May -
- Not all is well with civil aviation department: Parliamentary secy
- Not only condolences, we want answers: Students say
- Unions endorse AAPSU demand
- Relic of Don Bosco arrives in Itanagar
- Need for collective stand
- Recruitment in Army Educational Corps
- Training of Trainers for Village Botanist Course
- Giogi Taya Memorial
Not all is well with civil aviation department: Parliamentary secy
“Khandu chopper had no MoU”
ITANAGAR, May 14: While the debate is on about the safety of air travelers in Arunachal, parliamentary secretary, Civil Aviation Gadam Ete has come out with a shocking revelation that not all is well in the department and that chopper that flew former Chief Minister did not enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Civil Aviation.
Ete while appealing the Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin to streamline state Civil Aviation Department for smooth functioning and to avoid chopper accidents in future said that no professional officers in aircraft service or officials have been engaged in civil aviation department for proper monitoring or guidance in accordance with the DGCA norms.
No visibility monitoring system (VMS) has been introduced in Arunachal and the mode of collection of visibility report from different helipads manually and telephonically is a blunder on the part of State Aviation department and Helicopter operators, he said.
The parliamentary secretary in another bombshell states that the ill-
With this act, the irresponsibility of both PHHL and the immature department has surfaced again, Ete said.
Had there been any professional and responsible officer in the department, Dorjee Khandu could have been advised not to travel in such a killer copter he said while adding that the liaisoning officer of PHHL must also come clean as using of a single engine copter for VVIP/VIP is against the DGCA rules and regulations.
The parliamentary secretary also put the Pawan Hans Helicopter Pvt Limited (PHHL) in the dock for various lapses and lacunae in operating chopper service in Arunachal Pradesh.
Lambasting the PHHL for ‘so many lapses and negligence’ in chopper service in state, Ete said that credibility of Pawan Hans service is doubtful despite having DGCA’s certified officials. The Pawan Hans is found using aged aircraft without considering the very sensitive nature of Arunachal which shares international boundary, the parliamentary secretary said.
Pointing out various unfortunate chopper mishaps beginning from the death of former
education minister to recent chopper crashes in Tawang within a fortnight killing
22 people including former CM late Dorjee Khandu, Ete said such unfortunate incidents
occurred due to negligence of PHHL, its crew members and over-
Ete further pointed out that proper air routes have not been introduced and that no fire extinguishing system is being installed in helipads in Arunachal. Moreover, the Helipads have not been maintained according to DGCA norms.
Tawang helipad, which is situated in one of the highest altitude in world, has no boundary wall and there is lack of security arrangement, Ete added.
The central Govt has nothing to do with Pawan Hans chopper crash, since it is the total responsibility of the PHHL and state civil aviation department to coordinate and monitor proper functioning of the chopper service with technical experts, Ete said.
The Parliamentary secretary further said he had put his effort to streamline the department since it was incapable of meeting growing needs of helicopter service due to lack of technical expert and professionals. “The matter was brought to the notice of former CM and the idea was agreed in principle but it was which never materialized.’
answers: Students say
ITANAGAR, May 14: Upset at the inaction and confusion that surrounded the chopper that crashed with the Chief Minister Late Dorjee Khandu and four others on April 30, All Tawang District Students' Union (ATDSU) has said that it need answers from the central and the state govts under what circumstances the Governor J.J Singh gave a statement that Chief Minister and his entourage had landed safely in Bhutan.
The union further wanted to know why it took five days to trace out the wellbeing and whereabouts of the Chief Minister and his entourage.
The Union further wanted to know the role of the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) of the Arunachal and Tezpur when Chief Minister’s chopper was air bound.
The union further wanted to know the government’s stand on Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited.
The Union further resented that there were no officials of PHHL when mortal remains of the chief minister was brought to Itanagar.
Angry at the failed search operation by the Indian army, it said that lessons from 1962 were not being taken seriously.
The Union further supported the stand of APPSU on calling for a CBI's Enquiry into the matter while appealing the present Govt for a cabinet berth for the son of late Dorjee Khandu.
The Union further expressed the hope that present Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin would carry forward the activities of the Late Chief Minister.
ITANAGAR, May 14: The All Mishmi Students’ Union (AMSU), has strongly endorsed the demand made by All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) for CBI Enquiry into the chopper mishap in which Late Dorjee Khandu lost his life.
It is unfortunate to observe many inconsistencies in the incident and now the onus lies on the new government to let the common masses of state know what exactly led to chopper crash, AMSU stated in a release.
Meanwhile, Dibang Adi Students’ Union (DASU) while strongly endorsing the AAPSU demands for CBI enquiry into the tragic death of Late Dorjee Khandu, called upon the new government to come out with the exact revelation of the whole incident within a given time period to remove any iota of doubt.
The union also congratulated Tine Mena for achieving the feat of becoming the first women from the north east to scale Mount Everest and termed it as a proud moment particularly for the people of Dibang Valley.
Relic of Don Bosco arrives in Itanagar
ITANAGAR, May 14: The casket containing the relic of 19th century educator saint Don Bosco arrived in Itanagar this evening.
Hundreds of devotees including speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Wanglin Lowangdong, Ministers, attended the reception programme of the casket at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Itanagar where the casket was dismounted.
With a solemn procession the casket was taken to Catholic Church, Itanagar for vigil programme and public homage.
Earlier, the casket was received at Holongi Gate by Don Bosco Alumni, APCU and devotees who escorted the casket to Catholic Church, Itanagar.
On May 15, the casket will be taken to Sacred Heart Church, Naharlagun at 7 am and will be brought back to Catholic Church Itanagar at 11 am for Holy mass.
In the evening, the casket will leave for St. Joseph’s Church, Nyokum Lapang, St. John Bosco Church Jully and Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Jully. On May 16, the casket will leave for Don Bosco School, Doimukh, Yachuli and Ziro.
Earlier, the pilgrimage of the relics started from Valdocco, Turin, Italy on 2009 to visit some 130 countries and arrived in India on 29th April 2011 in Imphal, Manipur and started its pilgrimage in North East India.
Taba Ajum
ITANAGAR, May 14: It was on 6th of this month that an old school friend who belongs to Apatani community sent me text message informing that a poor sighted journalist from New Delhi associated with Times of India (TOI) group had written something nasty about Nyishi community. A second later he called me up and started abusing the journalist who wrote that news. He urged me to use my old contacts at Delhi media circle and get hold of the journalist.
Initially more than me it was my friend who seemed angrier with Times of India article. Later when I went through the news article, my first reaction was how someone sitting in an air conditioned office at TOI, New Delhi could write something so inflammatory against a particular community. A character assassination of one tribe of Arunachal is like insult to every tribal people of the state. Just like my childhood Apatani friend, initially I was very angry too after reading that news article. But later on anger turned into sadness at the thought that how could someone speak ill about the tribals of the state without knowing the fact.
Be it any tribe, at the end of the day, we are all Arunachalees.
When there was no active help from centre at the time late CM Dorjee Khandu’s chopper went missing, every Arunachalee stood together and vented their anger against Delhi rulers.
Every Arunachalee is still hurt about why no arrest has been made in the infamous
PDS scam. No Arunachalee had ever defended any PDS accused whether he/she may be
ministers or MLAs belonging to any tribe. Last year when news about PRC being issued
to non-
Very recently Naga People’s Front (NPF) decision to start their state unit evoked strong reaction from every tribe. Many came out to declare that tribal’s of Tirap and Chaglang like Nocte, Wancho, Tangsa, etc are Arunachalee tribal and not Naga as claimed by NPF. In the past, students belonging to different tribe of Arunachal under the banner of All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) had sacrificed their lives fighting for cause of state on issues like refugee and boundary problem. In all these struggles, tribal people of Arunachal stood up together as an Arunachalee and not as representative of one particular tribe. So, it’s saddening to see how an outsider from mainland India makes an insulting statement about Arunachalee tribal without knowing the ground reality.
On the other hand, for many ordinary citizens of Arunachal which includes this poor journalist, it does not matter if Chief Minister is from any XYZ tribe. End of the day all politicians are corrupt and we do not have much expectations from them. Villagers living in interior areas of Tirap, Kurung Kumey, West Siang, Papum Pare, Anjaw, West Kameng will have same problems.
Poverty, unemployment and corruption are the biggest enemy of every poor Arunachalees. Poverty does not discriminate on basis of tribe and therefore every poor Arunachalee should fight against corrupt politicians who are looting our money. Illegal appointment, PDS scam, hydro scam, mining scam and list goes on. These are the problem which we need to confront together.
Recruitment in Army Educational Corps
ITANAGAR, May 14: Army recruitment office, Shillong HQ will conduct recruitment of Havildar Education in the Army Educational Corps in Group X and Y from June 27 to July 2. Written examination for the selected candidates will be held on July 31,2011.
Candidates should not below the 20 years of age and not above 25 years as on Oct 24, 2011 and they must possess MA/MSc/MCA or BA/BSc/BCA degree with B Ed for Group X post and BA/BSc/BCA without B Ed for group Y from recognized university. Moreover, candidates with science stream must have at least two of the subjects from among Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Electronics and Computer Science. On the other hand, two of the subjects from English literature, Hindi literature, Urdu literature, History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Mathematics and Sociology are compulsory for candidates with BA degree.
Duly filled up application form with passport size photograph should be submitted at Recruitment Office (Hq) Shillong, C/o 99 APO before May 28, according to an release issued by Army Recruiting Office, Jorhat.
Training of Trainers for Village
Botanist Course
ITANAGAR, May 14: As a part of GOI-
Altogether thirty eight participants from the Forest department, V.F.M.C members from Daporijo, Ziro, Yazali and Herbal technology students from R.G Polthechnic Institute, Itanagar participated in the three days programme
T.Gapak, Member Secretary, A.P.S.M.P.B apprised them about the Project and how the particular course can help towards the conservation effort in the already dwindling Medicinal flora of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Training Programme was presided over by M.S Negi, Additional PCCF who imparted
them knowledge about the importance of the Medicinal Plant and the need for their
conservation and how much it can help in the Socio-
The meeting was also attended by Dr.P.Choudhry,Director SFRI as special invitee and Dr.L.R Bhuyan Scientist,S.F.R.I and Dr. Ramashankar ,Assistant Director, ARRI ,Itanagar who apprised the trainees about the Medicinal Plants and the need for their conservation at this point of time.
U.V Singh T.A, S.F.R.I also gave a detailed presentation about seed technology, seed treatment and also the need for maintaining seed Germplasm.
Field visit was conducted to Chessa Van-
Field trips were conducted to S.F.R.I, where training of Herbarium preparation was imparted by Yapi Pangu, T.A, SFRI. Later, the trainees visited G.B Pant Institute of Himalayan Development, ARRI and N.E.I.S.T.
The valedictory function was attended by B.S Sajwan, PCCF who apprised the participants about the amount of economic uplift that medicinal plants can bring about in the life of rural masses.
Football Tournament Final match today
ITANAGAR, May 14: Gora Makik and Tali Pip Sorang football club will lock horns with each other in the final of the Giogi Taya Memorial Football Tournament at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Naharlagun tomorrow at 1 pm.
Nyapin MLA Bamang Felix will enjoy the final match as chief guest while AAPSU convenor Ringu Kuku and former Kimin ZPM and social worker Bamang Mangha will be the guest of honour and special guest respectively.
News Impact
Hail girl power
ITANAGAR, May 14: MLA Nang Sati Mein has congratulated Mitali Namchoom, Tadu Mamung and Bullo Mamung who cracked this year civil service exemption and also lauded Tine Mina and Anshu Jamsenpa for conquering Mount Everest.
The women have not only brought stupendous laurels to the state but also for entire womanhood, Mein said while adding that the achievements are source of inspiration to all the women and students.
Binny Yanga, Chairperson, Oju Welfare Association congratulated Tine Mena for scaling Mt. Everest. “Since childhood my dreams was to scale Mt. Everest and one of our sisters did it. I feel like I scaled the Everest” said Yanga.
She also congratulated Tadu Mamung, Bullo Mamung and Mitali Namchoom for cracking the country’s most prestigious Civil Service exams.
JSS meet
ITANAGAR, May 14: A meeting of the Board of Management of Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Naharlagun, was held yesterday at Naharlagun.
The meeting was attended by Binny Yanga, Chairperson and P.R.A. Nair, Director (NLM-
Students react against TOI news report
ITANAGAR: All Mishmi Students Union(AMSU) has strongly condemned the news article by one Pradeep Thakur published in Times of India web edition daily in which Nyishi community has been portrayed in poor light.
AMSU said it stand by Nyishi community in this hour and said this article has hurt the sentiment of every tribal of Arunachal. Further it called upon the authorities to book Pradeep Thakur under provision of Indian law for insulting a schedule tribal group.
Dibang Adi Students Union(DASU) too has decried the offensive news article written by Pradeep Thakur on the Nyishi community of the state and also the derogatory remark made by a state police official against the Sherdhukpen tribe. This sort of negative mindset by mainland Indian people does not augur well for a secular country like india and law should dealt such situation firmly, DASU stated in a release.
ATA’s plea to Govt
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Teachers Association (ATA) has appealed to the state Govt to honour meritorious sportsperson Laa Talar with cash award.
Talar is now number one badminton player in his age group and under 16 category, who also won the badminton double national championship in 2010, ATA secretary general Toli Riram said.
Meanwhile, ATA hoped that the new Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin will fulfill its
three point demands -
Riram said that former CM late Dorjee Khandu had given verbal assurance to fulfill these demands.
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
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All rights reserved.
How to make an informed choice
Dear Editor,
I would like to suggest the readers, especially students who are going to pursue engineering and diploma courses outside Arunachal Pradesh, to take some precautionary measures before taking admission in various colleges.
Currently there are two ways to get into an engineering college;
1)by clearing entrance exams like JEE,AIEEE or any other entrance test conducted by various universities.
2)by direct entry without appearing any entrance test.
In the former case, you don't have to pay any extra money except the college fees, while in direct entry case most of the colleges take huge amount as donation through consultancy agencies at the time of admission. The donation may range from say Rs 40000 to more than lakh. But the more important thing is how to choose the right college/university? Various admission agencies are available, but make certain you know how engineering colleges should be.
Government colleges are fine but many private colleges which lack infrastructures exaggerate in advertisement through various mediums to attract the public. So here are few tips to chose the right college; make sure the course/branch you want to do is approved by AICTE (All India Council Of Technical Education). You might not believe but some colleges lie openly about this.
Ask for the phone numbers of seniors of your state already admitted in that college, they may also help, though not 100%, as some are engaged in consultancy (donation) business. Make sure the donation (in case you pay) is for a credible college.
Don't fall prey to college prospectus and glamour advertisements. Many colleges whether in north or south India show off things which doesn't exist in reality.
Enquire about the college's campus job placement record. Believe it or not some colleges fake it.
Check out the sports and recreational facilities otherwise you may get bored, and boredom is not good for studies.
Check the college website and the university it is affiliated to. Newly established college is most likely to have less infrastructures.
Finally ,whichever college you join ,it is your personal effort and commitment which will make your career. Be a responsible person and don't get too carried away with the glamour of cities.
Yours,
Brbo (Haryana)
Hats off to the fertile mindset
Dear Editor,
It was really a pleasure to go through Sumon Das's letter, titled "Tagore and international understanding" (13 May), which reflects his brilliant understanding and knowledge about Rabindranath Tagore!
According to Mr. Das, Centre's initiative of launching a project of "International understanding" fetching a prize of Rs.1 crore is flawed because Tagore had exemplified his "parochial", "racial" mindset by singing paeans for Bengal (Aamaar Shonar Bangla)!
Just because Tagore was proud to be a Bengali or a son of Bengal, he is anti-
Hats off to the fertile mindset of Mr. Das who discovers each day a newer scandal revolving Tagore!
Just because Tagore professed his love for Bengal, we will forget how he renounced his Knighthood to protest the massacre of innocent Punjabis at Jalianwala Bagh! We will forget his rich body of poems and novels highlighting the bravery of Sikh, Maratha, Rajput warriors! We will ignore the series of articles which reflected his thoughts on India's history and tradition. Since Tagore has referred to Bengal as "Aamaar Sonar Bangla", we will forget his salute to India as "Bharat Tirtha" (Pilgrimage centre named India) or his poem "Africa" which protested the unparalled exploitation of the native population of that continent by the imperialist forces.
Mr. Das should contuinue his unique research and unravel all the "hidden sins" of Tagore! However, he should not restrict himself to writing letters in newspapers only denouncing Tagore. He needs to extend his periphery and write to all the scholars of China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Germany, France, UK, USA, Israel and elsewhere not to waste their precious time and money pursuing the works of such a chauvinistic poet and thinker!
The evils of racism, communalism and regionalism which is threatening the world and India apart can be neutralised only if we delve deep into more and more of Tagore's liberal writings and his special stress on "unity in diversity" whereby people would embrace the whole world, yet remain true to their respective cultural uniqueness. The route to international peace and social harmony passes through Tagore's works and thoughts and that is the reason why the whole world has launced special projects on his 150th birth anniversary to discover more and more of him.
Unless Mr. Das adopts a rational, non-
Yours,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata (on email)
Do some community service
Dear Editor,
This is in reference to Mr Das and Kajal Chatterjee’s letters which are not only useless but uninteresting too.
If Mr Das is not interested to read Tagore’s poem it’s ok and if Kajal do not want to speak Hindi, there is no problem either. Both seem to be of same mindset so there is no need to condemn each other.
We the readers know who are the greatest human beings who have ever walked on earth and whether Nobel Prize to Tagore was genuine or not.
Instead of wasting your valuable time in critical analysis of Hindi and Tagore, better do some good community service instead.
Yours,
Concerned reader
Itanagar (on email)
No need of politicians
Dear Editor,
It is high time we realise these politicians are all the same. They are all hand in gloves with the Mafia; It is a big bloody nexus. The parties may change, but the ruling style and the looting of public will never change. They will turn by turn loot the exchequer/poor tax payers money, and become richer by millions when they rule, the public will become poorer, by the increasing cost of living.
We need a drastic change now in the system. We should throw out all these old corrupt, crooked politicians, and let some learned, MBAs from our IIMs & reputed Management Institutions rule the country. What are these Politician’s doing for the people/country, other than eating into the treasury? They do not take any decisions correctly or in time. Red tapism, nepotism and corruption are ruling & not the law of the land. Or, privatise everything; even if the cost rises, the work will be done at least. Either way, we will not have to bear the huge, massive, unbearable cost of maintaining hundreds of Ministers, and their families and chamchas, who are absolutely of no use to the public/country.
Yours,
Pratyush Sarmah
New Delhi (on email)
Mass transfer of nurses not fair
Dear Editor,
I would like to draw the kind attention of the Director, Health Services, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh that mass transfer of nurses in Arunachal Pradesh is going to create a problematic situation for their children who have already taken admission in schools. In this very situation, who will look after and take responsibility of those school going children of the nurses?
Hence, I feel that mass transfer of the nurses is not a fair transfer. Therefore, I as a citizen feel that the concerned authority should look into the matter very seriously for the well being and interest of the nurses of the state.
Yours,
A. Gumja
Doimukh (on email)
Daughters of Arunachal
Dear editor,
It is to be worth mentioned that while the state of Arunachal is still going through
its darkest hours of weeping & mourning, her daughters are coming in handy to back-
For bringing laurel & moment of gladness for the entire Arunachal, a hearty congratulations and best wishes to Tine Mena, Anshu Jamsenpa, Mitali Namchoom,Tadu Mamung & Bullo Mamung for their respective achievements.
Yours,
Millo Byai,
Kerala (on email)
He can do it
Dear Editor,
Its funny but everyone seems to know how to run the State and therefore, are giving suggestion, advice, even warning to new CM. If anyone can do it, he can do it.
Yours,
L. Ete
Aalo (on email)
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