The Arunachal Times - Archives

APPSC to appeal, allows 6 rejected candidates to sit for mains

ITANAGAR, June 7: Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission is contemplating to appeal against the interim order of the High Court against its recent verdict where it pulled up the Commission for not allowing 27 candidates on flimsy grounds. Secretary Huzar Lollen said that the Commission is confident of getting a favourable verdict.

Acting on the Court order, however, the Commission has allowed the six candidates who approached the court to sit in the main exams. However, the fate of 21 others is not known. The exam starts from June 8.

He further informed that the Commission had rejected candidature of some for the APPSCCE (Main), 2010 for not fulfilling the conditions stipulated in the advertisement No. PSC-R/01-09, Dtd 19th August, 2009 and the Application Form for the APPSCCE (Main), 2010 and under Rule 10(e) of the APPSCCE Rules, 2001 making false or incorrect statement or suppressing material information.

1735 candidates were rejected during the preliminary examination on various grounds. After vehement pleadings by candidates and their guardians, commission relented to allow the candidates to take the said examination.

For the mains examination, 27 candidates were also rejected on various grounds. Of them, six candidates had knocked at the doors of justice after failing to convince the commission.

The Commission further taking exception to a portion of the article published in this daily in which a candidate had described her ordeal with the Commission, has termed it as a misinterpretation of facts.

He clarified that there is no woman candidate from Aalo in the rejected list of twenty-seven candidates.

ATNS adds: The place of domicile of the anguished applicant was inadvertently reflected as belonging to Aalo, West Siang District, for which we stand corrected. However, this daily stands by the circumstances cited in the story and will be only too willing to produce all documents that validate the story, as and when the need arises.

Training on financial rules, procedures and functions of DDOs

ITANAGAR, June 7: With the devolution financial powers government calls upon all the line departments including district administrations to work with dedication, devotion and live upto the expectation as well as aspiration of the people, said ATI (Trg) Pema Tshetan.

Inaugurating the week-long in-service training programme on "financial rules, procedures and functions of DDOs" at Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Naharlagun today, Tshetan reminded the officers that the government has been constantly stressing on effective execution of all centrally sponsored schemes, projects and timely submission of the utilization certificate so that the inflow of fund is not disturbed due to want of utilization certificate.

The government has recently reviewed the "Delegation of Financial Powers Rule 1978" in respect of Arunachal Pradesh through a high level committee and approved major modification of the Rule after 1978 and revised the quantum of financial powers to commensurate with the present price index in respect of all authorities under category "A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ to provide much needed relief as well as to speed up the pace of development in the state, he informed. Apart from revising the financial powers, the government also delegated special financial powers upto Rs. 15 lakh in each case for the level of Commissioners/ Secretaries in respect of ACA, SPA, DP, PABRGF, CSS etc. and Rs. One lakh and Rs. Two lakh respectively in each case for execution of "minor works" under the State Plan Budget for Directors/Secretaries, he said. "The main objective behind these major financial decisions of the government is to facilitate smooth and effective implementation of various government schemes/projects and minor works within the time frame," he added.

The Director cautioned the officers that while executing government fund they should be aware of the fact that all such financial transactions of the government departments are under close scrutiny of the executive through Public Account Committees as well as other State and Central Agencies. He urged the officers to be extra careful in handling government expenses to avoid any financial impropriety or irregularity in view of strict disciplinary action being considered by the Government for such lapse in the past.

As many as 26 officers from various head of departments, district administration holding the charge of drawal and disbursing officers (DDOs), head of officers (HoDs) besides few APCS officers of CO and EAC levels are attending the training, according to an ATI release.

TOP- 2010 enchants teachers at Wakro

WAKRO, June 7: “The results of a teacher’s work become visible only after 20 years, after a generation’s gap, as we can see from numerous historic events and social movements. Hence you as teachers shall not give up hope and abandon your commitment and efforts, to build up the citizens of tomorrow”, exhorted Lt. Col. D.N. Mullick, CO (Offg), 26 Maratha Light Infantry, as he delivered the Valedictory address of the 3rd Annual Teachers’ Orientation Programme (TOP 2010) for the private schools of Lohit district by ASSET, Wakro.

20 teachers from 6 schools of Lohit participated in the 4 days’ residential camp.

He also assured the full support of the Lohit Brigade in improving their teaching skills and educational environment. Pritty Tindya, President, Women’s Welfare Committee of Wakro urged the teachers to keep themselves updated and motivated through such programmes.

The programme was inaugurated on Jun 3rd by Brig. Manjeet Mehta, SM, Commander, 82 Mountain Bridage in a grand function attended by teachers, govt. officials, panchayat leaders, parents, students and Gaon-burahs. K. Krishna Rao, Principal, DPS Duliajan, the chief resource person, dealt at length on “Teacher as a leader”, “Team skills for a teacher” and “Effective classroom management with emphasis on slow-learners”. His delightful sessions with many witty anecdotes, personal experiences and enchanting Power Point presentations regaled the teachers, boosting their confidence.

P. A. Varman, an experienced Maths teacher with DPS Duliajan discussed elaborately the many conceptual difficulties that confused teachers while handling primary and middle-school maths. His practical tips during group presentations were highly appreciated by the participants.

Bisakha Sarma, Ph.D scholar in Khamti language and the founder Principal of Apna Vidya Bhavan, Wakro highlighted the vital need of a loving approach while teaching primary classes. A love for language-learning comes only when the teacher manifests a true affection for her students”, she explained, with numerous personal experiences.

Yealiang Tamblu, I/c of Thyagaraja Centre for Music, Tezu, outlining the vital importance of innovating new rhymes suitable to the Arunachali environment, initiated the camp with lively rhymes and songs.

S. Mundayoor, Advisor, ASSET, dwelt at length on ‘Teaching Reading”, “Language Games as a multi-purpose tool”, “Essential features of a Question” and “Micro-teaching skills”. This was followed by a hilarious and useful session of micro-teaching practice by the trainees.

Mundayoor also stressed on the vital role of teaching Arunachali mother-tongue in pre-primary and primary classes.

A highly appreciated event of the camp was a language skit and story-reading demonstration by Kesilu Tayang and Amilu Minin, two active young volunteers of APNE Library of the VT-AWIC Library Network.

The Chairman, ASSET interacting in the camp stressed on value-building and character in teacher as an individual and narrated anecdotes of many great teachers. He thanked the private school-managements for taking keen interest in ensuring regular teacher-enrichment in their own set-ups.

Nantu Dev of Arun Jyoti School, Tezu and Ranpal Prasad of Gyan Sarovar Academy, Medo expressed their keen desire to attend all such future training programmes.

The participants also observed World Environment Day during the camp, by receiving from the DPS Principal, Laxmi taru seeds contributed by the Art of Living Foundation, Itanagar for plantation in their respective campuses.

Tea factory project at Jairampur on pipeline

JAIRAMPUR, June 7: During a meeting of the Eastern Tea Growers MPCS Ltd, Changlang dist which was convened at Jairampur, Finance Minister Setong Sena informed that Tea factory project at Jairampur is on the pipeline, which would address the marketing problems of the tea leaves. The Minister further exhorted the members present to take up Tea plantation in place of Jhum cultivation.

He further informed the members that govt is encouraging small tea growers and as a result, many tea plantation schemes have been provided to the local people. He also urged the farmers to start large-scale production of tea while maintaining quality and further suggested organic tea cultivation.

Izmir Thikhak, former Chairperson Zilla Parishad urged the public to join the cooperative movement, which would change the economic scenario of the society.

Youth conference highlights issues of states

ITANAGAR, June 7: The three-day conference of All Ruksin Area Students & Youth union (ARASYU) concluded at Ruksin village amidst colorful display of cultural items by students of the locality.

The occasion was attended by General Secretary AAPSU Tujum Poyom as Chief Guest and Spokesperson Tobom Dai AAPSU as the guest of honour.

Ruksin perched at the entry of East Siang District Bordering Assam is more often in the news for numerous economic blockades imposed by different organization of the neighboring state whenever interstate boundary dispute crops up.

Dai briefed the gathering about the various issues taken up by the AAPSU leadership particularly of the Chakma-Hajong refugee of which he is the chairperson. He divulged that “we are approaching the issue with a positive frame of mind and hopeful of giving a strong & reliable foundation from where a new argument can be put into the decades old issue”

Poyom informed the gathering that the apex students’ body of the state is contemplating for an extensive tour of the disputed area along with All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) this year to help both the state governments to hammer out a amicable solution to the vexed issue. He further said that organizations like ARASYU in such border area is the need of the hour and called upon its leadership to be the mouth piece of the local populace. He further exhorted the students to avail the free education on the anvil and urged the education department to create sufficient post of teachers in various schools that have been upgraded.

Speaking at the occasion, Ojing Aje, Anchal Chairperson Ruksin Block, while giving a vivid description of the hardship faced by the area owing to frequent interstate boundary dispute with Assam requested the AAPSU delegates to look into the memorandum earlier submitted by the ARASYU for impressing upon the state government to bring a permanent solution.

He also endorsed the other prominent problems brought up by ARASYU, which includes enhancement of Police force, renovation of existing school building of Government Higher Secondary School Ruksin and immediate posting of subject teachers.

Apart from AAPSU, All East Siang District Students’ Union, Upper Siang District Students’ Union & West Siang District students union took part in the programe.

On the occasion, ARASYU felicitated Daniel Darang for securing 92% in the just concluded CBSE exam.

APPDSU serves ultimatum

ITANAGAR, June 7: All Papum Pare District Students Union (APPDSU) has given 15 days ultimatum to ADC Sagalee to act on illegal encroachment taking place at Sagalee town. They warned to take course of action in future if authorities do not act in right time.

The meeting held on 6th June at Chandni Hotel under the chairmanship of its president Nabam John was attended by all federal unit of APPDSU including All Sagalee Students Union, All Papum Poma Students Union and Capital Students Union.

In the meeting, all the federal units endorsed various new initiatives being carried out by APPDSU. Further it has been decided that APPDSU would take part in the forthcoming federal assembly meet of AAPSU.

Contemporise Tradition - The Only Way to Preserve our Traditional Heritage and Languages

Moji Riba

Last Tuesday, I was in a conference room of the Ministry of Human Resources Development attending the first meeting of the national round table on protection of indigenous knowledge and languages. It felt strange to be the only member from the northeast and frankly it came as a little surprise to see that issues like this also echoed in the corridors of power.

Over these last years, we in Arunachal have all been witness to the numerous calls being given to protect our tribal identity. No local festival is complete without a clarion call being given for preservation and documentation of our ‘tribal culture’. As each year goes by and as each festival gets over, this appeal takes on the tone of a war cry as ‘loss of culture’ is seen to be occurring faster and faster.

As our traditional culture changes (which it must) on the face of development, globalisation, improved communication and the all saturating presence of television, we are at a point in time today where even the very existence of the ‘traditional’ way of life and associated cultural values are threatening to fade away and god forbid, even die.

As we frantically search for ways to tackle these pressures confronting our fragile societies, the apparent solution that is moved most often to the forefront of the dialogue on indigenous knowledge systems, is the idea of ‘preservation’ of culture and indigenous knowledge that these societies have.

Concerns are being expressed also about the decay of the native languages and mother tongues, as successive generations are discarding them in favour of languages of opportunity like English and Hindi and in the process, seeing a definite loss of cultural continuity and social cohesion necessary to maintain a meaningful cultural identity; as ‘language shift’ happens not over a century or a decade as it normally does, but in just a few years.

Questions fly all around. Why are the youngsters of today not interested in the rich tradition and cultural heritage of their ancestors, more so when the elders are lamenting on the loss of a life lived and of an ethos forgotten? But then, questions are also asked on why these very youngsters (responding as they are to a call to go into 21st century) should even be vaguely bothered about some quaint ritual observed by their forefathers? Questions and counter-questions only add up to make the scenario chaotic.

Our experience at the Centre for Cultural Research & Documentation (CCRD) of having worked for the last 12 years on documenting, archiving and disseminating this very rich repository of cultural knowledge and values shows that, now more than ever, the idea of ‘preservation’ must yield space to a need for promotion- and that too specifically in the minds of young people. No doubt that the documentation and protection of indigenous knowledge and languages now threatened is vital, yet it cannot be said to be a very realistic solution. Preservation of this knowledge can at best be one of the many models that need to be concurrently taken up.

There are two issues here. First, at the core of the threat to traditional knowledge and languages, is the fact that the storehouse of this traditional knowledge and language lies mostly with the older generation, whose numbers are fast dwindling. The challenge therefore is of how we can shift this vast body of knowledge to the younger generation. After all, the best way of preservation lies definitely in their continued usage.

And second, the question about ‘why youngsters are not interested in tradition?’ ceases to be problematic. What instead becomes more important is ‘how can these youngsters be made to value these rituals, values and wisdom?’ After all, it is these very things that really reflect and represent perhaps the only connect to the sense of a tribal/ indigenous identity.

Not surprisingly, the answer lies only in being able to contemporise tradition, and to make it contextual to the changed lives these young people live today, having very different motivations and different expectations. The question then becomes- ‘How can these quaint rituals be relevant to their lives?’

To answer this, we have begun to think of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage more and more as a kind of an elastic band with the starting point here today, to stretch it as much into the future as we can by motivating young people to think about it, question it and understand it. One day, it is bound to snap. But if we are able to trigger interest in the mind of an 8-year-old today – given current life expectancy figures, we have effectively insured the survival of tradition for at least the next 58 years! It may not look a very long time, but if that child in turn is able to stretch the elastic band another 58 years, we see a replicating impact. It is only when warrior tattoos become acceptable, when native language love songs become desirable and going to one’s village to visit grandparents become ‘cool’- that indigenous knowledge and languages will survive. When the lead vocalist of an international rock band like Parikrama tells the young audience that learning their mother tongue is important, the message is bound to hit home harder than you or me shouting from the rooftops of Itanagar.

But how do we do this? Not surprisingly, education appears to hold the key to this challenge. Not only the pedagogic education as we know it, of culture being taught in schools through Centre and State Board prescribed text where chapters are included about festivals and peoples of the nation. But much more so, perhaps through experiential education where young minds are given opportunities to understand and appreciate their cultural heritage better. But then, what are the tangible steps that need to be taken?

I would like to share here a set of ideas that have emerged as ‘do-able’ actions that hold out promise. They are by no means a prescription for change, but definitely are a pointer to what can be done- some already in practice and needing support, some that perhaps can be initiated.

What can the family do?

• Persuade children to speak in the mother tongue at home, learn love songs in their language

• Involve them in family and clan functions, explaining their significance

• Regularly make it a point to take children to meet their grandparents and relatives in the parental villages

What can the Government do?

• Promote mother tongue learning at the primary level and ensure teaching of mother tongues in the educational set-up

• Create and enable a body of teachers to teach this

• Undertake documenting, analysing and archiving of indigenous knowledge

• Create participatory models of learning where, through experiencing, watching audio-visuals materials and sharing, children become more aware of their cultural heritage and their place in it

• Give spaces of expression where young people can interpret their heritage in the way they know it and not in the way we want to force them to know it. This can be done through youth festivals, school events and even holiday activity camps

• Promote and showcase young talent that has been able to do this – in music, in art, in theatre, in dance and in writing by organising performances and events

• Bring culture to classrooms- by helping teachers themselves understand cultural heritage better and then using it to expand the purview of classroom teaching into life learning. This is achievable by holding training workshops for teachers on incorporating cultural content in the teaching-learning process as value addition to the curricula

• Give impetus for sharing resources, experiences and abilities across geographical and indigenous regions so that ‘preservation’ and promotion becomes everybody’s concern. Networking, exposure visits and knowledge sharing hold out promise to achieve this

• Create processes and systems where parents, tribe elders and culture based organisations are given avenues to contribute – for instance, by creating school committees on indigenous knowledge and languages with them as partners and also engaging them in the teaching of mother tongues.

What can Civil Society do?

• Recognise that whenever a language disappears, the community starts to disperse and the habitat and socio-economic system that once supported a vibrant indigenous culture disintegrates. We must understand that strategies to save languages and cultures from threat are –in fact- the same actions that are needed to save biodiversity and promote cultural and ecological sustainability.

• Encourage communities to know their cultural indigenous knowledge in context of the world around them and create an appreciation of this- rather than ‘rush’ into everything modern. A market for this already exists- organically grown food, handicrafts, biodiversity conservation and traditional medicines. Only efforts need to be made to ‘re-popularise’ them and make them accept it as a knowledge system at par with formal knowledge

• Strengthen traditional institutions and councils through empowering them to engage with present day state machineries like the NREGA and the Panchayati Raj

• Create community driven participatory documentation models where the community themselves become both the documentarian and the repository of the knowledge. This can be achieved by training them in basic audio-visual documentation techniques. Local school and college students can also be engaged in the process

This is a long wish list and like any wish-list would take many variables to fall into place- government support, financial resources, community involvement, youth engagement and most importantly, political will. But despite all these long lists, the bottom-line is whether we as a society are ready for playing such a pro-active role in the protection and promotion of our cultural heritage? Honestly, I am not convinced we are.

Let me share a recent experience with you. As part of the CCRD’s evolving strategy to get younger people interested in cultural heritage and mother tongues, we collaborated with a band of enthusiastic and highly committed youngsters from the Mascot Network Society to organise the Bos Frontalis Festival 2010 on 30-31 May at Itanagar. Since we had a time-tested strategy of doing a lot of school programmes where we interact with students, the thrust for the festival too was on encouraging school and college students to engage with their cultural heritage, this time, through the mithun as a metaphor. During the festival we organised an inter college-University debate on the cultural significance of the sacrifice of mithuns. Alongside, we also had interschool competitions based on the mithun theme on painting, t-shirt design and a knowledge trail on the mithun, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. The highlight of the event was the concert by internationally acclaimed rock band Parikrama, who were performing in the state for the first time.

The evening of the performance, I was really moved when the lead vocalist of the band Nitin spoke to the young crowd about the need to speak their mother tongues and they greeted him with cheers. As each member addressed the crowd in few Arunachali languages, the response from the crowd took me by surprise.

A few days after the festival, I was alerted to a letter sent to a local newspaper by a reader who lamented the ‘hip-hopisation’ and ‘westernization’ of the traditionally revered mithun; incidentally both terms being wrongly applied because the genre being played was rock music and not hip-hop. Further, because rock music has now transgressed east-west boundaries as a result of which even a decidedly ‘rock music’ based film like Rock On also gets on to be a hit, especially with the younger generation.

The reader closed his letter by borrowing a phrase from late Bakin Pertin, a person I have grown up respecting, and said “in the land of khusi-khusi who cares’.

I was moved by that letter. Not because I agreed with any of his concerns, which I thought were very ill informed and which by now I am sure the writer personally would stand corrected if he had only read the local dailies. But his inadvertent last line moved me more, perhaps even to his surprise, where he asked ‘who really cares?’

That is a question that we have been made to wonder about more and more in our almost quixotic quest to work towards promotion of our tradition and our heritage. We had sent out 500 invitations for the inaugural event and for the festival. About 23 of the guests turned up. We had 2 ‘Open for All’ events that we thought would provoke discussion and interest- the open debate and the t-shirt graphic design contest on the mithun as a cultural icon. 3 participants turned up for each, respectively. To extend the argument a little more, as part of our efforts at ‘contemporising tradition’ we have a weekly film screening on issues of culture and identity; 3 regulars turn up every week (for which we remain indebted to them).

So is there really any purpose in doing these festivals? Is there any hope left as yet in trying to get our young minds to think a little bit more about their heritage?

I think there is. Much more so when there is (excuse my racism) a presumed non-Arunachali like Ankur Garg almost singlehandedly helped us raise funds for the festival, when there is a senior scientist like Dr. Taba Heli sharing his concerns about the fate of the mithuns to young students, when there is a Jenjum Gadi who designs an entire collection for the festival without even asking for fees, when there are colleges who feel it important enough to let their students engage in such events concerning our state, when there are schools who despite the on-going exams and vacations send their students to participate in the festival events, when there is a crowd of young people drenched to their skin and yet standing and listening to their music, when committed musicians from a senior band like The Craft does a fusion with traditional singers and when there is a committed group of young people like the Mascot Network Society, Game Zone United and a much over-worked graphic designer- all with a fire in their hearts and a dream in their eyes. Like I keep saying, as long as the young dream- there is hope yet.

My visit to the air-conditioned conference room in faraway New Delhi has not been in vain.

(Riba is a Film maker and Executive Director CCRD)

CRPF Friendship Football Tournament

United XI, GS school win

ITANAGAR, Jun 7: United XI Club beat Danglat Youth Club 1-0 while G.S. School outplayed Lymate Club 3-1 in two matches played on day two of the CRPF Friendship Football Tournament at Jubilee ground, Tezu today.

After a barren first half, United XI Club scored the winner in the last three minutes.

In the second match played between Lymate Club and G.S. School, both the teams were tied 1-1 till the breather. However, G.S. School scored two more goals in the second half to win the match 3-1.

The tournament was formally inaugurated by Lohit Deputy Commissioner R. K Sharma yesterday amid cheer and applause.

Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said that games & sports are integral part of our life and it should be taken-up in its true spirit . He also expressed his gratitude to the CRPF authorities for bringing the Civic Action Program at Tezu by involving youths of the district.

Dree at Tezu

TEZU, June 7: Lohit & Lower Dibang Valley District came together for an Inter District Dree Sports Meet 2010 which hosted by DFCC Tezu on June 6.

Tezu team defeated Roing in football and volleyball events.

Aka Kalung led the Roing team.

General Secretary, DFCC, Tezu Hano Taka appreciated the Roing team who had come to Tezu for participation battling dilapidated road communication and long distance.

Church at Pugli inaugurated

ITANAGAR, June 7: A team from Dipak Nabam Ministries attended a Church inauguration programme at Pugli in Indo-Bhutan border recently.

The Church was inaugurated by Nabam Tade and dedicated by Rev. Deepak Nabam.

Speaking on the occasion as resource person, Depak briefed about the need for universal peace, amity and goodwill among the people.

Meanwhile, founder of the Union Church Rev. Sarad Paul appreciated the Indian team.

“The Yak...a king of snow country's nomads”

ITANAGAR: The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Tawang is ready to release its documentary film on animals " The Yak...a king of snow country's nomads".

The film is on yaks and is sponsored by NABARD Itanagar.

The project co-coordinator of the film is Dr. Deepanjali Deori and while the Director is Lham Dorjee, who had earlier acted in “Changngan…a boy in you”. The film is supported by National Research Centre on Yaks, Dirang) and united Kee brothers Co.

NAF to promote Nyishi culture

ITANAGAR: Nyishi artistes of the state have constituted a Nyishi Artiste Forum (NAF) with an interim committee headed by Nabam Tati, as chairman, Bamang Loram, secretary and Ashok Sunam as convener.

The Forum came into being in a meeting held at Nahalarun on June 6. Senior singers Bengia Himanta, Tana Taram, Taba Yal Nabam, film director T G Tara, actor Tai Tugung and many other artistes delivered lecturers on the need of the of proper coordination, mutual understanding in order to preserve, protect and promotion of songs, music and films of Nyishis.

The interim committee will conduct the 1st ever general conference of the Forum soon to formulate its plan and policy.

Social service

ITANAGAR, June 7: New Seppa Youth Development Committee conducted a social service on 25th May cleaning the surrounding area of new Seppa market. Keeping in mind coming monsoon season, cleanliness drive was conducted to make people of Seppa live healthy.

Appointments

ITANAGAR, June 7: Chera Taring has been appointed as president of Nationalist Youth Congress, Papum Pare district.

Appointment

ITANAGAR, June 7: Arunachal Public Motor Transport Federation (APMTF) has appointed Joro Doka as its East Kameng district unit president following resignation of present incumbent Loli Dolo due to health ground. Further, Sishu Dodum has been appointed general secretary of the unit.

Change has to be real

Dear Editor,

Apropos the editorial "The deepening crisis"( 5 June), the triumph of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in the Municipal polls across West Bengal will count next to nothing unless it undo the wrongs perpetrated by the Left Front. Will the new regime get rid of the hawkers who have encroached all the footpaths of Kolkata? Will the vehicles flouting anti-pollution norms be barred from plying on the city streets? Will the new authorities save Kolkata's greenery and waterbodies from the deadly fangs of the ruthless promoters? Will the Trinamool-controlled Corporations and the Municipalities and the party's councillors stop playing the role of agents of unscrupulous forces of all possible hues? Only when the harried citizens enjoy their entitled civic rights under a corruption-free new dispensation, can it be said that Kolkata and West Bengal is heading for a change. Else, the change will be merely a political one and common people will continue to tread along the laggard path.

Yours,

Kajal Chatterjee,

Kolkata-114 (on email)

Keep the LSHP at Boggong area

Dear Editor,

Lots have been said and written about the Lower Siang Dam project, many welcoming and many opposing and of late, one Oyin Moyong claiming himself to be the G/S of Bogong Banggo Kebang has opined and advocated in favour of the Jaypee Group and the Present Khandu Led, Congress Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.

Well said Mr Moyong. We the people of Pongging Village also welcome any Big Dam, which might submerge your land and property at Bogong area, or in any part of the world but, which doesn’t affect Pongging people.

Once and for all we the People of Pongging Village want to send our clear stand to the whole world that- come what may, we are not going to let our land and property be submerged or used for any hydro project. We also would like to question chief minister Dorjee Khandu and our local MLA J K Panggeng, are you willing to donate or share your of ancestral, private, personal and hard earned properties/assets to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for the development of the state? Leaders should show the way, so that we the poor people follow you. Until then, we will fight and even perish, if need be, for the Generation next and safeguard our land and properties for them.

Yours

Orek Panyang

Pongging village

Let people decide

Dear Editor,

Regarding recent agitation on Lower Siang Project, many people from various parts of the state has expressed their sympathy towards local people of Pongging and other affected areas.

Some are against the project while some suggests that people should not to continue the agitation so that development come to the affected people.

It is funny that many people particularly from Pasighat suggest local affected peoples about the merit of the project. It's not genuine to tell the affected people what to do or not to do, because they are the sufferer and their ancestor land is to be submerged.

If the indigenous people do not want the mega project, it is up to them to decide it. Let local people and state govt come to the negotiation table and find out an amicable solution to the problem.

It's also request that affected shouldn't take the law in their hands. Instead of violence agitation, they should request the govt. and Jaypee associates to look into their grievances.

Whatever the decisions govt. takes, it is for the welfare of peoples not against the people. In my opinion, some people who are misguiding the people without proper communication with the govt.

Yours,

Oni Ejing

Bomdila (on email)

We want the project to go ahead

Dear Editor,

People of Boleng-Panging warmly welcome and whole heartedly support the installation of Lower Siang Power project under Arunachal government and JayPee company.

But contrary to our stand, some youth from Boleng-Panging and few unidentified youth from outside the radius of Boleng-Panging division were found creating chaos during the recent visit of MLAs and Ministers.

It has really hurt the sentiment of the people of Boleng-Panging division. The issue was being raked up for some easy money, which is really disgusting and undemocratic.

Their main motive is to influence the innocent people of Boleng-Panging division by giving baseless allegation regarding dam without any ground reality. This itself prove their unworthiness, atrocities and unpatriotic act towards their own state and their own self.

In a nutshell, what they intend is to destabilize the constructive and proper development of Boleng Panging constituency in particular and Arunachal Pradesh as a whole.

We the intellectual youth forum of Boleng-Panging division appeal to the people that we must stand united and overcome this kind of impediments as concerned and enlighten citizens of Arunachal Pradesh.

Yours,

Dilek Taggu

Dabo Mingki

Boleng-Panging

Intellectual Forum

It happens only in Arunachal

Dear Editor,

I would like to express my resentment over the increasing rate of crime and corruption in our state, and want to highlight the main causes of rising crime and corruption. The day is not far when our state will achieve world record in matter of corruption; it is rightly somebody termed Arunachal Pradesh as Land of Khussi - Khussi. It is in this so called peace state only that Recruitment Rule (R.R) of department are changed in a fortnight as per the will and requirement of politician and top officer.

It is only in this state where only handful of people in the name of organization give frequent bandh call to achieve their own interest, it is only in this state where development and civilization are far behind than any other state in India whereas highest central fund if allocated to any single state is Arunachal Pradesh.

Why our state is lacking in infrastructure, and road communication development?

How many of us is interested to know were these money has been absorbed?

Only in this state non-technical person are appointed in technical jobs.

These are some important point we the general people need to keep in mind.

Though the state has reached the highest level of corruption but it has gone unnoticed due to lack of active media in our state.

As far as increasing crime rate is concerned, the main factor is people have lost faith and has no fear on judicial system in Arunachal.

What major crime one may commit, it is for sure one can get out on bail so easily.

The new trend in our state is that commit a major crime and stay in a jail for only few months then it became a certificate to earn quick money.

Why this system is prevailing in our peace state? Why criminal get bail so easily?

Do the Executive and Judiciary realize these factors?

If they don't realize let us take up first step to check the increasing corruption and crime by demanding for separation of Judiciary from Executive.

We must elect educated and non-criminal background politician to save Arunchal before it totally submerges into the ocean of corruption and crime.

Yours,

Neelam Tath

Ess Sect

Itanagar

Our Forest cover is diminishing as fast as its vastness

Dear Editor,

World environment day is just another day in the life of every Arunachalee. As such, it is the only state in India with the forest cover comprising more than 60% Forest cover, the highest in the country, a pride that every Arunachalee adorns with the little realization that our Forest cover is diminishing as fast as its vastness!

No one is to be blamed for that, except for that very ugly word “development” an excuse that can be considered as a catalyst for the vice-versa enrichment of our green resources.

The opposition regarding the Lower Siang power project is an irony to commemorate the celebration of the World environment day in Arunachal Pradesh.

Any way that is development.

But do we have an answer to the queries regarding development and environment.

Time has reached when we are facing challenges to our intellect and wisdom for saving the humanity from extinction and the Copenhagen climate conference is an example to achieve that goal. The right to development is a fundamental right but we as a whole, have to find an alternative path to an alternative good. A goal which is the true goal of development- an Environmentally sound and sustainable development. A goal that is perhaps as distant from the developing us and currently referred to as developed them. Do we have an answer to all these? Let us take a vow to protect our environment and help in the conservation of our natural resources. Each one Plant one and Think Green!!!

Yours,

Tajum Yomcha

Kudos to CCDFC

Dear Editor,

Launching of official website of the Capital Complex Dree Festival Committee, Itanagar by the organizing committee is praiseworthy and pioneering.

With this, our tradition and culture of will be recognised globally. In this age of Information & Technology, it is necessary to have an official website.

I expect more innovative ideas from the committee in future and would like to wish them for thriving Dree Festival.

Yours,

KOJ KAPA,

Chandranagar, Itanagar. (on email)

We could have prepared better

Dear Editor,

The plight of food crisis in district Anini is neither new nor it happened suddenly. Each and everyone who resides in remote district knows very well that during March to July every year, the district remain cut off from the rest of the country and always confront scarcity of essential commodities.

Dibang Valley is the largest district of the state and having lowest population. If people's representative and district administration had maintained a buffer stock and properly run the public distribution system(PDS), people would not have witnessed such deplorable condition.

Regarding the shortage of medicines in district hospital Anini, the condition of hospital has been bad even before roads were blocked. Besides state govt, NHRM is spending huge amount for procurement of life saving drugs but it always insufficient due to absence of proper monitoring and implementation.

Since several years, less than five doctors are working in district hospital. Whenever any patient fall sick very seriously, they are being advised to go to Etalin Primary Health Center run by Karuna Trust or other district hospital.

Whether it is DMO, DC or MLA stating that shortage of medicines in district is due to long blockade and continuous rain, it is a misinterpretation.

Though public distribution system (PDS) food grains had been airlifted to Anini and same was being distributed. But only govt staff were provided 20 kg per house while the common public was deprived. Under such distribution system it seems that non govt employees are debarred to avail the assistance given by the state govt.

As situation is going from bad to worse public is blaming the local MLA for not visiting the affected district. However, there is no reason to criticize and find fault with the MLA as it is people's fault. Now, the people of district are reaping what they have sown last eight months.

Yours,

Susai Mihu

President

Dibang Valley

Student's Union, ( DVSU)

Decide on the site based on logistics and facts

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw the serious attention of all concerned about Wangcha Rajkumar Govt College.

The College was established in 1997 at Charju, 10 Kms interior of Khonsa.

Keeping in view of numerous problems like communication, basic infrastructural facilities required for the college, the college was shifted to Deomali by the govt. in the year 2000 for its overall development and betterment.

I have come to know through reliable sources that the public leaders of a particular area who have roles to play in the policy making of the govt. have recently being talking and insisting to shift the college back to where it was prior to November 2000 which I firmly believe would be a hasty and wrong decision.

The college is an institution of learning where from innovation ideas emanate for the upliftment and alleviation of the society and the country.

Any decision related with the functioning of such institution should be taken while keeping away the electoral politics.

If Charju/ Khela was the appropriate site for the college why it was shifted to Deomali.

Now since the college has been renamed after the departed leader Wangcha Rajkumar who made valiant efforts and played an important role in the shifting of the college from Charju to Deomali, which is undoubtedly free from the problems that are there at Charju/ Khela, it would be a real tribute to the departed soul of our beloved leader if the college is established permanently at Deomali.

Chief of Namsang under Deomali sub-division of Tirap district has already donated a piece of land required for the construction of college buildings near Deomali. Needless to mention that Deomali is the most suitable place in Tirap District for the establishment of the college, where students, teachers, staff can perform their duties in amicable ways.

It is the desire and need of the people of this backward district to keep pace with rest of the country, which is possible only when the lone institution of higher learning of the district is located at Deomali where it can be equipped with the necessary infrastructure/ logistic supports required for a college of the 21st century.

It is also learnt from the reliable sources that the govt. of the Arunachal Pradesh has recently constituted a high-powered committee for the selection of permanent site to establish the college.

It is a request to the respected members of the committee to take the serious cognizance of the problems and visit the proposed sites both at Charju and at Deomali and then recommend the govt. the permanent site where the college should exactly be located. The general people of this district would not like to keep the future career of their kith and kin at stake.

I would also request the department of education, govt. of Arunachal Pradesh to take necessary action in this regard so that the youths of this backward district can go forward and contribute to the society and the country after being educated in an advanced college.

Yours,

Manlem Wangsu

Former General

secretary

Wangcha Rajkumar

Govt. college, Deomali

Be prepared to accept all challenges

Dear Editor,

Apropos of an article 'Life outside the comforts of Arunachal' by Taba Ajum, it really means to be an Arunachalee in particular and an Indian in general. The article reminded me of my college days in Maharasthra.

I only know how hard it was to cope up with my new environment after Class XII! Those early days of college were quite different from school days, but I still cherish them!!

I, too, had experiences of being called "Chinese or Napalese" by my seniors and others at campus or markets. Even my college mates asked me if I am from China or Nepal or Japan etc. etc.

I tried my best to describe myself in 'not so good English'. Soon, I interacted with them in Hindi, as I was more fluent in Hindi than in English those days. There were few mates who could come little closer in guessing my identity. They asked me if I am from Nagaland!

Another good experience was back in 1995 when I was in third year of my graduation. I remember it was Diwali holiday when I visited Taj Mahal along with three of my freinds.

That day four of us were enjoying the beauty and mystery of Taj Mahal when we suddenly came across a foreigner. Quite confidently he inquired if all of us were Koreans!! One of us immediately replied that we are Arunachalees. In addition, I added that we are Indians. He could not believe us for a moment. When I again told him that, we belong to North-East India bordering China he was convinced but walked away in disbelief onto the crowd.

I would say that we, especially those young ambitious Arunachalee students, should not get demoralised when somebody is not ready to agree that we are Indians. Let Indians ask if we are Chinese, Nepalese, Japanese and let foreigners not believe that we are Indians.

But we should make good use of ourselves being Mongoloids! What we have to do is control our temper that flies and starts believing in ourselves and be proud to be Indians.

Now almost all the entrance exams are over, especially for professional courses, those ambitious students of our state should prepare themselves mentally and physically to cope with another important stage of life - the stage of life to make good base for 'a meaningful life' indeed.

Yours,

Taru Dok,

AE, RWD

Roing (on email)