CM at Hawai helipad. Anjaw.
Incursions, strategic concerns on Parrikar’s agenda in China
BEIJING, Apr 17: Recurring incidents of incursions, implementation of an agreement to reduce tensions between border patrols and Sino-India strategic concerns were among the issues expected to figure in defence minister Manohar Parrikar's talks with top Chinese military officials on Sunday.
Parrikar, who arrived here from Shanghai by a special aircraft, will hold talks with Chinese defence minister General Chang Wanquan, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) General Fan Changlong and others.
CMC which is the supreme commanding body of the 2.3 million strong People's Liberation Army (PLA) is headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Parrikar will call on premier Li Keqiang. Later, he would visit China's recently integrated western command military headquarters which has jurisdiction over border with India.
The minister is accompanied by senior officials from army and navy, besides the defence ministry.
While Indian officials said the talks were expected to review the whole gamut of bilateral ties which showed considerable improvements in the recent times, India's concerns over aggressive patrolling by Chinese troops especially in the Ladakh sector remained high.
China denies any incursions, asserting that its troops patrolled areas of its territory in the 3,488-km long disputed border.
The two countries may discuss further modalities of the 2013 Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) which has outlined various measures to address tensions arising out of the aggressive patrolling by both sides.
India and China also conduct an annual dialogue of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination to deal with aggressive patrolling by troops.
It helped to bring down tensions over Chinese incursions during the key visits of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in 2013 followed by President Xi Jinping a year later.
Both sides opened several border points for troops and officers on the ground to interact with each other to build good relations.
Ahead of Parrikar's visit, China hinted that it may take up the recent decision by India to open up military bases to US for logistics and efforts to conclude a pact to share aircraft sharing technologies. PTI
Rain damages water pipes, villagers blame faulty work
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Apr 17: People of Debing village in East Siang district are quite discontented that the newly completed water supply scheme implemented by Public Health Engineering & Water Supply (PHED) has failed to supply adequate water to the villagers.
They alleged that erroneous selection of intake-point and defective installation of pipeline on the riverbed, without erecting RCC-guard has resulted in disruption of water supply during the current rainy season.
It may be recalled that East Siang district administration, following public allegation last year, ordered magisterial inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the water project. The inquiry team, that had traced a lot of irregularities in execution of the heavy project, later instructed PHED officials to make necessary rectification of the project structure. But, the department officials allegedly did not follow the instruction.
It was observed that old and rusted pipes were connected to new ones to cut down on expenses, which has caused leakage of water. The GI pipes without guard are broken into pieces and lying scattered on riverbed.
Locals also sharply criticized their MLA for allegedly keeping silent on the issue.
“Our grievance stem from the fact that officials of PHED didn’t not pay heed to our grievances while executing the water project. They laid the pipes on river bed without erecting RCC support, which has resulted in damage of the pipes.” said Orik Moyong, a Panchayat Member of Debing.
The water supply scheme was sanctioned under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in December, 2012.
Sitting on a ticking bomb
[ M Doley ]
It is almost impossible to accurately predict when or where the next earthquake will hit but seismologists say that a major earthquake in North East India is long overdue.
The North East part of the country falls under high seismic zone-5, prone to frequent earthquakes.
Moreover, the region is exposed to very high damage due to its tough and difficult terrain.
In case of any major earthquake, carrying out relief and rescue operations in this region will not be an easy task. The mountainous Arunachal Pradesh is fully covered by thick forests, with less or no connectivity which will further pose great challenge to relief and rescue teams.
This year, so far, two earthquakes of moderate intensity-- one on January 3 and the second on April 13-- have hit the region creating much panic among people.
We will not talk of the great earthquakes of the past. The January 3 morning tremor of magnitude of about 6.8 with epicentre in Manipur caused widespread damages leaving 11 dead and injuring scores. But, this may not be the end!
“The Northern and North-eastern States may soon be hit by one or a series of earthquakes of 8 magnitudes in the near future,” predict disaster management consultants with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The State government agencies must gear up to face any eventuality.
Since we are sitting on a ticking bomb, time has come to prepare ourselves to avoid disastrous situation by following ‘dos and don’ts of earthquake instead of living in uncertainty.
On the other hand, the government agencies/machineries must rise to the occasion and conduct massive awareness campaigns on disaster preparedness and activate all disaster management cells with quick response team to face disaster.
People should avoid construction of dwelling houses in areas that are prone to landslide and refrain from illegal earth cutting that may trigger massive landslides.
As it is said that earthquake does not kill but the poorly constructed building does. Hence, one should strictly follow the building norms and guidelines prescribed especially for earthquake prone regions while constructing buildings so that they could withstand the earthquake.
These simple practices may go a long way in minimizing the magnitude of devastation to a great extent.
Governor ask AOL to propagate healthy lifestyle
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: Governor JP Rajkhowa has suggested that Art of Living (AOL) should conduct meditation and other healthy lifestyle programmes for the government officials, particularly police personnel and also for general public in the State.
The Governor said this during a visit by the Art of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Raj Bhavan on April 16.
The Governor congratulated Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for his humanitarian service to the people all over the world.
During the meeting, the Governor shared his knowledge on Srimanta Shankardevo, who has left his mark in the history of mankind, as one of the most versatile legendary personalities of all times with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Earlier, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar briefed the Governor on the activities and initiatives of Art of Living throughout the world and also in the State, including the recently held World Cultural Festival in New Delhi. He also informed the Governor of setting up a Nursing Home by Art of Living in the State Capital. PRO to Governor
Speaker visits interior Soha
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: The Speaker of Arunachal Legislative Assembly Wangki Lowang visited interior villages of Soha circle and inspected the govt infrastructure.
At Soha village, he visited the govt secondary school, Primary Health Centre and found the building in a pathetic condition. He assured the public that he would solve the problem at the earliest as new govt is giving emphasize on improving the health and education sector.
Speaker also inspected the rural link road from Turret to Phingthing which is under construction.
Later, a public meeting was held at Turret where Speaker patiently heard the grievance of the villagers and assured to solve the problem of water supply.
He directed the PHE department to immediately start the work. He also assured to shortly provide bus service upto the village. He urged the villagers to take interest in organic farming to sustain their livelihood, instead of depending on govt jobs and contract works.
Later, he visited Old Doidam village and inspected the Govt Primary School which was damaged after trees fell on it.
The Speaker was accompanied by ZPM S Sawin, EAC Deomali S Tayang and government officers.
Thongdok inaugurates Chingi Bridge
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: Minister Power, NCER and Research TN Thongdok who is on a two-day tour of Kalaktang subdivision, inaugurated Chingi Bridge at Kalaktang on Friday.
While addressing a gathering of HoDs, GBs, PRI representatives and public on the occasion, the Minister lauded the PWD, the general public and all those who had contributed in the completion of the bridge. He said that the bridge which serves as a lifeline of the villagers will enhance the economic activities of the villagers besides, improving communication.
Highlighting various developmental policies and programmes of the present government, the Minister further said that the government is committed to deliver every service to the people.
Later, the Minister convened a meeting with HoDs of the sub-division and instructed them to discharge their duties with sincerity. Emphasizing the need for involvement of PRI members and villagers in grassroots planning to ensure more need based planning, Thongdok further sought people's cooperation in the development process.
He also inspected various other ongoing schemes in the subdivision and visited the Tibetan Settlement Camp at Tenzingaon.
RGGP students visit Ranganadi hydroelectric station
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: The final year students of Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE) of Rajiv Gandhi Govt. Polytechnic College (RGGP), Itanagar visited NEEPCO’s Ranganadi hydroelectric power project on April 15 and 16. The students visited power house located at Hoj and dam site at Yazali. The industrial visit was done under All India Council for Technical Education’s North East Quality Improvement Programme (AICTE-NEQIP).
The visit was conducted under the guidance of Bengia Taday, Lecturer cum Course Coordinator of Department EEE.
During a visit to the dam site at Yazali, Maintenance Engineer explained to the students about features and specifications of dam including reservoir, catchment area, radial gate, intake gate, water discharge. Next day, the team visited Dikrong power station located at Hoj.
The students were guided by Junior Engineers Punyo Sai and Tage Tachang during the visit. The duo explained how the electrical and electronics equipment works in a generating station. Senior Manager Tanya Tazi and Deputy Manager Tarh Naga also interacted with the students.
The final year students had earlier visited Tawang district where they gained firsthand knowledge about Micro Hydroelectric Plant (Capacity of upto 100 KW) & Small Hydroelectric Plant (Capacity of 100 KW to 30 MW). The industrial visit is expected to help final year students to get practical knowledge regarding operation and control of power system.
The visit will provide not only an insight into the real working environment but also help them prepare themselves for future.
It is worth mentioning that Ranganadi Hydroelectric Plant (NEEPCO), Yazali is the largest Hydroelectric Plant in Northeast India. It has 405 Megawatt installed capacity. Construction work began 1988 and dam was commissioned 2002.
Villagers attend Gram Uday se Bharat Uday Abhiyan
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: A meeting was organized by the panchayat leaders and villagers of Pedung, West Kameng under the ‘Gram Uday se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ at the community hall on Sunday.
During the programme which was attended by West Kameng ADC P Sora, DRDA Assistant Project Officer, Tatom Pao, Senior Medical Officer, Dr. A Tapir and Block Education Officer Nawang Genden among others, the villagers were informed about various schemes of the centre like Indira Awaj Yojna, Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Generation Scheme, Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Benefit, Indira Gandhi Widow Scheme, Indira Gandhi disabled scheme and Prevention of Domestic Violence Act 2005.
In the meeting, ADC, P Sora also explained about ‘My Village My Development’ scheme and encouraged women to actively participate in the affairs of panchayat.
State Level Inter Clubs meet
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: The Arunachal State Badminton Association (ASBA) has decided to conduct State Level Inter Clubs Badminton team championships-2016 from May 26 to 29 at Itanagar.
The clubs that are affiliated with ASBA shall be eligible to take part in the championship.
Around 20 clubs consisting of 240 participants from across the state are expected in the championship. However, state ranking players have been restricted to take part from the proposed team championship.
Federation condemns police brutality
ITANAGAR, Apr 17: Tana Youth Federation on Sunday condemned the alleged police brutality on April 9th last where one Tana Tado and Tana Rasso were allegedly physically assaulted by Nirjuli Police led by SI P Nobin Jomoh.
Condemning the incident, it claimed that both victims have no criminal records; therefore beating them mercilessly signifies that common people are not safe in police hand.
Claiming that Sub-inspector assaulted them, it demanded the authority to terminate such erring officers. Further, the federation has come up with statement of one Tana Parbati, wife of one Tana Niya who the police had claimed lodge an FIR against Tana Tado and Tana Rasso.
In a statement made available to this daily, Tana Parbati said that she did not file FIR against the two nor did they damage her piggery.
Earlier, Nirjuli Police had said that a non NFR case had been registered under case no. 08/16(P-I) U/S 151/107/ CrPC with Nirjuli Police Station on 09th April 2016 based on FIR from one Tana Parbati.
Editorial
Is Kashmir drifting away from India?
Kashmir valley is once again experiencing massive anti-India protests. Violence has
gripped valley forcing Centre to immediately augment the security grid by sending
additional central armed police forces (CAPFs). Union home ministry is sending 3,600
additional CAPF personnel to the Valley. Of these 12 companies (1200 personnel) were
sent on Saturday itself while 24 companies (2400 personnel) reached on Sunday.
Valley is on boil since April 12 when protests broke out over alleged molestation
of a local Kashmiri girl by army personnel. Though army unequivocally denied the
incident and a video of the girl stating otherwise also surfaced on the social media,
there has been no let off in the protests. The girl's mother contradicted her daughter's
statement and alleged that it was made in duress. The death toll of civilians in
latest bout of violence reached five with the death of class 11student in the firing
on Friday. The anti-India protest has been going in Kashmir for years. But the ultra-nationalism
activities being carried out by section of ruling establishment has added fire to
the fuel. Recently massive controversy erupted in NIT Srinagar when outside students
protested against local students for allegedly shouting pro-Pakistan slogan following
a cricket match. The outside students had also demanded shifting of NIT to Jammu
and also provocatively raised slogan inside the campus. Kashmiri's who are already
suspicious towards India took serious note of this incident. They saw it as kind
of imposing Indian nationalism on them. With the allegation of molestation of local
girls by army personnel and death of many local youths in the subsequent protest
rallies, the anti-India feeling is at all time high. Government of India should understand
that solution to Kashmir problem only lies in dialogue and development. In the last
2 years Narendra Modi led BJP government have not shown any willingness to hold dialogue
with people of Kashmir. Instead ultranationalists with active support of BJP are
trying to impose one religion ideology across India. By doing so they are only pushing
Kashmiris far away from India. Sooner the ruling elite at Delhi realizes this the
better it would be.
________________________________
Readers’ Forum
Educate-Agitate-Organize to clear the cataracts of prejudices
Dear Editor,
This is with reference to your news report titled, "Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Remembered"
(Arunachal Times, April 16, 2016). It is, really, ironic that when India was celebrating
the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Dronacharya was being
honoured by renaming his native place Gurgaon as Gurugram. Many people of our country
believe that India was a land of justice and fair play in the epic age and was a
far better place to live in than the present Republic India.
They strongly recommend Mahabharata as a better guide than the constitution of India.
Such myths water down the spirit of 14th April and 26th January. India cannot progress
so long as we have such a backward pull in our mindset. Our constitution is a result
of thousands of years of evolutionary progress of humankind since the days of Mahabharata.
So, it is quite natural that the spirit of Mahabharata will come into conflict with
the constitution of India which is based on the ideals of equality, liberty, fraternity
and justice.
Dronacharya, a great figure of Mahabharata, should have been arrested in Republic
India for cutting the right thumb of Eklavya as tuition fees. It is true that tuition
fees are going up every day in modern India, however, we cannot think of such sadistic
and brute ones. Will the code of Mahabharata promote women to the status of Devis?
When women of elite families could have been pawned in a game of chance in those
days, it can, easily, be understood what was the status of common women especially
the Dalit ones. We still nurture prejudices against Dalits and women because of our
soft corner for barbaric ancient days. The brightest and the humblest student, Eklavya,
was, devilishly, made crippled so that he could never use his education in archery.
Our pining for such an unequal society made a bright student of modern India, Vemula,
write in his suicide note, "My birth is my fatal accident". Such prejudices got
Shankars of our country 'honour' killed and Kausalas 'honour' injured. Instead of
realizing the contributions of Ambedkar and the constitution of India, we are giving
award to sports coaches of our country in the name of Dronacharya, an example of
what a coach should not be! Such an award and the renaming of Gurgaon to glorify
this mythological inhuman character show that it is still miles to go for us to give
due honour to Ambedkar and Indian constitution. The need of the hour is to follow
Ambedkar's path of "Educate-Agitate-Organize" to clear the cataracts of prejudices
so that the ideals of our constitution "Equality-Liberty-Fraternity-Justice" can
be translated into reality. India needs to back Eklavyas and Ambedkars to get thumbs
up in inclusive development and punish Dronacharyas for trying to cause thumbs down
to her reputation.
Yours,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Shifting of loyalty
Dear Editor,
Not to be outdone by the legislators, it was the turn of the councilors of Pasighat
Municipal Council (PMC) to jump onto the BJP bandwagon.
Such moves to jump the fence to find greener pasture in Arunachal Pradesh, to be
particular, rarely raise an eyebrow or cause virtually no ripples because it’s a
tradition by now.
Any political party succeeding to cross the magic figure of 272 or more at the center,
the enchanting magic wand with awesome power to hypnotize is all theirs till the
figure remain intact.
Politicians refuted with notoriety to be disloyal, as ours, are targeted and embarrassingly
swayed to and fro at the fancy of their new found master's tune.
Coming back to PMC, in the backdrop of jaw-dropping corruption and misappropriation
charges amongst the councilors laden with infighting to remove the Chief Councilor,
the decision to defect en-masse was contrasting. No wonder it is in the DNA of our
leaders to be unaware of loyalty. While congratulating the BJP, I take the liberty
to remark; it’s not loyalty the PMC councilors shifted but disloyalty.
Yours,
legobaying
Pasighat
Arunachal represents unique ecosystems
Dear Editor
Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most naturally under explored region of the entire
nation and warranties successive expeditions by the Botanical, Zoological and Geological
Surveys of India in understanding the rich diversity of flora and fauna; and in also
locating hidden natural resources of the state. Arunachal is one of the unique states
that possibly harbor habitats for four major big cat predators from the continent
of Asia such as the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Snow leopard and the Clouded leopard.
Other unique mammals from the state include Red panda, elephants, different civets
and primates to name only a handful. To the best of my knowledge based on published
peer reviewed papers, books and government reports; this is one of the least explored
and both biologically and geologically relatively less known state of the entire
nation. The state holds great promises for new discoveries by scientists and surveyors
in the form of even species unknown to modern science. Arunachal represents unique
ecosystems that have not been fully explored and investigated as yet. Introduction
of rhinos from Assam into suitable habitats in Arunachal Pradesh should be encouraged
too for increasing the habitats of the Indian rhinos beyond West Bengal and Assam.
A new biodiverse image of Arunachal will also promote both regional as well as foreign
tourism for this beautiful state.
Recently field cameras have captured images of tigers at multiple habitats in Arunachal
Pradesh. Vast areas of Assam and particularly Arunachal Pradesh may harbor small
Bengal tiger sub populations that may have escaped the eyes of the surveyors and
wildlife experts; and will need further detailed observation and research. Animal
corridors between the two states; and from adjacent Myanmar and China need to be
explored comprehensively to track and detect tiger and other species moving from
one habitat to another within and from Arunachal Pradesh. With the global tiger census
indicating rise in tiger populations in the entire Indian subcontinent, it becomes
even more important to survey remote corners of Arunachal Pradesh particularly in
the fringe areas of Indo-China and Indo-Myanmar border areas. Such explorations will
need active support of the army as well as border security agencies due to the sensitive
nature of the region. But if successfully integrated and appropriately funded by
the State and Central governments it could reap huge benefits and help in adding
to the current knowledge of science with new information on flora, fauna and natural
resources from Arunachal Pradesh. One more interesting aspect will be to check if
there are any range overlap in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh in the adjoining
southern reaches of China and western Myanmar for the rare Indochinese leopards and/or
Indochinese sub species of tigers. It will be also interesting to know for science
if natural hybrids of Indian and Indochinese leopards or Bengal and Indochinese sub
species of tigers are detected in such fringe border areas indicating possible range
overlap between these different sub species. This will also provide information regarding
range coverage and distance moved by these species between India and adjoining countries.
In short, Arunachal is still a big mystery and a mesmerizing puzzle that will possibly
takes decades to decode.
Yours
Saikat Kumar Basu
Canada
