September 25

 

Id-ul-Zuha greetings

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: Governor and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh have greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of 'Id-ul-Zuha'.

The Governor JP Rajkhowa expressed his hope that the sacred occasion would further strengthen the faith in the Almighty for leading all along the path of peace, progress and prosperity and also to enhance the bonds of our composite society.

May the noble ideal of Id-ul-Zuha fill our lives with peace, devotion and harmony as also high sense of sacrifice for the benefit of humanity, the Governor wished in his message.

CM Nabam Tuki called upon all to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, compassion and communal harmony being the essence of the Bakr Id. He hoped that the festival would bring with it peace, tranquility and prosperity in the state and the nation.

 

DC concerned over tardy pace of road construction work

KHONSA, Sept 24: Tirap DC Ravi Jha has expressed concern over the tardy pace of Khonsa township road construction work and urged the EE PWD and EE PHED to expedite it for timely completion without compromising with the quality of work.

Jha was addressing a meeting convened in his office chamber here today which was attended by local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Tirong Aboh,  Zilla Parishad Chairperson Chawang Lowang, SP Jasmeet Singh besides, EEs of PWD and PHED to discuss on ways and means to improve the deplorable Khonsa township roads.

While expressing concern over the rampant encroachments on roadsides by construction of private houses, garages, ghumtis etc, the DC informed that an eviction drive would be carried out soon.

The MLA also requested the DC to evict the illegal constructions and assured his full support.  He further informed that construction work was awarded to only local contractors to ensure its proper monitoring and timely completion.

The EEs of PWD and PHED further informed the DC that the work on the Khonsa township roads would start as soon as the rains stop. ZPC Lowang and SP Jasmeet Singh also spoke on the occasion. (DIPRO)   

 

DA notice against land encroachment

Changlang, Sept 24: Taking serious note of land encroachment in the district which is on the rise, the Changlang Deputy Commissioner issued a public notice that any person, found unlawfully or illegally occupying the govt land or any public premises, shall be punishable under appropriate section(s) of law.

The district has experienced apparent increase in land encroachments in the recent times and reportedly some persons with habit of encroaching land are trying to occupy govt land illegally which necessitated the District Administration to issue the notice.    

 

New farming technology introduced in Lohit district

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lohit, Namsai  district has introduced a new technology (paddy cum fish cum duck culture) for the first time in the district under the supervision of Dr. Debasis Sasmal, incharge, Programme coordinator. He was assisted by all the SMSs and  the programme was sponsored by Director, ICAR-NRC on Yak, Dirang.

It has been introduced on experimental basis in seven villages- Khaoji, Kumari Khampti, Guhain Gaon, Dharampur, Namsai, Piyong and Manmow covering around more than 5 hectare of land. Along with paddy cum fish, KVK has constructed duck units at the dyke along with horticulture crops like banana, tokopat, colocasia, pineapple etc.

Observing the success of the new technology,  the  concern department and organizations like ATMA, NGOs and individual  can promote the technology in collaboration with KVK, Lohit, Namsai in coming years, according to a release.

 

Aalo-Bam road maintenance work begins

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: The first phase of 24-hrs chakka bandh call against deteriorating road condition from Aalo to Bam by Aalo Bam Highway Maintenance Monitoring Committee (ABHMMC) has been called off after tripartite meeting between District administration, ABHMMC and TK Engineering Company. During the meeting the officials of TK Engineering agreed to start repairing work and true to their commitment, the maintenance work begins today on war footing.

West Siang deputy commissioner Pige Ligu, president of ABHMMC Kento Ete, DL & RSO Pumek Ronya and Er. Gemar Padu, Assistant Engineer Highway personally supervised the work.  

The concerned department and members of ABHMMC will constantly monitor to speed up the maintenance works.

The maintenance work was delayed for some days due to continuous rainfall. (DIPRO)

 

Jan Suvidha Centre starts functioning

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: The Jan Suvidha office was launched at interior Monigong circle by EAC Sang Khandu on Sept 21. With the installation of V-Sat, Monigong which usually remains cut off in monsoon season will be linked with rest of the world through network connectivity. This Suvidha will provide minimum services like issuing of Scheduled Tribe and Permanent Residential Certificate for the people of Monigong and Pidi Circles.

Nyaken Ori, DIO West Siang  installed computers and machineries for Jan Suvidha office and imparted  four days  training to all Computer-cum -Account Assistant of Panchayat on software.

The successful launching of Jan Suvidha is an outcome of the effort of Mechuka MLA .D Sona who provided fund from MLALAD and ensured its successful execution through WRD department. Besides construction of Jan Suvidha counter, one 5kw D.G Set for power supply and other supportive appliances were bought with administrative support from DC Aalo Pige Ligu and former Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Mechukha, Ravi Dhawan. (DIPRO)

 

Villagers ban hunting

ITANAGAR, Sept 24:  The villagers of Habia, Dawaso and Ragia under Sangdupota circle during its recent meeting with circle officer have resolved to protect flora and fauna of area.

As an outcome of meeting they have prohibited hunting of wild animals, illegal fishing and unauthorized entry of outsider in the area. Violators of the order will be imposed fine.

 

Health camp conducted

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: A health-cum-blood test camp was conducted by the RK Mossang Memorial Society, a local NGO at New Khamdu village in Changlang today.

During the camp blood test and general health check-up was conducted as part of the Society’s Targeted Intervention Project on Female Sex Workers & Injection Drug Users of Changlang district  and  Targeted Intervention Project on Migrant population of Changlang district.

 

Seminar on Political evolution of Arunachal held

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: The department of Political Science, Govt College, Bomdila has conducted a one-day seminar with the theme “Politico-Administrative Evolution of Arunachal Pradesh” at college premises, Bomdila on Sept 22.

During the technical sessions of the seminar Dr. Yeshi Gyesen, Assistant Professor of Political Science and students of B.A. III Semester, namely, Lham Yuton, Tsering Drema Khom and Aya Tenzin Rema presented their papers on the sub-theme “Historical Evolution of Arunachal Pradesh from NEFA to Statehood.”  While Gai Chige of B.A. III year (Hons) and Pem Donduk Khumjangley of B.A. III Semester presented papers on the sub-theme “Development of Democratic Process in Arunachal Pradesh and its Impact,” papers on the sub-theme “Socio-Economic and Political Change among the different Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh” were presented by  Dr. Hage Naku, Assistant Professor of History along Yeshi Dargey Sengbu and Lobsang Wangchuk of B.A. III Year (Hons) and Passang Lhamu of B.A. III semester.

Dr. K C Mishra, Associate Professor of English, Tenzin Yeegha, Kime Mamung and Tenzin Lhamo Minto, (all Assistant Professors of English) presented their papers on the theme “Role and Expansion of Education in Arunachal Pradesh.”

Earlier, the seminar was inaugurated by the Principal of the College S. Khandu.

 

New NHPC CMD takes charge

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: K M Singh has taken over  the charge as Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC Limited on Sept 23. Prior to his appointment as CMD, NHPC, he was Chief Executive Director of NHDC -a joint venture company of NHPC and Government of Madhya Pradesh.

Born on 12th July, 1957, Singh holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Gorakhpur University, Uttar Pradesh. He began his professional career as an Executive Trainee in NHPC at its Loktak Power Station in 1979.

 

AAPLU seeks early release of LOC

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: Claiming that the staffs and labourers under Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation Limited (APFCL) have not been paid their salary for more than two months, the All Arunachal Pradesh Labour Union (AAPLU) has urged the chief minister to release the LOC of the concern department at the earliest so that the payment can be done as soon as possible.

The union also claimed that the labourers of APFCL have not received their bonus since 2006.

News Impact

Centre to allow US WW-II search missions in Arunachal

Complete investigations soon, says families of

Americans MIA in Arunachal

NEW DELHI, Sept 24: The Centre may finally allow the US military to resume search missions in Arunachal Pradesh for the remains of servicemen who died in World War II.

The search operation was halted in 2009. Specialised teams from the US, trained to identify and transport the remains of its soldiers who have fallen in combat throughout the world, are expected to visit several identified sites in Arunachal, reports Economic Times.

Gary Zaetz, Founder and Chairman, Families and Supporters of America's Arunachal Missing in Action said that investigations of all documented crash sites in Arunachal Pradesh should be completed no later than 3 years from now, for the sake of the most elderly of the relatives of the Arunachal missing in action.

It compounds the tragedy of our MIAs’ loss that, while this cruel and heartless moratorium was in effect, many of these heroes’ closest relatives passed away, forever denied their rights to see their loved ones’ remains given a proper burial during their lifetimes, says Zaetz whose uncle Irwin Zaetz was the navigator of B-24 dubbed “Hot as Hell”.

The bomber disappeared in Siang Valley on a supply run from Kunming, China, to Chabua, Assam, on January 25, 1944. The crash site of the aircraft was located in Dec 2006 in Damroh in Siang Valley by Clayton Kuhles, an explorer who runs MIARecoveries.org.

Zaetz visited the crash site soon afterwards.

“Our organization, founded to pressure the Indian Government to honor its obligations in this arena, is pleased that the Indian Government is finally honoring its obligations, clearly specified by the Geneva Conventions and 2 previous bilateral agreements with the US, to allow MIA recovery operations to proceed at the 15 documented US crash sites in Arunachal Pradesh where the remains of 84 US servicemen still lie unburied.

We will closely monitor the Modi Government's adherence to these obligations, he adds.

An estimated 416 aircrew are missing in India from the war while on supply missions into China. Most are believed to have gone down in Arunachal as transport planes battled bad weather and the Himalayas — a treacherous route known as ‘The Hump’ — to cross into China in support of the war against Japan.

“Specialised identification and recovery teams from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) will arrive in India shortly to search for Americans that remain unaccounted for from World War II,” a US Embassy spokesperson told Economic Times. The US has engaged in recovery missions across the world to bring back its war dead but efforts in Arunachal hit a roadblock after the UPA government put a stop to it in 2009, reasoning that the territory was sensitive due to “strategic, internal political, ecological and anthropological reasons”. However, recovery missions in other parts of India have continued.

 

 

Negi calls for time-bound settlement of land acquisition and TAH

ITANAGAR, Sept 24:  While interacting with the Deputy Commissioners through video conferencing in the conference hall of department of planning, the Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi outlined the need for time-bound settlement of land acquisition and timely progress of Trans-Arunachal highway work for early completion of the ongoing project.

He further had detailed discussions on various other issues including disaster assessment.

Briefing the DCs on development agenda for the year and its effective implementation in  ground level, Negi asked them to submit pending utilization certificates at the earliest.

The meeting was attended among others by Commissioner to CM & PWD Tajom Taloh, Commissioner Land Management TT Gamdik, Secretary Planning Sonam Chombay, Special Secretary Home Dr Tariq Thomas and Chief Engineer Highways. (DIPR)

 

 

Ziro Festival of Music begins

ZIRO, Sept 24: The fourth edition of Ziro Festival of Music (ZFM) started on a melancholic note from Dayglocrazie, a solo act from Assam here today. The crowd swaying to the slow beats and solitary musings of the artist finally ended the year-long wait of the much anticipated music fest.

Earlier, Ziro MLA Tage Taki welcoming the music lovers and artists at the ZFM, formally announced the festival open. Today, the first day of the fest is open for all while the rest three days will be entry on passes.

ZFM Director, Bobby Hano informed that 1500 people have confirmed tickets online and around thousand are witnessing the first day’s  performances. The fest ground - locally known Pechi Putu is agog with fest revelers despite the continuous drizzle.

Apatani Students Union general secretary, Hage Kano, part of the local organising team, shared that the festival is growing bigger every year while ZFM involves all the locals of the area which is very encouraging for tourism and clean Ziro.

A total of 28 artists will be performing in the four days festival. Four artists/bands Dayglocrazie, Yesterdrive and  Omak Komut Collective are the line ups for the first evening.

With the rains subsiding and the evening grooving into the tempo of the music, Omak Komut Collective winded up as the icing on the cake. Young and old all shook a leg to the fusion fare of Omak Komut's Adi Bari renditions mixed with the fusion beats of the guitars and drums.

 

 

Imbibe ideals of Srimanta Sankardeva for prosperity: Governor Rajkhowa

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa hoped that youth of the North Eastern region will imbibe the ideals of Srimanta Sankardeva, one of the greatest Saints of Medieval India for development and prosperity of the region and selfless service to the society and unattached devotion to God through ‘Dasya Bhakti’ as propounded by the Great Master.

He said this while delivering a special lecture on ‘Sankaradeva in the Koch Kingdom’ at the Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam on Sept 23. The lecture was organised by the Centre for Assamese Studies,  Tezpur University on the 567th birth Anniversary of reverent Saint of Undivided Assam, Srimanta Sankaradeva.

The Governor said that Srimanta Sankardeva played the role of a saviour of humanity, more particularly, in a region, known as Asama-Kamrupa-Kamata of the 15th and the 16th centuries, which comprised all the North Eastern States/provinces and Gaur-desa, which included the undivided Bengal and parts of Bihar.

The Governor, who has authored two well acclaimed books, one on Koch Generalissimo Chilarai and the other on Saint Sankaradeva, said that Sankaradeva immensely contributed towards composite Assamese literature. Sankardeva’s times are regarded as the ‘Golden Age’ of Assamese Literature, also popularly called ‘Sankari Renaissance’, in the same light the ‘European Renaissance’, is described in history. Sankardeva produced a huge quantity of vernacular literature in Assamese, Prakit and Brajavali, and translated many Sanskrit scriptures into Assamese for the benefit of the common man.

The Governor, while highlighting the literary expertise of the Saint said that as a playwright, he wrote ‘Cihna-yatra’ depicting the seven ‘Vaikunthas’ in 1468 AD. Sankardeva staged it through paintings, music and illumination to the delight of thousands of spectators. This work makes Sankardeva a ‘modern day’ pioneer playwright of the world, which in fact preceded Shakespeare by more than a century. This fact is rarely known to most people in India, not to mention the outside world.

Later the Governor, accompanied by First Lady of the State Rita Rajkhowa visited the Centre for Assamese Studies, Tezpur University, which started in 2011. He exhorted the officials to carry out researches on Assamese Literature and Culture and document all findings. He also requested the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the University to take steps for learning of tribal languages of the North East.

The Governor and the First Lady interacted with students from Arunachal Pradesh who are pursuing various post graduation courses in the University and expressed happiness at their achieving good successes in spite of many odds. They advised the students to work hard and excel in performance in respective field.

 

 

Arunachal gets Smart Governance Award for APCMUHIS

NEW DELHI, Sept 24: In a rare distinction for Arunachal Pradesh Government, one of its flagship programme, the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme (APCMUHIS) has been rated among the top health projects in India and awarded with Skoch Award for Smart Governance 2015 in New Delhi. The award was received by Health Minister Rajesh Tacho during the 41st Skoch Summit held at India Habitat Centre here.

Earlier during the event, the scheme was given Skoch Order-of-Merit Award for being among the top 12 Health projects in India which was received by health officials.

Skoch Smart Governance award is an initiative recognizing top performing government organizations and organizations working with the governments operating at local, state and national level in the areas of health education, rural development/PR, UD, Finance and Security. It is a step towards recognizing the best practices and models of governance for excellent and efficient implementations and programs and services delivery. The selection for the award is based on rigorous examinations of nominations by eminent panel of jurist consisting of expertise in various fields, presentations and voting by consisting of top government officials of the country.

Receiving the health officials after the award at Arunachal Bhavan New Delhi, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki lauded the Health Department for their effort and asked the officials to continue rendering their relentless services for needy people of the state. He also expressed gratitude to New India Assurance Co. Ltd. and Dedicated Healthcare Services (TPA) Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai in making this scheme successful. He directed them to ensure enrollment of left out families and improve on their services for the benefit of the people (OSD, IPR).  

 

 

Nature Interpretation Centre in West Kameng

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: A Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC) was inaugurated by Dr. Shashi Kumar, PCCF and Principal Secretary (Environment and Forests) at Ramalingam, West Kameng on Wednesday.

The Interpretation Centre has all the information related to the importance of forests and wildlife, tribal and their age-old relation with the forests and wildlife, forest types of West Kameng and important tree species present in the form of animated posters and photographs.

A section each of the NIC is entirely dedicated to Black Necked Crane and Red Panda respectively. Black necked crane is a migratory bird which visits Zimithang in Tawang and Sangti Valley at Dirang every winter from China. The only wintering sites of this bird in India are Arunachal Pradesh and Laddakh.

The call of black necked crane is also available in the NIC.  Red Panda is also found at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandala and Naga GG in West Kameng and Zimithang in Tawang district. Information about these two are not commonly available in Arunachal and greatly needed especially by the researchers, therefore the NIC will now cater to this need. Another section of the NIC has a timber museum attached to it. The museum has wood samples of all the major timber species found in West Kameng with detail information about them.

The main highlight of the NIC is the Interactive Bird Poster wherein pictures of fifty rare and endangered birds of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary and their calls have been displayed.  One can listen to a particular bird with a press of switch. A life size poster of an adult Ostrich with a scale mounted on it with ostrich height at different stages marked is another attraction especially for children.

The inaugural ceremony was also attended by members of Bugun Welfare Society with its president Indi Glow and other PRI members of Singchung and Dahung, Tasso Sira, DFO Bomdila, newly joined IFS officers Bharat Singh Hada and Abdul Qayum both from 2013 batch, DFO Millo Tasser, IFS and the entire staff of Shergaon Forest Division.

 

 

HC disposes PIL

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: The Gauhati High Court recently disposed of the PIL filed by one Khya Changrang questioning the change in the original Detail Project Report (DPR) for construction of 20.06 km long PMGSY road from 64 km point of Seppa-Chayang Tajo road.

According to PIL, the take off point of the road was altered from 64 km point to 54 km point thereby reducing the length of the road by 11 km.  It was further alleged that the poor quality material has been used for road construction.

On the basis of allegation, the counsel of the petitioner submitted that the entire work has been carried out in a manner adverse to public interest and the authorities have turned a deaf ear to such complaints made by the public as regards to irregularities in the construction of the road.

While hearing the submission made by the counsels of both petitioner and respondents no 1-7 (state Govt) and 8 on the PIL No 69 of 2015, the HC in its judgment and order said that alteration of the take off point of the road  is a matter which falls within the exclusive domain of the authorities. It is for the departmental authorities to decide as to the length and coverage of the road. The court further said that the decision to alter the take off point has been taken on the basis of public representation whereby an additional stretch of road connecting two other villages has been included in the package.

Regarding allegation of poor road quality work, the court said “the petitioner has failed to substantiate the allegation. Since there is a three-tier quality control mechanism in place, it will be difficult to presume that such mechanism would be totally defunct in a project of this nature. However, if the petitioner or any member of the public is genuinely aggrieved by the quality of work then there would be nothing stopping him from drawing the attention of the competent authority to such lapses. The petitioner had admittedly not made such complaint before the authorities before approaching the court.”

“There is no merit in this PIL and as such this court is not inclined to entertain the same. Accordingly the PIL stands closed,” the court judgment read.

 

 

SHEC approves major project proposals

ITANAGAR, Sept 24:  The 2nd meeting of State Higher Education Council (SHEC) was held today in the conference hall of Directorate of Higher and Technical Education (DH&TE).

Dr. Tejum Padu, Director Higher & Technical Education cum Member Secretary (SHEC) in his address highlighted the developmental steps taken up through implementation of RUSA in the state. He informed that during 2014-15 PAB, RUSA has approved for upgradation of DNGC, Itanagar and JNC Pasighat as Model Degree Colleges and establishment of State Engineering College at Toru along with Infrastructure Development grant to Donyi Polo Govt. College, Kamki and Govt. College Bomdila.

Secretary, Education, Marnya Ete emphasized that while submitting DPRs to central govt. land possession or acquisition must be done before hand so that the incidental and developmental costs may be reflected in the DPR itself. He also urged department to submit necessary UCs for timely release of subsequent installments, so that the developmental works should not get hampered.

While discussing the various issues, the council approved inclusion of new project proposals for establishment of Engineering College at Siang district, establishment of Model Degree Colleges in Dibang Valley and Siang districts for placing them in the next PAB Meeting of RUSA at New Delhi. It was further opined that Engineering Wing of Education Department be entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out different works of the RUSA activities.

The council decided to request HRD ministry to release the funds of RUSA at par with other centrally sponsored flagship programmes, so that the developmental works may be expedited at the earliest.

Education Minister Tapang Taloh in his address stressed upon the need of skill development, proper exposure of students through job trainings and introduction of innovative practices in the education system. He further called upon the Department to conduct counseling sessions for students, faculties and staff to inculcate the sense of belongingness and to imbibe professionalism in letter and spirit. While sharing his views he quoted Swami Vivekananda that “If poor does not reach to education, Education must reach to him” and appreciated the efforts put in by the department.

 

 

DC reviews power scenario

PASIGHAT, Sep 24: A meeting was convened by the Deputy Commissioner Isha Khosla yesterday to discuss the current power scenario in Pasighat and its adjoining areas as well as the latest status of the ongoing construction works of 132 KV tower line from Aalo to Pasighat, low voltage and fluctuation and renovation/restoration works of hydel projects. The meeting was attended by the SE Power Transmission Rokom Bado, EE Transmission, EE Power, AE Hydel, EE Highway and administrative officers.

SE Bado said that incessant rain is causing problem in smooth progress even as the department is putting its best efforts to complete the works as per scheduled time period.

According to him, construction of 132 KV tower line from Aalo to Pasighat is being carried out. Rumgong division is to complete 23 towers and Aalo has to complete seven towers but incessant rain is causing problems.

EE Power informed that transformers are being installed and necessary wirings are being done. After installation of transformers, low voltage/fluctuations and power cuts will be minimized. He urged the BSNL authority to improve the mobile service in between Rina and Pasighat to improve power distribution system.

AE Hydel informed that only Unit-1 of Rina hydel is running on good conditions and generating properly. An estimate for maintenance of Rina Unit-2 has been sent to the government for approval.  

Chairing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the works departments to ensure quality of works besides following the guidelines and time line by the contractors. DIPRO

 

 

Parliamentary Secretary inspects on-going projects

KHONSA, Sept 24: Parliamentary Secretary for Supply and Transports, DoTCL and Khonsa West MLA Tirong Aboh on Wednesday visited Dadam circle headquarters and inspected the 50-bedded girls’ hostel building under MSDP, Secondary School building besides proposed Dadam-Moktowa road under RIDP, infrastructure at CRPF camp, hospital building and surveyed the proposed land for construction of residential and non-residential buildings to accommodate various government departments.

Aboh was accompanied by Dadam CO and various HoDs, village chiefs, GBs and PRI members.

While assuring all possible help and assistance from his end, the Parliamentary Secretary further urged the implementing agencies not to compromise with the quality of work and to adhere strictly to the guidelines and technical specifications at any cost.

Later, interacting with the villagers, Aboh asked them to cooperate with the government departments for smooth and timely completion of the on-going projects. He said that without the willing cooperation of the people nothing worth-while could be achieved in any field. Aboh also appealed to the youth in particular to take up schemes under agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry, NERCORMP and other departments to not only augment their economic status but to also sustain their livelihood. He further told them not to depend on government jobs only as jobs were difficult to come by and the state government had only limited job vacancies to cater to the needs of the huge demands. (DIPRO)   

 

 

Mental health training

ITANAGAR, Sept 24: A one-day training program on mental health was conducted for Nurses, paramedical workers, ambulance staffs and pharmacists of Papum Pare district and State hospital, Naharlagun, at the conference hall of Directorate of health services today.

The resource persons were senior Psychiatrists of  Arunachal State Hospital Dr Haniya Payee and Dr N Ete.

Speaking to the participants Dr.Haniya Payee outlined the importance of CHC/PHC/SC level health staffs that are the first contact with the rural population where mental health services are needed most. Identification, recording and referrals are important aspects of bringing mental health services to the needy rural population, he said while dealing in length on various ways of emergency management of psychiatric patients and epilepsy.

Dr  Ete discussed on various types of mental illnesses, mental retardation and identifying their signs and symptoms.

 

 

Special awareness campaign on ‘Mother & Child Health and Mission Indradhanush’ held

TEZU, Sept  24: Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP), Tezu and Nampong units jointly organized rallies-cum-special awareness programmes on Mother & Child Health and Mission Indradhanush at Jeko and Hatiduba villages of Lohit district on  Sept 21 and 23 respectively. The aim of the campaign was to sensitize the rural masses about maternal health, immunization, RMNCH+A, newborn health, HIV-AIDS, child health, adolescent health, family planning etc.

Speaking as resource person Dr. W. Anand Singh, SMO (SG), PHC Sunpura said that the Folic Acid tablet is the life line for every pregnant woman and they should take this tablet from the first month of pregnancy. He urged the ground level health workers to apprise the pregnant women about essential health related issues during pregnancy such as blood testing, TT and Hepatitis-B vaccines apart from immunization of their children against Polio etc. Dr. Singh also emphasized  on the need for  maintaining family planning properly.

Bikaso Tega, ZPM Sunpura, S K Deori, FPO Nampong and Mihir Kumar Jha, FPO Tezu also spoke on the occasion. A large number of women, panchayat leaders, GBs, teachers, health workers took part in the rallies cum awareness programmes.

Apart from rallies, group discussions, photo exhibitions, film shows, free medical check-up  and  quiz competitions were also organized during the programme and winners  of the competitive programme were  awarded.

 

 

Keh-Meh-Haa celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety

ROING, Sept 24: Keh-Meh-Haa, the harvest festival of the Idu Mishmis was celebrated with traditional fervour at Lower Dibang Valley district today.

Greeting people on the occasion at Abango, Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development, Chowna Mein said that the Idu Mishmis have a very rich cultural heritage. ‘The spiritual healing of Igu Priest is very powerful and is known all over the world. Research has to be done on it and it needs to be documented’, he said.  

He further said that along with the economic development, the state is also going through cultural development. ‘There is revolution among the younger generations to promote their culture and traditions. The fusion of traditional folk songs and dances with the modern style by today’s youth is quite praiseworthy’, he said.  

While exhorting the people to take up horticultural activities, Mein said that there is growing competition in orange, rubber, tea, large cardamom, apple and kiwi cultivation etc, from Tawang, Bomdila in the West to Kanubari in the East. He also said that there is large scope for growing tea, rubber and large cardamom in Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley district. He further informed that a botanical team from Thailand will come to Arunachal to do research work on wild flowers like rhododendron and indigenous ginger varieties. Recently an agreement was also made with the International Rice Research Institute at Manilla (Philippines) for interchange of rice varieties, system of farming and sending of state agriculture officer for training there, he added.   

Namsai MLA-cum-Chairman Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo Resources Development Agency, Chau Zingnu Namchoom, in his address called upon the youths to abstain from drugs while, local MLA-cum-Parliamentary Secretary for Horticulture, Mutchu Mithi called upon the parents and school management committees to give priority to the education sector.

Both  the dignitaries also gave away prizes and certificates of various games and sports events organized on the occasion.

Later, Mein along with APBRDA Chairman also attended the festival celebrations at Kangkong village in Dambuk.

Among others, Rajya Sabha Member Mukut Mithi, ZPC Sipi Elapra Linggi,  General Secretary M K Deori, ADC H Hailyang, DSP Honifa Yangfo attended the festivities.

The festival was also celebrated at Anini in Dibang Valley district.

Addressing a huge gathering, EE (Electrical) Hage Gumto stressed the need to preserve the cultural identity and uniqueness of traditional attire of Idu (Mishmi). DC Tamune Miso also greeted the people on the occasion. He said that festivals give people the opportunity to showcase their rich culture and tradition and urged all to preserve their local dialect.  (DIPROs)

 

 

Locals, vendors clean up fish & meat market

Correspondent

PASIGHAT, Sept 24:  As part of the ongoing phase-wise Swachch Bharat Abhiyan being conducted by the Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) Ward No-12 councillor Kangge Moyong, the local residents and vendors conducted a cleanliness drive in the fish and meat market here today.

Councillor Kangge Moyong, who supervised the drive, said that similar cleanliness drives would also be taken up in other areas of the township. He appealed to the local people to join hands with their mission and keep their town clean and green.  Stating that PMC has taken steps for restraining growth of illegal/black market of fish and meat in the area, Moyong requested all customers to come to the regulated marker and help the authority prevent revenue leakage. Referring to administration’s order to keep the market clean and tidy, Moyong further warned of legal action against those not complying with the order.

 

 

Power of Hope

Jambey Khochy

Recently, there was a news item in the local dailies of the state titled “Felix keeps Arunachal in high esteem” where the Government spokesperson Bamang Felix had apparently highlighted the strength and potentials of Arunachal Pradesh during a programme at Guwahati.  

He had said “Our forest cover is one of the highest in the country at 82% and efforts are on to take it to 90%. With rich flora and fauna – Arunachal is also known as Orchid State of India. The state is also rich in mines and minerals such as Dolomite, Graphite, Coal, Quartzite, Limestone, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Yello Ochre, Marble, etc. We are called the future Power House of India with 60,000 MW of Hydro Power potential. Tourism is another sector nature has bestowed on us in abundance. This potential has been recognized by Lonely Planet declaring it as the 4th best region in the world to travel”.

On a serious note, it is indeed very true that despite inhospitable terrains, harsh climatic conditions and geographical bottlenecks, our state does genuinely have great potentials and strength in various fields as claimed by our Government Spokesperson.

Need of the hour is to first identify these strengths and then work out a master plan to harness the potentials to transform lives of the common denizens.  It is a happy note that out of various Hydro Power Projects allotted to Public sector undertakings and private players in the state, two projects i.e. the Kameng HEP - 600 MW and Pare HEP – 100 MW both executed by NEEPCO are at the verge of completion and is expected to be commissioned by next year. These projects after commissioning would cater to the much power needs of the State which is at present fulfilling its power requirements through power procurement from outside the state. This development can also help in luring investors for setting up industries which ultimately depends on power.

Apart from going for big projects, which of course is required to improve the economic condition of the state and address the power demands of the country, there has been series of cry for small hydel projects in streams which are in abundance in Arunachal Pradesh. Small hydels built long back demands immediate renovations and places where there aren’t any, needs to be equipped with this low cost but effective power generation plant.

State Government in its recently concluded State Development Council meeting has come up with a long term plan to mitigate this issue. In its approved list of projects under APEDA, the Government has decided to develop mini and micro HEP for which a whopping Rs. 30 Cr has been earmarked. For renovation and upgradation of assets like hydel station at various locations, Rs 5.5 cr will be used while Rs. 5.00 Cr and Rs. 10 cr have been earmarked for hydel generation and Hydel improvements respectively.  This is a welcome initiative from the state government which is indeed going to illuminate many houses in far flung interior villages and towns thereby bringing smiles to many.

Another important source of power generation is harnessing the non-conventional energy like solar power. Solar energy is the most readily available source of energy. It does not belong to anybody and is, therefore, free. It is also the most important of the non-conventional sources of energy because it is non-polluting and, therefore, helps in lessening the greenhouse effect.  Another important aspect of this energy is that it has the potential of stabilising our economy which is at present.

Astonishingly, India receives solar energy equivalent to over 5000 trillion kWh/year, which is far more than the total energy consumption of the country. If intelligently tapped, this energy is sure to facelift the entire economy of the country which is presently based on the oil imported from the foreign countries.

In some remote locations, electricity is not available unless large utilities are installed. Using solar energy can solve this problem because it is available everywhere, this way people living in remote places can still have electricity.

It is a welcome step that the State government is realising this prospects and have therefore decided to conduct feasibility study of using solar rechargeable batteries for schools to run computers and other related equipments and blood banks in the hospitals.  It has also approved to work on solar and wind energy generation in villages with five or less households where there is no grid line. Installation of Solar Panel systems in all the Govt buildings including the upcoming Secretariat building at Itanagar and all the mini secretariat buildings in the district HQs is one another important step by the government to negotiate the huge recurring expenditure in electricity.

If everything goes as per the plan, no village or town in Arunachal Pradesh would be in dark. The onus is therefore on the implementing agencies and the technocrats to ensure that the plans and policies of the state government are actually put in place to illuminate not only their homes but also ignite their hopes.

Let the hope transform into reality and the power be showered to all denizens.

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Punish the wrongdoer

Justice Vishnu Sahay inquiry commission enquiring into the Muzaffarnagar riot has reportedly blamed both ruling SP and BJP for violence. The report submitted to UP Governor Ram Naik has also indicted senior police and administrative officers for not taking timely action which led to the flaring up of violence. Muzaffarnagar riot which took place in the year 2013 prior to Lokh Sabha election led to the death of 60 persons. Dozens of houses and shops were gutted in the arson that continued for days. Thousands of people were also displaced and many still continues to live in the camps.

The commission should be lauded for having courage to directly name those political parties who were involved in the violence. Even when riot was taking place, the cameras caught many BJP and SP leaders making provocative statements. It was commonly assumed that riot was deliberately orchestrated by BJP and SP for political gain. At that time general election was nearing and therefore they tried to take maximum mileage out of it. Infact many believes that BJP made huge gain in Lokh Sabha election due to polarization of votes after Muzaffarnagar riot. The commission has sincerely done their job. Now it is turn of the UP government to ensure that all the person who has been named in the report get punished for their heinous crime. The political parties should stop diving people on caste and communal line for political benefits. For their short-term gain, they are severely damaging the social fabric of the nation.

 

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Encourage and  revive languages

Dear Editor,

There has been rising criticism against the Central Government for its whole hearted support for the Hindi international literary conference. However, to my mind an important point that has  to be discussed is not promoting  anti-Hindi sentiments or facilitate a  Hindi phobia; but, to stress that all languages in a multi-language and multi-ethnic nation like India is important not just Hindi.

 As a language Hindi and Urdu, evolving from the iconic Hindusthani during the British Raj are national treasures and should be protected with all strength and support.  

 Instead the Central Government should be applauded for strengthening the framework and roots of Hindi languages and making it internationally relevant by organizing the Hindi international literary conference because that is also connected with India’s long term global aspirations.

However, they should also encourage the revival and support of all the regional languages such as Assamese, Bengali, Oriya and others included in the 22nd schedule. The state governments should come forward to similarly organize their regional language literary workshops to strengthen the roots of the culture among our future generations. Particularly for the North East with several regional spoken languages in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and many others still not included in the 22nd schedule should be strongly advocated by their native speakers.

Yours,

Saikat Kumar Basu 

Lethbridge AB Canada

 

SC Verdict : Not judgement but solution

Dear Editor,

Recently the  Supreme Court of India has directed the Government of India  and Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh to grant Citizenship to the Chakmas and Hajongs within three months who had migrated from East Pakistan in between 1964 and 1969.

The apex court also said that these communities do not require Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the State. Since then there is fear, anger and confusion among the Student Unions, Civil Societies, Political actors and general public.

However, as per the Citizenship Act of 1955, the above mentioned commu-nities fulfil the criteria for Citizenship.

But, if the apex court and govt’s go on fulfilling their demands, soon a day will come when they will demands for Schedule Tribe (ST) status and equal rights as given to the indigenous people of the State.  Already we are in minority with around seven lakhs indigenous population and if such trend continues the very existence of the indigenous population will be nowhere. Since mid 1990s, the apex court has been giving verdict in favour of the refugees. But, questions are: Why the apex court is not taking the rights and sentiments of indigenous people into account? What about the legal protection given under the provisions of the Inner Line Regulation 1873? Why the judgement of apex court is always one-sided? Why govt of India and Govt. of AP has repeatedly failed to find out a concrete solution? Are there any hidden political-cultural motives behind such attitude of both the governments? Thus, there are many questions which can be asked to the apex court and government. But most important thing what people need is a solution.

Therefore, the govt should find out an amicable solution acceptable to all stake holders at the earliest. The need of hour is an amicable solution but not judgement.

Yours,

Panjang Aboh

Rajiv Gandhi University

 

SC judgment : Many questions unanswered

Dear Editor,

With the order of the Supreme Court to finalize the conferment of citizenship rights on eligible Chakmas and Hajongs with a deadline period of three months, the process of reconciliation has to be started afresh between the Chakmas-Hajongs and the people of Arunachal for a peaceful future. The reconciliation process, however, will be marred by various issues including identification of genuine applicants, Scheduled Tribes status, and land ownership rights of Chakmas-Hajongs.  

For decades, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and AAPSU represented the sentiments of the indigenous people of Arunachal and legally fought the battle to repatriate the Chakmas and Hajongs from Arunachal. But now the government is duty bound to carry out the decision of the apex court of the country and accordingly forward applications of eligible Chakmas and Hajongs, whose population is above a lakh approximately, to Ministry of Home Affairs who is solely authorized to decide or grant citizenship to an applicant after the recommendations from the State government are received. The problem, however, will be the process of identifying the genuine applicants from the illegal Chakma-Hajong migrants which certainly isn’t an easy job given that the India-Bangladesh border remains porous and boundary cross-over from Assam into Arunachal is easy for a migrant.

As regard the issue of conferring Scheduled Tribe status to Chakma-Hajong in Arunachal Pradesh, the crux point that deserved attention was whether the criteria of “primitive traits” and “geographical isolation” besides three other criteria for granting of ST status have been met. It is a known fact that these refugees are non-indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh and are distinct in their socio-cultural traits from that of the STs of Arunachal. Shouldn’t their distinct history from that of the Arunachali STs be taken into account while considering their ST status in Arunachal?

What about Chakma-Hajongs’ right of ownership of land? The indigenous people of Arunachal argue that as per customary laws of most of the Arunachali tribes, land belongs either to the community or to an individual whose ownership is recognised by the community. Further, since the Chakmas-Hajongs came to Arunachal as refugees having no customary rights over land in Arunachal, they do not have any land ownership rights unless it was granted by the indigenous community; bought from an individual owner or permitted by the state in case of a forest land and that, therefore, land possessed by Chakmas and Hajongs today were given to them as only temporary holdings (common practice in Arunachal) or on lease. It is intriguing to know what must have been the thoughts of the central government and the apex court on this matter when the decision was taken to grant them citizenship.

The judgement effectively means that the distinct culture and tradition of the indigenous tribes of Arunachal, preserved by various laws, have to be now legally diluted with that of the Chakmas and the Hajongs which is ironical since tribal people of Arunachal came into contact with Chakmas-Hajongs only in the 60s. The Special Protected Area status that Arunachal enjoyed since British days and continued after 1947 seems to be been only an interim arrangement.

The judgment seems to be left many questions unanswered. The balance between the rights of the Chakmas and Hajongs and that of the indigenous people of Arunachal has to be now worked out by the state government along with the civil society. What remains to be seen is the extent of support that the central government extends to Arunachal in resolving the issue which essentially was its baby conceived out of its zest of forging friendship with a new Bangladesh born in 1971. Or was it a way of absolving the sins of the Bangladeshis who left the Chakmas-Hajongs as refugees in the first place? Question is what sin did Chakmas-Hajongs and the Arunachali commit to suffer this?

Yours,

Nimi Gong

 

 

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----Editor

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