November -  22

• Arunachal all set to host National Weightlifting C’ship
• East Kameng battles soaring price rise
• BJYM on border tour
• Bailey bridge caves in at NH-52
• Department of Tirap & Changlang
• DoNER team survey projects at Tawang
• Random Thoughts
• Sport items for Jairampur players
• Distribution of Ducklings for integration with fish
• Programme on agri & allied activities
• Swachhata Utsav Football Tournament
• Demonstrations on Asian catfish
• Nocte Chalo Loku celebrations with special reference to Borduria village
• Entrepreneurship vis-a-vis Agriculture…

Arunachal all set to host National Weightlifting C’ship

M Doley

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Arunachal Pradesh is all set to host the 7th National Youth (Boys & Girls), 48th Men and Women Junior National Weightlifting Championship at Nirjuli near here from November 22 to 30 next.

Besides host Arunachal Pradesh over 500 athletes from eight teams from as many states viz: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Manipur, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Kerala have already arrived in Itanagar to participate in the Championship. West Bengal and another team from Andhra Pradesh were on the way and are expected to arrive by mid-night today, according to Arunachal Weightlifting Association vice president L Sokun Singh. “The teams are arriving in batch wise and over 1000 athletes, including officials, are expected to reach here in different batches in the next two days to take part in different categories of the event, Singh said.

Arunachal Pradesh is fielding a 15 strong team which includes Youth Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship Silver medalists Takio Yana and Soram Hitler Tagru. However, national champion Yukar Sibi is not taking part due to injury.

The Arunachal team members are (Youth Girls) Takio Yana, Yanu Kipa, H. Jinapani Devi, Memphoi Angom and K H Rina Devi; (Youth Boys) Kipa Caku, Jimjang Dero, Lalu Taku, Youmin Ruyi, Soram Hitler Tagru, Sambu Lapung, Kojum Taba; (Jr. Girls)--Menu Tajo; (Jr. Boys)--Vivek Nabba, Shubham Verma. Soram Hitler Tagru and Sambu Lapung are also participating in Jr Boys category.

The inaugural ceremony to be held at 4 pm tomorrow would be followed by cultural programmes and fashion show. According to Indian Weightlifting Federation Joint Secretary Abraham K Techi all preparations for the Championship is completed and the organizing committee is fully prepared for the big event.

IWF Secretary General Sahadev Yadav has also expressed satisfaction over the arrangement.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) president Padi Richo today inspected the venue along with Secretary General G. Doke and office bearers of various sports bodies in the state.

While expressing his satisfaction over the initiative of Arunachal Weightlifting Association (AWA), Richo said that this Championship would definitely be a morale booster for sportspersons of the state. He urged the state government to take initiative in organizing such events in future for development of the sport sector. While suggesting the youths to take up sports seriously, Richo said, games and sports, if pursued seriously, could earn livelihood as well as glory for them.

The AOA president informed that the much hyped Sports Policy of the state would be submitted to the Government within two weeks for approval. The Review Committee headed by Sports and Youth Affairs Director DK Dinglow was busy in giving a final shape to it, he said.

Richo urged the State Government to absorb the outstanding sportspersons of the state in Government jobs not below the rank of an officer. He also requested those Govt departments, who have not yet implemented the 5 per cent reservation policy, to implement it immediately. He also advocated for construction of atleast a stadium in every district headquarters to groom latent sports talents.

Meanwhile, Richo urged the authority for proper use of fund under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) and completion of the on-going sports competitions under PYKKA within November so that selected sportspersons could participate in the national level competitions scheduled to be held in December.

 

East Kameng battles soaring price rise

Amar Sangno

SEPPA, Nov 21: At a time when the price rise under the UPA regime is hitting the headlines of national dailies, East Kameng district is not far behind when it comes to soaring prices of essential commodities.

Seppa and other areas in the district are reportedly facing impact of soaring price rise of fuel and essential commodities not because of centre’s decisions but due to the prohibition on plying of heavy vehicles over Bana Bridge.

Source informed that prices of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinder are beyond the reach of most people and the prices of essential commodities like rice, pulse and other edible items have sky rocketed.

Source also informed that a litre of petrol is being sold at Rs 110/ in most Pan Ghumtis.

Adding woes to market chaos, the only Petrol Pump of Seppa have been compelled to shut down due to the prohibitory order given by district administration against heavy vehicles including oil tankers from crossing the ailing Bana Bridge.  

While confirming the price woes, East Kameng deputy commissioner Tope Bam informed over the phone here this evening, that price rise is due to non plying of heavy vehicles to the town as repairing of dilapidated Bana Bridge is on. He added that district administration had issued a prohibitory notice against crossing of heavy vehicles, after Border Road Organization requested the administration to deploy police at Bridge to thwart heavy and loaded vehicles from crossing over the ailing Bridge as it believed to be unsafe.

“I suggested BRO to create alternative route or diversion road over Bichum River to avoid the ongoing gridlock, DC added.  

Meanwhile Students’ Union of Government College Seppa has urged the district administration to expedite the ongoing repairing work on bridges.

 

BJYM on border tour

Ojing Tayeng

DAPORIJO, Nov 21: The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha International Border Study Team led by its President Doni Nich and General Secretary Taring Teri along with seven members left for Nacho, Limeking and Taksing from Daporijo today.

The team was flagged off by local MLA Tapen Siga.

Briefing about the strategic importance of the area, he advised the team to carry out the survey properly and accurately and find out the alleged Chinese encroachment of Indian Territory.

He further advised the team to see whether the Border Area Development Fund and other schemes are being properly utilized and implemented by the executing agencies. The team is expected to reach the India and China border beyond Taksing after rigorous foot march and expected to return to Daporijo on November 29 next.

 

Bailey bridge caves in at NH-52

Prafulla Kaman

RUKSIN, Nov 21: The Border Road Organization (BRO)’s claims of quality work took a dive after a bailey bridge over Samarajan River in Dhemaji district of Assam of NH-52 caved in this morning, carrying along with it a cement-laden truck and injuring the handyman of the truck. The driver of the truck luckily escaped unhurt.

The truck was allegedly carrying load beyond permissible limit.

“The truck was carrying load of around 15 tonnes while the maximum permissible limit over the bridge was only 9 tonnes,” said the Dhemaji district administration.

Due to caving of the Bailey bridge, road communication on the highway between Lakhimpur and Dhemaji and the parts of Arunachal has been snapped since 8.00 am today and a lot of vehicles are stranded at both sides of the highway. Though the BRO men are at work but road communication is yet to be restored till filing of this report.

The highway is the vital lifeline for three Siang districts of Arunachal and fuel and essential items are carried to the region trough this route.

Already, the disruption of surface communication on the highway due to breach at the Gainadi portion near Silapathar is causing shortage of petroleum products and other essential commodities in the region.

 

Department of Tirap & Changlang

Tom Simai

It is said that in the early part of December 1996, when the Supreme Court of India banned the lucrative timber trade, the opulent economy of Tirap & Changlang (T&C) collapsed in a jiffy. The glitter of timber trade and the temptation of easy money dazzled T&C from viewing beyond it. It was after the closure of timber industries that T&C analyzed its primitiveness.

Realizing its deplorable existence, T&C coerced the government for development.  And precisely, seven years later in 2003, if I’m putting it right, the Department of Tirap & Changlang (DoTC) Affairs was created under Special Area Program within the purview of Special Plan Allocation to overcome the economic depression and development backwardness caused by timber interdiction.

Annually, DoTC is provided Rs 2500 lakhs for implementation of schemes like tea cultivation including other cash crops along with schemes/projects related to urgent humanitarian need, control epidemic and outbreak in close co-ordination with department concerned.

Since that initiative for economic resurgence, almost seven years has traversed but still it hasn’t been able to bridge the gap between prosperity and poverty. In terms of success, the upshot of DoTC’s prime ‘economic reform schemes’ like ‘Tea & Jhatropa Packages’ has scored below par. Apparently, low grade seedling, lack of technical knowledge, inexperience implementing agencies and non-existence technical guidance has led to the drastic failure of ‘tea packages’.    

For instance, slipshod delivery destroyed 25% of the seedlings, inferior quality restricted another 25% to grow, due to negligence at nascent stage 25% failed to mature and the remaining 25% that survived facing all odds couldn't be enough for commercial trading. Therefore, it was left to languish under the shade of creepers and other weeds. Besides, the ‘economic reform package’ concentrated only on individuals rather than Self Help Groups or village community. If it was allotted collectively to SHGs or village community, the numbers of beneficiaries’ would have been colossal with triumphant consequences, transforming both the landscape and regional economy.

The worst failure of all was the much hyped ‘Jhatropa Package’. Being an experimental crop, it was an alien plant for the local farmers. And in absence of professional guidance, the package not only failed drastically but also devastated the environment causing mammoth loss to the region. Forest worth millions was depleted for the experimental crop that had the potential to flourish upon wastelands.  

Both the vastly publicized ‘economical reform packages’ has been drastic failure. On the same line, the fate of other ‘not-so-known-projects’ can be anticipated. Anyways, criticism apart, this year, in all for 16 projects Rs 2420 lakhs have been sanctioned under DoTC. Tirap district leads the table with 10 projects worth Rs 1530 lakhs followed by Changlang district with five projects worth Rs 800 lakhs. Below is the detailed list of the entire project approved under DoTC for 2010-11.  

In T&C, due to lack of ‘information and transparency’ the fates of myriad projects are baffling and mysterious. And it’s for the first time that a candid endeavor to ‘inform’ the public about the ‘detail of DoTC projects’ has been pioneered. It’s believed that such approach will assist the public to monitor the proper implementation of projects and reduce the ascending corruption graph to tolerable level. Besides, to some extent, it’ll also curb the continuation of trends like quality compromise, commissioning delay, extortion excuses and sometime project disappearances.

Perhaps, this might be the beginning, the moment to commence our combined struggle against the greatest and oldest foe of T&C - corruption. (simaitom@gmail.com)

 

DoNER team survey projects at Tawang

Nima Khenrab

TAWANG, Nov 21:  The Secretary DoNER is in Tawang to meet the officers of the State Government to inspect various completed projects and hold discussion with officers on the progress of the on-going projects and study new initiatives to be taken especially in Road, Power and Drinking Water Supply.  

Minister Pema Khandu is accompanying the Secretary Jayati Chandra along with Advisor Planning Commission Bharmo Choudhery who reached Tawang last evening.

The team was received by Deputy Commissioner Tawang Kemo Lollen, PRI members, SP Tawang and HODs of various department.

The Minister briefed the delegation regarding respective projects.  Soon after her arrival, Jayati Chandra accompanied by Khandu and Choudhery visited the Tawang Ropeway and the historic Tawang Monastery and the district hospital.

She also visited the Tawang D.C. Office and expressed her satisfaction at the various projects taken up in the district.

In an interaction with DC and district officers, the condition of Bhalukpong-Charduar-Tawang road under BRO was discussed.

Chandra expressed dissatisfaction about the BRO Road connecting Tawang via Bhalipara in Assam.

Considering the tourism prospect of the district, it was emphasized that it should be looked into as an industry and a holistic approach should be taken for tourism development in the district which will boost the local as well as state’s economy. The secretary further stressed on utilizing the services of expert in preservation of various monuments and artifact in the district.

On her way to Tawang she halted at Dirang, where she met the public and listened to their grievance caused by the deteriorating road condition. She assured that she will communicate the appalling matter with the highest authorities at the Center.

This morning she visited the cremation ground of the Late Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and paid her homage and spent some time with the family members of Late Khandu.

 

Random Thoughts

Obang Tayeng

Aizawl impressions

Aizawl, the hilly capital of Mizoram, is a somber, businesslike, and spotlessly clean city that demonstrates the ingenuity and professionalism of Mizo people. To a maiden visitor from a state that still practices natural hygienic custom and where trashes litter roadsides and courtyards as boulders dot riverbanks , the spotlessness and orderliness in Aizawl roads and shops was no less intimidating. This is what appeared (almost unanimously) to a visiting media team from Arunachal Pradesh recently into Mizoram.

In our state the non-local citizens run shops, pull thelas, do the entire manual labor (no disparaging sense here) while in Mizoram it is the Mizos who run shops, ply taxis and trucks, and perform all sanitary services. Besides, the barbers, the cobblers, the laborers, and even the goldsmiths are also locals, not to talk of people running other services and administration.

The offices are clean, and are run professionally. There’s no blaring of horns in busy roads, which we humiliatingly learned when two bikers ahead us glared at us angrily as our driver blasted his horn attempting to overtake. Vehicles are not allowed to take right turn except at designated points, and traffic police posted everywhere monitors traffic, and guide the old and the physically challenged to cross roads safely.

The Honourable chief minister Pu Lalthanhawla was warm and greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh. A knowledgeable person (fluent in English and high in intellect), he outlined his vision for taking his state to a new height by creating infrastructure and harnessing natural resources judiciously. He also spoke about ‘Look East Policy’ and emphasized its importance in transforming the overall economic scenario of the North-east region.

One fourth in size to ours, Mizoram, unlike our state, has a compact and homogeneous cultural entity priding itself on its language and identity. There are around thirty newspapers published in Mizo though the English language papers are only three. They have also novels and stories written in Mizo. Another feature that struck us was that shops close as early as five o’clock in the evening, probably to enable people to attend church services that are conducted regularly.

Thing of the past

We were thrilled to learn of our visit to Reik village, a two and half-hour drive from Aizawl around picturesque surrounding. Placed on a small place on a knoll, Reik boasted of a few modern houses, a church, and a beautiful tourist lodge. Baffled at the setting, we asked a staff where the village was located. “The village is just around the corner!”, he said. When he took us there we saw a replica of a village perched gravely on an edge, silent and still. We saw household cane and bamboo articles, ancient artifacts, and various tools kept inside the dummy houses that resembled our own tradition.  Put up to showcase Mizo heritage, the ‘village’ attempted to tell the tale of Mizo tradition in the times of yore.

The message of Reik is a stark reminder to all those of whose old values and tradition are being swept aside by forces of change everywhere.  Reik raised a question: “Whether our values and heritage would that is our personality would soon be displayed only in model houses and museums?”

Wise head on young shoulder

It was a young, cheery, and inquisitive team surmounting the long and strenuous road journey without a murmur of grumble right upto their return to Itanagar.  Though every tourist travels to find happiness only to get it back home, their enthusiasm never flagged; they expressed eagerness for a similar tour in some other state next year. One of the youngest members was Tagu Ninggi, a slim, ever smiling boy representing Hindustan Samachar. He said he wants to make a permanent career in journalism (unlike many youths).  With a very sober and wise head on his thin and young shoulders, Tagu taught me about operating mobile handset and installed two songs—one modern Nyishi number and a Jagjit Singh number –in my mobile that assuaged the otherwise very tiring and never ending road ride. Ever since we became friends despite differences in age, and I would treasure  the new-found friendship.

Tailpiece

Someone said this to me: In Nagaland the first divisioners in schools (usually doctors and engineers) are controlled by the second divisioners (civil service officers) who in turn are controlled by the third divisioners (leaders and politicians). But dropouts and those who fail join the underground and control all the three groups.

It is not known whether this is practiced in Mizoram but as far as other states in NE is concerned, there’s a ring of truth in this and this is a common concern for all of us.

 

Sport items for Jairampur players

JAIRAMPUR, Nov 21:  In a small ceremony held at the general ground here, Jairampur ADC M Roy handed over the sports equipments along with tracksuits, shoe and shocks sponsored by District Youth Congress Former President James Jugli to the 20 youths representing Jairampur Circle at the District Level Sports Meet 2011 to be held at Miao from Nov 23 next.

Besides, sports item, Jugli is also responsible of funding the complete training budget of team Jairampur. Its for the first time that such a huge delegation will represent Jairampur circle in DLSM 2011.

Lauding the efforts of Jugli, Roy said such endeavor will definitely increase the youths participation in sports that  will inspire the shunning of erroneous path.

Both the ZPM Jojo Longri and ASM Khipngi Longri were also present in the occassion, encouraging the youths.

Wining and failure is part of the game, what counts is your participation, said Jugli encouraging the particiapant and commiting to support the players who will be selected for State Level Sports Meet.

The member of team Jairampur consist from villages - Old Khamdu, New Khamdu, Chamro, Longman, Kovin, Honkap, Taipong,  Tengmo, Hetlong and Jairampur Town.

Kridashree GPM Jungkhim Hacheng will accompany team Jairampur to DLSM 2011 Miao.

 

Distribution of Ducklings for integration with fish

ITANAGAR, Nov 21:  Fish form an important food commodity in Lower Dibang Valley district.  As per the survey and interaction with fish farmers of the district it  is observed that  fish production in the district is very poor due to higher cost of production because of adoption of  traditional method   farming practices. Hence KVK  planned  and introduced  new  breed of poultry ( Khaki Campbell) for the first time in the district  and popularize   it on large scale  to improve  farm production and socio-economic  status.

Dr.T.J.Ramesha, Programme Coordinator,  distributed   50 improved   breed  of duclings( Khaki Campbell  procured from Duck brooding Farm, Tinsukia, Assam)  today to  progressive farmers Raju Linggi, Iduli Village and Okili Linggi, Rukmo Village.

Dr.Robindro  Pukhramba, SMS ( ah & Vety.) besides infusing the technical inputs to the farmers emphasized the need to protect the young birds from approaching winter chill by adopting low cost artificial brooding management practices in order to check duckling mortalities.

Jimmy Mize , SMS ( Fisheries)  emphasized  upon    adoption  of  fish  farming  integration with duck  for   effective utilization  of  resources  to  boost  farm production  and  economic returns.

Yumdam Yomgam  (Programme Assistant ( Soil Science)  provided information   on methods of   soil and water collection  for analysis to determine optimum conditions for higher  farm production I under integrated farming system.

Programme on agri & allied activities

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Awareness cum Interaction Programme on Agri and allied activities was organized on Nov 19 at Kokila Village, Balijan by Holongi-Kokila Farmers Club with official invitees from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Papum Pare and APRB, Itanagar.

Altogether about 40 farmers participated in the programme.

Tana Kahi, Chief Volunteer, Holongi-Kokila Farmers Club highlighted the various difficulties in farm sector particularly in financial aspects and farm inputs such as seeds and agri-chemicals.

A. Dupak, Regional Manager, APRB, Itanagar and his officer A. Roy highlighted the roles of Banks in promoting farm sector in rural areas. Bank Loan facilities were also highlighted for various high value crops for building financial capacity in farm sectors

Hemanta Ngangbam, Subject Matter Specialist (Hort.), KVK, Papum Pare, stressed upon the scientific cultivation and management of high value vegetables crops, fruits and plantation crops in the area on commercial scale to avail financial support from the banking sectors and input support from Central sponsored Schemes.

Dr. Tiling Tayo, Subject Matter Specialist (A.H.), KVK, Papum Pare highlighted importance of livestock rearing in rural economy. He also stressed upon utilization of crop by-products as animal feed and inn turn animal waste as manure for improving soil fertility and crop productivity.

 

Swachhata Utsav Football Tournament

ITANAGAR, Nov 21:  Simong ME School  beat Parsing ME School 5-2 in an exciting final  to win the football tournament organized by PHE & WS Division Yingkiong as a part of Swachhata Utsav, 2011. The tournament was  organized among the students of class VIII from the Middle Schools under Yingkiong block.

Omak Litin of Simong ME School was the highest scorer of the tournament  while Oge Lipir of Simong ME School was declared the best Goalkeeper.

Earlier declaring the tournament open, Er Kirba Sora, Executive Engineer, PHED Yingkiong highlighted the aims and objective of the Utsav and stressed on abolition of age old practice of traditional Pigsty being commonly used in rural Arunachal Pradesh. He also requested the gathering to disseminate the message of personal and community hygiene to the grassroots level in the district.

 

Demonstrations on Asian catfish

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Demonstrations have been done with Asian catfish (Clarias batrachus) in the house of Chow sujanta Mansai, Village Kheram in cemented tank (25ft X 20 ft) sponsored by ATMA, Lohit.

Culturable area:

In cemented tank or water area of 0.1 ha with a depth of 50-75 cm is ideal for air-breathing fish culture. As there is not much wastage of energy through respiration, good yield could be expected. Like carp ponds, air breathing fish culture ponds need not to be fertilized by chemical and organic fertilizers’. The ponds should be predator free, pond bottom is to be raked for the liberation of unwanted gases, parasites etc. The inner sides of pond dykes should be either firm with heavy log or wood, or fenced with bamboo, cane or wire screens to a height of about 50 cm. This will help in prevention through climbing and burrowing. Cage culture of air-breathing fish may also be undertaken in running water systems.

Stocking details:

The transportation of air-breathing fish is not at all a problem. It can be transported in open watering carriers (transportation time less than six hours) with a small amount of aquatic weeds.  

For the monoculture of air-breathing fishes, a stocking density of 50,000/ ha with an individual size of 10 cm may be maintained. Mixed culture with carp (only asian catfish) can also be done with proper management and care. When the carp had grown to a minimum of 300g each, so that the former may not prey on the latter, the catfish can be released in the pond.

Feeding:

It needs an abundant food supply like tadpoles, trash fish, meat etc. for the growing air-breathing fishes. In order to enhance the growth, supplementary feeds- trash fish and house hold waste 1:1, rice bran, mustard oil cake and trash fish 2:1:1, rice bran and poultry feed 3:1, biogas slurry and rice bran 1:2, may also be given daily at the rate of 8-10 % of body weight.

Growth and Production:

The marketable size (400-500g) of asian catfish could be obtained in a period of eight months. An average air-breathing fish yield of 1.5-2.5/t/yr/ha can normally be obtained.

Harvesting:

Summer season is ideal for harvesting air-breathing fish. The culture pond is drained out and fish are harvested with help of hand nets or scoop nets. In cemented tank it can be harvested at any time.

 

Nocte Chalo Loku celebrations with special reference to Borduria village

Ngasah Tangjang

“The Langphuampo or Rangphuampo(Unique orchid that blossom during Chalo Loku) herald the onset of the season and the Chalo is already in the air. The season has ripened the sweetest of fruit (Chalo Loku). Come one ,come all!!! Let us the parrots and the parakeets flock together to merry.” Quote the Lead singer.

The Nocte/Nokte/Nogte,  a colourful  major tribe of Arunachal  Pradesh are well organized society having distinct socio and cultural life. The Nocte means a village man or villager or the resident of a village and is a generalized term. The Noctes are subdivided into the following group due to affinity to the common interest, practices and geographically settlement. They are Ollo Nocte, Jaro Nocte, Kotey Nocte, Hakhun Nocte, Khappa Nocte, Hawa Nocte and Pho-Lamlak Nocte. Though they are distinctly separated in groups, they have been culturing close social and cultural relation with each other and is a cohesive force to reckon. Basically, they are peace loving, socially agricultural but hardy tribe with codified, though not in written form, social system. These people have festivals of different hues and is celebrated almost every month of the year. Some of the festivals they celebrated are 1. Chalo Loku 2. Jatcha/Pitcha 3. Chhalivan 4. Kapkhut 5. Toram-chharam 6. Hamme Powi 7. Kakiak 8. Rongloh/Ronghuan 9. Champo-Powi  and 10. Wongjuang.  Each festival has its own importance and is related with the social life of the people. There are still some lesser festivals like Joruh and Jochen(Fishing by nature) etc.

The Chalo Loku. The Chalo is one of the most important festivals for the Noctes. It’s in this Loku, the decision is taken to start the new agricultural plot through Wosok-Wasok( divination) by the Chief and his council members alongwith the senior citizens. In fact, the new agricultural calendar of the Noctes begins from the Chalo Loku. Hence, one may not be at wrong, if one say chalo is celebrated to bid farewell to the outgoing year and to welcome the Nocte new year with more social bearings.

The preparation of Chalo loku begins with the Lamsaam, a community social services for clearing of inter-village link roads that invariably passes by the Chaam/Taam,  which is ordained by the Raamwa(event announcer) under the direction of the Chief and his Council members based on lunar calendar. It is so, because on the Loku Taamkatja/Chaamkatja, the elite club of Noctes like Nokpaangmi(Village Youth Club) and Sumrong(Senior Clans’ club) go to that taam/chaam for performing rituals and social gathering at their respective taam/chaam. However, the day to start the Chalo is almost fixed i.e on the 5th, 7th, or 9th day of the season’s lunar calendar. It has normally not been practiced to start the festival on even number of date. The people collect all their resources for celebration of this festival in advance. They immediately start the Khamhuan, Process of brewing of Local ale/drink, with the announcement of the Chalo date by the Raamwa which is generally done in advance by around a fortnight. This let the brew to ripe/mature in advance producing sufficient jumin for the ‘d’ day. The festival is celebrated for three days duration with one extra reserve rest day on the fourth day as Raangriamja. 1st day is Phaamlamja(day for collection of food and drinks), 2nd day is Taamkatja/Chaamkatja(all the important social engagement of the festival is done on this day), 3rd day is Thaanlaangja(the day the dance troupe/dancers dance passed the whole length and breadth of the village)and the 4th day is Raangriamja( day for re-storing the gears and costumes of the Chalo).

Phaamlamja: Slaughtering of animals and birds(Buffalos, pigs, chickens etc.) is done on the first half on this day. However, these days, no ritual is performed while slaughtering the birds and the animals as these are basically for consumption as food during the festival. This process is done in a group basis which is normally on clan affinity or on work group affinity. The meats are shared among the group on need and afford base contribution for procuring the animal and take them home. These group reassemble  on the house where the animal was slaughtered with a bamboo jug full of jumin for Ngamkhotu(Sharing of slaughtered animal’s head and some portion of intestine). The Raangtam(propitiation of ancestors and Joban for good luck and life of the group in the coming days of  the year) is done on this occasion. They eat and drink here and return to their home with their fair share in the evening. The hectic process of real preparation for the loku begins in the evening. In the evening, each household readies for festival’s engagement like Chinlit(Ginger wearing rituals from maternal uncle-aunt house),Paangmiwang(Youth initiation to the Youth Club) and Sumrongwang(Senior member initiation to the Senior members Club) and the Taamthoankat(The bidding adieu to death members of these clubs). The loku costumes preparation is also done in the evening.

Kuhnyongja/Taamkatja/Chaamkatja: The second day of the chalo is of utmost importance, as it is on this day, that all the important Chalo engagement is feted by the Noctes. The constant beating of log drum can be heard every now and then. It is also the most hectic day of the Chalo Loku. For the youth, the day begins with the reception of the valued guests/friends from the other villages. They go to the Panthong or the village gate, which are generally at about a kilometer away from the village with Khewwe-Sali(areca nut, beetle leaves, edible creepers etc), flowers, kham(Local brew) and ngam(meat) to receive their dear ones and bring them home. Every individual then visits their maternal uncle-aunt’s house to wear the ginger(chinlit)  for the year. Ginger for the Nocte is sacred and believed to contain the curative properties for any illness with the blessings of the maternal uncles-aunts. For the grownups, they go for raangtam at the houses where new club members of both the youth and the senior members are being initiated to bless the individual. They also visit the houses, whose loved ones, who were members of the clubs expired during the year that went by and the last rites of bidding adieu is being performed at their respective taam/chaam. In the mean time, Sum waksuat is done at the clan’s eldest home for chaam/taamkat. It may be noted that, unregistered nokpaangmi members of each clan are assigned the responsibility of guarding the village in absence of the senior members who left for chaamkat. They functions as house-guards for the day and are therefore awarded with clump of pork, specially a full thigh on that day.  All these functions are managed before the first half of the day, say by about 1100 a.m. Each family, who are having a living member in the Nokpaangmi and Sumrong club deposits a bamboo tube full each of Jumin and Khamtho in their respective paang for their taamkat/chaamkat). The unfortunates, whose member died the year that went passed also contribute the Jumin and the Khamtho for the last time in his behalf. The members of each club than proceed for their respective taamkat/chaamkat and the most senior batch by age known as Khamthohantey follow the club members for the taam/chaam later. In the taam/chaam, the club members prepare the taam/chaam and the propitiation of the respective deity is performed before the feast, which by and large are more like an annual picnic of the club. In the meanwhile, the preparation for Janchhokhey(initiation of new adolescence girl to the Janchhojuhum(Spinsters’ club) is done in full earnest for the  evening ritual. The parents of the girl informs the spinsters’ club senior-most member of the clan, days in advance for initiation ceremony or the club may also enquire from the probable eligible spinster girl for initiation. They begin by collection of Kham and Jumin, local alcoholic drink from each of their houses for festival fiesta at the Juhum(Spinsters’ club) and from the new club member’s house. On the other hand, after finishing the ritual and feasting at the taam/chaam, the elite clubs members begin their homeward sojourn doing chaang bouang and chaangsey(dance form originated at Chaang village in Wancho area). The event of the return of the Nokpaangmi from their taam/chaam is a much awaited event of the evening. They perform a vibrant dance showcasing deliberately decorated costumes in full vitality of their youth on which the future of the village reckon. They go to the Chief’s house straight from the taam/chaam and disperse after performing the dance and rangtam. By then it is almost evening, and every household become a place of hobnobbing and hectic parleys doing final and finishing touch to the dance costumes for the dance of the night which normally starts after the dinner. About that time, some active members of each clan beat their respective log drum to herald the time for Clan wise evening dance. The venue is fixed or decided by the clan’s humdong- phandang(clan’s elders) from within themselves or on invitation by the members of the club. It may be noted that, it is an unwritten general condition that, only male members of the clan participate in the dance of the clan with the female members of the other clan with whom matrimonial bonding can be had.  Similarly, the female members of the clan go for dancing with the other clan with whom they are suppose to have matrimonial  connection. The dance starts with the lead singers praises of the Joban(the Almighty) and the ancestors. He then calls upon all the members who have been together last season and the new ones who are joining in for the fiesta, addressing them as a flock of parrots and parakeets.  He announces the ripening of the chalo fruit to his flock. The dance which starts immediately after dinner continues till the day break with intermittent changes in dance forms creating variety and interest.

Thaanlangja: Thaanlangja happened to be the last day of the festivity. On this day, the Chinlit ceremony (a ritual of wearing ginger from the maternal uncle/aunt’s house  for the first time in life) is feted with much fanfare in the first half of the day. There may be a large numbers of chinlit group say even about 10-15 parties in a year. The people who are invited for the function assemble in the house of the boy or the girl whose chinlit ceremony is being feted and do the raangtam. They then go to the boy/girl’s maternal uncle house led by daksen/dasen(a person who has unblemished record socially and naturally) for the chinlit. The party, specially the niece and nephews are received warmly with lots of praises by the maternal uncle-aunt and their clan. The party is then fed the choicest of cuisines and the local brew by the maternal uncle and his party. Then chinlit ceremony is performed in the inner portion of the house. Lot of gifts in the form of womey, pasong, khet a khu etc.  are then bestowed to the chinlit boy(s)/girl(s) by the maternal uncle and send off. Diversion to somebody’s house by anybody from the chinlit party before returning back to the party boy’s house, letting somebody or any animals cross from within the line walk to and fro the party boy’s house etc. is not allowed and is tabooed. After returning home, the gifts brought in are counted and distributed among relatives (specially female members) of the chinlit boy/girl. Each individual also visits their maternal uncle-aunt’s house to wear the ginger(chinlit)  for the year. Ginger for the Nocte is sacred and believed to contain the curative properties for any illness with the blessings of the maternal uncles-aunts. By around 1200hours, the thanlaang boang begins with beating of log drum and nong. Every member of each clan assembles in their respective paang for the dance and starts for all the houses(invitees) and the juhums of the village. The crossing of the opposite dance troupes at the village lane is a feast for the eyes. Display of every possible vibrancy is done to outshone the other clan. After visiting every clan’s juhum and the village squares, the dance converge on the central location to send off the Chalo loku.

(Ngasah Tangjang is DL&EO, Khonsa)

 

 

The langphuampo is in bloom,

The pregnant phatmu awaits its turn.

And Chalo is in the air.

Oh my good flock of parrots and parakeets!

Time for us to visit

The ripe fruit laden trees everywhere.

Come one! come all!  

Let’s begin from where we left last season.

Oh, are we in strength as we were?

Has anyone broken one’s wings or flaps?

Let’s go and bring the Chalo for us to merry.

Oh beloved Chalo from beyond the horizon,

Blissfully in slumber in thy mum’s lap,

Tugging thy dad’s, arresting his freedom.

Oh Chalo of supreme potent!

We implore thee to be by us

This  very moment to rejoice.

Oh folk, our Chalo has consented

To be our guest and benefactor.

Folk, He is on his way

By the plain in serpentine street.

He is by the great devides

At the foothills quenching his thirst

With our mineral rich sweet natural drink.

As he enter the dense, greenest of leaves

And tallest of trees accompanies

Crossed over the hills and dales

Valleys and vales

 

 

 

   Entrepreneurship vis-a-vis Agriculture…

A key to a vibrant rural economy of Arunachal Pradesh

A.K.Purkayastha

Prologue  :

Every enterprise in the present day situation, whatsoever, its scientific & technological backup and reasonability is in place, and even though, the peoples’ acceptability and relevance is beyond any controversy, its triumph largely depends on the professional touch of those who handle it. Traditional concept of planning, executing and marketing of products single handedly or with minimum involvement of concerned skilled professionals is quite obsolete in the present global system. Success of a venture depends on how best it has been managed with utmost professional touch because it is the precise and perfect professionalism that can rescue even a sinking ship from the disaster. It is the entrepreneurial professionalism of the time that has made man from nomad to livestock rearer, settled agriculturist, trader& processor, industrialist and everything. Every activity of evolution progresses because of skill and managerial efficiency of some or the other participant of the process.

Public sector initiative in development of Agriculture and tourism is already in the process. Number of ambitious steps has been initiated by the state government and the initiatives so far have been in public sector. Private investment in the tourism development of the state has so far been in significant. However, this might have been the situation because of some deficiencies or whatsoever on the part of the stakeholders but this is not going to recur. Public sector alone cannot accomplish such a colossal task. Private investors, having due regards to social benefit aspects have a competitive mindset which compels them to develop their own human resource that can compete with the highly skilled professionals in the fray.

Arunachal…. an emerging hub of

Agri-business:

Human resource in  Arunachal Pradesh, a state of little more than 1.3 million people with nearly 94% rural population has the required potentiality but the most important task ahead is to build their capacity and upgrade the skill to match with the requirement of rapid changing scenario of Farm sector, hospitality and allied services with professional and managerial efficiency. Entrepreneurship development programmes are regularly conducted by different agencies in the states and inclusion of commercial farm management, rural ethnicity management, tourism management as major topics in such training programmes is likely to sensitize the entrepreneurs about the principles and practices of Hospitality and tourism industry besides improved farm operations for economic upliftment of the rural Arunachal. We have seen the growth of hospitality industry in the recent past in aviation sector with the growth of open sky policy and there is no drought of professionals in this sector. Likewise, it is now essential to create our own skilled human resource bank locally to cater to the needs of the near future in the Agriculture & allied sectors, tourism industry with special emphasis on Agro-eco-tourism

The state has no dearth of entrepreneurs, having the capability to be major stakeholder in the emerging tourism hub of the sub-continent. Financial resource is not a constraint because of the entrepreneur’s friendly policies of the state and union Government and the financial institutions. Absorbing capacity for undertaking ambitious tourism development venture is to be enhanced for the local entrepreneurs and this may be possible if the projects are envisaged meticulously with paramount care on appropriateness of the venture. Let the private sector entrepreneurs of the state start with some initial tourism development endeavor which is likely to be an enticement for national and overseas tourism developers to enter into joint venture business on tourism in the state. We must appreciate that there are incalculable domestic and overseas investors who are just waiting for the spark to jump into the arena of tourism developing investment venture in Arunachal, the gateway to South-east Asia. Initial steps for capacity building, skill enhancement to create professional business administrator and supporting workforce in hospitality services is essential in Public-Private-Partnership mode. It has to be the approach that entirety in growth of every economic activity may be sustainable only when private sector is accorded due attention. Again, local populace whose lifeline is going to be the centre of all activities has to be of primary considerations to plan, choose and formulate any tourism related activity. Reward for maintaining tourist friendly rural ambiance and being service providers to the tourists, the local people/entrepreneurs shall derive major benefit of agro-eco tourism and a noticeable rise in rural economy is thereby expected in the near future.

Capacity building of locally available workforce may be in terms of financial outsourcing from the public/ private investors and knowledge & skill outsourcing from domestic as well as overseas professionals of hospitality sector. In the North East India Investment Summit held in Guwahati in January’2008, number of Non-resident north-east Indians having expertise in every profession of present day global development aspect expressed their sincere aspiration to share with their knowledge bank in unlocking the opportunities for inclusive growth of the region. So, it is a matter of rejoice that the knowledge support of the overseas Indian professionals of every trade can be availed for which initial base is required and shall have to be initiated by the public sector stakeholders.    

Every farm operation in the state is supported by a blend of ITK and modern farming system and this is the distinctive strength of Arunachal to be a forerunner in the agro-eco tourism industry of North East India. Agro-eco tourism for a while may appear as an conflicting proposition, so far as Arunachal Pradesh is concerned, but its intrinsic opportunities & strength of maintaining clean and green environment, rural ethnicity and above all, the traditional hospitality of the people are indicative of the fact that it can shape itself into a most favored rural tourism focal point. It is an honest realization that there is enormity of inherent wealth that can support eco-pilgrimage-adventure-rural tourism in the state.

    Entrepreneurship vis-a-vis Agriculture…

A key to a vibrant rural economy of Arunachal Pradesh

 

Stake holders’ Passion…..   a vital need

Some issues requiring ardent   attention of all stakeholders of Farm sector are …

HRD Institute    : Up gradation of the existing HRD institutes in collaboration with national and regional level organizations may be a beneficial step for skill development in Farm sector.

Entrepreneurship development   : The most important human activity is entrepreneurship. An efficient entrepreneur is the kingpin of all growth and it is therefore essential to imbibe perfect entrepreneurship skill in every stakeholder to ensure desired growth of farm sector which shall encompass allied activities like agro-eco tourism also. Agri-business management skill shall be an inbuilt component in the course curriculum of HRD institute for junior level extension workers , farmers and PRIs.  

O Self Help Groups (SHG)    : Set up District level training centers for skill up gradation of junior level Field extension workers, PRI members, SHGs and the farmers. This can be created through the district level ATMAs. Promoting formation of self help group (SHG) in the villages

      to take up production & marketing of farm produce of the small and marginal farmers is likely

      to invigorate the farm activities.

O Cooperative Approach: Formation and operationalization of small farmers’ cooperatives, Primary Agriculture Cooperative societies to take up activities like processing, value addition and marketing is expected to help the small and marginal farmers in a big way. Thrift & credit activities through cooperative institutions may be beneficial for small and marginal farmers.

O Farm School   : Farm school in the block and village as is being promoted under Extension Reforms, shall have to be strengthened. Individual farmer achieving excellence in farm activities is required to be accorded due recognition. Their experiences may be utilized in skill up gradation and motivation of the farming community by utilizing the services by designating them as Farm teacher/ Master Farmer/ Farm motivator or any other glorified term. Their skill development through short term specialized trainings in regional and national level HRD institutes is an approved activity under ATMA programme.

O NGOs   : In order to encourage private sector and non governmental organization (NGO)’s involvement in extension services, an institutional mechanism may be necessary to plan, regulate and monitor the activities. Involvement of  NGOs and private sector stakeholders in extension services shall be facilitated by the ATMAs in the districts.

O Commodity Interest Groups (CIG)   : Commodity based farmers’ groups of common interest are likely to take up and maintain crop production through IPM, INM, and effective water management at micro level. Private sector Institutional set up   like Mustard, Vegetable, Ginger, Chilly, Potato growers’ society/ associations to take care of commodity specific requirements for efficient management of entire process of tillage to marketing and processing is expected to be rewarding venture.

O Revitalized APMC activities   : Huge market demand for every agricultural produce necessitates market arrival from the farms regularly. So, commodity interest groups (CIG) can perform in an effective manner and therefore formation and operationalization of commodity specific Growers’ group/Societies/associations in the private sector may require active assistance and promotion by the ATMAs and APMCs in the major commercial crop growing districts immediately and in all the district progressively with rise in market demand driven production of commercial crops. ATMA is mandated to upgrade skill & knowledge and sensitize the growers to evolve market demand lead production programme and APMC is required to take care of the remunerative marketing of the produce. So, the entire sequence of production plan to selling of produce in the primary, secondary & terminal markets and even up to the consumer is an amalgam of processes requiring precise management with high level of managerial efficiency. It is, therefore an  urgent need to refurbish the APMCs so as to enable the state’s farm sector to reach a new height to match with the fast changing domestic and global agro economic situation.

O Capacity building in Extension Management   : To meet up the immediate skill requirement for refurbishing the ATMAs and APMCs in the districts, capacity building initiatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India through Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Extension Management (PGDAEM) conducted by the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad in distant learning mode for the extension officers is an excellent programme. SAMETI, Pasighat has been identified as the venue for contact classes. Its financial requirement is met up from the css on Extension Reforms. 30 extension officers of Agriculture & allied departments have been nominated to undergo the diploma course and the session is likely to start from August’2008. In near future,

 more extension officers of the allied departments shall have to be deputed for the programme. This programme is going to add efficiency of the extension workers’ performance.

O Agri-business Management   : Post Graduate Diploma in Agri-business Management (PGDABM) course is another useful programme of the MANAGE, Hyderabad for HRD support to the functionaries involved in Agri-business management.  Arunachal Pradesh, being an emerging agri-business hub of Eastern India and South East Asia, deputing some in-service qualified extension officers of Agriculture and allied departments for acquiring the diploma in agri-business management is expected to upgrade the managerial skill & efficiency of the officers who in turn may contribute in the entire farm business significantly.

O Women involvement in farm sector   : Women SHGs, community owned resource users groups, common interest groups are expected to deliver efficient extension services. Extension Reforms (ATMA) scheme has inbuilt component for such activities and ATMAs and BTT shall have to play most proactive role in this endeavor.

O Women in value addition   : Farm produces which can be easily added value in the farm itself or in the villages with little skill can support SHG activities in a big way. Women SHG members usually have their expertise supported by ITK to take up value addition activities of locally grown food and commercial crops and little fine tuning of their skill may surge out to be a boom in this venture. This feature also calls for active support of the ATMAs & BTTs.

O Women in design improvement : Women groups are required to be promoted by the private entrepreneurs for growth of demand driven design development of traditional apparels & handicrafts requiring traditional skills. Unique ethnic design of the traditional attires are in very high demand in the global market for its quality and this endeavor can possibly be  better addressed by the Women  in group and cooperative approach. Credit needs of handloom & handicrafts improvement may be addressed by the private entrepreneurs with buyback assurance.

O Handloom & handicrafts   : Local artisans possessing high degree of skill in the state are, by and large, in the unorganized sector. Multinational Companies(MNC) dealing with distinctive pieces of art  are making roaring business in the international markets out of the  toil of the rural artisan where as the  designer is unaware of the economic return that should have been a part of his/her labor. An institutional mechanism may be a bold step to bail out the highly skilled rural artisans from the economic exploitation and support the economic prosperity of the state. Private corporate & MNCs may be allowed to promote such ventures with emphasis on skill development, raw materials availability and buyback agreement in the state within the scope of laws. (Purkayastha is the Director (Agri-Marketing) cum CEO, Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture  Marketing Board)

 

Cooperative week ends

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: The 58th All India Cooperative Week celebrations which begin on 14th of this month ended yesterday. The valedictory function was held at the Conference Hall, A.P. State Cooperative Union, Polo Colony, Naharlagun.

The chief guest of the day was S Padmabhanan, General Manager, NABARD. While speaking on the occasion, citing some examples of Organisations of the cooperatively developed states of India, he stated that in Arunachal Pradesh the Cooperative Organisations have not been able to achieve its goal due to lack of proper road communication. Therefore, he suggested the starting of cooperative movement of Arunachal Pradesh from the grass root level.

Guest of honour, A.K. Purukastya, director, Agriculture Marketing, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh said that it is very necessary to give proper and right direction to achieve the goal of sense of cooperation. He further urged Arunachal Pradesh State Cooperative Union to conduct cooperative programme in the rural far flung areas in a significant manner so that the rural people can take active part and play significant role for the success of cooperatives.

Resource Person Dr. B.D. Nayak, Associate Professor, from NERIST stressed on the introspection of cooperative policy for inclusive sustainable development.  He stated that cooperative should work together to reduce certain operational costs and enhance their net returns in one hand.

 The other resource persons included Likha Kiran Kabak, assistant director, SIRD and Tame Yam Natung an active co-operator and social activist.  Goto Nyorak, Chief Executive Officer, APSCU appraised about the weeklong celebration of the Cooperative Week and extend his sincere thanks to all the guests, dignitaries, Co-operators, Officers, Officials and Senior Citizen and associated SHG members in the Valedictory Function for joining the programme. A.T. Kulo, Chairman, APSCU also address the gathering on conclusion day.

 

Quami ekta week

CHANGLANG, Nov 21: 94th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi was observed here on Nov19 at DIET Auditorium as beginning of the week long Quami ekta week celebration.

The Deputy Commissioner administered the pledge of national integration.

In his speech, Opak Gao, the Deputy Commissioner, Changlang, emphasized to inculcate and maintain unity and integrity by involving children. Efforts should be to make them understand the value of unity and integrity among cross section of the people.

 He appealed all, to understand the meaning behind observation of the “National Integration Week” and bring it into practical life to poster unity and integrity.

T.P. Sharma and P.K. Panda Senior teachers of Govt. H.S. School Changlang also spoke about Indira Gandhi and her various policies for the uplift of the society.

 

NCC Day observed

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: National Cadet Corp (NCC) day was observed at Govt Hr. Sec. School, Naharlagun today.

The ill-effects of liquor consumption and drugs usage on human body was dwelt in length on the occasion by school principal Tagin Tatan. He advised the students to abstain from such bad habit of using alcohol and drugs to maintain good health.

The programme was organized by LD Singh, ANO.

 

New audio album

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: A modern Bugun (Khowa) audio album would be released during the general conference of All Bugun Youth Association to be held at Singchung, West Kameng district from November 28.

 

Princess of Arunachal

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: All Taksing Tagru Welfare Society is organizing a beauty contest named “Princess of Arunachal” at Siddhatha Hall, Itanagar on February 29, 2012. The winners, first and second runners up and subtitles winners would be awarded handsome prizes, according to organizing committee.

 

AIQEC appointment

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: All India Quami Ekta Committee state unit president has appointed Manga Rimo and Sonam Yangfo as state youth president and general secretary respectively.

 

Nyokum committee

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Nyokum Yullo Celebration Committee-2012, Sangram branch was formed in meeting on November 18 last with Bamang Taji, Langbia Sagnu and Natam Chanang as chairman, vice chairman and general secretary respectively.

 

Appointments

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Nyishi Youth Welfare Association (NYWA) president has appointed Kipa Tate and Bengia Take as vice president and general secretary respectively.

Tapor Riamuk and Bomter Haider have been appointed as president and general secretary of All Upper Subansiri District Unit Anti- Corruption Forum for smooth functioning.

 

Road renovation demanded

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Chandranagar Welfare Committee has urged the department concerned to renovate the NH-52A road of Chandranagar area from bridge point to power house at the earliest saying that the road was in a pathetic condition.

 

Measles catch up prog at Tirap

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: Measles catch up campaign was today launched in Tirap District t. It was inaugurated by Wangliam Lowang Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman DTF Tirap in presence of V.J.Singh SP Khonsa, Dr.T.Takum WHO consultant and other members of District Task force Measles SIA at Don Bosco Youth Center Khonsa.

Dr.K.Perme DRCHO gave an overview of the Measles campaign while Father George, the director of the center expressed his gratitude for selecting DBYC as the venue for inaugural function of the campaign and his readiness to extend his service in future.

Dr S Ronya DMO also spoke on the occasion.

 

Women Annual Conference

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: The 18th NBCC Women Annual Conference was conducted successfully at Laptap Baptist Church under Toru Pastoral Range, Sagalee from Nov18 -20. More than three thousand women attended the conference.

Rev. Tar Choya, Translator Nyishi Old Testament, NBCC and Jumshi Tana former President NBCC Women Department shared the words of God.

 

Bank with ATM facility demanded

ITANAGAR, Nov 21:   Describing the hardship faced by the people due to non availability of banking facility, Hirik-Hiru Students Union (HHSU) Kamba today urged the authorities concerned to set up new SBI branch office with ATM facility, improve the infrastructure of Donyi-Polo Government College Kamki and to introduce DIET programe in Donyi-Polo College Kamki.

The students union also sought early solution of land encroachments problem of Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Kamba.

 

APP raising day at Changlang

ITANAGAR, Nov 21: The 39th APP Raising Day was celebrated at Changlang on Nov 08.

During the celebration, District Police under the initiative of SP Changlang T. Amo, organized games and sports for Police Personnel and essay competition for school students on the topic “Drug Abuse in Changlang District” and “Role of Police Towards Society” for junior and senior categories, respectively. The whole district police including Civil Police, IRBN, WT, FS, SB were divided into eight teams.

Addressing the police personnel, the chief guest Opak Gao, DC Changlang appreciated the role of police in maintaining law and order and peace in the district. He also emphasised on the importance of maintaining good health. Earlier SP  Amo briefed on the history of APP rising day. The volley ball competition final was played between PS Miao and PS Changlang in which Miao team emerged as the winner.

 

NRHM employee drowns

Seppa, Nov 21: Oyem Taloh, working under NRHM, Seppa drowned at Bichom River on Nov’12. Every effort has been made but his body could not be traced.

Taloh’s family and his near and dear ones thanked the District Administration, Medical deptts, Army, police and others for their support and co-operation during the week-long search operations. (DIPRO)

 

DA inspect encroached areas

ITANAGAR: A district administration team led by Extra Assistant Commissioner Balijan and Circle Officer Yupia of Papum Pare district carried out a spot verification of the alleged land encroachments at disputed areas of Assam-Arunachal boundary from Talumso up to Radaso village near Digalmukh under East Kameng district yesterday and submitted report to Papum Pare deputy commissioner.

Taking note of the latest development in inter-state boundary, deputy commissioner of Papumpare Pige Ligu  along with other officers has decided to visit the areas to take stock of the situation on Tuesday.  The DC would also hold meeting with Assam counterpart to resolve the issue.

 

Society dissatisfied over  DoP’s press statement

ITANAGAR: Ramle Banggo Welfare Society (RBWS) has taken strong exception to the press statement given by EE, Naharlagun electrical division, Nirjuli regarding his department’s stand on Nyajum Kakki’s death.

Expressing its displeasure and dissatisfaction over the press statement, RBWS questioned whether there had been any signboard or notification to forewarn the enormous danger of such unwarranted and no man’s land of the capital complex where one may be electrocuted.

“Instead of acknowledging their fault, the department has been trying to concoct and digress the issue which may aggravate the problem,” it said.

The Society also criticized the State Government for showing a ‘lackadaisical’ attitude towards the unfortunate accident.

Meanwhile, RBWS demanded the Government to provide job to one of the relatives of Late Tato Dabi, who also succumbed to electrocution recently while on duty at Sido village of East Siang district.

News Impact

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All rights reserved.

 

Bad quality uniforms

Dear Editor,

This is in response to the article “ATA rejects bad quality uniforms” published in your daily.

I strongly support ATA for rejecting the poor quality uniforms being supplied to the school children. There used to be tender calls for supplying uniforms for school children. The local entrepreneurs and SSIs were given priority for selection for supply of quality products thereby granting the entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop their business or enterprise. It now seems that the authorities have compromised with the quality standard and a competent supplier is not considered for the purpose. Although there are a number of successful and struggling entrepreneurs in our State, who could have supplied products of much better quality and standard.

I, on favor of the entrepreneurs of the State, especially the youths, appeal to the Government to deal with the matter sternly and further consider competent youth entrepreneurs, Cooperatives, SHGs or Enterprises of Arunachal Pradesh for such supplies and also appeal to provide the remaining items to the school children as per the provisions of the RTE Act.

Yours,

Binny Yanga

Naharlagun,  (on email)

 

 

Young people and their unbecoming habits

Dear Editor,

I am a occasional visitor of bars & restaurants of our capital city. Please do excuse for this nasty habit and I swear I am old enough for that! What makes my heart pain is that I always find at least a few groups of young girls and boys drinking beer from mug, larger than their face. By their appearance, they come across as someone too young even to be secondary students. Very next instant my doubt proved correct by the books they are carrying, they have been returning from tuition class and casually dropped by to have a sip of wine with friends puffing cigarettes, gossiping and inviting other friends as well through cell phone.

They seems from decent families by their clothes, costly mobile phones and other accessories, seems could have a promising career as well.

Parents and guardians please let’s be extra careful towards our kids. Let’s do something about this. Those could be one of your kids and for that matter could be one of mine.

Yours,

Ramesh Jamo

Itanagar (on email)

 

 

An open letter to His Excellency

Dear Editor,

Your Excellency, it was indeed heartening to see you Vijoynagar and reactivate the Landing Ground.

It is good to hear you say that the people must not remain isolated in such an age. Indeed we have been isolated for too long a time. Lt Governor A. A. Raja was the only one who used the MV road in the middle ‘70s. After him no Governor or Chief Minister or public of Vijoynagar used the road with wheelers!

We thank you for giving us a glimpse of the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

At this point I also like to mention a few things about the Yobins of Vijoynagar. We are sure that you took note when Alina Yobin shared a few things about us during the visit.

The Yobins have been the known aborigines of Dawodi or Vijoynagar. Dawodi have been our home before the Govt of India ever set foot in the valley.

The Yobins have manually built the ALG of Vijoynagar under the leadership of Assam Rifles, as you yourself have said.

Yobins were the only ones who were instrumental guides in the demarcation of Indo-Myanmar border around Vijoynagar.

Even now, Yobins are the only ones who know where each border-stone lay!

But the sad truth is that the Yobins are denied Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe status till date. And in spite of our tribe being listed in serial no. 107 during 1981 census in accordance with the Presidential Order 1956 Para 2 of part II of Schedule III.

The Yobins enjoyed facilities like any other Arunachal Tribes till 1979. But then from 1980 onward, Yobins have been, without any official notification, denied ST certificate,Permanent Residence Certificate, Right to Contest Assembly Election, Right to jobs entitled to Arunachalee tribes.

As of now, Yobins have been marginalized in developmental, social, economic, educational and political life.

Just to list a few of the discriminations that we the Yobins of Vijoynagar are facing:

You will not find one state-sponsored Yobin student.

You will not find one Yobin enjoying hostel facilities in Govt School or College hostels.

You will not find one Yobin Arunachal Police man or woman.

You will not find one Yobin doctor.

You won’t even find 20 Yobins in Arunachal Govt jobs.

Some Yobins have been successful in APCS exams, but had to back down for want of an ST certificate! My own cousin did well in Indian Army recruitment. Yet he had to come back for he did not have a paper- ST Certificate!

Yobins have been deprived for too many decades.

We would urge you to restore ST to the Yobins of Vijoynagar immediately.

What does India lose if Yobins of Vijoynagar are treated as a tribe of Arunachal Pradesh! And not as Burmese or Chinese refugees!

We want to know how long, oh, how long must we wait till we are treated a bonafide tribe of Arunachal Pradesh

Please correct this negligence immediately. This is our plea.

Yours,

A. Ngwazah

Miao, (on email)

 

 

Information not factual

Dear Editor,

The All Papum Pare District Students Union (APPDSU) is pleased to read the clarification made by Techi Hitler LR & SO LR & SO Papum Pare on behalf of DC, Yupia on 21st Nov as it served as a long waited reply to the explanations we had sought on 12 points.

The clarification, however was not satisfactory and the information furnished is not factual.  

The HPC departmental standard rate copy were kept in secrecy from the very beginning of the land Acquisition process adopted to acquire land for the Trans-Arunachal Highway and district connectivity road project at Pappu-Yupia-Hoj-Potin (53km). The PWD (Highway) office itself has rejected the Arunachal Highway Approved Rate Copy terming that it is beyond the understanding of the engineering department and provided us the original rate copy of HPC when inquired earlier.

Further, under which provision or govt. order DC Yupia is authorized to modify the rates and items.

Further we thank for revealing to the general public that there is DPR rate of MoRTH. Hence, the authority concern is itself confessing that they have implemented bogus and un-authentic rates.

The statement on item wise valuation itself shows in ample that rate is being fixed Khusi-Khusi by LR& SO and DC.

In the context of the rights of the LPC holders under DFR area we would like to know why it is not mentioned in the LPC that govt. can cancell the LPC at any time without serving any prior notice.  Why at the time of getting compensation such illogical declaration were made instead of informing them in advance what they are going to lose in the future.

No doubt whether 4-lane or 2-lane, the funding, sanctioning and monitoring authority is the MoRTH Delhi but it was the responsibility of the state govt. to provide information to the MoRTH the variation of the market rate in the state. The blunder has been done by the State Govt. and department concern in the very beginning and now expressing their helpless to the affected land holders is indigestible.

Furthermore, if DC says that the compensation rates for same was directly sent to MoRTH, Delhi for sanction, then what is the evidence that shows that the variation in rate should not be made for NH-4 lane and Trans Highway.

Moreover, for information the 12 Km distance was initially mentioned by DC, Yupia in his Prohibitory Order dated 06/07/2011. Thus, the question of factual knowledge is irrelevant.

It is to inform the LR & SO, Yupia who is writing on behalf of DC, Yupia that he being public servant has every obligation to respond to queries being raised by us.

Yours,

Nido Joram,

Member (Convenor)

      Tarh Eha,

Legal Advisor cum Spokesperson,

(Vice-Chairman)

 Nabam Tado

Chairman

(Vice-President)

 

 

Bring it on par with UPSC

Dear Editor,

I would like to request the APPSC through your esteemed daily, as the commission has really come on par with the UPSC in conducting exams, even beating it this time, to change the syllabus of the optional according to UPSC pattern instead of the present one, which includes many outdated and irrelevant concepts in almost all the subjects. This will be of immense benefit, especially to those students, living in the state itself for the UPSC exams as they will have an idea of the question pattern along with the benefit of a same syllabus. A strategy followed by commissions of U.P, T.Nadu, Gujarat which explains the success rate of candidates from these states. This will save Arunachali students from reading almost different things for the two exams which are fundamentally of the same type.

Yours,

David

New Delhi, (on email)

 

___________

 

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

 

 

Education at secondary level

 

Globally, the number of children enrolled at the secondary level has tripled since 1970. Yet despite this progress, access remains limited in many countries, finds out the Global education digest 2011 report published by UNESCO Institute of Statistics.

The 2011 Global Education Digest studies trends in secondary education, which is the next great challenge for many countries those are approaching towards universal primary education.

Among 162 countries with recent data, girls and boys have equal chances of graduating from primary school in 91 countries. While girls are less likely than boys to complete primary education in 47 countries, boys are less likely to complete it than girls in 24 countries.

Upper secondary education is not compulsory in most developing countries.

The number of secondary school teachers has risen by 50% since 1990, yet shortages persist.

Total number of secondary teachers grew by 50%, from 20.3 million to 30.4million between 1990 and 2009. During the same period, the number of primary teachers increased by 27%, from 22.2 million to 28.3 million. Globally, there have been more teachers working in secondary education than at the primary level since 2002.

More equitable access to secondary education is another important challenge. Between 1999 and 2009, the GER for girls increased from 69% to 79% in lower secondary and from 43% to 55% in upper secondary education worldwide. However, the Arab States and sub-Saharan Africa still faced serious gender disparities at the lower secondary level, while disparities at the upper secondary level intensified in South and West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

While 95% of primary school graduates continue their education at the lower secondary level in most countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and North America and Western Europe, the transition rate from primary to secondary education remains low in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The gaps are too stark and it needs to be fixed. World communities should put extra effort so that children get a chance to make a choice when it comes to education.