Indo-China talks on border dispute, disagreements on Arunachal, Aksai Chin
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: India and China on Wednesday held the 19th round of talks to resolve the vexed border dispute amid a growing discord between the two nations over Beijing blocking India’s bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held the annual talks with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the road ahead to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled bilateral ties.
Doval is also expected to call on Chinese Premier.
Significantly, Chinese Premier in his meeting with Parrikar yesterday said disputes should be handled properly and ties with New Delhi be boosted, state-run China Daily reported today. China will properly manage disputes while boosting bilateral cooperation with India, making contributions to Asia’s economic growth, Li said.
On the border dispute, officials on both sides say the protracted boundary talks made progress, while both sides made attempts to avert tensions along the 3,488-kilometre-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), which remains undefined. While China says the border dispute is confined to 2,000 kilometres, mainly Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts the dispute covered the whole of the LAC including the Aksai Chin occupied by China during the 1962 war. When the Special Representatives were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three-stage process. The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005. Officials say the two sides are currently in the second stage which focuses on working out a framework of settlement to be followed by final step drawing the boundary line based on framework agreement.
On the 19th-round of border talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said “we have been working to resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultation. China completely settled territorial disputes with 12 of the 14 land neighbours.” Only the border dispute with India and Bhutan needed to resolved.
“Both history and practice have proven that it is possible to resolve territorial disputes through negotiation and consolation,” she said. “During the meeting, the two sides will work on the framework settlement to work out a plan that is acceptable to both sides,” she said. (PTI)
Encouraging Camera trapping results from Pakke Tiger Reserve
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The annual camera trapping in Pakke Tiger Reserve, Seijosa has thrown up some good news.
A female tigress followed by her two cubs, a close-up of a marbled cat, a black panther with two cubs - black and a spotted, were recorded as well as black panther and a red jungle fowl in the same frame, said Range Officer Kime Rambia.
Black panthers are melanistic forms of common leopard found only in dense tropical rainforests such as Pakke.
In Pakke, camera trapping is done in two blocks comprising of both Seijosa and Tippi wildlife range. The trapping session was for 60 days in each of the blocks making it a total of 120 camera trapping days.
This time the forest department started camera-trapping from Nov 25, 2015-April 10, 2016.
A reconnaissance survey on animal signs was done prior to camera trapping to identify the best locations to set up camera traps.
A training session based on the National Tiger Conservation Authority field protocols that focused on camera trapping was conducted for the field staffs.
Later, the staffs were given uniform, shoes and sleeping bags to ease the prolong exercise.
The forest department has been giving prizes for the best camera trap image and video for the last four years.
The first ever best camera trapping image was given to Late Koro Tayem (in 2012-2013) for a magnificent image of tiger growling in front of a camera trap.
Unfortunately, Tayem lost his life while on duty when he was attacked by a wild elephant while returning from his camp on Dec 24, 2014.
“He was one of the most dedicated forest guards that we had in Pakke”, said P.B. Rana, Range Forest Officer of Seijosa.
In a very fitting tribute, this year the forest department has decided to dedicate the camera trapping prizes to Lt. Koro Tayem.
“I remember sleeping on the river bed and taking the camera trapping team in 2006 when we didn’t have anti-poaching camps, making us vulnerable to attacks of wild animals” said DFO Pakke Tiger Reserve, Tana Tapi.
Now with a patrolling road and anti-poaching camps that have been built every four to five kilometers, the logistics have become much easier, he said.
A few selected images have been uploaded online on the web portal Conservation India and open to the public for voting. The facebook page (Pakke Tiger Reserve) has all the voting details, informed Rambia as he encouraged people for votes.
Now in its tenth year, the department also plans to release a document on ‘Ten years of camera trapping in Pakke’ by the end of April.
4-laning of Itanagar- Banderdewa Highway soon: MoRTH
Itanagar Apr 20: The Chief Engineer, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways of North East Region, V K Rajawat who was on one day visit to the state capital to inspect the ongoing repairing and maintenance work of Itanagar to Banderdewa road has said that Govt of India has agreed to sanction the 4-laning of Itanagar to Banderdewa Highway Project and three Flyovers in the capital complex as requested by the Chief Minister during his meetings with the Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Highways recently.
He said that project will be sanctioned as and when the DPR is received from the state govt and will enable the state govt to start the work by coming September.
The Chief Engineer said this during a meeting with Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on Tuesday.
He also informed that considering the strategic locations and sensitiveness of the border state, Centre govt has handed over two important border roads from Joram to Koloriang and Dimwe to Hawai to Border Road Organizations (BRO) on the request of the Chief Minister during his meeting with Prime Minister and Minister of Transport & Highways on April 7 last.
He assured CM that the Ministry is fully satisfied with the progress of the Itanagar to Banderdewa maintenance and the fund will be released soon, he assured.
He also informed that the work on improvement of Doimukh to Harmoti road is also going on satisfactorily.
Chief Minister asked the Chief Engineer to immediately expedite the sanctioning of fund for the 4-Lane Highway Projects from Itanagar to Banderdewa and three Flyovers in the State Capital. CM also requested him to immediately release fund for the on-going repairing and maintenance work in the state capital and rest of the highway projects.
The Chief Minister called for quality work since the Itanagar to Banderdewa and Itanagar to Holonggi roads are prone to landslides in rainy season.
The Engineer was accompanied by Ashwani Kumar, Regional Officer (MoRTH), Itanagar and Bora Ete, Chief Engineer (Highways). (PRO, CMO)
Noa Dihing above danger level, one drowned
NAMSAI, Apr 20: Due to continuous rainfall, the Noa Dehing river in Namsai district is flowing above normal level. The overflowing water of the river has inundated human habitation and agricultural fields beside damaging many flood protection embankments, said a report from the Namsai DC office.
38 Households were severely affected in New Silatoo with erosion in several places. Four household have been shifted to safe locations in New Silatoo and Philobari.
20 Ha of cultivable land is reported to be damaged.
A team of officers headed by EAC, Lekang and DDMO Namsai visited the flood affected areas of Lekang Circle on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a 15 year old boy identified as Dipak Deori of Namsai drowned in Jengthu River on April 17. His body has been recovered by the NRDF’s 18th battalion on Wednesday.
Namsai police launched rescue operation but could not trace him, forcing the District Administration to request 12th Battalion NDRF for search and rescue operations.
GBs for strict ILP to stop wildlife hunting
[ Prafulla Kaman ]
RUKSIN, Apr 20: Claiming that intruders have been creating disturbances in Pasighat West area in East Siang district, the Ruksin Block Gaon Burah Association has demanded the district administration to strictly implement ILP.
The Gaon Burah (GB), who assembled in a meeting at Rayang village Community Hall on Wednesday, discussed various issues including issues of illegal migrants, wildlife hunting and indiscriminate collection of forest resources by outsiders.
Explaining the objective of the meeting, GB association’s general secretary Tabang Saroh felt that taking advantage of administrative loopholes, many unauthorized persons are intruding into Arunachal territory without having valid ILP.
President of the GB association Mitkong Eko (Rayang) said that intruders from Assam regularly collect forest wealth from Arunachal hill sites without taking permission from the local bodies. He said the intruders are involved in many theft and robbery cases in Ruksin area, which is causing concern among the local villagers.
Mitkong has suggested the families, who engage labourers from outside the state for agricultural activities, to obtain ILP for them. He opined that lack of proper identification of the outsiders might create complicacy in investigation of untoward incident in their area.
He asked the GBs to charge ‘nominal fee’ from the outsiders against collection of forest produce and keep record of their identification.
The meeting also discussed on fishing and hunting of wildlife as there is a standing order against such activities. They further decided to move the district administration to strictly deal with ILP violations.
Ruksin area in East Siang district is located in a strategic location at vulnerable Assam-Arunachal boundary and most of the incidents took place in the area is correlated to Assam.
Improvised APCMUHIS soon: Pul
ITANAGAR: Apr 20: Chief Minister Kalikho Pul who is also the Health Minister on Tuesday made comprehensive reviewed of the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Universal Health Insurance Scheme (APCMUHIS) in its first Governing Body meeting on Tuesday.
The body while studying various loopholes in the scheme came out with measures to improvise the scheme and plan to make it more convenient and patient friendly.
The Governing Body resolved to form a committee with Commissioner Finance as the chairman to streamline the system. It was also decided to create a separate Project Management Cell comprising health experts, who will constantly monitor the implementation of the scheme. They will maintain the records and verify the facts by paying visits to the empanelled hospitals.
The Chief Minister asked the insurers to ensure that every poor family of the state is covered under the Health Insurance scheme and not to leave even a single household uncovered (except those in the excluded list).
He advocated that billing to be done as per the actual cost of treatment instead of package wise. It was observed during the case studies that though the patients were treated for minor ailments for a day in the hospital, the hospitals swap the bill for a whole package.
In one such case in a local hospital of the state, it was found that one acute pancreatitis patient was charged Rs 75,000 from his APCMUHIS account for diagnosis and treatment whereas the actual cost of treatment comes to Rs 24,400 only as worked out by the doctors as per the prevailing rates in the state.
CM said that due to misunderstanding between the Insurers and the empanelled hospitals in accounting, patients are suffering. He asked them to get it corrected and maintain proper accounting procedure.
He also asked the Insurance Company to establish office in the state capital in order to carry out timely scrutiny of the documents instead of sending them to the Head office at Mumbai which is time consuming. He further told them to make spot verification, visit the hospitals and also to enquire from the patients.
The Chief Minister released Rs 2.17 Crore to the New India Assurance Company to clear the pending bills against the empanelled hospitals under APCMUHIS. He also assured that the remaining balance amount will be released to them and asked the Insurer to immediately clear the pending bills against the empanelled hospitals including that of Pasighat General Hospital and Aditya Diagnostic Centre, Dibrugarh.
To improve health scenario in the state, Health Advisory Committee comprising retired doctors, health experts from outside and woman representatives as members will be formed.
Present in the meeting were Commissioner Health & Family Welfare Hage Kojeen, Commissioner (Finance) Ashish Kundra, Director of Health & Family Welfare Dr Miji Jini and Regional Manager New India Assurance Borua Sinha, among others. (PRO, CMO)
AdiSU allege misappropriation of fund, seeks funds for College
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The Adi Students Union (AdiSU) has written to education minister alleging misappropriation of fund by DDSE, East Siang. Union alleged that state government had provided fund for renovation of existing infrastructure (Rs one crore, thirty lakhs), procurement of school furniture (Rs forty eight lakhs) and provision for water tank in the govt. schools (Rs. Eighteen Lakhs) for the elementary and secondary education of district. The funds were made available for the period of year 2015-16.
However, AdiSU alleged that schools of district continue to be in dilapidated condition. “No renovation has been done barring one or two schools. Furniture has not been provided to the school and provision of drinking water is out of question. We found this after our team visited various schools, interacted with principals, headmasters and other authorities,” AdiSU stated. Further, union alleged that bills have already been withdrawn against the works. They have sought constitution of an SIT to properly investigate the matter.
“The schemes should be re-implemented by creating a genuine verification board. We seek immediate action against DDSE and all the other officials involved in the corruption,” AdiSU stated.
Meanwhile, AdiSU also appealed for early release of pending amount for construction of Model College at Jemi-Notko, Jia village under Lower Dibang Valley district. Union claimed that out of Rs 8 crore approved for construction of college, the government of Arunachal has only released Rs 2 crore in the financial year 2013-14.
Fire awareness prog conducted
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The Fire Service personnel of Itanagar Fire Station organized awareness programmes at various locations of Capital Complex as part of Fire Service Week which concluded here on Wednesday.
A team led by SP (F&ES), Itanagar, Kime Aya and Itanagar Fire Station OC Koj Taro along with staff highlighted the aim and objective of fire service week to the general public at Chandranagar market area, Chimpu market, Kidzee Private school Niti Vihar, scholars institute and Tsangpho Hotel and demonstrated fire safety measures, distributed pamphlets, conducted mock drills, imparted training on various methods of rescue, first aid and fire fighting during emergency and imparted fire safety tips.
Fire Station OC, Koj Taro also suggested all to install minimum fire safety equipment in their respective houses and buildings to minimize the loss of life and property during fire incidents.
Book on Solung-Etor Aabang released
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Apr 20: A book titled ‘Solung- Etor Aabang’ in Adi language authored by priest Tagom Tabi Gaaling was released in a simple function at Ruksin on Wednesday.
After releasing the book in presence of the head gaon burahs and village headmen of the area, Ruksin block ZPM Tonggeng Panyang hoped the book would be beneficial and helpful to the future generations to learn about the mythology and living traditions of the ethnic tribe.
Gaaling said he had took four years in writing the books, which narrates the origin of wild beasts and their relations with traditional ethos of the state’s tribal communities. He is now busy in writing ‘Genealogy’ of the Adi clans for next publication.
Born in 1945 at Boleng, Tagom represented the state in Subrato Mukhejee Cup in New Delhi during 1965. He did his secondary education from Pasighat.
Public leaders of Ruksin area, functionaries of Ruksin Block Gaon Buarh Association and village secretaries attended the book releasing ceremony and spoke on the need of such books.
DTF meeting ahead of National Switch Day
AALO Apr 20: A meeting of District Task Force was conducted by District Health Society for the ensuing National Switch Day under the chairmanship of West Siang ADC, Tamik Talom at the DC’s Conference Hall here on Wednesday.
While addressing the District Task Force and health officers, Talom exhorted them to perform their duties with sincerity and coordinate with the administrative officers and police personnel in the circle level for the smooth conduct of National Switch Day paving way from tOPV to bOPV.
DMO, Dr. Marbom Basar disclosed that effort should be made to target high risk areas like slum, inaccessible topographical zones and areas where people frequently move in and out of the city.
Earlier, DFWO Dr. Kengo Ori dwelt at length on pre-switch day exercise and update like training, push exchange plan, ORS plan to use tOPV. He informed that elaborate arrangements on transportation of vaccines, men and materials have been positioned in different locations of the district.
Siang DRCHO, Dr. R. Darrang and Child Specialist, Dr. Ijum Ado also spoke on the occasion.(DIPRO)
Renovate Ita Fort approach roads: ACS
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: Seeing the deplorable condition of approach road to Ita-Fort, Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) appealed to the chief minister to give necessary instructions to the concern authority/department for its renovation.
Ita Fort is one of the most important historical sites in the State. But the pathetic condition of the approach roads is discouraging visitors to visit the historical monument, said ACS chairman Patey Tayum.
The ACS chairman also appealed to the chief minister to provide special fund for immediate repair/maintenance of the roads approaching the eastern and western gates of the site.
DMO suspended
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The state govt has placed Dr Tayi Taloh, DMO Anjaw under suspension to facilitate a fair enquiry against him.
The state govt took the decision on the basis of written complaint received from the Deputy Commissioner of Anjaw and preliminary report submitted by Enquiry Officer Dr Hage Tabyo, who is Additional Director of Health Services.
As per the initial report, Dr Taloh was found to be misusing Govt vehicle meant for IMR Programme for his personal use
He is also reported to have remained absent from job without approval and permission of the controlling authorities as well as not responding to Show Cause Notices served by the authority.
He is also alleged of unscrupulously spending the fund provided for medicines and equipments allotted by DC Anjaw under BADP and general allotment by Director of Health Servcies, Naharlagun during 2014-15 without procuring the specified medicines and medical equipments. It was reported that Dr Taloh neither maintained codal formalities nor obtained administrative approval and estimate sanction from the appropriate authority while spending the funds. (PRO, CMO)
Lawyers to remain absent from court
SEPPA, Apr 20: The advocates under the banner of East Kameng District Bar Association (EKDBA), Seppa have decided to absent themselves from court proceeding on April 20 and 21 as a mark of protest against non-fulfillment of their demands.
They have been demanding full payment of empanelled lawyers and clearance of pending bills, informed EKDBA president Bimon Sonam in a intimation letter to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Seppa. DIPRO
Restart Subansiri Hydropower Project: Students
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The Arunachal Students Federation has written to Minister Power of Arunachal seeking immediate continuation of construction of 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydropower Project at Gerukamukh. Federation has appealed state government to initiate round table talks with Assam government to resolve the issue. Further they suggested that an expert team be constituted comprising members from Assam, Arunachal and Centre to ensure restart of work.
AKDDSU demands air dropping of food
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The executive members of All Kra Daadi District Students' Union (AKDDSU) on Tuesday met the Director of Food and Civil Supplies at his office at Papu Nallah and submitted a memorandum demanding resumption of air dropping of PDS/ration items in various remote areas of Kra Daadi district.
The students’ union in a release stated that public distribution system in the district, particularly in remote areas, has gone worse ever since the government withdrew distribution of ration items through air dropping.
Air dropping is the only viable option in remote areas of Kra Daadi district, like Tali, Pipsorang, Gangte and Tarak Lengdi where there is still no proper road connectivity, said union general secretary Pakyum Talop.
Unavailability of PDS/ration items has also been one of the main reasons for migration of people from rural to urban areas, he said. Moreover, government servants, including medical and teaching staffs show their reluctance to stay and serve in those remote areas due to this problem resulting in poor health and education scenario, he added.
Meanwhile, the Director of Food and Civil Supplies has assured AKDDSU to take up the matter seriously and place the memorandum before the Governor for immediate necessary action.
Amended Adi Customary Law soon
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: Adi Kebang Ayon (Adi Customary Law) Amendment Committee will bring out the amended copy of the Adi Kebang Ayon (Adi Customary Law) by December 31, 2016.
This was resolved in a meeting of the Committee held under the chairmanship of Narmi Bodong Yirang, Chairman, AKA Amendment Committee cum Secretary General Adi Baane Kebang at Siang Guest House, Pasighat on Wednesday.
The meeting further resolved to give time for correction, additions/deletions and sought individual comments and suggestions on Adi Kebang Ayon on or before September 30.
Many of the members also opined in the meeting that Adi Kebang Ayon must be put forward to the State Government for codification and recognition as a tool for social upliftment in Adi society, informed Tajing Taki, Member Secretary, AKA Amendment Committee Cum General Secretary, ABK: East Siang District.
19 members of the Amendment Committee out of the total 29 were present in the meeting.
Gram Swaraj Abhiyan launched
Correspondent
NAMPONG, Apr 20: Gram Swaraj Abhiyan was launched at SDO Chamber, amidst the presence of PRIs leaders on Tuesday.
SDO, K Tikhak described the significance of the newly launched Gram Swaraj Abhiyan that includes all the newly launched rural development projects like Crop Insurance, Agriculture Irrigation Schemes, Soil Health Card, Organic Farming and Agriculture Marketing System while, BDO, W Tangjang spoke about Prime Minister Awash Yojna, earlier known as Indira Awash Yojna.
Veterinary Officer, D Techai also delineated the relevance of livestock rearing along with various other agriculture practices.
The scheme is targeted to help Panchayat Raj Institution deliver sustainable development goals as well as speed up the overall rural development.
Dharna by PRIs suspended
PASIGHAT, Apr 20: The proposed ‘Dharna on April 21 in front of the College of Horticulture & Forestry (CHF), Pasighat by the PRI leaders of Bogong-I and II has been temporarily suspended following assurance from the Registrar of College to address the grievances within a week.
Earlier this morning, Deputy Commissioner In-charge Bani Lego held a coordination meeting with the PRI leaders wherein the Superintendent of Police RS Chauhan and Dean of the college Prof. AK Pandey were also present and discussed the issue thoroughly.
After receiving written assurance from the Registrar of the CHF, both the Chairpersons of Bogong I & II Tamut Tasung and Oni Tamuk gave seven days ultimatum to the authority concerned for fulfillment of their demand failing which they threatened to call 12-hour Pasighat Bandh.
They also appealed to the Vice Chancellor and Registrar to come forward and to extend their fullest support and cooperation to the local youths in minimizing unemployment problem. DIPRO
APCC mourns death
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Yimar Ango, Dagyom Ango and Horge Angu of Jini village, West Siang, who lost their lives in a tragic road accident on Apr 19 at Telam.
The APCC further prayed to the Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed soul and further wished early recovery of all those injured in the same accident.
9th State-Level Wado-Kai Karate Champ’shp
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: The 9th State-Level Wado-Kai Karate Championship will be jointly conducted by the Upper Siang Karate-Do Association and Upper Siang Wado-Kai Karate-Do Association at the Multipurpose Cultural Hall, Yingkiong in Upper Siang district from Apr 26 to 27 next, informed an Arunachal Wado-Kai Karate-Do Association release.
Nuranang MHS Ph-I restored
TAWANG, Apr 20: Nuranang MHS Ph-I was restored on Wednesday--a day after it was shut down due to landslide at power channel caused by incessant rainfall. Both Civil and E&M department mobilized all its resources for restoration of MHS.
Temporary protection wall along the power channel has been provided, the department informed, adding that work of Kitpi Ph-I also was also in full swing, and is likely to be restored within few days. DIPRO.
Students attend art and handwriting workshop
ITANAGAR, Apr 20: In all, 70 trainees from various districts of the state underwent training on basics of legible handwriting skills during a two-day long Art and Handwriting Workshop held at DBYC Residential Training Centre here recently.
Pritam Bhattacharjee and Prem Kumar Sharma from Multitech Computer Education Centre are teaching the trainees of varying age groups to use lines, waves and shapes to draw different pictures. The trainees were also given input sessions on the basics of legible handwriting skills.
The trainees who are on a two-months’ residential Holiday Training Package are also learning, English fluency, personality development, soft skills and basic computer.
During the valedictory function of the workshop, the Centre Coordinator, Manjuna Sangma exhorted the trainees to practice the skills learnt during the workshop and said that while artistic expression sharpens ones imagination, legible handwriting brightens the prospects of better grades in examinations.
Editorial
Politics of uncertainty
In last few days state BJP leadership have given enough hint indicating that PPA
MLAs might join BJP to form the saffron government in the state. Both leader of opposition
Tamiyo Taga and new BJP president Tapir Gao has spoken about possibility of BJP being
part of Kalikho Pul led government. Most of the PPA MLAs including Chief Minister
Kalikho Pul had only recently joined regional party from Congress. Therefore if they
again merge into BJP a lot of question will be raised over their integrity.
The statement of state BJP leadership seems to have riled PPA patrons. Party chairman
Kamen Ringu on Monday claim that PPA will continue to remain in power and no MLAs
will join BJP. Arunachal politics is full of uncertainty. If tomorrow PPA MLA joins
BJP no one will be surprised. But if Chief Minister Kalikho Pul indeed wants to implement
his developmental ideas and take state to newer height, he should think twice before
merging with BJP. He rebelled against Congress due to high command culture and lack
of respect for the local politicians by people sitting at Delhi. But if Pul joins
BJP, again he will have to deal with high command culture. To make matter worse in
BJP there are two command centres that is party high command and RSS. Dealing with
two power centre will be more difficult. Being in PPA, he will have absolute command
over party and will not have to worry about pleasing anyone. Also chances of rebellion
against his leadership will be less, thereby giving him enough time to concentrate
in governance.
________________________________
Readers’ Forum
An open letter to CM
Dear Editor,
Through this esteemed newspaper, I would firstly appreciate your huge cash incentive
announcement for those clearing UPSC prelims and mains. To this, I would like to
bring to your notice that this prestigious UPSC also conducts similar exams for various
other posts such as Assistant Commandant (CPO), Medical Officer, and APFC which are
also equally reputed and yet such cash incentives have not been announced.
I would request the govt to club all the UPSC exams together and APPSC and other
central job (for eg.SSC) together for finalizing the cash incentive.
The other point which I would like to bring to your notice is that in parallel to
cash incentives the govt should try to address the following:
All the necessary books for such competitive exams should be made available at a
subsidized cost and should be made available in the state's library.
Better internet facility should be at disposal. Why can’t the govt initiate a subsidized
WiFi connection?
Availability of national newspaper should be ensured. For instance "The Hindu" newspaper
which actually cost Rs.8 is available at Rs.15 or 20 which acts as a deterrent to
all the aspirants.
Since the govt under your leadership is very actively participating in addressing
the student's problems, i am optimistic that the above said points will be considered
at the earliest.
Yours,
An Aspirant
Congratulations Dipa Karmakar
Dear Editor,
I congratulate Dipa Karmakar for creating a history by becoming the first Indian
female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. She is also the first ever Indian gymnast
to win a gold medal at a global event. The 22-year-old put up a strong performance
in the final qualifier, scoring 52.698 points to secure a place in the Rio Olympics
2016.
Karmakar's achievement is a story of hard work, will power and determination. She
showed us the real spirit of youth after winning one of the most dangerous and risky
event. While artistic gymnastics looks beautiful and graceful, the Produnova demonstrates
how it requires considerable strength and courage.
Apart from being the first Indian woman, she will also be an Indian gymnast qualifying
for the quadrennial extravaganza after 52 years. Many of our sisters from seven sisters
are shining bright in sporting arena.
Wish this girl from Tripura all the best for the forthcoming Rio Olympic.
Yours,
Arnab Dey
Kolkata
Don’t deprive teachers
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to raise my query as to why the RMSA teachers
in Arunachal Pradesh are paid very meager salary when the teachers in the same post
and working under same scheme are getting higher salary. For instance, a RMSA teacher
in govt of Nagaland is getting an initial salary of Rs.31,315 p.m while the same
designated teacher are paid just Rs.15,000 p.m (fixed) in our state.
This difference in salary is a reflection of how our state govt. is concerned about
our education system.
Through this column, I wish to appeal to the CM of the state to look into this problem.
Low salary and delay in disbursement of salary of the teachers working under SSA
and RMSA are one of the major factors of their irregularity which leads to the poor
performance of the students and diminishing quality education of the region.
A sound education can be expected when the teachers are not subjected to deprivation
in terms of their livelihood.
Yours,
Concerned citizen
Illegal wildlife markets and wildlife conservation
Dear Editor,
The exciting news regarding global increase in tiger populations highlighted in the
latest global tiger census report; significant increase in tiger population has been
recorded in Russia, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
No data is available for Myanmar; however, a significant tiger population is known
to exist in the country.
I sincerely hope new data will be made available soon for Myanmar with a new government
in office. The worst situation has been reported from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and
China; where the different sub species of tiger inhabiting these countries are almost
to the verge of extinction in the wild. It is important to probe a bit deeper to
understand why is this happening in this specific countries, impacted by severe deforestation
due to various anthropogenic pressures and more destructively due to unrestricted
poaching.
India representing 70% of the global tigers is a grand feather in the conservation
crown of the nation. Assam is one of the Indian states with sizeable tiger population
and the local forest department as well as the government must be complimented for
the grand success in tiger conservation. Tiger represents at the top of the food
chain in the forest ecosystem; hence higher number of tigers reflects to the good
health of the entire forest system and brings hope for a better environment in turn.
Assam has shown great success in the conservation of the three major mammalian species
of NE India, namely the Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephants and the one horned Indian
rhinoceros. Although man-animal conflicts are common in Assam but they have been
predominantly involved with leopards and elephants; and poaching have been reported
mostly with rhinos and primates. The successful management of negative anthropogenic
pressures on local tiger populations through effective conservation approaches has
helped the resurgence of tigers in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Tigers in SE Asia are indiscriminately hunted and through the porous borders find
their way into Vietnam and then to China, representing biggest illegal wildlife markets.
China has been the home of two sub species of tiger, the Indochinese as well as
the South Chinese tigers.
Both are almost to the level of being declared as extinct in the wild and are highly
debated as how many still exists in the wild. The high demand of tiger bones, teeth
and body parts of traditional Chinese medicine has been ravaging the global tiger
populations due to heavy poaching. No serious attempts have been taken by the powerful
Chinese government to curb the practices which harbor some of the largest illegal
markets of wildlife products in the world that operate in broad daylight. Not only
tigers; several other species like African and Asiatic rhinoceros and elephant products,
different Asiatic bear species, primates are facing serious threats of extinction
due to the massive growth of these illegal wildlife markets with annual turnaround
of several million dollars. The beneficiaries of these illegal wildlife industries
are not only rich and influential elites of China and SE Asia but also those who
enjoy tremendous and unquestionable political power. As a consequence, unless these
illegal wildlife markets are efficiently controlled and/or restricted the future
of global wildlife conservation is being seriously challenged.
Yours,
Saikat Kumar Basu
Canada
