December 02
2016
Sacred Black-necked cranes arrive in Tawang yet again
Lobsang Gyatso to get prestigious Wildlife Award
ITANAGAR, Dec 1:The sacred Black-necked cranes arrived once again in its wintering abode in the Pangcheng valley along the Nyamjang Chhu river on November 15. While on Thursday leading wildlife magazine, Sanctuary Asia, has announced that Lama Lobsang Gyatso of the Save Mon Region Federation will get its prestigious Wildlife Award tomorrow (2nd December 2016) in Mumbai.
A short 3-km stretch of the Nyamjang Chhu river between Brokenthang and Zemithang in the Tawang district is one of only two wintering sites of the bird in India; the other being the Sangti Valley in West Kameng district. The bird is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is in the Vulnerable Category as per IUCN.
It is worth mentioning here that the National Green Tribunal in a landmark judgment on April 7th, 2016 had suspended the environmental clearance granted to the 780 MW Nyamjang Chhu project, the barrage site and submergence of which will destroy the wintering site of the bird. Alarmingly, the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed project had failed to record the importance of the wintering site and in fact did not mention the Black-necked crane even once. Senior counsel Raj Punjwani and Advocate Sanjay Upadhyay, appearing for the developers, the Bhilwara Group, had through their arguments and written submissions disputed the site being a current wintering site of the majestic bird.
The Green Tribunal in its judgment had also directed the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct an impact assessment of the 780 MW Nyamjang Chhu project on the Black-necked crane.
The petitioner, the Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF), represented by Advocate Ritwick Dutta, had shown documented scientific evidence of the site being an important wintering site of the Black-necked crane and also the crucial cultural connection of the local communities with the bird.
The SMRF, is an organisation set-up to safeguard the ecological and social-cultural security of the Tawang region and is spear-headed by local Buddhist Lamas of the Monpa community. Locals consider the black-necked crane an embodiment of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, who was a local Monpa from Tawang and wrote about the majestic bird in his poetry.
Within weeks of the NGT verdict in favour of SMRF, Lama Lobsang Gyatso, General Secretary, SMRF, was arrested when he was helping local villagers in exposing corruption in an under construction small hydropower project. Supporters demanding his release were shot at, leading to the death of two SMRF supporters in May 2016. Despite the major setback to the movement, Lama Lobsang Gyatso and SMRF continue their fearless battle to protect the rivers, wildlife and culture of Tawang.
Although the birds have been coming to the site since time immemorial, their arrival has been documented by conservation organisation, WWF - India, in collaboration with local villagers for the past eight years in a row.
This year the arrival of the bird has been documented photographically by local person Degin Dorjee who has been involved in conservation efforts for the bird with WWF - India.
A scientific paper published by leading Indian scientists in journal Zoological Research titled "Status and distribution of Black-necked Crane (Grus Nigricollis) in India" has already recommended that "To revive the wintering population of the species in eastern Himalayas, the Sangti valley and Pangchen valley of Zemithang should be declared as Black-necked Crane nature reserves and measures to maintain the ecological integrity of these areas should be taken on as a priority." The lead author of the paper is Dr. Pankaj Chandan and co-authors include Dr. Syed. A. Husssain of the Wildlife Institute of India.
Arunachal records 308 HIV cases
World AIDS Day observed across the state
ITANAGAR, Dec 1: Along with the rest of the world 'World AIDS Day' was observed with various programmes across Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.
Addressing a day-long advocacy program themed 'Hands up for HIV Prevention' organized by the Arunachal Pradesh Legislators Forum on HIV/AIDS (APLFHA) at Nokmey Namati Hall of the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Naharlagun on the occasion of World AIDS Day, on Thursday, State AIDS Control Society Deputy Director, Annong Borang informed that Arunachal Pradesh has 308 HIV positive patients with Papumpare leading the tally with 181 patients, followed by Lohit that has 40 patients. He also highlighted the state's response to curb the spread of the dreaded disease through test centers that are spread across the state and free supply of medicines.
MLA and APLFHA Secretary, Dr. Mohesh Chai, in his address pointed out the difference between the virus which is HIV and the disease (AIDS) that one gets when the virus spreads in the body. He urged everybody to follow the simple thumbnails i.e protected sex, screening the blood before transfusion and using only sterilized needles to prevent infection.
MLA Laisam Simai also emphasized on the need to do away with the stigma attached to AIDS and strongly urged everybody to not ostracize the person with the disease while, MLA Tumke Bagra asked the department and the agency concerned to ensure foolproof testing.
Later, Deputy Speaker, Alo Libang, who is also APLFHA Vice President, urged the legislators to spread awareness amongst the rural population who may be having wrong concept about the disease.
Officers and students from schools were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, thousands of students from government schools and colleges along with members of NGOs took out a massive awareness rally at Itanagar on the occasion of World AIDS Day, which was flagged off from Tennis Court, IG Park by Director Health Services, Dr. Moji Jini and APSACS Project Director, Dr. Riken Rina.
Later, during an awareness meeting conducted for the students and the volunteers at Vivekananda Hall, RKM, Hospital, Dr. Jini urged the participants to take active part in creating awareness on HIV/AIDS.
Attending the programme as the Resource Person, APSACS Project Director, Dr. Riken Rina stressed on the ABC of HIV prevention where A stands for Abstinence, B stands for Be faithful to your partner and C stands for condom usage. He also highlighted the services available with APSACS for HIV prevention and control in the state.
A road show was also organized by Link Youth supported by APSACS at Akashdeep and Bank Tinali, Itanagar wherein APSACS, Deputy Director (IEC), Tashor Pali explained the four routes of HIV transmissions and how it can be prevented.
At Khonsa General Hospital, speaking on the occasion, District Medical Officer, Dr. Neeba Lowang said that World AIDS Day is observed on Dec 1 each year is an opportunity for people world-wide to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, show their support for the people living with HIV. She further appealed PRIs, church leaders, students' community to spread awareness in their respective areas about causes and prevention measures of HIV/AIDS.
Tirap ZPC, Sontung Bangsia in her address explained about the adverse affects of addiction and unprotected sex and urged youths to desist from both. She further assured to extend full cooperation to the health department to eradicate HIV/AIDS from the region.
Explaining this year's 'World AIDS Day' theme 'Hands up for HIV Testing, Gender Equality, Zero Discrimination, Zero Stigma and Harm Reduction', resource person Dr. Roto Robo, with the help of a power point presentation informed the participants about ways HIV/AIDS can spread.
At Miao, an awareness rally was organized by Newman School, Neotan in Changlang district with a view to spread awareness among the students on AIDS and HIV on the occasion of World AIDS Day.
While addressing the participants, Rev. Sr. Mini Cyriac CM, the Health Coordinator of East Arunachal Pradesh explained the students about the causes and symptoms and advised them to take good care of oneself and others to avoid getting infected with HIV. 'You should not be afraid but should spread awareness among your parents, relatives and friends about AIDS and HIV', she said.
The students also performed a skit to drive home the message of accepting and loving the HIV patients.
The school's Principal, Fr. Felix also explained to the students that in most cases the cause of HIV is not the virus but ignorance. We must be aware first and also help others to become aware of this', he stated.
At Jairampur, hundreds took part in a rally organized by the RK Mossang Memorial Society as part of its Targeted Intervention Programme to mark the day.
The rally which began from APP Check gate to Assam Rifles gate and back and culminated at head office of the NGO, was attended by teachers, students and TI project staff.
At Ziro, Indira Gandhi Technological And Medical Sciences University in association with Red Ribbon Club (State AIDS Control Society, Naharlagun) and supported by Lower Subansiri District Administration organized 'walk against HIV/AIDS' from SSB Gate Campus to General Hospital here on Thursday to commemorate World AIDS Day.
The students, staff and Faculties of IGTAMSU lead by Pro-VC Ashish Lal and Director, Faculty of Medical & Paramedical Sciences IGTAMSU Dr Alka Lal distributed informative pamphlets among the general public. Informative banners and slogans were displayed to spread awareness among the general public.
The march was followed by a Seminar on HIV/AIDS at the University Campus and prize distribution to the winners of the poster making competition. (DIPROs)
Adventure sports & music to rule Dambuk Orange Festival
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Dec 01: The adrenaline adventures sports and music to rule the 3rd edition of Orange Festival of Adventure and Music, Dambuk amidst fragrance of fully-ripen orange fruits, informed Festival Director Abu Tayeng in a press conference at Press Club here on Thursday. Dambuk, a sub-division of Lower Dibang Valley district, is popular for one of the best oranges.
Announcing the 3rd edition of Orange Festival of Adventure and Music, Dambuk which is kick-starting from 15 to 18th December 2016, the Festival Director said, "The idea behind the festival is to bring in people from all over the world to explore the wild beauty of the place and experience the local way of life and untouched destination".
Tayeng informed that Swedish legendary guitarist and heavy death metal singer Yngwie Johan Malmsteen is performing on 3rd day of the festival (17th December 2016) alongside other popular band groups.
"The part of music is growing bigger and better in Orange Festival Dambuk. We are very lucky to have him at our doorstep. Ever since we announced he is performing in Dambuk, we have many proposals from metro cities, requesting us to let him perform out there" Tayeng disclosed.
Tayeng added that festival will have 5th round of Maruti Suzuki National Super League TSD rally and JK Tyre 4x4 Fury off-roading event which will be managed by two time Raid de Himalaya winner Lhakpa Tesring.
Apart from two main car rally events, the adrenaline adventure sports like river rafting, dirt cycling, ATV rides, Burma bridge sky walk, elephant ride, trekking, birding and angling etc would be happening simultaneously during the four-day long festival, he informed. The trekking will be managed by Everester Tine Mina.
Briefing the media persons on adventure motor sports that would be happening in the festival Lhakpa Tsering exhorted that Arunachal has become one of the hotbeds of adventurous motor sports. " Best part of Dambuk Orange festival is, top brand companies and sponsors are coming forward, we have fortunate to have 5th round of Maruti Suzuki National Super League TSD rally in an exotic place like Dambuk" said Tsering.
A TSD rally also called Time- Speed- Distance or Regularity Rally, is a type of motorsport rally with object of driving each segment of a course in a specified time at a specified average speed. The rally is open to all vehicles irrespective of make or model including ordinary passenger cars, Lhakpa added.
The off-roading event would showcase the best off-roaders of the country and provide opportunity for adventure junkies to pit themselves and their machine against the raw might of nature, Tsering added.
Peace is the essence of Buddhism: Karmapa
BOMDILA, Dec 1: His Holiness, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje called upon the people of the West Kameng district to maintain peace and tranquility for a better world order.
"Propagation of peace only would not serve the purpose, it should come from within," he said addressing his followers at Buddha Stadium here on Thursday.
"The teachings of Lord Buddha, has therefore great bearings in this materialistic world. The practice should not be limited to the monks and the monasteries only, rather it should be followed and incorporated by all sentient beings for which education is must," he opined.
Assuring to come back and interact with the people in a more personalized and larger scale in the days to come, the Karmapa expressed his gratitude to the MoS (Home Affairs) Kiren Rijiju and Chief Minister Pema Khandu for facilitating his visit to the state.
He also paid tribute to late Tsona Gontse Rinpoche for his yeomen services and prayed for his swift re-birth.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju in his address to the people of the district said that the visit of the Karmapa to the region and the state was a matter of great pride and honour.
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doing away with the restrictions imposed in the previous eras and for facilitating the Karmapa's visit to any part of the country and elsewhere.
He also advocated that with this new development, the gap between the spiritual guru and the followers would be bridged. "With the subsequent visit of the Karmapa, new initiatives like construction of monasteries and learning institutes could be taken up to further the spiritual ambience and temperament in the region," Rijiju said.
MLA Japu Deru and DC Sonal Swaroop also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier in the morning, the Karmapa visited Thubchog Gatse Ling Monastery (Lower Gompa) where he was received by Guru Tulku Rinpoche and partook in various monastic rituals.
The day before, His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa visited the Kalchakra Gompa, Thupsung Dargye Ling Monastery and the Lieung Gompa at Dirang en-route to Bomdila from Tawang.
Among others, the programme at Buddha Stadium Bomdila was attended by Speaker TN Thongdok, Parliamentary Secretaries Phurpa Tsering and Kumsi Sidisow, MLA Japu Deru, MHA advisor Amitabh Mathur, Chairman DoKAA Jambey Wangdi, DC Sonal Swaroop, RCS Rinchin Tashi, DIG (APP), DIG (SSB), Commander BRO, Director CIHCS Dahung and others. (DIPRO)
‘Lali Modi Exploration’ team flagged in at Midpu
By Staff Reporter
MIDPU, Dec 01: The virgin trekking route connecting East Kameng and Papum Pare districts has lots to offer for adventure freaks with its enchanting landscape, valleys and a host of endangered floral and faunal species, which was observed by the members of the 'Lali Modi Exploration' team led by Er Sangkoli Cheda and Seppa EAC Dr Olik Taring.
The team which started its expedition from Jote, Wotte and Lasak Cheda villages under Pipu circle of East Kameng district on November 26 last, was flagged in at Midpu Badminton Hall by UD & Housing Minister Nabam Rebia on Thursday.
While congratulating the team for successfully exploring the erstwhile migration route, Rebia said, "Arunachal Pradesh has numerous such unexplored trekking routes which could be promoted as tourist destinations."
Rebia, who himself is a mountain lover, has so far trekked almost all the routes under his constituency and is planning to trek the Lali Modi route next year.
"I am going to submit a proposal to the state government soon for establishment of tourist trekking route from Dabiowa Cheda to Mengio via Changhi Porang, Putte and Lali Ane to Kullung Tappo (Mengio)," he added and assured all support to implement the project as proposed by GWS.
The 42-member team including supporting staff undertook rigorous trekking through rugged terrain and dense forest to explore the erstwhile migration route used by the Nyishi ancestors for trade purposes.
The expedition was flagged off by Sports & Youth Affairs secretary Dani Salu from the Civil Secretariat here on November 24 last. It was sponsored by Gyadom Welfare Society (GWS).
Covering a distance of more than 80 kilometers, the team was able to cover only 10-15 kilometers per day, revealed Sangkoli Cheda.
"We took two days to cover the route within East Kameng while a day to climb the Lali Modi Mountain and another two days to cover the route in Papum Pare district," Cheda said adding the unexplored Lali Modi Mountain situated at a height of 3,776 meters above sea level, is the source from where four important rivers namely, Panyor, Pare, Pachi and Papu originate.
"This is the highest peak in the entire Nyishi belt," Cheda added.
He said, the team was well equipped with adequate food materials and medicines along with medical staff led by Lali Miri.
Narrating the experience of the expedition, Er Mara Kocho DGM, HPDCAPL, disclosed that the team spotted a huge stock of medicinal plants in the route besides a few species of endangered animals including clouded leopard and tragopan.
"Apart from finding the old migration route used by our ancestors, the aim of this expedition was to look for the availability of medicinal plants and also extinct animals in the entire stretch of the area. Lali Ane is known to be the repository of medicinal plants," he said.
"We have found a virgin plateau which could be developed into a potential tourist place of the state. The entire stretch of the route was covered with dense jungle and sometime we have to crawl to proceed ahead," Kocho added.
Kocho further revealed that the team was fully balanced with members from varied fields including Everesters Tapi Mra and Nima Lama to provide technical guidance, EAC Dr Olik Taring, SFRI scientist Kra Taj, East Kameng DTO Taluk Sonam, Pipu CO Miti Gongo among others.
The team was also received by APC President Chopa Cheda, who is also the chief adviser of GWS besides former and present ZPCs (East Kameng) Meyuk Cheda and Mering Natung respectively.
AAPSU holds interactive meeting with RGU and NERIST students' bodies
ITANAGAR, Dec 1: The newly elected central executive members of All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) held an interactive meeting with the members of Rajiv Gandhi University Students' Union (RGUSU), Rajiv Gandhi University Research Scholars Forum (RGURSF), North East Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) Research Scholars Association and Post Graduate (PG) students of both the institutes at RGU Mini Auditorium on Thursday.
The main objectives of the meeting was to gather ideas and suggestion from the senior students of both the institutes of the state in regards to problems and issues facing by the students community of the state.
During the meeting the scholars from various departments raised various problems most specifically in related to job placement and recruitment system in the state.
The meeting mainly discussed on some important issues which included introduction of education subject in APPSC (Prelim) exam. At present it only available for main exams. The meeting also felt the need of recruitment of sufficient assistant professors in all the govt. colleges in the state while stressing the student-teacher ratio.
The meeting observed that there is an urgent need to modify the Recruitment Rules (RR) of all the government departments, so that concerned recruitment boards could recruit human resources as per qualification. This will also improve the work quality of the departments in the state.
Other points of discussion were - increase in APST seat reservation in NERIST from the present 10% to at least 20%, creation of research and documentation cell in the working system of AAPSU to keep proper documentation of AAPSU activities by involving the scholars in the student movement in Arunachal Pradesh and immediate rationalization or minimization of B Ed fee structures in various B Ed colleges in the state, as it is not affordable for poor economic background.
While responding to the grievances of the senior students and research scholars of both the institutes
AAPSU President Hawa Bagang assured to place the grievances before the state government. He further informed that new AAPSU team is going to submit its charter of demands to the state government after through consultation with the students community of the state.
Indigenous Faith Day celebrated
Itanagar, Dec 1: Indigenous Faith day was celebrated in various parts of Arunachal Pradesh with religious fervour on Thursday.
At Ziro, the day was jointly celebrated by all the Meder Namlos of Ziro Valley at Danyi Piilo ground, Hapoli. The celebrations began with traditional prayers for unity, peace and progress of the entire humanity.
Local MLA Tage Taki while joining the celebration exhorted the priests to disseminate the traditional hymns and chants to the younger generation. He assured to take up the salary issues of certified priests in the coming winter session of assembly. He further exhorted the younger generations to be rooted to their culture and identity.
DC Kemo Lollen lauded the efforts of the Danyi Piilo society, Ziro in reviving and preserving the age old traditions and culture of the valley. "Development, modernity and affinity to any religion should not deter us from practicing our traditions. Donyi Poloism is a way of our tribal life. It's a congregation of our culture and tradition and should be accepted," he added.
ZPC Hage Login, SP Tage Habung and Secretary TSD Tapi Tai also spoke on the occasion. They encouraged youths to be forerunners in preserving the culture and tradition and expressed willingness to assist the Research and Reformation Committee, Danyi Piilo Society in documenting the age old traditions and customs.
General Secretary, All Apatani Danyi Piilo Society Takhe Tatung, submitted a memorandum for a boundary wall and rostrum in the Danyi Piillo ground, Hapoli.
Chairman, Research and Reformation Committee Mudang Elyu, in his keynote address dealt in length about the genesis of the Donyi Polo movement.
The celebration was also marked with various culture programs by all Meder Namlos. Later, prizes for various culture and literary competitions were distributed.
At Ruksin, the day was celebrated by Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) in joint collaboration of Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang (Assam and Arunachal) and other sister organizations.
Thousands of Donyi Polo believers from Pasighat, Mebo and Ruksin of Arunachal besides Dhemaji district (Assam) took out car rally along National Highway-52. They later assembled at Mising Kristi Bhavan, Jonai (Assam) near here for meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Pasighat-East MLA, Kaling Moyong highlighted the importance of preservation tribal tradition and religious behaviour for keeping their ethnic identity intact.
Saying that theological idea of Donyi-Poloism is accepted by all, but the way of worship is different, he asked the community members to maintain unity and integrity for their survival.
Stating that all religion is equally important, Moyong urged the community (Adi and Mising) members to work for promotion of their own religious faith and cultural practices.
Mising Baane Kebang president cum chairman of Mising Autonomous Council (MAC), Parmananda Chayengia (Pangging) said the MAC was putting priority to research and documentation of traditional culture of the indigenous tribal and accordingly grants fund for such activities. He informed that Mising Council has accorded sanctioned of Rs 15 lakh for construction of Donyi Polo Cultural Research Centre at Okajan (Silapathar), while Rs 3 lakh has been given for Donyi Polo Gangging at Mingmang village in Dhemaji district.
Expressing concern over drastic change in social systems, Chayengia lamented that the youths are not committed to preservation of their ancestral cultures. He urged the community members to preserve the tradition of Murong Okum/Deere (Community hall), which is considered as 'judicial centre' for the villagers.
Among others, MAC executive Councilor Raju Medok, Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang (DPYK) adviser and renowned Adi literary figure Kaling Borang, Central committee Yelam Kebang secretary Tagom Tasung, Ruksin ZPM Tonggeng Panyang also spoke on the occasion and urged the yelam kebang executives to instill a sense of almighty Donyi-Poloism in the minds of the growing youths.
Representatives of Adi Mising Baane Kebang and other community organizations, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vidya Bharati and many eminent citizens of Assam and Arunachal also participated the programme.
At Yomcha, the first circle level indigenous faith and cultural festival got underway.
Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Secretary WCD, SJETA and Land Management Gojen Gadi said that the indigenous faith day is being celebrated across the country wherever the people of Donyi-poloisim reside.
Indigenous people should also understand their own belief and faith should be protected, he urged.
Expressing disappointment that indigenous faith is not practiced properly these days, he said even Donyi-Polo gangging are not maintained properly so there is a need to rethink and discuss for better understanding among the believers of the Donyi-Polo religion.
Responding to the memorandum submitted, Gadi asked the believers to look for a place for construction of a Donyi Polo centre and assured to provide fund for it.
Also speaking, BJP leader Jarpum Gamlin also called for preservation of traditional values.
The two days long programme would include cultural show and sports and games competition by delegates from different areas like Darak, Yomcha, Lirmoba, Tribin, Aalo and Itanagar. (With inputs from DIPROs)
Philatelic exhibition begins
ITANAGAR, Dec 01: A two-day philatelic exhibition cum workshop jointly organised by Arunachal Postal Division and Donyi Polo Bidya Bhavan, Itanagar for school children began at Donyi Polo School premise on Thursday.
The workshop was inaugurated by Chief Secretary Shakuntala D Gamlin in presence of former Chief Minister Gegong Apang, RD Commissioner Indira Mallo and other dignitaries.
In her address, the CS lauded the organizer of the exhibition saying that it will help the students expand their knowledge. The CS also released the Special Cover on "MITHUN" the state animal.
While appreciating the postal department, Apang, also Chairman of DPVB, urged the department to organize more such awareness programmes in the schools for the benefit of children.
Speaking on the occasion, Indira Mallo said the event provides an excellent opportunity for the young generation to improve their knowledge.
Som Kamei, Director Postal Services (HQ), Shillong, in his address encouraged the children to take up philately as an especial educative hobby.
The exhibition showcases the collection of stamps from all parts of the world including India. The eminent Philatelists from Northeast are exhibiting their collection of stamps. More than 500 children from fifteen schools from Itanagar area are taking part in letter writing, stamp design competitions and workshop on philately being organized to mark the two days event.
Army recruitment rally at Aalo
AALO, Dec 1: Hundreds of aspirants from Seven district of the state representing Papum Pare, East Kameng, West Kameng, Tawang, Kurung Kumey, Lower and Upper Subansiri took part in the day one of Army Recruitment Rally held at 1 Bihar Regiment Ground here on Thursday. The recruitment rally is being organized by Branch Recruiting Centre, Jorhat under the supervision of Col R K Singh, Col M K Singh and Col M Upadhaya.
Disclosing that many seats are lying vacant for Arunachal people, Col Singh appealed all fit and eligible candidates to fill up the existing vacancies and added that aspirants from East, West, Upper, and Siang districts who did not get opportunity to fill up on line registration form can also come for registration and fitness test.
He also wanted that post of officers in Indian Army be tried by the locals of Arunachal to motivate others to join Indian Army.
The candidates have to go through 1.6km run, other physical and medical tests to be selected for the written examination to be conducted at Jorhat after a month. (DIPRO)
AR apprehends NSCN (R) kingpin
Correspondent
CHANGLANG, Dec 1: In a major blow to the NSCN (R), the Changlang Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of DAO division apprehended the Area Commander Khonsa district SS Capt. Eli Ketok along with one cadre SS 2nd Lt. Winjung Jugli of NSCN (R) and Rajapio Junghap Jugli from Lunglong village here on Thursday.
In the early morning hours of Thursday, security forces in Changlang acting on a specific input apprehended SS Capt Eli Ketok (Town Commander Khonsa), SS 2nd Lt Wingjun Jugli and an Over Ground Worker from Lunglong Village in Changlang. Two pistols, three magazines and 18 live rounds along with an extortion register documenting their misdeeds were also seized from them possession.
The two senior cadres have been the kingpins of commercial insurgency scavenging on the hard earned money of the locals in Tirap and Changlang districts by unabated forceful extortion. This breakthrough in addition to causing a major leadership upheaval in the outfit could severely dent the extortion nexus and bring relief to the harassed population in the two districts. SS Capt Eli Ketok has charges pressed against him at Khonsa and Kanubari Police Stations. Both the cadres were handed over to Changlang Police Station for judicial custody. These arrests have struck a blow to the extortion activities being carried out by the underground cadres of the group in the area.
3-month high skill training on silk weaving ends
ITANAGAR, Dec 1: The 1st batch of 3-month High Skilled Training on Silk Weaving in Jacquard Looms concluded successfully at Common Facility Centre, Industrial Estate, Naharlagun on Wednesday. The training was organized by the department of Textile and Handicrafts under Integrated Sericulture Development Project of North East Textile Promotion Schemes of Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of the 1st batch training programme, Parliamentary Secretary, Textile & Handicrafts, Karya Bagang, advised all the participants to use the knowledge grained from the training in practical life and to adopt the modern technology for promotion of silk industry and to become self-reliant. The value addition in silk weaving is very remunerative, she said adding it can be effective cottage industry to make women socially and economically independent. Bagang also distributed certificates to all the 14 successful trainees including departmental trainees and local entrepreneurs.
In his key note address, Director of Textile & Handicrafts, Peto Ete, gave details accounts on the objective of the training program and its importance. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to two Master Weaver & Reeler deputed by Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India without whom this training could not be possible.
The Director informed that two numbers of Common Facility Centre are under construction at Pangin, Siang district and Nacho, Upper Subansiri district under the Sericulture Development project and will be functional from March'2017 where similar training will be conducted.
Joint Director of Textile & Handicrafts, Haj Dodung in his address stressed on product diversification and value additions of weaving sector.
Assistant Director, Sericulture (HQ), Opung Jamoh Dai, who is also Training Coordinator and Minu Gibi, D.O(T&H), Crafts Centre, Naharlagun also spoke on the occasion.
Awareness programme on power looms conducted
Maksam Tayeng
PASIGHAT, Dec 1: A total of 50 entrepreneurs, weavers and artisans attended an awareness programme on power looms conducted at the conference hall of Assistant Director, Textile & Handicraft, Pasighat on Thursday.
The programme was conducted by a team of officers from Textiles Regional Office, Kolkata and Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA), Guwahati, who gave presentations about the various schemes under North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme.
While Group Captain (Retd), Mohonto Pangging, spoke on experiences and advantages of opening the first power loom unit of Arunachal Pradesh here at Pasighat. Pangging, a former fighter pilot in Indian Air Force turned entrepreneur, is the proprietor of ELAM Industries which manufactures and supplies cotton and polyester textile fabric.
Deputy Commissioner in-charge, Bani Lego and Textile & Handicraft Assistant Director, Maklek Pertin both lauded the organizers of the awareness programme which they said would be very beneficial for entrepreneurs, weavers and other artisans.
Associations lodge complaint against illegal dice game
ITANAGAR, Dec 1: The Banderdewa Circle Youth Organization, Banderdewa-Karsingsa Youth Welfare Association and All Bandewa Circle Students' Union have complained against illegal practice of dice game at Niya Colony, Banderdewa.
In their joint complaint to the Capital Complex ADM saying that the continuous playing of dice for past many days is causing menace to the peaceful atmosphere, the organizations called for strict action against the organizer/s of the game.
BCIM Corridor: The Road Map for Northeast
Dr. Jajati K. Pattnaik
BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar) is a regional/ sub-regional grouping between the South-West China, India's North-East, Bangladesh and Myanmar which is intended towards economic integration through trade, transport, industry, tourism, investment and other cooperative ventures in order to bring inclusive development in the region.
BCIM Corridor
BCIM initially conceptualized as Kunming Initiative through track II (Civil society level) diplomacy in 1999 became a track I (Governmental Level) regional/sub regional forum during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to India in May 2013. The two sides declared to establish a Joint Study Group among the BCIM countries for deeper engagement to flourish connectivity, trade, and people-to-people linkages paving the way for BCIM Economic Corridor. In recent times, the regional engagement paradigm got a fresh impetus under the present political dispensation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who thrust upon federalizing India's economic policy involving the state Governments during his visit to China in 2015. Both India and China agreed to institute provincial partnership between Karnataka and Sichuan and sister city contacts between Aurangabad -Dunhuang, Chennai-Chongqing and Hyderabad-Qingdao. But its success hinges how such provincial level partnership translates their visions into actions strengthening sub-regional cooperation in terms of trade, investment, industry, tourism and people to people exchanges in future.
India's Northeast
India's Northeast shares 5437.15 km. of land boundary with the International borders touching Bangladesh (1880km), Bhutan (516km), China (1300.35), Myanmar (1643km) and Nepal (97.8 km). It comprises of 262179 sq km constituting 7.97 percent of the total geographical area of the country. The region is abundant with natural resource including coal, oil and gas reserves. It has huge potentialities in hydro, herbal, horticulture and handicrafts (4H) and tradition, tea and tourism (3T) which can bring return, revenue and rejuvenation(3R) transforming the Northeast into the most developed economic space as compared to other regions of India.
Notwithstanding this, there is crisis of development in the region that owed to a multitude of historical, political, economic and structural factors. The partition of India in 1947 delinked North-East India's land and sea connectivity with the erstwhile East Bengal and as a consequence the Northeast region's land and sea connectivity to Eastern India and South East Asia through Chittagong port of Bangladesh was snapped. It also limited NER's (North-Eastern Region) geographical connectivity with the mainland India only through 27 square km. narrow Siliguri corridor ,called 'chicken's nake.' Further, the infrastructural bottlenecks of this landlocked region due to hilly terrains constrained the pace of development isolating the region from the mainland economic development. The governance deficit has led to wasteful expenditure and has stunted economic development giving rise to poor revenue generation. The insurgency movements have generated a hostile environment for investment as well as industrial development in the region. To seek a detour out of the impasse, neoliberal paradigm was thrust in comprehending the geo-economic importance of India's North East in an era of increasing regional and global cooperation. The Shukla Commission Report also thrust upon developing Northeast India's trade and arterial linkages with Bangladesh, Myanmar and China for blooming cooperation. Conversely, the Act east focused on increasing trade and connectivity linkages with the neighbouring countries. Prime Minister Modi coined a new term for the development of northeast i.e. Natural Economic Zone (NEZ) and focused upon the development of the region through economic corridors across the borders. In this context, Kolkata-Kunming corridor, Guwahati -Kunming Corridor, Kaladan corridor and Guwahati-Chittagong Corridor are considered as essential contours of such regional/ sub regional cooperation.
Kolkata-Kunming Corridor
Kolkata-Kunming corridor is an important segment of BCIM regional/ sub-regional cooperation. The corridor spanning around 2,800 kilometer would link India's Northeast, Yunan province of China, Bangladesh and Myanmar by forging partnership in trade, industry, energy, tourism, health and education for the benefit of all the stakeholders in the region. The corridor starts from Kolkata in West Bengal (India) and passes through Benapole-Jessore-Dhaka-Sylhet (Bangladesh), Silchar-Imphal-Moreh (India), Tamu-Kalay-Mandalay (Mandalay) and Muse-Ruili (China) and reaches Kunming in Yunan. The potentiality of this corridor lays in connecting the emerging urban/industrial clusters of West Bengal, Barak Valley of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura with that of Bangladesh, Myanmar and Yunan province of China in a number of joint venture projects. But this corridor is not economically not viable for Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Assam and Nagaland, because geographically, they remain far away from the central route of Kolkata-Kunming corridor.
Guwahati-Kunming Corridor
Guwahati-Kunming corridor is another segment of BCIM regional/sub-regional cooperation. The writer has made every effort to develop Guwahati-Kunming corridor through intensive field studies in Indo-Myanmar border (Ledo-Nampong and Pangsau Section)and published it in a tabular form in an article entitled 'Act East through the Northeast' in Mainstream on 12 April 2015. He argumentatively said that the Guwahati-Kunming corridor is to be developed, as a supplementary to Kolkata-Kunming corridor , in the larger interest of northeast to get mileage from BCIM.The passage with a distance 2276 kilometer starts from Guwahati in Assam (India) and goes across Nampong in Arunachal Pradesh (India) and Shindbwiyang, Bhamo and Myitkyina in Kachin (Myanmar) linking Ledo-Burma roads junction through Wanding and Yunnanyi to the city of Kunming in ( China).The road covers 601 km in India.
Guwahati-Kunming Corridor, if materialized, would connect the urban agglomerates of Assam i.e. Tinsukia-Dibrugarh--Jorhat-Nagaon-Guwahati-Tezpur with Kunming in China. Further, this passage can connect Arunachal Pradesh with Assam through Bogibeel paving the way for promising economic corridors for sub-regional cooperation. Moreover, it can also link Dimapur, Kohima and other urban centres of Nagaland through Tinsukia -Jorhat-Nagaon-Guwahati corridor. Then, the spillover effects of such urban/ industrial corridors would have tremendous impact upon the growth and development of the whole region.
Kaladan Corridor
Kaladan multimodal transport project is important for the success of BCIM sub-regional cooperation. This riverine road transport project seeks to provide maritime access to the landlocked North Eastern states of India to the Bay of Bengal linking it with the Indian ports on the Eastern sea shore and Sittwe port in the western shore of Myanmar. As per the project , the goods are to be transhipped from the Kolkata port to Sittwe port (539 km) and from Sittwe to Paletwa by inland water transport (158 km) on river Kaladan and then traversing through 129 km two-lane Highway, it would connect NH 54 at Lawngtlai in Mizoram. Further, Lawngtlai would be connected by road with Silchar and Srirampur (Assam) all the way through Daboka, Nagaon and Guwahati (Assam). A relook of the project indicates that Kaladan multimodal transport corridor, if implemented in time, would transform the geo-economic scenario of the region as well as end its maritime isolation. It would also give substantial advantage to the landlocked states of North East India to kick start its trade with the BCIM and other regional groupings soon. Further, this riverine road transport system would also augment the significance of the region from the perspective of Act East policy and transform it from landlocked to land linked region.
Guwahati-Chittagong Corridor
Guwahati-Chittagong corridor is significant for road, rail and sea connectivity within the BCIM. Recently, New Delhi has made a diplomatic breakthrough in securing Dhaka's consent to make use of Chittagong port, which is just 72 kilometers away from Sabroom, the southernmost border town of Tripura. India is building the bridge over the Feni river in Tripura to carry heavy machines and goods to the northeastern region through the Chittagong port of Bangladesh. The bridge with a cost estimation of 94 Crore would provide transport connectivity to Chittagong through roadways and railways. In this context, Guwahati- Silchar-Agartala and ongoing Sabroom rail corridor and East- west corridor connecting Silchar to Porbandar would prove to be the catalyst for sub regional cooperation involving India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China.
It is also pertinent to mention that the Brahmaputra River has been declared as national waterway -II in 1988 covering a distance of 891 kilometer from Dhubri to Sadiya in Assam. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) provides terminal services in key locations for loading and uploading of cargo at Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu, Silghat, Neamati and Dibrugarh.IWAI is developing Pandu port at Guwahati as a multimodal transport corridor to cater the interests of whole Northeast. If Sadiya is linked to Lohit and Siang rivers in Arunachal Pradesh with inland port facility in the grand vision of Sagarmala, then it could prove as a game changer for India's Eastern most frontier.
Above all, the realization of BCIM economic corridor depends how effectively India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China address their mutual concerns as well as combine their mutual advantages into a meaningful action for the benefit of all the stakeholders in this much touted regional/sub-regional forum in future. (The writer is an Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Government Model Degree College, Jemi Notko,Roing, Arunachal Pradesh. He was formerly a Visiting Scholar at the Gulf Studies Programme, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.)
Editorial
Give more autonomy
The premier investigating agency of India CBI is once again in spotlight for all
the wrong reasons. The sudden transfer of CBI officer RK Dutta to another department
of the Home Ministry stunned bureaucratic circles. Not because he was the senior-
The decision of central government raises big question mark. On the one hand it is
violating apex court order and on the other hand it is depriving a candidate from
occupying the top post. The transfer of Mr Dutta, a 1981-
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Readers’ Forum
Repair Potin-
Dear Editor,
Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to highlight the pathetic
condition of the Potin-
Further it is heard that some people have deliberately damaged the said road so that it becomes more worse but with the hope that concern Dept/ MLA/ leaders will be forced to act. But it seems that no one really cares about the road. Though I don’t support any form of Bandh call but by seeing the pathetic and deplorable condition of the road, I feel that indefinite bandh should be given in the form of chakka bandh from Potin till Ziro. This way the concerned authority will pay heed. My point is that if you can’t repair the whole stretch atleast fill up the potholes.
Yours,
A Concerned Vehicle Owner.
Demonetizing or antagonizing?
Dear Editor,
A gunshot that kills a frightening tiger in the forest can also kill a harmless dear
or duck if the shooter is unskilled. Exactly the same thing is happening now. Just
imagine the catastrophe faced by our poverty-
Unlike European countries India is underdeveloped country where the major populace
does not know the basic utilities of bank. They feel that money kept at home is far
safer than the bank. Again, how useful are Rs 2,000 when smaller notes like Rs 100
and Rs 500 are not available? Show me a foolish shop owner now who will return 13
nos of Rs 100/-
Well, we don’t disagree that the government’s demonetarization plan is praiseworthy but the preparation to meet the anticipated challenges is dismally poor. Phew, the scissors of demonetization have cut the wallets of the rich but they also have pierced deeply into the heart of the poor. Now we badly wish that demonetization does not become a bitter pill of antagonization.
Yours,
Salil Gewali
Shillong, Meghalaya
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