The Arunachal Times - Archives

ITBP jawans urged to accept challenges for nation

Madhurjya Doley

KIMIN, Feb 28: Applauding the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force for their meritorious services in safeguarding the national interest since its inception, Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today exhorted the newly passed out ITBP recruits to give their best in accomplishing their assigned duty. Khandu was addressing the ITBP jawans during the passing out parade (POP) here this morning.

"The para-military forces, which came into existence in 1962 has been effectively manning the Indo-China border from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Diphu La in Arunachal Pradesh covering almost 3488 km," Khandu said, adding that the difficult topography has never been a barrier for these ITBP jawans also known as Himveers, who have performing duties at an altitude of 18500 ft above the sea level.

Valour, determination and devotion to duty being the motto of ITBP force, Khandu stressed on discipline among the jawans to bring glory to the nation by accepting all challenges.

Khandu informed that the ITBP force is satisfactorily providing security to various important VIP installations in the state and urged them to continue their services in the same manner in future too. He also donated Rs 3 lakh to the passed out ITBP recruits as a token of love and appreciation.

Earlier, Khandu along with Daljeet Singh, IG Eastern Frontier ITBP inspected the passing out parade.

In his speech, IG Singh highlighted the training activities and glorious history of the force. He informed that ITBP Commando units are providing security to the Embassy and consulates of India in Afghanistan. Besides this two Companies of the ITBP are providing security in Afghanistan. He appealed to the passed out recruits to always remember the pledges administered to them during their POP to keep National Flag fly high and up.

He said that the training gave emphasis on soldiering and confidence building among the new recruits. They were also given rigorous training on weapons, drill, P.T., Judo, field craft, map reading, shooting and yoga etc. to enable them to take on the 21st century's security challenges and for their survival in adverse conditions.

All together 525 recruit of ITBP passed out after a grueling 44 weeks of basic training at Ad-hoc Training Centre (ATC) at Kimin.

3rd ABK General Conference held at Pasighat

H.K. Roy

PASIGHAT, Feb 28: The two days long 3rd Adi Baane Kebang (ABK)General Conference held at Yagrung, Pasighat February 27-28 last amidst huge participants.

Education minister Bosiram Siram and Parliamentary Secretary (Fisheries, Law, Legislative and Justice)JK Panggeng attended the occasion as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.

Speaking on the inaugural day on February 27 last, the Chief Guest said “Kebang” has got the power of Law Court to adjudicate justice to the aggrieved party and all important decisions of political and social matters as well as the disputes among the members of the community are tried and settled by Kebang. It is the only court to try both Civil and Criminal cases primarily in the Adi society. “We must respect our traditional Customary Administrative System to maintain unity and prosperity” the minister appealed. It helps the society to preserve and protect our aged old rich cultural heritage and traditions but time to time amendment is necessary to exist in the modern world, he further stated. The minister also informed that the proposed ABK Office building would be constructed at Pasighat shortly and he would extend his extreme supports for the betterment of the society.

The Parliamentary Secretary (Law & Justice) JK Panggeng appealed the gathering to follow the paths shown by the fore-fathers with dedication and sincerity but at the same time he suggested to act and respect the rules and regulations framed by the government of India on national interest.

On first day, recognisation of marriage, uniformity and its limitation, symbol of married/unmarried woman, restriction and limitation on hunting & fishing and Missing Settlement were discussed thoroughly.

On the second day, Creation of Lower Siang district, Middle Siang district, Hydro Power Generation, Midum legang and Mime Milo Memin Sinam legang (murder, divorce, atrocious issues etc) were discussed.

The Conference was chaired by the ABK President Ajin Apang and also attended by MLA Alo Libang, MLA Tamiyo Taga, Secretary General ABK Tani Jonkey, East Siang DC Onit Panyang, public leaders and Retired IAS officers, senior citizens of Adi belt and general public of the district. The conference was sponsored by ABK HQ organized by ABK District Unit Pasighat under supervision of President Okom Yosung and Secretary Onyok Pertin and their associates.

Lossar festival celebrated

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Lossar festival was celebrated with religious fervour at Thupten-Ga-Tseling Monastery, Itanagar today.

Speaking on the occasion, both Power Minister Jarbom Gamlin, chief guest and Parliamentary Secretary, Art and Culture C C Singpho, the guest of honour stressed on preservation of own culture and tradition.

In his brief speech Gamlin said that for the preservation of culture, the new generation should have proper knowledge about the importance of celebrating such festival. Large number of dignitaries, including Parliamentary secretary, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development secretary Newlai Tingkhatra, noted author and former India correspondent of BBC Mark Tully, former MP Kiren Rijiju were present on the occasion.

ZPM urged DC’s intervention

PASIGHAT, Feb 28: The 36 Nari Koyu assembly constituency has been witnessing shortage of various facilities and infrastructure in schools, which hamper the poor students in pursuing quality education.

ZPM Kenyom Dabi in a letter to DC cum project Director, SSA East Siang District appealed for creation of Pre-Primary/EG Schools at Depi village, Up-gradation of schools, Upper Primary at Lumpo village and Telam village and the constructions of separate toilet for girls at Govt. Town Middle School Nari, Telam, Old Deka and Saku.

ZPM further highlighting the encroachment problem in Nari-Koyu constituency said that the encroachment problems has created disturbances and is a threat to progress of Nari Township.

ZPM appealed the DC to take appropriate step to check encroachment and suggested to upgrade government administrative offices of the constituency. DIPRO

MLA calls for proper utilization of dev package

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: MLA Likha Saaya has emphasized on proper utilization of upcoming development packages in his Yachuli constituency in Lower Subansiri district. He was addressing a development meeting at Sito Panchayat segment under Pistana circle.

He exhorted the public to take part in development activities irrespective of party affiliation. Expressing his dismay over the road connectivity in the area, Saaya stressed on proper enquiry into the alleged misutilization of fund in the sector.

Later, responding to a memorandum, he announced Rs 15 lakh for immediate repair of Sikhe-Sito road. However, he assured to take up other points of the memorandum in a phased manner with discussion with concerned department.

Various measures have been taken up by the state Govt to ensure quality education and health care facilities, Saaya said. He also called for protecting ‘rich’ wildlife of the area. Later, Saaya visited Sito Middle school and urged the teachers to render their duties with honesty and punctuality.

The DC Sadhana Deori urged upon all the govt officials and GBs to discharge their duties with dedication and honesty. She advocated initiating action against ‘erring’ officials and GBs for failure to perform their duties.

Seeking cooperation from Panchayat and public leaders, and people for development of Pistana circle, the ZP chairperson Likha Tongum stressed on the development of road connectivity. He also assured to construct an Anganwadi school at Sito. All the heads of the department in the district took part in the meeting.

Saaya also visited Pistana circle headquarter, attended another public darbar and assured to look into the grievances of the public.

State needs a healthy health policy

Ajay K. Tripathy,

It’s very heartening to hear from the Health Minister that the State Government would soon formulate a Health Policy. Health being a state-subject, this policy would be very useful for prevention, cure as well as health promotion. Many policies in health and development sector are good, but they fail to deliver the expected results. So, there is a need to make it more pragmatic by understanding the hurdles of implementation stage. Arunachal’s Health Policy must reflect the aspirations of people, especially those live in remote areas.

However, before getting the policy approved in Cabinet the department should prepare a draft-policy. There is no need to get the policy passed in Legislative Assembly quickly without discussing the draft among different stakeholders. Health Policy is usually formulated through a committee that should have eminent policy maker, demographer, health administrator, health economist, community health expert, senior doctor, officials of UN agencies, epidemiologist, representatives of Indian Medical Association and NGO-sector as well as researcher of public health field. So, it would be much better if the Government forms a committee of competent people. However, their job would be to form the draft policy which can be presented to the department after a series of discussions in Arunachal Pradesh especially with community leaders, student unions, media bodies, NGO groups, doctors, nurses, paramedical workers, ASHAs and other members of the civil society.

Appropriate time may be given to the Policy Formulation Committee for doing its job. If a multi-disciplinary team is formed; then they would certainly review important documents like Health Policies of India & different States as well as other appropriate papers related with Arunachal Pradesh, North-East and health sector. Union Finance Minister has also mentioned in his latest budget speech that Health Survey would be carried out in all the districts of country, so, the Arunachal Government may get it done quickly whose findings would be of immense help to formulating State’s Health Policy.

While addressing the review meeting of district and State officials at Naharlagun on 22nd February, Health Minister mentioned that last year’s report of Malaria-death in State appears to be incorrect. In fact, Byaling is absolutely correct as the Government officials in many states are good in under-reporting. So, the policy makers need to take all the factors into consideration while preparing the Health Policy of a state where Malaria is a major challenge. There is a steady rise in HIV/AIDS cases; whereas Alcohol and Tobacco have emerged as greatest silent killers in Arunachal. Issues of PPP, health insurance, medical college, water & sanitation and herbal medicine should also be addressed in policy.

Irrespective of Government’s best efforts absenteeism is a major problem in rural areas, as many staff are interested to work in towns. Moreover, there is a strong need of enhancing the retirement age of doctors to cope with doctors’ shortage. In addition to these, Health Policy may reflect how the doctors can be more utilized in clinical field than in the administrative areas.

Last but not the least, a common family-planning-prescription in a diverse country with several ethnic groups would have adverse impact on many tribes; thus the policymakers may redefine it in Arunachal context as no tribe should be pushed towards extinction. So, it’s essentially ‘The Health & Population Policy’ of Arunachal Pradesh. Health Department can also add an Anthropologist to the committee that would prepare this draft policy. Government may kindly consider all technical aspects of formulating a healthy policy, as Health is Wealth. (The writer is a senior manager, VHAI, these are the writer’s own views)

Nyokum Yullo celebrated

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: The Nyokum Yullo festival was celebrated at Kimin with traditional flavor and gaiety on Feb 26. Large numbers of cultural troops and Buya parties participated on the occasion with pure traditional attires.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest, Horticulture Minister Honchun Ngandam exhorted the Nyishi brethrens to take active part in Nyokum festival in order to preserve beautiful tradition and custom of Nyishis. He maintained that religion should not come on the way while practicing some one’s rich tradition like Nyokum which has been practiced since the period of Abo-Tani.

Impressed by the cultural troops and Buya parties the chief guest donated a sum of Rs. 1 lakh to the organizing committee of Kimin Nyokum.

Professor K.C Belliapa, Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University who was the Guest of Honour termed the Nyishi attires as the most attractive one and stressed the need to learn Nyishi language by each one belonging to the committee pointing out the mother tongue to be one of the true identity of a particular community to teach their children the Nyishi language compulsory along with the Hindi and the English language.

Later, special thanks were extended to Nabam Rebia local MLA and Bamang Mangha Ex-ZPM for their whole hearted co-operation in making the festival very successful one.

At Roing, the members of the Nyishi community residing at Lower Dibang Valley, Roing celebrated the Nyokum Yullo with the traditional fervor and gusto.

Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, Roing MLA Laeta Umbrey described the Nyishis as the largest and most rapidly advancing community in the state. He was full of praise for the organizers of the festival, especially Toko Tadap and Boa Tama, chairman and secretary, respectively of the Nyokum Yullo Celeberation Committee-2010, Roing for showcasing the traditional culture of the Nyishi Community in all its glory.

The guest of honour of the day was Chiliko Meto, District Chairperson, Zilla Parishad who complimented all the participating cultural troupes of the various communities of the state for their spectacular display.

Earlier, welcoming all the invitees Er. H. Welly, Deputy Director, DUDA, chief Patron, Nyokum Yullo Celeberation Committee-2010, Roing, extended special gratitude to Gora Makik, a prominent Nyishi citizen of the area, for contributing the sacrificial mithun along with others. He stressed upon the importance of preserving age old customs and traditions of the Nyishi community in this modern age too, so that the younger generation may not loose their tribal identity.

Nyokum Yullo was also celebrated at APSTS Station Campus Lilabari, North Lakhimpur by Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Department employees on February 26 last.

Deputy Commissioner cum Assistant Director Supply and Transport Taye Taloh attended the function as chief guest.

On the occasion, Assistant Station Superintendent APSTS N Lakhimpur sub-station narrated the history of Nyokum Yullo.

At Sakiang, speaking as chief guest Parliamentary Secretary TPT Karikho Kri assured to provide state transport bus services from Naharlagun to Old Mengio and donated an amount of Rs 75000 to the Nyokum celebration committee.

Various games and sports and cultural competition were organized on the occasion.

Mengang Panchayat and Bada Panchayat have been adjudged as the winners of volley ball competition mens and women respectively and the Sakiang panchayat won the over all cultural championship.

Later, both chief guest and guest of honour Nabam Issar visited block branch congress office, Mengio, The chief guest donated Rs 10000 for office stationery uses.

Veteran social activist Nanaji Deshmukh passes away

Chitrakoot, Feb 28: Renowned social activist and former Member of Parliament Nanaji Deshmukh died on Saturday evening at Uttar Pradesh's Chitrakoot district.

He was 97. Deshmukh was suffering from age related illness from a long time.

Hailed from the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh background, Deshmukh was also associated with the Jan Sangh, Janta Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Deshmukh was born on October 11, 1916 at Kadoli, a small town in Parbhani District of Maharashtra.

Jai Prakash Narayan gave the call for "Total Revolution" he responded by giving total support to this movement.

Deshmukh was elected to the Lok Sabha from Balrampur parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. In 1969, Deshmukh founded the Deendayal Research Institute to work in rural development sector. In 1999, Deshmukh was nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

Among others, former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, BJP president Nitin Gadkari, former minister Ram Naik, Opposition party leaders in the parliament Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley also condoled Deshmukh's sad demise.

ITANAGAR: The rank and file of Bharatiya Janata party Arunachal Pradesh also mourned the death of Nanaji Deshmukh.

With the sad demise of Nanaji Deshmukh who was also Union Minister during Janata Party Government at the centre; India has lost one of her greatest sons, state BJP said in a message.

DoTC chairman tours Tirap, inspects schemes

KHONSA, Feb 28: The Department of Tirap and Changlang Affairs Chairman Yumsen Matey made an extensive tour of Tirap District beginning from Feb 25. He also visited interior areas bordering Myanmar.

During his whirlwind tour, the MLA physically inspected the schemes undertaken by DoTC. Earlier, on Feb 26, the chairman interacted with the HoDs of Tirap. In his briefing, Matey said that DoTC, like any other government department, is a fully established department and allayed fear of it being closed down adding that the department was created to supplement the existing government departments to bring the two backward districts at par with other districts by implementing people-friendly schemes. He told the officers that DoTC has been receiving flak from various quarters for its lackadaisical performance since its creation and assured them that he would correct the lacunae and make its functioning transparent and effective by creating permanent assets and economically viable schemes. The chairman admitted that there was a great deal of misinformation and lack of awareness vis-à-vis DoTC among the people and appealed to the officers to extend their fullest cooperation.

It may be mentioned here that DoTC gets Rs. 25 crores annually, however, cent percent funding has not been possible in the last few financial years due to which more schemes could not be taken up. Earlier, the DC, W. Lowang in his welcome speech asked the officers to enlighten the house on schemes taken up under DoTC.

The meeting was attended by HoDs, Panchayat leaders and public leaders. The developmental department officers threw light on schemes undertaken by them under DoTC in the district in 2008-2009. They all thanked the DoTC chairman for enlightening them on funding pattern of DoTC and on DoTC as a whole. DIPRO

Role of Media in nation building

H.K. Roy

Media the mirror of the society play pivotal role in nation building and considered to be the 4th pillar of the democracy, the other three being legislative, executive and judiciary.

As a change-agent, media act on reality and developments, speaks boldly against all odds.

Media intervention can do wonder; their undeniable roles in current issues effect everyone’s life and have a great deal of works ahead while serving the common masses of the society with information.

The media is all around us; it accommodates the globe in a single room providing TV shows, radio programs and printed materials like books, magazines, newspapers etc we read every day to enrich our knowledge. Without the media, people would be isolated not only from the rest of the world, but from governments, lawmakers and their neighborhoods.

In civilized society, due to watchdog-type function of media turned into a very essential element to help people to aware about the government and societal activities. It can even hold the government accountable, forcing them to explain their action and decisions.

Besides dissemination of information, media can trace the unsung heroes and honor them accordingly for their talents, achievements and outstanding services; they contributed to the society from time to time.

We must welcome and extend our cooperation to the media persons to bring out the truths and information for greater interests of the people of the nation. The media personnel in Arunachal Pradesh mostly found to be honest, dedicated, responsible and free from politics and controversy.

They have proven that they bear full respects in minds for the sentiments and ethics of the people and land that they serve to. But the repeated attack and assaults on Press persons is very painful to the Arunachalees and as well as a threat to the democracy. It should be condemned and discouraged by one and all. Media is an integral part of the society and must be appreciated and rewarded like others for their honesty, sincerity and diligence by both the government and people of the state as they need moral supports too in nation building.

Holi -- A festival of religious harmony and social cohesion

Dr. Jayadeba Sahoo

Bharat is one of the ancient countries of the world. It has great heritage of glory and elevated way of life. Even now it is very well known for being the land of deities with palaces and lifestyle of legendary beauty. Many people abroad also consider Bharat as a great pilgrimage place and hold the soil of Bharat in great respect.

Bharat is well known for festivals and by tradition one festival or another is celebrated almost daily. The number of festivals celebrated here is hardly comparable to festivals celebrated by other countries. Twelve months in a year is filled with thirteen big festivals.

‘Holi', is one of the greatest festivals in India. People celebrate this festival with lot of enthusiasm and zeal. The auspicious festival of ‘Holi' had been reduced to an annual ritual hardly reflecting its true significance. If ‘Holi' is celebrated with the correct understanding of this esoteric Truth, then it will render immense benefit to the humanity at large.

Purity of means is as essential as honesty of purpose. Means should justify the end, not the vice-versa. In fact, purity in practice always begets peace and happiness. The festival of 'Holi' conveys this universal message in many ways to mankind. Without harmony, there can't be peace. Human harmony with the self, nature, fellow beings and with society is the basis of universal peace and happiness. The basis of harmony, in turn, is in becoming 'being' or 'soul' conscious rather than 'human' or 'body' conscious. When we identify merely with 'humus' (in Latin for 'soil') or 'human body', worldly possessions, position and relations, then our perception, visions, values, attitude and actions get circumscribed and narrowed down. Our consciousness gets bogged down by a set of social conditioning, bias, prejudice, pride, ego, lust, jealousy or hatred. This gross or mundane mentality becomes the breeding ground of all negativity, vices, disharmony and discords in self and society.

When we become 'soul' or 'being' conscious, the horizon of our perception, outlook, mindset, character and conduct expands to become universal, holistic and harmonious. We go beyond the consideration of all limitedness, caste, creed, community, sex, race and religion and we embrace everyone and everything under the sun with equal love, affection, care and concern, as we would have done the same for our self, our near and dear one. The joyous spirit of 'Holi' in true sense envisages and encompasses this universality of perception and when people put it into practice by remaining in soul consciousness, they can widely promote essential unity in diversity and universal brotherhood of mankind under the spiritual fatherhood of one incorporeal Supreme Being.

The celebration of 'Holi' which is supposed to arouse and spread soul consciousness rather than gross entanglement, if observed in proper perspective, can help the self and others to collectively connect and commune with the Supreme Cosmic Energy- the eternal source of pure and positive powers for self & world transformation, for holistic health, harmony and happiness.The festival of ‘Holi’ in spiritual sense stands for the victory of virtues over vices, light over darkness, mind over matter, subtle over the gross, love over hatred and divinity over the demonic. It is not merely a playful game in colors or colored water. It is much more than mundane indulgence in fun and frolic for a day or two. Rather, it is a common socio-cultural and spiritual platform for contemplating and creating meaningful avenues for healthy and harmonious inter-religious, inter-community, inter-caste and international interactions, understanding, cooperation and peaceful co-existence.

Devout devotee Prahlad inspires us to look within, introspect and remain in love full intellectual connection with the Supreme Soul for developing inner powers, divine strength and support so that we can burn and sublimate the Holika like evil traits and devilish proclivities in the sacred fire of Holy Communion with the Almighty.With the practice and powers of such spiritual wisdom, human values and RajYoga meditation on God, the forces of good and similar minded people can unite and take up collective measures face and finish Hiranya kashyap like divisive and destructive cult of violence, cruelty, religious intolerance and bigotry in the long run.

This we can attain when we make Holi Mangal Milan by forging link and fostering friendship with like minded people from all religious groups and communities and by getting united and committed as brother souls under fatherhood of Supreme Soul, to the common minimum agenda of defeating and eliminating the vicious cult of hatred, violence and vices for restoring a benign culture of peace, non-violence, benevolence and for re-establishing a single religion of humanity for the entire mankind.

Celebrate 'Holi' in a Holy and healthy way

The story of Prahalad in Vishnu Puran projects the ultimate triumph & purity over impurity, goodness over evils and virtues over vices. The legend depicts Prahalad's devotion to Lord Vishnu and describes his father, king Hiranya Kashyap as an atheist engaged in religious prosecution. The evil father adopts many ruthless routes to dissuade his son from the path of devotion but fails. Finally, the devil king seeks the help of his sister Holika who is blessed by Lord Brahma not to be consumed by fire. She enters a bonfire taking Prahalad on her lap. For misusing the boon, Holika is burnt to ashes, while Prahalad escapes unscathed.

People today, observe and play Holi in gross form and mundane manner without realizing the deeper implications of its rich rituals. By such outward, ritualistic and routine observance of Holi, they deprive the self and society from true spiritual empowerment and enrichment which the festival is supposed to provide.

Holi burns impurity

Vabhishya Puran depicts the narration of Devarshi Narad who speaks highly of Holi to king Yudhistir: "Oh Emperor, on Phalguna Purnima (day of Holi), people of your kingdom should be allowed to have fun and frolic without any fear. Boys should go out and gather sticks for Holika burning in an atmosphere of loud laughter, ha-hola & hymn chanting to destroy the demon. Till date, the effigy of evil Holika is continued to be burnt, Oh King! to annihilate all enemical forces".

It stands to reason that no physical bon fire of dry sticks can ward off all evils or inauspiciousness. Rather, it is the dryness, hardness and harshness of human propensities which perpetrate pain unto the self and others need to be sublimated in the subtle fire divine knowledge and meditation on God. The practice and promotion of Holy Communion (Raja Yoga) of self with the Supreme Soul hold key not only to wipe out innate evils, vices and negative traits but also to empower and enrich the self and others with positive qualities, character and conduct. As per Brahma Puran, on the day of Holi if a person in rapt attention makes a prayerful darshan of Purushotham Srikrishna's idol kept on a swing in the temple, then the person is assured of a place in Lord Krishna's celestial kingdom, Vaikunth or Paradise.

Mention of such rituals in scriptures need to be understood not in their literal sense, but in spiritual essence. Not mere physical glance or glimpse of Lord Krishna's idol but regular divine contemplation and meditation on God's incorporeal point-light image and cultivation of Krishna's divine/deity qualities such as contentment, courage, cheerfulness, detachment, dispassion and determination in life would enable you to eliminate inner impurities and negativities and to experience deity like true peace, health, harmony and happiness.

Similarly, the chanting of Vedas' holy hymns "Raskhohagam Balgaham" for destroying the devils during demoness 'Holika' burning and the mention of 'Holi' in scripture as ‘Vish Todak’ (Vice-Demolition) and ‘Punya Praydayak’ (Merit Giving) Parv or festival, enjoin on the observers to desist from demonic thoughts, desires, diets and dispositions. This can be done when you light the inner fire of spiritual wisdom and RajaYoga Meditation on God and when you adopt universal values, satwik diet and healthy lifestyle, so that you can smear and decorate yourself and all others with divine colours of purity, positivity, balance and bliss in life. (The wirter is Associate Professor, R.G.U.)

AFSJO craft bazaar

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Many visitors thronged to witness and buy the Chumthang products at Manipur based NGO Action for Social Justice Organisation(AFSJO), Porompat sponsored crafts bazaar at Kangkar Nalah.

A crafts bazaar cum sales of handicrafts products under the name and style of AFSJO CRAFTS BAZAR is underwent under the sponsorship of sponsorship of the office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, New Delhi at the Playground of the Government Higher Secondary School, Kangkar Nalah, Naharlagun from February 23 onwards,

Kh Pushapari ,secretary of the AFSJO,an NGO based at Manipur’s P.D.A. Complex in Imphal east district said that various handicrafts items from Manipur including of clothes, bags, doll & toys, dry flowers, metal crafts and traditional form of arts from various states of the North Eastern States are shown and exhibited for open sale in the ongoing fair cum craft bazaar.

The main objective of organizing such a bazar is nothing but to find a proper marketing place for handicrafts items made by the artisans of Manipur, Pushparani informed.

“Our products have attracted a good number of visitors since the last few days “,Modhu,master craftsman of another water weed ‘chumthang’ made handicraft products told this reporter over phone from Itanagar.

Nearly 150 artisans are participating in the Crafts Bazar which is scheduled to conclude on March 4 next.

Winter charity show

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: In an effort to explore and promote the singing and dancing ability among the Arunachalee youths besides promoting harmony among various tribal groups, the Arunachal Pradesh Development Welfare Association (APDWA) organized a winter charity show at Siddhartha Hall here yesterday.

Variety of dances was performed during the evening show where the music lovers portrayed their ability to dancing. However, singing ability of Ashok Sonam and Jeli Kayi drew admiration from the audience. The Association appreciated Arunachal Community College and Health Science Director Demo Dada, chief guest of the day, Raga MLA Nido Pavitra and Horticulture Minister Honchun Ngandam and others for their whole-hearted support in making the programme a grand success.

Vocational trainings

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Hornbill centre for development with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti will conduct three and six month vocational training institute on Tailoring for students and poor people.

The training will be inaugurated on March 1 at HCD Office Vivek Vihar, Itanagar.

Holi greetings

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen J J Singh extended warm greetings to all Arunachalees.

In a message on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the Governor said “I extend warm greetings to all Arunachalees. I hope the festival of colours will further strengthen our cultural bonding”.

May the joyous occasion spread love and oneness amongst all citizens, the message added.

Encroachment of labour barracks resented

ITANAGAR: All Arunachal Pradesh Government Departmental Labours Union (AAPGDLU) has drawn the attention of authorities and general public towards ever increasing illegal encroachment of the labor barracks and quarters in entire state. Union has urged concerned authorities and public leaders to take urgent step to stop such illegal activities in the interest of state and labors.

Post doctors

ITANAGAR: Kargu Kardi Students Union has expressed displeasure over state health department’s alleged failure to depute allopathic doctors in Darak and Liromoba Public health centres despite their repeated pleas. In a press release issued KKSU stated that particularly during monsoon season people of both the remote area suffer from absence of doctors.

Further union had appealed to the state government, particularly health department to analyze their demand and immediately post doctors to the PHCs. Meanwhile KKSU has welcomed change in nomenclature of Bogum Lodu Karka Welfare Society to Kargu Kardi Welfare Society.