June 05
CASH REWARD STANDS
The cash reward of Rs 10 lakhs 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 at tele. numbers : 09436040006
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APIC verdict goes in favour of applicants
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: In a landmark judgement pronounced recently, the Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission (APIC) upheld the view that the Answer scripts/award sheets sought by RTI applicants cannot be denied from the disclosure by treating the same as personal information and confidential.
While delivering its verdict/order on May 27 last on the Case numbers (APIC-
TWS mourns death of a member
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: The Tagin Welfare Society (TWS) has mourned the sudden demise of Talin Mara alias Delin Mara who passed away on May 23 last at Naharlagun.
Late Talin was killed when a loaded truck with the registration no. ARC-
Saying that Capital district administration has restricted the movement of heavy vehicles in the capital during office hours, TWS has appealed the district administration to look into the death registered at Nlg PS case no. 68/2013 U/S 279/304 (A) IPC and to award exemplary punishment to the truck driver.
In the release, it said, the district administration should check whether the driver is equipped with valid documents.
It should also adhere to its order about not letting heavy vehicles in to the town area.
Activate BSNL tower: ZPM
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: In a letter addressed to the general manager Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited here, Zilla Parishad Member of Upper Balijan today pleaded the authority to make the tower functional which was erected by said department years ago. ZPM said that tower is going to be dilapidated if the authority does not pay attention.
Inter school extempore speech
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: The Environmental Protection Society (EPS) today organized an inter school extempore speech competition to mark World Environment Day in Tawang.
The competition was participated by 5 schools from the district. The topics for the competition centered on preservation and conservation of the environment.
The program was also supported by the Tawang Public School.
Newly elected ASMs take oath of office
PASIGHAT, Jun 04: All the 31 newly elected Anchal Samity Members of Bogong and Bosing
Banggos took the oath of office administered by the EAC-
Further, Oman Boko and Alen Tanning from Bosing-
Later, Jamoh briefed them on devolution of power and functions to the Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI). He advised them to follow guidelines and carry out developmental activities at grassroots level for faster development in rural areas.
RHYF reacts at Forum’s claim
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: Reacting against the 12th Pakke-
Society condemns extortion & threat
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: The Rotgo Banggo Welfare Society of Yingkiong in Upper Siang district has vehemently condemned the extortion and physical attack on employees of GTT Pvt Ltd who are constructing a bridge over Siang River. It said that over the last few months, the employees of said company were being physically assaulted and demanded money by few vested people and organizations. It further said that extortion and physical threat to employees is hampering the ongoing project from completion. Earlier society has submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner demanding the arrest of persons behind the crime, a release said.
Death mourned
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: The All India DRDA Staff Welfare Association Arunachal Pradesh State Unit has mourned the demise of its member H K Chutia who passed away on May 16 last at Lepajaring Polling Station, under Taliha Circle in Upper Subansiri district while on Panchayat Raj Election duty.
H K Chutia was SAO in DRDA, Daporijo.
In a release, the association remembered Late H K Chutia as one of the most lovable, knowledgeable, cooperative and friendly senior officer who rendered his service for DRDA and for the state till his last breath.
Offering condolence to the bereaved family, it further prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Meanwhile, saying that late Chutia was sick when he was deputed for election duty, the Association in an appeal submitted to the State Election Commissioner has asked for immediate release of appropriate compensation and other benefits as per provision to the deceased’s family and to initiate proper investigation into his death.
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324 days have passed. The culprits involved in the July 15 attack on The Arunachal Times associate editor Tongam Rina are still at large.
News Impact
ANSU demands independent HM, serves ultimatum
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) today served six days ultimatum to state government to fulfill its demands and threatened to go for 12 hours capital bandh on June 11 next if the government fails to address their demands within the given time.
The ANSU demanded appointment of Independent Home Minister, additional police stations at Itanagar and Naharlagun, a women police station in state capital and installation of CCTV cameras in all strategic location/ areas of capital complex. These demands are disclosed to mediaperson by ANSU team headed by its President Sikka Gapak, Vice President Tagru Tame and General Secretary Arjun Panye in a press conference held here today.
Addressing the mediapersons, Gapak said the union had served an ultimatum to government few days back demanding arrest of the culprit/s involved in the murder of an engineering student Bomjen Gapak but the police couldn’t nab the culprit till today. And apart from this the state, particularly the state capital has witnessed unprecedented cases of murder, dacoity, rape and other heinous crimes in recent past.
He urged the government for establishment of additional Police Station at Itanagar and Naharlagun and a women police station in capital complex.
Meanwhile, briefing about the activities being carried out by ANSU for the welfare of the society and its people, he said the state government need to look after the law and order situation and demanded the government for appointment of an independent Home Minister as early as possible.
He also demanded the government for installation of CCTV cameras in all strategic points and areas of state capital.
ANSU General Secretary Arjun Panye said, the state capital is not safe as the crime rate is increasing and it reached its zenith.
Referring to the recent murder of Bomjen, near Legi complex, Itanagar he said the crime rate seems to be rising since Tongam Rina shooting case.
He further added that numbers of youths are roaming in the state capital with arms but no any action has been initiated by the government in this regard.
Regarding sudden flee of Deputy Commissioner of East Kameng District from his posting place, Panye said the government needs to give explanation in this regard as his sudden flee has create confusion to general masses.
And regarding frequent eviction drive being carried out by Assam officials in Arunachal
Pradesh at Assam-
While, ANSU Vice President Tagru Tame also briefing about the failure of the state
government regarding law and order problem said numbers of crime cases are still
pending and victims’ families are crying for justice but there is no any response
from the government which compel us to take-
He also briefing about recent Koloriang election incident urged the government to find out the real cause of the incident.
Tongam Rina
Itanagar witnessed yet another death. The sheer brutality was numbing. One is left wondering how the family of Late Bomjen Gapak must be coping with this mindless violence.
As one battles anger, there are many questions that come to mind. A young man was brutally murdered and another injured. Why are not our streets safe anymore for anyone? Why cant we go out as and when we wish without having to worry about our safety? Where are the Police and administration?
We have seen spate of violence in the last few years. Yet, nothing moves the government. Are they in touch with reality?
On the other hand, Police can’t be forever blaming lack of resources for their failure. They have repeatedly failed themselves and us.
And what about the judiciary? Why is that even after charge sheets are filed, it take ages for the courts to come up with a verdict.
One has to accept that things have changed and Arunachal is not the island of peace anymore. Today it is one of the most violent places.
Intimidations, threats, violence and revenge killing have become a way of life and many families are affected. We can’t brush aside these as personal problems. They are not personal anymore. It is a disease today with no treatment in sight.
How do we stop this from happening? There must be a way out.
For a change, the government must wake up and atleast try and figure out what ails our society. To start with, the government has to admit that it has failed to provide security to the people of the state. And it cannot afford to remain as a mere spectator to the growing violence in the state.
Most recently, an APCS officer was beaten up. There are no arrests made.
Were those responsible for the death of a person during Panchayat elections in Kurung Kumey ever taken to task?
For how long the family of young engineering student has to wait till those responsible for his death are arrested?
Yours truly wait for answers.
Perhaps people at the helms of affairs will not bother with a response but as a citizen, I will still ask. Those people who are paid to look after the security and the wellbeing of the citizens have to ask themselves whether they are genuinely doing their job or satisfied blaming the system and lack of resources for their miserable failure.
Police has a job. Its job is to ensure security to the common people, not VIPs alone. At its best, Police in Arunachal play the role of negotiators. If they fail, they harass the victims with all kinds of theories while they let out the perpetrators of violence.
Sometimes one is left confused at the role of the police. This time the apparent excuse is that there are no CCTV footages. Blame is on the Power Department. But even in cases where there are clear footages, the police have not been able to come up with anything worthwhile.
One can only hope that there is some coordination between the law keepers and enforcers. We cannot afford to ignore violence anymore. If guilties are not punished, it will only embolden criminals to commit more crimes and violence will become a way of life.
CM seeks special package for minorities
ITANAGAR, Jun 04: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki appealed to the Ministry of Minority Affairs to consider a Special Package for the minorities in Arunachal Pradesh in addition to the allocation of Rs. 260 crore provided by the ministry under the Multi Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP).
Tuki, who called on Union Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan and his deputy
Ninong Ering at New Delhi today, emphasized on the identification and creation of
more minority blocks in the state for overall development of the minorities. He also
sought adequate coverage of the state under scholarships and grant in aid schemes
of the Ministry including Pre -
The Union Minister assured the full co-
Later in the day, the Chief Minister called on the Union Home Secretary designate, Anil Goswami at his North Block office.
They discussed matters pertaining to the internal security of the state. Goswami told the Chief Minister that he would visit the state on June 11 to take a comprehensive review of the situation in the state. Goswami, a 1978 batch IAS officer of Jammu & Kashmir cadre is slated to take charge as Union Home Secretary on June 30 and is presently functioning as Officer on Special Duty in the Home Ministry. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Education Minister Bosiram Siram and Chief Secretary Hare Krishna Paliwal for the meetings.
We were better off as simple minded people
Tai Dora
There was a time when our tribal people were completely dependent on shifting cultivation and hunting to meet their daily requirements, either for food, medicine, building materials and for religious purposes. In those times, we people were so much in harmony with forest that we had a great deal of respect for it, even giving them the status of god (Animism). The method of exploiting natural resource was completely sustainable. And we had a deep sense of understanding of the forest and its animals.
The Nyishi people believed that killing Hornbill when they are rearing young chicks was a taboo. Tiger was considered to be our blood brother, so killing it was a taboo too. Similarly, felling a Ficus (Peepal) tree was also a taboo, as it was believed that it will bring bad omen to the family. Fishing was done using traditional and natural way which hardly had much impact on their population. It was also believed that if someone hunts too often and kills many animals, his children will be cursed by being like one of those animals.
I don’t know how these taboos originated, but it does have a very scientific basis. While, raising young chicks, the entire family of Hornbill’s completely depend on father for their food. Killing it will undermine the future population of the birds. Since the Nyishi people are traditionally dependent on them (they put Hornbill beak on their traditional headgear), so they maintained a sustainable use of the resource. Tigers play a vital role in ecosystem by checking herbivore population. And the Ficus (Peepal) tree supports a huge variety of flora and fauna in itself, like insects, rodents, birds, bryophytes, epiphytes etc. Using toxic herbs found locally to suffocate fishes was one of the common ways of fishing. The poison of the herb was short lived, didn’t have major impact on the ecosystem and was safe for human. Over hunting obviously have its negative side.
Many such taboos are also to be found in different tribes of the state which in one way or the other played a vital role of sustainable utilization of natural resource.
What is Sustainable Utilization? In laymen language, it is utilizing any resource in such a manner that it doesn’t get completely exhausted or finishes with time. However, today it is a different world. Literacy, religious revolution and modernization was supposed to make us a good human being, instead, today we are worse than our illiterate forefathers. Today all we care about is money, money and more money. We have become more and more greedy. Today we see forest and wild animals merely as a source of income only. We have lost all the respect of the natural resources which supported lives of our ancestors.
Hunting is just for fun and for business. People don’t care if the wild animals are
going extinct. And a person like me who talks about conservation is nothing but an
amusement. Rich people buy sophisticated weapons, villagers use 12 bore gun and children
use air gun/catapult to hunt animals and birds. For many, hunting is a way of business-
It is a common practice of offering “wild meat” to public leaders or govt. officials
to gain favour in the form of contracts works or clearance of pending bills. Wild
meats are openly sold in almost every part of the state and unfortunately the demand
is ever increasing. Getting a gun license and un-
People laugh at me saying I am opposed to development, and that I should live in forest instead of towns and cities, and also that I shouldn’t use modern facilities. People like me are never opposed to the development. But there must be a balance between development and conservation. Many people don’t know about the concept of compensatory afforestation. It means the authority that destroys forest while implementing any project is legally bound to compensate its loss by creating another forest (plantation) somewhere else. However, in practice the compensatory afforestation takes place only in official files. As a result, forest cover of our state is decreasing day by day.
It is still not too late for our people to realize the importance of nature and its resource. If only our illiterate forefathers could educate their literate children about the concept of understanding, respect and sustainable utilization of nature and natural resources. Who was more educated? I wonder. (The writer is Range Forest Officer with Govt of AP)
Think before you eat and save the environment
Jeffrey Reneau
Today we celebrate the World Environment Day. It is one of the principal vehicles through which billions around the globe raise awareness to take positive environmental action. Corrective action and a global commitment to climate change, global warming, good environmental governance, ecosystem management and resource efficiency is not just important but inevitable for ensuring a better and more sustainable life for future generations.
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day as earmarked by the United Nations
is Think. Eat. Save – an anti-
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 1.3 billion tons of
food is wasted every year. This is the same amount of food produced in the whole
of sub-
But no country can boast sustainable development and environmental action without channeling the youth towards positive change. Young people comprise more than half the world’s population and I am always impressed by the innovative solutions they are finding to address the many challenges affecting them, their communities and the world.
The U.S. Consulate Kolkata works with these young students, NGOS, youth wings of
local chambers of commerce, business organizations and community groups in their
ongoing green initiatives. From park clean-
This year’s World Environment Day theme – Think. Eat. Save – encourages us to be more aware of the lifestyle choices we make. What we choose to buy. What we choose to eat or not eat. It asks us to be mindful of the environment impact of our choices and encourages us to make more informed decisions. This World Environment Day let’s think before we eat, waste less and work together to save our planet! ( The writer is Acting Consul General, U.S. Consulate General, Kolkata)
Ratnadip Choudhuri bags the Northeast Environmental Journalism Award 2013
Itanagar, Jun 04: Ratnadip Choudhuri, Principal Correspondent with Tehelka, has bagged the Northeast Environmental Journalism Award, 2013, organised by Assam Times, the organisers have informed. This is the first edition of the award, which will be handed to the recipient at the Guwahati Press Club on 5 June, World Environment Day by eminent members of the media and research communities. The award ceremony will be held at 1 pm.
This award, initiated by Assam Times, is for journalists in the northeast reporting on issues of the environment that are critical to the people of the region. “This award is to facilitate and encourage consistency and commitment to environmental journalism in the northeast, something that is so crucial for this region. We congratulate Ratnadip on his excellence and as the winner of this award,” said Babul Gogoi, Managing Editor of Assam Times.
“The need is to link science and policy in environmental reporting so that the reader is aware informed about how we, as humans, interact with our surroundings and not just nature. This region is developing fast and it is imperative that we understand how we develop in harmony with our environment. The media plays critical role in this and we would like to enhance this role through the award,” said Kazu Ahmed, Trustee of the Assam Times Foundation.
The winner, Ratnadip Choudhuri, hails from Tripura and holds a masters degree in journalism from Tripura University. He has previously worked with a range or media organisations including Northeast Sun, BBC, NewsX, News Live etc.
Assam Times is a new media collective facilitating a democratic media through community and citizen journalism. It is based in Guwahati and New Delhi.
Congress wins two AS chairpersons in Ruksin
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Jun 04: Ruling Congress, which faced tough contest with BJP in the Panchayat election in three blocks under Pasight West constituency, has finally managed to bag two Anchal Samity Chairperson Seats and the rest was won by BJP.
The ruling party candidate won the Ruksin (reserved for women) and Bilat blocks,
and Sille-
A lady ASM Aruni Libang (Jamoh), elected from Ngorlung –I Anchal faced a tough contest
with the BJP ASM elected from Ngorlung-
Both the ruling party and opposition BJP were in tizzy state for the AS chairperson in Ruksin block as each of them had won five seats out of the total 10. But, significantly, a BJP anchal member avoided the vote battle to ensure win for the ruling party candidate.
In Bilat block, ASM Bade Siram (INC) has been elected as AS chairperson, who beat his opponent the BJP ASM Tabir Tatan by a margin of single vote.
Likewise, BJP anchal member Oing Taloh elected from Rani-
It is pertaining to mention here that BJP, which claimed to have a stronghold in the constituency, couldn’t manage to capture even a single ZP seat out in three blocks. The humiliating defeat of the lone opposition in the constituency has shown the real strength of the opposition.
New Anchal chairperson assures judicious use of dev fund
The newly elected Anchal Somiti chairperson of Ruksin, Aruni Libang (Jamoh) has assured to promote transparency and accountability in the panchayat department.
While replying to a set of queries related to the panchayat and rural development, Aruni promised for proper implementation of the panchayat schemes so that the benefits of development percolate down to the needy and lowest strata of the society. She also stressed on judicious use of panchayat funds meant for various construction works.
Aruni, a housewife at Ngorlung village, was neither a member of any political party nor was she an active member of any social organization before she was elected as ASM.
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
-
All rights reserved.
Grateful for the lesson
Dear Editor,
Sri Nabam Tuki lives up to his reputation as a true gentleman by taking opinions
and suggestions gracefully. As a Democrat, he takes criticism in positive way and
hopefully will rectify wherever shortcomings are prevalent. After all govt is reposted
with the mandate to serve the people therefore it has no time to reply or fight with
every citizen. One of the CM's staff enthusiastically & dutifully responded to an
article which was an opinion based on overall observation which may be right or wrong
depending on perception. In National media & rest of the Country such opinions appear
every day. But, here it was taken as a political statement made through press conference.
May be the messenger becomes the object not the message itself. Anyway, I'm grateful
for the lesson of the concept of "State" from Wikipedia. I'm unfortunate that by
the time Wikipedia was launched in 2001 by Jimmy Wales & Larry Sanger as a Web-
As regards the tremendous response I received from the people, I have to say that a state on its own never fails. It all depends on the people or the govt who runs the State.
Yours
Kiren Rijiju
Former MP
Mowb-
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of concerned authority
towards the dilapidated road condition of Mowb-
Yours,
Hage Ankha
VKV Itanagar
Stop making fool out of yourself
Dear Editor,
This is in response to the letters by Mr. and Mr. regarding articles and counter articles by our former MP and political Secy. to CM Mr. K. Rijiju and Mr. BamangTago respectively. I believe, 99% of common citizens of this state share the same feelings as expressed by Mr. Nano Tato and Mr. M. Padu.We, the common people of the state, are the one who face real Arunachal every single day. Letters by Mr. Nano Tato and Mr. M. Padu was just like “mere muh ki baat chin li”. It shows the frustration of common people. Yes you people were very right, public cannot be fooled by their sweet talks or by statistics. I don’t know what was the so called “leaders” was upto, but one thing is for sure that their idea backfired. An open debate will be much better I guess. I am glad that our common state mates are getting more and more aware of the cheap tactics of politicians. My sincere request to Mr. K.Rijiju and Mr. B. Tago is to stop making fool out of yourself, while trying to fool the common mass. And kudos to Mr. Nano Tato and Mr. M. Padu for expressing their valuable thoughts, may we get to read more such responses from the common people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Yours,
T Chuka
We are citizens not slaves
Dear Editor,
We Arunachalees have an odd habit of groveling at the government’s feet. Whenever a problem crops up, our first instinct is to complain — and then ask the government to do something about it. This is no excuse for government not to do its job — but we have jobs to do, too. We are citizens, not slaves.
Being a citizen doesn’t just mean you get to vote. To begin with, voting is in itself a responsibility, not a privilege — we need to be careful who we vote for, because we are choosing leaders for our community. But more than voting, being a citizen means we have a stake in this country’s future.
That means that whatever problems we have, are problems for us to solve. We elect a government to solve them for us — but that does not absolve us from responsibility for these problems. More than that, many of these problems may have no governmental solutions.
But the way we treat our problems, it’s as if they’re none of our business. We are usually reduced to begging the government to do something for us, instead of acting like independent adults.
What do gambling, gang violence, drinking, teenage sex, racism and sexism have in common? They are all social ills. That means they are fundamental problems for society — not governments to solve. Government can throw all the gamblers, gangsters, drunkards, libertines, racists and sexists in jail and throw away the key. But government alone cannot stamp out the root social ills that produced these people. In many developed countries, they have Alcoholics Anonymous to support recovering alcoholics. Instead of forming community support groups, when Arunachalis want to stamp out alcoholism, we go to the government. For my part, I have little faith in politicians as politics and government are necessary evils, and nothing more. Government is only necessary because of a weak society. If we were more thoughtful about charitable giving, would we need welfare? If we were more thoughtful about our driving, would we need speed limits or the traffic police? If we were better citizens, we wouldn’t need better politicians.
To some degree, we will always need government. To me, it is purely a colonial mindset that we should be going to government over every little problem. An enslaved nation has no civil society. Its people are slaves to the colonial government; they have no power to act for themselves. It is perfectly natural that they ask the government to solve their every little problem, and that the government feels free to stick its nose in every little thing.
As free men and women, there is no reason to behave like slaves. Yes, we should engage in civil discussion with our government — but as owners of the country and its problems, not as whiny children needing government to tell us what must be done. It is our job to tell government what we want, and how we want it to be done. It boggles my mind that we have been a free nation for over 50 years, and we do not have an independent civil society group in Arunachal that seeks to represent our voice.
We talk all the time about reforming our legal and political institutions. But our governmental institutions are only one part of the bigger picture.
For our free society to thrive, we need civil and social institutions that stand apart from government. We need citizens who, when they see a problem, take action. We need civil society and so much more.
Let us live like free citizens of a free nation, not the dependent slaves of a colony.
Yours,
Medox Tasing
Mumbai
Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) or Mithun Breeding Centre (MBC)?
Dear Editor,
Rajiv Gandhi University, a recognized central university is the pride of state. However of late it seems more like 'Mithun breeding' centre then grooming the 'scholars and students'. One can clearly watch 'Mithuns' playing football on the university ground with human players. The young children who want to have glimpse of our exotic state animal they just have to enter the university campus and enjoy the glimpse instead of going to jungle. I keep wandering, is this university for students and scholars or is it a Mithun breeding centre?
A lone highest learning institute like RGU must maintain its decorum. There are many good points about the university. But why should we spoil ourselves with praises when we must act and concentrate upon our demerits and work over them, overcome it and then strive to become an exemplary University like any other best universities.
My every intention is to bring issues which I have witnessed myself. I hope the concerned authorities and the state government will look into this matter.
Yours,
Joram Aatum
RGU, Rono Hills
Beware of magic bullets by politicians
Dear Editor,
This is in response to the article titled “Ignorance is the last excuse for getting cheap publicity” written by Bamang Tago political secretary to CM. Well his research and hard work seems crystal clear with defining the term failed state by going all through the Wikipedia, his work on data’s and statistics of our state, including not so well knitted examples of other states. All in a desperate reaction to the previous article written by former M.P Kiren Rijiju titled “Is Arunachal Pradesh a failed state?”
Let me make myself pure by proclaiming no affiliation to any of the two political
ideologies. First, what he -
The very notion of development doesn’t means exclusive, rather it means inclusive, embracing every sections of the society and accepting their day to day problems. Ironically, If Maharashtra doesn’t includes those poor farmers committing suicide each year, and the tribals living in sheer hardships, then with its glamorous and glittering cities like Mumbai and Pune, it deems fit to be called as developed. Today, Naxalites in the tribal belts of Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal and now claiming to be in the neighboring areas of Assam are posing a serious threat to the hard earned democracy of the nation. Can Mr. Bamang as well as Mr. Rijiju stand up together and accept that it is the result of the blunder made by both Congress and BJP governments through excessive capitalist agenda.
As for our state, one thing I can agree is that on the account of day to day crimes and skirmishes, we can’t measure the parameters of a peaceful or failed state. Since, it’s something to do with the failure of human mind and nature, where government holds least control; it’s the collective responsibility of the society in terms of developing a fine culture. Besides, the writer has also talked about the cosmopolitan nature of our twin city, citing the examples of Sunday market. I thought cosmopolitan has to do something with the exchange of intellectual knowledge between students from the outside studying in our institutions, the exchange of employees and human resources in terms of multinational companies. In our state, does this cosmopolitan means, traders selling pots and pans from the neighboring Lakhimpur area and those Bangladeshi labourers? Great!
likewise, It’s not immoral to own or buy a property in any part of the world but it can be termed wrong, if procured, when your own people, whom you promised to look after, is kept fending for itself, without proper road, drinking and electricity facilities. Now tell me how it can be a sign of prosperity? It may be an individual growth, not at all qualified to represent the growth of whole state. We do accept that growth is happening gradually, but one cannot assess this development sitting in a well decorated Air Conditioned room and surfing the internet feeling proud about the mere statistics and data’s. If one goes by this rule, then many of the fellow Arunachalees would be glad in saying, I have got more than one wife!
My argument is not to intensify the race of allegations or counter allegations. It’s all about accepting the truth and working out in a collective and responsible manner irrespective of professions and politics. The ethics of press in this regard seems surmountable; the job of criticism should not come from politicians, but from the press and media through free and bold attitude by representing the problems of the lower strata of the society, in a willful manner. Our beloved press is also expected to concentrate more on gate keeping process by scrutinizing such kind of articles (is it really an article?), which serves no interest to the genuine readers, defending and promoting only the political and influential classes. Here it reminds me of the words said by great Joseph Pulitzer that press should never belong to any party , never lack sympathy with the poor, never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutolatory or predatory poverty. Remember, the readers are not naive as being projected, to be fed by any bluff or made hypnotized by magic bullets spelled by these politicians.
Yours,
Taya Bagang,
RGU
Big firms should report environmental impact
A group of top global leaders including British Prime Minister David Cameron and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has said in its report that environment should be at the core of development plans.
Issued recently as part of a UN initiative to boost economic growth and ease poverty
by 2030, the 27-
"Without environmental sustainability, we cannot end poverty; the poor are too deeply
affected by natural disasters and too dependent on deteriorating oceans, forests
and soils," the panel said in its 100-
"We suggest that a mandatory 'comply or explain' regime be phased in for all companies with a market capitalization above $100 million equivalent," the panel's report said. "The same principle should apply to governments. National accounting for social and environmental effects should be mainstreamed by 2030."
The report said the Millennium Development Goals had made a lot of progress in reducing poverty. Even so, the 1.2 billion poorest people account for only 1 per cent of world consumption while the billion richest consume 72 per cent," it said.
And it pointed to new threats, including climate change. "We must act now to slow the alarming pace of climate change and environmental degradation, which pose unprecedented threats to humanity."