The Arunachal Times - Archives

Arunachal and Brahmaputra Dam figure in Foreign Ministers talk

Bangalore, Oct 27: Close on the heels of the meeting between the prime ministers of India and China in Thailand, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi met here and both agreed to continue “the process of building trust and understanding” to resolve all outstanding issues, including the border dispute.

“We both see this as a part of the process of building trust and understanding at the political level,” Krishna told reporters here after his meeting with Yang that lasted for 90 minutes.

Krishna stressed that he was “satisfied” with the meeting that took place against the backdrop of mutual recriminations on a host of issues, including the border dispute, reported Chinese incursions and Beijing’s repeated claims on Arunachal Pradesh.

All these issues were discussed in the meeting, official sources said.

India also raised the issue of a dam being built on the Chinese side of the Brahmaputra river, that has generated anxieties of water scarcity in India’s Northeast.

The recent Chinese practice of issuing separate visas to residents of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, that is seen here as an oblique way of questioning India’s sovereignty over a region that is also claimed by Pakistan, also figured in the discussions.

“We agreed on the importance of further developing high-level exchanges for enhancing trade and economic cooperation and on defence contacts,” Krishna said.

The two sides also decided to expand their cultural ties and people-to-people contacts. These will be in focus during the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of India-China relations next year.

The two foreign ministers welcomed the positive outcome of the meetings between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of multilateral summits in Hua Hin resort in Thailand, and decided to develop their economic, cultural and defence relations.

Prof Beliappa calls for proactive role of media in the state

ITANAGAR, Oct 27: The print media has an important role to play in this modern society, said Rajiv Gandhi University Vice Chancellor K C Belliappa. He was addressing the inaugural function of the Hindustan Samachar, a multi-lingual news agency in state Capital today. Welcoming the Hindustan Samachar news agency in the state, Belliappa said,’ it is only print media which can spread its tentacles in interior places to highlight the problems and grievances of the masses. The state needs more news agencies and newspapers not only in English or Hindu but also in regional languages. Print media in regional languages would help the local people to narrate their problem in their own languages, he said.

Belliappa hoped that Hindustan Samachar would play its crucial role successfully.

MLA Tani Loffa said that Arunachal has become number one corrupted state only because there was none to expose the corruption in districts and interior places. Media should not only be Capital centric; they should try to visit at least district headquarters to assess what it is like at all fronts, he said.

Documentary film maker and cultural researcher Moji Riba said, ‘time has come for media to introspect. Are the media performing their role in true sense? Have the media succeeded in playing its role as fourth pillar of democracy?

Riba was of the view that instead of just giving information and carry the news, media should try to reach out the mass population and should know whether the development is taking place in true sense. There should be an information society where the people and the Government would know each other well, he said and called upon the media to play a crucial role to create an informed society.

Narrating the brief history of the evolution of print media in Arunachal, Arunachal Front Editor Pradeep Kumar said that despite all odds, the media, particularly local media have been playing a crucial role in the development of the state.

Earlier, the mentor of the Hindustan Samachar Srikanth Joshi giving a brief account of inception of the news agency disclosed that the news service of the Hindustan Samchar was first launched during 1978 in Itanagar. However, due to various reasons the news agency could not continue its service.

Established with the initiative of Dada Saheb Apte in 1948, the news agency has 32 branch offices and is providing news services in 14 languages.

Our motto is to serve truthful news with true motive to serve the nation and its people, Joshi said.

MLAs spell out priorities

ITANAGAR, Oct 27: Newly elected Doimukh MLA Nabam Rebia is scheduled to tour his constituency during November and December to draw up development plans.

Stating that all round development of his constituency would be his priority, Rebia said that he would strive hard to do justice to all section of the people in equal manner. The MLA also appealed the people to extend their support in fulfilling the electorate promises.

Likewise, newly elected PPA MLA Takam Tagar (Pario) of Palin constituency said that the road connectivity to unconnected circle headquarters and villages would be his top most priority as an MLA.

I am ready to shoulder the responsibility given by the people, Tagar said and pledged to work for all round development and well being of the people of his constituency. He hoped that former MLA of his constituency and ruling party of the state would extend cooperation in his endeavor to bring in development.

Meanwhile, the newly elected young MLA of the Khonsa West constituency Y Matey in a meeting here yesterday promised before the public leaders, panchayat leaders, village authorities and students of his constituency to work sincerely and honestly to bring development in his constituency. For Matey, his priorities are road communication, drinking, water, health and education sectors.

The MLA also appreciated the Tirap Deputy Commissioner-Cum-district election officer Ankur Garg for his bold and clean administration.

Dept tell legislators to wait for some time

ITANAGAR, Oct 27: Department of Urban Development and Housing informed that Chief Minister and Department of Urban Development and Housing will decide on the allotment of bungalows to minister and MLAs.

The government Bungalows lying vacant may not be occupied without proper allotment order. Unauthorized occupation will be liable for eviction as per law, said UD secretary Bandhana Deori in a communiqué.

NERIST’s curriculum workshop

ITANAGAR, Oct 27: North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli has organized a two day workshop on curriculum for it’s under graduate courses recently. During the workshop, curriculum structure of B.Sc forestry course, Engineering and technology departments were discussed at length and suggested to include environmental science and human resource management along with entrepreneurship for all the branches in Engineering as compulsory course.

The progamme was inaugurated by Prof. PK Das, Dean, NERIST. Experts from various universities and institution attended the workshop.

Workshop on district planning and planplus gets under way at SIRD

ITANAGAR, Oct 27: SIRD Arunachal Pradesh commenced the 2 day workshop on District Planning and PlanPlus under Backward Regions Grant Fund Capability Building initiative today. The workshop is being attended by the Zilla Parishad Members, Anchal Samiti Chairpersons, State Level Master Trainers from Upper Subansiri, the District Planning Officer and officials and staff from District Planning Office, Daporijo. The programme is being sponsored by Ministry of Panchayati Raj Government of India, and is supported by NIC Itanagar.

The workshop shall provide all the details about the PlanPlus, its features and also provide an opportunity to the delegates to receive hands on practice on the PlanPlus. The officials from NIC Itanagar are supporting SIRD team in the conduction of the Workshop. Shri K.Kalita, the master resource person from NIRD NERC is also participating in the workshop as subject expert.

The programme was inaugurated by Bida Gadi, Director Department of Panchayati Raj at the Conference Hall of SIRD in Itanagar today.

Speaking on the occasion he highlighted the need for district planning. He also circulated the Planning Guidelines issued by the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Arunachal Pradesh on the occasion. He also urged the delegates of the workshop to utilise the services of faculties of SIRD and particularly the regional level resource person, Kalita from NIRD NERC, Guwahati. The delegates were also briefed about various support initiatives such as the finance commissions, BRGF, and even the recent initiative by State Government of allocating untied funds directly to the Panchayats. The need to understand the basics of district planning and to involve the three tiers properly in a participative manner was highlighted and it was clarified that the PRIs need to undertake the planning process keeping in mind the guidelines issued by the Department of Panchayati Raj. The State Government is also actively considering strengthening the PRIs and accordingly the ADCs have been designated as District Panchayati Raj Development Officers.

Speaking on the occasion Tope Bam, Director SIRD urged the PRIs to ensure holistic and integrated development through proper planning. There is a need to include the urban areas such as district and block headquarters also under the development initiatives and the PRIs need to look into these aspects. Highlighting the facilitative role of SIRD as the Technical Support Institution, Director SIRD called upon the PRIs to utilise the services of SIRD.

Kirto Loyi, Deputy Director SIRD and Coordinator of Training Interventions under BRGF for Arunachal Pradesh gave a brief of the various technical sessions under the workshop. Clarifying that the conduction of the workshop was based on the recommendations of the High Powered Committee Meeting under BRGF, it was urged that the data entry and uploading of the development grants plans under PlanPlus should commence at the earliest.

Rakesh Srivastava, Asst Director SIRD and Workshop Co-coordinator highlighted the critical importance of uploading of the data under PlanPlus, its linkage with future fund release and informed the delegates on the importance being assigned by Ministry of Panchayati Raj on the entry and uploading of development plans under PlanPlus. The initiatives and efforts of the State Government in this regards was also highlighted by him.

Nakap Nalo, Zilla Parishad Chairperson also highlighted the various issues including the difficulties in the data entry and uploading under PlanPlus.

The workshop is being received well as most of the Zilla Parishad Members and Anchal Samiti Chairpersons besides nearly all the nominated State Level Master Trainers under BRGF for Upper Subansiri are attending the 2 day workshop.

The conduction of the workshop assumes significance since Upper Subansiri is the only district under BRGF and efforts are being made to enable the district to comply with Ministry of Panchayati Raj norms under BRGF.

This programme shall be shortly followed by the conduction of District Level Master Trainers programme by SIRD from Nov 3-7 at Daporijo and Nacho simultaneously.

Planet Earth Our Home Explore, Share and Care

TEZU, Oct 27: Budding young scientists from sixteen different schools of Lohit district participated in the District level Science Congress at BRC hall Tezu today. The topic was “Planet Earth Our Home Explore, Share and Care”.

The Students delivered informative and attractive speeches on the topic and shared their constructive and imaginary ideas for the care and betterment of our mother earth.

The VKV Tafragam was the winner while Government Higher Secondary School Tezu and Kendriya Vidalaya got second and third position respectively.

APCC express anguish at killing

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has expressed anguish over the killing of 19 year Naga girl in South Delhi area. In a press release issued, APCC condemned such barbaric act and urged Delhi government to take strong action against the accused. The release also denounces recent attack on an Arunachali student who is studying mass communication in Jamia University. APPC further appealed to the Delhi government to work for safety of North-East students in Delhi, particularly women who has been repeatedly misbehaved in various parts of city.

Loffa writes to CS

ITANAGAR: Tani Loffa, in a letter to the Chief Secretary called for his intervention to restore normalcy in his constituency, particularly in Lumdang Village. He said that after the declaration of election, his opponents has burnt down five houses and that agriculture fields were damaged. He alleged that all this was being done at the behest of Hari Natung, former minister. While demanding intervention in saving the life and property of the victims, he further said that his own life is under threat.

He further said that district administration was informed of the situation but it is yet to make any arrests.

Sadbhavna Sammelan

ITANAGAR: National Youth Project is organizing Sadbhavna Sammelan in collaboration with Arunachal Sarvodaya Mandal at Vivekenanda Hall on Wednesday. Eminent Gandhians from across the country will converge on this occasion to interact with the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

Board hopes for release of pay

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Building and other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (APB&OCWWB) expressed hope that under the Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and MLA Padi Richo, the pending pay of APB&OCWWB would be released soon.

BCC recommends names for expulsion

ITANAGAR: Block Congress Committee has written to the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee for expulsion of 73 INC workers including Kenrik Ete Moyon, ASM chairperson, Bogong for alleged anti party activities during the recently concluded assembly elections.

Entrepreneurship prog

ITANAGAR: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium enterprise would organize an entrepreneurship development program on Computer Software and DTP at Ziro from Nov 5.