September 19
Soni assures to strengthen DDK and AIR network in Arunachal
NEW DELHI, Sept 18: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki called on Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ambika Soni here today and discussed various issues pertaining to strengthening the system of broadcasting and dissemination of information through government owned mass media.
Tuki was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Ninong Ering.
Reiterating his vision to have a strong broadcasting system in the state, Tuki suggested upgrading and systematizing the communication mediums like Doordarshan (DDK) and All India Radio (AIR) that play an important role in bridging the gap between the government and its citizens.
While appreciating the enthusiasm of the Chief Minister, Soni assured to give top priority to strengthen the network and work efficiency of DDK and AIR in Arunachal Pradesh.
Besides upgrading equipments and the broadcasting system in the existing centers, she assured to post adequate staffs to man these centers. She also accepted to strengthen the transmission reach of DDK and AIR by opening new centers and viable locations in the state.
On the suggestion of Tuki, the Union Minister also admitted the need to re-
The Union Minister accepted in principle to establish an office of the Press Bureau of India (PIB) at Itanagar. PIB is the Central Government agency that deals with all press related affairs of the Government besides organizing events like film festivals, etc.
The Chief Minister, who has expressed keen interest in constituting a film division
of the state to promote documentation of the rich cultural and ethnic heritage of
the various tribes inhabiting the state, sought cooperation in this regard from the
Union Ministry. Soni, in response, assured all out support and cooperation. She
also insisted on organizing national and regional level film festivals in Arunachal
Pradesh. The Union Minister also appreciated the Chief Minister’s urge to have a
dedicated 24-
Later, the Chief Minister along with MP Ninong Ering made a courtesy call on Union Minister of State for Planning Ashawni Kumar as a follow up to the memorandums and projects earlier submitted by the State Government.
Joint meeting of ACLS and Adi litterateurs of Lower Dibang Valley
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: A joint meeting of Adi Culture and Literary Society (ACLS) and Adi Litterateurs of Lower Dibang Valley district was held at Heritage Academy School, Meka yesterday regarding the Adi Script and the introduction of Adi Literary Day.
After thorough discussion pertaining to various issues and complicacies concerning
Adi script and literature, the house decided to observe Adi Literary Day in memory
of Late Dugyon Lego, first teacher in Adi dialect and in recognition of his pioneering
works in Adi literature. The day, which would be fixed later, would be observed from
the year 2013 onward every year thereby giving a platform to the Adi litterateurs
and also to use the occasion to felicitate them. The house also decided that the
new Adi Primer that would be introduced in the schools of Adi inhabited areas as
third language will be published by the ACLS, Lower Dibang Valley district in conformation
with the laid down norms of NCERT. It was further decided to adopt the script as
per the principles of International Phonetics Association (IPA) to use colon (:)
like symbols instead of double vowels, eg, A:LANGKA (WELCOME) and hyphen (-
Earlier, ACLS President Kirpa Pertin appraised the house about the letters accepted by AAK and proposals sent by it to take General Consensus among the Adi writers and litterateurs of the district before finalization. Editor ACLS Atet Pertin, highlighted the aims and objectives of the meeting and also threw lights on the history of Adi scripts emphasizing the role of Christian Missionaries that has played a vital role in evolving Adi Script since the last part of 18th Century and early part of the 19th Century. The members present opined that the script whatever evolved should be user friendly as far as possible and at the same time should not lost its original sound.
The meeting was attended by Mibom Pertin, President ABK LDV unit, Bassu Perme, ex-
Student body calls for amendment in Regulation Act -
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: The All Papum Pare District Students’ Union (APPDSU) has appealed
to the members of state legislature of Arunachal Pradesh to re-
In a release APPDSU stated, “The violation of ILP under section 11 of the Arunachal
Pradesh code Volume –I, Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873 is a bailable
offence trial by the any judicial magistrate 1st class which should be re-
“The illegal immigrants are encouraged to enter state due to minor punishment prescribed
in the law. Till today none of the accused committing the crime has been charge-
Therefore, APPDSU) appealed to the responsible law makers of the state to debate
for the re-
Tam Tapak to represent India in 21st Senior World Karate Championship
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: Much to the delight of state karatekas Tam Tapak has been selected to represent Indian karate team in 21st World Senior Karate Championship to be held in Paris, France from 21 to 25 November 2012.
Tam will represent the Indian Karate team in 67 Kg Men’s individual kumite event. Tam was selected for this Championship for his outstanding performance in national level game which was held at New Delhi on 17 and 18th August 2012, where he won the gold medal.
Speaking to this reporter, Tam expressed his happiness for being selected to represent
the country and the state in the international arena. “ I was thrilled when I received
selection letter from All India Karate-
Meanwhile Arunachal Sotokan Karate Association today appealed to the state government to recognize the contribution of Tam with a award.
JNV PTC appeals for congenial atmosphere
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: A fight between two students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Doimukh turned ugly when family member of one of the students allegedly entered the hostel and roughed up the other student. According to the Doimukh police on 15th September evening two hostel mates had small fight over some issue.
Later some outsiders allegedly believed to be family member of one of the student trespassed into hostel premises around 10 PM and assaulted some of the students. An FIR has been lodged at Doimukh police station by the school authority in this regard.
Meanwhile the Parents Teachers Committee (PTC) of JNV Doimukh today held a meeting and strongly condemned the incident.
“It is disgraceful to know that parents are encouraging their children for violence by such act. In future we will not accept such kind of violence by student or parents inside the campus. The JNV authority along with district administration should take serious note of this incident and should ensure that such incidents are not repeated again in the future,” the committee stated in a release. Further they added, “We appeal both students and parents to help in bringing congenial atmosphere in the school so that students can excel in all field. We also condemned groupism among students and such small matter of fight between two students should remain confide inside hostel campus.”
Samaritan Hormin Hospital achieves a milestone
ITANAGAR Sept 18: The Samaritan Hormin endoscopic and laparoscopic Hospital has
added another feather in its cap by successfully performing Endoscopic Removal of
urinary bladder, ureter and kidney stones called retrograde ureteric stone retrieval
(URS) using Uretero-
Samaritan Hormin Hospital has also installed Latest HD SPIEs (Chromoendoscopy) endoscopy system which will help in determining early stages of stomach cancer and upper gastrointestinal tract with more precision unlike conventional endoscopy system.
Hospital also performed advance laparoscopic procedure like Laparoscopic Abdomino-
Training on Infection Management & Environmental Plan for Medical officers
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: Claiming that many of us are ignorant about general health practices,
Director of Health Services Dr. K Nishing advised the medical officers (MOs) to percolate
down the knowledge of infection management and environment plan (IMEP) as per guidelines
to the sub-
Addressing the inaugural day of the two days training programme for the medical officers on “Infection Management & Environmental Plan (IMEP)” at Arunachal State Hospital, Naharlagun yesterday, Dr. Nishing said that many of us even do not know simple techniques, like how to rub hands while cleaning and ignorant about proper waste management and infection control which lead them to being infected with diseases.
“It is very important to learn about infection control and share it upto the paramedics level,” he said and encouraged the participants to have interest to learn and the enthusiasm to teach in order to keep the health personnel free from infections from various diseases.
Dr. D Padung, State Nodal officer (NRHM) said that the main objective of the training was to ensure implementation of waste management & infection control at all districts hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and SCs level.
Dr. A. Perme Ete, State Programme officer (M&E)cum-
Dr. L. Lollen from Aalo District Hospital and Dr Mope Riba from Arunachal State Hospital, Naharlagun were the resource persons.
‘Joy of reading will spread across Anjaw’
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: Parents and the public have a joint responsibility along with
schools for nourishing the all-
“We congratulate PAWSO for taking lead to spread the youth library movement in Anjaw”, he said.
Sokhep Kri, Patron, Hutung Library and Gen. Secretary, PAWSO, expressed the commitment
of PAWSO to support the education dept. in Anjaw to improve the learning environment
through the library reading campaign. Hence the workshop to train up a cadre of local
reader-
Presenting a report of the Taim Kri Memorial School activities since its inception
on August 17, 2010, Ankhyangso Kri, Advisor of the school, elaborated on its efforts
to make learning a joyous experience for the little children and appealed to parents
for their active support in its growth. In turn, parents, Bapatso Kri and Idemlu
Kri appreciated the efforts of the school in the all-
Outlining the ‘home, school and library reading’ as the three vertices of a triangle,
the Coordinator, VT-
Manisha Halai, a seasoned reader-
The training sessions that followed covered 50 students from class 1 to 8, who made an impressive presentation of selected items in the concluding session in front of the guests. The recitation “somewhere over the rainbow”, an eternal Peter Pan classic by the students of the Govt middle School, Yatong, trained by Nitusi Yun, Bamboosa Library was the highlight of the programme.
The TKM school students presented ‘Ibn Batuta ka jootha’, (trainer: Deep Das) and ‘The mango tree’ (Manisha Halai) while Govt school students presented ‘One potato, two potao and a reading session from Dr. Seuss’s ‘The Foot Book’ (trainer: Rubila Dellang).
The workshop by the experienced reader-
A large gathering of govt. officials, teachers, students, village-
Life would never be same again for Donya Koyu
Prafulla Kaman
RUKSIN, Sept 18: Life would never be same again for Donya Koyu, whose husband was murdered last month. Left in the lurch by her husband, fate probably could not have dealt a more severe blow to a housewife like her.
It was “bolt from the blue” for her when she heard that her husband Samuel’s decomposed body was recovered from the jungle on August 3 as she did not even know about her husband’s missing.
Donya, the second wife of the deceased policeman, has been passing sleepless nights embracing an uncertain future along with a boy child. Since she has lost the colours of life after losing her husband, she is hoping that state government will help her with a source of livelihood.
“I have lost all hopes in my life. My husband was brutally killed by the criminals. Now, I am waiting for the government’s help”, Donya told this correspondent.
On the other hand, the members of ‘Lower Legong-
According to statement of the arrested persons, they committed the crime only to snatch the motorbike from the poor policeman, police said.
Training on computer account system
ITANAGAR Sept 18: A 2 weeks-
Around 30 officials from ministerial staff of LDC/UDC category from various districts
of state are attending the programme which is being conducted under the sponsorship
of DoPT, Gol, New Delhi under its Plan Training Assistance for 2012-
Earlier, the Course Coordinator T. Lodo, deputy director training submitted a brief highlight of the course content as well as other logistic arrangements made by the Institute for smooth conduct of the training programme and requested the participants to take full advantages of the programme. Palbinder Singh, Director of A to Z Computer Centre submitted a brief summary of the course module and familiarized participants with the overall theory cum practical session that will run simultaneously.
The 2 (two) weeks-
Non-
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank Officers’ Association president Ebom
Zirdo resented the non-
Addressing a meeting of North East Rural Bank Employees Federation (NERREF) at Naharlagun
yesterday, Zirdo opined that non-
T Kombo, the organizing secretary advocated for regularizing the services of daily wage workers in the RRBs working for more than 10 years with meagre daily wages. The meeting presided over by NERREF president Samir Ranjan Bhattacharjee of Tripura Grameen Bank discussed various important and developmental issues of North East RRBs.
Earlier, NERRBEF general secretary Jibesh Chakraborty of Assam Grameen Vikash Bank highlighted the current position of demand for pension parity at par with Commercial Banks and the on going countrywide struggle.
He highlighted about the importance of trade union, its history. He appealed to new recruits to take over the reign from their seniors with all sincerity with commitments as many of RRB employees throughout the country would be retiring within 5 years.
P.B.Chettry, General Secretary of the APRBOA read out the message from National Union Leader D.K.Mukherjee, Secretary General, AIRRBEA.the parent body.
In all 24 delegates from all the North Eastern states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura represented their respective state in the meeting.
UPA gets a jolt, TMC withdraws support to Govt
Kolkata, Sept 19: Trinamool Congress, the second biggest constituent of the UPA, today dealt a major blow to the Manmohan Singh government when it decided to withdraw its support on the issue of petroleum price hike, FDI in retail and corruption.
"We are withdrawing our support. Our ministers will go to Delhi, meet the Prime Minister and tender their resignations at 3 PM on Friday," TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced after a meeting of party MPs, top leaders and office bearers.
However, Banerjee added a caveat saying if the Centre rolls back the decision on
FDI in multi-
She said the Central government was not a one-
Banerjee ruled out supporting the government from outside saying her decision was
"not half-
Widening the attack on Congress, she brought in issues like coal block allocation scam, black money and fertiliser price rise.
"The FDI decision was taken to suppress the coalgate issue," the West Bengal Chief Minister said.
Accusing the Congress of indulging in "blackmail politics", she said whenever it has trouble with any of its allies, it goes to the other.
"When it has problem with Mayawati, it goes to Mulayam. When it has problems with
Mulayam, it goes to Nitish (Kumar of JD-
Referring to the FDI decision, she said there are 50 million people in unorganised retail sector. "Where will these people go? There will be disaster. It has not been sustainable even in the West."
While accusing Congress of indulging in "blackmail" politics, the Trinamool chief said, "somebody has to bell the cat."
She revealed that she had conveyed her opposition to FDI decisions directly to Congress President Sonia Gandhi but it did not work.
Banerjee also criticized Finance Minister P Chidambaram's statement yesterday ruling out rollback on FDI.
She said after all these steps, the Congress would now allow even Pension Bill and vowed to oppose it tooth and nail in Parliament.
"If we don't take a decision, they will even allow foreign players in pension sector. We can't tolerate," she said.
"We will not tolerate any anti-
She said her party would not be responsible if the country was forced to go for a
mid-
"This government can stay for three months or six months, I don't know. They have lost the credibility. And if they cannot maintain friendship with us, then they cannot maintain friendship with anybody," Banerjee said.
She also raked up the blackmoney issue, questioning why the government has not taken steps to bring it back. Meanwhile, CPI today asked the government to prove its majority after Trinamool Congress announced its decision to pull out of the government and withdraw support to it.
"Since 19 members have moved away from the government, according to all principles of parliamentary democracy, government should prove its majority on the floor of the House," CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta told PTI.PTI
News Impact
Cash reward stands
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: The cash reward of Rs 2 lakh announced by the Arunachal Pradesh Police for giving information or clue leading to arrest of the assailant/s of Tongam Rina, Associate Editor of The Arunachal Times still stands. The identity of the informer/s will be kept secret. The informer/s may contact Capital SP Hibu Tamang at tele. numbers : 09436040006/09856060490.
Results out
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: The Results of BA first, second and third year examinations of
the year 2011-
Rain paralyzes life in East Siang
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Sept 18: Incessant rain over the last one week has thrown life out of gear at Nari, Ruksin, Pasighat and adjacent areas of East Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh.
Flood triggered by rain submerged many paddy fields, caused erosion and landslides
in many areas of the region. The historical MMJ road, considered as the lifeline
of rural people of Ruksin sub-
Rain also dampened the festivity of Biswakarma puja in the region.
Skill development programme
Itanagar, Sept 18: An entrepreneurship cum skill development programmes for tour operators and on bakery product, computer education, internet etc began at Itanagar branch of Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE).
Organized by IIE branch office here, the programme is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises which aims to build capacity of the unemployed youth.
Santanu M Deka, Assistant Faculty Member, IIE briefed the participants about the training programmes.
The resource prsons for the training have been drawn from various organizations and departments like Department of Industries and Commerce, NERAMAC, KVIC, KVIB, SIRD, banks, financial institutions and educational institutions like North East Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli.
CEO of KVIB here S K Deb urged the participants to sincerely attend the training to enhance their skill which would help them start their income generating activities.
Joint Director of Department of Industries, Naharlagun S.K. Dutta and Deputy Director,
Department of Handloom and Textiles Haj Dodong suggested the trainees to take full
advantage of such opportunities to enhance their skill to create self-
Review meeting on electoral rolls and registration
YINGKIONG, Sept 18: A review meeting of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) of
Upper Siang district was held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner-
Special summary revision of electoral rolls and registration was discussed during the meeting. On the occasion, Borang advised the EROs to strictly maintain the guidelines and instructions and enrollment and registration of floating population/labourers and urged the EROs to properly monitor proof documents like ILP, PRC etc. He further said that “in case of students, age according to school certificate will be accepted and in case of any dispute in such cases comment from the parents and village authority should be obtained”.
The meeting was attended and participated by Ranpok Perme SDO, Mariyang, Tapik Pertin SDO, DC office Yingkiong and other officers. DIPRO
State BJP to observe Arunachal bandh
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: The Bharatiya Janata Party Arunachal Pradesh in its party meeting held today at state BJP Headquarter here unanimously decided to observe Arunachal bandh as part of the proposed Bharat bandh on September 20 from 6 AM to 5.00 PM in protest against the hike of diesel price and in protest against new policy of LPG and flood gate of retail FDI.
Party leaders including State Vice Presidents – B.R. Wage, Kabak Yabii, Padmeswari Jamoh and State General Secretaries Tai Tagak and Dominic Tadar, State Presidents of BJP Yuva Morcha, Doni Nich, BJP Mahila Morcha, Kenjum Pakkam, BJP ST Morcha, Tadar Akap spoke on the occasion. They opposed the steep hike in diesel prices and FDI in retail and demanded the Govt to reconsider its decision immediately. The meeting was attended by the state BJP office bearers, frontal wings chief and other senior leaders.
It is time for the people to come out in the streets against anti-
AAPYF reiterates demands
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: All Arunachal Pradesh Youth Forum (AAPYF) in a memorandum addressed
to the Governor appealed him to intervene for fulfillment of its three-
The demands of the Forum include immediate appointment of home minister to tackle law and order problem, construction of separate National Highway for three Siang districts, namely, East Siang, West Siang and Upper Siang without touching Assam for convenience of Arunachalee people and road connectivity to all the unreached circle HQ of the state.
The Forum said that it had submitted its charter of demand earlier on Dec 26 and again on January 11, 2012, but the state Govt failed to take any steps.
Fresh interview demanded
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) and joint consultative committee
of candidates for recruitment to the post of constable under tax and excise department
have appealed to the chief secretary to cancel the written test interview for
the post of constable, tax and excise which was conducted on Sept 16 last. It further
demanded constitution of a board for maintaining transparency and re-
In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Secretary, they claimed that the interview
was conducted under one-
Road communication to Mengio cut off
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: The road communication to Mengio circle remains cut off as the rainwater washed away the road at various points between Sagalee to Mengio, said Parang Circle Development Committee. The Committee appealed to the concerned authority to immediately restore the damaged road. The people of the Mengio and Silsango areas are facing shortage of essential commodities due to disruption of road communication, it said.
‘Give exemplary punishment to accused’
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: Ramle Banggo Welfare Society lauded East Siang District Administration and East Siang Police team for nabbing the culprits involved in the brutal murder of Late Samual Koyu.
The society appealed to the authority concerned not to grant bail to the arrested
accused until other co-
It demanded the authority to give exemplary punishment to the excused as per the law and also urged the state government to post adequate police personnel at Nari out post.
KGWS celebrates Hindi Diwas
Aalo, Sept 18: Kebo-
Literary and patriotic song competitions were conducted among students and winners were given study materials, like geometry box, calculators etc as prizes along with proficiency certificates which were sponsored by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Aalo, West Siang district. DIPRO
Bandh call at NEEPCO project sites
ITANAGAR, Sept 18: Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Job Contract Employee Union (APTJCEU)
NEEPCO has called 72-
Correction
The designation of Tai Tagak was wrongly mentioned as state BJP president in place of state BJP General Secretary & Spokesman in a news item published in this daily on Sept 17. The inadvertent error is regretted.
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65 days have passed. The culprits involved in the July 15 attack on The Arunachal Times associate editor Tongam Rina are still at large.
Journalists stand for development of our state
Dear Editor,
Journalists are our major weapon in today's modern societies. We receive various information through media such as state developments, human skills and improvement of community or society. Today journalists of our state stand for our society’s development and for its better future. They are trying their best for development of our state and prosperity of our society. Without them we can not go ahead and do nothing for our future generation. They always give us knowledge for thinking to change and make best of our life. If we develop enmity with them, it means we are going to loss our society and State development and future too. They devoted their whole life for the benefit of common people and they also help us to promote the sense of sisterhood and brotherhood. They have also emotion like other men.
Therefore, we, the people of Arunachal Pradesh need to extend our love, blessing and care to them so that they extend their best service. We need to be in relationship with them instead of hatred. They are blessing for us and to our beautiful land Arunachal. Love Journalists as you love yourself and give your best blessing.
Yours’
Tana Roma Tara
Itanagar
Insufficient practical apparatus
Dear Editor,
I, as a B.Sc. student of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat came to know that Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh is going to start Science department in Tezu college. It is a good news for the state to have another science department, but my question is, will the state governtment able to provide required materials for the department?
In fact the existing Science departments in two colleges, namely J N College, Pasighat,
and DNGC, Itanagar are running without adequate infrastructure and resources. We,
the students are unable to perform practical up to the extent due to the lack of
chemicals and equipments. Practical classes are part of our syllabus and we are unable
to learn all those practical things. As a result, when we do join in other universities
for higher studies, students suffer a lot. In JN College Pasighat we have only two
lecturers in the department of Chemistry and Physics. It makes teaching-
Therefore, the state government must take initiatives for better educational system in the state. The state can be changed through ideal education.
Yours,
Tonya Miroh
JNC, Pasighat
Declare RFO exam result
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily I would like to draw the kind attention of the concerned authority towards the delay in declaring the written examination for the post of Range Forest officer (RFO) which was conducted on 20th June 2012. Till now written examination result is declared which creates doubt in the mind of the aspirant as almost 3 months is sufficient to declare the result.
Therefore I request the concerned authority to declare the result as soon as possible.
Yours’
Hage Kani
Naharlagun
Achievements under MDG
The summary report of the the Millennium development Goals 2012 revealed that for
the first time since poverty trends began to be monitored, the number of people living
in extreme poverty and poverty rates fell in every developing region including in
sub-
Preliminary estimates indicate that the global poverty rate at $1.25 a day fell in 2010 to less than half the 1990 rate. If these results are confirmed, the first target of the MDGs, cutting the extreme poverty rate to half its 1990 level, will have been achieved at the global level well ahead of 2015.
On the other hand the world has met the target of halving the proportion of people without access to improved sources of water . The target of halving the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water was also met by 2010.
There was significant improvement in the lives of 200 million slum dwellers. The share of urban residents in the developing world living in slums declined from 39 per cent in 2000 to 33 per cent in 2012. More than 200 million gained access to either improved water sources, improved sanitation facilities, or durable or less crowded housing. This achievement exceeds the target of significantly improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, well ahead of the 2020 deadline.
In education sector, enrolment rates of children of primary school age increased
markedly in sub-
Despite population growth, the number of under-
Ganesh Chaturthi -
Dr. Jayadeba Sahoo
Lord Shree Ganesh is god of Wisdom and the remover of obstacles.Lord Ganesha is worshipped, or at least remembered, in the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness. He has four hands, elephant’s head and a big belly. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. In his hands he carries a rope (to carry devotees to the truth), an axe (to cut devotees’ attachments), and a sweet dessert ball “Laddoo” (to reward devotees for spiritual activity). His fourth hand’s palm is always extended to bless people. A unique combination of his elephant like head and a quick moving tiny mouse vehicle represents tremendous wisdom, intelligence, and presence of mind.
India is a spiritual oriented country and is one of the richest nations in respect
of cultural and spiritual perspective. Bharat is well known for festivals. The festivals
of this land form the most important link that sustains its cultural heritage. The
number of festivals celebrated here is hardly comparable to festivals celebrated
by other countries. Twelve months in a year is filled with thirteen big festivals.
‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ has a special importance among them. The cycle of time keeps rotating
but its memories remains. To freshen these memories, memorials are made, stories
are written, birth days are observed, in which self respects, love, true feelings
are imbibed. Unfortunately, a day comes when respects & love ceases and rituals remain.
It would not be exaggeration to say that festivals now-
The auspicious festival of ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ had been reduced to an annual ritual hardly reflecting its true significance. Now what is the esoteric meaning of this ritual?
The deeper significance of this festival has been lost in the loud commercialisation and ritualistic traditions marking the day. Unknown to many, this festival is rooted in several myths and a spiritual truth of great significance that reflect its purity and power of protection.
The cycle of time keeps rotating but its memories remains. To freshen these memories,
memorials are made, stories are written, birthdays are observed, in which self-
New beginnings are welcomed with enthusiasm, hope, happiness and the pure desire for accomplishment. Around the world, and moreover in India, every milestone of life or fresh venture is encased with a ritual or simply an ardent prayer for everything to go well. These auspicious undertakings fill the aspirant with unending faith and vigour that ensure success. What a beautiful religious practice we follow of invoking the Supreme at every new step we take! How great then must that powerful deity be who is always worshipped during new beginnings: the revered Lord Ganpathi.
Now what is the esoteric meaning of this ritual?
Shri Ganesh is by far the most mystical deity, which makes him so intriguing and
lovable. Vighna-
But how ironic that ‘devotion’ is gradually evaporating from ‘religion’... Though we spend exorbitantly on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations yearly, do we ever reflect on whether Ganeshji appreciates the pomp, the lavish pooja ensembles, the unending, raucous entertainment that usually bear no religious significance, the uncontrolled use of alcohol, the thumping on the idols during visarjan… We were meant to be honouring a divine being yet Ganeshji is subjected to an atmosphere of grave consequences! Without a doubt honest efforts are being invested to keep tradition 1alive by camouflaging the Festival with modern paraphernalia. It is commendable and inspiring to witness the unification of families and communities as a result of the celebrations but is the human soul being empowered and coming closer to the Almighty? Can we afford to forsake it?
Festivals are precious for lifting our spirits, binding stronger relationships with family and friends, and carrying forth ancient traditions to new generations and the world. But they serve an infinitely more valuable purpose: as we face the onslaught of natural calamities, corruption, terrorism, illnesses, pollution, and abominable fear and sorrow, the magic of these festivals hold no meaning unless the spiritual significance is realised and emulated. We worship Ganeshji to bring us luck devoid of hindrances and complications but wouldn’t it be more advantageous to follow His footsteps?
It is tragic to be beheaded by your own father but this sacrifice by Lord Shiva’s son granted him a new, unparalleled life of incredible wisdom and power. Ganeshji renounced his false identity to adopt a persona that out shadowed whatever he was previously. When we stand before God, humility unlocks the door of our mind to imbibe knowledge and develop an unbiased intellect. There is no scarcity of learned philosophers and mahatmas who have cogitated and presented the symbolism behind Ganeshji’s physical features, weapons, consorts, fables etc. However, the eternal truth is that Ganeshji’s potency has and never will be a demonstration of physical capabilities.
Ganeshji is the treasure-
Therefore, Ganesh has all the leadership capabilities in him. His ears shows that
he is a good listener, his presence of mind shows his availability, and he has the
strength to tolerate anything. The stomach shows the power to accommodate, he has
in himself. His small eyes tell us the foresightedness and discriminating ability
that he has. When he is seated, he has one leg on the ground and the other folded
showing that the decisions he took were down to earth but at the same time uninfluenced
and impartial. He had the strength to take up the responsibility and the laddus (sweatmeat)
show the art of uniting all the particles of the laddu, i.e., through his sweetness
he creates the team-
Hence, he is shown with two wives, Riddhi and Siddhi which means he always had success
through the right method as his companion. Hence, he is also known by various names
as Gannayak which means he is a leader with all inner powers and qualities, Asta-
Consider Ganeshji’s perspective for a few moments daily during the 10-
By living through all that Ganeshji upholds in this unique style, his glory will remain with us forever. Newness represents vitality and hidden potential, so just imagine what wonders will be revealed with a positive transformation of the human soul? In the enigmatic, holy presence of Lord Ganesh may each of us unveil a new ‘me’ and a new destiny.
So, let us all irrespective of different religious faith, celebrate this ‘ Ganesh
Chaturthi’ and empower our self through process of Supreme Communion (Raja Yoga )
with Supreme Being ‘God’ -
The true way of celebrating ‘ Ganesh Chaturthi’ would be to realize the significance of the present auspicious time ( Sangam Yuga, which is end of Kaliyuga – Iron Age and the beginning of Satyuga – Golden Age ) and by pledging to discard all negative traits such as anger, greed, ego and lust and by leading a life filled of love, compassion, respect, humility, cooperation, responsibility, divinity to establish a “Value Based Happy Society of Culture of Peace & Non Violence”.
On this auspicious occasion of ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’, 2012, take a moment for deep spiritual introspection and free yourselves from the bondage of greed, the lust for power and a slave of promiscuity and make God your eternal companion for true peace, happiness and prosperity.
Happy greetings on the auspicious festival of ‘ Ganesh Chaturthi’. (The writer is a Faculty, Brahma Kumaris, Professor & Head, Dept. of Education, R.G.U)
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