The Arunachal Times - Archives

State recognizes the services of 22 teachers

Governor calls for retrospection

Ojing Tayeng with inputs from PRO to Governor

ITANAGAR, Sept 05: For some, teaching is not just another profession that ensures a salary at the end of the month. For them, teaching is showing the path to the state. Incredible, one may say when state is faced with deterioration in quality education. These 22 extraordinary teachers have contributed in their own ways to ensure that going to school is fun, for the students and teachers alike. They have never clamored for plump urban postings. Serving the state came foremost. Places of postings hardly bothered them.

The Department of Education gave due recognition to 22 teachers at a glittering function at Banquet Hall with Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh as the Chief guest. The cash award was meager but as Joram Paku, a recipient of the state award puts it ‘it is an event, which each of us will cherish throughout our lives. It will definitely boost our moral, especially those serving in the interior to work harder for the betterment of our society’.

A shawl, a citation accompanied the cash award of Rs. 10,000 which was handed out to teachers who have completed twenty years in the noble profession and made some extra ordinary contributions.

Award which has been conferred on to the teachers for sincere and dedicated service in the field of education will further encourage each one of the awardees and also their colleagues to rededicate themselves to build a quantum of human resources that have the highest degree of knowledge and intellectual ability said Governor Gen JJ Singh while congratulating the awardees in the occasion of teachers day celebration at Banquet Hall, Itanagar today.

While calling for retrospection among the teachers, the Governor said, a good teacher is like a candle, it consumes itself to light the way for others. Along with imparting good teaching in the classroom, he advises the teachers to be a role model for the students to mould the lives of the wards through good efforts and influence.

He further appreciating those teachers who are serving in the interior areas of the state said that teachers need encouragement and support from the community to feel that their devotion to students and community is appreciated.

He urged the teaching community for their individual contribution as member of Team Arunachal improving on the literacy rate at par with other parts of the country.

Earlier, Singh paid floral tribute to Dr S Radhakrishnan, a former president of India and an outstanding teacher in whose memory, the day is observed.

Higher and Technical education Director, Dr. Joram Begi, congratulating the awardees said that they were representatives of quality teachers in the State who deserves recognition from the state.

He further said that success of education depend on the performance of the teachers and stressed on accountability amongst the teachers towards their wards and sense of duty towards the noble profession.

In the pious land of Gurus, our country, there always have been respects for teachers, but over the years it has eroded, therefore there is a need for retrospection amongst the teachers, he added.

Urging for missionary zeal amongst the teaching community, he recalled the dedicated services of pioneers of education in the state, Indira Miri and Late D.Lego.

Stating that Arunachal Pradesh has highest numbers of untrained teachers, Director called for optimum use of DIETs to enhance quality education in the state.

Director School Education Tapang Taloh said the award is conferred on the awardees for his or her sincere work towards the cause of education. It is a way of conveying the message that we care for our teachers.

Joint Director K. Panggam also congratulated the state awardees. Government Higher Secondary School, Itanagar, King Cup Public School, Itanagar, Arunodaya School, Itanagar and Holly Cross School teachers and Students took part in the celebration.

We profile the winners of the state award.

K. V Ramakrishna presently working at government middle school Jia, Lower Dibang valley has been serving the nation with dedication and sincerity for 23 years. He joined the profession of teaching as an assistant teacher in 1986.

He has served in interior places of the state and enlightened the children of the shadowed areas of the hilly region and showed the path of light as a torch bearer.

Oshi Langkam, presently working at Government Middle Schoo1 Jia Lower Dibang valley has been serving the state and the nation for about 30 years with jest and commitment. She has been teaching since 1978. She has been a model of an empowered woman who exemplifies that a woman can be a mother as well as a guide to build the nation. Her sincerity and passion for hard working is indeed a reward for the society.

Phurpa Lama, Assistant Teacher presently at Government Higher Secondary School, Kalaktang, West Kameng has been serving devotedly and sincerely with true spirit of humanism for the progress and development of education since 1987.

He is a dynamic teacher with strong determination to motivate the children for learning. He has to his credit of renovating a defunct school. His ability to mobilize the Gaon Burahs and village elders to encourage people to send their wards to school for learning is a great quality of an academician. Besides his normal duty he is also involved in conducting Adult Education as per the convenience of the villagers.

Yagin Murphew Junior Teacher presently at government Middle School, Wanghoo, West Kameng has been serving with true spirit of a teacher ever since he joined this noble job way back in 1983.

He attended five in-service training and was awarded Silver Medal for his outstanding performance in census duty in 2001. He is a dedicated and sincere teacher who leaves no stone unturned to educate children of his posting place. His innovative idea of parent-teacher meeting to enroll cent percent children in school is an example of true academician and educationist. He believes that only education can bring progress and development of the people and the state. His keen interest for cultural and sports and games activities for National Integration is another instances of a pioneering educationist.

Jatin Chandra Konwar has been serving the state with utmost dedication and sincerity ever since he had joined the noble profession of teaching as an assistant Teacher in the year 1982 and presently working at Government secondary school Koronu, Lower Dibang Valley.

He had whole heartedly accepted without any objection to go to serve in the interior places of the state to impart education and enlighten the children of the remote places. His commitment and obligation towards his duty and responsibility as a teacher is worth commendation.

Mangla Ghildyal joined the education department as a Junior Teacher and is presently serving in Government Middle School, Tezu, Lohit.

As a teacher she is devoted to her duty and responsibility of imparting education for progress and development. She exhibits an immense power of woman by serving the challenging job of moulding the children and the nation for growth.

She had served in different places of tough regions taking all pains and sacrifice for the cause of humanity.

Mokhi Sopen, Assistant teacher presently working at Government IV School, Kemlico, Lower Subansiri has been serving the state with dedication and commitment since he joined in 1982 in the profession of teaching. His eager and curiosity to educate the children and enlightened them for prosperity and progress of the state is noteworthy. He had served in different places of posting, where he exhibited his esthetical value of education.

L. Vella Durai has been serving the state with his jest and passion for imparting education and social upliftment ever since he had joined the education department as an Assistant Teacher way back in 1980. He is presently serving in Abali, Lower Dibang Valley.

As a sincere and devoted teacher and social worker he has to his achievement, challenges of serving in remotest part of the state where communication was a bottleneck. His zeal to uplift and develop the community where he served is another instance of stupendous feat of sheer achievement and bliss.

His uncompromised jest and zeal as a teacher and social activist is praiseworthy. His introduction of adult education is another remarkable feet.

Radha Nair who joined the teaching profession as assistant teachers in the year 1971, served best to her credibility in different places of posting in interior areas which she takes as a challenge of her profession and philosophy. She exemplifies an immense potential as a mother and an architect in nation building.

At present she is serving in Government Middle School, Namsai, Lohit.

Joram Paku has been serving the state for 23 years and is presently at Government Primary School Paniya, Lower Subansiri as a Junior Teacher.

His endeavor for educational and excellence with moral values is worth mentioning. He had served in remote places as a challenge of his professional esthetics and social upliftment through education. His mission and sacrifices as a sincere and dedicated teacher for showing the path of progress and prosperity to the children deserves due recognition and respect.

Dwarika Nath Pandey Senior Teacher is presently working at Government Higher Secondary School, Yazali has been serving with dedication and sincerity ever since he had joined the department as a Junior Teacher in the year 1977.

He has to his credit of serving the state in different remote places which he had taken as a challenge and sacrifice to enlighten and educate the children for progress and development of the state. His zeal and enthusiasm to impart education to the children and for the cause of humanity and prosperity is an example of pioneering educationist.

S.G.K Murthy, Senior teacher presently working at Hayuliang, Anjaw has been serving the state with commitment and dedication ever since he had joined profession of teaching 30 years ago.

It is a stupendous feat of sheer achievement for him to be a challenging professional in the remotest region of the state in district like Anjaw. His sincerity and responsibility as a teacher will exhibit in his joy of having excellent Board result of his students.

His ability give 100% result is a big contribution besides his physical and mental sacrifice for the state in such remote place where communication is a bottle-neck.

Tana Yajo, Assistant Teacher, presently at Nirjuli primary School has been serving the state with full devotion and dutifulness ever since she joined in 1976.

She is an embodiment of inspiration and beauty, spreading her spark of enlightenment to the children for growth and development through her Untiring academic as well as co-curricular gamut of experience. She served in remote places in many different areas of hard belt posting. She was honored with Gold medal in National Championship in Hockey (Girls). She introduced Hockey Game first at Govt. Hr. Secondary School, Doimukh.

Dilip Kr. Bhattacharjee Junior teacher has been serving the state with sincerity and dedication since 1972. Presently he is at Ganga Secondary School, Itanagar.

He had served in his tenure at different remote places of the state with honesty and commitment to his duty. His is a dynamic personality having immense interest of doing various academic activities, along with his teaching responsibilities. He is a member of District Resource group, imparts training to teachers for quality teaching of Science and Maths.

Achala Bori, Assistant teacher is presently working at primary School Nitivihar, Itanagar-. She has been serving the state with dedication and devotion to educate the children of the state.

She had served in different places of posting and an example model teacher. Her duty and sacrifice for the cause of progress and prosperity is an embodiment of woman empowerment.

Chabin Saikia, Junior Teacher, presently working at Government Middle School Borum, Papum Pare has been rendering his service with sincerity and devotion ever since he had joined this profession in 1975.

He has to his credit of serving in most remote and interior places where communication was only foot march for several days in places like Tuting, Jorjee and Pale etc. His selfless sacrifice for the cause of educating the children is an example of true educationist and humanity.

Radheshyam Ram Kushwaha, Senior teacher, presently working at Government Higher secondary School, Palin, Kurung Kumey has been serving the state with dedication and efficiency since 1978.

He had served in different places of posting and worked with sincerity and commitment. He is an active teacher and social worker. In addition to his academic activities, he is actively associated with NCC and social service. His environmentalist attitude is best exemplified when he had carried out the Aforestation programme with his NCC cadets in collaboration with Forest Department where he had planted thousands of saplings in his place of service.

Tame Tamin, Assistant Teacher presently working at Government Higher Secondary School, Nyapin, Kurung Kumey has been efficiently serving the state since 1983.

He is dynamic and energetic teacher, who has to his achievement of serving in remote places as a challenge of his profession. His active participation and encouragement for Games and Sports cannot be left without comment. He mobilizes students for constructive purpose of building school, Staff quarters and overall development at his place of posting. His strong will for making the people around literate through adult education is praiseworthy.

Chandra Saikia, Junior Teacher presently working at Government higher Secondary School, Koloriang, Kurung Kumey has been rendering his service with dedication and faithfulness since 1988.

He shows great curiosity and dynamism in his duty and job. He leaves no stone unturned to teach his pupils the best possible way to understand and learn. As a teacher, he is an example of torch bearer and path finder far progress and development through education.

Tashi Bhuri Assistant teacher presently serving at Govt. Middle School, Gandhi Colony, Bomdila has been rendering her service to the satisfaction of her school need and to the authority ever since she had joined this noble job in 1975.

She is dedicated, determined and sincere servant of the people. Her passion and determination to give the best possible for the pupils is an example of a rnother first and then a teacher. She encourages children to come to school for learning. Moreover, she is an active social worker and participates in social upliftment of the people.

Bijaya Changmai Junior Teacher presently at Government Higher Secondary school, Rupa, West Kameng has been discharging her service excellently and sincerely ever since she had joined the profession in 1978.

She had served in different places of posting and worked for the development of education and spread of the light of knowledge. Her untiring work and service for the upliftment of the children and the generation to be the pillars of the state and the nation is matter of great pride.

Wangja Longlizu, Assistant Teacher presently at Government Secondary School, Nafra, West Kameng has been service sincerely and devotedly since 1983.

He is a Teacher with many fold qualities, his strong will to educate the children and make education every child's common obligation is a wonderful experience and achievement as a teacher. He mobilizes the village leaders for student’s enrolment to school and give them his best teaching. His hard work and sacrifice for the enlightenment of the people is a great feet of achievement as a teacher.

Recipients of State Awards are:

1. K. V Ramakrishna, Govt ME School Jia, L/Dibang Valley, 2. Oshi Langkam, Govt ME Schoo1 Jia, L/Dibang Valley 3. Phurpa Lama, Govt H S School, Kalaktang, West Kameng 4. Yangzin Murphew, Govt ME School, Wanghoo, West Kameng, 5. Jatin Chandra Konwar, Govt Sec School, Koronu, L/Dibang Valley, 6. Mangla Ghildyal, Govt ME School Tezu, Lohit. 7. Mokhi Sopen, Govt Middle School, Kemlico, Lower Subansiri, 8. L. Vella Durai, Govt. Middle School, Abali, Lower Dibang Valley, 9. Radha Nair, Govt ME School , Namsai, Lohit,10. Joram Paku, Govt Primary School, Paniya, Lower Subansiri, 11. Dwarika Nath Pandey, Govt Higher Secondary School, Yazali, 12. S.G.K Murthy, Govt. H.S. School, Hayuliang, Anjaw, 13. Tana Yajo, Govt. Middle School, Lekhi, Papum Pare, 14. Dilip Kr. Bhattacharjee, Ganga Secondary School, Itanagar, 15. Achala Bori, Govt. Middle School, Niti Vihar, Itanagar, 16. Chabin Saikia, Govt ME School Borum, Papum Pare,

17. Radheshyam Ram Kushwaha, Govt Higher secondary School, Palin, Kurung Kumey, 18. Tame Tamin, Govt H S School, Nyapin, Kurung Kumey, 19. Chandra Saikia, Govt HS School, Koloriang, Kurung Kumey, 20. Tashi Bhuri, Govt. Pry. School, Gandhi Colony, Bomdila, 21. Bijaya Changmai, Govt HS School, Rupa, West Kameng, 22. Wangja Longlizu, Govt Secondary School, Nafra, West Kameng.

State gets Women Studies and Research Centre

ITANAGAR, Sept 5: The Women Study and Research Center, the state’s first was inaugurated today by the First Lady of the state Anupama Singh at Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh.

Congratulating the University for the Centre, she expressed her hope that it will become a centre of excellence of research and documentation on women’s issues.

Singh hoped that Centre will draw the attention of the people and policy matters towards women reservation, legal rights, and rights.

Urging that the centre which is dedicated to the cause of gender sensitization programme along with serious academic research, Singh said, it should also formulate effective strategies to deal with domestic violence, mental health, and mental distress. She further opined that traditional women healers can be important field of studies.

Whatever studies we carry out should be localized and preferably need based. Our endeavour should be to provide the much needed alternative perspectives in the context of education, health care and financial empowerment”, the first lady of the state added.

The center should organize workshops involving policy makers and administrators to drive forward its objectives, she added.

Addressing the function, RGU, VC Prof K C Belliappa informed that UGC has sanctioned Rs 5 lakhs for setting up of the center and also for organizing different programmes and activities. He further assured full cooperation from his ends to the center whenever required.

In her keynote address, former chairperson of APSCW Jarjum Ete said that after 14 years, the efforts put in have materialized with the inauguration of the Centre. She said people of Arunachal Pradesh are unable to acknowledge the women’s issues but with the establishment of the research center, she hoped that many women’s issue would be tackled benefiting thousands of women of this tribal state.

Earlier, WSRC, Director Dr. Sucheta Sen Chaudhuri informed that the center will play an important role and be functional in facilitating the national goals of removing poverty and discrimination through dialogues with various agencies of the state.

Further, the Director informed the center intends to collaborate with Arunachal Pradesh State Women Commission in developing policy decisions through action oriented research on the problems of women in the state.

DGP Vimla Mehra and members from Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society and APSCW among others were present on the occasion. (PRO to Governor)

East Siang admin gears up for Assembly polls

PASIGHAT, Sept 4: The DC-DEO East Siang District, Onit Panyang held a Consultative Committee Meeting with the leaders of all political parties and administrative officers in the Conference Hall on 4th September last to discuss election related issues. Panyang appealed for strict adherence to model code of conduct and asked full cooperation from the leaders and government officers.

The DEO praised the local leaders, administrative officers and security personnel for their coordinated efforts during the last Panchayat and Parliamentary elections and urged all to keep the same tempo to conduct the assembly election peacefully and in a fair manner.

The DC further informed that Presiding and Polling officers would be conducted batch and phase wise.

The representative of SP, A.K. Pandey OC (APP) Pasighat stated that the ensuing assembly election is expected to be more tough than the last Panchayat and Parliamentary elections.

He informed that according to intelligence report 30 polling stations are hyper-sensitive and 30 polling stations are sensitive. He also gave a short briefing on deployment of security personnel in various polling station and circle headquarters including district headquarter. (DIPRO)

EduSat Network will be force multiplier: Governor

RONO HILLS, Sept 5: EduSat Network was formally launched at Rajiv Gandhi University Campus today.

An Indian Space Research Organization initiative, satellite EDUSAT was launched dedicated to educational needs of the country. Today, it has 69 networks operating with 36,000 Satellite Interactive Terminals (SITs).

ISRO provided equipment worth of Rs. 4 (Four) Crore free of cost and helped set up the network in the state.

In Arunachal Pradesh, 50 SITs are installed in 50 different places, which include 6 in DIETs, 42 in schools and 2 in Polytechnic. The Hub installed in RGU has capacity for 500 SITs.

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh, who formally launched the EduSat Network at Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills today termed it force multiplier for education system in Arunachal Pradesh and a big achievement for the State.

Congratulating the department of Higher and Technical education and Rajiv Gandhi University Network, Gen Singh expressed the hope that it will revolutionize the education scenario in the state and bring in fundamental changes in the education system.

Due to lack of adequate infrastructure and non-availability of good teachers in sufficient numbers the efforts made in the past were not very result oriented, he said while adding that new system will enhance the education department’s efficiency and effectiveness to reach out to its target audience. Expressing gratitude to the Indian Space Research Organisation, he requested them to continue to provide the much needed guidance and help, so that the network has a meaningful impact on the education system of the State.

He requested for establishment of more such centers in the interior places, especially in border areas.

Speaking on the occasion, RGU Vice Chancellor Prof. K.C. Belliapa called the launching a historical occasion. Recalling the poor education facility at the time of Independence compared to other States and the weak foundation of students, RGU VC expressed the hope that this new development would provide accessibility to our children and offer more options.

Dr. Vikram Desai, Group Head, ISRO said that if citizens want to see India as a developed country in coming years, radical changes should be made in the education system. The system today is facing problems like shortage of teachers. In secondary level there is high failing rate in Math, Science and English subjects and in primary and college education there are high dropout rates. Therefore to tackle these, ISRO stepped in and came up with EduSat.

Dr. Desai, who is looking after tele education and tele medicine projects of the ISRO said, north east is a special category as such it is providing one Hub and SITs free of cost to all the State.

Expressing his hope that the digital gap between rural and urban has been bridged, Dr. Desaii, who had represented India in space related committees in UN, congratulated the State Government for taking initiatives to be part of Edusat family.

Higher and Technical Education Director Joram Begi, said with the launching of the Network, the entire State will be converted in a virtual classroom. The Director also dwelled on teething problems of the programme such as appointment of technical officials for the SITs, power supply and safety of the costly equipments.

Thanking the Governor for launching the programme, which is a big achievement for the Department of Higher and Technical Education, Director, described him as the driving force of all development initiative in the State and also an inspiring human being.

Begi, the man behind the project also expressed his gratefulness to ISRO for their initiative in bringing the EduSat to remote Arunachal.

Later the Governor and the First Lady Anupama Singh had lively interactive sessions with students and teachers at SITs of Government Higher Seconday Schools, Tawang, Bomdila and Seijosa, Vivekananda Kendriya Vidhyalaya, Tafragaon, Rajiv Gandhi Poly technique, Itanagar and trainees of District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) at Dirang, Pasighat and Roing. (PRO to Governor)

Eye Donation Fortnight- What does it mean to us?

Dr Lobsang Tsetim

Another year passes, and yet another celebration. Our dormant self conscience is left asleep and we remain or rather behave to be ignorant. Just think of our brothers and sisters who are deprived of the “gift of sight”. It’s yet another torturous dark year for the hundreds of poor corneal blinds of our state. A life of loneliness, despair and suffering awaits them to engulf them into their dark future. Could we do something to alleviate their darkness and sufferings from their life? Yes we could….. Only if someone donates their eyes after death. What our poor corneal blind persons needs is a simple eye donation wherein his opaque and diseased cornea would be replaced by a transparent clear cornea.

The Government of India has declared August 25th to September 8th as “The Eye Donation fortnight” and is celebrated every year throughout the country. It is being observed to seek to renew the old battle against a social dogma that denies millions of patients with corneal blindness the gift of sight.

It is also observed in our state, Arunachal Pradesh but who cares anyway. The health care providers related to eye care of the state have put in their efforts in creating awareness about eye donation through various medias; but are they enough? Are our present generations receptive enough for this awareness? Are we forgetting our social responsibilities or rather have become selfish? The fact remains that till now there hasn’t been a single eye donation taken place in the whole state. We do have 3 eye donation centers in the government sector and one in NGO sector but they have yet to open their accounts on eye donation.

Where do we lack then. A serious introspection is needed in the matter at all levels to really understand the negativity in respect to eye donation in the general folks. One can easily understand the sentiments and superstition clouding the vision of illiterate villagers, but the indifference of the so called literate class is truly baffling, to say the least. If we don’t think for our poor corneal blind people then who will? If we don’t come ahead and pledge our eyes for eye donation who will?

The scenario is no different in the whole country. The government is leaving no stone unturned to reach the masses with its apt campaign and help of many organizations. There are innumerable NGOs and Eye Banks working on the awareness project but it is really perplexing that the donor rate is falling with every passing year. “Eye donation”- the task is Herculean - but so is the cause! We really need to think seriously and act fast or else the backlog of corneal blinds would keep on increasing.

Corneal blindness may be caused due to Vitamin A deficiency, infections, injuries, malnutrition, congenital diseases, chemical burns and post operative factors. Corneal blindness can be cured by replacing the defective cornea with a normal one. But this can only be possible if people pledge to donate their eyes after their death.

In India there were 25 lakh corneal blinds and 25,000 new cases added every year. Against this requirement there are only 15,000 corneas collected every year. This bridge could be gapped if people became more aware about the need of eye donation and come forward to do it.

Two means of overcoming the acute shortage in quality corneas are encouraging voluntary donation and exploring newer sources for cornea procurement. Voluntary Eye donation is a result of realization of one's social responsibility towards the corneal blind. However, in moments of grief, this realization may not materialize into actual eye donation, because the next-of-kin may not be in a position to make such emotional decisions. Motivation of the family members of the deceased for an eye donation is necessary. The Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme (HCRP) is a very good program for collecting eyes as it concentrates on deaths that occur at hospitals and encourage eye donations using a combined method of motivation and grief counseling.

Money cannot restore sight. Only donation of eyes after death can bring sight into the lives of the corneal blind. What is required is a willing, generous heart and a steely resolve to donate eyes. The mortal body will perish after the death but with this supreme gift to mankind “Eye donation”, we could light up the lives of two corneal blind persons and would live on…...eternally

For further information on Eye donation contact Department of ophthalmology, R.K.Mission Hospital, Itanagar, General Hospital, Naharlagun.

Boney Darang to represent India World Bamboo Congress

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR Sept 05: A Designer & Choreographer Boney Darang from the state has been invited to show case her designs in a fashion show at the 8th World Bamboo Congress to be held in Bangkok from September 16 to 18 next.

The World Bamboo Organization (WBO) is providing a platform for designers of northeast to hold a fashion show during the Inaugural Ceremony. She will be showcasing her designs as well as traditional bamboo artifacts from Arunachal Pradesh.

WBO is holding the 8th World Bamboo Congress where the key theme is Bamboo, the Environment, and Climate Change.

The programme is supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Thai Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Royal Thai Forest Department, Department of National Parks, Department of Export Promotion, Kasetsart University Faculty of Forestry, Thai Airways, Jet Airways, Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, and National Bamboo Mission, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Govt. of India.

The World Bamboo president Kamesh Salam said that Northeast of India is a major producer of bamboo and traditionally bamboo has been a part and parcel of daily life of the average population of the region, particularly in the rural areas.

The WBC being an international event with participants from all around the world it would be fit to depict Northeast India in its proper splendor through a cultural programme with an emphasis on bamboo and usage of bamboo within the traditional sphere of folk culture of the Northeast of India.

The last Congress was held in March 2004 at New Delhi and was supported by the Planning Commission, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation and the office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India where a deliberation for international linkages was one of the key recommendations for the bamboo sector.

Since 1984, one of WBOs main activities has been the organization of the World Bamboo Congress (WBC). Each WBC has convened a vast array of individuals, institutions, businesses, and decision makers, and each one has created new partnerships that have made a real difference for the environment and communities around the world.

Cultivation of lemon grass generates profit

Shivaji Choudhry Soil requirements

Lemon grass cultivation (Cymbopogon flexusosus) is suitable in hot and humid tropical climate. It grows well in hot, moist and where there is adequate sunlight is sufficient. The crop performs well in soils having even mixture of sand and clay. Water forms and integral part of its cultivation and the crop performs well in areas of 200-250 cm of rainfall, however water logging in crops should be avoided in all circumstances. Manure requirement is sufficiently large for successful cultivation in sandy and red soils. The crop however can be cultivated in areas of less fertile lateritic soils and its performance can be increased significantly by sufficient irrigation. In suitable land however the crop can be harvested five times and in less fertile areas the crop can be harvested twice or thrice in a year.

Preparation of land

Lemon grass sowing should be done by ploughing the land well. Once the crop has been cultivated the crop can be harvested for 5 years. Ploughing the land shall be done in crossed way to achieve better results. White ants devour the crop seeds and therefore to negate its effects ploughing 5% BHC powder should be spread in field at the rate of 25 Kg per hectare. After completion of ploughing the land the field should be levelled for ensuring better germination.

Manure requirement

For getting a good crop yield it is necessary to put sufficient amounts of manure in the field. Decomposed cow dung manure is one of the good options for cultivation. Before applying the cow dung it is necessary to mix it properly and it is desirable to apply the cow dung manure after each cutting. While application of manure care must be taken so as to apply it as close to the roots of crop. Therefore the maximum amount of cow dung that can be applied in single calendar year can be five times. During the initial sowing application of cow dung at the rate of 10 tonne per hectare and after each cutting 5 tonnes per hectare is recommended. Chemical fertilizers also can be applied for this crop. The recommended dosage is 60 Kg of Urea, 16 Kg of Superphosphate and 16 Kg of Potash per hectare. It is advisable to use the 1/3 of this mixture during the preparation of land and remaining quantum of urea can be applied after each cuttings.

Sowing of Lemon grass

Sowing of lemon grass can be done through seeds and cuttings also. Propagation by seeds is a tedious task as adequate care has to be taken for nursery development to ensure its proper germination. After germination and hardening of the plantlets the need seedlings can be transferred to field for plantation. This process requires extreme care to germinate the seeds and transplant them successfully and hence it is taxing in terms of time, labour and money invested. Therefore the most common mode of sowing is through cuttings. This method involves uprooting of old and fully developed plant followed by clipping its leaves and old roots. When the plant is found in clump it is advisable to separate each stem cutting. These stem cuttings can be directly used as seeding material for lemon grass. In one acre area one would require 25,000 stem cuttings, when these are purchased price per cuttings varies from 2 Rupees to 50 paisa per cutting.

Time of sowing

There is no thumb rule on specific time to plant the crop however given the high requirement of water of this crop; it is advisable to cultivate the crop in areas having good irrigation or during the rainy season. However extreme heat period should be preferably avoided during plantation. Crop sowing in different parts of country suggest that the crop performs well when it is planted during the months of February-March or July-August. Crop performance in terms of agronomic yield in first year was found to be 20% more when the crop was planted during February-March.

Method of sowing

Sowing of the stem cutting with help of small mattock, it is best to dig upto depth of 5 to 8 cm. Root cuttings if planted inside soil should not be transplanted much deeper as this will decay the plantlet faster. During plantation care must be taken to that the stem cutting is erect and its roots do not get twisted either. After transplantation the lower portion of stem cuttings should be covered well. Following transplant of the stem cutting water should be supplied amply but water logging must be discouraged at all costs. Spacing between the plants may vary according to soil fertility but a recommended spacing of 60 x 30 or 60 x 45 cm was found suitable. In drier parts of country irrigation should be carried at 10 days intervals during summer and 15 days during winters.

Weeding requirements

Lemon grass performs well during the first harvest but subsequent cutting may provide diminishing returns chiefly owing to growing weeds. It is therefore wise to go for weeding and hoeing manually after cutting the crop for first time. Manually weeding and hoeing helps in ensuring good clean up of weeds. Chemical methods to control the weeds in field is by spraying 0.5 Kg of Dyoran or 250 gm of Oxyflurofane per acre of land, this should be done preferably before sowing the crop.

Pest control

This crop is relatively safer than other crops from attack of pests and insects. However it has been observed as given below

I.White ants- These are common in areas having lesser irrigation or drier areas, this pest can be controlled by using BHC.

II.Rats- This animal chews off the young leaves, branches and stem. Control of this menace can be done by using mechanical methods such as rat traps, biologically using its natural predator like cats or chemically using rodenticides which has to be extreme caution as the same can be harmful to human or pet animals.

III.Shoot fly: This is common in the Southern Indian states where the pest attacks the shoot of crop. The insect enters through the shoot and eats away the trunk from inside. The damaged tissue of plants inhibits its good growth. The pest normally attacks the plant after 5-6 weeks of transplanting. This pest can be controlled by using Foret 10 G4 to 5 litre of water, Carbofuron 3 G4 to 5 litre of water and spray this mixture in 1 acre of land.

IV. White fly: This pest infects the crop during the months of February to May. These insects from colonies under the leaf and suck the leaf sap in large quantity from lemon grass. This pest therefore retards the growth of plant and its productivity. Dimethoyate or Phospomidan with water 200 ml and 25 ml per acre should be sprayed.

Crop harvesting

The crop generally is ready after 120 days of plantation or 4 months. During first cutting care must be taken to ensure that the crop is cut at 10-15 cm above the ground surface. After the first cutting the crop is ready for second harvest after next 60-90 days, similarly the third crop can be harvested after a period of 60-70 days. A gap period of 60-70 days has to be maintained continuously for five years for each cutting. Under normal conditions the lemon grass crop can be harvested 4-5 times in a year; however the crop performance in an area may vary according to its soil fertility and availability of water. In infertile soil conditions the crop can be harvested atleast 3 times in a year.

Oil extraction from leaves

After harvesting the leaves of lemon grass the leaves are spread in field for some time or the same can be dried in some shadowy place for 2-3 days. Leaves of lemon grass are then subjected to steam distillation to extract oil. People normally put whole bunch of leaves for distillation. However cutting the leaves into small pieces before putting them in steam tank will produce higher quantity of oil. The steam distillation of lemon grass leaves usually takes 21/2 to 3 hours. On an average four cuttings in first year is sufficient to produce 100 Kg of oil, therefore on average 10 Kg of oil could be produced in 1 acre of land per year.

Profits of lemon grass

At current prices the rates per litre of oil gives Rs. 660, therefore in one acre of land will produce Rs. 66000 per year. The crop performance is said to be increasing in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year and hence the profit margin is destined to increase in subsequent years.

NCP clears 17 names

ITANAGAR: Nationalist Congress Party has announced the names of 17 candidates for the Arunachal Assembly polls. The names are shown against the constituencies. Yingkiong Tuting: Alo Libang, Hapoli Ziro: Subu Koyang, Daporijo: Maji Marging, Anini: Eri Tayu, Mechuka-Monigaon: Tsering Naksang, Nari-Koyu: Kenyir Ringu, Pangin-Boleng: Kaling Jerang, Dambuk: Gotem Tayeng, Rumgong: Tayu Jerang, Nyapin-Sangram: Bamang Felix, Sagalee: Tad Tana, Doimukh: Ngurang Pinch, Dumporijo: Rode Bui, Nacho: T G Baki, Itanagar: Techi Kaso, Bordumsa-Diyun: K Lungphi. This information was given by General Secretary NCP Unit Takio Tarak.

Tatung to attend ASU conference

ITANAGAR: All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union president Takam Tatung and All Nyishi Students’ Union general secretary Likha Tabo have consented to attend the 13 annual conference cum election of Apatani Students’ Union as chief guest and guest of honour at Ziro on September 7 next.

Office shifted

ITANAGAR : The office of District Election Officer Papum Pare has been shifted from EAC office Naharlagun to Siddharth Hall Itanagar. The office will function from Sidharth hall from Monday next.