therefore, Govt agencies should be allowed to take its own course of action in corruption cases, it said.  The organization further appealed to the ARTIAF to take other democratic means instead of bandh call against the issues.

 

Victims of Green Belt eviction drive demand action

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: The victims of the eviction drive in Pasigaht Green belt have appealed to the home minister for immediate action against Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and DFO of East Siang District. They alleged that officers had misused their official power while carrying the eviction drive.

In a letter to home minister, the victims said that the Divisional Forest Officer Pasighat has issued an eviction notice on July 12 to the occupants of Sibo-Korong line upto DC’s official resident Pasighat within seven days. The District authority has also convened a general meeting with the land encroachers in which the encroachers demanded complete eviction drive without any discrimination but the demand of the encroachers was not carried out by the district authority during the drive within the green belt area which led the encroacher to protest their eviction drive. The letter claimed that  four women and a man injured seriously when the police lobbed grenade like explosive upon the mob  who are demanding ‘top to bottom’ approach while carrying out the eviction drive. The letter demanded arrest of DC, SP and DFO for their alleged misuse of power.

The victims also repudiated the DIPRO’s report that “the victims got minor injury”. It termed the DIPRO’s report as totally false and misleading as the victims are still undergoing treatment at General Hospital Pasighat.  Meanwhile, in a separate release, United Siang Progressive Alliance (USPA) President Okom Tamuk appealed to the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Itanagar to investigate the issue and also appealed to the Chief Minister to look in to the matter immediately.

It also urged the women welfare commissioner of the state to look into the matter and visit Pasighat to solace the injured women in the eviction drive.

The USPA President further appealed to the Deputy Commissioner, Pasighat to show the video clip of the eviction process. It alleged that the video tape was seized from the media person by Deputy Commissioner himself after the eviction drive. It also questioned the reports of minor injury that appeared on local daily and added that the reports should be given after proper verification from the medical expert.  

The USPA also alleged that the eviction drive was carried out without giving enough time  and it is violation of human right, he added.

 

CM Talent Award

ROING, Jul 27: Lower Dibang Valley district administration has sought applications from CBSE examination toppers of the district for the newly launched Chief Ministers Talent Award scheme for 2011-12.

The scheme which aims at promoting the spirit of competition amongst students of class X and Class XII both boys and girls irrespective of Govt and private schools, carries cash award of Rs. 10,000 along with a laptop.

The cash award will be directly credited to the bank account of the student concerned.

The eligible students are advised to open a bank account in their name or forward the details of their existing bank account along with their names, father/mother’s name, date of birth, name of school, aggregate/percentage of marks obtained,  photograph of student, the certificate declaring the name of topper student issued by the concerned Principal/Head-Master and Counter-Signed by the Deputy Commissioner, Bank Account, according to an official order.

The details can be collected from various schools in the district.

Further, the DDSE has been directed to submit the compiled reports within 10 days for onward submission to the Planning Department, the order stated.

 

District level vigilance & monitoring committee meeting held

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: The 1st quarter ending special meeting of District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee of DRDA, Lohit District was at DC’s Conference Hall here today.

Chairing the meeting, R.K. Sharma, DC/CEO DRDA, Lohit laid emphasis on convening DLVMC meeting in every quarter ending since central govt. has made it mandatory to enclose the copy of the minutes along with the proposals for release of fund under every centrally sponsored programmes.  

He asked the BDOs to conduct social audit and submit its report within 15th August-2011 enabling DRDA to claim funds under all this programmes.  He also directed BDOs to maintain complaint register in their respective offices and register any complaint received regarding implementation of the centrally sponsored schemes and provide the serial no. of the complaint register to the complainant for future reference so as to enable effective monitoring of the schemes. He requested to provide Telephone numbers to all concerns for the above purpose. He also gave importance on proper monitoring mechanism and requested all concerns to offer their valuable suggestions in this regards.

All the PRI members took active part in the discussions and offered their views and suggestions for effective implementation of all the centrally sponsored programmes.  

Responding to some queries regarding implementation of schemes, and problems being faced by PR leaders in disbursing loans from UBI Namsai, the DC cum CEO asked the Lead Bank Officer to sort out all these problems by physically inspecting the concerned branch of the bank.

The Panchayat leaders also requested for early completion of ongoing PMGSY roads in various parts of the district.

The DC/CEO expressed the hope that all these centrally sponsored programmes will be implemented in the district effectively in future and emphasized on physical as well as financial progress of the works. He appealed to all to discharge their duties and responsibilities with honesty, dedication and to ensure work culture.

Earlier, Project Director (DRDA) M. Tatum explained the aims and objectives of the meeting and readout physical achievements and financial involvement during the year 2010-11 and 2011-12 pertaining to all RD Schemes and sought suggestions from all  for effective implementation of all the centrally sponsored poverty alleviation programmes in the district.

EE RWD, DD ICDS and AE PHED explained in detailed about the centrally programmes being implemented by them in the district by their respective departments.  

L. Lipin, APO(M) DRDA also spoke on the occasion.  

The PD- DRDA, EE- RWD, DD-ICDS, AE- PHED, ZPMs, Chairpersons A/Ss, BDOs and other field functionaries of different blocks of the districts participated in the meeting, according an official release.

 

The girl who dared to dream big

Keter Bagra

Buge Mena, a simple inhabitant  of Etali village  in remote Dibang Valley District in Arunachal Pradesh, might never have imagined that his daughter born in September 1987 would scale the world’s tallest peak one day, much less be the first woman North-Easterner to achieve the feat. For his daughter, Tine Mena, the journey to the top of world’s tallest mountain has never been smooth, as in the case of all other achievements in life. Many challenges, obstacles, and some chance encounter with benevolent persons awaited ahead of her way before she finally braved and achieved the outstanding act creating a ripple in the mountaineering circle.

Being a mountain girl Tine was always inspired by mountaineering and adventure sports since her childhood. She found peace in scaling heights; she loved its fresh air and awe-inspiring sights. She had the X-factor so required some chance to make the most of her latent talent. This opportunity came when the Kaya Pass (Indo- China Border) (Athu-Pupu) Trekking Expedition was organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, in December 2007, where she participated as a support member cum guide.  Dr. K.R.Meetei, in charge of Adventure Sports Cell, who was a part of the expedition, noticed that she had natural talent for mountaineering. He immediately knew this was the girl he had been looking for who had in her to climb the Everest. It was her determination; her performance and her positive attitude which made him believe it.

 

“ Tine Mena, a village girl born in remote Etali in Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh became the first woman Everester from NE to summit the Mount Everest ”

 

The road to success was not easy, the journey had been challenging, and full of struggles, but Tine being the kind of person she is, has not learnt to accept failures. She had to go a long way before making it to the Everest. She first joined an adventure course at Manipur Mountaineering Institute where she was declared the all round best trainee. She further did basic sport climbing course from MMTA, Manipur where she was again graded A.  Then in 2009, she joined Basic Mountaineering Course at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) Darjeeling 2009 where she got the Gold Medal for all round best trainee and further continued with an advanced course in mountaineering where she got a silver medal. She also attended Pre Everest Expedition at Mt. Kalahoi  Peak  organised by NE Adventure Foundation, Guwahati in 2009. In addition to these she achieved the distinction of being the first lady mountaineer from the state by taking part in the All India Combined Mt. Shivaling Expedition organised by Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi. After taking part in the Final Pre Everest Expedition at Sikkim, she finally scaled her destination on 9th May 2011 at 10.50 am local time and became the first woman Everester from North East and the first Indian Everester for this season 2011.

Her guide, Dr.K.R Meetei, himself a keen mountaineer, has full of praise for her talent and spirit. According to him, North –East region has tremendous potential in mountaineering for which support of respective governments and public is required.

Presently settled in Intaya village near Roing, the District Headquarters of Lower Dibang Valley District, Tine Mena is actively engaged in mountaineering activities and plans to scale the tallest peaks of all the seven continents of the world.

Here, we had a talk with the young achiever about her opinions on her life and experience of climbing. Keter Bagra: How did you get the first inspiration for mountaineering?

Tine Mena: Since childhood I was always fascinated by the life in the wilds. It was part of our day to day life. I used to go for hunting with my father in the jungles high up in the mountains, sometimes to collect wood. I had the physical strength but to learn the technical know how, I had to undergo various courses.

 

KB: What challenges did you had to face?

TM: From the very beginning, I was very positive about it. Physically, I was very confident but as I have said before, I was not financially sound and as the whole process is very expensive, the hardest point was to find sponsors and also I lost my mother just a week before the advance mountaineering course. So I was in a dilemma whether to go for it or not as I really wanted to make my state proud by becoming the first Woman Everester from North East. So, there was a lot of mental pressure on me but I did not let these things come in my way. And I am not at all a health conscious person, and  had no idea about balanced diet, healthy diet, exercise, so Dr. Meetei had to constantly pressurize me into following these things. I further underwent basic course at Art Of Living for strengthening mental strength as mental strength was more required than physical strength.

KB: What about the guidance and support from family, from others?

TM: My family stood by me through thick and thin, especially my father. As I have told earlier that I am not financially sound, many people have helped me with whatever they could. Many individuals and organizations including Jindal Group, Laeta Umbrey, MLA, Rajesh Tacho, MLA,  Bidol Tayeng, Abu Tayeng, Ere Linggi, Mutchu Mithi, an NGO named All Arunachal Women and Child Welfare Society and many others. I am grateful to all of them.

KB: When did the idea of climbing the Everest come to your mind?

TM: As I have told earlier, it was a chance meeting with Dr. Meetei during the Athu Pupu Trekking expedition who believed that I was capable of it. I had the experience of climbing mountains but required the much needed direction and motivation which came in the form of Dr. Meetei.

KB: How was your feeling then?  Were you confident, apprehensive?

TM: From the very beginning, I was very confident but I had some apprehensions like the financial constraints and I am also not much qualified which sometimes hampered my self-confidence.

KB: Please relate your experiences of climbing the Everest? Your feeling after climbing it?

TM: The road to success is not an easy one. The most important thing is that you should believe in yourself. Many a times you might feel low as you see so many obstacles, you see so many people dying in front of you but one should never loose heart; one should get up again and resume his journey. The feeling after the summit is something which I cannot express in words. I was so happy because I had proved to myself and to so many people who have believed in me. I was happy because I did not let them down.  First thing I did after reaching the top was to thank God and prayed for the communal harmony and peace to prevail in the state and I further prayed for all those who lost their lives on the way and which should not happen. I wished that everybody should get success.

KB: What is your opinion about mountaineering potentials in young Arunachalis?

TM: We have got very challenging snow clad mountains. If proper guidance is provided, Arunachal can be a power house of talents. Naturally, we have the physical strength but when it comes to mental strength, we are not ready.  We always expect short term success, quick records. We don’t have the patience for long term goals. If people could overcome that then I feel the road to success is not far away.

KB: What measures Govt. can take to promote mountaineering?

TM: Govt. should start an institute for mountaineering so that we could take training here at our own state which would cost us less money. As far as possible Govt. should organize those trainings. We should also try to organize adventure awareness programmes in all the districts so that people become more aware. We have lots of potential but the development of adequate infrastructure is  yet to be fulfilled.

KB: Your advice to prospective mountaineers?

TM: One should have belief in oneself. Perseverance is very important. We should have strong willpower. We should always avoid getting into wrong habits like drugs and other anti social activities. And during leisure time youths should be encouraged into participating into various adventure activities instead of wasting their time .We should try to concentrate on physical fitness, disciplined diet, physical and mental strength.

KB: What are your future plans?

TM: To scale the seven tallest peaks of the world, if I get sponsorship.

For some people success is a way of turning heads, though after basking the glory of being the first NE woman Ever ester , Tine Mena  is still the same  down to earth person and very much grounded.

 

Tiger 7 Soccer Tournament

ITBP maintain winning streak

ITANAGAR, Jul  27: Indo Tibentan Border Police (ITBP) Force, Kimin beat Dari Sports Club 3-0 maintaining their winning streak in the 2nd State Level Tiger 7 Soccer Tournament at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun, today.

Amit L. Beck of the para military force team found the net twice in 29th and 47th minute and Suresh Singh scored in 51st minutes to earn a convincing win over DSC of Yangte circle in Kurung Kumey district.

Earlier,  Zing Urban FC and Toru Pamchayat Football Club played out a 1-1 draw.

Papa XI will meet Gora Makik Sports Club-A in tomorrow’s first match and Nirjuli Youth Welfare Association will clash with All Capital Complex Youth Welfare Association in the second match.

 

Coordination meeting calls for early completion of PMGSRY work

PALIN, Jul 27: The PRI leaders and administration of Palin circle in a coordination meeting held here yesterday discussed the development issues of the area.

While discussing on implementation of PMGSRY scheme, the PRI leaders present in the meeting urged the  RWD  to complete the Palin to Bokar PMGSRY road within 2011.  The implementing agency could easily complete the work as the earth cutting/formation cutting of Palin to Bokar raod had already been done in 1986, the member observed.

The members also urged the Govt to retain three villages, namely, Langdang, Paka and Bojo under Palin circle for administrative convenience. The said villages are located only 13 km away from Palin HQ and 100 mtrs away from ADC HQ, where   the distance between the three villages and Taraklengdi circle is 35 km, the members observed. The leaders also bowed down to fight corruption  for  common interest.

 

District level training programme for agricultural census- 2010-2011

ITANAGAR, Jul 27: A day-long training programme on Agricultural Census -2010-2011 for Upper Subansiri district was held at the Training Hall of the Office of the District Agriculture Officer today.

In the key note address, Dusa Lida, District Agriculture Officer, informed that Agricultural Census is a quinquennial and asked supervisors and enumerators to collect correct data for proper planning of all developmental schemes.

He advised all to work in united, develop a team spirit. He asked them to reach to the farmers in the villages and have a first hand information for better planning at government level.

The technical session was conducted by Yompe Ado, ADO (HQ) and R.C. Singh, I/C R.O in which schedules L-1,L-2,L-3,T-1 and H were explained in details.

Agriculture Field Assistants (AFAs) of the Department and posted under various Blocks attended the training, , according to a departmental release.

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All rights reserved.

An appeal to Education Minister

Dear Editor,

I would like to express my opinion regarding 40 per cent J/T posts which are reserved for A/T (A) departmental promotion. I have been permitted to complete B.A. III year vide order No. ED2/557/ 94pt/452 of dated 19th July 2000. Accordingly I have completed B.A. III Year from Indira Gandhi Govt. Collage Tezu in the year of 2001. After completion of BA, I submitted B.A. pass documents, even I submit ACR each and every year and wait for departmental promotion.

As there was no response, I personally approached the dealing assistant of A/T(A) (DSE office Itanagar) and came to know that promotion is not possible without B.Ed certificate. Then I  visited nearest B.Ed. Colleges at Bihpuria, Dhemaji and North Lakhimpur in neighbouring Assam only to know that below 50 per cent in B.A. is not allowed  for admission for B Ed.

Even when I asked for departmental deputation at RGU, I came to know that only J/Ts are departmentally deputed, not the A/T (A). Therefore, I request the education minister to allow  departmental promotion for J/T  without B Ed.

Yours,

R Bui

Durpai Primary School,

West Siang

 

 

A call against bandh calls

Dear Editor,

The crusade against corruption and backdoor appointments initiated by ARTIAF is indeed praiseworthy. But by simply tracing out a few individuals and departments is a work half-done and does not seem to receive People’s mandate. The Forum should not tread their path of investigation off the beaten track of some Politicians and bureaucrats and rigorously targeting a few others. Since every politicians and departmental heads are tinged with corruption, illegal appointment, nepotism and so forth, which is well manifested in the skyscrapers coming up in the Capital Complex, foreign vehicles and flats being owned by them in various cities of India. A forum which assumes to be representative in nature needs to be unbiased, introspective and enlarge its perspective. It must not confined its activities to a few individuals and departments, rather it must bring under its purview every politicians and every departments of the state and should never be influenced and dictated by any politicians and bureaucrats and become their mouthpiece.

In fact, it is not only Welly and Thongchi, there are innumerable cases of illegal appointments in every departments that has been made known to the public time and again. Haplessly no one has been convicted so far and not a single minister traced out has been made mandatory to resign on moral ground. This is the state of affairs of the Land of Kushi-Kushi. Hence, single out a few and resorting to bandhs seems to be a wild goose chase and will not yield a fruitful outcome. The ministers concerned will not resign and the bureaucrats concerned will not be convicted, they will not suffer, it is the common people who used to suffer a lot. Moreover, vigorously targeting a few individuals seems to imply a latent personal grudge which can be easily understood not only by the intellectuals but by the common masses too.

Needless to say, there are good many democratic tools or Gandhian tools for a democratic causes. Resorting to bandhs without analyzing its consequential repercussions is not a mature decision that a forum should arrive at. The forum could resort to dharnas, flag marches, fast, etc. If it does not believe in their effectiveness, it needs to interact with Anna Hazare, Medha Patekar, etc. or it can call them here at Itanagar itself and learn and inculcate some ideas and principles as was done by one of the famous RTI Activist of Assam Akhil Gogoi. Without exploring various options simply plunging into bandhs that too with some ulterior motives can never be a successful one and will be revolted by the public in the long run. A day is not far off when the people at large fade up and disgusted with the so-called bandh culture will not observe any type of bandhs. Before that day comes explore and experiment various other democratic devices to fight against corruption, nepotism, backdoor appointments, etc.

Yours,

Eli Doye (Nyochi),

Itanagar.

 

 

 

 

 

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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

 

Bilateral pact

 

Bhutan will enter into a bilateral agreement with the United Nations to expedite aid delivery by lowering custom barriers in the face of a disaster. While the tiny Himalayan kingdom is largely closed - issuing only 1,600 tourist visas per year - its vulnerability to natural disasters has led the government to prioritize the rapid deployment of international aid in emergency situations by lowering customs barriers.

Developed by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and approved by the World Customs Organization, the agreement between the UN and member states includes recommended measures to expedite customs clearance procedures, including simplified documentation and inspection procedures, the temporary or permanent waiving of duties and taxes on imports, as well as clearance arrangements outside official working hours and locations.

The agreement will allow aid consignments, including search and rescue teams, dog teams and mobile medical units, speedy entry and transit into the country in the event of a disaster.

According to OCHA, the 46,000 sqkm landlocked Bhutan is highly prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, flash floods, landslides, forest fires, and glacier lake floods.

In 2009, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck a highly populated area in the Monga district town, just 177km from Thimpu at 1,600m elevation, destroying more than 500 homes, schools and temples, with aftershocks felt as far away as Bangladesh and Tibet.

Bhutan is expected to sign the agreement in September, making it only the second country in South Asia to accede to the agreement after Nepal, which signed in May 2007.