The Arunachal Times - Archives

Air of festivity in Arunachal

Let X mass spread love, peace and communal harmony: Khandu

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace”: Gen Singh

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: The air of festivity has already descended in Arunachal Pradesh with people from all walks of life gearing up to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

On the eve of Christmas, midnight masses are being held at churches across the state to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Special prayers are being organised across the state for peace, harmony and prosperity and good health.

The Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has greeted the people of the state on the eve of Christmas. “Lord Jesus spread the message of universal love among the humanity and taught us to accept every being in its real stage notwithstanding of their caste, creed or gender differences. I hope this festival will spread the message of love, peace and communal harmony”, he said in a message.

On this auspicious occasion, I call upon my brothers and sisters to share the values and preaching of Lord Jesus by all faith traditions and communities. I also applaud the Christian community for promoting humanity, love, compassion and social harmony in the world. I pray to Lord Jesus to bless each one of us with his choicest blessings to destroy the greatest foe of human being “hatred” for a celestial living on earth, the Chief Minister added in his message.

‘I further extend my heartiest warm wishes to all my people for a prosperous Happy New Year 2010’.

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh in a greeting to the people of the state expressed his hope that the occasion of festivity ushers in an era of universal goodwill and love, promoting peace and humaneness amongst Arunachalees.

In his message, Gen Singh said, as we sit down with our families, our friends and loved ones - it is important to pause and reflect upon the lessons learnt in the last one year; lessons perhaps best summed up in this quote from an unknown poet:"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."

The Governor further prayed to “strengthen our will in the pursuit of justice for all and grace us with the good sense to distinguish the wrong and easy from the right”. Meanwhile, Arunachal Christian Revival Council of Churches (APCRCC) greets Christian community and the people of the state on the occasion of Merry Christmas and a happy new year. It prayed for the peace and tranquility in the state.

Noted educationist Dr Hari Bam passes away

PASIGHAT, Dec 24: Noted Educationist Dr Hari Bam (1958-2009) has passed away early this morning following a cardiac arrest at Naharlagun. He was serving as Principal District Institute of Education and Training, Papu Nalah.

Late Bam is survived by his wife Yompe Bam, four daughters and two sons.

The Education Minister Bosiram Siram has deeply mourned the premature death of Late Dr Bam. In his death, state has lost an experienced, sincere and dedicated educationist, Siram said in a message.

Arunachal Teachers Association has mourned the death of Dr Bam. Papum Pare district unit of ATA has expressed shock and grief at the sudden death. Meanwhile it appealed for a help for construction of a memorial site from the department of Education. The unit will attend the last rites of Dr Bam.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has deeply mourned the death of Dr Bam. He will always be remembered for his dedicated and sincere service in the field of education for the people of the state, it said in a condolence message.

The East Siang education department and ATA district unit expressed sorrow at the untimely demise of Late Dr Bam. DDSE Marken Kadu in a message said that passing away of Dr Bam is an irreparable loss for the entire state.

Galo Welfare Society has expressed deep sorrow and mourning on untimely demise of Late Dr. Bam. In a message, Society said that Late Dr. Bam was a man of high discipline, sincerity and moral character who was loved by all for his warm and helping behaviour. Being pro-active for the social causes, he had contributed immensely to the Galo society for which the society will fondly remember him. His untimely demise is a great loss for entire state as he was very sincere government servant, a message said.

Dr Bam was also a member of National Council for Teachers Education.

Born at Dari village, West Siang district, Dr Bam did his BA from JN College Pasighat, MA from Dibrugarh University. Later he obtained an M.Ed and Ph D from RGU Rono Hills.

He joined the education department as Junior teacher in early 1980s and later served the education department in various capacities.

The last rite of Late Dr Bam will be held at his residence at Dam site, Naharlagun on Dec 25 at 1100 hrs.

Byaling assures help to Taksing and Limeking, inaugurates CD Block

DAPORIJO, Dec 24: Minister Health & Family Welfare, Food & Civil Supply and Cooperation Tanga Byaling, inaugurated the newly created CD Block Limeking on Dec 21.

During the inaugural function, a public memorandum was submitted to the Minister with demands for up-gradation of PHC at Limeking and Taksing to CHCs, posting of doctors, provision of ambulance facilities and re-introduction of head load system under PDS for lifting of food supply from Limeking to Taksing.

Byaling, while addressing the public, assured them that he would look into the matter of posting doctors and starting ambulance service as soon as possible, so that people of the area have access to better health care facilities and do not have to go all the way to the district headquarter for treatment. Urging the govt. officials and medical staff to stay in their place of posting, he said that head load system and sortie dropping of food supply would be re-introduced at Taksing so that the public and govt. officials do not suffer. Saying that it was the duty of the GBs to work as law enforcers and justice providers in places where there is no police presence, ADC G. Ete, exhorted the GBs to work for their people. He also urged the BRTF and the Army to work hand in hand with the public towards development as well as maintaining peace in this border area.

T. Basar (DHS) also spoke on the occasion highlighting the importance of health care and development.

Hage Ruja, PD (DRDA) promised the people that the Sher-e-chadai, a 1962 War Memorial of Sher-e-Thapa at Limeking would be developed as a possible tourist attraction to boost tourism in the area.

N. Nalo District Chairperson (ZP), representing the people, thanked the minister and all those who accompanied him for coming to the place and considering the demands and needs of the people.

The function was attended by the District Heads of Department, SDO Nacho, CO Limeking, PRI members, the BRTF and Army personnel and the local public. (DIPRO)

Bus service between Dambuk –Pasighat starts

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: After long fifteen years gap, a bus to connect Dambuk in Lower Dibang Valley and Pasighat in East Siang has been inaugurated. MLA Jomin Tayeng flagged off the Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Dambuk-Pasighat Service’s yesterday at Dambuk. This was one Tayeng’s pre-election promise. In the offing is another service from Dambuk to Paglam.

Tayeng thanked General Manager, APST Opak Gao and Station Supt East Siang Kabit Ering for their concerted efforts in starting the service.

State share of DRDAs released

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: The Arunachal Pradesh state Govt has released the state share of DRDAs following the request of the All India DRDA Staff Welfare Association (AIDRDASWA) Arunachal unit, informed the association in a release today. It may be mentioned here that the DRDAs employees in state were passing the days with agony as their salaries were not released for last 5-11 months due to paucity of fund.

The association, however, feared that if the state Govt does not sanction one time grant, the DRDAs employees may face salary crisis again in near future. A memorandum to the state Govt requesting it absorb the DRDA borne staff in state Govt had already been submitted four month back, the association informed.

The association further informed that a five-member committee was also formed with T Ado, joint director, Rural development as the chair to find out discrepancies in fund under DRDA administration.

Expecting permanent solution to the burning problems of the DRDA employees with the initiative of RD ministry, the Association thanked Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, Rural Development Minister Takar Marde, RD commissioner Tape Bagra and other high-ranking Govt officers of the concerned department for release of the state DRDA share.

Rs 12 lacs stolen from Police car!

Itanagar, Dec 24: In a bizarre incident at broad daylight today in Legi Complex Itanagar, Rs 12.9 lacs was stolen from a Police Car, all at the cost of cup of tea! After withdrawing the money from SBI, Itanagar branch, the Cashier of SP Telecom along with the driver and a guard stopped for tea at the Shopping Complex. The trio forgot to lock the Police Gypsy!

When they returned, the money obviously was gone! Call it carelessness of the officials or the good luck of the robbers! A case has been registered and interrogation is on.

Few days back, in another incident, money amounting to lacs was stolen from a car. The man in question had allegedly left the car open and was talking with his friends, when the robbers made good use of the chance. The money belonged to Health department, Papum Pare district. While the gangs are having a field day, SP City, Hibu Tamang warned that his department would soon get to bottom of it. With Tamang’s record of accomplishment, the good days seems almost over for those making the most of government money.

VAHAN project launched in West Kameng

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: Taking a step towards e-Governance, West Kameng district today successfully launched VAHAN, a software developed by National Informatics Center for Department of Road and Transport at the office of the District Transport Officer, Bomdila, West Kameng District.

Parliamentary Secretary, Hydro Power Development, R.T.Khunjuju inaugurated VAHAN, handed over the first Vehicle Registered Certificate to a owner and congratulated the Deputy Commissioner Swati Sharma for taking such initiative in the district. Swati Sharma thanked P.K.Thungon, DIO and Bimal Borah, DIA, National Informatics Center and his team for putting all their efforts and providing their technical support in implementing the VAHAN Project in the district.

DC also informed the gathering that SARATHI, software meant for issuance of driving license was launched in the month of June 2009 and it is presently running successfully in the district. Thungon gave a brief description of VAHAN and its importance and importance of computerization.

Among others, SP Paldan, ADC R.Tashi, Col. A.Mengi, Commander 763 BRTF, A.T. Khunjuju, HODs of the district, officers and general public were present on the occasion. DIPRO

State gets Rural Self Employment Training Institute

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: Government of Arunachal Pradesh has confirmed the allotment of land for setting up Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) at Itanagar for catering to the training and capacity building needs of the local unemployed youth of the State.

The confirmation for land allotment was conveyed officially by the Deputy Commissioner, Capital City Padmini Singla, to Dr. Benugopal Mukhopadhyay, General Manager NABARD Arunachal Pradesh.

The proposed RSETI will be set up by Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank (APRB) and it is the first such institute in the North East. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has sanctioned Rs.1 Crore to Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank (APRB) for setting up the institute at Itanagar. RSETIs are a programme of Ministry of Rural Development, GOI, for training of the rural youth and for below poverty line persons for self employment. RSETIs are replication of the successes of Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI) set up by Dharmasthala Munanatheswara Educational Trust, Syndicate Bank and Canara Bank in 1982 in Dharmasthala at Karnataka. RSETIs are bank-led institutions i.e., will be managed and run by the Public Sector/Private Sector Banks with active co-operation from the State Government.

NABARD Arunachal Pradesh RO facilitated the setting up of the project by taking up the issue at various levels of Ministry of Rural Development, GOI, National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad and at the Chief Secretary level, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.

The setting up of RSETI will usher a new era of self-employment with bank finance under various government sponsored employment schemes, said GM Dr Mukhopadhyay.

‘Prepare DPR of Talong-Londa Hydro project’

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: Talong-Londa Hydro Electric Project affected People’s Committee (TLHEPAPC) has urged the GMR Energy Limited and concerned authority to prepare the pre-feasibility report and details project reports (DPR) of the proposed 160 MW Talong-Londa Hydro Electrical project on Kameng river basin within a time frame.

The committee formed by people of Londa, Lorah, Rikung, Tallo and Talong welcoming the construction of dam in their area, resented that despite a memorandum of agreement signed between the GMR Energy Lt and state Govt on January 24, 2007, with a commitment to implement the project within four years of MoA, the GMR failed to prepare DPR of the project.

It may be mentioned here that the NEEPCO had prepared the DPR of the this run-of the river project, but the GMR Ltd had declared it null and void and decided to conduct fresh survey of its own for preparation of DPR after coming into an agreement with state Govt.

When memory’s beehive gets pried open

-- Obang Tayeng

Jackfruit tales

The vista remains unchanged: the same maize coloured stubbles of paddy spanning into the far forest line, the same view of conical stacks of harvested paddy, and the similar scene of weary, suntanned looks of farmers. The pale morning light of winter diffusing through the overcast sky illumined the horizon while the raised, smoky farm huts dotted on field edges cast a forlorn look.

Suddenly, my adolescence comes to life again, prying open the beehive of memories locked deep inside. Familiar scenes evoke related feelings and bring back past images. I amble over the grassy bandhs snaking around the field, smelling the fusty muddy smell of the loamy soil, soaking in every sensation of the moment. I was like a lost man returning home after a long time. Images of family members and neighbours cutting paddy, thrashing, and carrying corn unroll as my ploughing the grassy soil in the morning and the evening during school vacations.

There were a few differences, though. The towering, massive hollock trees with their maroon fruits were gone, new people worked in the field, and the jackfruit trees that I had planted as a child grew up to become massive trees. Silent yet enduring, they told me of my wandering tales, of days spent away from my root for long, long years.

Arrow of time

It was saddening for me to see the condition of my maternal uncle who lives in a nearby village. Once active and helpful to many neighbours as a priest and a storyteller, he is now like a toddler chaperoned by my aunt both inside and outside the house. He can’t speak any more, hardly recognizes me though his eyes are clear, and simply stares blankly even as we talk beside the fireplace. Similarly, his elder sister and my aunt who often went to field until recently, is bed ridden due to old age and various illnesses for which the village has no healthcare facilities.

The same story prevails in my village. Diseases and loss of inmates, both sudden and normal, plague the lives of the people. Time spares no one, piercing each one with its arrows of fate at one point or another. The saving grace is that traditional warmth and social bonds, which are still intact in villages, stave off lots of the pain.

‘Pigs are dirty’

My five year-old grandson whom I call Ami Aro, meaning, good man, feels out of place in the village. Having grown up in cement-floored government quarters in towns, he dreads the cracks in the split bamboo floors, and says ‘pigs are dirty’. He hates their stinky excretions that carpet the courtyards like pebbles beside a river. Eventually, he opts to stay in my brother’s house far away from the village, much to the disappointment of his great grandfathers and grand mothers.

It’s difficult to figure out how fast time has galloped, catapulting us into the realm of the unknown. The change is so rigorous that the familiar becomes the stranger, the tradition turns into the alien, and the primary happens to be the secondary.

Deepak’s schooling

As we ride back in the car amusing ourselves with Talut Mize’s ‘Sisang yenam kensimape’ which is Ami Aro’s favourite Adi number, I asked Deepak whether he had ever attended any school. 15 year son of a farmhand, whom his father was happy to get rid off because of his excessive naïve character, Deepak firmly replied in the affirmative.

‘Upto which class?,’ I enthusiastically said. ‘Up to zero class’ Deepak answered with confidence.

‘How many days did you go to your school?’, I persisted.

‘Two or three days at most’, Deepak held on, resetting his red bandana around his head.

We had, however, no complaint against him. Like sugar in milk, Deepak instantly blended with Ami Aro, relieving me of his constant annoying frolics.

Kri promises to rejuvenate APST

Correspondent

ROING, Dec 24: Parliamentary secretary, transport Karikho Kri today assured the officials of the Roing APST station to give priority on infrastructure development and increase in manpower for smooth running of the APST services.

While visiting the Roing APST station, Kri, however, called upon the APST employees to rededicate themselves for restoring the past glory of the state transport department and reminded employees that annual revenue target must be achieved at all cost. “I am visiting all the stations to assess, verify and know the actual condition of the stations and decided to streamline the system with a broader perspective. But it would be possible only with the dedicated service of the staff”, Kri said.

Highlighting the present status of the APST station, the staff in a memorandum to the parliamentary secretary informed that the state transport station, Roing is facing shortage of man power, especially mechanics and drivers. The memorandum further informed that there are 11 oldest buses and only a new one. Out of these, 2 buses were off the road.

Citing the encroachment problem the memorandum said approximately 800 meters in lengths and 150 meters width of departmental land has been illegally occupied.

The Kri also made a spot survey of the land and assures to take seriously the illegal land encroachment and opening of new route in between Roing to Italin for the greater interest of the people of this border district. He also inspected the defective buses, its workshop and assured to do the needful.

SIRD’s Panchayati Raj Training begins at Namsai

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: Addressing the inaugural programme at the two days awareness training programme on Panchayati Raj System in Arunachal Pradesh at Namsai, Commissioner, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Tape Bagra, said that State government has already notified the activity mapping through which the fund, function and functionaries are to be placed.

As of now, the State government is directly placing the 12th finance commission grants to Panchayats and keenly thinking for the activation stage of the Panchayats, he said.

He further said that training is the major stage through which all the programmes can be successful and all the stakeholders actively involved in the implementation process.

ADC, Namsai R K Sharma, advised that administration and development are the two side of the same coin and involvement of the villages is the major threshold to development.

Panchayat is the full-fledged constitutional body, through which each aspect of the grievances could be sorted out, he added.

Course Director Narayan Sahoo, vividly described the contents of the programme covering 73rd constitutional amendment act and Arunachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act 1997,role and responsibilities of three tier Panchayati Raj Members. The course covers various development programmes like NREGA, SGSY, IWMP, IAY, NSAP, right to information act ,domestic violence Act.

The training is being attended by around 300 participants covering Namsai and Ningroo Anchal Samities and line departmental officers and officials of various departments.

District monitoring tour

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: District Level Monitoring Committee, Kurung Kumey District headed by Deputy Commissioner, head of departments, administrative officers and PR leaders will launch an extensive monitoring tour in the district for monitoring of schemes under PM’s package, SPA, ACA, NEC, NLCPR, PMGY, RIDF, CRF, BADP, RGGVY from January 16-18.

Its getting Bigger, Better, Louder!

ITANAGAR, Dec 24: As January would be inching to an end, Kharagpur would witness an extravaganza few would want to miss and none would forget. For IIT Kharagpur would be playing host to the internationally acclaimed metal band Skid Row for their first performance in India. And this is part of their 3 day 4 night long annual clambake Spring Fest, from Jan 21-24.

Started in 1960, Spring Fest is the largest and the oldest running student organized fest in Eastern India. To make this 51st edition the youth hub it promises to be, planning had started way back in June. Says Abhey, a publicity head,” We wanted to outdo the 50th edition, and now we are on the verge of something really special. Our publicity campaign has incorporated a pan India outlook. Response has been exemplary and we are expecting a footfall of around 30,000. The news of Skid Row performing is really getting the colleges going".

And the platter surely looks tempting. On offer is an eclectic mix of more than 45 events ranging from dramatics to dancing, literary to music. Wildfire, the premium amateur rock band competition of Eastern India, is being associated by SaReGaMa India wherein the winners get recording deals. Ethos India is associated with Archkriti, an architect's battleground while Bar Council will be associated with Mocking Bird, a moot court competition. Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts and Pritish Nandy Communication have also seen Spring Fest joining hands with them. Workshops by Whistling Woods International and British Council add further value to the fest.

And for those who want none of these, an open air discotheque sends revellers into trance all day long in the Arena, the hub of all informal competitions. To highlight one such event, MTV would be conducting Stunt Mania, a daredevilry event. But this is not all; according to Mandar, the General Secretary, “ These are just a few things that have been confirmed as of now. The final picture would be highly exciting. All roads in January surely would lead to Kharagpur”.

But Spring Fest is not just about fun and frolic, and a social undertone is quite evident in form of associations with CRY and IYF, and presence of events like India Calling, a social case-study competition. Muskaan is another social initiative taken up by students.

And in this big world made small by internet, these guys are pretty much everywhere. Twitter, Facebook, Orkut, Ibibo and YouTube supplement their website www.springfest.in where one can access all rules, events, trivia, previous edition et al.

And you thought it’s just a fest? Kavish, the General Secretary quips in, “We are not just a fest. It is a celebration of the true spirit of youth".

Arunachal author’s moment of glory

TEZU: Principal Indira Gandhi Govt College Sangja Khandu’s book “No-War Media and Indo-Pak Diplomacy” has found a place in several libraries with the most prominent being the National Library of Australia.

The book which was released by Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Gen (Retd.) J J Singh during the IXth conference of Higher and Technical Education at Banquet Hall, Itanagar, on February 17 last has received wide acclamation in the academic circle throughout the world. (DIPRO)

Move for NIT in state lauded

ITANAGAR: People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) has appreciated both the State and the Central governments for taking initiative for setting up the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Arunachal Pradesh.

Setting up of NIT and other National Institutions in the state is one of the major programmes of the PPA. This is a one of the major steps to generate own pool of human resources which is key area for development of the state and the country. PPA in a release also appealed the state government for selection of suitable and congenial site keeping in view of availability of sufficient space and communication for premier institution.

National Consumer Day

ITANAGAR: Along with the rest of the country, Arunachal Pradesh also observed the “National Consumer Day” today to mark the launching of Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

The Day is being observed with an aim to remind the people about the need to make consumers, especially those living in the far-flung areas more aware of their rights and grievances. The responsibility in this regard, rests with all of us including the Govt. agencies, NGOs and VCOs, said an official release.

Various programmes across the state including meetings/exhibitions on salient features of Consumer Protection Act, distribution of pamphlets on consumer awareness literature, Radio talks on consumerism, Panel discussions in relation to consumer protection activities with demonstration of weighing instruments and packaged commodity items during celebration of Consumer Week beginning from Dec 24 to 30 are being organized with the theme “Be Financially Literate: Save Your Investments” to befit the occasion.