The Arunachal Times - Archives

Regarding constitution of the university court, he said the Court have to be constituted by the MHRD. Necessary amendments of the Act are to be brought in the next Executive Council and Academic Council meetings wherein the Court will be finalized, he said adding due care will be taken to give the Court adequate representations from all sections of society belonging to the region.

The VC also requested the students to negotiate land owners to donate land or at a nominal price to the University for Early Construction of View-Point at First Turning of RGU Road near its Entry Gate.

While admitting that irregularities were found in overwriting of marks in the answer scripts of students of Institute of Distance Education (IDE), the VC said, based on the recommendation of the committee constituted to scrutinize all answer scripts of students of IDE, the authorities have made necessary corrections in the mark sheet to do away with undue favour or victimization. The University has taken serious note of this action by the individual concerned and he was divested of three important positions that he held at the time of this incident, he added.

While giving details of the other points of the demands, the VC who was accompanied by RGU Registrar Incharge Tomo Riba and Prof Nani Bath and Finance officer informed that request are made to include the agenda for central school in RGU campus in the VCs meeting to be held at the University of Hyderabad on March 13.

Many projects including 64-Seater Hostel for Girls (2 Floors), Computer Science Building (First Floor), Computer Science Hostel Building (First Floor) have been completed. Other projects such as Vice-Chancellor's Secretariat, Strong Room for storing confidential materials are nearing completion.

Moreover, project including 100-seater Hostel for Boys, 12-Duplex Quarters, Day Care Centre, Main Gate, Networking of Internal Roads are under way, he informed.

Training cum exposure visit on commercial poultry production

Basar, Mar 7: A training cum exposure visit on commercial poultry production is going to be held at ICAR Basar, from March 8-10 under Capacity Building for Adoption of Technology (CAT) sponsored by NABARD, Regional Office, Itanagar.

During the training various topics relating to poultry farming such as Importance of poultry farming in recent years, Poultry for self employment, Horticulture based integrated farming system with special reference to poultry, Common diseases of poultry and its preventive measures, Bankable project preparation for poultry farming etc. will be taught to the farmers by the experts from ICAR and State Veterinary Department.

All together 25 farmers from all around the Arunachal Pradesh will be accommodated in this training. During the training maximum emphasis will be given on practical demonstration rather theory, an official release said.

NGO, SHG programmes conclude at Namsai

ITANAGAR, Mar 7: Three Days Self Help Group Training Programme for NGOs was organised by NABARD in collaboration with National Youth Project of Arunachal Pradesh at conference hall of NYP Branch office, Namsai from Feb 28. 45 participants from Tirap, Changlang, Lohit, Dibang Valley, Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare and Anjaw attended the programme .

Deputy General Manager, NABARD A.K. Pasrija, was the main resource person.

During the three days programmes, participants were trained on various issues related to SHG formations and its functions, linking with banks, promotion, concept, composition, functioning, savings, role of NABARD and many other related topics were discussed.

During the program, many participants’ complaint about the role of Banks for denying forms for opening of new SHG. The matter was discussed with the ADC Namsai and he assured to provide all support to the SHG and others.

Awareness campaign on sanitation

BOMDILA, Mar 7: As a part of the total sanitation campaign being conducted all over the state upholding the theme of Clean and Green Arunachal, the department of PHE & W/S in association with the District Administrative and DUDA conducted a mass sanitation drive at Bomdila and in its periphery which was preceded by a sanitation walks in the morning by the students of Modern School Bomdila led by Deputy Commissioner Swati Sharma along with officers and public of the district headquarter displaying banners & placards on health and hygiene themes and distributing user’s pamphlet all along on March 6 last.

The day before, in the drawing and painting competition on ‘Rural Sanitation’ organized by the Women Welfare Center Bomdila ; the NGO which has been engaged in imparting awareness campaign under Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) in the district, DC Sharma exhorted the students to avoid and discourage open defecation and maintain cleanliness. She also called for passing similar messages to the parents and elders who are in the far-flung areas of the district ignorant of the hygienic matters.

A mixed bag of hope, despair and opportunities

Ranjit Sinha

ITANAGAR, Mar 7: International Women Day (IWD) is celebrated every year all over the world on March 8.

But the day seems to be more important for creating awareness among the woman folk about their rights rather than highlighting the achievements of the women, particularly in the context of Arunachal Pradesh.

Stressing the need of awareness among women about their rights, a lady teacher of a city school said, “Lack of education has become main setback regarding women emancipation.”

The women in city, particularly in Capital are more or less liberal and keeping pace with the male counterpart, on the other hand the status of women in rural and secluded areas is pathetic. Lack of education facilities in rural areas and awareness are to blame for their ignorance about their rights and liberty, she added.

There is no gain saying that Arunachal Pradesh being a late starter, its women have miles to go achieve their goals in life. Laws are already there to protect women against social evils like domestic violence, child marriage and harassment at workplace and above all for equal opportunities in every sphere in society. But very little has been done to educate women and enable them to have big share of cake and eat it too.

“Though education is a must for women to bring them at par with men, I could not cross the high school due to financial constraint; now I am running a small shop in city to support my parents”, said young businesswoman from Basar, who runs a Computer game shop in the city. We should think first about how to eradicate poverty which is main stumbling block on way to women emancipation, she added.

On the other hands, there are other barriers too.

“My parents could help me to pursue education as there was no financial constraint, but they could not, instead almost forced me to get married in younger age,” rued a mother of a child, who is also running a grocery shop.

However, it is not that every woman are facing wrath of family elders or bread winners in a patriarchal society. There are many women who enjoy the support of family.

“I have no grievances in personal life as a woman as I am enjoying every support from my family. But I can sense how the woman folk in villages and secluded areas are living a suppressed and miserable life.” They almost surrender their life before the elders or her spouse and have no say in family or society, said Chandra Biswakarma, an employee of a private organization.

Awareness is must among the women about their rights, she said, and opined that Arunachal Pradesh State Women Commission should spread its tentacles in grass root level.

The Commission had sacrificed its many precious years in bringing awareness in grass root level among the women. It has also succeeded to solve some cases of atrocities against women in recent past.

Endorsing the efforts of the Commission, a woman activist said, the Commission has come up to the expectation within a few years of its formation. In spite of much convolution, it had strived its best to bring out the rural women from the shackle of evils in the society. Of course many forerunner NGOs are shouldering responsibility with the Commission to bring the light of knowledge among women in interior areas, she added.

There is no denying the fact that unlike in the pre-Independence era where the women were brazenly treated as human machine to reproduce human beings, today’s women are more liberal and are also recognising the intrinsic and true potential already in them to excel in their choicest fields. Guess from the convinced voice of a class XII girl student (Science) of V K V Roing, “Women are also marching ahead in today’s cut-throat competitive world. My parents always support me and I am sure to become a doctor in future to provide health care facilities and service to my own people.”

For the plight of women not only in Arunachal, but also whole country, Indian system of traditional belief and social dogmas are mainly responsible.

However, if we look at the other side of the same coin, someone would surely find that despite all odds, the women of modern era have been playing leading roles in every sector from politics to entrepreneurship.

Not only Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India but a large number of women are working as shining example to bring respect and glory to the women community. In Arunachal Komoli Mossang (first lady minister of the state), Koj Rinya (lady IFS), Indra Mallo (IAS), Mamang Dai (noted litteratuer), Jarjum Ete (renowned social activist), Pakjar Taipodia Taju (arm wrestler of international repute), Bengia Mala (first Arunachalee actress) and Yomken Noshi, karate exponent are a few to count who excelled or/and are contributing in their fields.

Should we count the achievement of these women as the pointer to freedom of women community to stand equal with the male counterpart in the state?

For the time being, let us see, if the Women Bill gets through this session of the parliament or not!

VDP launched

ITANAGAR, Mar 7: Village Development Plan was formally launched by renowned Gandhian Dr. S.N. Subba Rao at Wingko under Namsai Sub Division on Feb 25. Dr. Subba Rao unvailed the foundation stone at the entry point of the village.

100 saplings was planted by the dignitaries and the villagers to mark the day and a book on the schemes of NABARD was also released by Dr.Subba Rao. The village was adopted under the NABARD scheme by National Youth Project initially for a period of three years.

HGB’s death condoled

ITANAGAR, Mar 7: Tacha-Pan Youth Welfare Society and All Pan Village Youth Welfare Association have condoled the death of Nabam Tadap, HGB of Tacha Village, who died on March six at his native village after a prolonged illness.

He is survived by two sons and as many daughters among others.

A good orator, Tadap was elected ASM for three consecutive terms.

Both the associations conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

Time has come for us to act

Joram Mepung

Sexual harassment and rape are two sides of the same coin. While a murderer destroys the physical frame of the victim, a rapist degrades the soul of a helpless female. The question is not whether a woman has the right over to bodily integrity, as this right is already adumbrated under Article 21 of the constitution of India. This article, which guarantees the right to life and liberty to men and women make the contemporary and future society safe haven for women.

Today when the state is moving at the pinnacle of success with great effort, it is indeed surprising that child-cum-forced marriage still exist particularly in the Nishi society. This is certainly not a tell-tale, as witnessed of such case in the vicinity of the so called peaceful area of Ziro-II. Here among the beautiful scenery and lofty mountains, is the sad case of a 16 year old girl, who had to flee her in-law’s home after she was brutally ill-treated. She even had to succumb to being tied to heavy wooden logs, leaving an ugly mark on the victim’s feet. Her case has been registered in the police station of Yazali against the accused, under the title of abduction, physical and mental torture and ‘violation of the child-marriage act, 1929.

Most unfortunate parents are reluctant to report such cases to the police, either because they are themselves involved or are cowardly enough to avoid humiliation, or they do not really value girl child. The irony part of the whole situation is that girls in this society are used as a barter system. They are weighed in comparison to an animal i.e. Mithun. Marriage is a celebration among the Nishis, but so is “Child and Forced marriages”. Girls regardless of their age can be mortgaged when in need, and are forcibly given of if unable to pay. This is an act of violation of Human Rights. The case of the mentioned minor is not the one of its first kind. The crux of it is that there is no ending to it.10-15 years from now on, it was accepted as such was the custom. But the question is why still?

With the world moving at a breath catching pace of globalisation, why should we sit back and read in the papers about such barbaric and uncivilized acts being enacted again and again? For the likes of us who have seen the doors of schools and colleges and live in the urban areas, it does not really matter much. Such acts clearly define the difference between the urbanites and the poor rurals.

It is time now to open our eyes and work together with the existing groups like- ‘women’s associations, NGOs’ the police etc to eradicate such acts. For those of us who stay outside Arunachal , we are lowered to nothing but humiliation when asked about the inhuman practice of buying and selling girls. Let us not allow gender-issue to be a hindrance on the development of the society. Law alone cannot curb this harmful social practice. It is the responsibility of every educated and privileged citizen of the state to act responsibly in regards to such circumstances. Let us mobilize ourselves and try to understand the ill-effects of such acts and make this information accessible to the rest.

It is our duty to participate in enabling the elected members and the representatives of the government to work for such fields as well. Every single family’s welfare matters to contribute to a broader society and the state at large. We cannot talk of a state blooming with IAS officers living next door to where buying and selling of girls take place.

The Indian of the 21st century

A.K. Mishra

My association with Dibang Multipurpose Project started since 10th June 2009 and continuing with the team of officers/employees/local residents as a family. With each day passing, mixed experiences are pouring in carrying some bitter and good tastes while handling/interacting with the young students/PAFs/Children. Here I reminded of a Sanskrit sloka that glorifies the educated person and my guru/teacher taught me the following for practicing in life:

Swagruhe poojyate jheshtha, swagraame poojyate prabhuhu Swadeshe poojyate raja, vidwan sarvatra poojyate

(The elder is respected in his house, the headman in his village A king is respected in his country, but the learned everywhere)

As you graduate from a educational institution and become responsible members of a larger society, it is worthwhile to ponder over what the purpose of all these years of educations has been and how you can use it to make a difference to society. Progress is based on dreams and requires change. Change requires learning. Education is therefore about learning to learn. Being educated mean you are assuming responsibility in society i.e. responsibility to show fairness to the less fortunate, to create a future that posterity can be proud of, and to fulfill the promise that freedom brought us. It is about raising one’s confidence to think of a worthy dream and the ability to translate that dream to reality by high performance action. It is about opening up one’s mind to accept new ideas, evaluate them and use them for progress.

We are a nation of one billion people with just 28% living in urban areas, an average person earns only Rs. 1498 a month (our per capita GDP is one of the lowest in the world), only 54% of our people are literate, average life expectancy is only 61 years, the country has an HDI (Human Development Index) of 127 out of 175 nations in the world, 318 million people do not have access to safe drinking water, 250 million people do not have access to basic medical care, 630 million people do not have sanitation facilities, 51% of children are undernourished, and half our primary schools have only one teacher for every two classes.

Now as a country if all of us together start thinking for eradicating poverty, disease and illiteracy we need high aspirations. Aspirations energize us to overcome limitations. They engender and sustain hope, the main fuel for progress. They help us achieve miracles. Mahatma Gandhi’s aspiration for an independent India as the reason why you and I can walk as a free people today. It is not an exaggeration to say aspirations build civilizations. Students must therefore raise aspirations high in whatever they do. Wealth is required to be created for progress and for bright future. I happened to meet lot of students/local residents of the Roing in and around areas but none of them I could foresee trying to become a professional in life. In this regard, I can say with confidence that construction of Dibang Multipurpose Project at the door step of the local residents is bound to bring changes in the lives of the people along with prosperity for future. One thing which is to be understood and guarded against is cynicism. Cynicism has no role in task of building our nation. Cynicism takes away energy and enthusiasm which we require in plenty if we have to realize our dreams. I will prefer that young students must seek opportunities in the areas that are outside the Government control. That is where the big opportunities lie and where merit will be recognized and rewarded. That is where quality jobs can be created in your quest to solve the problem of poverty.

Confidence is extremely important for progress. Openness is a sign of such self confidence. Hence, the ability to accept, evaluate, adapt new ideas is what will separate the successful from the not so successful. We have to shun any thoughts and ideas that take us towards jingoism, chauvinism and parochialism. In this age of the inter-connected global village, no nation desiring economic progress should isolate itself from the outside world. Nations that did so in the fifties and sixties have realized the futility of such isolation, reversed the trend successfully and benefited from the resultant openness.

While sharing my thoughts with you, I have only one thing in my mind that the students/PAFs/local residents will understand the secrets of success of any country/state/city/town in achieving progress. I find at times, lot of anger among young students which probably has crept in their innocent minds due to lack of clarity on the subject matter specially the construction of Dibang Multipurpose Project. The project as such will be changing the very concept of living/progressing within the entire state. The volumes of works which are awaiting execution will speak a lot in future and same is required to be understood right now. I invite the locals/PAFs/students to come forward and share with me the myths regarding the project which are being carried by them even till today. NHPC officers/employees are like their family members and are here to contribute only. We will be happy to absorb your anger if it is based on unfounded notions/informations. (General Manager, Dibang Multipurpose Project, 3000MW)

Prez greets women on eve of Intl Women’s Day

New Delhi: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil greeted women of the country today on the eve of International Women's Day.

In her message on the occasion, the President said, ''Every year, we celebrate International Women's Day on March 8 to recognise the dedication and achievements of women. This year is even more special, as this is the 100th year of its observation.'' ''Indian women, as part of this epoch making movement, have played an exemplary role and will continue to be a major determinant of our future progress and inclusive growth,'' she added.

''On this occasion, I have great pleasure in extending my greetings and best wishes to the women of India for their continued success,'' she said. UNI

Aran festival kicks off

PASIGHAT: The Week long Agricultural, socio-religious festival of Adi community “Aran” kicked off with traditional fervor today.

On the occasion, every household performed rituals and prayers to appease various god and goddesses for prosperity and well being of domestic animals.

As part of the celebration, Yagjong was performed.

On the 3rd day, known as Lungak longa, the Mithun owners gather their Mithun from the jungle and tie them within the residential premises and performed rituals to appease Dadi-Bote, the god of Animal for the wellbeing of their animal.

The 3rd day is followed by Petpum-Petlen and in the 5th day “Mopun” is observed.

During the eve of the festival community hunting and various religious taboos is also observed by every individual and household.

Appointments

ITANAGAR, Mar 7: All Hija Welfare Society has selected new team of executive with Taku Pugang as chairman, Dani Rika as vice-chairman and Taru Tamu Tara as general secretary.