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2013
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April  19

Cash reward stands

 

The cash reward of Rs 10 lakhs 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 at tele. numbers : 09436040006

 

 

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Free Medical camp at  Loke model village

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Bhavishya Bharat, a local area development agency, in close collaboration with District Hospital, Daporijo organized a free medical camp at Loke Model village under Nacho circle of Upper Subansiri district on April 15 and 16 last.

Dr Jei Mara, MD, Dr Tara Nayam, Child Specialist and Dr Debasish Bora, Medical Officer provided treatment with free medicines to 290 patients from the villages of Nacho Circle.

The health camp was supported by M/s Indus Hydro (India) Private Limited.

 

Anti Malaria awareness campaign held

ITANAGAR, Apr  18: An Anti-Malaria Free Medical Awareness Campaign was organized at Sippi and Kodak village in Upper Subansiri district on April 10 and 12 last by All Tagin Youth Organization (ATYO) in collaboration with district health society, Daporijo.

Inaugurating the programme at Sippi on April 10 last, Daporijo Sigen-1 ZPM Duma Yekar while using the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ called upon the participants to be safe.

 

ALSU demands cancellation of appointment

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Alleging that the department has violated the recruitment rules while appointing Joint Director, Agri and  Allied, Rural Department in Oct 2012 last, Arunachal Law Students Union (ALSU) today demanded immediate cancellation of appointment order of said post.

In a representation submitted to Chief Secretary the apex student’s organization claimed that two regular posts of joint director already exist in the department and appointment of joint director agri & allied rural department is meaningless.  No advertisement was made against the said post and questioned  the government over appointment since cabinet has recently banned creation of post and deputation, ALSU claimed.

 

Bio-Metric machine installed

CHANGLANG, Apr 18: To utilize the developing IT technology, the Changlang District Administration has installed Bio-Metric machine to regulate the daily attendance of all the 21 departments located within DC Office Complex.

The attendance will be linked with the salaries. The aim is to improve the work culture, regular attendance and efficiency in office works.

The CCTV is also installed in and around the DC’s office complex. This will check the movement of unwanted elements in this insurgency affected area.

Further, CCTV is also installed at Namdang check gate to monitor movement of persons, vehicles and natural and forest products in and from the district. The CCTV footage of the check gate would br regularly monitored by DC and SP office of the district. DIPRO

 

Puroik community seeks financial assistance

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: The Mega Gumkum- Gumpa Festival Celebration Committee (MGGFCC)-2013 has sought financial assistance from the state government to meet various economic developmental activities for the Puroik community.

In a memorandum submitted to the chief minister, reminding that Puroik Area Development Agency (PADA) was constituted in which a chairman from the Puroik Community was also appointed along with a project director to monitor various schemes and developmental activities of Puroik area, it asked for allocating Rs 3 crore from CM’s corpus fund for assistance in the education sector for Puroik children, for the medical expenditure and other social upliftment activities.

We have no separate representative of ZPM’s or MLA’s who will take care of the various problems which we have been going through, it reasoned.

Also requesting allocation of Rs. 5 crore for construction for a multi-cultural stadium for the community at Puroik Colony, Papu Nalah, near Naharlagun, it said, as it is very important to every tribe of the state to preserve and cultivate their traditional culture heritage and we being a separate entity need to preserve our cultural heritage.

 

NCP for secular and democratic municipal board

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Arunachal Pradesh unit president Kahfa Bengia made a fervent appeal, especially to the ruling Congress to consider giving sufficient tickets to members of all ethnic background in the ensuing Municipality election in Itanagar and Pasighat.

While appealing for maximum participation by the intellectuals of the entire tribes, region and religion, the NCP president said that unless the municipality body is made secular and democratic, especially in multiethnic society like Arunachal, the dream of vibrant municipality body free from crime and corruption will be a distant dream.

Bengia advocated for proportionate representation wherein the voices of all shades can be accommodated.

Making the approach and vision of NCP clear, Bengia stated that his Party would give clear preference to the unrepresented tribes and castes while allotting tickets to various wards of the municipality election. Bengia further appealed to all interested citizens to come forward fearlessly and voluntarily to make the maiden municipality election a grand success.

 

Rebia inaugurates Charb-si village

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: Parliamentary Secretary, Planning and Development Nabam Rebia inaugurated Charb-si village in presence of Papum Pare District Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu on April 13 last.

On the occasion Rebia contributed some fund for construction of ring well in the village.

Earlier, the Village Welfare Committee in a memorandum appealed Rebia to look into the problems of the newly created village like electrification, drinking water supply, village link road, Anganwadi Centre, primary school, health sub centre and appointment of GBs.

 

Govt staff mourns death  of LDC

PASIGHAT, Apr 18: The officers and officials of DC’s office here today deeply mourned the premature demise of Potol Pertin (Dai).

Potol (43), who was serving as LDC in DC’s office, Pasighat, died in a tragic road accident at Dhemaji, Assam yesterday.

She is survived by her husband Osup Dai, UDC and a son.

In a condolence meeting today, the officers and staff of the DC’s office led by Deputy Commissioner R K Mishra prayed to Almighty to rest her soul in eternal peace and give strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss.

 “In her death, we have lost one of our energetic, sincere and dedicated colleagues,” the DC stated in his condolence message to the bereaved family. DIPRO

 

RBI team to attend  awareness workshop on rubber

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: As hinted by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki about a tie-up with the Rubber Board of India (RBI) for replicating the success stories of Kerala and Tripura, RBI chairperson Sheela Thomas leading an eight-member team is arriving here on April 20 at the invitation of the former.

After the recent study tour of agro gramin united chairman Likha Maj to Kottyam as the CM’s emissary, Thomas consented to arrive here on a two-day trip to attend the maiden day-long awareness workshop on rubber at SIRD conference on April 21, which will be inaugurated by the CM.

The workshop is being organized by trade and commerce (state’s nodal department for implementing tea and rubber) in collaboration with the agun, a voluntary organization, which is engaged in agri-horticulture movement in the state since a decade.

Prominent rubber growers from all over the state are expected to attend the workshop, which will be followed by a visit of the dignitaries to Maj rubber garden and plantation at Tarajuli.

 

 

 

Correction

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: The name of the severely injured person in yesterday’s Dhemaji car accident should be read as Opung Dai instead of Opum Dai.

Further, the report wrongly mentioned Opung Dai as wife of Uku Dai. The inadvertent error is regretted.

 

 

 

 

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278 days have passed. The culprits involved in the July 15 attack on The Arunachal Times associate editor Tongam Rina are still at large. 

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News Impact

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Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector - E, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh - 791111, India

All rights reserved.

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Need to save wild life

Dear Editor,

This is in response to the letters published today on your daily regarding killing of King Cobra in state capital. It is sad to know that such a precious and beautiful creature like King Cobra was killed, that too when they were mating. I would like to mention here that King Cobra is near extinction and is listed in Schedule II of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, and killing it is a non-bailable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act (WLP- section 09- Prohibition of Hunting). The punishments may vary from a three year imprisonment to a fine, or both as per the placement of the species under the schedules. But killing any wild animal in good faith (endangering life and property) is not considered an offence. However, its not just snakes, Arunachalees are known to kill almost every wildlife whenever and wherever they get an opportunity. This particular case of a king cobra surviving human slaughter and taking refuge somewhere nearby brings out some interesting situation. Just like Mr. P.C.Sharma, I believe there must be still more people who wish to see the snake rescued from the killer crowd. But then, the question arises:

1. Whom to call or contact in such cases?

2. If somehow somebody manages to call forest officials, and they respond by reaching on the spot, are they well trained and or well equipped to make a successful rescue?

3. If somehow the animal in distress is rescued, is it necessary that they will have to end up in zoos for the rest of their life?

So it is important that:

1. A well trained and well quipped Mobile Wildlife Rescue Team is constituted in every Range with an active participation of local people.

2. The contact numbers of the team is made easily available through local news papers (or any other means).

3. Separate Rescue and Rehabilitation Centers be made operational.

4. The rescued animals, if its health improves, are released far away from human habitation in its natural habitat, rather than letting them rot in zoos for ever.

5. And the most important one, rewarding the person(s) who helped in rescue, may be by publishing their name/picture in local daily.

May dear Arunachalees have compassion for poor wild creatures, as just like every human, wild creature too have every right to survive on this beautiful planet.

Yours

Tai Dora

Changlang

 

 

Clarification

Dear Editor,

Through your esteemed daily, it is has been informed that one school located in an interior village of East Kameng district, inhabited by the Puroik tribe, opens only thrice in a year. It is a discouraging news for me, I being the DDSE cum District Project Officer of the district.

In relation to the news item, this is to inform you that all the schools located in Puroik inhabited villages of my district have been provided with sufficient teachers to run the schools as per the strength of students. As on record, the Residential School Sangchu, I.V schools Rawa, Poube and Jatum Sulung, Primary schools Tamak Solung, Yakli, Byale Solung, Sario- Saria, Rojo Kojo and Tengri Solung have been running as per the academic calendar provided by the education department.

Moreover, it is to inform you I haven't received any such reports/complaints from  any SMC/VEC , Field functionaries like BRCC, CRCC and Administrative Officers  of the Block regarding this episode till date.

Further, it is to inform you that the SSA district Mission Authority has initiated stern action against non- performing teachers of the district by issuing Show Cause Notices, Holding up of pay, no work-no pay and even terminated many erring teachers from the service since inception of the SSA programme.

Hence, in the instant case, the SSA District Mission Authority is committed to initiate stern action against the defaulter teachers of the said school if,  the reports are found to be true on enquiry.   

Yours

Kata Rangmo

DDSE cum DPO

East Kameng district, Seppa

 

 

 

Just a small correction is needed

Dear Editor,

Through the column of your esteemed daily, would like to respond to article titled “Refrain from publishing wrong information” published today in the readers forum column. As a citizen of Arunachal Pradesh I tried to express my concern and appealed for correction of the incomplete information published in your daily regarding The Sangken festivals article written by Nimina Namchoom and news item of festival greeting,published on 14th April, 2013.

She has termed my appeal as baseless allegation and in other words she accepted the mistake as well, by writing “Never in my article was it mentioned that the festival is celebrated by the Khampti tribe only” I appreciate her acceptance. But, further she claims that she did not use the word “ONLY” but her sentence “The Sangken festival is celebrated by the people of the Khampti tribe” itself describe what she really wrote. Instead of correcting it why she is giving excuse by saying “writing articles/news for papers, we adhere to word limit and so all detailed information cannot be included.” I think putting one more word “OTHERS” will not cross your word limit as you have already written 602 words long article.

 Since yesterday calls are pouring in from many of my fellow citizen appreciating my appeal, how can you term my appeal as baseless. Media is the medium through which outside  world come to know what “The Sangken Festivals” is and who celebrate it. I appreciate your effort, but at the same time making a small correction will enact you much better.

Therefore, it is my utmost request and humble appeal to learned Nimina Namchoom and media fraternity to re-correct the same. Last but not the least being a citizen of Arunachal Pradesh I felt it was my duty to appeal which I did.

Yours,

DK Singpho,

Naharlagun

 

 

 

A noble gesture which need appreciation

Dear Editor,

Through  your esteemed daily I on behalf of Arunachalee Masters of Tourism Management students’ of Martin Luther  Christian University, Shillong  would like to appreciate Chief Minister Nabam Tuki for his noble and ambitious deeds in tourism sector by giving subsidized car to unemployed youths of state. CM flagged off 20 subsidized taxi cabs on pilot basis to the youths of Arunachal Pradesh last Sunday. We appreciate the implementation of Chief Minister’s Paryatan  Vikash Yojana (PVY) scheme and also welcome the announcement made by CM Tuki for hiking fund of the scheme from present Rs 3 crore up to Rs 5 crore in next fiscal year. As we know the tourism is the revenue generator and service provider and fastest growing industry in the globe, such acts of encouragement will give more benefit to the unemployed youths of the state. It is really worth appreciating and CM Tuki deserve praises for such ambitious vision to promote tourism in the Nature’s blessed land. Such kinds of deeds are like Mom caring and feeding milk to her beloved infant for proper growth and development. Yes, tourism in Arunachal is in infant stage, it requires proper caring and feeding so that it becomes a tourist hotspot and world class tourism destination.

Lastly as a responsible  tourism management students’ we are proud and grateful to CM for implementing this project for promotiion of tourism industry  in the state. God loved the people of Arunachal Pradesh and therefore blessed huge tourism potential for livelihood. Caring and Feeding is duty of Government But rearing and development is for People to take care”

Yours,

Tami Mize (Final year student)

Masters in Tourism Administration

Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong

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Land degradation

Severe land degradation is now affecting 168 countries across the world, according to new research released by the UN Desertification Convention (UNCCD).

The figure, based on submissions from countries to the UN, is a marked increase on the last analysis in the mid-1990s, which estimated 110 states were at risk.

In an economic analysis published last week the Convention also warns land degradation is now costing US$490 billion per year and wiping out an area three times the size of Switzerland on an annual basis.

This week experts from around the world are gathering in Bonn to assess how best to encourage governments and regional leaders to conserve water and protect their farmlands.

The causes of land degradation are varied, but are widely attributed to drought, climate change, intensive farming practices and poor water management.

Desertification is low on many countries' radar - illustrated by Canada's recent withdrawal from the UNCCD - but its links to climate change and food security are starting to resonate with governments and business, particularly given fears over the world's ability to feed a soaring population.

Bamboonomics in our state - Poor Man’s Timber or Green Gold?

Koj Rinya

Bamboo, the mystical plant is considered as a symbol of strength, flexibility, elegance and compromise. Throughout Asia, bamboo has for centuries been integral to religious ceremonies, art, music and daily life. It is the paper, the brush and the inspiration of poems and paintings.  In the north east India too, the recorded history finds mention about the various uses of bamboo and cane as early as 7th century AD during the days of King Bhaskara Varmin in Assam. Like in other parts of the north east, for people of Arunachal Pradesh the green gold is a proud heritage and it has been an indispensable and quintessential part of our tribal culture and lifestyle since time immemorial.

Starting from edible bamboo shoots consumed in a wide range of tribal culinary to structures like bamboo houses, fencing, suspension bridges, stiles, variety of storage and carry baskets, haversacks, food plates, bows and arrows, mats, to accessories like headgears, ornaments and necklaces, the traditional bamboo uses are innumerable and in itself a subject matter of study. The bamboos also hold deep religious significance amongst many tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The altars and effigies constructed for performance of religious rituals and ceremonies are made with items of split bamboos.

If we consider the bamboo resources of the country, more than sixty percent is concentrated in north east India and Arunachal Pradesh is known to harbour very high diversity of bamboo species in India. However, the resource rich state is yet to go a long way and have wider strides to make when it comes to bamboo technology and economics. We have strong bamboo and cane craft tradition and by using this local renewable resource and local skills to meet the local needs without degrading the environment, we are inculcating self-reliance which is definitely the way towards sustainable development. But the question that arises is whether the huge potential of bamboos in Arunachal Pradesh being realised in terms of economics?  In the coming years, can our state be one of the major players in the Bamboo market?

With technical, financial and policy support from the GoI through National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and National Mission on Bamboo Applications (NMBA) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, bamboo offers a huge opportunity in the state. Industries based on non-timber forest produce including bamboo are one of the thrust areas of the Industrial policy of Arunachal Pradesh, 2008. The Bamboo Policy of the state also envisions realizing the economic, social and environmental potential of the bamboo resource of the state. Bamboo development including plantation, management, and harvesting and value addition can generate huge employment, especially for the rural unemployed youths. Rao (1996) reports stated that one ton of bamboo in the craft sector can generate an average of 150 workdays. This means that two tons of bamboos are enough to employ one person for one year. This is a very positive factor for a village cooperative because one hectare of bamboo plantation can easily yield 20 tons per year, thus providing jobs for 10 people in the community. Moreover, the gaps in the socio – economic conditions created by the Supreme Court ban on green felling in certain parts of the state can sufficiently be filled by the advancement of the Bamboo sector in the State as it can serve as an alternate timber for the wood based industries, creating local employment and income for the community and the state. The wonder grass is also an ecological value packet, with its good carbon sequestering potential to mitigate global warming, its unique soil binding properties to prevent landslides and soil erosion and as a source of food to the endangered Red Pandas, Elephants and the ungulates.

The High Powered Committee constituted by the Supreme Court has already clarified that the production of Plywood/ Veneers by the units located inside the approved industrial estate are permitted to use Bamboo as raw material for the purpose of production of bamboo veneer/plywood. Further, under section 4.1 of Arunachal Pradesh (Control of felling & removal of trees from non forest land) Rules, 2001; there is no need of felling permission from the forest department for all species of Bamboo from the non forest area including plantations of such species.

The state has rich Bamboo resources & diversity accompanied by supportive government policies and acts. However, discernible progress can be achieved only with active people’s participation. It has to become a people’s movement through a viable institutional framework. While the traditional ethos of the people is to be preserved, development of entrepreneurial skills is a must to generate a bamboo based economy. Well coordinated implementation of action plans, good monitoring mechanism, knowledge and technology transfer & exchange backed by people’s cooperation & participation are the keys to realise the massive bamboo potential of the state.  (The author is Divisional Forest Officer, Aalo)

 

 

Capital administration continues fight against illegal encroachment

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: An eviction and traffic drive was carried out today in various parts of the capital complex. Leading the team, the young capital deputy commissioner Sanjay Goel himself joined the drive. He was accompanied by ADM Talo Potom, SP, jawans of PPPF and police personnel. Number of vegetable vendor shops illegally constructed along National Highway near 6 KM was demolished with JCB. Afterwards, the shops selling meat products illegally and in a very unhygienic condition without any trading licence on the national highway were also removed. Afterwards, many shops constructed near Hanuman Mandir at Ganga, Itanagar were demolished.

During the drive, at various places the construction material/ debris found dumped near national highway was removed. Similarly, merchandize found stocked by the building material suppliers like fiber water tanks, CGI sheets, etc., were removed. The vendors selling wood logs illegally on national highway were also removed.

In order to discipline the hap-hazard parking in the town, many Auto-rickshaws, Tata- sumo, Tata-mobiles, etc., parked illegally were challaned and warnings were given to all present not to repeat the same, otherwise heavy penalties will be levied subsequently. All such drives by the District Administration under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner are meant to prevent and discourage illegal encroachment, so that sufficient parking space is available in the city and vehicles can move freely without any obstruction. Such drives would also help in beautification of the city. Such drives would continue in future from time-to-time, the capital DC informed in a press statement.

 

 

Asiatic Black Bear cub rescued

AALO, Apr 18: An Asiatic black male bear cub, less than a month old, was rescued from Yomgam forest area along the Yomcha-Aalo road by Headmaster of Nomuk Secondary School Pokdey Yomgam recently.

After rearing the cub for a week he contacted DFO of the district Koj Rinya and expressed his willingness to hand over the cub to Forest department for better nurture and nourishment.

The DFO further conveyed the matter to the appropriate authority and Dr. Jahan Ahmed from Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre rushed to Aalo and the bear cub was handed over to the representative of Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre in presence of DFO at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer today. The good gesture and love for animal shown by Yomgam was appreciated by all who were present on the occasion. DIPRO

 

 

 

 

South Asian Cities summit held in New Delhi

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: The Cities Network Campaign, in partnership with the environment department, Government of NCT of Delhi, All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG), Water Resources Institute, India (WRI India) and UNESCO  has organized a two days South Asian Cities Summit 2013  in New Delhi on April 17 and 18.

Arunachal Pradesh Urban Development, Housing and Town Planning Minister Rajesh Tacho was one of the delegates who inaugurated the plenary session of the  two days summit on April 17.  Other delegates of the inaugural session included Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Environment Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Ranjit Chavan, Director  General, AIILSG, Dr. Jatin Modi, President, UCLG –ASPAC, Dr. Jyoti Parikh, Executive Director, IRADe, and Hansa Patel, Executive Advisor, AIILSG.

More than 250 participants from South Asian cities (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan etc)  and  from across the globe including international subject experts, policy makers, technology providers in alternative energy applications and funding or financial institutions/ investors working in the area of climate change took part in the  summit.  The delegates discussed the issues and the way forward and encouraged appropriate technology interventions and initiated dialogues, collaboration proposals to address sustainable urban development challenges faced by cities in India and South Asia.

 

 

APPDSU wants eviction drive at Doimukh

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: All Papum Pare District Students’ Union (APPDSU) has lodged complaint with Doimukh Circle Administration against encroachment of public premises at Doimukh and demanded to conduct eviction drive against the land encroachers.

APPDSU, in its complaint letter, said that some individuals and govt. servants have illegally occupied Govt. quarters of various departments and forest land at Doimukh. It claimed that some of the govt. servants, who have been posted in other circles of Papum Pare and other districts have not yet vacated the quarters which were allotted to them. There are also some govt. servants who have been posted in other districts but still in illegal occupation of the govt. quarters at Doimukh, the letter alleged.  It further alleged that some individuals and govt. servants have illegally constructed concrete boundary walls within the Govt. quarter premises with the ill intention to occupy the land of existing Govt. quarters.

It also claimed that many concrete buildings have been erected illegally dismantling the existing Govt. quarters with the ill intention to permanently occupy the land.

AAPDSU said that some government officers/staff of various departments are not attending office excusing that they have not been allotted quarters which has caused inconvenience to public in getting their official works done.

It further alleged that the negligent attitude of Range Division, Doimukh has encouraged many individuals to occupy forest land.

APPDSU demanded EAC, Doimukh to immediately acquire map of various departments established under Doimukh Circle for proper verification and to protect the public premises and also to immediately pass an eviction order against the encroachment done on public premises under Doimukh circle within seven days.

 

 

Why should poor suffer at the expense of rich?

Taba Ajum

On 28th March 2012, Finance Minister Chowna Mein presented a deficit budget of Rs 201.05 crore on the floor of state Assembly. At that time Tuki led government was quite new and everybody gave benefit of doubt believing that it takes to manage financial affair. However on 16th March 2013, a year after, Chowna Mein presented another Rs 290.81 crore deficit budget. Also for the second straight year, state government had to ban Govt transaction in the fag end of financial year owing to lack of cash in the state exchequer. The state witnessed financial crisis consecutively for two years.

The financial mismanagement is serious crime; however, in our state nobody seems to be worried about it. Apart from one or two press statements by opposition parties seeking resignation of sitting finance minister, majority has ignored the episode.

However seeking his resignation will not solve the problem. One needs to find out the root cause of problem and fix it. For the state like ours which is totally depended on central government for every pie, strong financial management is important. Excessive spending on needless schemes and projects is costing us dearly. To begin with appointment of 25 Parliamentary Secretary is useless. Nowhere in the county have we seen such huge number of Parliamentary Secretaries in single government. Most of these parliamentary sectaries have been given charge of atleast 3 varied departments. They get 3 cars each from the three departments. They are allowed to buy a car with budget limit of Rs 15 lakh by the state government. Most of the time they don’t follow laid down norms and buys car costing upto Rs 25 lakh, which costs state exchequer additional Rs 10 lakh. If all the 25 parliamentary sectaries buys car worth excess of prescribed Rs 15 lakh, it is going to hugely affect the state exchequer. Similarly a minister is allowed to buy a car upto range of Rs 18 lakh and for Chief Minister the limit is Rs 20 lakh. But hardly any ministers and parliamentary secretaries follows the guideline. Adding to it, state government had appointed many chairmen and vice-chairmen. Huge amount of money are spent on these gentlemen for purchasing new vehicles at the time of their appointment. Besides, many of them have been provided with personal security officer from state police. These PSO could have been used for protection of citizen if they were posted in various police stations. Innumerable number of parliamentary secretaries, chairmen and vice chairmen are burden on the state exchequer. Also many useless projects and schemes are sanctioned just because MLA or parliamentary secretaries wants it. There is no accountability for many of the projects and most of them remain on paper only. The politicians and their coterie group including senior government officials and wealthy businessmen are looting state without any liability.

There is no doubt politicians are to be blamed for financial mismanagement, but, officials of planning and finance department has also failed to a certain extent to contain the mismanagement. The deficit budget leads to increase in unemployment rate and decrease in social security spending. The government has to make additional borrowing which only increases the debt. In such situation it is the poor citizens who are worst affected. The government is forced to cut down spending on social security which directly affects poor and employment opportunities come down which badly affects youth. The gap between haves and haves not is increasing in the state due to the financial mismanagement. The question is why poor and downtrodden citizen should suffer at the expense of rich who are recklessly spending central funds for their personal benefit.

 

 

Tirap District all set for Panchayat elections

KHONSA, Apr 18: Preparations to hold the ensuing Panchayat elections in Tirap district began on a war-footing.

In this connection a meeting was held at DC’s conference hall here today in which ROs, AROs, administrative officers and Nodal officers attended.

Addressing the participants, ADC H. Matcha, who is the DPDO underscored the importance of the meeting and asked the participants to be well-versed with the intricacies of the election procedures for a flawless Panchayat elections slated to be held on May 16.

While speaking on the various facets of election procedures, Tirap Deputy Commissioner and DEO Dr Sachin Shinde said that it was mandatory for all government employees to carry out the duties entrusted to them with utmost sincerity adding that since most of the officers were experienced in conducting elections, the forth-coming elections would be smooth, he hoped. He asked the officers to leave no stone unturned to ensure a free and fair election. Tirap SP Vikramjit Singh also attended the all important meeting.

Security related issues, electoral roll updating, polling personnel appointment, movement plan, counting hall management and all other aspects vis-à-vis the Panchayat elections were discussed threadbare in the meeting. ROs expressed their problems and challenges. It may be mentioned here that there are 7 ZPM Anchal blocks and 56 ASMs in Tirap district. Two ZPM seats are reserved for women candidates.  All the polling booths in Tirap district are sensitive due to the presence of the two factions of NSCN. However, some hyper-sensitive polling booths have been identified and security arrangements planned accordingly.  DIPRO

 

 

A K Singh takes charge as West Kameng DC

BOMDILA, Apr 18: The former Director Tourism A. K Singh joined West Kameng as Deputy Commissioner relieving Rinchin Tashi who would take over as the Director Supply and Transport and Civil Aviation.

Just after a day of his joining, Deputy Commissioner A.K Singh called for a co-ordination meeting of all the Head of Departments in an attempt to get a first-hand knowledge of the various issues and limitations faced by the officers and the status of the various developmental activities being undertaken by the departments.

Expressing his commitment for the welfare and development of the district, Singh sought the co-operation of all the officers and called for a team work in achieving the desired goal. “We need a road map – the vision and a plan” to move ahead in the right direction and to render our services even off-limits, he said.

Matters relating to Education, Health & Family Welfare, ICDS, PHE, RWD, Agri, Horti, AH and Vety, Fishery, DRDA, DUDA, Co-operative societies, Food and Civil supplies, Land Revenue and Settlement, Forest, Hydro Power, Civil Power, Industry, Textile and Handlooms, Tax & Excise, Police etc were taken up for discussion.

The Deputy Commissioner asked for detail reports in writing of the works and its status with other relevant features from all the departments in order to pursue the matter at higher level with the authority concerned wherever and whenever necessary.

He also issued the District Infrastructure Gap Assessment Report (DIGAR) formats to all the HODs to be filled and submitted on or before May 15, 2013 for onward submission to the state government in order to make the planning process more participatory, transparent and scientific.

Taking part in the discussion, SP Nupur Prasad urged for a coordinated effort from the administration, the Agriculture and Horticulture departments of the district for the drive against Ganja cultivation in some pockets under Kalaktang circle and to provide the farmers with an alternate to sustain their livelihood.

She also sought the co-operation of the officers to facilitate the smooth conduct of the Panchayat elections in the district which is just round the corner. DIPRO

 

 

Workshop on year-long celebration of 150th Sardh Shati Samaroh

ITANAGAR, Apr 18: The committee members from Eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh  participated in the workshop organized by the Prant Aayojan Samiti of Sardh Shati Samaroh of Swami Vivekananda on April 9 and 10 at VKV Tinsukia and the committee members from Western  part of Arunachal Pradesh participated in such workshop at VKV Nirjuli on April 13  and 14 to discus and chalk  out  various program of five Aayams i.e. Yuva Shakti, Samvardhini, Gramayan, Asmita and Prabudha Bharat.

The Secretary of the year-long celebration committee Advocate Pritam Taffo informed that Programme begins with aekya mantra, followed by patriotic song. Rinchen Dorjee Prant Sanyojak of Sardh Shati Samaroh Arunachal Prant gave a brief note on the purpose of the year-long celebration with the guideline of 150th Sardh Shati Samaroh. In the session three M. Mosang, member of Rajya Samaroh Samiti,  Dr. V. N. Sharma Sah Pramukh Prachar – Prasar and Rupesh Mathur       Prant Sangathak Vivekananda Kendra Arunachal Pradesh briefed on Account Management, Budget, Prachar – Prasar and Griha Sampark  respectively.

Group discussion was conducted in session 4th to plan the programme of Yuva Shakti, Samvardhini, Gramayan, Asmita and Prabudha Bharat -- the five Aayams of Sardh Shati Samaroh. It was guided and interacted by the Pramukh of all the Aayam Er. S. Sumnyan and Er. Pai Dawe, Kumari Sumitra Prasad,

Er. L. Khimun & Er. Chaphung and Sri Bamin Hinda respectively.

Dr. Shobharani Barkakoti Sharma Sanyojak for North East Region guided the participants and informed about the all India level programme.

Programme concluded with inspiring  speech of Mananeeya D. Bhanudas, All India General  Secretary of Vivekananda Kendra, in his speech mentioned that feeling of Oneness should come  from  everyone’s  heart as Swami Vivekananda’s ideas is not only for India but for whole world.

 

 

Genesis of the Nyishi  Elite Society

By   Dr Joram Begi

The Nyishi is the single largest tribe amongst the 25 major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, inhabiting five districts - East Kameng, Papum Pare, Kurung Kumey, Upper Subansiri, Lower Subansiri and also some pockets of Assam specially in the districts of Sonitpur and Lakhimpur. The population share of the community in the state is almost 1/3rd and that of the territory is almost 1/4th, but they were one of the most backward communities of the state. They were known as Daflas to the outsiders but they called themselves as Nyishi, Nyishing or Bangni. Due to geographical barriers there were not much social intercourses amongst the tribe and as such there were variations in pronunciation of the same Nyishi dialect. They were also locally known to each other as Kodang, Yano, Tagin, Akwng, Ayaa, Chikwr-Chmer, Bodo-Serak etc. There was hardly any social forum to provide an opportunity to meet the people of different regions of the community in the state.

Educationally the community is one of the late starters  in the state. By 1950 there was only one school at Doimukh in the entire Nyishi region starting from East Kameng to Upper Subansiri, when there were already more than 35 schools in the state. In 1953, two more schools were started at Bameng and Seppa of East Kameng district. By 1960 there were only ten primary schools  in whole of the Nyishi belt, when the state had more than 120 schools of different categories like Primary, Middle English School and High school. Therefore a very limited number of children/people had the opportunity of access to the school for formal education.

Economically the Nyishis had the traditional system of Jhum cultivation, barring apart a few pockets like Joram-Talo area where wet rice cultivation was practiced. Their economy also largely depended on animal husbandry and barter system. Unlike the other neighbouring tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, the Nyishis neither had the interest nor opportunity to engage in business. However,  due to the construction of  Joram-Palin-Nyapin-Koloriang road, Doimukh-Sagalee road and Seppa-Chayang-Tajo road by CPWD, a few people from the community  started road cutting contract works.

In the service sector also there were very few people from the Nyishi community who were either employed as teachers or were into clerical jobs in various departments. Till  1987 there was not a single Group A officer other than myself from amongst the community. However the community had a few numbers of Circle Officers, Assistant Engineers and Medical Officers, but all of these were graded as Group B officers at that point of time. As such the overall socio-economic condition of the tribe was in a state of dismay. Despite the establishment of formal administration in the state in 1947, and introduction of many developmental schemes by the government, the Nyishis were deprived in the initial stage mainly because of the reason that the district headquarter of  Kameng Division was at Bomdila and that of Subansiri Division was at Ziro for a long time, till the district reorganisation took place later on. The Nyishis of the Subansiri region did not have any access or opportunity at Ziro and so was  the case at Bomdila. However, the establishment of the state capital at Itanagar in 1974 met the aspirations of the Nyishis to some extent. Even at Itanagar in the initial stage, the community  did not have its due share, in terms of business, trade and commerce or land allotment. It was under total domination of the other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and even by non-Tribals. Except a few, many did not do any business but were employed mostly as labourers, and as such many a times they were ill-treated by others. This sometimes resulted into protests by the community, as for example, a serious communal clash took place in early 1976 resulting from clashes between the local Nyishis and the business groups of a neighbouring tribe. As and when such protests were expressed by the Nyishis, the administration used to crush any such attempts as the political backing to the community was almost nil. The administration at that point of time also claimed that Itanagar was not donated by the Nyishis rather it was a 'No Man's Land'.  Perhaps with this intention the native nomenclature of places were either deliberately neglected or totally distorted, as in the case of Mowb Putu which has been changed to Mob- II, Chenkhi river to Ganga nadi, Gyekar Sinyi to Ganga Lake, Solum Hapa to Ganga (market) and so on. As a result, every Nyishi, specially the educated ones were discontent and frustrated for the step motherly treatment to the tribe by the then administration. However they did not have any means to express these feelings of resentment through an organised forum.

  The first collective organisation of the community was through the community celebration of the Nyokum Yullo festival. The first community level central Nyokum Yullo celebration was held in 1967 at Joram. The second and third such celebrations were held at Yazali  in 1968 and at Doimukh in 1969 respectively. Since then the festival has been celebrated every year at various important places of the Nyishis and this has not only created a sense of identity but also the sense of unity and fellow feeling  amongst the Nyishi community. I started my active participation in the celebration of the festival at Joram in 1975 wherein the entire Ziro II people participated for several days. Thereafter I was also instrumental for setting up of the Central Nyokum Committee (CNC) by advising Late Tadar Tang, then Minister in P K Thungon's cabinet, who was an ardent lover of the Nyishi culture and also the founder Chairman of CNC, vide my letter dated 25th March 1975, which he acknowledged and appreciated vide his letter number PPC/TT-3/73 dated 22nd April 1975.  I had also organised the second central Nyokum Yullo celebration in 1979 at Joram, wherein late R N Haldipur, the  then Lt. Governor participated as the Chief Guest, along with  his wife  Mrs Haldipur. I also organised the first central Nyokum Yullo celebration at Itanagar in 1981 at Nyokum Lapang, which was a cultural bonanza for the entire Nyishi community and where both the Lt. governor R N Haldipur and the Chief Minister Shri Gegong Apang alongwith his entire Cabinet Colleagues and Member of Parliament and a host of other dignitaries participated in the celebration.  Such celebrations of the Nyokum Yullo festival not only boosted the moral and psychological spirit but also created a sense of belongingness amongst the Nyishis.

 All Nyishi Youth Organisation (later called All Nyishi Youth Association) was established sometime in mid 1970s. The organisation started its work promisingly, specially in the field of uniting the community. It had organised a Nyishi conference in 1978 called 'Dokum'. I was invited as a post-graduate student and was made as the Chairman of the drafting committee. The participations in the conference were from all over the Nyishi belt including Upper Subansiri and East Kameng. Amongst the most important resolution adopted in the conference was the change of the nomenclature from 'Dafla' to 'Nyishi'. Under the aegis of the organisation, a team of goodwill mission was sent to Seppa in 1978. The team consisted of Bengia Tollum,  T C Teli, Kipa Tangam, M R Dodum, Solung Tajo, Bengia Tab, Bengia Dipti, Tana Mimpu, Teli  Dimin and myself. It took me three days to reach Seppa, one day from Joram to Naharlagun, second from Naharlagun to Tezpur and third from Tezpur to Seppa that too by means of trans-shipment from Bana as the bridge over River Bichom was not motorable. The team stayed at Seppa almost for a week conducting social services (construction of a short cut from market to district hospital), public meetings, cultural programmes etc. The team also visited Lamdang, a Natung village overseeing the beautiful Papu valley. The active participants of the goodwill mission were  Donglo Sonam, Mekap Dolo, Late Ama Lochang,  Mai Tara, Mepe Dada etc. Amongst the school students  were Late  Nicham Sonam, Late Dera Natung, Tachi  Taku, Rokpo Yangpho and others. We found that the Nyishis of Seppa called themselves as Bangni, speaking the Nyishi dialect in a different way maybe due to the geographical barrier. It was little difficult to understand, specially when you listen to it for the first time. But culturally they were cent percent similar to the Nyishis of the Subansiri region and their genealogy mostly hailing from the Dodum and Dolo phratries as those of the other region of the Nyishis. Economically they were found to be much better off and attitudinally much more spirited. This tour, infact, was a landmark as per as the unity movement of the Nyishis was concerned. My responsibility as the first post graduate from the community was mainly to inspire the students in particular, and community in general, for education is the key to social upliftment specially for the backward communities such as ours, and also to convince the people of Seppa that the dialectic variation was only due to the geographical barriers and lack of social intercourses.   And how 'Nyishi' is a more appropriate term than that of Bangni , as the  word Bangni also known to the Nyishis of other region of the state was only more popular amongst the Nyishis of the Kameng  area and the usage of which might have arose due to the need of differentiating themselves from the Bangrus, their immediate neighbours.

After the Seppa mission we decided to make the next trip to Daporijo, specially to bring the Tagins to our fold but that did not materialise as the ANYO (ANYA) remained defunct since early 1980s mostly because of the 'divide and rule' policy applied by the politicians of the time.

The idea of the formation of the All Nyishi Students Union (ANSU) was mooted even when I was a student in J N College Pasighat. As such the Nyishi students along with the Tagin students during those days used to form a group among themselves, taking up any Nyishi related matters. Due to a very few number of Nyishi college students, final shape could not be given at that time.  However,  I was elected as the Vice President  of All Arunachal  Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) at the Tezu conference in 1974 and very soon became the Acting President almost for the entire tenure of two years as the President Shri Eken Riba had handed over the charge to me and proceeded over to Delhi for pursuing his further education. In 1975, there was an ugly religious riot in the Pare belt. A large number of Nyishi Christians from Sagalee region were driven out by the anti-Christian faction. They took shelter at the John Firth Mission School Campus of North  Lakhimpur town as refugees.  I, first as a Nyishi senior student and then as an acting President AAPSU, visited the refugee camp at North Lakhimpur and assured them for their safe return home. I also conducted a conciliatory meeting at Doimukh which was attended by all sections including Late Tadar Tang, Minister and Late Techi Takar, a social worker, and thereby ensured the non recurrence of such incident.

The All Nyishi Students Union was formally formed in 1982 under the active role of Late Dera Natung, Shri Nabam Rebia and others. However the activity and membership of ANSU was mostly confined to the students and students issues. Nevertheless,  the ANSU in its initial stage took up an important issue regarding the distortion of Nyishi image and culture by some of the authors, specially by Parul Dutta and Niranjan Sarkar of the research department. The authors were made to apologise publicly because of their limited knowledge on the tribe which had led to their  misinterpretation  regarding the Nyishi  Culture. At this point of time, the ANSU also required a parental organisation for guidance  and advise.

Therefore, the necessity of a community level organisation to continue the efforts of the ANYA, which was to unite the community and to create awareness amongst the members, specially the educated ones was urgently felt. Proper articulation of the sentiment of the community was the need of the time. This feeling was very often reflected during the regular celebration of the Nyokum festival at Nyokum Lapang every year and get together thereafter in almost all the houses of those few government employees posted in Itanagar.    

 One of the catalytic agent towards this feeling was the establishment of Government College Itanagar, now Dera Natung Government College,  in 1979, and my posting in the same college as a young lecturer. I involved myself in many social activities and continued my habitual crusade against injustice meted out to any individual, organisation or community. My speeches in many social gatherings, besides classroom lecture was liked by many.  Fortunately the state government also recognized this, and I was chosen as appointed speaker on many important official and social gatherings. I availed the opportunity to ventilate, directly or indirectly, some of the problems of the Nyishi community too. Many a time I was branded as provocative, and sometime as an insightful speaker. My being in the academic field, gave me the opportunity to speak uprightly without any fear and which in other way also saved me from the  official code of conducts that were  applicable to the other officers. I had a good influence on each and every Nyishi students who had been enrolled in the college. Amongst the first lot of Nyishi students from the college were Nabam Tata, Bengia Tabb, Boa Pinji, Yowa Topu, Tadar Talar, Tassar Sanjay, Higio Tala, Kabak Tacho, Techi Necha, Tana Khoda, Late Kapu Tal, Late Biki Talang,  Nabam Mekha, Gumri Ringu, Tame Yam and others. Some of the government officials posted at Itanagar were  Taw Tebin, Techi Nyokum, Nabam Bijnu, Tadar Simi, Nabum Pekhi,  Late Tako Take, Late Dera Natung, Tako Tajik, Tayum Son, Tana Rekhi Tara, and others. Amongst the political leaders were Kameng Dolo, Kamen Ringu, Nyelam Taram, Late Tadar Tang, Late Techi Takar and Late Chera Talo. A host of Nyishi officers posted outside Itanagar also actively supported the cause, notably amongst them were  Late Yumdo Saktar, Late Yowa Takar, Late Dr Taw Gumsi,  Dr Bengia Tubin, Dr. Kartik Nishing,  Katung Wahge,  Atum Welly, Tana Tedi Tara,  Rachob Taba , Nabam Atum, Epa TanaTara, Techi Tedi Tara and many others.

The year 1987 was an epoch making year as per as the Nyishi social movement was concerned. That year, for first time, under my editorship, a Nyokum Yullow Souvenir was brought out to mark the 20th  celebration of the community level Nyokum at Balijan. The souvenir was released by the Chief  Minister Shri Gegong Apang who was also the chief guest on the occasion. The  publication not only highlighted the meaning and purpose of the festival (with adoption of the Emblem and the Flag) so vividly, but also attempted to showcase the Nyishi culture as a whole. This immensely helped popularising the celebration of the festival and generating a sense of identity and belongingness amongst the members of the community.

For the first time, somewhere in the month of March in 1987, a meeting was held at Nidak Typewriting Institute, Naharlagun.  Most of the participants in the meeting were college graduates, and as such the meeting was called as the' Nyishi Graduate Forum'. However, the discussion was quite a heated one with expression of frustration of the participants on the various vexing issues  and problems of the community and the pathetic socio-economic condition of the people specially in the capital complex.  It may not be out of place to mention here that during 1986-87, there was widening of road between Itanagar and Naharlagun by the CPWD with about 200 contractors working on it.  Barring two or three Nyishi contractors, rest were the contractors of other tribes and non-Tribals.  However, most of the labourers of road cutting works were from the Nyishi community, some of whom were not even properly paid by the contractors. As such the frustration of the Nyishis were obvious at that point of time.      

 The second important meeting in this direction was conducted in the month of May the same year at Anchal Samiti Bhawan, Doimukh. The meeting was well attended from different sections of the community. The meeting also deliberated on the various problems faced by the community during those days and felt the necessity of establishing an apex organisation of the community. The meeting unanimously decided to entrust the responsibility on me and chose  me as the Convenor for convening all Nyishi level conference/Convention within a period of three months.  Accordingly, I started working on it.  I wrote an emotional letter to all the Nyishi educated people throughout the state and the senior students of universities and colleges all over the country, gathering their addresses district wise, sub division wise and block wise. One such letter of mine arousing their feeling for the community was  by citing the famous historical quotation of Atan Bura Gohain, the Prime Minister of Ahom King Pratap Singha during the 17th century, that the Nyishis (Daflas) can be conquered only when an elephant can be put into a rat's hole, otherwise not. And as such the help of the Nyishis were sought for their fights against the Mughal invaders and also while suppressing the internal revolutions like Moamaria Revolution. The Nyishis even played the role of kingmakers at certain critical period of Ahom rule in Assam. In another letter written to the intellectuals, social workers and public leaders of the community, I compared the Nyishis with an elephant which has small eyes but a huge body and cannot turn around to see its own mighty structure. Likewise, the Nyishi community too which comprised a huge population of the state does not realise its power and strength. It can realise its potential and might only  if it stands together and united.

 And finally,  a  conference was convened at the Imdad Bhawan, Naharlagun, which was held for three days from 22nd to 24th October ( misprinted as August in the by-laws ) 1987 . The conference was well attended by all the public leaders, government officers and officials and senior students of the community. The problems of the community were discussed in four different technical sessions where the necessity of establishing an apex organisation was deliberated in detail. The first technical session dealt with the socio-economic issues, the second with the cultural aspects, the third with the development of language and literature and the final session was about the adoption of the constitution and its bylaws, and also the election of the office bearers of the society. These sessions were presided over by several important members of the community including Shri Tana Tedi Tara, the first graduate from the Nyishi community. After the lengthy and stormy sessions, several resolutions were adopted. However the emphasis was made on the change of nomenclature from Dafla to Nyishi, the development of Nyishi alphabet and the popularisation of Nyishi culture through the celebration of Nyokum Festival. The appropriate  nomenclature for the organisation was thoroughly discussed, some suggesting Nyishi  Graduate Forum, some Nyishi Welfare Association and some even  suggested Nyishi  Supreme Organisation.  Finally, after a thorough deliberation, the nomenclature of 'Nyishi Elite Society' was adopted. The conference also elected the first office bearers, with myself as the President, Late Dera Natung as Vice-President (West), Taw Tebin as Vice-President (East),  Techi Nyokum as General Secretary,  Nabum Tata as Joint Secretary (Culture),  Ter Tana Tara as Joint Secretary (Literature),  Chukhu Loma as Chief Auditor, Tadar Talar and Boa Pinji as Auditors, Tame Yam  and  Bengia Tab as Executive Members.  Thus, NES  was formed on 24th October, 1987.

  Many people wondered as to why Nyishi Elite Society was adopted as the nomenclature for this organisation. In this connection, I may recall a conversation between Late Tadar Tang and myself. Late Tang who himself was a renowned poet and a lyricist always wanted to see the Nyishi society on the path of progress. Most of his songs and poems are a reflection of what he always desired for his society. In one of my meeting with him, I could very well sense the frustration in him when he said that many a times he wanted to discuss the Nyishi issues with me, and also collectively with the participation from all quarters of the community. But that never happened and the result always used to be the other way round. That is when  he suggested, to form a Nyishi gentlemen's club for all the like-minded and influential Nyishi  people,  having a strong urge to work for the development of the community, could at least have a get together, where they can have decent  discussions  and meaningful  interactions.   Perhaps, here for the first time I felt that even a few people, no matter how small their numbers are, have the the power to take the whole society to the path of progress and development and can act as its  guiding force, provided the members are sincere, dedicated and have a genuine urge to work for the well being of the society. The  dictionary meaning of the term 'Elite' is 'a select body', in other words it could be the cream of the society. As a matter of fact the Elite Society was an association of like-minded people who could think and act for the community. Those days, there were limited  number of people who could work for the community while also giving proper guidance and direction to the community, keeping in view the developments taking place in the state, the country and the world at large. The immediate objective that the society adopted was to create awareness and a sense of belongingness and unity amongst the Nyishis of the different regions, and to provide a non-political social platform. Therefore it has adopted the motto as 'Gorab To, Hurab To' which means 'Arise and Awake'.

 I am happy that the Nyishi Elite Society has completed 25 years of its glorious existence and has been able to achieve most of its objectives including the removal of the ignominious term Dafla. I extend my best wishes to the members of the community, specially the office bearers and other active members of  NES, both present and past, on this auspicious occasion of Silver Jubilee Celebration. At the same time, I would also like to advise the society with a note of caution that though a tremendous change of the community has taken place over the last 25 years and the Nyishis are no longer a neglected community rather a vibrant and progressive one, a different challenge is facing the community today. One of these issues is that the community has rightly or wrongly earned the distinction of being feared but has yet to attain the position of respectability. NES has to face this new challenge and lead the community till it achieves the status of a decent community in the state.