The Arunachal Times - Archives

BSNL launches 3G service in Capital Region

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Notwithstanding criticism for its “not reachable” service, BSNL today reached another milestone with the launch of Third Generation Mobile phone services popularly known as 3G services which offers wide range of service including Mobile TV, video conferencing, video gaming and location based services among others. The facility, which supports more than 34 TV channels, has a speed that is three times faster than currently available.

The good news is that existing BSNL prepaid and post-paid customers with 2 G facility can upgrade to 3 G services without extra fee.

Chief General Manager, North East 2 Telecom Circle, R Sanyal launched 3 G service at Banquet hall. The first video call was made by Sanyal to P K Gosh Dastidhar of Press Trust of India in Itanagar. Later on, video calls were made to Dimapur office of BSNL.

He termed the launch another milestone in the history of Mobile phone service in the state, which was first launched on Feb 2004. He assured that BSNL will bring all that it latest to the state.

As of now, the 3 G services will be available in Itanagar and Naharlagun while the plan is on to take it to the rest of the district headquarters soon.

Once the coverage reaches rest of the state, it would be a boon for Tele-medicine sector as well.

Voice calls will be charged as low as 0.60 paise per minute while video calls have also been priced economically, starting from Rs 1 under the Rs 250 plan. Under national roaming video call has been fixed at Rs 2.50 per minute.

The data speed is expected to go up to 2 Mbps or higher.

The first pre-commercial 3G network was launched in Japan in May 2001 while the first commercial launch of 3G was also in Japan on October 1, 2001, although it was limited in scope.

However it was in South Korea that 3G services bloomed with telecom players vying for customers by May 2002.

BSNL has invested Rs 2,700 crore) to roll out 3G services in the country and has plans to cover all district headquarters and important commercial towns in the phase-1 of its ambitious 3G roll-out plan.

Sanyal informed that several new services including WI-MAX, a high-speed broadband service for rural areas and WLL would cover the whole state to bridge the digital gap.

Reacting to criticism of BSNL network in Arunachal, Sanyal said, “We have been judged for our bad work not the good ones”.

Sanyal further informed that for any complaint on services, customers could make it known by dialling 2290999.

Speaker Lowangdong calls for reshaping of education system in Arunachal

All Arunachal Private Schools’ Association Meet

Ojing Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: ‘There should be a transparency in recruitment of teachers in the state, said Aruanchal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Speaker Wanglin Lowangdong inaugurating the 2nd general conference of All Arunachal Private Schools’ Association (AAPSA) here today. Lack of qualified teachers, absenteeism and indulgence of proxy teachers in the state has hampered quality education. If not checked, the slackness within the educational structure will have a long lasting effect in the education system and the state as well, he added.

‘Due to lack of proper initiatives in the Government schools of the state and lack of trained teachers and parents participation in children’s education, the state have not been able to impart quality education. He further expressed concern at high rate of school dropout in the state.

While, terming the school as temple of knowledge, Lowangdong appreciated the academic performance of private schools like Ramakrishna Mission, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Don Bosco, Donyi Polo Mission School and other private schools.

However, lamenting over poor performance of tribal students in science and mathematics subjects, he urged the teachers to do more research work on it to improve the performance of tribal students.

He further called for vocational education along with usual curriculum and also urged the teachers and the school authority to impart knowledge on socio obligations of students.

Lowangdong, urged the AAPSA and the state government to formulate uniform text book structure and academic calendar of all institution in the state, so that the students may not face any trouble during the time of admission and shifting of institution.

AAPSA, President Philip PC informed that association was basically formed to bring all the private institution of the state under one umbrella to sort out better educational strategies for the state.

The association which was formed in August 2008, has already conducted various in-service teachers training and special training for English, math and science teachers in the state capital. It has also organized talent search programme and other activities to inculcate spirit of competition amongst the students.

He further expressed the hope that with the help of parents, students, teachers and well-wishers cooperation, AAPSA would initiate better educational avenue for the students.

Representatives from all the private schools of the state including representatives from Private School Association, Nagaland and other part attended the conference.

NF Railway starts ambitious Harmuti-Itanagar project

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: The NF Railway should complete the Railway Project from Harmuti to Itanagar under PM Package within the stipulated time said MLA Nabam Rebia, while attending the Bhumi Poojan function at proposed site for construction of RCC Railway bridge over Dikrong river at Doimukh today.

The NF Railway propose to complete the construction of 7 pillars within this winter period before March 2010.

Appealing the people to extend full cooperation to the Railway project work, Rebia highlighted that once completed it will change the face of the State Capital as well as Doimukh area. The coming of Railway will boost the economy and industries around the State Capital and Doimukh area he added and assured to extend all help from his end for early completion of the project.

Meanwhile, Panchayat Members and GBs suggested that the proposed Railway bridge over the Dikrong River should be built in line of Rail cum Vehicles bridge, so that common people living in Tigdo and Yupia can also use the bridge.

The proposed 270 meters long span with 7 pillars RCC bridge over river Dikrong will join Doimukh with Tigdo and Yupia. The bridge is the biggest bridge in the proposed Broad Gauge Railway line connecting the State Capital.

The District Administration, Papum Pare is expediting land acquisition process and proposed to handover the 10 km length of land to N-F Railwav by end of this month. The total length of the 1st phase Railway line is about 11.45 km.

The function was attended by D.C Papum Pare Bidol Tayeng, Deputy Chief Engineer, NF Railway Sanjay Kanujia, Panchayat Leaders, GBs and villagers of Doimukh Circle.

Preparatory meeting on PPWF held

JAIRAMPUR, Nov 21: Finance Minister Setong Sena, Tourism Secretary Bandhana Deori, ADC M Roy, HoDs and public leaders today held a meeting in Longman village here in view of the coming Pangsau Pass Winter Festival 2010 (PPWF).

Thanking the tourism secretary for showing keen interest in the proposed mega event, Sena said the basic motive behind organizing the PPWF is to revive the culture that the younger generations are drifting away from, and to renovate the old ties with Myanmar, as part of the Centre’s ‘Look East’ policy for the benefit of the region.

Deori underscored the tourism potential of the festival and appreciated the organizers, as it is the only venture having a success story under the combined efforts of Public - Private sector.

She informed that cultural troupes from other parts of the North East will participate in the festival, adding that she will also invite cultural troupes from North India to give a boost to cultural understanding with other parts of country.

The tourism Secretary along with finance minister later inspected the renovation work of the WW-II cemetery and construction work of newly coming up tourist lodge.

Though satisfied with the progress and quality of work, they instructed the executing agencies to complete the projects before the beginning of the festival.

It may be mentioned that a WW-II era gun was unearthed when the festival site was being developed.

Labnan still holds onto to past

Bishnu Rana

KHONSA, Nov 21: The Noctes, one of the major tribes in Tirap district have been zealously guarding their tradition and time-tested culture since time immemorial.

Far from the madding crowd, the Labnan village of Nocte community, situated only 2 km far off the Khonsa township bears all testimonies of old-age tradition and culture of this community.

Even the bamboo-made houses (locally called Hum) in Labnan village in the lush green lap of the picturesque hillock have been portraying the rich tradition of Noctes. The Nocte villagers are ardent believers of traditional rituals and old ethos and are still practicing it in order to preserve and promote their rich cultural heritage.

Though there is no sign of any Govt initiatives to provide all modern amenities and bring in development in the village, the hard-working Nocte people are striving hard to become self-dependent. Their vegetable gardens speak volume of their hard work which helps them to procure all essential commodities for their livelihood. “Our villagers are eco-friendly and discourage deforestation and jhuming in the proximity of the villages to save environment, revealed one of the villagers. The villagers have been practicing Jhum and wet cultivation for their sustenance around the year.

‘The government initiatives to promote horticulture and agriculture sectors in this area are negligible despite favorable climatic condition’ regretted one of the villagers.

What is exasperating is that the village which boasts of a good percentage of educated youths has been lagging far behind due to lack of basic needs. The road which links the village to the outside world is still in pitiable condition. Educational institutions, health facilities and water supply are still a distance dream for the villagers.

The parents are aspiring and racing against time for good career of their educated children without success as the village virtually remains cut off from the rest of the world due to lack of modern communication facilities. “I have completed Master degree in Science (Zoology) and my brother is an MA. But we have no other option. We have been working as part time SSA teachers in the village,” regretted one of the Labnan villagers.

However, another villager said that the village has better percentage of literacy and a few members of educated people are also engaged in government jobs in various capacities.

First Lady stress on optimum Doordarshan coverage

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Doordarshan programmes must reach out to the people, especially in the interior places and border areas said Arunachal Pradesh First Lady Anupama Singh, who was on a visit to the Doordarshan Kendra, Itanagar today.

It is through DD News, we are aware of the real happenings across the country and the world, Singh added.

The First lady, insisted that entertaining and educative programmes, especially women and

health related ones be telecast while adding that Doordarshan take extra steps in promoting and displaying the unique legacies.

Singh assured to take up with concerned authorities in order to ensure basic and latest technologies and facilities in the station.

Itanagar Doordarshan Station Director S.N. Singh apprised the First Lady on the operational aspect of the station and its initiatives. He also threw light on its shortcomings like shortage of staff, budgetary constrains and obsolete machines.

Station Joint Director (News) DineshKumar further informed that due to shortage of staff regular newsbulletin is yet to be started.

It may be mentioned here that Doordarshan Kendra, Itanagar was inaugurated by P.A. Sangma, the then Union Minister for information and broadcasting on 5th February 1996. It has three wings, which includes Engineering, Programme. (PRO, Raj Bhavan)

“World convention on Tibet is not anti Chinese but support for justice and truth”

Sanjay in Core Group of International Parliamentarians’ Network for Tibet

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: The 5th World parliamentarians convention on Tibet in Rome started with the exclusive meeting of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Gianfranco Fini, President Italian Chamber of Deputies with one MP representative of 30 Countries. His Holiness and Gianfranco Fini, President- Italian Chamber of Deputies interacted with the representatives about the latest situation in Tibet. Member of Parliament Takam Sanjoy, represented India in the close door meeting of two eminent personalities.

At the end of the convention, a core group of Parliamentarians were nominated representing six Countries under the banner of International Parliamentarians’ Network for

Tibet (IPNT) in order to mobilize world Parliamentarians for further strengthening the Tibet cause. One of the Members of the Core Group of Parliamentarians is Sanjoy.

The Fifth World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet, meeting in Rome on the 18th and 19th of November 2009 vouched to defend the right of the Tibetan people to their own identity, culture and way of life.

It reaffirmed its strong commitment to the people of Tibet and to the non-violent path they have chosen, under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama .

It further reaffirmed the critical role played by parliaments and parliamentary bnodies in raising awareness of the difficult situation in Tibet within governments and international institutions and formulating policies for the benefit of the Tibetan people.

It sought a resolution for Tibet that guarantees genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China while proclaiming that the message of the World parliamentarians’ Conference on Tibet is resolutely not anti-Chinese but a statement of support for justice and truth with a sincere conviction that the Tibetan and Chinese people can find a way to coexist with mutual respect.

Workshop recommends setting up of State Employment Guarantee Council

Training-cum-workshop on MG-NREGS for DC,ZP & ZP ends

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: The second Training-cum-Workshop on Mahatma Gandhi NREGS for Dy. Commissioners, Zilla Parishad Chairpersons, and Project Directors of DRDA at SIRD Conference Hall ended today at SIRD.

The conduction of these workshops assumes significance in view of the need to operationalise and streamline the process of implementation of MG-NREGS in Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr Kanak Haloi, Associate Professor at NIRD NERC while presenting the roadmap for implementation under MG-NREGS in the end, highlighted the main recommendations of the workshop which included need for early conduction of the State Employment Guarantee Council and streamlining the data entry under NREGA-MIS.

The state government was also urged to provide timely state share to the District Programme Coordinators to ensure that the constitutional provision of providing work and corresponding wages on demand to all the rural households is met by Arunachal Pradesh.

The roadmap of implementation shall be subsequently submitted to the State Government by NIRD NERC, for which it has been entrusted by Ministry of Rural Development.

Speaking on the occasion Indira Mallo Jain IAS, Director NIRD NERC communicated the concern of Government of India, that a crucial state like Arunachal Pradesh was lagging behind in the process of implementation of MG-NREGS.

She appreciated the participation of senior level functionaries from various districts and urged the state government to gear up all preparatory activities for streamlining the implementation of MG-NREGS. She also requested the State Government to consider extending all possible cooperation to the districts.

Tape Bagra, IAS Commissioner PR and RD gave the valedictory address as the Chief Guest. While he appreciated the efforts of NIRD and particularly Director NIRD NERC in conduction of the workshop he urged the delegates to ensure that the learning from the training cum workshop is actually implemented in the respective districts. He also highlighted the fact that unlike previous similar programmes, MG-NREGS is backed by an Act and hence all constitutional responsibilities need to be fulfilled seriously. He mentioned that experience has shown that there is a need for redeployment of the staff and officials in each district to ensure that the rural poor are productively employed. All the DRDAs were advised to route their correspondence to Ministry of Rural Development through the Department of Rural Development in all matters including MG-NREGS.

Emphasising on the need of inter-learning he said that there are certain districts which have managed to perform better under NREGS and other districts should learn from them. He advised all the ZPCs to be more vigilant to help the Gram Panchayats in implementing the programme.

He informed that the State Government was aware of the problems being faced by the DRDAs and blocks and assured that State Government will be taking up these issues with the Government of India at New Delhi very soon for their early and suitable resolution. He also wished conduction of similar programmes in future.

K. Loyi, Deputy Director who coordinated the training-cum-workshop informed that SIRD shall shortly extend similar training interventions at the district and block levels soon. Rakesh Srivastava, Assistant Director SIRD also spoke during the concluding program.

Yingkiong gets SBI ATM

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: ATM counter SBI Yingkiong branch was inaugurated by Pawan Kr. Sain, Deputy Commissioner Upper Siang today.

Pawan Kr. Sain appreciated the Bank officials and staffs for their co-operation in bringing in the ATM facility in such a remote area. He informed that from the beginning, he wanted that the bank should have all the latest facilities so that the public are benefited.

He had taken up the matter with the concerned bank authorities, and due to their support and co-operation the people of this area can now avail the ATM facilities. He wanted that people should be aware of the usefulness of the machine and maintain it well.

Other officers and public leaders also expressed their happiness and were optimistic that due to the installation of the ATM people will have access to better service and the bank will function more efficiently.

S.N. Chakraborty,BM,SBI,Yingkiong branch said ATM will function from 6AM to 8 PM for the time being. If required, it will be made 24 hrs service later on. He informed that after core banking, ATM, mutual fund, internet banking has already been introduced. He assured to provide other facilities in future.

Saya and Singh to attend Cadence 2009

ITANAGAR, Nov.21: In continuation of ongoing VIIIth Inter-College Youth Festival, Cadence 2009, the Fashion Show Competition of the fifteen colleges and host University would be held on Nov 22 to select Mr. and Miss Cadence 2009.

MLA Likha Saya has consented to attend the function as a Chief Guest.

Reportedly, one special invitee Kh. Pradeep Kumar Singh, the reigning Mr. Manipur who is also Brand Ambassador of Manipur State AIDS Control Society would be present on the occasion. Singh is an HIV positive but with his dogged determination and sheer hard work, he has achieved his goal, and has no qualms about revealing his identity or talking about his condition.

Panggeng inaugurates membership drive

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Upper Siang District Congress Committee launched its membership drive today.

The programme was formally inaugurated at Mariyang by Parliamentary Secretary Fisheries, Law, Legislative and Justice JK Panggeng.

The District Congress Committee and Block Congress Committee office bearers, PRIs and public attended the function.

Children’s Science Congress

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology, Itanagar is going to organize two days State Level National Children’s Science Congress (NSCS)-2009 on Nov 25-26. During the two day meet, children selected from district level NSCS 2009 will make deliberation and presentation of their respective projects. The two day event will be held at Arunachal Pradesh Science Centre, Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar.

ACA announces cricket teams

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Cricket Association (ACA) has announced the U-16 and U-19 state cricket teams for the BCCI organized tournament to be held at Shillong and Chattishgarh.

The team (U-16): Dobom Jillen, Teli Sera, Techi Doria, Teli Takar, Nabam Hina, Gollo Poul, Gollo Nikai, Techi Neri, Gollo Soul, Bamin Kano, Nabam Gumnya, Tajin Ton, Nangram Pentum, Pobin Biswash, Rajesh Kumar.

The team (U-19): Teli Otu, Momar Ori, Teli Abho, Biki Tassuk, Berina Kri, Kali Cheda, Teli Cheyi, Teli Tahin, Tana Radh, Teli Talin, Tana Begi, Kamsa Yangfo, Song Tacho, Tatum Liya, Sham Alum.

Meanwhile, the U-19 tournament scheduled to begin from December 15 at Chattishgarh has been rescheduled from December 12, according to an ACA release.

Medical camp at M’pen

ITANAGAR: Altogether 451 patients were benefited from a medical camp organized by the Seva Kendra Arunachal (East) at M’pen (6th Mile) under Mio circle today.

Medical team from Community Health Centre, Miao consisting 3 doctors and 9 paramedical staff offered free treatment to the patients suffering from various diseases. More than 65 children were also benefited from the camp being conducted in collaboration with the Miao CHC.

According to a Seva Kendra release, the non-availability of health care system in most of the rural villages in the area is a major cause of concern. The state health department and voluntary organizations should start health awareness campaign in the remotest villages to save many more lives and bring in changes in lives of the poor villagers, the release said.