The Arunachal Times - Archives

3 houses gutted in fire

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: At least three houses were gutted in a fire mishap at RWD colony, Doimukh at around 12.30 pm on Dec 1. This was informed by the Bazaar Welfare Committee, Doimukh. Though there is no report of any casualty, the fire devoured all the household properties. However, the local people led by Anchal chairperson Nabum Vijay, BWC president Tana Agul Tara doused the fire before arrival of the fire brigade.

Meanwhile, BWC has appealed the administration to provide immediate financial relief to the fire victims for their rehabilitation. The committee also demanded a fire station at Doimukh to prevent fire incident in future.

ATA exhorts teaching community to discharge duty

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: Arunachal Teachers’ Association (ATA), while expressing its gratitude to the state government for enhancing salaries of SSA teachers and initiating regularization process of the teachers appointed under SSA, appealed to the teaching community to discharge their duty with utmost sincerity and dedication in the greater interest of the student community as well as the state.

Nyokum Yullo at Parang

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: The Nyokum Yullo Celebration Committee Parang was constituted with Nabam Taja and Ngurang Takap as president and general secretary respectively. Nyokum Yullo would be celebrated for the first time in the newly created Parang circle next year.

Niya village lift Phassang Tafar volleyball trophy

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: Niya Village lifted the 3rd Phassang Tafar Memorial volleyball trophy defeating Rikam Nabam in the final today. In cultural competition, Aniya Mingsnam group of Banderdewa and Tani Women SHG got the first and second prizes respectively. The closing ceremony was attended by State NCP president and former MLA Ngurang Pinch and Assistant Engineer RWD, Karsingsa division Rido Alo as chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

World AIDS Day observed

NAMSAI, Dec 4: Students, teachers and youths with placards, slogans and banners took out a rally on AIDS awareness at Namsai town to mark the World AIDS day on Dec 1. Later the day was observed with various activities at GHSS Namsai.

Speaking on the occasion as resource persons Dr. S.Taipodia, teachers J.Romn, Sasikuttan Nair highlighted all aspects related to HIV/AIDS. They also briefed on HIV/AIDS.

Presiding over the programme school principal Ch. T. Moungkang asked the students to be more cautious and advised them to take the message to the poor and illiterate villagers for awareness.

The principal also distributed prizes to the winners of essay, drawing and slogan competitions organised on the occasion.

Ambedkar death anniversary

ITANAGAR: The legal cell of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee is going to observe the 54th death anniversary of Dr B R Amdedkar as part of the year-long celebration of the 125 years of INC at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here on Dec 6.

All the ministers, parliamentary secretaries, party MLAs, senior Congress leaders, Congress workers are expected to participate in the programme.

Chess C’ship begins

ITANAGAR: The 2nd State Level Chess Championship began at Youth Hostel Naharlagun today. Over 192 players from all over the state are participating in the championship.

Local MLA Techi Kaso inaugurated the programme as chief guest while Sports and Youth Affairs Director DK Dinglow was the guest of honour of the inaugural function. The championship will conclude on December 10, according to All Arunachal Pradesh Chess Association release.

Khandu reiterates tough stand against Wildlife Act violators

Special Tiger Protection Force in the pipeline

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today reiterated tough stand towards wild life Act violators. He indicated stringent steps for those found engaged in hunting irrespective of their post and position. He said this while presiding over the 2nd meeting of the 20th State Board for Wildlife for Arunachal Pradesh in his office conference room today.

Khandu requested the PCCF to conduct periodical spot inspection so as to ensure that the field officers discharge their duties sincerely.

Viewing seriously over the degrading wildlife in the state and no comprehensive plans being chalked out to check that, Khandu asked the senior forest officers to plan and suggest the government with practical schemes so that the wild life could be protected from extinction. He suggested for implementation of the wildlife protection laws in a holistic manner.

While pitching for a missionary zeal for creating awareness through banners, hoardings and programmes on wild life and forest preservation, Khandu suggested for involving Panchayat leaders, local villagers, student association and others for the success of the mission.

While congratulating Tana Tapi, DFO Pakke Wild Life Sanctuary for being awarded with the prestigious Carl Ziess Award of honour for Tiger Conservation 2009-10, the chief minister urged other forest officers to follow his steps.

“The Supreme Court Ban on timber operation in the state in year 1996 should be taken as a challenge and viewed as an opportunity to develop our vast non timber forest resources like Bamboo, Cane, medicinal plants etc.” Khandu emphatically said. He called upon the senior forest officers to go to the field, interact with the people and chalk out some viable plans and strategies to improve the economy and livelihood of the people.

“Although the department had increased the amount of ex-gratia payment for human death and injury by wild animals and also against agricultural crop, dwelling house damage, there should be strict mechanism to attain the genuine claims and reject the false claims”, Khandu assertively said.

Khandu while disclosing about Government of India approving for raising of one company of Special Tiger Protection Force to be deployed in Pakke Tiger Reserve, he directed the department to expedite the process.

He further dwelt upon encouraging research works and promoting high potential eco-tourism sector to benefit the local communities and enrich state coffer.

Parliamentary Secretary for Environment and Forest Kumar Waii stressed for teamwork to accelerate the forest development works. He placed certain grievances of the department to the chief minister and urged him to address the same. MLA Laeta Umbrey suggested conservation measures incorporating tradition, culture and local sentiments. In his address PCCF briefly deliberated on the basic motive behind the conference. Member Secretary and Chief Wild Life Warden J L Singh also participated in the conference.

The second meeting of the board took up various new proposals including creation of conservation areas, appointment of honorary warden one in each district and constitution of a committee of the board for giving clearance to various projects. PRO to CM

Governor calls on youths to join Army, Govt assures employment opportunities and amenities

State Level Ex-Servicemen Rally

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: Addressing the first State Level Ex-Servicemen Rally’ held at Indira Gandhi Park here today, Governor General (Retd) J J Singh said the state now has more than four hundred veteran Army personnel and urged the young generation of the state to come forward and join the Indian Army and feel proud by serving the nation.

He said that the armed forces have successfully achieved all their objectives through three pillars of Soldiering which are secularism, an apolitical outlook and professionalism.

The retired Army general said ''Ex-Servicemen are very committed, trustworthy, capable and valuable national resources, owing to their early retirement which is done to keep the profile of the fighting Army young; hence they have a full second career ahead of them.''

The Governor said the ex-servicemen can play a vital role in motivating the indigenous youth to join in this mission of protecting our motherland

On the raising of Ist Battalion of Aruanchal Scouts recently, Gen Singh said, ''A new chapter has been added which will go a long way in instilling pride in the youth, in harnessing their energy and capability for protecting their motherland.''

The Governor assured the Ex-servicemen that in coming one or two years, a remarkable change will be seen in respect of development and welfare of various parts of the state.

The Governor also presented an LCD TV to the state ex-servicemen association on the occasion.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu assured the veteran personnel for appointing a director within March next for setting up the proposed Rajya Sainik Board office here for the benefit of the ex-servicemen.

Responding to the four-point memorandum submitted by the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, regarding re-employment of the veteran Army personnel, he said the state government already directed the private and PSU firms, who were commissioning 57,000 MW capacity of hydro-power projects in various parts of the state, to absorb ex-servicemen from the state in the security related posts.

For construction of Sainik School in the state, he said the state government was seriously looking after it for construction of school in the already existing land at Tanga Valley in West Kameng district in the state.

The government will pursue the matter with the North Eastern Council (NEC) for fund allocation of the proposed school, he informed.

Assuring for construction of a guest house as demanded by the association for the benefit of its people, he said that the state government will sympathetically look after on this genuine demand for the welfare of the ex-servicemen, who comes from all over the state here, for different works.

He congratulated the ex-servicemen for holding this type of Rally first time in the state. “We all are always proud of you. With valour and dedication, you have done your in-uniform duty in all frontiers but now you have important role to play in the society for security and welfare of every individual,” Khandu said. He called upon the ex-servicemen to be role model and a good example for others. Earlier, in his welcome address, Chief Secretary Tabom Bam expressed his hope that Ex Servicemen rally will be annual feature in the coming years. He urged the former personnel to remain active and take constructive role in community development. Director Relief, Rehabilitation & Disaster Management TT Gamdik said as icon of patriotism, ex-servicemen are the role model.

Representing Kendriya Sainik Board, Col Govind Singh, Director, Self Employment highlighted on the programmes and schemes for the Ex Servicemen. Col Singh gave comprehensive details on welfare and rehabilitation programme, while throwing lights on monetary grants, disabled, daughter marriage, higher professional scholars and care for widows, ex-servicemen children and also of themselves.

Governor and the Chief Secretary presented mementoes and gifts to all the Ex-servicemen and war widows on the occasion. President of the Ex-Servicemen of Arunachal Pradesh Subdar Major Lobsang Monpa presented a memento to the Governor on behalf of his associates.

Earlier, president and vice-president of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association have highlighted the difficulties faced by the association for smooth functioning of its work and submitted a memorandum to the chief minister. UNI/Source

IDEA hands out 3000 mosquito nets

Daporijo, Nov 4: The Itanagar Diocesan Empowerment Association (IDEA) has conducted several health awareness programs and distributed 3000 long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs) for free at Tajgi, Pamluk, Yachtap, Repari, Kumporijo, Raga, Boasimla, Daporijo, Taliha, Siyum of Lower and Upper Subansiri districts from 24 November to December 4th.

Dr. Dagom Bagra DMO Upper Subansiri District and Kipa Raja, BDO of Taliha were the chief guest respectively. The 20 trained village health workers of IDEA together with the IDEA team carried out a massive malaria eradication awareness campaign in the remote villages.

Dr Bagra applauded the noble efforts of IDEA to reach out to the poor people in the remote villages to provide health care. He also illustrated on the malaria eradication and control measures.

Kipa Raja thanked IDEA for carrying out a well planned community based rural health care program by conducting several medical camps, training village health workers and organising health awareness and free distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets. While thanking MANOS UNIDAS for their valuable support to all the programmes, Fr. Ivan Vas SVD Director IDEA said that engaging local communities can make a significant difference in protecting those most at risk, such as children and pregnant women. Therefore IDEA has trained village health workers (VHWs) in the remote villages to provide knowledge, prevention and treatment options.

VHWs who live in the same community and speak the same local language are the most effective means to inform, engage and empower communities to comprehensively respond to the various diseases and increase net usage. They will carry out house-hold visits and undertake a number of key activities to promote a better understanding of the risks of malaria, providing information on how to effectively prevent the disease he further said.

Fr. Tomy Edasseriparampil CMF, the Principal of Sacred Heart School mobilized and coordinated the program in the Upper Subansiri District. He expressed that IDEA malaria programmes also contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, especially reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

Sr. Francia SD enlightened the people to shun away from unhealthy practices in order to control the malaria vector.

The VHWs educated the village communities on their attitude of dumping of refuse, rearing their herds in the same living rooms and open-drainages around them. They also demonstrated the usage of LLINs.

Governor & CM greet people on Podi Barbi

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen J J Singh and Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu have extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Arunachal Pradesh on the occasion of Podi Barbi.

The Governor expressed his hope that the festivity will ushers peace, communal harmony and contentment in the society.

In his festival message, Governor said, I, along with all the residents of Arunachal Pradesh, join our Ramo, Bokar and Pailibo brethren in welcoming the harvesting season and also in offering our gratitude and prayers to the Mother Nature for Her blessings.

May the coming year bring prosperity and a bumper harvest, Gen Singh wished.

While praying for bumper harvest, peace and prosperity for the people,the chief minister in his festival message said such festivals give opportunity to showcase our rich cultural heritage.

Uff Gandhis, Ohh Vihars and Nagars

Taba Ajum

Few days ago an old college friend from Bangalore (Bengaluru) called me up after a long gap. Unfortunately that time I was hurriedly running out of home for some work and I told him, “Listen, am going to Vivek Vihar area for some work and will call you back later.” He retorted, “What, are you in Delhi?” I said no and then asked what made him to assume that am in Delhi. He told, “Actually, place Vivek Vihar sounds like one of the colonies of Delhi.” Hearing this, I burst into laughter.

State of Arunachal, her government and her citizens seem to be heavily influenced by mainland Indians. The names of colonies and sectors of twin capital town of Itanagar and Naharlagun sound so much like that of any of the mainland Indian town or cities. For example in Itanagar and Naharlagun, we have places like-Niti Vihar, Ganga Market, Ganga Lake, Gandhi Market, Prem Nagar and many more which resonance like colonies of an metropolitan cities. I don’t understand why we are naming streets and colonies with vihars, nagars and so on. This draws our attention towards Arunachalee netajis fascination with word “Gandhi.”

Last year when prince (or PM in waiting) Rahul Gandhi visited Itanagar, newspapers of state were flashed with news that, “Rahul Gandhi landed at Raj Bhawan helipad. Addressed a rally at Indira Gandhi Park and later meet students at Rajiv Gandhi University.” Reading these news clips, one feels like Rahul Gandhi is visiting his home constituency Amethi, not the tribal state of Arunachal.

Every Arunachalee is proud of their Indian identity and there is no need to put extra effort to prove our patriotism. Just naming colleges, bridges and other govt. establishment with Gandhi’s, Nehru’s do not show our patriotic fervor. It looks like appeasement policy towards Delhi rulers. To retain our tribal identity it’s important that we rename the places with its original tribal names.

This write up also reminds me of one funny incident during the time I was working with The Hindu English daily at New Delhi. When I had joined there like any other new office, they asked me to open new bank account to draw salary. I had produced my driving license as identity proof for new account. After one week someone from account section told me that my form has been rejected on the ground that names differ in my driving license and in that of form for new account. I was wondering how could that happen and went bank to cross check. “In driving license my name was written as Shri Taba Ajum, whereas I usually write my name as Taba Ajum” and this ‘Shri’ word lead to rejection of my form. Words like ‘Shri’, ‘Srimati’ and ‘Kumar’ are also gift of mainland Indians to us.

With large number of hydropower projects being taken up in various parts of state, in years to come, tribal identity will get diluted. One should not be surprised if names like Taba Ajum become Ajum Gandhi or Ajum Kumar. May be, then ‘vihars’ and ‘nagars’ and ‘Gandhi markets’ will make its presence even in remotest villages of Arunachal. Along with our politicians, even the ordinary citizens of Arunachal also seem to be happy with this appeasement policy towards Delhi rulers.

(The writer can be reached at taba.ajum@gmail.com)

Wildlife Board takes up new proposals for relief assistance

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: The new proposals for payment of ex-gratia relief for crop/dwelling house and livestock damaged by wild animals have been placed in the 2nd meeting of the 20th state Board of Wildlife today.

It was informed in the board meeting that a total of 960 applications for ex-gratia relief have been received by the board. An amount of ` 83.10 lacs is required as per approved rate for ex-gratia relief for crop/building damage by wild animals/elephants up to August 2010, while central fund available for relief assistance is only ` 30 lacs. Similarly, an amount of ` 17.125 lacs is required for relief assistance for loss of livestock including Mithuns against the available central fund of ` 2.50 lacs only.

The Board proposed to make financial relief in the line with Assam Govt (with modification if required) to discourage false claim of loss of livestock or crop damage.

While reviewing the action taken report on the proposals of the previous Board meeting, the Board also submitted other important proposals for administrative approval which include wildlife clearance for the widening of national highway from Pinjoli Nallah to 88 km falling under Sessa /eagle nest wildlife sanctuaries, appointment of honorary wildlife wardens, incentives to the staff posted in protected areas, entry fees in wildlife sanctuary and national parks, forest rest houses and security deposits from researchers, creation of Tale Wildlife Sanctuary Division, creation of independent office of director biological park and DFO, Itanagar WLS.

Ex-servicemen association demands independent office for Zilla Sainik Board

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, in a memorandum, has demanded the Governor to use his good office for construction of independent Zilla Sainik Boards in districts for proper implementation of various welfare activities meant for the ex-servicemen.

It said that the zilla sainik board established at Khonsa was not an independent one and is attached to other department for which works related to ex-servicemen are always delayed or queued for long time.

In regards to construction of sainik rest houses, the memorandum said that although three rest houses were approved for construction at Itanagar, Tawang and Khonsa during 10th SMS meeting but same is not yet constructed. Seat reservation in various schools for the children of ex-servicemen was another long-pending demand of the association. The memorandum urged the Governor to keep atleast 10 to 15 per cent seat reserved for children of ex-service for better education in RKM Boys school at Khonsa, RKSM Girls School at Deomali, JNV Tissa and VKV Niusa Longding.

The association, in it memorandum also urged the Governor for opening a new Sainik school in Arunachal Pradesh, implementation of re-employment procedure and making dry ration available for ex-servicemen at Khonsa and Longding.

BJYM organise Save Arunachal rally at Daporijo

ITANAGAR, Dec 4: The Upper Subansiri district Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in collaboration with the state BJYM has organised the Save Arunachal Rally at Daporijo on Dec 3.

Addressing the rally, state BJYM president Doni Nich criticised the foreign tour of the ministers and MLAs saying that such tour is not appreciable considering the state’s poor financial condition. The State Govt is busy in implementation of mega dam projects in the state only and not interested in other developments, said West Kameng District BJP president Sumbu Sionju.

Highlighting some local issues, Upper Subansiri BJP president Lompak Paksok appealed the public to elect good leader for good governance.

State BJYM vice president Tomi Haider highlighting the poor border infrastructure, appealed both state and Central Govts to give priority on road infrastructure along the Indo-China border. The Upper Subansiri district is still lagging far behind in sectors like education, communication and medical, he said and called upon the youths to take interest in development activities. The BJYM general secretary Ram Tajo and state BJYM unit secretary Toko Rajesh highlighted the PDS scam. They called for CBI enquiry into the scam for fair investigation.

Many other issues including Chinese claim over Arunachal, Assam-Arunachal boundary problems, role of BSNL in telecommunication were raised in the rally by the speakers.