May 08

News Impact

• GWS stages dharna, seeks Governor’s intervention for solution to Assam-Arunachal boundary dispute
• Tuki urges PM to open border trade, road connectivity to Myanmar, Bhutan
• SBF demands DC to cancel public hearing
• Follow the teachings of Buddha for world peace:  T.G. Rinpoche
• Personality development prog at NERIST begins
• Youth urged to wake up, shoulder responsibility
• State BJP praises Jaitley as he speaks for NE in Parliament
• Launch Mission Malaria Control prog effectively: Gamlin

AEKSU demands eviction drive

ITANAGAR, May 07:  All East Kameng Students Union (AEKSU) demanded the administration to carry out eviction drive against illegal land encroachment in and around Govt offices, hospital and school complex at Seppa immediately.

In a meeting held at Seppa on May 5, the Union also resolved to  seek relevant documents and sketch maps of government land within the office, hospital and school complex which is believed to be occupied by public at Seppa.  Deputy director of school education, principal of government college Seppa and all the zonal students’ unions’ representatives were present in the meeting, it said.

It also resolved  to urge the public accountant committee (PAC) and special investigation cell to prepare report on water treatment plant (WTP) at the earliest.

 

Council resents ‘erroneous book’

ITANAGAR, May 07: All Nyishi Youth Council (ANYC) today  said that GGL group of publisher  has erroneously mentioned the word ‘Hills Miri’ in place of ‘Nyishi’ in its general knowledge book titled Mastering Competitive Exam 2012. Claiming that the word Hills Miri was  omitted when the Dafla word was replaced by ‘Nyishi’ in the constitutional amendment Act 2008, it urged the government to take stern action against the publisher. It further demanded banning of the book and public apology from the publisher.

 

‘Miscreants damage govt vehicle in Assam’

YINGKIONG, May 7: A  govt vehicle attached temporarily to Sports and Youth Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Wangki Lowang was reportedly damaged and the driver and the PSO were allegedly manhandled by some miscreants in Sibsagar, Assam.

The miscreants had even asked the PSO to bring the parliamentary Secretary to them, the director of sports and youth affairs in a release said. However, the reason of the whole episode is still not known, the release added.

 

Villagers rescue 2 leopard cat cubs

ITANAGAR, May 7: A group of villagers from Ledum village under East Siang rescued two Leopard Cat cubs from jungle and handed it over to DFO Tashi Mize, the head of D Ering Wildlife Sanctuary.

The 1-2 month-old Leopard cubs were found strayed in nearby jungle of Ledum village. This Leopard Cat is one of the most adaptable wild cats, similar to its larger cousin, the Common Leopard.

A team of Wildlife Trust of India from Seijosa Animal Rehabilitation Centre is  arriving here shortly to take it to Seijosa to rehabilitate to this centre, said Tashi Mize, DFO (W/L).

They live with ease in a variety of forests and even close to human habitation across most of South and Southeast Asia and the Far East. It is locally called Cheeta Billi in Hindi, Ban Biral in Bengali, Lota Mekuri Bagh in Assamese and Rikbi Nyoling in Adi.

Earlier, the villagers during Unying-Araan Festival rescued a struggling deer cub and handed it over to wildlife department.

 

Efforts on to shift Pekimodi village

YINGKIONG, May 7: Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Liyon Borang along with district officials trekked to Pekimodi village under Mariyang sub-division recently to explore possibility of shifting the village due to seismic threat.

As per study conducted by the Remote Sensing Application Centre, Itanagar, the village is located at a dangerous site where major damage may occur during an earthquake.

Efforts are on to shift the village to a safer place since last several years. In this connection, a meeting was held where the DC explained the seismic report and possible threat. The people also corroborated the report by citing example of loss already suffered in 1950 earthquake. They also apprised him about their hardship and readily agreed to shift if they are properly rehabilitated. Earlier, in a meeting held at Millang village the DC directed the village ‘kebang’ to spare suitable land for rehabilitating Pekimodi village. He also announced constitution of rehabilitation committee in this regard.

The DC also distributed impregnated mosquito nets to the villagers and advised them to take up cardamom plantation and also briefed them on importance and benefits of hydropower.

Among others, Dr. K. Dai DMO, Talem Paron DDSE, Taro Mize SDO, Talo Jerang EAC, Dr. Ahik Miyu DTO, Dr. Otem Pertin MO, Dukkang Pertin ZPM and Ani Moyong, Anchal Chairperson also spoke on the occasion. DIPRO

 

Federation appeals for fund

ITANAGAR, May 07: All East Kameng Public Motor Transport Federation today appealed the concerned department and local MLA to sanction fund for construction of permanent  parking place  at general ground, near ALC line, Seppa.  Though the parking place for commercial vehicle was shifted from main bazaar line to general ground near ALC  to avoid traffic jam,   the vehicle owners/drivers are facing numerous problems due to lack of maintenance of newly allotted parking place. During rainy season, the  vehicle users face the worst situation as the rain water inundated   the parking place. The Federation demanded renovation of the parking place  at the earliest.

 

RKMH performs total uncemented hip replacement surgery

ITANAGAR, May 7: An un-cemented total hip replacement (arthroplasty) surgery on a 60-year-old patient was performed successfully at a nominal cost of Rs.1.2 lakh at RK Mission Hospital on May 2.

Earlier, the patient from Lakhimpur underwent a hemi-replacement of his left leg following a femoral neck fractures in Bihar. He had the implant removed after it got infected. He was advised for a total hip replacement at an estimated cost of Rs.2-3 lakh in Bihar. But he could not afford to undergo the operation. In the meantime, his left leg became 2 inch shorter than the other. Moreover, he was unable to put weight on his left lower limb. The patient’s most regret was he would not be able to offer ‘Namaz’ in the traditional posture.

The patient is gradually improving since the third post operation day.

“Enabling him to go Mecca and offer Namaz there would be the greatest gift to him from the RKM family”, a hospital release said.

GWS stages dharna, seeks Governor’s intervention for solution to Assam-Arunachal boundary dispute

ITANAGAR, May 7: Galo Welfare Society (GWS) today staged dharna outside Raj Bhawan to draw the attention of Governor J J Singh towards  decades long Assam-Arunachal boundary problem. GWS President Jarjum Ete, NESO Secretary General Gumjum Haider, Galo Students Union Secretary General Pakmik Taipodia, Adi Baane Kebang President Kangir Jamoh along with ordinary citizens and representatives from various students groups participated in the dharna.

Holding placards and banners, the participants expressed their anger over step-motherly treatment meted out to people living along Assam-Arunachal boundary areas by both Arunachal and central governments. “Being treated like Aliens in our own homeland is not acceptable,” read of one the banners.

A memorandum was submitted by GWS to Governor which was received by his office member in his absence. The memorandum highlighted the various atrocities committed against Aru-nachalee citizens by Assam officials including the latest illegal eviction drive carried out inside Arunachal territory at Likabali. GWS also said one man Bordoloi Commission of 1951 was done at the time when tribal people of Arunachal had no idea about politics of documents and lobbying. The commission unilaterally drew boundary in favour of Assam and thereby depriving tribal people their land. Further GWS stated that Assam has often violated the status quo of 1979 and   also accused central government of being biased against Arunachal.

 GWS has appealed to the governor JJ Singh to advocate for poor people living along boundary areas and take up the boundary issue  with government of India and Supreme Court, so that inter-state boundary problem is solved at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Galo Students Union Secretary General Pakmik Taipodia while talking to this reporter expressed sadness over careless attitude of state government towards needs of people living along boundary areas. “Be it Tirap, West Siang, Papum Pare, East Siang or West Kameng, the people living in boundary areas are being tortured by Assam authorities. Recently Assam authorities crossed all limits and carried out eviction inside our land at Likabali. But our government’s response has been very lukewarm,” said Pakmik.

 

In a separate memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, Parliamentary Secretary Home Gadam Ete and secretary to Governor, GWS raised the issue of people from Galo community being unduly harassed in capital complex in the recent days. Citing example of physical attacks on AAPSU GS Tujom Poyom, then CE hydropower,(C) Er Lipi Ete, forceful encroachment of land belonging to EE, power (E) Er Kenli Ete and another forceful encroachment of land of Taro Kena at his WRC field Itanagar, GWS said these incidents have sent shivers among people of the community. The society sought intervention of office of Governor so that culprits involved are punished, which will make people feel confident about law and order in the capital.

 

 

Tuki urges PM to open border trade, road connectivity to Myanmar, Bhutan

NEW DELHI, May 7: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki called on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at his Parliament office today and discussed various developmental and law and order related issues of Arunachal Pradesh.

 

While taking up a strong case for development of border areas and improvement and augmentation of hydro-power and transmission and distribution scenario in the state, Tuki urged the Prime Minister to continue to pay special attention to Arunachal Pradesh by helping the state with enhanced plan assistance.

While reminding the Prime Minister of the memorandum for four special projects submitted by him in December 2011 after taking over the reins of the state, he also informed him of the status of the various PM package projects and other reform measures being implemented by the state Govt. He urged the Prime Minister to urgently consider opening of border trade and connectivity routes to Myanmar and Bhutan through Pangsau Pass and Tawang respectively. The Prime Minister, while appreciating the CM for his development initiatives, assured to look into the genuine demands of the state positively. He indicated that the projects for ‘Connectivity to 22 unconnected administrative Centres’ and ‘porter tracks and foot suspension bridges’ will be taken up under PMGSY and BADP schemes respectively. Also, the State Govt’s request for providing drinking water facilities in border blocks will be considered under NRDWP programme. The special project for upgradation of transmission network and setting up of State Load Despatch Center, at a total cost of almost Rs. 1,200 crores would be soon undertaken under NLCPR-Central scheme of funding.

The recent series of incidents leading to tension along the Assam border and hardships faced by Arunachalis due to unilateral action by the state of Assam was also apprised to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister by the Chief Minister.

 

 

SBF demands DC to cancel public hearing

ITANAGAR, May 7: Siang Bachao Federation (SBF), a conglomeration of eight organizations, demanded the West Siang deputy commissioner to cancel the proposed public hearing for prior environmental clearance of the Naying hydel project on May 11 at Yapik on various grounds.

SBF, which has been opposing construction of any mega dam in Siang basin, in a memorandum to the West Siang deputy commissioner said that the project has been signed by the previous government without the knowledge and consent of the people living at downstream. The authority has furnished neither the environment impact assessment (EIA) report nor the details of the project to the people likely to be affected by the project. Majority of them are ignorant about the actual position of the project as well as its future environmental, social and geographical impact on local people, it said.

The Prior Inform Consent (PIC), which is mandatory, seems to have been overlooked or might have been staged-managed, it claimed.

“Mere publications of reports in newspapers would not serve any purpose,” it said and demanded the authority to make people well known about the project details by distribution of literature written in local dialect.

Further, the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 has not been followed properly while acquiring land for the project, it claimed adding that Tribal Forest Right Act for local populace has been totally neglected.

While driving its point home, SBF said that the time fixed for the public hearing was not suitable as end semester examination of Rajiv Gandhi University was going on in full swing due to which the students, whose participation in the public hearing is a must, would not be able to participate. Further, the villagers too would be busy in their agricultural activities during this monsoon for which they would be unable to turn up for the public hearing. A public hearing without the attendance of majority of public/villagers would only deny justice, it said. The memorandum further alleged that the public hearing has been proposed by the State Pollution Control Board in contrary to what then Environment and Forest Minister Jairma Ramesh had said in 2010.

“Very recently, State Chief Minister had assured the various forums for a consensus discussion  prior to conduct of any ‘forceful’ public hearing,” the memorandum reminded the DC and demanded for immediate cancellation of the public hearing in the greater interest of the people of Siang valley.

It cautioned that going ahead with the proposed public hearing might create law and order problems as well as public uprising against mega dam in the district as majority of local populace are opposing the proposed public hearing.

 

 

Follow the teachings of Buddha for world peace:  T.G. Rinpoche

Buddha remembered in a big way

BOMDILA, May 7:  Venerable T.G. Rinpoche called upon the people to follow the Buddhist philosophy of love and compassion for the development of humanity. He reiterated that highly effective weapon for ensuring world peace and order comes from the humanistic aspect of Buddhism. He was speaking before a large gathering in the inaugural programme of the Buddha Purnima celebrations commemorating the 2600 years of Buddha’s enlightenment along with the year-long silver jubilee celebrations of the Buddhist Culture Preservation Society, Bomdila at Sang-Ngag Dargeyling Monastery, Chillipam near Rupa.

Chairing the event, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP Mukut Mithi explained the principle of peaceful co-existence and called upon all people to keep following it.

Tourism Minister Pema Khandu emphasized the need of love and compassion towards the downtrodden people and declared the formation of Dorjee Khandu Foundation for working in that direction.

Outstanding achievers in different fields of the Mon region were also felicitated on the occasion, among whom the most prominent were Late Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, noted Assamese writer Y D Thongchi and Everester Anshu Jamsenpa.

A host of dignitaries, including all the MLAs of West Kameng and Tawang, NEC member PP Shrivastava, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Culture Arvindh Manjit Singh, former chief minister PK Thungon, former minister  Thupten Tempa and a host of luminaries from different fields were present on the occasion. All the dignitaries underlined the need for nurturing lives on the scientific-humanistic principles of Buddhism in order to face the negativities of modern world. They appreciated the 25 years of dedicated service rendered by the BCPS in the field of education and culture.

The formal ceremony was followed by glittering cultural show staged by the artistes from Ladakh, Bhutan, Darjeeling and from the Monpa and Shertukpen community. The centre of attraction was Prashant Tamang, former Indian idol and the Bhutanese idols who enthralled the crowd.

The inaugural function of the year-long celebrations also includes a two-day national seminar on the theme of “Basic humanistic and Spiritual Elements in Buddha’s Teachings”, in which a host of erudite scholars from the country and abroad are participating. DIPRO

 

 

Personality development prog at NERIST begins

ITANAGAR, May 7: The three-day long Faculty Development Programme on personality development began at North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology today. The programme is organized by Centre for Management Studies (CMS), NERIST under its Technical Education Quality Improvement programme (TEQIP).

Addressing the inaugural session, NERIST director in-charge Prof R M Pant said good personality is the need of the hour.  He said, physical appearance only does not represent the whole personality of a human being; inner quality, value and belief system and behavior are some of the basic factors which determine overall personality of a person.

Stressing the need of maintaining good personality in modern era, Prof Pant said “as youth are our future who are going to bring change in the society and in the nation, they must be put in to right direction.  “First of all we need to conquer ourselves and overcome weaknesses,” he said while explaining in details about the importance of  self-awareness, self-management and self-motivation.

In his address, Prof M Muralidhar, Dean (P &D) and Institute coordinator, TEQIP   said the Technical Education Quality Improvement programme was envisaged in 2003 to be implemented in three phases for transformation of the technical education system in India. Earlier, head of the CMS, Assist Prof S Choudhury said   personality is a display of inner and outer beauty of a person, which plays a vital role in the journey of life.  Choudhury hoped, the participants including faculty members and students from various higher institutes of Capital region will reap maximum benefit from the programme.

While highlighting the main objectives of the programme, CMS programme coordinator Bijoylaxmi Sarmah said that the progamme aims at studying different aspects of personality and suggesting necessary personality development intervention. She said, understanding people is pre-requisite for maintaining good relationship in the organization, which in turn paves the way for the achievement for the organizational objectives.

Programme Organizing committee member J Sorokhaibam also spoke on the occasion.

Besides NERIST faculty members of different departments including D Maji,large number of  students from  NERIST  and DNG College participated in the programme.

 

 

Youth urged to wake up, shoulder responsibility

ITANAGAR, May 7: One hundred fifty-two youths from eight North Eastern states today listened to thought provoking motivational interactive talks by resource persons, including National Youth Project founder director Dr Subba Rao, Arunachal Pradesh KVIC CEO Sukumal Deb, senior journalist Pradeep Kumar and law deputy secretary Dani Bello.

The veteran Gadhian Dr Rao enthused the youth highlighting as to how Jawaharlal Nehru influenced by five-year plan during his visit to Russia in 1951 had prepared the FYP on return to India. He urged Vinoba Bhave to scrutinize it before its implementation. However, Bhave refused and demanded guarantee of employment for every Indian.

The then Planning Commission had told Bhave that employment was not its priority but to make India rich.

Though he did not specify, but Dr Rao left a big question mark that the FYP has miserably failed in ensuring employment for its people.

Describing youth as the future of India, Deb highlighted the pivotal role of Khadi Board and KVIC in creating employment.  He quoted Gandhiji, who impressed by the weaving of women during his visit to Assam villages had said: “Women of N-E are weaving their dreams on their clothes”.

Pointing out that weaving found in every home of NE is a cottage industry which has been contributing to rural economy, he said large industries cannot solve India’s unemployment problem but small scale industries.

Responding to a volley of questions, he said that khadi sector could serve as a panacea in solving the growing unemployment problem of the region, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, provided the GoAP takes initiative to expand extension service and provide consultancy service to the intending youths.

India could be India if only the youth realize and shoulder their responsibility with the committed realization that they could make their own destiny with their both hands, said journalist Kumar adding, their positive thinking would be supported by positive forces to help achieve their goal.

He torn off an Indian map and gave it to a group of eight participants representing eight NE states asking them to unite it, who got caught in “what to do thoughts” with the participants watching with eerie silence. Tripura’s Bulti Das, Class XII student of Maharani Tulsibati Girls Hr sec School, Agartala volunteered, asked all to hold their hands and make an India map guided by Sikkim’s Poklok-Kamang Livelihood School principal Aarati Adhikari, saying India does not live in a piece of paper but in our hearts and no force can  disintegrate us -  we the Indians.

“Constitution of India guarantees equality, justice and freedom to each citizens of India,” but for obvious reason the Constitution has not been translated into reality on the ground, said Belo.

Expressing concern at the rising corruption and crime graph, particularly involvement of the youth in destructive activities citing the examples of Arunachal Pradesh, he said that laws should be respected to develop a disciplined nation for a better tomorrow.

He spoke at length on implications of laws, particularly for the juveniles, children, girls being trafficked, victims of domestic violence, among others, and advised the youth to learn the basics to become para legal volunteers to protect the rights of the ignorant masses.  

Bello exhorted the youth to realize their role for nation building and act in tune with the fast changing time and situation.  

“Wake up, young India, respect law, law would protect,” Bello added.

 

 

State BJP praises Jaitley as he speaks for NE in Parliament

ITANAGAR, May 7: Expressing concern over the repeated harassment to the students of North East India in various parts of the country, particularly mysterious deaths of Loitam Richard at Bangalore and Meghalaya's Dana Sangma in Gurgaon recently, BJP MP and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley urged the Centre to ensure safety and security of people from the North East.

During a calling attention motion in Rajya Sabha on Friday for a discussion on the discrimination faced by the students of the Northeastern states in mainland India, Arun Jaitley informed the House that the North East moved away almost a thousand kilometres in terms of distance, consequently impacting developmental activities in the North-East. Despite efforts of various Governments, North-East has not grown in the same manner in which the rest of the country has.

“The people of North East have the rights to enjoy the fruits of development which in several other parts of the country people have now begun to enjoy, though to a limited extent. Under these circumstances, we need to assure all students and other citizens who have come from the North-East either in search of education or in search of jobs in this part of the country, that not only their safety and security is going to be maintained, even there is a lot that we have to learn from them, Jaitely said.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party Arunachal Pradesh  expressed gratitude to the central BJP party leader Arun Jaitely for taking up the problems being faced by  the North East students in mainstream India and  the underdevelopment of the region.

 

 

Launch Mission Malaria Control prog effectively: Gamlin

AALO, May 7: Transport and Cooperation Minister Jarkar Gamlin urged the medical department to launch the Intensified Malaria Control Programme in a war footing to bring down soaring malarial cases, sometimes in the form of epidemic in many parts of the West Siang district and generate much needed health awareness among the rural masses.

Nothing can be more satisfying than to touch important issue like health which is wealthier than wealth, he said today while distributing medicated mosquito nets to more than hundred households at Tadin village today.

He also assured to take up the road works from main road to the village community hall as black topped roads connectivity to all community halls in every village has been taken up on priority and started soon.

Speaking on the occasion, the West Siang DMO Dr. Bomjum Kamki said that the diseases like tuberculosis, goiter and leprosy that engulfed the tribal society in the past have been eradicated but malarial graph has rose to an alarming extent and main thrust is being given to this aspect.

District Malaria Officer, Dr. Gekey Ete disclosed that mosquito nets will be distributed in a ratio depending on the strength of family members as per the laid down guidelines of the central Govt.

The Aalo Lower ZPM Jomkir Naso appealed the department to provide such mosquito nets to all the members of each household to avoid infections from the disease. The HGB, GBs of the village also urged the department to start the programme first from Tadin village. DIPRO

Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector - E, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh - 791111, India

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Construct bridge at fatal point

Dear Editor,

It is to highlight about the fatal point in between Naharlagun and Itanagar wherein many accidents have occurred and many people lost their lives. The fatal point I am talking about is regarding the deep gorge lying near the Shiv Mandir.

If we recall, it is the same place, where one of the most dreadful and tragic accident occurred wherein more than 40 passengers lost their lives when a passenger bus fell into it gorge couple of years back. Again from time to time, on and off many accident happened in the same place increasing the death toll. If we study the location from general perspective it is found that the gorge lies directly below the steep road on top of it.  The road takes a sudden U turn coming down heavily from up. Due to this sudden U turn most of the accidents occurred as the vehicles coming from upper side fail to negotiate the sudden U turn and directly nose dives into the valley of death.

Recently, I found people flocking in the area due to the fact that another vehicle had fallen into it.

Therefore, in view of the seriousness of the case and to contain the future such accident, I appeal to the concern working department  to realign the U turn immediately. The U turn may be avoided by constructing a beam bridge or concrete bridge over the small gorge which has become a fatal place for many. Moreover, the bridge will not only be convenient mode of transportation for the commuters travelling between the twin cities, but it will also save many lives which may face fatal road accident. It is my appeal to MLA Techi Kaso to kindly look into the matter for the safety and security of the people living in the twin capital city. Hope that necessary step shall be initiated for addressing the issue.

Yours,

Likha Tejji

Chairman

Center for Research, Education and Development of Ethnic Culture (CREDEC)

 

 

Tagore’s life itself is a message

Dear Editor,

Rabindranath Tagore was indeed not only a poet par excellence; but novelist, dramatist, painter, educationist, social reformer, philosopher and humanist as well. Also Tagore remains a living example of a true human being who was not only firmly attached to his roots, but equally of national and international mindset as well. Thus on the one hand he sang paeans of Bengal and on the other his heart cried for Punjab and sacrificed his Knighthood to protest against the Jalianwala Bagh massacre. And his poem 'Africa' reflects his pain seeing the exploitation and torture meted to the Blacks by the European imperialists. Though he used to hail the good of the British society, but that did not deter him from religiously protesting against the atrocities committed by the imperialists. During his visit to Japan, Tagore felt no hesitation in condemning the Japanese invasion of China.       

Throughout his life Tagore wrote and worked for nationalism, universal brotherhood, global peace and upliftment of human values. He religiously fought against casteism, exploitation of any community, women folk and children. His thoughts on emancipation of women, children and international relation are extremely relevant even today.

Tagore always accorded higher priority to humanity over "nationalism". Had the Indians followed his path, then they would have cried for the plight of our innumerable brothers and sisters who are bereft of food, attire, shelter and medicine instead of zealously protesting against some individuals who hoist the national flag or sing the national anthem in the "wrong" way. The symbols of the nation are more important to us than the nation itself i.e. the common people or Gods in the vocabulary of Swami Vivekanada! We despatch satellites to discover water in the moon, never mind if millions of Indians are deprived of adequate potable water in their households! North-East is definitely an "integral part of India", but students hailing from those parts should necessarily be made subjects of racial taunts and abuses in the "mainland"!

Tagore's life itself is a message regarding how to lead it. Right from his childhood to the last days, neither destiny nor society offered him a little respite. He lost his mother at childhood, his wife died young, he lost  his daughters and a son also. But he continued with his works despite series of personal suffurings. And the society hardly lost any opportunity to malign or character-assassinate him. But he did not lose his firm belief on humanity and led the path of life philosophically. If we try to imbibe his principles of life, the society will certainly become an ideal one.

Yours,

Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata

 

 

 

All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.        

----Editor

Global concern over health & nutrition

One-third of the world's population suffers from hunger and micronutrient malnutrition, while obesity and diet-related chronic illness have reached critical levels because many varieties of food have simply disappeared, said a project report.  The diversity of crops and their wild relatives, trees, animals, microbes and other species contributing to food production, known as agricultural biodiversity, can counter these trends, according to Bioversity International, an organization that promotes research into the links between biodiversity and good nutrition.

However, in order to  ensure food security and mitigate growing global concerns over poor nutrition and its negative health effects the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the world’s largest public funder of international environmental projects, coordinated by Bioversity International and supported on the implementation front by the United Nations Environment Programme  and the Food and Agriculture Organization is making efforts to expand its engagement in the conservation and management of agricultural biodiversity, which provides the mainstay for millions of people worldwide and food security to the world's most vulnerable populations.

Besides researching biodiversity’s role in nutrition, the US $35-million project will provide information on the nutritional and health benefits of traditional food sources to the partner countries.