October -
Thank you, Arunachal
Dear Editor,
We the parents and relatives of Toko Teji, the first runners-
The success story of Teji wouldn’t have been possible if not for the well planned campaign launched by various students organizations across the state and their appeals made through the local media. Leading from the front was AAPSU and supported by All Nyishi Students’ Union, All Nyishi Youth Association, All Law Students’ Union, Apatani Students’ Union, Galo Students’ Union, Adi Students’ Union, All Tai Khampti Students Union, All Mishmi Students’ Union, Apatani Youth Association and all district students’ unions. The enthusiasm and sincerity of the student leaders to garner support for Teji is beyond measurable terms. Smiling posters of Teji in every nook and corner of the state speak volumes of the contribution made by the young leaders. Appeal and support also came in from students’ unions based outside the state. Our gratitude also goes to community based social organizations especially the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and the Tadar Abu Charitable Society for appealing on behalf of Teji, the Church and its wings for praying for Teji and supporting him all along besides all organizations to the smallest unit for campaigning for Teji. The market welfare organizations of Nirjuli, Naharlagun and Itanagar under the guidance of Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) also have the share of our gratitude for facilitating the road show and campaigning for Teji.
Special thanks go to Governor J J Singh for his encouragement and support and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh led by Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu. The support and cooperation from Lok Sabha MP Takam Sanjay, Yachuli MLA Likha Sayaa and Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso is also worth mentioning. Special thanks also to Bamang Tago, chairperson of Arunachal Citizens’ Right, for campaigning tirelessly across the north east for Teji.
Media of the state has also immensely contributed to the success of Teji. All the local dailies had campaigned for Teji right from the beginning. Special mention needs to be made of DDK Itanagar, Radio Oo La La and NE TV, which volunteered to give Teji the limelight through their respective programmes and news coverage. We are grateful to them.
We are also thankful to the volunteers who turned up in huge number to facilitate the Road Show conducted on September 23, the security personnel, traffic police, all the drivers, electricians, sound operators, designers and spot boys. Our special thanks go also to the Capital District Administration and the police. At this juncture we need to mention the help and contribution of the group of musicians and B Bage, the versatile vocalist, who provided support to Teji’s performance during the road show.
Last but not the least our heartfelt gratitude goes to The Assam Valley School, Balipara. It was only because of the faith imposed by the School on Teji that made him achieve the success. Had it not been for the authorities of the School Teji wouldn’t have ever entered the show and the world would not have known his talent.
If we count the list, it would go on. Therefore, we appeal to all those whom we might have missed to mention not to feel forgotten. At our heart, we are thankful to all, even the person who might have sent a single sms in favour of Teji or just wished him to win.
Thanks Arunachal!
Yours,
Toko Jyoti and Toko Natu
Parents of Toko Teji
Naharlagun
Visit Tehri and decide for yourself
Dear Editor,
Lack of focus on a people-
The people of Uttarakhand who were promised ‘development’ by Tehri dam now wonder why the government has failed to set up or promote fruit processing units in the hills. Over 40 per cent of citrus fruits are left to rot for want of market connectivity. Perhaps processing centres would be set up to convert these valuable fruits into squash, pickles, jams and marmalade that had a ready market in the plains. Most of the people in the hill state are moving to Delhi to work as labourers in construction sites after their short term compensation is over.
Like Uttarakhand, the ministers of Arunachal Pradesh need a change in the mindset
of politicians and bureaucrats to promote and support cottage enterprises in the
fields of horticulture, floriculture, tourism, angling and adventure sports in a
big way would usher in prosperity for the poor villagers and help them to be self-
Yours,
Hayang Deuri
Boginadi (on email)
This incredible Arunachal of mine!
Dear Editor,
Allow me the liberty to peep into those kitchens where PDS item delicacies were cooked and dig out the recipe to find the strange food habits of now infamous persons entangled in the PDS scam and their absurd way of fulfilling the insatiable hunger to present my indigenous art of deduction after much toiling with numerical figures as I happened to be poor in maths. Let us consider the amount involved in the scam be as figured by SIC,1000 crore brushing aside the contradictory sum of 418 crore presented by the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh and place the total number of public money and ration looters at 100,total period of each guilty person's involvement in the process of looting be 5 years for more convenient calculation and enjoy for a change.
Ooops ! Wait..my simple calculator refuse to do this long sum, too many zeros, .. ok got a better one and here we go..
Assuming that the looters were very honest and shared the booty equally amongst themselves then each one involved will be the master of ten crore again let each beneficiary's family be of ten members thus finaly one crore is every boy's share.
First a view of common man's daily ration necessity from PDS supplies on an average of 2 meals/serves a day, to understand the scam stars morbid fascination with eating, based on approximate rate of 2005 and round off all figures.
Common man's consumption a. Rice 667 gms.p/d or Rs 8.00 (1kg= 3meals @Rs12p/kg b. Salt 34gms, p/d or Rs 1.70 (1kg=60meals @Rs5 " c.Sugar 20gms.p/d or Rs .50 (1kg= 100cups @Rs25"
As above calculation an average common man needs Rs 10.20 for his daily ration or Rs 18,360 for five years from PDS supplied items. But if we study the scam stars consumption assuming they gobbled these whole ration in five years then their appetite will be of Rs 5,479 per day (1crore/1825day or five years)If this amount is worked out in percentage in conformity with food necessity of common man as illustrated above, rice 92.51%, salt 4.72% and sugar 2.77%.
PDS sacm stars consumption a. Rice Rs 5069 p/day b. Salt Rs 258 p/day c. Sugar Rs 152 p/day.
According to above statistics these people (or monster ?) could eat 423 kgs of rice, 51 kgs of salt and 6 kgs of sugar daily, impressive isn't it ? Their daily quota of ration would have lasted more than one and half year for a common man. This Arunachal of mine where such incredible giants truly dwells!
Yours,
Legobaying,
(on email)
There is only a Koro language
Dear Editor,
We feel we must respond to Dr. Gibji Nimachow’s letter to Arunachal Times from last
week on the Koro language. Thank you for this opportunity to explain what really
was said and what was not said, and to respond directly to some of the false and
misleading accusations made by Dr. Nimachow. We assume that these comments are responses
to reports made in the press about the story published in this paper 6th October,
2010 under the caption, “Researchers stumble upon hidden language in Arunachal,”
and not responses to the quotes and interviews that we actually made. We know this
must be the case since we will show that those comments and their interpretation
derive not from what we actually said but rather what people have decided we said
or inaccurately reported on or sensationalized what we said. The original comments
are available online for anyone who is not content to believe any and everything
said to them in the media and who wishes to seek out this first-
com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/cultures/).
First, Dr. Nimachow writes “…I do not agree with him when he (Dr. Harrison) claims
that these groups of people who speak Koro dialect are hidden and he had discovered
it.” With respect to the use of the term ‘hidden’: it means that the language is
spoken by a group without a unique individual linguistic identity recognized by linguistic
science, but rather it is considered a dialect of a component (‘sub-
Dr. Nimachow’s states “… the Akas are divided into two sub-
Further, Dr. Nimachow goes on to state “There is no denying the fact that the dialect of the two groups of Aka community is distinct which I had also mentioned in my works. The dialect of Koro is very much in usage since time immemorial and the same is available in different literatures including my book.” We have always acknowledged previous information about, and previous recordings of, the Hrusso and Koro languages, extending as far back as Hesselmeyer’s 1868 work up through Grewal’s 1997 study. All that we have ever asserted about the prior information on these languages is that the primary data collection and analysis were not done by a team of trained linguistic scientists. Dr. Nimachow’s book was published after we began this study and after we gave our first presentation of our results at Ranchi in 2008. We gave subsequent presentations at the Himalayan Language Symposium and the South Asia Linguistic Analysis meetings in 2009 and a complete list of this literature is cited fully in the references in the forthcoming scientific article written by Dr. Anderson that is appearing in Indian Linguistics vol. 71 (2010).
Dr. Nimachow is an excellent anthropologist, and we will eagerly read his book when it becomes available to us, but he is not a trained scientific linguist either, as is shown by his claim that Koro is a dialect of Aka. We reject outright any claim that Koro is a dialect of any language, and in particular the language of the Hrusso Aka. It is no more accurate than saying Hindi is a dialect of Russian. Yes, these languages are distantly related, but they cannot be called dialects of the same language in any linguistically meaningful sense. In other words, there is no Koro dialect; there is only a Koro language.
Finally, Dr. Nimachow offers the following statement “… in the absence of any written script the dialect could not be claimed as a new or hidden dialect…” It is not clear to us how writing is relevant to a language’s linguistic characteristics. Writing does not confer the status of a language on a speech variety, although it helps in official recognition. But one must not confuse a language’s official status with its linguistic status.
Dr. Nimachow correctly stated that “… proper research [should] be done for development of scripts, popularization and conservation from extinction”
While Dr. Nimachow has assumed that we have not done this, we have been in fact doing this in the way that makes sense linguistically: the first step was to identify what sounds exist in the language that might need to be represented in the writing system; this we have now done. We are now ready to move on to the next step: finding a writing system that is useful and acceptable to the community. We hope to discuss this important and pressing issue with the Koro community on our next visit. Once a writing system has been agreed to, we are ready to move on to the next step in this process: to develop print and online dictionaries and grammar materials for the language, both of which will serve the functions of popularizing the language and to help conserve it from extinction.
Our work provides the scientific basis for full recognition of Koro as a language. Koro will henceforth have to be acknowledged in any international or national registry, list, compendium, etc., as a full language, not a dialect. We cannot imagine that this recognition of the distinctness of Koro will have any other than a positive effect.
We acknowledge Dr. Nimachow as an expert on Aka people and culture, and we would
welcome the opportunity to collaborate with him in the future on developing appropriate
materials for both the Aka-
Dear People of Arunachal Pradesh, all we ever hoped to do is raise some public awareness about the wondrous diversity and splendor that characterizes your state. We are deeply sorry for any offense or misunderstandings that sensationalized and often false reporting may have triggered. Please be aware that we have never claimed to discover anything, and it would be absurd to do so. All we have ever said is there is at least one more language (not a dialect) in Arunachal Pradesh than has heretofore been acknowledged.
Yours,
Dr. Gregory D. S. Anderson (on email)
Dr. K. David Harrison
Living Tongues Institute for Endangered
Languages
National Geographic Society Fellow
Video-
Dear Editor,
I wonder why no action is being taken to curb the menace of "Video-
Secondly, the ardent viewers of movies, be it Hollywood or Bollywood are deprived of quality viewing of the latest movies because of the piracy in our state.
Therefore, through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to request the
concerned authority to take stern action against the video pirate who runs the racket
of video-
Yours
Kaling Dabi
Rajiv Gandhi University(on email)
What happened to basic facilities
Dear Editor,
There has been extreme power fluctuation for past few days especially in E sector area; the high low voltage has already resulted in huge damage. Appliances like computer and other gadgets are at high risk at this instant and already are facing power connect problem. Similar problem in recent few days is faced by many other individuals. Why everything is in a worsening shape. The capital road was never in such a bad condition even during the peak monsoon, the P.H.E department despite having countless water supply connection has no regular water supply to houses that are paying regularly. Many of us know the answers but we stay as the silent majority. Whatever may be the explanation, the concern engineer of E sector may thoughtfully repair the reason for unending power instability as almost immediately as possible.
Yours,
Concern citizen
Itanagar, (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.
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HC raps SIC, questions the pace of investigation
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: The High Court has questioned the maintenance of case diary and pace of investigation by the Special Investigation Cell (SIC) looking into the PDS scam in the state.
The pace of investigation, in the present case, what we have noticed, is not satisfactory, though a team of officers has been investigating the case, said Justice I A Ansari and Justice A C Upadhyay while disposing off bail application of the former Chief Minister Gegong Apang.
The High Court said that ‘we find that the case diary has not been maintained in accordance with law. What has been presented before this Court, in the form of a case diary, is really a collection of loose sheets of papers, where the progress of the case has been, intermittently, noted, mostly, by typing on computers and, at times, by hand. It is difficult to treat the materials, presented in the form of case diary, as the case diary of a criminal case, as envisaged by law, police manual and executive instructions, which we have been given, does not contain contemporious records nor is it a bound book with printed pagination.
The pace of investigation, in the present case, what we have noticed, is not satisfactory, though a team of officers has been investigating the case, it added.
Because of the fact that the case diary is a collection of loose sheets of papers,
which can be changed and re-
It is made clear that what we have observed with regard to the state of investigation or with regard to the case diary are not directed against any individual or specific officer, but to the state affairs, governing the case, in general, it added.
Though it has been alleged, orally, before this Court that the accused could not
be interrogated on 24-
In fact, at one stage of the hearing, the SP, SIC, admits that the case, against the accused, depends on documentary materials.
In the absence of any material showing that the liberty of the accused will help him tamper with the investigation, the apprehension, expressed, on behalf of the SIC, that the accused is likely to tamper with the investigation, cannot be readily accepted. If such an occasion arises, nothing stops this Court or any other Court of competent jurisdiction from cancelling the bail of the accused. A person, on bail, does not have licence to interfere with the investigation or tamper with the witnesses. Notwithstanding the fact that the accused may not have a case for being granted bail on the ground of his sickness alone, the fact remains that we have minutely scanned the case diary and we do not find the requirement or necessity of keeping the accused, in custody, for the purpose of interrogation nor do we find any materials collected, far less credible, in the case diary, reflecting or demonstrating that the liberty of the accused would influence further course of action, it added.
While granting the bail for eight weeks, the Court stated that Apang shall not leave Arunachal Pradesh without prior intimation to, and leave of, the Sessions Judge, North Lakhimpur, even for the purpose of his medical treatment. The judges further ruled that the accused may apply for extension of his bail in the Court of learned Sessions Judge, North Lakhimpur. These conditional directions have been given by us in order to ensure effective investigation of the case, while, at the same time, ensuring that the liberty of the accused is not curtailed beyond what is imperative and necessitated by the facts of the present case, it added.
While giving a verdict on bail application, the court has thrown open many question at the process of investigation on PDS being carried out by SIC. Only time tell where the investigation is headed to.
As they sing “Munni badnam hui”
Tongam Rina
As someone said everyday is a surprise. Some pleasant and some very unpleasant. But it’s a surprise! The other day while on way back home past midnight, we ran into a group of vivacious boys. They were unloading some stuff from a truck, which they said was for construction of puja pandals.
The festive season is here at least in Capital region. Every neighbourhood in town is gearing up to celebrate the festival of the Hindus.
Like elsewhere, the festival is infectious and almost everyone is engrossed in preparing for the festivities. Though the pandals have come up at all places including right in the middle of the highway, no one seems to mind. That infectious is the festival.
Most private schools have gone on midsession holidays. Eleven year old Lobsang Wangmu and four year old Milli Angel and her sister seven year old Ohana are the lucky ones who would make the most of the holiday period. Apart from catching up with their home works and mental mathematics classes, they look forward to taking a dip at the newly inaugurated swimming pool!
In absence of any recreational facilities, a swimming pool, at least in the capital Region, is best what the grown up people of this state can offer to these young ones.
While yours truly listens to their list of dos and don’ts, mental mathematics sounds scary enough to mar the festive season!
For many of us, festive season means some break from mundane office work while for majority, at least going by the trends, means getting in touch, in their own ways with the numerous gods and goddess.
Even as we race to be a superpower, India is known world over for the highest number of holidays, designated and restricted. And this state would beat all the existing records. Every month, we seem to have some kind of holiday, not to talk about forced holidays like bandhs. Lazy that we are, we welcome them all. Since we don’t seem to be doing anything productive for the public at large, least we can do is save on some electricity!
Well, coming back to the festive season, it would not be an exaggeration to compare the enthusiasm of people of this state to that of Kolkata. We might not get the puja offers and discounts, but none the less, the festive season engages us all. Call it acculturation. No matter what we call it, there is no beating the fact that irrespective of our religious or tribe identity, we all are drawn to the season in some way or the other.
While we play “Munni badnam hui darling tere liye” to the poor gods and goddess, yours truly feels that its about time we put some restriction on the noise blaring at all odd hours and ensure that the idols are not dumped to the already polluted rivers and streams of the town.
Gods and goddess will forgive the lesser mortals like us, dressed in our best costume singing “yeh paisa bolta hain” and “munni badnam hui dasling tere liye” but we must have some respect for our rivers and mountains. Mighty they are, nonetheless, they would not be able to take the load of the dirt, we mortals throw at them so unmindfully.
Maybe we should make a start by making pandal with bamboos and other local products that’s environment friendly and centrally organize the festival.
Arunachal delegation protest Ramesh statement
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: A delegation of Arunachal Pradesh led by MP Takam Sanjoy today registered protest against outburst of Union Forest and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh regarding construction of hydro power project in Arunachal Pradesh.
Ramesh has reportedly taken up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demands for a review of all hydel projects in the region and a “moratorium on any further clearances for hydel projects in Arunachal Pradesh” since “these are bound to be the subject of agitation” in Assam.
Takam led delegation including Padi Richo, MLA & Parliamentary Secretary-
Lashing out at Ramesh for coming out before media without going deep into the technical aspect of various projects of the state, the delegation said the Union Forest & Environment Minister has never heard anything from the people and Government of Arunachal Pradesh and he has never come to Arunachal Pradesh for this purpose. Instead he heard few NGOs in Guwahati and rushed with a one sided opinion and reported to the Prime Minster which has caused strong protest from Arunachal Govt, they said.
The delegation also apprised and protested against IPhone4 search machine which is the second such search engine from USA that has painted a gloomy picture on the political status of Arunachal Pradesh. The business and market oriented strategy of IPhone4 search machine will have to be protested and Centre should put a ban to IPhone4 in India till they rectify the intentional conspiracy against the people of Arunachal Pradesh and India. We should not accept a simple apology as has been done by Google Search Engine, the delegation stated. While citing the Agartala airport located near the Bangladesh border, the delegation also urged upon external affairs ministry not to impose 70 km distance norms for construction of Greenfield Airport at Tawang from the border. They appealed S.M. Krishna to impress upon the Civil Aviation Ministry to go ahead with the project.
Civil Societies and political parties condemn threat, demand security
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: Civil Societies, students’ organisations and political parties today expressed deep shock at the death threat to the Associate Editor of this Daily, Tongam Rina and condemned the act as attempt to suppress the Fourth Pillar of the democracy.
Condemning the threat to Rina, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) termed the incident as shameful and black day in history of this state.
“In recent day’s media as an institution has been carrying out very good work in
Arunachal. Due to the media’s relentless coverage state government withdrew PRC issued
to non-
He also asked authorities to provide security to both the media house and Rina.
AAPSU has also requested state government to launch proper investigation into this whole incident. “Involve forensic expert to trace the sender and if possible government should take help from Centre. If anything happens to any member of The Arunachal Times, government will be blamed,” Tatung said.
Expressing shock at the death threat to a lady journalist, Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women has appealed the authorities to enquire into the matter and ensure safety and security of the media persons and media house of the state.
How can we expect success of democracy, if the Fourth Pillar of the democracy is being threatened not to shoulder its responsibility, APSCW questioned.
Death threat to media person is really unfortunate, said Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). While condemning the act, the party appealed the state Government to nab the culprits behind the unfortunate threat.
Terming the threat a shameful act in modern society, APCC said the media is the voice of the people and media persons play a vital role throughout the world. Such unethical act by vested interest people will damage the image of the state and its people in outer world, it added and called upon every section of the society to condemn such act which is detrimental and aimed at curtailing the freedom of Press. Describing the death threat to the media person as cowardice act of black sheep, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state unit urged the state Govt to provide immediate security both at the media house and private residence of the journalist.
Placing the role of media next to judiciary of the country, NCP vice president Tad Tana also stressed on all party meet to evolve a mechanism to thwart repeated threat to Fourth Pillar of democracy. The party also appealed the State Commission for Women and higher authorities of the police department to take up the matter seriously and appealed the civil society to extend support in order to create a conducive atmosphere for the media for discharging their duties without fear and favour.
Tana further said failure on the part of the authorities to arrest all accused in PDS scandal would send a wrong signal.
People’s Party of Arunachal appealed to the State Government to make thorough enquiry of such intimidation to the media house and provide adequate security arrangement to safeguard the important pillar of the democracy. The party also appealed to media fraternity not to vow before such elements but stand united to maintain independent role of media in building democratic society.
Condemning the tactics of suppressing the media, the party said it is unfortunate that media house is being threatened in an attempt to gag media by muscle power.
Arunachal Citizens Right (ACR) also condemned the death threat to one of the senior journalist of the state. Such kind of act is not only curtailing the freedom of expression but also depriving the common masses from their right to know about the day to day happenings in the state, ACR said in a statement.
Demanding adequate security to Rina, ACR said death threat or any other kind of threat against the journalist who are working tirelessly is condemnable by every section of the society. It also urged the state Govt to create conducive atmosphere for the freedom of press.
Kri inspects road construction in Lohit
TEZU, Oct 12: Tezu Parliamentary Secretary (Transport) Cum MLA Tezu , Karikho Kri inspected the road linking Digaru to Bekhuliang in Lohit district today. The 16.67 km long road project at an estimated cost of Rs.656.10 lakh is being financed by the NABARD and constructed by the PWD.
The road was a long felt need of the village, which usually remains cut off during monsoons. Many a times especially during floods and election times the elephants were used to cross the rivers.
Karikho Kri expressed great happiness over the work progress. He instructed the working department to complete the road as per specification and within stipulated time.
He also inspected the school in the village, instructed the students to be more sincere to their studies and assured all possible help to the school. He also distributed medicated mosquito nets to the villagers provided by the Medical department under Malaria Control Mission.
While visiting the house of one fire victim Sotiang Towsik at Bekhuliang village, he contributed a sum of Rs 50, 000 for construction of the house. The house of Towsik was gutted down to ashes in a fire accident on Sept 25.
The parliamentary secretary was accompanied by Panchayat leaders, Govt officers, party and public leaders during his visit. DIPRO
Students to take out protest rally
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: In a step which could have important bearing on PDS case, Galo Students Union (GSU) has decided to organize mass rally in Aalo to protest against the accused from Galo inhabitant area. The other participants of rally include West Siang District Students Union and Upper Subansiri Galo Students Union unit.
Informing this in a press statement GSU Secretary General Pakmik Taipodia said main motive of rally is to pressurize state government to blacklist all the farms owned by citizen of Galo inhabitant area whose name has been mentioned in accused list.
“Our rally will be purely social one. We can’t let any accused get away easily by committing such heinous crime of looting food grains meant for poor and needy people. By organizing this rally, we want to express our anger and discontentment against PDS accused from Galo areas,” said Pakmik. He also added, “We demand immediate blacklisting of all PDS accused contractors and their farms (company). Already they have been indulging in such huge corruption; you never know again they may do so. These accused firms should not be allowed to carry out PDS contract works.” Further questioning the silence of Chief Secretary Tabom Bam in PDS issue, he urged CS to immediately intervene and make sure that investigation is carried out properly. “PDS scandal is shame for entire tribal community of state. CS himself being son of soil should not keep silence and take necessary steps for proper investigation. He should not be biased and not get influence by politicians,” said Pakmik.
Meanwhile GSU Secretary General has taken exception to Galo government officers being transferred on political pressure. He termed such transfer as poor sign of democracy. Citing example of Kemo Lollen, former deputy commissioner of Kurung Kumey who has been transferred several times in recent years due to political interference, he urged authorities to refrain from such vendetta practice. “Once former DC, now Kemo Lollen has been posted as DRC at Arunachal Bhawan, Shillong. DRC is equivalent to EAC in terms of ranking. Senior officers like him are being humiliated at the behest of few politicians and their high ranking government official friends.”
NRHM a complete failure in state: AARCA
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: All Arunachal Registered Contractor Association (AARCA) has termed National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) as complete failure in Arunachal. Though this mission was launched five years ago, nothing has been achieved in terms of contribution to development of the state, association claimed. Citing various reasons, AARCA claimed that nepotism and favouritism while awarding work under NRHM scheme is one of the major reasons for failure of the mission. Despite central government pouring in large amount of money for implementation of schemes under NRHM, nothing concrete has happened in ground level, association claimed. Not a single infrastructure projects has been ever successfully completed under NRHM, they added. AARCA further claimed all this is happening because department is awarding works to few selected individual on the basis of favouritism.
Further association has appealed to state government to end these malpractices and urged them to direct NRHM department to process tenders for all work in future to impart quality works. AARCA has condemned the way in which one individual was awarded contract work of Training Centre building at Naharlagun amounting to rupees two crore. Association has urged authorities to start tender process in awarding such works and do not indulge in favouritism.
Forum questions power projects in Siang
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: Claiming that majority of people are opposed to construction of Lower Siang dam project, Siang Peoples’ Forum today said Jaypee Group based at Pasighat is playing divide and rule policy among the innocent tribal people of the area.
Highlighting the sentiments of the upstream people of the proposed Lower Siang Dam,
the Forum further said that the meeting held at Banquet hall, Itanagar was a pre-
However, the forum expressed hope that the ministry concerned would deal with the
issue in fair and transparent manner. The forum alleged that Jaypee Group has recruited
many traitors to lure the people and Dorjee Khandu government has also handpicked
a few people, who are made to give press releases calling the actual project affected
peoples voices as anti-
It appealed the people to know the real traitors of the society, and fight against big dam politics.
Strongly opposing the mega dams which will affect the environment, ecology and create havoc for the down stream people, the Forum asked why numbers of micro hydels are not built instead of Mega Dam in the state if the government really wants to use water potentials.
No forced decision should be imposed upon the people for construction of mega dam, the Forum said and added that the state Govt. must act as guardians of the people by honouring the public interest, allow them to express their sentiment freely and save them from terror of submergence and havoc to be caused by dam.
District health society reviews performance
PASIGHAT, Oct 12: East Siang Deputy Commissioner Onit Panyang expressed concern
over the overall performance of the officers in CHCs, PHCs and sub-
Presiding over the review meeting of Governing Body of District Health Society today, Panyang called upon the officers concerned to utilize the fund judiciously and implement the schemes on time in order to fulfill the mission under NRHM.
Earlier, the DMO Dr.Tamut Taloh expressed serious concern over non-
Among others Dr. Kabang Lego DDHS, Dr. Onik Moyong Medical Superintendent, Dr. Tarik Talom DLO also suggested constructive points to improve the working condition of the District Health Society, KRS in future. All the concerned administrative officers and MOs incharges from different parts of district took part in the meeting. DIPRO
IGG College gets an auditorium
TEZU, Oct 12: A long cherished dream of the Indira Gandhi Govt College, Tezu has been fulfilled after 24 years of it existence with inauguration of the newly constructed college Auditorium by Parliamentary Secretary, Transport, Karikho Kri yesterday.
The inaugural function was attended by Lohit Deputy Commissioner, several heads of the departments, and public leaders and students.
In his inaugural address Karikho Kri urged all the stakeholders, especially the students for proper use of the auditorium. Use it, but don’t misuse, he said the students it.
He also advised the college authority and the student community to work in unison for the betterment of the society. He reminded that in next year the college is going to celebrate the silver Jubilee and all should start working from now onwards along with the leaders of the society and the administrative head to head to make it a grand success.
He has also pointed out that several developmental works had been undertaken in the college under his initiatives and assured to more development of the college. He also assured complete the work for electricity connection for the benefit of the students community.
Lohit Deputy commissioner R.K. Sharma emphasized the need for the well maintenance of the asset and assured the college authority to extend all possible help to improve the standard of education.
College Principal, Dr. B.K. Nath appreciated the untiring efforts of Kri in bringing the auditorium in reality. He further said, the long felt need of the college fraternity and students has been fulfilled with the inauguration of the auditorium.
The Executive engineer, PWD being the construction agency of the auditorium expressed his satisfaction at the timely completion of the project and assured the college authority that some minor improvements will be undertaken within a short time at the request of the principal for the safety of the students and staffs using the building.
General Secretary, IGGC students Union, Jaisin Tindia also spoke on the occasion. DIPRO
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: An active women SHG Kebali-
Dr. B. G. Mukhopadhyay, GM NABARD, Itanagar inaugurated a Rural Market Haat (RMH) at Kebali village of Lower Dibang district today.
The SHG did it within four months, creating additional facilities of a godown and fencing without altering any of the components of RMH approved plan. This has surely shown the way that with appropriate community mobilization people can make informed choice and they themselves can stem the tide of corruption.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay, in his inaugural address stressed that the real rural development can be achieved through sincere SHGs than the contractors. He advocated even supplementary nutrition programme and fair price shops including PDS could be implemented effectively through SHGs with zero corruption.
Kebali SHG has shown the potential that there are alternative routes to development where the power of the special interest groups can be curbed by decentralizing and devolving power to the good SHGs like Kebali.
This SHG was mentored by Vijay Swami, Project Director of Support Center Microfinance, in collaboration with NABARD and Department of Women & Child DevelopmentLod Gambo, ADC, appreciated the efforts of rural community for creating the infrastructure which will help them to generate income for their products.
Large number of Govt officials and villagers attended the function.
Sensitization workshop on Govt schemes
MIAO, Oct 12: Two days training programme on “sensitization on availability of government
schemes’ was held under the Seva Kendra at Namphai-
Resource person Nemthu Mossang from Miao industrial unit in her speech highlighted the centrally sponsored various schemes including PMRY and REGP for employment generation and stressed on proper and training on the schemes for effective implementation.
Usha Jyoti Taikam from textile and handicraft, Miao spoke on the importance of weaving, and handicraft products. Another resource person I.M Gupta from Horticulture sector highlighted various schemes under his department.
Chetri ADO, Kharsang emphasized the availability of schemes on Agriculture with regards to seasonal plantation schemes like RKVY, and macro management under NEC.
SHG’s from various villages of Khagam CD block participated in the training..
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: Upper Siang Zilla Parishad chairperson Dunggoli Libang today inaugurated seven farmers clubs in a function held at Geku yesterday under the guidelines and sponsorship of the NABARD regiona officer, Itanagar today. Along with the inaugural function, farmers awareness and orientation programme was also organized by KVK Upper Siang in order to bring awareness among the farmers of Komkar and Geku villages. More than 120 farmers enthusiastically participated in the programme.
Libang in his address as the chief guest called upon the farmers to take up agriculture and horticulture instead of depending on cooperative society and other states for PDS items and vegetables. He highlighted about the newly introduced Rashtriya Bikas Yojna for the farmers and it methods of implementation in various levels. He requested KVK Upper Siang, Geku and other allied departments to identify the potential area before placing agricultural planning to state and central governments.
The guest of honour Adong Pertin, EAC, Geku block urged the farmers to develop working
spirit in the field of agriculture and horticulture for self-
In the technical session, R. D. Singh and M. Ete, Agricultural Development Officers from Yingkiong delivered lecturers on the working condition, beneficiary selection system and implementation of ATMA in the district.
During interaction session, the members of the respective Farmer club have raised many questions regarding the clubs interlink opportunities with other allied departments, scheme facilities and subsidy opportunities from state departments, financial assistance from other banks etc.
DAPORIJO, Oct 12: Upper Subansiri DRDA project director Hage Ruja today inaugurated
a 5-
Highlighting the importance of schemes in eradicating poverty by creating self-
L K Kabak of SIRD explained that the group approach through SHGs is adopted for
socio-
BDOs of four blocks in the district said that guidelines were not cleared to them
and also swarozgaries are lacking in awareness about programme and contents. They
requested for timely conduct of training, arrangement of loan by bank and block-
L K Kabak will give deliberation on concept of SGSY, formation and strengthening of SHG, records of SHGs in the five days training programme. KVK, Daporijo will also impart training on KVK activities for the benefits of SHG and Farmers on last day of the training.
The participants will be taken to Boasimla SHGs for exposure visit.
The ToT-
I speak, you speak, we speak…what?
Wanglit Mongchan
The recent finding of language known as Koro (in West Kameng) by David Harrison and his associates is a kind of breakthrough into the richness of linguistic diversity of Northeast and Arunachal Pradesh in particular. I feel this research finding (though preliminary one) will definitely add a new feather to linguists who are on a quest to save fast dwindling of languages which are on “Endangered list” of UNESCO. We, the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aka community in particular should welcome it with open mind and take it in a positive way.
This is the beauty of nature that everything has its own uniqueness. Language being one of its manifestations is unique on its own. Inherently, no language is either “superior” or “inferior”. It is just a matter of time. English was never before as of what it is today. It has developed through time and space, and today it has acquired prestige only because it has travelled across the nations and spread its tentacles. If English can, then, why can’t our language? Only, what we need is a change of attitude towards our language. A little due and respect for our own language is the need of an hour.
When a child utters a word “MAA” for the first time, how every member of the family
start rejoicing. Parents are happy because a child can now perceive and feel the
world in which she or he lives. In fact, language is a window to the world outside.
It is through language that we learn nitty-
To be a unified society, it should have a strong-
Very often, we tend to overlook many things in life. Likewise, we always say, “I speak, you speak, we speak, and then where is the question of losing one’s language.” It is still very much alive! It’s in my very nature of being. Like typical Hindi filmi dialogue we say “Mere Nas Nas Mein Base Hain. Kiska Himmat Hain Jo Mujhse Juda Kar Sake.” You are right! No one has the right to snatch away from you. It’s your birthright to preserve and protect your language. But somebody strongly pointed out “Use it or lose it”. Here, I worry a little. Frankly speaking, many of us do fail to utter even a single sentence without being stumbled between two to three words per sentence. Yet we claim that we know our language better. How wonderful! Isn’t it? Definitely, we know, but what is wrong if we know better than what we think that we know better. Is there any problem? I am sure, not! So why not then…at least give a second thought.
Death doesn’t come to language the way as it comes to human being. No hue and cry to signal the death of a language. No language will tell you that “Hey man! I am dying, could you please save me…” It dies in silence and enters grave with no church bell to ring for its mourning. Like Koro there may be many more languages buried unnoticed in the name of “One Language and One Culture”. In fact, this is a wakeup call for us. We should appreciate David Harrison and his colleagues for their research findings and Koro people in particular for preserving and maintaining their linguistic distinctiveness though culturally they merged with the greater Aka community. This is what our Arunachal Pradesh is all about with host of possibilities and blessed with incredible beauty and richness in all forms of life. If one travels across the length and breadth of Arunachal Pradesh, we can find that every village has its own unique cultural manifestations besides being part of the greater community. No one can deny this fact but has to accept this reality and allow every language community to live in peace and harmony.
Now, the time is ripe for us to wake up for good. Whether minor or major, prestige
or non-
Every one of us should make an earnest effort to preserve our heritage language and thereby enhances the prestige of our respective “Mother Tongues” spoken in different parts of our state. We must put our sincere efforts to envisage the future of our language in a way we all want it to be. Thus, let’s start a humble beginning for the greater ending. (The contributor is from Central Institute of Indian languages, Mysore. He can be reached at wanglit4@gmail.com)
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Farmers Club inaugurated
ITANAGAR. Oct 12: Dissing-
Attending the programme, KVK scientists Binod Kolita (agronomist), Satyendra Kumar (fishery) spoke about benefit of using technology in agriculture, fish farming, horticulture etc. and encouraged farmers present on the occasion to adopt modern technologies to enhance production.
A technical session was also conducted by resource persons from KVK where farmers, PRI members, GBs, public and representatives from various SHGs were present.
Over 60 farmers from Dipik, Lower Dikalmukh, Upper Dikalmukh, Upper Baliso, Passo and Lower Baliso villages attend the function present on the occasion.
ESDP on Computer
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: The branch MSME Development Institute, Itanagar would organize an Entrepreneurship skill development programme on ‘computer basic application’ for unemployed educated youth at M/s Indian Computech, Koloriang, Kurung Kumey district from October 19 to 29.
Social Service
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: All Puyu Panchayat Youth Welfare Association and Public constructed a temporary bridge over Puyu River recently.
AAPSU appeals
ITANAGAR, Oct 13: All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has demanded that CCTV camera should be fitted in all check posts throughout the state.
Claiming that many criminals from neighbouring state like Assam are easily entering into Arunachal, AAPSU president TakamTatung has called up on state government to immediately fit CCTV camera to track movement of people entering into Arunachal. “There is urgent need to install CCTV camera in all check posts. This will go a long way in tracking movements of criminal entering state. Also record will be useful to track any persons, if he/she tries to flee after committing some heinous crime in the state,” Tatung stated.
AAPSU has also demanded that an emergency ambulance service specially meant for accident
victim should be launched. Stating that daily accidents take place in NH-
Union retracts
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: All Tawang District Students Union (ATDSU) general secretary Urgen Dorjee on behalf of the Union apologized to the Minister WRD, Chief Minister, concerned people and the readers regarding the press release on transfer issued by the Union. He declared that no proof has been found against the allegations and assured that such mistake will not be repeated in future.
Hopes afloat on Yangte PHC
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: Anchal Samity Member (ASM) of Niringha under Yangte circle of Kurung Kumey district Biri Joy, on behalf of the people of Yangte circle, has praised district medical officer (DMO) Dr. Higio Tama for taking initiative to make the defunct Yangte PHC functional. He appealed to the people of the circle to extend cooperation to the DMO for further improving health facility in their area.
Farmers Club inaugurated.
CEO’s dilemma
ITANAGAR: Believe it or not ! But it is true that the very existence of offices and their proper addresses of many state and national political parties in Arunachal Pradesh are even not known by the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). And it has created a lot of problems to the CEO in making correspondences with those political parties.
While informing this interesting fact, the CEO, in a release, asked those political
parties, including registered, unrecognized/recognized one, to furnish their proper
office addresses, name of political parties with president and secretary, e-
NCP condemns demolition
ITANAGAR: Condemning the reported vandalisation of two Churches in Hyuliang under Anjaw district on Oct 7, NCP Vice President Tad Tana urged the state Govt to immediately book the culprits and award exemplary punishment to them.
While applauding the contribution of Churches in the field of education, health and social awakening in the state, the party also urged the Govt to extend equal benefit to the churches who are running the schools and health centres in remotest areas of the state.
Union for proper ILP checking
ITANAGAR: All Capital Complex Contract Worker’s Union (ACCCWU) today handed over five labourers who had turned up in their office without proper documents. When the labourers came to their office for registration, ACCCWU President Kipa Simi found that labourers were carrying fake ILP documents and handed them over Naharlagun police station. Further ACCCWU appealed the authorities to check ILP of all labourers working in various construction site of capital complex.
Org demands
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: All Tagin Youth Organization (ATYO), in a letter to the Commissioner, Education, has demanded immediate suspension of Upper Subansiri DDSE for his alleged corrupt practice.
According to ATYO release, the DDSE has allegedly procured CGI sheets meant for poor and down trodden children of backward district by misusing his office and power.
While demanding for immediate replacement of the DDSE with a new one, ATYO appealed to the Commissioner Education to constitute an inquiry committee to find out the fact. The association further threatened to launch democratic movement if the authority fails to initiate action against the erring officials as demanded by it within 20 days.
Nominated
ITANAGAR: Binny Yanga, Chairperson, Oju Welfare Association, Naharlagun has been nominated as member of National Khadi and Village Industries Board.
Appointments
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: Siktum Yudik and Rotik Kena have been elected as President and General Secretary of Dumporijo, Gusar, Baririjo Collegians’ Forum along with Lungam Ric and Gengam Marde as its women Wing President and Secretary General in its 2nd conference cum election held recently.
NESO Secretary General Gumjum Haidar and former Secretary General DSU Madin Dugi attended the programme as chief guest and guest of Honour.
ASM Rodak Tadek and ASM Yura Tachu have been selected as Chairman and General Secretary
of newly formed Tali Block Co-
Condolence
ITANAGAR, Oct 12: Kuru Taming Uru of Hija village deeply mourned the sudden demise of Dani Karu, who died on October 11 at Ziro after brief illness.
He is survived by two daughters and a son and grand children. The members prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
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