July 27
What will people gain by attacking the hapless journalists ?
‘Not a single day passes off without media houses getting abusive or threatening calls’
Taba Ajum
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: ‘Pen is mightier than sword’ is perhaps one of the most famous quotes that every one of us learns during our school days. During early part of my journalism career at Delhi, I truly believed in the famous saying that pen is really mightier than sword. However, in the context of Arunachal, the popular proverb does not hold any ground as pen is always caught between ‘dao and gun.’
In the land of engineers and doctors, very few youngsters take up the challenge of joining the profession of journalism. I say, it is a challenge to join media industry in Arunachal because journalists are paid meager salary and are forced to work under duress. Not a single day passes off without media houses getting abusive or threatening calls. If they don’t get satisfied with abusing calls, group of persons comprising 15 or 20 members lands up in office and threatens the journalists at dao point to carry their news. The presidents and secretaries of various unions, associations, organizations, etc treat journalists as their personal assistants and try to dictate terms. Their most common dialogue is, “Ladka log bohut gussa mein hain, main control kar raha hun. News ko chap do, nahi to ladka log kuch bhi kar sakta hain.” The funny part is that these same unions, associations, organizations, who keep on threatening media houses, emerge out first to condemn, if any attack takes place. No doubt, journalists need their support in the hours of crisis, but it would be great on their part if they take a pledge that they will let media work freely.
The July 15 shooting incident has shaken the basic foundation of Arunachal journalism. Tongam Rina is one of the few journalists who withstood all problems and upholds the spirit of journalism in the state. 12 days has passed off and still Press fraternity of state is wondering why was Tongam attacked? Journalists of Arunachal maintain very low profile and are one of the less paid professionals. What will people gain by attacking the hapless group of professionals like journalist? Citizen always expect Press fraternity to present truth but if journalists are greeted with bullets and dao’s, then how can truth be exposed?
Very few people take up journalism as a career in Arunachal, however, if present trend of intimidation and bullying continues media will have premature death in the state. The overwhelming support to Press fraternity of state in the wake of attack on Tongam has, somewhat, healed the wound and has encouraged media persons to continue serving the people of state. But, this should not end here. For now the pen is caught between ‘dao and gun’, it is up to the people of Arunachal whether they want pen to ‘pen down’ the voice of poor Arunachalee in true sense.
Itanagar, Jul 26: Security forces have arrested three Maoists, all hailing from Tinsukia district of neighbouring Assam, from Lohit district, the sources said today. In a joint operation, personnel of the Assam Rifles and Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested the three from Kaupatani village under Mahadevpur police station yesterday evening.
Extortion notes, three mobile phone sets and seven sim cards were seized from their possession. The arrested Maoists have been identified as Nipenjyoti Chetia, Totong Neog, and Jintu Chetai, the sources said.
This is the second arrest of Maoists cadres from Mahadevpur after that of four others on August 17 last year. An insurgent of United Democratic Front of Bodoland (UDFB), Bitu Chakma, was also arrested from Namsai area of the district yesterday and operation against the underground elements were on, the sources said.
Four Maoists were killed in an encounter with a joint team of security personnel in Borgoria area of Assam’s Tinsukia district on May 9 last and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered. PTI
NAHARLAGUN, Jul 26: “Let the law take its own course to expose lawbreakers, so that the civil society may be assured that no one is above the law,” said Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso today. He said ‘our cooperation alone would facilitate early nailing down of the gunman who attacked The Arunachal Times associate editor Tongam Rina.’
The MLA said that the investigations into the cases of attacks on media persons and media houses of the state should be taken to their logical conclusions to bring the handful of lawbreakers to book. He further said “We should all stand united and work together to not allow a few disgruntled elements to hold the society to ransom by their divisive acts.” In his fervent appeal to one and all, particularly the media fraternity, the lawmaker urged them to not serve ultimatums to the police or act in any manner that may divert their energy from investigation to maintain law and order.
The MLA also lauded the police department, particularly Capital police led by SP Hibu Tamang for nabbing 10 persons in Arunachal Times vandalism case.
“It is highly appreciable that all sections of the society extended their cooperation in making the breakthrough in the April 15 Arunachal Times vandalism case,” the MLA added.
Communication has no boundary: Kapoor
NAHARLAGUN, Jul 26: Rajiv Gandhi University acting Vice Chancellor Prof K C Kapoor today said the study of Mass Communication is not confined within the classroom rather the student have to go beyond their imagination to know and gain the knowledge of communication. While drawing a distinction between the words ‘mass’ and ‘communication’, he emphasized that each word has to be seen in their distinct context.
Speaking at the orientation programme organized by the Department of Mass Communication at RGU Extension Centre Naharlagun, Prof Kapoor said that the students of mass communication should learn different principles of communication to achieve knowledge beyond boundaries. Equating education and teaching with the discipline of mass communication, he said that in today’s society information is knowledge and one has to strengthen the information resources to communicate with the masses.
Appreciating the untiring efforts of the department, he acknowledged that with bare minimum faculty strength, the department is leaving no stone unturned to produce trained media persons for the state each year. Prof. Kapoor also appreciated the efforts of the Centre for Cultural Research & Documentation (CCRD) for collaborating with the University since the department’s inception in 2004.
CCRD chairperson M Riba while congratulating all the students and faculties said that she hoped for a time when communication students will be provided opportunity to do research in various communications related topics within the state with the help of the two institutions.
Editor, Arunachal Front Pradeep Kumar while delivering the “Orientation Day Lecture”, explained about the role and responsibility of media for the society and said Press being the fourth pillar of democracy has to be transparent and clear while disseminating information to the masses. Any information should be accurate and true. He charted the history of the media in the State and highlighted the challenges that it faces even today.
HOD (i/c) Sunil Koijam earlier spoke on the significance of the programme and shared the department’s commitment of creating a body of responsible media persons who can serve the state.
As part of the Orientation programme, the department also welcomed its two new faculty members Teli Yami and Nawaz Khan. Films made by current students were screened during the Orientation programme, which is the 9th edition of event.
A new feature of the event this year is the start of the department’s Dikrong Student Film Awards that will recognize talent in Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Actor in Best Supporting Role. While this award will initially be limited to the Department, as more colleges create departments of Communication, it will become a University level competition.
(Contributed by the students of Mass Communication deptt, RGU)
‘Asmi’ opens exclusive showroom in Arunachal
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: Prominent jewellery brand ‘Asmi’ has opened its 1st exclusive Showroom in Arunachal Pradesh on 15th of this month. Situated at Tem Taying Building near Youth Hostel Naharlagun, the showroom store spreads across 700 sqft.
The store offers entire range of jewellery sub-
The idea of bringing Asmi showroom to Arunachal was conceptualize by two young women entrepreneur, namely, Tadar Jimpy and Tam Rija, the proud owner of the showroom. Expressing satisfaction over launch of showroom, the two ladies stated, “We are very happy that our customers in Arunachal Pradesh will have an access to our exclusive store in their city and can have a unique place to experience wide range of diamond jewellery collection which is contemporary, distinctive, affordable at multiple price points.”
Noted Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra is the brand ambassador of the Asmi jewellery.
Some of the prominent collections available at the store include Sagaee -
Union conducts social service, renovates road
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: All Pakke-
Citizens of area like Tadap Nabam, Kameng Dolo Ex-
The social service was conducted under the guidance of Dony Taching, General Secretary
(APPDSU) cum-
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
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All rights reserved.
News Impact
Cash reward stands
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: The cash reward of Rs 2 lakh announced by the Arunachal Pradesh Police for giving information or clue leading to arrest of the assailant/s of Tongam Rina, Associate Editor of The Arunachal Times still stands. The identity of the informer/s will be kept secret. The informer/s may contact Capital SP Hibu Tamang at tele. numbers : 09436040006/9856060490.
Orgs condemn attack on journalist
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: Condemnations on attempt on the life of the Associate Editor of this daily are still pouring in from nook and corner of the state.
Describing the gun attack on Associate Editor Tongam Rina as a rarest of rare case
in Arunachal Pradesh, the Ramle Bango Gaon Burah Association in a release said that
the incident has sent a shock-
“The brutal attack on the journalist in broad day light in the heart of the capital city is an insult to the Home Department, the GB Association said and demanded the State Government to refer the case to CBI in case the state police fails to make any breakthrough into the case. The Kameng Lawyers Association (KLA) has vehemently condemned the attacked on Tongam Rina, a senior journalist and termed the incident as a cowardice act.
The Association has called on state Govt to transfer the case to CBI so that culprit/s
can be arrested at the earliest and awarded exemplary punishment. The Association
also appealed the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh not to encourage such anti-
Early completion of road works demanded
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation, (AAPPTF) Tawang district unit met BRTF officials at Jung recently.
In a memorandum to BRTF officials, the AAPPTF unit demanded systematic road cutting from Jung, Rama camp to Tawang in 20 days time and early completion of the said stretch of road.
AAPPTF said that public transport providers, public and tourists are facing problems due to unsystematic road cutting. Meanwhile, responding to their demands, the BRTF officials assured early completion of various roads within Tawang district.
Mading Tayeng’s death condoled
ITANAGAR, July 26: Arunachal Vikash Parishad office bearers condoled the demise of Mading Tayeng, former president of Central Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang , Pasighat.
Tayeng was a dedicated worker of CDPYK and indigenous faith movement in Arunachal. He dedicated his life for social cause, worked for the fast spreading of Donyi Polo movement in the society. It will be very hard to fill the void created due to his death. He always patronized the work done by AVP.
Tayeng Welfare Society also mourned the demise of its member Mading Tayeng. The society termed the demise of Mading as an irreparable loss to the society.
North East states are having an epidemic of Tobacco related illness
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: A high power delegation led by Special Secretary Keshav Desiraju with other senior members of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), including Joint Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin, Director Amal Pusp, Chief Medical Officer Dr. L Swasticharan of MoHFW aims to sensitize the policy makers and various stake holders in the North East region with particular reference to implementation of COTPA and FSSAI Regulation (2.3.4).
The delegation will also share some of the effective strategies that have emerged as game changers in tobacco control movement in India. One such move is to ban Gutkha and tobacco containing Pan Masala under FSSAI 2006.
‘Take corrective measures’
ITANAGAR, July 26: Bharatiya Janata Party, Anjaw district unit today demanded corrective measures for immediate supply of essential commodities in the Anjaw district.
Demanding airdropping of essential commodities in Anjaw district to mitigate the suffering of the people, the BJP district unit said that the natural calamities have badly affected the road communication in the district. The people of the district, including Govt employees are facing acute shortage of essential commodities including food items due to disruption in road communication, it said. Moreover, skyrocketing prices of essential commodities particularly rice have crippled the life of the commonmen, the party unit added.
Rectify the criteria: NYWA
ITANAGAR, July 26: Nyishi Youth Welfare Association (NYWA) has strongly opposed the
certain criteria mentioned in annexure-
Describing the criteria unjustified especially for tribal people in state like Arunachal Pradesh, the association appealed to the authority concerned to rectify the same.
AEKSU sticks to its demand
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: The All East Kameng Students Union (AEKSU), in a meeting, unanimously decided not to accept the apology tendered by the then executive engineer of PHED, Seppa.
While deciding to stick to its earlier demand for action against the EE as per FIR lodged against him for the alleged irregularity in construction of WTP, AEKSU also nullified the joint press statement of AEKSU, EKSWCO and PHED published in local dailies on July 9, according to a release issued by general secretary Katung Gyadi.
AEKSU also questioned the credibility of the Public Account Sub-
Check domestic use of LPG: Union
ITANAGAR, Jul 26: In view of the prevailing crisis of cooking gas in Likabali area, the All West Siang Border Students Union urged the administration to check use of domestic gas cylinders in commercial purposes.
A delegation of the union recently apprised the district administration about the problem faced by the people of Likabali area due to shortage in supply of LPG.
Crisis of LPG, which has become chronic problems in North East, including Arunachal Pradesh, is likely to be continued for few months, the Union said and appealed to the consumers to reduce LPG consumption by judiciously using the fuel.
State level Scouters and Guiders workshop
ITANAGAR, July 26: A week-
Altogether 45 participants including staff took part in the workshop. The subject matters of the workshop included first aid, maping, estimation, troop/company meeting, Yoga for qualitative improvement for Scouts and Guides. Other objective of the workshop was to produce Rajya Puraskar and Rashtrapati Puraskar Awardees.
Ensure regular power supply
Dear Editor,
For last few decades, the power consumers have been facing great problems due to erratic power supply in the Capital Complex and the problems is yet to be solved. On the other hand, the consumers are receiving electricity bills every month which is not fair enough.
There is a helpline number provided by power houses, but the response we get is not satisfactory. The time of their daily load shedding keeps on changing everyday. It severely affects the students and also the daily life of the citizens of capital complex.
I personally request the authorities to ensure regular supply of electricity in the Capital Complex to lessen the problems of common people particularly the student community.
Yours’
Geri Koyu
Naharlagun
Appeal to capital administration
Dear Editor,
It is unjustified on the part of the district authority to seek ‘No Land Holding’ certificate from the applicants while applying for land allotment in Capital Complex.
The procedures for applying/getting land allotment have been mentioned in the Land Settlement Rule Book 2002 (Sl. 127 ‘a’ & ‘b’) only for those landless people, particularly Artisans and Peasants. But there is no clear cut rules mentioned in the Land Settlement Rule Book 2002 for land allotment for commercial and other purposes.
I, therefore, appeal to the Capital administration to look into the matter seriously in the greater interest of genuine applicants. I further appeal to the administration to honor the land allotment decision which has already been approved by the state government. The genuine land applicants should not be harassed in the name of streamlining the land allotment system and by adding new criteria, which would only deprive the genuine ones.
Yours,
Toko Teki
Nyokum Lapang, Itanagar
Renewable energy sector & job opportunities
It is believed that solar energy companies could be the major destination for those who are seeking job in energy sector as the solar energy industry will need around 1 lakh population by the 2022 to fulfill the targets of 20,000 MW of installed capacity under the National Solar Mission.
Unlike the other power projects, the implementation of solar power projects takes only few months. There are also foreign investment banks, which are investing heavily in solar energy sector, and hopefully there has been huge increase in demand for skilled and trained manpower from solar industry.
According to a report, the renewable energy deals also hit record high in 2011. It signals a maturing of the renewable market all over the globe, but 2012 might still be a tough one for the market as the industry grapples with a slow economic scene.
The report said that global renewable energy deals climbed 40 per cent to a record high of $53.5 billion last year from $38.2 billion in 2010, as solar, wind and energy efficiency overtook hydropower as the main deal drivers for the first time.
But, the renewable sector could face a tough 2012. US and European manufacturers will be under increasing cost pressures, the report said.
However, with strategic and mission-
