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April 03

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

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Bailey bridge deteriorating

YAZALI, Apr 2: A bailey bridge over Pai River at Poosa near NEEPCO is reported to have been partially damaged, causing much trouble for the commuters travelling between state capital Itanagar and areas under Lower Subansiri district.

According to sources, portions of the steel plates in the bridge have fallen out of place thus rendering the bridge no longer fit for heavy vehicles to pass through. As for light vehicles, the locals are said to have arranged wooden planks to cover up the damaged portions, so as to enable its passage.

The locals, however, are allegedly charging an amount of Rs 200 for rendering their services in the passage of light vehicles and also as maintenance fees. Meanwhile, when asked of the same for authentication, Yazali OC, A Phassang denied any knowledge of such fee collection by the locals.  

 

 

 

Motion set for first phase of 4-lane project

[ Manoj Singh ]

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: The first phase of Itanagar-Banderdewa 4-lane project will cover 10.9 KM from Chandranagar to Papu Nallah, for which, PWD highway has already completed technical bidding process, while the financial bid is expected to be cleared by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway (MoRTH) by next week.  

Informing this, Chief Engineer Highway Toli Basar expressed hope that work for the first phase will start at the earliest. He also shared that maintenance work of NH-415 from Nirjuli to Banderdewa will also start very soon. Further, the CE added that the department is pursuing early sanctioning of remaining stretch from Papu Hapa to Banderdewa and that the Ministry has fixed a meeting for the end of this month to discuss all issues related to it.

Capital Complex Executive Engineer, Nani Tath said that no compensation will be paid for any asset within the RoW as per decision of the Government of Arunachal, right from Chandranagar to Banderdewa. When asked about the payment of compensation issue beyond RoW, Tath informed that from the Highway Department, an amount of Rs 42.64 crore has already been released to the capital district administration and it would be disbursed against standing structure and assets, including agriculture and horticulture land, etc. Funds have also been released to the PHE and Power Department for utility shifting, informed the EE.

Additional District Magistrate (ADM) cum Chief Estate Officer (CEO), Talo Potom also informed that the Capital District administration has forwarded the final list of more than 1081 land encroachers, who would be evicted soon. Potom added that he is awaiting nod from the MoRTH and the Government of Arunachal to start the eviction process.

"The process of eviction would be carried out in a phased manner. All the encroachers have been identified and verified as well as portions of the structures have been demarcated in presence of the owners of the building after publication in the local dailies on different occasions.

Formal notice will be issued and hearing will be done for the encroachers from Chandranagar to Papu Nallah in the first phase, on the spot," shared ADM Potom.  

Local MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary for PWD, UD, TP and ULB, Techi Kaso also appealed to all the denizens of the Capital Complex, including NGOs and civil societies to support the local administration and Highway authority in converting the present road into 4-lane road. Kaso also informed that sector roads and bypass road of Chimpu-Jully-Papu Nallah is also being taken care of by the government.

 

 

 

More cautious approach needed to safeguard tribal people

Monday Musing

[ Ranjit Sinha ]

While racial discrimination against the people of North East, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, has always been a cause for concern, lackadaisical attitude of the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry towards recommendations of the parliamentary panel on tribal women empowerment and to stop human trafficking drew flak.

The panel urged the concern ministry to functionalize a special cell under each police station in tribal-dominated areas and coordinate between state and centre, and states and NGOs to prevent atrocities against women.

The parliamentary panel on women empowerment is of the opinion that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs should be more dynamic and proactive. It should constitute study groups to go in deep to find out the root cause behind human trafficking.  

According to reports of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, there were a whopping 19,223 women and child trafficking cases in the year 2016 against 15,448 in 2015. Nearly 25 percent rise from the previous year. The actual figure may go up as a large chunk of victims in rural areas are either not  reporting such cases or prefer to keep mum due to social taboos or ignorance about  the related laws.

The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women had already expressed concern over the trafficking of Arunachalee women.  

"Many women and young girls from the state, who went outside the state for state sponsored jobs are falling prey to sex rackets. Though some of them have returned to the state and are reportedly taking shelter in various shelter houses, many are not returning home," Commission Chairperson Mitali Tingkhatra had said during a state level workshop on women and girl child trafficking held in July 2016.

The racial discrimination and ignorance by the people of mainland India about the culture and well-preserved traditions of tribal people of the state may have compelled MP Ninong Ering to introduce a bill for establishment of National Tribal Research and Development University in Arunachal Pradesh.

"If the university comes into existence, it will be a major step towards filling the information gap while forming the policies for tribal people, especially in the North-Eastern states," Ering had said.

It would be appropriate to say that the real Indian culture of hospitality and tolerance are well guarded by the tribal people of North East, particularly the people of Arunachal Pradesh. But youths and girls of the state are more than often lured by some unscrupulous persons with promises of better jobs outside the North East.

In reality, they are sold in the name of those "better jobs". Some of them are forced to work as domestic help and in small industries against their will. It is even reported that some of them are sexually exploited.

Though  cases of human trafficking from Arunachal Pradesh is minimal as compared to other states of the north eastern region, the state government, particularly the Department of Skill Development and  Employment Generation has to  take more cautious approaches while sending youths, including girls to other states of the country for skill development trainings or job placements. The government must look into the fact that youths need space not only to earn livelihood but also nurture moral values of life anywhere in India. They should not be demoralized by some defective Indians.

 

 

 

 

Devote your time and energy to study, AAPSU to students

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has appealed to the students of Arunachal Pradesh pursuing education outside the state to devote their time and energy to studies only.

The AAPSU made this ardent appeal following reports that many students from the state are caught up in unpleasant and controversial cases, illicit like live-in relationships, cheating, and criminal and drug related cases outside the state.

The students' union stated that it had been regularly receiving such complaints from many parents seeking the union's intervention in the said matters.

"The parents spend their hard-earned money on their children's education with the hope that they will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of their parents by excelling in their academic performances, but the parents get deeply hurt when their children are found involved in any unpleasant or controversial incidents. This also brings bad name to the state," said AAPSU President Hawa Bagang.

"Parents are seeking the union's intervention into their children's career lapse, and sometimes in very personal matters too, which is logically difficult for the Union to address all the matters one by one", the AAPSU said.

It also appealed to the students not to get involved in any brawl with local people, which may cause them physical or emotional harm. They should adapt to the local environment and maintain cordial relationship with the locals everywhere, the Union opined.

Assuring all possible help, the AAPSU also suggested the students to refrain themselves from politics, avoid any controversies or any activities that may yield negative consequences.

 

 

 

Heavy rain lashes Siang Valley, hits life

Correspondent

RUKSIN, Apr 2: Heavy rain lashed East Siang district, throwing life out of gear since Saturday.

Heavy rains have been reported in the entire Siang belt, including Pasighat, Mebo, Nari-Koyu in East Siang district and adjoining Dhemaji district.

The rains which started Saturday midnight turned torrential with hilly rivers and streams filled with rain water.

Water level of Siang, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra was reportedly rising, following heavy rain in the northern hills. Many roads also witnessed water logging causing great inconvenience to the commuters.

The region had witnessed heavy hailstorm during mid-February this year. The Meteorology Department has predicted that heavy pre-monsoon rain would be active in the Himalayan region till the first week of April.

 

 

 

Forced conversions wrong: Dalai Lama

GUWAHATI, Apr 2:Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today denounced conversion of faith by coercion and called it "wrong and not at all good for society".

"Conversion by coercion is wrong as basically one should be free to choose his/her religion and whether one accepts a faith or not should be an entirely independent choice," the Dalai Lama said at the 'Namami Brahmaputra' River festival organised by the Assam government here.

He, however, suggested that it was better to follow one's traditional religion as change of religion "creates confusion" but, if an individual does convert, it should be done voluntarily and not by force as "it is not good and should not be done".

The Dalai Lama said that studying other traditions, their values and traditions was a great way to ensure religious harmony, mutual understanding and respect for others.

"I never propagate Buddhism during my visits to the western countries as I believe it is better to follow one's traditional religion but one should always study other traditions to develop understanding, respect and compassion for others," the Nobel laureate said.

The Dalai Lama said the Nalanda scholars of Buddhism had always pointed out the need to study different philosophical thoughts -- both Buddhist and non-Buddhist -- as this would be helpful in understanding other traditions.

"When I was in Tibet, I thought Buddhism was the best but when I came to India and met Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians and people of other faiths, I realised that each tradition has values that need to be understood for promoting world peace," he said.

The Dalai Lama asserted that both the concepts of 'One religion-one Truth' and 'Several religion-several truths' were simultaneously relevant and the understanding of these concepts strengthens the bond between different religions.

He further said that he is in touch with professors and scholars of various American universities to prepare a draft for secular ethics and urged Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to introduce it, when it is ready, in a few schools and monitor it for a few years.

"If it is successful, it can be introduced in other schools too as it is very important to educate children from the kindergarten to the University level to bring peace through compassion and love," the Dalai Lama said. PTI

 

 

 

EKSCWO asks Sushee Infra to complete Nechiphu-Hoj portion of TAH immediately

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: The East Kameng Social and Cultural Welfare Organisation (EKSCWO) asked the Sushee Infra Pvt Ltd (SIPL) to complete the remaining portion of the Nechiphu-Hoj Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) project at the earliest.

In this regard, an EKSCWO team, led by its chairman Khya Safar Pao and general secretary Nikam Tallang on Saturday visited the construction site at Rilloh and met SIFL general manager Pradeep Sarma and senior project manager G B Subramaniyam.

The team requested the officials to complete the remaining 40-metre stretch of the road near Rilloh to allow commuters to use the road, which, if completed, would shorten the journey by two hours.

The EKSCWO members suggested the officials to connect an alternative route to the highway, via Taja Hapa, until the work on the highway is completed.

The SIPL officials on their part sought at least 15 days to make the road ready for traffic. The officials also assured to develop an alternative route to the highway, which is expected to shorten the distance by another three km.

The EKSCWO team also met SIPL's senior official, Shera Rajan Kher at the firm's base camp at Langdang near Leporiang. Kher said that his firm is putting all its efforts to complete the project before the December 2017 deadline.  

Kher also sought 15 days to make the road motorable, and said that he would instruct his officials to expedite the work with additional manpower and machineries before the onset of monsoon.

Pao assured full cooperation to the firm in carrying out the construction work. He appealed to the people to have patience and not create any difficulties for the workers.

"This road is for our benefit. People using this road must cooperate with Sushee in carrying out its work," Pao said, and warned of "strict action" against miscreants.     

Among others, Arunachal Press Club president Chopa Cheda, East Kameng Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Tassang Taku, East Kameng DDSE Kata Rangmo, and Government Model Degree College Seppa principal Robin Hissang, former East Kameng District Youth Congress president Rajiv Camdir Tok also attended the meeting.

The SIFL is widening the 311 km existing road to two-lane NH standards along with improvements and realignments from Nechipu to Hoj via Seppa, Sagali under the TAH project.

 

 

 

Dalai Lama’s Tawang visit spiritual retreat or strategic response?

[ Nani Bath ]

India permitted the Dalai Lama to visit Tawang in 2009, which China claims as ‘an integral part of the Southern Tibet region and is alienable from China’s Tibet in terms of cultural background and administrative jurisdiction’. He is permitted again this year in spite of strong Chinese reactions or ‘warnings’.

The People’s Republic of China and India emerged as independent nations almost simultaneously. India, under the leadership of Nehru, desired to have its economy developed so as to feed the teeming millions. The very first step Nehru took was to establish friendly relations with India’s neighbours while remaining non-aligned to either of the blocks (Socialist and Capitalist).

China was wary of India’s reactions when it invaded Tibet in 1950. Since India had it own sets of problems, Nehru showed no inclinations to deter the establishment of Chinese rule in Tibet. India refused Tibet’s appeal for help, and Nehru is believed to have told the Tibetans to negotiate for a peaceful settlement.

When, in 1951, Major Ralengnao Khating, a young Naga officer, with 200 soldiers occupied Tawang, the PRC did not protest. Major Khating had ordered the locals not to obey the orders of Tsona Dzongpens of the Tibetan Government.

Mao’s China was ideologically committed to prevent imperialist tendencies of the USA, and was advocating for unity of the developing countries. This provided an opportunity for India and China to come together.  The “Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet Region of China and India”, also known as Pancheel Agreement, was signed between India and China in 1954.

The 1954 Agreement, for the first time, referred Tibet as ‘the Tibet region of China’. Not only did Tibet’s sovereign rights get compromised but India also had to give up its extra territorial rights in Tibet, such as the military escorts in Gyantse and Yatung; post offices, telegraph and telephone services and 12 rest houses. 

Anti-Chinese and anti-communist revolt that broke out in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, on 10th March 1959 was brutally crushed by the Chinese military. Thousands of Tibetans, mostly lamas, were massacred.  On the suggestion of his Cabinet, the 14th Dalai Lama fled the capital probably to avoid a Chinese crackdown.

On 31 March, the Dalai Lama reached Indian border and sought political asylum. India was more than happy to host the spiritual-cum-political leader along with thousands of his supporters.

Chinese PLA’s inability to stop the Dalai Lama from crossing over to India plus India’s willingness to host him had put China in an embarrassing position at the global level. Furthermore, Nehru’s ‘forward policy’ was perhaps construed as an extension of the imperialist policy of the British by Mao.

The Chini-Hindi Bhai-Bhai slogan that reverberated across the Himalayas suddenly turned silent. The silence was broken by the sounds of Chinese mortars and machine guns on 20th October, 1962. Mao’s China attacked India with an aim to ‘teach Nehru a lesson’. Many, including Indira Gandhi, did opine that Mao’s actions of 1962 had hastened Nehru’s death.

Several rounds of border talks yielded no positive results. The visit of the Chinese president Xi Jinping in India in 2014 was also not helpful in resolving the vexed boundary issue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra, ‘Inches towards Miles’, could not go beyond ‘Inches’.

Both India and China remain suspicious of each other till date. China thinks that India is a party of the United States’ ‘Containment Policy’, while India believes that China is effectively pursuing the policy of ‘Encirclement’ in Asian.

In the fight between two Asian giants, it is the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh who suffer for no fault of theirs. The Government of India always framed its policy vis-à-vis Arunachal Pradesh based on strategic and ‘nationalist’ considerations.

A long-standing territorial dispute between India and China was allowed to be spill over into the international arena by China when it blocked India’s development plan at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as it contained a 60 million dollar project for Arunachal Pradesh.

China’s plan, initially, was not to issue visa to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that ‘Arunachalees do not need visa to visit their own country’. Later, however, it changed its stance and started issuing ‘stapled visa’. Since it is not a normal stamped visa, many from the state are denied permission by the Government of India to visit China.

Then Member of Parliament and present MoS (Home), Kiren Rijiju urged New Delhi to adopt a concrete strategy so that Arunanchalees do not face ‘humiliation again and again’. Rijiju’s logic, simple and straight, was that ‘...... the border problem will continue and the Arunachalees can never participate in any international event in China’.

In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was believed to have issued warning against Beijing’s policy of issuing stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh. A tit-for-tat response from New Delhi was expected, but what Modi did was to announce electronic visas for Chinese tourists. His announcement reversed the past policy of holding back easing visas for Chinese nationals in protest against Beijing’s practice of issuing stapled visa.

Except for 15-km stretch between Bleting, the last Indian village in Lumla and Kheney in Tashigang of Bhutan, India and Bhutan is connected by all-weather road. The Government of Bhutan is reluctant to allow construction of this stretch of the road because of various factors-both political and strategic.

One of the reasons could be that Bhutan does not wish to anger China as Beijing considers Tawang as a geographical and cultural extension of mainland China. If it is allowed, the distance between Guwahati and strategically significant Tawang will be reduced by around 200 kilometers, while the travel time is likely to decrease by over six hours.

The coronation of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, father of the present king of Bhutan, took place at a very young age. Some months before his official coronation, the Government of Bhutan unearthed a plot to kill the young monarch involving some Tibetan refugees. The investigation revealed that Gyalo Thendhup, brother of the Dalai Lama, was the alleged kingpin of the plot. There are hundreds of Tibetan refugees in Bhutan, who fled with the Dalai Lama in 1959 (many had already accepted Bhutanees citizenship).

Bhutan is not only apprehensive about the Dalai Lama’s influence but is equally concerned about the ‘material influence’ from Mon region. The Gombu/ Gombe Kora festival is held every year in the month of March/ April in Tashigang area of Bhutan. Hundreds of people from Tawang and West Kameng participate in the festival. In one such festival, some Monpas (or may be Tibetan refugees) were seen spending lakhs of rupees in arrow shooting game.

Two violent incidents rocked the otherwise peaceful Mon region- one in 2014 and another in 2016. The first one was the mob attack against the three MLAs, Pema Khandu, Jambey Tashi and Tsering Tashi of Tawang district. Their vehicles were damaged in Bomdila by the mob suspecting that they had a hand in the death of Tsona Gontse Rinpoche, who was found dead in New Delhi on May 16, 2014.

Lama Lobsang Gyatso (also known as Anna Lama because of his association with Anna Hazare), General Secretary of the Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF), was arrested by the district police. The SMRF has been leading a movement against several hydroelectric dams which are coming up in the region. Lama’s supporters demanded his immediate release and started to protest in front of the police station and the police resorted to firing, killing two persons and injuring six others.

These incidents seriously dented the political image of the Khandu family. The young Khandu (Pema), the present Chief Minister, perhaps desires to establish peace in the region by inviting the Dalai Lama.

India, being a democratic country and a responsible member of the international community, is bound by established rules and norms to have allowed our guests, including refugees to visit any part of the country. It is the responsibility of the government of the day to ensure safety and security of any individuals in the country. The Dalai Lama, being our reverend guest, is free for his religious preaching anywhere in the country, may it be Tawang or any other place.

Critics have, however, maintained that the state should not have anything to do with the visit of a religious figure, in this case the Dalai Lama. This argument is significant in the context of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, under the leadership of Pema Khandu (a Buddhist), gearing up all its machineries for the visit of a religious head.

Will the government extend similar courtesies in the event of the visit of other religious figures in the likes of Imam Bukhari or Paul Dinakaran? Would the government keep three-four Fortuners (costing around 25 lakhs each) at the disposal of other similar dignitaries as well?

Unlike in the past, the present Indian leadership has the potential to deliver. I have no doubt that our desire of getting the Indian Railways extended up to Tawang would come to a reality. But for now, we would be satisfied with a daily Rajdhani Express from Naharlagun to New Delhi.

Kiren Rijiju indicated that New Delhi is planning to construct a road along the international boundary (McMohan Line) from Mago-Thingbu in Tawang to Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh to boost infrastructure.

This may also come true. But, before that, it is important that the ongoing Trans-Arunachal Highway (Rs 24,000 crores project announced by the UPA Government under Manmohan Singh) is implemented properly. Almost all strategically important defence roads (manned by BRTF) are in dilapidated conditions.

Today’s Bomdila-Tawang road is as same as what I saw some 15 years ago. Hayuliang-Chaklagam road, which is around 55 kilometers, takes three to four hours. A defence part (looks like Bofors howitzer gun) lays unattended on the roadside because the road is so narrow that the Indian Army trucks find it difficult to negotiate its turns.

So, what is the use of political chest-thumping without matching it at the ground level?  

My take on the issue is that China considers Tibet as the core, and Tawang the periphery. Their claim over Arunachal Pradesh is only symbolic.

Secondly, friendly relations with our neighbouring countries would help us develop peacefully. India had already acknowledged “Tibet Autonomous Region” is a part of China territory in lieu of China acknowledging Sikkim as part of India territory in 2003.  So would India’s half-hearted support with full of rhetoric help change China’s Tibet policy?

Third, India’s foreign policy objective of permitting the Dalal Lama to visit Tawang whenever China vetoes UN declaration of Masood Azhar as a terrorist is highly deplorable.

Fourthly, India suffers from ‘democratic-surplus’. We debate a lot but are not firm in our actions. A CIA paper reveals that Nehru wanted to have a deal on Aksai Chin, in exchange of the Indian ownership of Arunachal Pradesh, but his view was opposed by some leaders in the Congress party.

Last, Chinese leadership may say something but do something else. The quality of Chinese leaders is aptly reflected in Akshay Kumar's dialogue in his film Rowdy Rathore, 'Jo main bolta hoon woh main karta hoon ... jo main nahi bolta woh main definitely karta hoon'. (The author is faculty in Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar and can be contacted at nanibath@rediffmail.com. )

 

 

 

 

58 liquor vendors sealed in West Siang

AALO, Apr 2: The officials of Tax and Excise Department, West Siang, sealed 58 liquor vendors falling within 500m of the national and state highways on April 1, for non-compliance with the Supreme Court order.

While sealing the shops, it was found that owners of some shops had either shifted their outlets to different locations beyond 500m from the highways or pre-empted their vendors on expiry of deadline served to them for shifting the shops. (DIPRO)

 

 

 

Union demands probe into minor's death

ITANAGAR, Apr 2:  The All Dollungmukh Area Students' Union(ADASU) on Sunday strongly urged the state government to investigate the murder case of a minor, one Rotom John,  registered with the Palin Police Station in connection with case number 06/17 U/S 302 IPC.  The union claimed that late John was handed over to his divorcee mother at Kangkar Nallah. He was found dead under mysterious circumstance at his maternal grandparents' residence at Palin in Kra Daadi district on March 24 last.  The union appealed to the authority to bring justice to the minor's mysterious death.

 

 

 

FIR lodged against HPDC chairman

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: Yupia Youth Welfare Association president Gyamar Takar (Bharat) has lodged a complaint against one Tungri Effa at Doimukh Police Station for allegedly sneaking into his compound and burning his car (Scorpio) in the wee hours of Sunday.

Based on the complaint, a case No. 13/17, U/S - 447/456/436/506 of the IPC has been registered in the Doimukh Police Station.

In his complaint, Takar alleged that at around 3:10 AM, Effa broke the car window and poured petrol inside the car and set it on fire.

The fire also damaged the half constructed RCC building where the said car was parked, the complainant said.

Earlier on April 1, Takar had lodged a complaint against Effa at Itanagar Police Station for allegedly committing offences of forgery and siphoning public fund by submitting false bills and photographs under the project for improvement of approach road with C/o of Retaining Wall to Middle School at Tigdo Village, Yupia under Revised Estimate, 2016-2017 under the Department of Hydro Power Development.

It is also alleged that he has submitted false claim of bills before the Chief Engineer of the Department by stating that the aforesaid project is being undertaken by the Hydro Power Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh Ltd, wherein he is the chairman and allegedly urged the authority to divert and release the fund to the Corporation.  "The question of executing aforesaid project by Hydro Power Corporation does not arise and same is absolutely false", the complainant said.

 

 

 

 

AR holds polio vaccination camp

JAIRAMPUR, Apr 2: To enhance awareness levels and ensure good health of future generations, the 13 Assam Rifles, Jairampur Battalion, under the aegis of DAO Division has launched a massive pulse polio campaign in Changlang district from April 2.

Accordingly, children from all across the district were provided with pulse polio drops to immunize the future generations. The immunization programme was launched at Nampong, Jairampur, Miao and Vijaynagar.

Vijaynagar is one of the remotest locations in Arunachal Pradesh and requires approximately five days of foot march for the supplies to reach to the population. However, the Assam Rifles unit informed that with timely forecast and seamless planning, around 450 children were immunized at Vijaynagar, and more than a thousand children were vaccinated in the district.

 

 

 

Utkal Divas celebrated at RGU campus

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: The Odiyas working in various capacities in the state celebrated the 82nd Utkal Divas with great enthusiasm on Saturday to commemorate the birth of Odisha on April 1 in 1936.

Attending the celebration in RGU campus, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Arunachal Utkal Sanskrutika Parisada (AUSP) President Narayan Sahu and chief patron Dr Nishamani Kar highlighted the relevance of the day and applauded the participation of the Odiyas in the celebration, while chief adviser, Pradeep Kumar Behera underscored the historical ties between Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh.

The event, organised by AUSP, started with floral tributes to former governor Surendra Nath Dwivedi, who was instrumental in inviting Odiyas working all over the state to the Raj Bhawan in 1992 to celebrate Utkal Diwas first time, followed by formation of the AUSP.

NIT associate professors Prases Kumar Mohnaty and Preeti Sudha Meher,  bank mangers Pradip Kumar Behera (Vijaya Bank) & Santosh Das (Canara Bank), added value to the event punctuated by colourful programmes by young and old, reflecting Odisha's rich cultural mosaic.

Prominent persons, including septuagenarians retired CDMO Dr Nimai Charan Sahoo, retired IRE GM Dr Sushama Sahu, Malati Manjari Behera, Premlata Prusty, Shakuntal Das & octogenarian Ujjal Chandra Prusty also attended the celebration.

At Roing, the Utkal Divas was celebrated in the VKV Hall with much fanfare by the Odia Samaj of Sadiya-Roing on April 1.  

Speaking on the occasion, Lower Dibang Valley, SP Sanjay Kumar Sain lauded the efforts of the Odiya Samaj in organizing such functions, which he felt, would significantly contribute towards the developmental process through cross- cultural connections reinforcing the unity and integrity of India.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the Kasturba Gandhi Institute of Higher Education (KGIHE), Komini Meto, highlighted the contributions of Odiyas to the trajectory of human resource development in Arunachal Pradesh.  

Another resource person, Bhismak Lingi harped on strengths of the Indian culture in cementing common bondage   and augmenting national character, while programme coordinator B R Das dwelt on the role of Kalinga Empire in the ancient maritime trade and spread of Buddhism from Odisha to Southeast Asia.  

Also delivering his views as a resource person, Dr Jajati K Pattnaik, Associate Professor, JT Government Model Degree College, said that Odisha has contributed tremendously in the field of agriculture, service industry, art, architecture, culture, cuisine, handicraft and handloom and recently in the evolution of India's soft power or Mausam policy coined by the present political dispensation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  

KGIHE Principal, K C Pradhan also spoke on the occasion, which was joined by eminent persons from different walks of life. Cultural troupes with native costumes, songs and dances also engaged the crowd.

 

 

 

Training on food processing, tie & dye concludes

ROING, Apr 2: The week-long training on food processing, tie & dye for SHGs members and aspiring young entrepreneurs concluded at Rehko Hall, Mayu-II Village on a positive note.  

The AMYAA NGO, based at Roing, with the support of Quest Alliance, Bengaluru organized the training under Skills to Succeed (S2S) programme with special focus on developing entrepreneurship skills of the SHGs members and the unemployed youth of the district.

The entrepreneurship skill development training programme was organized at Denlo, Abali, Bolung, Midland, Cheta and Mayu clusters.

The training covered 23 villages and a total of 204 people have benefited from it.

The training programme was facilitated by Ramesh Kumar Singh, Programme Coordinator and Aseng Perme, Facilitator of AMYAA. An experienced and expert in food processing Sr Magdalene Simon from Harmutty, Assam was the main resource person of the training.

Roing ADC Cheshta Yadav, speaking at the Cheta Cluster training, encouraged the women to go beyond the kitchen and stand on their own feet. 'It is through gaining skills that they would be able to earn and support their families, the ADC said.

Since the district is gifted with immense organic vegetables and fruits production due to fertile land, women and unemployed youth can set up food processing units on commercial basis as well as for home consumption, the ADC opined.

Secretary, AMYAA R K Paul Chawang briefed on the importance of developing entrepreneurship skills by SHG members and unemployed youth in all the cluster trainings to gain self-employable skills and knowledge.

 

 

 

Army constructs water tank, public toilet

KHONSA, Apr 2: A concrete water tank/ storage and public toilet for both men and women, conceptualized and constructed by Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles under its Civic Action Project was inaugurated for public use at New Kuthing Village on March 31.

The efforts made by the Assam Rifles under DAO Division were highly appreciated by the residents of the village. They said this kind of welfare activities by the army in their areas of operation would go a long way in improving the relationship and understanding between the security forces and public.

 

 

 

FIR against fake account holder

ITANAGAR, Apr 2:  Reacting to a social media post by one Tenjin Tatting Mation, wherein he allegedly stated that the people of 19th Nyapin Constituency Assembly would boycott BJP Vice President Tame Phassang from attending the Bangtey Fatey Nikam Longtey Festival at Chebang, the festival committee has filed a complaint against Mation under cyber crime. Condemning the social media post, the festival committee appealed to the police authority to arrest the person behind the Facebook account holder, who they claimed was using a fake identity.

---- Editorial ----

 

 

SC will have to do balancing act

As state government's starts to implement the Supreme Court order of banning sale of liquor near national highways, there is growing worry that it might lead to large scale displacement of workers rendering them jobless. The court's order, meant to curb drink driving and the subsequent accidents on highways, is expected to affect around 35,000 establishments in western India alone. States like Goa, Maharashtra is expected to be the worst affected. NITI Aayog Chief Amitabh Kant while expressing reservation over apex court today tweeted that one million jobs will be lost due to this order.

There is no doubt that Supreme Court order passed the said order in all good wisdom. However there is no denying that said order will hit hard the people who work in restaurants and pubs along the highways. If people loose job it will have serious social and psychological impact. The question also arises how much apex court order will help to reduce accidents on national highway. It is upto individual whether to drink and drive. Closing of bars and pubs within 55 meters of highways will not help curb accidents. The accidents can be curbed only by strictly implementing existing laws and by carrying out strict checking of motorists so that no one dares to drink and drive. Apex Court will have to look into the grievances of those who depend on liquor business along the highway to support their families.

 

 

 

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---- Readers Forum ----

 

 

 

Don’t spit

Dear Editor,

Through you esteemed daily,  I want to appeal the general public not to spit on the wall of Tomo Riba general Hospital Naharlagun. It is a matter of pride for Arunachal that our government is establishing  such a big hospital consisting  of 500 beds for the first time in the history of the state. For chronic diseases, the patients have to go out of the state for better and further treatment.

I anticipate that in coming days Arunachal Hospitals will not lag behind in efficiency. To make it efficient, public should help but some sections of people are always creating disturbance. In new building of Riba Hospital, notices have been pasted on the wall conveying not to spite but in spite of that they spit on the white wall. It is moral obligation to keep the Hospital clean. Therefore, I appeal to the general public not to spit on the wall of hospital and keep it clean.

Yours,

Suu Chiko

 

 

 

Land for graveyard

Dear Editor,

Long pending graveyard problem of Medo area under Lohit District has been permanently sorted out by conducting of social service. The social service was jointly conducted by Panchayat, Medo bazar committee, Manyuliang Bazar committee and Medo Youth club on March 28. And the area is divided into two parts- for burial and cremation.

The land for the graveyard was voluntarily donated by Solai Dellang, a senior citizen of Wakro. Since many years, there was no particular location of the graveyard; hence many dead bodies had been buried in different areas of the village.

Yours,

Asendo mitti

 

 

 

 

Importance of Agricultural Engineering

Dear Editor,

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to share about the fate of the Agricultural engineers. Last September, I saw the advertisement for the post of ADO. With great delight, I rushed to the commission to apply for it but to my utter surprise they told us that we are not eligible for ADO as we hail from technical line. Then came the JE advertisement under RWD. Though we are eligible but the syllabus only contained 30% of our subject while remaining 70% were of civil. It was like bait for us. We felt our career was being played with. With no option left, I decided to go for civil service as my sole target. But my dream was once again shattered when I couldn't find my subject as optional in APPSCCE. So my question to government is-if they cannot manage our absorption then why they are allowing these courses to be offered in many of prestigious colleges? How do we survive? How do I repay my old ailing parents? Are not we legitimate son of land? For how long will I show my unemployed face to other? In states like Assam, Sikkim, Punjab, Rajasthan and MP, we are given much priority.

Unlike other engineering branches like civil, mechanical, electrical, we are yet to get our share of bread. Lastly, Agricultural engineering should not be confused with Agriculture Bsc. Agricultural engineering is an elite engineering branch which deals with watershed management, drainage engg, irrigation, farm machinery, soil water conservation, food engineering. Every year hundreds of students are passing out from this branch and many of who want to serve state as a civil servant. If such trend continues, it will worsen our already deteriorated unemployment condition. Article 14-16 of Indian constitution enshrined equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.

Therefore, we request respected chairman of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission to kindly include Agricultural Engineering as an optional subject in the APPSCCE from this year.

Yours,

Unemployed

Agricultural engineer

 

 

 

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---Editor