The Arunachal Times - Archives

144 Cr Pc at Roing

ROING, Oct 29: In order to prevent post Poll violence in the district, Deputy Commissioner Roing, Y.W Ringu exercising the power vested U/S 144 Cr. PC prohibit the movement in group of more than 3 persons at a time in and around Roing township till next Nov 6. This has been done after citizens complaint of stone pelting

According to the town Magistrate, A. Pertin along with sectors magistrates, Police personnel are keeping strict vigil and night patrolling is being carried out at regular intervals.

Arunachal Assembly session from Nov 3

Itanagar, Oct 29: The first session of the fifth Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly will begin from November 3.

Assembly Secretariat sources said here today that on the first day of the three-day session, the newly elected MLAs would take oath besides traditional address by Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh.

The Governor had already appointed senior Congress Legislator C T Mein as the pro-tem Speaker before whom new members would make and subscribe the oath of affirmation.

Mein would continue in his capacity till the elected members select a permanent speaker, the sources said.

Besides conventional question hours, various important bills and private member resolutions are likely to be taken up during the session, sources informed.

The Assembly Secretariat asked all newly elected members to bring in the certificates of their election granted to them by the respective returning officers for verification, the sources added. UNI

DoNER minister meets NHAI; reviews plans, implementation

New Delhi, Oct 29: Minister for the Development of North Eastern Regions (DoNER), B K Handique, has reviewed the road projects being planned and implemented in North Eastern Regions at a meeting held here last evening with the senior officials of the Ministry of Highways and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

According to official sources, the review meeting specially discussed nine road projects of the North Eastern Region -- Trans-Arunachal highway, Dhola Sadiya bridge, Numali-Gohpur bridge, Alternate route to Sikkim, Upgradation of NH-31-A to Gangtok, Lumla-Tashingong, Bile-Migging and Taliha-Tato Roads, Four-laning of NH-37 on the Nagaon-Jorhat-Dibrugarh stretch, Four-lane connectivity to Itanagar and Upgradation of NH-52, NH-53 and NH-54.

At the meet, NHAI said the Trans-Arunachal highway - total length of 1600 Kms from Tawang to Bogibeel was expected to be completed by March, 2015. It further said the most challenging task would be to complete the 11 km-long bridge over River Lohit and the 5 km-long bridge over River Dibang.

Similarly, the road from Dhola Sadiya - 26 km in length, along with a bridge was expected to be completed by 2015 at an estimated cost of Rs750 crore. Its feasibility study was completed and pre-qualification for awarding the work were finalized and financial bids were expected to be received by November 23. This will be implemented based on Built Owned and Transfer (BOT) and annuity basis, NHAI informed.

Likewise, Numali-Gohpur bridge - was expected to be completed by March 2015 which involves 5 km-long bridge over River Brahmaputra and 25 km-long road and the alignment will be from Gohpur to Bokaghat. Feasibility report for this road and bridge was almost ready and the proposal for land acquisition and Environment and Forest clearance was under preparation.

Regarding four-laning of NH-37 from Numaligarh to Dibrugarh via Jorhat, NHAI apprised the Minister that the problems relating to historical Namdang bridge, near Sivasagar and a temple have been resolved and then the steps will be taken to immediately initiate the process of four laning of the NH-37.

As part of NH-33 improved works, NHAI assured that BRO was expected to complete the work from Badarpur to Silchar by 2011 and the work between Silchar to Jiribam will be completed substantially by 2010.

However, the Silchar by-pass along with Barak bridge was expected to be completed by the end of 2010 and tendering process for the Silchar by-pass has already been started.

Regarding the East West Corridor, the problems in re-starting the work abandoned by some of the contractors between Lumding to Harangjao was being addressed to in order to ensure immediate re-starting of the works, NHAI intimated the Minister.

The problems of siltation along the culverts and bridges along with existing national highway between North Lakhimpur and Jonai was also discussed in addition to inordinate delay in land acquisition and clearance of forests.

It was proposed to form inter-departmental groups in the state government for addressing above issues, the sources added. UNI

Rajkumar reacts

ITANAGAR, Oct 29: T L Rajkumar who lost the recent assembly election said that his Congress supporters had lodged complaint and returning officer and election observers were also apprised of the incident (alleged interference of the NSCN in poll process) on the very evening of polling. But since the villages fall on the far flung remote border area without motorable roads they could not come to Khonsa on time schedule (i.e. 14th October, evening) to complete formalities for repolling, he claimed. Rajkumar was reacting to the remarks of the Kamthok Lowang who said that Rajkumar has a habit of making false allegations to save himself from the embarrassment of poll defeat. Rajkumar earlier alleged that NSCN was responsible for his poll defeat. Kamthok termed the allegations as baseless and false.

“It is a simple logic that those who don’t vote for Congress out of fear for life, could have guts to lodge complaint against the said under ground elements even if they had come on time, Rajkumar said and added that upright citizens who believes in democratic process will surely condemn the incident.

Capacity building prog for scribes

ITANAGAR, Oct 29: Impulse NGO Network, in collaboration with the Arunachal Times as its media partner is organizing a two days Capacity Building Program for Journalists and media students on their role in addressing Human Trafficking Issues on Oct 30-31 at Hotel Moomsie in Itanagar.

Athupopo Social Foundation (ASF) is the state partner of the programme being sponsored by the UNIFEM.

The subject matters of the programme include ‘Media responses to reporting on social issues with special reference to human trafficking, role of media in reporting human trafficking issues, anti-human trafficking campaign in Arunachal Pradesh and vulnerability of human trafficking in Arunachal Pradesh, Juvenile justice Act 2000 and amendment act 2006.

AROI-NECON annual conference

ITANAGAR, Oct 29: The 5th annual conference of the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India-North East Chapter (AROI-NECON-2009) is being organized here at Hotel Donyi-Polo Ashok from Oct 30 to 31. Cancer specialists from North Eastern region and rest of the country will be participating in the meet. There will be presentation on recent advances and current trends in management of various types of cancer during the meet.

Two day training program on promotion of self help groups gets underway in Tawang

Tawang, Oct 29: A two-days Training Program on promotion of Self-Help Groups in Tawang district under the Tawang ICDS Project started here today in the DDSC’s Office, Tawang.

C. R. Bordoloi, EAC, Tawang district attended the program as the Chief Guest along with the DDSC and Joint BDO, Lobsang Tsedar and the DDSC, Lobsang Phuntsok as the guests.

Headed by the two young master trainers, the Child Development Officers of Tawang and Jang, forty-one Anganwadi Workers attended the training program.

The Master Trainers trained the workers in particular to form women SGHs for regular savings and internal loaning to promote mutual help; easy access to financial services at flexible terms and conditions; inculcate saving habit and repayment culture; gradual shift from subsidy driven programs to market driven programs; proper end use of credit and timely repayment thereof.

This training program is a part of the Mission 2009-2010, which aims at promoting 250 SHGs per District and credit linkages of these groups by December 2009; to promote 5000 women SHGs in the State in the State and credit linkages of these groups by 2011. This Mission also aim to conduct 5 days training program of about 09 Master Trainers at SIRD, Itanagar with financial support and technical support from NABARD and in collaboration with SIRD; conducting 40 training programs for village workers,

training will be imparted by Master Trainers with the support of NABARD with two days duration; training of 1400 village workers to make them capable to form SHGs and convince them the importance and strength of SHG movement; formation of 1650 groups at 8 District and linkages of these groups and banks.

C. R. Bordoloi said that, “Anganwadi workers are tools for socio- economic development and this kind of training enhances their skills towards understanding the needs and grievances of the villages and their group workers.”

The main objective of the training was to introduce the Micro Finance Vision 2011 which envisages banking with micro institution established and controlled by the poor.

The concept of SHG was pioneered by the MYRADA, a Bangalore based NGO. To scale up pioneering initiatives of MYRADA, the SHG- Bank linkage program was launched by the NABARD in the year 1992.

The steps towards this directions is the formation of SHGs was the introduction of a scheme of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh which aimed at “empowerment of downtrodden women who are socially and economically backward, and the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development has been designated as the Nodal Deptt., to implement this scheme”, informed Dondup Pema, CDPO Tawang.

The Govt has decided to implement its phase wisely, keeping in view the availability of financial and technical assistance assured by the NABARD, Regional office itanagar. Accordingly eight Districts of Arunachal Pradesh including Tawang has been selected in the first pahse, said the CDPO. (DIPRO)

Eco-water literacy campaign

ITANAGAR, Oct 29: National Youth Project (NYP) of Arunachal Pradesh is organizing one month Eco Water Literacy Campaign in 16 districts of state.

As part of this initiative, a program was held at Vivekananda Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ziro on Oct 25 last. The programme coordinated by Hari Biswas, President NYP was attended among others by teachers, staff and principal of school. The campaign basically emphasized on water conservation, water testing, water treatment, practices and management of safe disposal of wastes.

The programme was sponsored by the Rastriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad (RVPSP) and department of Science and Technology, Govt of India on behalf of the State Council for Science and Technology, Arunachal Government.

Picking up the Wreckages of Democracy

Tado Karlo

While the ministry is being formed in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, during the break, it would be worth making some post-election analysis vis-à-vis the role of civil society organizations in the election process. In this connection, one question immediately comes in the mind:

Is it wise to publicize the rich candidates before an election? The list of the candidates with disproportionate assets made interesting reading but did it have the desired impact on the election result? If we examine the performance of the top 10 richest candidates as published on October 8, 2009 in media less than a week before the election, we find that only 4 out of 10 lost. Shall we call it the positive impact of the publicity of the rich?

It may be observed that they lost the election for other reasons: (1). Lack of popularity of certain political party, (2) due to tactical blunder committed by certain candidate, and (3) one fight involving two from the list of top 10 and the richer won.

The impact of the publicity turned out to be zero or negative, nothing positive as far as the top 10 is concerned. This is not to say that the elected rich candidates did not possess the necessary leadership quality. What is notable is that with other parameters given equal, such publicity tilts the balance in favour of the rich as the voters feel secure voting for them. These rich candidates should be thankful to the National Election Watch for the free publicity of their wealth in the front page of a prominent local daily. It is a different matter that the sample considered is not large enough and that some rich candidates did not figure in the list by hiding facts about their assets.

Social entrepreneurs (NGO leaders) and political entrepreneurs (political leaders) made a business out of the election. The rich NGO leaders and political leaders turned out to be successful entrepreneurs, at least in Arunachal Pradesh. They know the fact that everything is fair in love, war and in election. Might is right in election. That sounds like the adage of the olden days. But then election is nothing less than war of “tribes” of democracy, wherein everything goes. The election is fought on rough terrain, not on smooth and level playing field. Advantage: ruling party always. If only President’s rule is imposed in the states going to election, all parties will have equal advantage during election.

The appearance of Election Watchers before the election raised lot of hope. However, some of these observers became active players themselves. Perhaps because of this, many facets of this election worth watching were not highlighted. Some journalists did wonderful and commendable commentary though. The observations shared by an IAS officer in Arunachal Times made interesting reading. It may be added here that, as usual, determinants of success in this election were some or all of the following 7 Ms: Mentorship, Money, Muscle, Muzzle (gun), Magic (black), Marriage (kinship) and Manpower.

What is worth noting is that voices of civil society on major issues like boundary, mega dams and global warming, etc were not heard just before or during the election. It gives the impression that the civil society activists are politicians in the guise of NGO leaders. The outcome of an election can be controlled if the voting culture at grass-roots level is changed. A particular voting pattern has taken shape in about three decades of democracy in the state. The rural voters generally do not vote for development: they auction their votes. The highest bidder gets maximum number of votes. This means that the candidate must be rich besides possessing other things.

Once the vote purchase started with the introduction of electoral politics in the state, vote-market saw a booming business. Vote trading became a lucrative and hence an attracting occupation of the tribal people. Besides instant benefits, post election benefits such as supply orders and contracts were easy sources of income. The otherwise laborious tribal people gradually sighed away from industrious occupations and the dignity of labor was lost in the process. Tribal identity also became a casualty. Unless these voters are educated to vote wisely in the election and thereby change the current pattern of voting, just publicizing the rich candidates and their assets will only help them to vote for the richest. Proactive, systematic and committed grass-root level civil society work is the need of the hour to educate the voters and restore work culture in this economically vulnerable state. (The writer is a chairman, NIHRO)

A Memoir of a Popi “Machang”

Gyati Rana

Abotani our fore father had a way of living in perfect harmony with other living being and vegetation. If today someone names Abotani, I believe that it become synonymous with indigenous faith and culture.

We are told through Epic ballad songs and Mythological short Stories like “Ayu-Bari” and “Miji-Migun” by our Popi Sarmin, Abotani had large number of adversaries namely Myotii Pilya, Dingya-Shii, Tubo-Lyabo etc. But he also had his protectors which include Shu Myoro, Danyi-Piilo, lamping Chantung and Giinii –Pilya. Whenever Abotani faces any adversaries, Giinii Pilya, Danyi Piilo with other benevolent spirits and gods and Popi (Elder intellectual) come out and rescue Tani due to which our faith and culture are still alive.

Once, Tani was hanged aloof in the sky by his adversaries. That moment his sister Dolyang Chanjang frantically sought help to rescue Tani .The First Priest Dolynag Chanjang took advice from Miido Popi, Akum Popi and on their guidance, she negotiated with Tani’s adversary who were malevolent spirits. On the line of Popis suggestion, she agreed to unarmed Tani in lieu of his life to compensate the death of Tubo Haly and Laybo Hakhe’s. Two of them were inadvertently killed by Tani when they came in the way of Tani’s Koga Mirii (Back side eyes to see the world of Spirits) and Liidu Piimyii (a Power full spike in hands). As per the condition, later powerful Tani was unarmed which made him considerably weak but saved him from certain death. Since then evil spirits are always in the look out to eliminate Tani and his progenies.

As the Popis who stood with Tani in such time of adversary manifested themselves as Kolo Popi in Kolo, Uie Popi in Uei, Iipyo Popi in Iipyo and Miido Popi in Miido. Similarly Supung Popis also stand with present day Tani. Many such Popis are born even today and are working to safe guard and rescue the Tani from clutch and conspiracy of the modern day adversaries. We believe few such Popi was born on 26.04.1968 through revered Shri Nani Tabin and Late Nani Yama and was named Nani Tachang, whom indigenous people lovingly call as Machang.

While adversaries of present Tani were at large, our aged old tradition and culture was being attacked by modern day’s Tubo-Lyabo, Myotii-Pilya etc. These are ignorance of oneself, materialism of modern life and alien faith and culture. The new adversaries are trying to erase our pristine age old faith, culture and identity. Lone and destitute, Tani whose cradle were being devoured by his adversaries, was struggling hard to organize himself to secure his faith, culture and identity in his own Apatani Valley.

At such juncture, in consultation with the other Supung Popis and with their guidance Late Nani Tachang spearheaded the movement to save present Tani (Indigenous Faith and culture) and have duly founded the Meder Nello with the objective to preserve, protect, promote, assimilate, document and disseminate the sacred oral scriptures for posterity. After establishing more than 10 Meder Nello at Ziro valley and Capital Complex he left us for his heavenly abode on 30.10.07.

He had tremendous love for his own faith and culture; I recall one of his speeches during 3rd foundation day of Meder Nello at Siddhartha hall Itanagar. He said. “My faith, culture, and tradition is my soul, I would die before my death, if I abandoned them. Therefore, I will not rest till my last breath in my endeavor to preserve and protect them.” True to his words, he dedicated his life towards preservation, protection and promotion of the indigenous faith and culture. Even in his death bed he gave massage which asked us to love once own faith and culture and to nourish the Meder Nello. Indigenous people of Apatani community will remember his exemplary dedication and his contribution which will always inspire and lead us in preservation and promotion of our indigenous faith and culture.

With the similar outlook of Ayo Danyi/Ane Donyi, who shines not only for humanity but also for animal and vegetation and energize them without any differentiations. And with true essence of indigenous faith and culture, “Let every cultural flower in Almighty’s garden bloom to maturity to express their texture, fragrance and colours.” The Meder Nello council/Meder Nellos and its managements, while remembering him and his contribution have been working to achieve the objective set down by him. (The writer is a Member Secretary, Meder Nello Council, Itanagar)

New association

ITANAGAR, Oct 29: Taba Taku and Subu Kechi have been selected as the President and General Secretary of the newly formed Arunachal Pradesh Abotani Community Confederation (APACC) in a meeting held at IG Park, Itanagar on October 28.

Senior citizen, intellectuals, former ministers and MLAs, bureaucrats, technocrats and scholars participated in the meeting.

Grievances of DRDA employees

ITANAGAR: The DRDA employees of Arunachal Pradesh have shared the agony they are facing for the last few months due to non-payment of their salaries.

In a press release issued today they have drawn the attention of the Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu on their pathetic situation and people of state in general. Despite working hard to implement rural schemes like IAY, NREGA, SGSY, etc, they believed their role was never appreciated. The release hopes that as soon as government formation is completed, Chief Minister looks into their sad state of affair.

PPA meet

ITANAGAR: The Conference of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) has been postponed to Nov16.

Foundation day

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Orphans’ Welfare Association has decided to celebrate its 2th foundation day at Nikum Niya Hall, Nirjuli on November 18.

Meanwhile, its president Achu Bagang and women wing president Toko Maria have been appointed as Organising Chairman and secretary respectively.

The association appealed all sections of the society to cooperate the association and committed to continue its services for the welfare of Orphans, Semi orphan, BPL children of the state.

So far, the association has provided free education to 120 children, adjudged 170 children in its fee concession scheme and also provided necessary help in professional studies of many children during 2007-09.

Thanks

ITANAGAR: Anchal Samity member Techi Tamang thanked APCC President Nabam Tuki and ZPM Chairperson Nabam Aka for donating an amount of Rs 50,000 to the fire victims of the Amchi village.

It also thanked NGOs, Principal St. Thomas School, Christian Community of Doimukh and Nirjul, PR leaders, GBs, Public of Amchi village for their physical, cash and kind contributions and also for construction of OBT Building for the victim’s family.

Rapid all round development only answer

Dear Editor,

The current issues like Indo-China borders rows and the racism meted out against North-Eastern students at Delhi make a layman to think twice before saying,"I am an Indian”.

We have heard lots about Arunachal being an integral part of India from leaders like our PM Dr.Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee, Prakash Karat, Chidambaram and our own dear CM, Dorjee Khandu. And not to be left behind, the BJP Chief Rajnath Singh states that "historically", Arunachal is an integral part of India (He knows better). Then what went wrong that we are targeted all over India. It is time to remind our Netas that mere hollow sounds is not just enough. Go to Delhi and ask whether they know Arunachal and the answer will be, oh! Himachal or something else. They prefer to call us Chin-ki (not chinky) or Nepalese(derogatory). If my visual survey is not wrong, only those who are preparing for UPSC have heard about our state. So the point is where has the patriotism of Arunachalee as an Indian goes?

Some weeks back we heard of Australian being racist and the opposition party threatening of an all India strike. Students organisations like NSUI, ABVP, SFI and a host of others demanding action against the culprits, which made the Australian PM, Kevin Rudd apologize and even send an special envoy to India. But what is happening when in the country itself racism is being meted out against the North-Eastern brethrens. No mass protests, dharnas from everywhere of the country, why?? Is it because of our Mongoloid looks ? Are we not Indians? Does not India boast of cultural and geographical unity? What happens to the ABVP Arunachal unit who undertook a rally against racism meted out to the Indians at Australia.

I may not be wrong to say that the answer lies in the education system. Not to talk of state publication, go through the NCERT textbooks right from Cl-6 to Cl-12 and one may not be surprise if he does not find the name of Arunachal even once(except geography). Special case may be that the length and breadth of the country extends from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, Arunachal in the east to Rann of Kutch in the west. If India wants cultural unity, why can't textbooks have special chapters on the north-east. After all the Indo-Gangetic Plain does not represent the whole country. Special precaution must also be taken particularly on subjects like History. If Sir Jadunath Sarkar can be an imperialist historian to get knighthood from the British Government and Bipan Chandra, the most noted and sparkling star amongst modern Indian historian can write subjective history and distort facts to get attention from the Gandhi-Nehru family, why can't be the north-east saved for the unity and integrity of the nation.

Why is the Government of India still following the Nehruvian days of unclear development for Arunachal in particular and the region as a whole? Sanjay Hazarika in his book,"Strangers of the midst" gives an account of the best example. Digboi oil taken to Barauni for processing. When the opposition raised why not in Assam itself? Nehru promptly replied,"Security issue". Is this the reason why even after 60years of India's independence the region is still lagging behind the rest of the country?

The Government of India needs to learn from the Australian example otherwise with the Chinese at our backdrop threathening to breakup the country into more than 101 pieces will be more than happy to play the role of Russia as was in the case of Russo-Georgian war. We don't need mere hollow claims or to reminds us again and again that we are integral part of the country but what we need is development, connectivity, good institute of higher learning, better infrastructure......to be saved from the Chinese and other anti-Indian propagandists.

Yours,

Nong Taga

National Museum,

New Delhi

Camp: Itanagar

Action speaks louder

Dr Editor,

In the recent Asean India and East India summits, Manmohan Singh has made it clear that Arunachal Pradesh over which China lays claim is an integral part of India. Both the Chinese and Indian government has discussed that the boundary issues will have to be settled so that peace and tranquility on Indo-China border is maintained. In the meeting they have highlighted to a great extent on maintaining peace in the border. Discussion about peace from the upper surface sounds good and suits the need of the two countries. What about the people staying in and around the border and their fear of being alienated from their own mother land? To this no one has the answer.

It is always nice to hear about cross border understanding and peace talks being delivered in the political assembly or meeting. But for those who are the target or for that matter the fatalities, who really cares? It is always good to watch the show and comment but putting yourself in others shoe is difficult then what can be thought of.

The border issue has no doubt been laid since times immemorial way back in 1962 and still it is being stretched and will go on and on. Whom to blame? When, the government itself is taken aback with the Indo-China dispute. And the verity is- Border Dispute is complex and cannot be wished away. Arunachal Pradesh the land of rising sun, the dawn lit of mountains is standing between the lines of its fate. The developmental schemes are being worked slowly in the state in comparison to the rest of the states in North-east, because of the fact that it is a ‘disputed territory’. Shockingly enough China at the Asian Development Bank blocked India’s development plan for Arunachal Pradesh. Now if developmental schemes are being prevented than what will happen to the state and the people living there. In any case previously Arunachal Pradesh as a state in India was not known to most of the people. But it is known to the rest of the parts in India after claim and counter claim on its territory. The lives in the border area Arunachal Pradesh known now as the Actual line of control is being kept in the point of a mountain which can fall anytime due to insurgency.

Is the peace talk a formality or is it really implemented? The irony lies here, where in the Asean India and East India summit both the representatives agreed that they will build political trust and understanding. But still way back in the border land there is always some tension in the lives of the people residing there. Though nothing much can be done about this issue yet the developmental schemes should not be stopped due to on-going mêlée on border issue or diplomatic pressure tactics by our neighbouring country. Instead the government should give more importance to the vulnerable state so that not just any other country can lay its hand on the property of India.

The Government could have taken a bold initiative with adequate focus on development from the very creation of the state which could be the right answer to the unnecessary controversies. Its high time realization should take its toll into action.

Yours,

Dakter Esse

M A Communication

University of Hyderabad