August 31
Self-
Tawang Vigilance
TAWANG, Aug 30: The week long programme on self defence and health and hygiene for adolescent girls ended on Saturday.
In a bid to empower the girl students of the region to equip them to stand up against crime against women and sexual assaults, the district level awareness programme was convened at Kakaling middle school.
Karate player Sangey Tsering of Arunachal Pradesh Police, imparted self-
Apart from Karate, girls from upper primary level schools of the headquarter were imparted Yoga classes by Deputy Ranger Nawang Gyaltsen and KR Nehra, whereas Gynaecologist, District hospital Tawang Dr. Pappu Natung provided counselling and information on health and hygiene to the students.
LUYA for early renovation of colony road
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: The Likabali Unemployed Youth Association (LUYA) has called for early renovation of Upper Colony road at Likabali.
In its letter to the SDO Likabali seeking his intervention into the early repair of the road, it said that many of the important offices and the inspection bungalow are situated at Upper Colony.
He expressed disappointment saying that the matter was appraised many times but no action has been taken so far.
Training on gender equity
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: The three days training of trainer on Gender Equity for the National Service Scheme (NSS) Programme Officers has concluded here at Don Bosco Youth Centre.
Addressing the valedictory function, Secretary Education, Marnya Ete said that NSS functionaries of the state should take advantage of such training programme and spread the message among the NSS volunteers and younger generation.
He also emphasised the importance of education and suggested that education be properly imparted to improve the quality of human resources in Arunachal Pradesh.
Fr. Cyriac suggested that whatever the trainees have learnt should be transferred from their minds to their hearts in order to make necessary changes in one’s own lives. Thus once the Programme Officers are transformed persons, they can make worthy contribution to the students and the society, he said.
State Liaison Officer Dr. V.N. Sharma also spoke at the event and congratulated all the officers for their active participation.
Resources persons from various fields dealt on topics such as Gender and Health, Work, Human Rights, Violence and Media. Resource persons were Dr. Emi Rumi, Rina Tok, Tongam Rina, Sunil Basumathary, Fr. Cyriac, Dr. Joram Begi, Mitali Tingkhatra and Vijay Swamy.
Dental and oral health awareness prog. held
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: A dental and oral health awareness programme was organised at Child Development Centre under Nyishi Baptist Church Council (NBCC) compound, Naharlagun by IDDM Dental Hospital on August 29 last.
Speaking to the gathering, Director of the hospital, Dr. Lala Wage dealt in length on the importance of dental health and maintenance of good oral hygiene as oral health matters for overall health of a person.
“The mouth is the major gateway for entry of all infections of human body. Keeping good oral hygiene will prevent common general and oral diseases in one’s life,” he said.
He called on the people present, especially children, to inculcate in them oral healthcare habits and hygiene.
Dr. Kobmen Zirdo demonstrated the brushing technique on a model.
A dental screening team led by Senior Dental Surgeon Dr. Nyakde Rigia screened more than 200 children. Majority of the children were found to be suffering from dental caries and gum diseases. Temporary fillings were done in more than 60 children.
Later, free dental health packs, sponsored by Laapa Vision Mission Society, Itanagar, were distributed to all the children.
10 qualify as Gr-
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: As many as ten badminton umpires from the state have qualified
as Grade-
Those who have qualified as Grade-
Besides, Mudo Ado was given the status of provisional Grade-
The umpires have been graded on the basis of their experience and performance in both practical and theory.
The badminton examination and course was supervised by renowned international umpire H. Gyaneswor.
Quarter-
AALO, Aug 30: The quarterfinal line-
The quarterfinalists are Pakam FC, Darka Youth Club, Kabu FC, Tadin FC, Jumi Combat FC Bene, KKFC, Kombo Pomte FC and Puak Gumin FC. The final will be held on September 5.
The tournament is being organised by District Football Association under the banner of District Sports Association.
Liromoba MLA Nyamar Karbak and West Siang Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu will attend the final match. DIPRO
News Impact
500 evacuated, Lohit under threat
Lumla, Mariyang, Dibang Valley cut off
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Around 500 affected villagers have been evacuated from their houses and moved to four relief camps at Government Upper Primary School, Old Sunpura, Aganwadi Centre, Old Sunpura, Community Hall, Sunpura and Govt. Upper Primary School, Hatiduba in Lohit district.
Sensing the danger, the District Disaster Management Authority has dispatched an additional rescue team to Sunpura Circle.
The flood situation in the entire district is still grim and DC has alerted all the outpost administrative offices and department with an instruction to submit hourly report on the flood situation.
If the rain continues for further 24 hrs at this trend, all the rivers in Lohit district may cross danger level resulting in huge loss of life and property, stated an official statement.
Road communication in between Lohit district and Tinsukia via Parsuram Kund and via Alubarighat has been snapped.
Water Resources Division, Tezu has reported that all the rivers in and around Tezu
and Sunpura Circles of Lohit District are alarmingly flowing above the danger mark
due to inclement weather and heavy rainfall for last three days causing flood situation
in the entire district mainly affecting the low lying areas of Sunpura Circle -
Power supply in and around Tezu and its adjoining areas have also been severely disrupted for the past two days.
The local MLA, Dr. Mohesh Chai accompanied by SDO Tezu G. Hazarika visited the flood affected areas.
A govt source informed that water level of Denning River is increasing alarmingly and may flood Upper Tribal Colony area.
Water level of Sukha Nallah is also increasing while overflowing Balijan river has flooded Basti Nallah with water entering into the Power house and Staff colony. Dura Nallah is also on spate with the bank eroding the right bank adjacent to Changliang village.
All the rivers of Chongkham and Wakro are reported to be flowing near danger level with embankments at Sibrimukh, Alubari, Bereng Mukh, Kamlang Nagar, Chakma village and Chagli Khuti badly damaged.
PASIGHAT: Flash flood caused by Silasuti River yesterday breached National Highway-
Road formation have been washed off in between Pasighat-
Restoration work has been affected by the heavy rain.
Though Siang is flowing below danger level, several low lying areas in Pasighat as well other circles are under water. It is reported that Ngopok Korong abutment has been washed away.
Karyir Riba reports from Roing: Continuous downpour has caused havoc in Lower Dibang Valley district yet again.
The level of Deopani River has risen alarmingly, cutting off the Hunli-
Roing town is also in complete darkness since last three days. Sources from the Power Department have cited technical faults in the line between Mahadevpur and Rupai. Tawang Vigilance reports from Tawang: Heavy and unremitting rain have wreaked havoc in Lumla, as the road at Mangnam village, linking Lumla to Tawang has been washed out, cutting it off from the rest of the country.
Major landslides at seven locations, as reported by OC, 117 RCC, are causing disruptions of road connectivity while two major block points at Kudung and Thongleng villages are being cleared. Two persons have sustained minor injuries due to the landslides and are undergoing treatment at Primary Health Centre Lumla while four vehicles have been damaged.
“The water supply from Dobley Gompa and Mangnam village to Lumla headquarter has been disrupted, leaving the headquarter with no water supply”, informed Lumla Circle Officer, Tashi Dondup.
“PMGSY road from Lumla to Kharteng village has also been badly affected and damaged while a protection wall at Kharteng village and a few temporary sheds made of CGI sheets have been severely damaged”, he further informed.
Meanwhile, Lumla ADC Mika Nyori convened an emergency meeting of all the head of departments in view of the destruction inflicted by the incessant rain. Spearheading the team and accompanied by SDMO and the HoDS, the ADC took stock of the situation, and visited the effected sites and assessed the damages.
He further directed the departments to assess the natural catastrophe in the sub-
Congress has lowered the prestige
of Parliament: Bhagat
NAMSAI, Aug 30: Union Minister of State for Rural Development Sudarshan Bhagat while addressing a public meeting at Namsai today in protest against the stalling of the Parliament by Congress MPs during the last monsoon session said that the act of Congress have lowered the prestige of the Indian Parliament. They have murdered the peaceful democratic set up of the country that was never expected from the elected MPs, the minister said.
The Arunachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised the protest meeting.
Meanwhile, the Minister assured all help to the state to secure schemes and projects as much as possible.
Earlier, the State BJP President Tai Tagak briefed the various difficulties being faced by the people of the state and asked the Minister to extend all help to the state.
General Secretary Dominic Tadar while addressing the meeting said that Arunachal is still a rural state deprived of many governmental facilities and he drew the attention of the central govt. to give special preference to the state. He informed that the meeting was shifted at the eleventh hour from Tezu to Namsai due to road blockades leading to the town.
Kanubari School gets Rajiv Gandhi Book Bank
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: The first ever Rajiv Gandhi Book Bank in the state was installed at Govt. HS School, Kanubari by local MLA GD Wangsu recently in presence of ADC Kanubari,
The MLA, in his address, called upon the students to devote more time to studies and exhorted them to be good human being and become assets of the society and not liabilities.
Handing over more than 200 books, Wangsu pleaded with the students to make best use of the costly reading materials and always remain devoted in pursuit of academic excellence.
“Your parents have high expectations and pinned their hope on you to rid them off from all the drudgeries of life and hence it is your responsibility not to belie them”, said Wangsu, who literally pleaded with more than a hundred students urging them to maintain strict discipline in the school.
SS Choudhury, ADC Kanubari, A. Jamikham, BEO and Principal N. Rina also spoke and lauded MLA Wangsu and the team of NSUI block unit Kanubari for such an innovative step taken by providing study materials to poor students.
Books were distributed among students of Class X, XII and more than 100 students are provided with study materials.
State General Secretary, NSUI Wangpho Arangham, ZPMs and scores of officers, NSUI block Unit Kanubari also organised social service to mark the occasion.
Arunachalee boys win K-
make it to world round
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Lobsang Delek Khum and Techi Taning of Arunachal Pradesh have won
the prestigious K-
Both Lobsang and Taning competed against 19 participants from across the country in the final round before they won the titles, informed Chairman of Arunachal’s Got Talent. They entered into the grand finale after three rounds of auditions held at the regional level.
Besides handsome gifts, the winners were offered free trip to Korea.
Currently, they are preparing for the grand finale in Korea where all the winners
of various countries are going to participate for World K-
K-
Arunachalee students allegedly beaten up
[ Karda Natam ]
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Two Arunachalee students studying in ITFT College, Chandigarh were allegedly beaten up by some unidentified local residents at Chandigarh on the night of August 27.
As per the information, three Arunachalee students reportedly had an argument with
an auto-
The next day, one of them was caught by a group of local residents led by the auto-
Later, they were taken to hospital for treatment by fellow Arunachalee students.
Mothers join hands to clean daily market
AALO, Aug 30: Members of West Siang based NGO, Mother’s Vision cleaned the entire stretches of the Daily Market here yesterday for the third time. A meeting was also conducted involving the vegetables sellers on the spot to generate awareness on cleanliness, health and hygiene.
The Health department under the supervision Dr. Marbom Basar, DMO also took part in the social service.
Dr. Geke Ete briefed on the need to keep all the drains clear and free from stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding and avoid vector borne diseases like, Dengue, Malaria etc.
Jumde Gamlin and Kenbi Jini, President and Secretary of Mother Vision said that the NGO is conducting such social service regularly to imbibe the sense of cleanliness among the business community and public.
The NGO also conducted an awareness meeting on cleanliness and drug abuse/addiction at Rigo village immediately after the social service. DIPRO
Shortage of teachers, infrastructure at schools in Raga
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Most of the schools under Raga area are facing acute shortage of teachers and infrastructure affecting in overall performance of the students. This was revealed by All Raga Area Students Union (ARASU).
During its three-
There is acute shortage of Science teachers and laboratory equipments at Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Raga. Although already notified, the Commerce stream in the school could not be started yet due to lack of infrastructure, informed ARASU in a release.
Encroachment of school land was another problem, the students union said, and demanded the Raga ADC to deal strictly with the land encroachers.
There was no Hindi teacher and proper infrastructure in Govt. Sec. School Godak and
shortage of subject teachers at Boa-
The students union demanded the concern authority for addressing the problems of the school within a month.
A total of 29 meritorious students were also felicitated school wise during the three day tour programme.
Assoc. demands immediate shifting of Saw mill
ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Objecting to construction of a Saw mill illegally at Kolaptukar allegedly by M/s Mother Lumber, the Dollungmukh Area Youth Association (DAYA) has demanded the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) to issue necessary instruction to the owner to shift the Saw mill to the notified industrial area at Paro Village under Dollungmukh circle within 10 days.
The association also alleged that the owner of the Saw mill is indulging in illegal felling of trees in and around Dollungmukh circle without any prior permission from the authorities concerned which may cause serious ecological imbalance.
A complaint was lodged with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PPCF) against the saw mill by a local group of Dollungmukh area last year. But the Forest & Environment department has not yet taken any action on the complaint lodged which is further encouraging them to carry out such illegal activities in and around Dollungmukh, added DAYA.
The Bamboo Stick : A Graphic Novel
Book Review
[ By Yumlam Tana ]
The terms Comic books and graphic novels are now days used so interchangeably that
they confuse the layman. Their obvious common factor is that they both refer to a
particular medium that uses the sequential art form using images and texts in panels
to tell a story. However, the term graphic novel sounds a little more highbrow and
sophisticated in contrast to the term comic books, which we grew up reading as a
kid. The comic book is supposed to be a passing fad that one will grow over as the
years go by. It is also supposed to be a piece of junk literature mass-
However, the tides have turned in favor of the comic aficionados in the recent years. It all started in the year 1986 when three brilliant works of exceptional qualities were published in America namely, Art Spiegelman’s ‘Maus; A Survivors Tale’ , Alan Moore’s ‘Watchman’ and Frank Miller’s ‘Batman: The Dark Knight Returns’. In this context, the work Maus:A Survivors Tale by Art Speigelman must be mentioned because it went on to win the special Pulitzer prize for literature in 1992. The Pulitzer Prize is one of the most distinguished prizes awarded for literature and journalism in the USA. And the fact that a comic book was considered worthy of the honor was shot in the arm for the medium that was on the brink of atrophy.
In India also , the medium of comic book or graphic novel as a powerful medium to tell stories, express emotions and convey thought provoking ideas started to catch up in recent years with pioneers like Sarnath Banerjee, Amruta Patil and others working hard to push the medium’s boundaries. The mainstream publishing houses, the giants of the publishing world like Harper Collins and Penguin have also jumped into the bandwagon by publishing their works and bringing them to the reach of the reading publics.
And now, nearer shore Audrey Apang and her team under the aegis of Arunachal Times Publication Pvt Ltd, the media house that produces the largest circulated daily of the state, have come up with a graphic novel ‘The Bamboo Stick’ with the motto “How nature has given us everything in abundance .We only have to make best use of what is available…”.
I must point out that the success owed by Arunachal Times over the years is due to the uncanny ability of the management to assemble the best people in business. In this particular instance too, it has been able to muster a coterie of creative talents who have the undoubted knack for creating new grounds for imagination and innovation to thrive in the form of individuals like Tongam Rina, Moyir Riba and the ubiquitous CCRD to name the few.
Daniel Ering, the writer and illustrator, must be singled out for special praise here. He has a very steady hand that produces exquisite lines which are crisp and clean. They brim with confidence and élan. I wonder why he had been so far keeping in hiding his exceptional ability to produce beautiful works of art and thereby depriving his fellow Arunachalees of the aesthetic pleasure that may be derived from them. I have fervent hope that the journey has just begun for him.
However, I must confess that I found the context of the storyline a little too contrived, especially the idea of a village where the inhabitants are the various tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, where the horse riding medieval age crosses the path of the primitive Arunachalee tribal life, where the notion of a pan Arunachal identity is attempted to be “yoked together with violence”, to quote the famous words of Ben Johnson on the metaphysical poets , to the body of the story in order to convey a specific message. In some places, the dialogues contained in the speech bubbles lead one to suspect that this is not an attempt at graphic novel pure but another one of those penny dreadful that are dismissively referred to as another simple artifacts of our childhood. However, if you set aside these minor observations, if you willingly suspend your belief (as the romantic poets asked their readers to do so), we have here a simple story that leaves a powerful message in its wake. It gives a nice opportunity for the illustrator to spread his wings and dabble in his pen and ink , frame after frame, on an unlimited scale without any restraint and Daniel Ering sure knows how to exploit it in order to showcase his craftsmanship.
It is an ambitious project and when I was offered the honor to review it, it made me feel a bit jittery because I was conscious of the fact that such a literary project had never been conceived before and materialized in the context of our state. Daniel Ering walks into history books as the first to publish a graphic novel and Arunachal Times Publication Pvt. Ltd the first Media House to publish a graphic novel in the true to the spirit of the genre.
What offset the weak story line were great design, layout and fine editing. And of course, the jewel in the crown is the exquisite penmanship of the Illustrator Daniel Ering, whom I would not hesitate to call as the discovery of Audrey Apang.
The world of comic books is made richer with this addition to its oeuvre. It is a world that will compel you to think and contemplate. The books like ‘Logicomix : an Epic Search for Truth’ by Greek cartoonist and writer duo of Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos H. Papadimitriou, ‘Adi Parva;Churning of the Ocean’ by Amruta Patil, ’Vincent’ by Barbara Stok, and our very own ‘ The Bamboo Stick’by Daniel Ering’ are waiting to be discovered and read by wider audiences in Arunachal and elsewhere in the world.
Mark Waid, a New York Times bestselling author, has categorized comics as “barometer of the times, a mirror reflective of culture. They are a living chronicle of how we as a society view race and gender and fairness and equality, and they do so in a way that’s as entertaining as it can be sobering”. The approach to the making of this literary venture is also informed by a similar spirit .It is very relevant in the times now we are passing through when dissenting and divisive voices threaten to break apart society into splinters. As comics aficionados and bibliophiles, we would all gladly recommend this book to everyone and also wish this noble initiative Godspeed down the memory lane. (Yumlam Tana is Deputy Director School Education, Lower Subansiri)
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
-
All rights reserved.
-
Another new initiative
After the smart city project initiative, the government of India is starting another new scheme 'Housing for all'. As per the media report, government has identified 305 cities and towns across nine states for implementation of its ambitious 'Housing for All' scheme. Under this initiative of the central government, named as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25 this year, two crore houses are targeted to be built for the poor in urban areas by year 2022, coinciding with 75 years of Independence.
Today major cities and towns across the India are flooded with migrant population. In the hope of finding better life, thousands of people every year leave villages and migrate to urban areas. Many of these people do not earn enough money to buy home for themselves and spend life in the slum for years. Therefore it is a very good move by the union government to start 'Housing for All' scheme. For years, urban poor has been neglected by the policymakers. Even though they live in urban areas but their living standards are quite low. They also face similar kind of problem like poor people from rural areas. Beside lack of housing, urban poor also does not have access to proper health care facilities. Due to acute poverty most of the children growing up in the slums hardly go to school and start working from very young age. If properly implemented Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has potential to change the living standard of urban poor. It also has the potential to change the landscape of urban area with slums getting replaced by the proper houses. Hope this scheme does not remain as simple govt announced scheme and is implemented in true spirit.
___________________
-
Law is for all
Dear Editor,
The Guwahati High Court had ordered CBI probe against Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of Arunachal Pradesh for corruption case, which was later stayed by the Supreme Court.
When we read that news, we saw a ray of hope and that there is something called law and order for the politicians.
The High Court had directed the CBI to register a case and initiate investigation against the alleged transgression of CM, for awarding contract works to his family members without following the norms and procedure when he was the PWD minister.
This is not the first time that a politician has been alleged for indulging in corruption.
There have been many such corruption cases against our government officials, but
those cases have been buried inside the court room or into the files. Result: Arunachal
is known as the most corrupted state in the North-
The state is going through a heavy financial crisis due to the miss-
The capital is more like a village; has no proper roads, hospitals, schools or colleges.
Now, who is suffering? It is public. Here the question arises-
As I said earlier, we can just keep hoping for better. If the CM is really corrupted, a strong legal action should be taken against him too. After all, the Law & Order applies to all.
As a common citizen, I can only share my opinions; the rest is up to the state to decide.
Yours,
Runa Hai
The making of a Smart City
Dear Editor,
It is heartening to know that Pasighat is included in the list of to be smart cities.
Arunachal now will have a new city. But all of us must join our hands to make it
indeed a real city. I have a fear if it will be in the bottom of the list of smart
cities after its completion given the rampant corruption, partiality and the biases
prevailing. Pasighat today has palatial houses which has bigger lawn than the only
park at high region. The electricity is so erratic here that without first ensuring
an electricity source, the proposed city will be a city reeling under darkness. The
building infrastructure of the century old town hasn’t seen any up-
The number of students has increased in the schools but the rooms and the buildings are as it was many years ago. The govt. Employees have risen but the quarters are less than it was 30 years before. There has been rampant encroachment but authorities have shown leniency to the rich and mighty but on the other hand, the poor and hapless have been dealt with iron fist. The latest example being the demolition of houses near the general field.
All the encroachers on govt land with allotment must be revoked. The future of such a city where the biases of the authorities are deep rooted is quite uncertain. There has been an inordinate delay in the completion of cc road. The public need an answer. if such a small stretch of road takes 3 months to complete, imagine the time it would take for the completion of smart city. The high rise street lamps installed during the centenary celebration has been off just few months after its installation but not even the power department is concerned. Even the roads constructed during the time cracked just few weeks after. The old library building was way far better than the present building which is very old for the recent times. With the ceiling very low, during hot sunny days, reading is quite impossible at such times. The building architect deserves condemnation from every quarter. If the smart city is to be developed on the same line, we better not have it. Time only will tell if we are going to have a real smart city or there will be richer people with fancier car at Pasighat after the launch of the smart city. The media and the public must be vigilant lest it becomes like any other chaotic town in the state.
Yours,
Mukti, Itanagar
Stipend for students
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to bring to the attention of the concerned authority the grievances of the students from Arunachal Pradesh currently pursuing post graduate degrees in North Eastern Hill University.
Despite several pleas to the concerned authority to release the stipend allotted to the aforesaid students, no efforts were seen from their end to provide information regarding the same. The undergraduate students under NEHU had received their stipend in the month of June, except the postgraduate students of NEHU. Such lackadaisical attitude of the authority made it almost difficult for the students depending entirely on the stipend money for paying fees for admission in the new session at the university.
After several request to the concerned authority to release the stipend they were reluctant to provide information and when being enquired from the NEHU, the draft meant for the same had not been delivered, so it appears to be an anomaly in the address provided. Thereafter the students made request for correction in the address but the same mistake was repeated thrice. The scholarship drafted since June has not reached the students and the concerned itself has no idea about its whereabouts. This apparent lack of concern has made it unclear whom to approach to address the grievances, hence all the students fraternity of the university earnestly request to take necessary action from their end.
Yours,
Millo Hakhe.
NEHU, Shillong,
_____________________________
All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.
-