February  20

Improper border demarcation leads to Chinese intrusions in Chaglagam sector

Gandhi Darang

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The Macmohan Line has long been a bone of contention between India and China. With few diversions in the past, India regards it as the legal national border while China refuses to acknowledge it as it claims Arunachal Pradesh.

On the other hand, India’s reluctance to upgrade its resources along the international border in Arunachal Pradesh has been the topic of discussion for many years. One glaring example is the border demarcation along Indo-China border near Chaglagam outpost in Anjaw district.

Due to lack of proper boundary demarcation, the Chinese Army often intrudes through two passes of Glai Takre and Hadira Takre which is about 100 km from last ITBP base camp situated at Chaglagam.

Talking to this correspondent during a recent visit to Chaglagam, Anjaw Zilla Parishad Chairperson B Tega informed that the two passes are known as natural border between the two countries by the Mishmi community.

He confirmed that, the Chinese Army often intrudes in the area and puts up unknown signs and symbols on stones and trees inside the Indian Territory.

However, after the Chinese departure, Indian military patrolling team is quick to damage or erase the Chinese military marks and signs. He said that due to establishment of Indian military camp within the Indian Territory in the interior places, Chinese frequently conducts patrolling in Indian Territory.

The last ITBP post situated at Chaglagam is about 100 km away from LOC.

The PR leader suggested that “the Indian government needs to establish military camp at Tanya, Pompom and Laitakru areas for security and easy monitoring of border areas”.     

Meanwhile, Chaglagam ASM Mailu Tega said that “due to non availability of proper motorable road from Chaglagam to Glai Takre and Hadira Takre, the Indian patrolling team takes 4 to 5 days to reach the border, which she says, could pose a danger during emergency.

She urged the government to widen the Chaglagam-Hayuliang road for transportation of military and other heavy vehicles.

Tega further sought Centre’s intervention for construction of road from Kibitho to Anini, Chaglagam to Desali (Lower Dibang Valley), Chaglagam to Glaitakre and Hadira Takre for the easy movement of the military.

The Chinese government has connected its border area with highways. On the other hand, India is yet to make any roads leading to all border areas in Arunachal Pradesh even today.

With Centre reluctant to step up infrastructure development at border areas, it is unlikely that such intrusions by Chinese Army would end over night. The ball off course is in the hands of the Centre and state government.

 

Circle Headquarters sans govt officials

Ojing Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Though the state government has created numbers of new administrative circles in the state in recent past for the welfare of the people, however there are many places in the state where offices are literally running on its own in absence of govt officials!

Recently, this reporter visited Mopom administrative circle, under Mariyang Sub-division, Upper Siang District. Alike other remote administrative circles, there is not a single government official at Mopom to carry out official works even after seven years of its establishment!

Fortunately, the Indian Flag flies every day, thanks to a villager who makes it a point to put it up every morning and takes it down as the dusk approaches. Such situations are not unheard of in the state but what is pertinent to mention is lack of will by all stakeholders.  

In most places, a single peon mends the whole office. In some instances, the offices are empty because the government even though it is on up gradation spree has failed to post anyone while in some cases it is because the officials posted refuse to stay in their place of posting.

 

Bhutan-Arunachal to work together to boost tourism

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: In a very significant development that can be termed as beneficial for Arunachal Pradesh and its immediate international neighbor Bhutan, the state government and the visiting team of Bhutan’s National Assembly agreed to work towards enhancing tourists inflow through mutual cooperation.

The five-member Poverty Reduction Committee of Bhutan’s National Assembly, led by its Chairman Dupthop, had an extensive discussion with Chief Minister Nabam Tuki in presence of Lok Sabha MP Takam Sanjoy, Tourism Minister Pema Khandu, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Passang D Sona and officials of the departments of Planning and Tourism here yesterday. Both the sides accepted the importance of extending cooperation and evolve strategies to utilize tourism potentials of the Himalayan Kingdom and Arunachal Pradesh to the optimum. Welcoming the Bhutanese delegation, Tuki pointed that Bhutan and Arunachal had several similarities culturally as well as geographically. Therefore, he said, it would be mutually beneficial if both work together and help each other to boost tourism that would eventually generate gainful employment thus reducing poverty.

Highlighting few areas where the state government was actively working like road construction and chopper services, Tuki said as Bhutan was an immediate neighbor, cooperation in these aspects from the other side was also necessary. He informed that construction of a road from Tawang to Bhutan is progressing at a rapid pace and sought the same from the Bhutan government on the other side. He felt the progress of the road on Bhutan side was not coming up as expected.

“Once this road is completed and connects towns of Bhutan with Tawang, we could work on border trade, which would then be beneficial to both the sides economically,” Tuki said.

The Chief Minister also urged for making operational helipads in Bhutan and helicopter services introduced between Tawang and Bhutan. He was of the opinion that this would greatly increase tourist flow to both the places.

MP Takam Sanjoy, on the other hand, stressed on focusing on religious tourism as both sides were religiously akin. He suggested for creating a religious tourist circuit all the way from Ladakh to Arunachal including Nepal and Bhutan.

In the same tune, Tourism Minister Pema Khandu and Parliamentary Secretary Passang D Sona expressed willingness to work with the Bhutan Government to bring up tourism as one of the major revenue earning sectors. Sona, meanwhile, cited the existence of the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Association and asserted that its presence should also be felt in Arunachal Pradesh. Through this Association, he said, Arunachal could reap rich benefits while contributing its bit in development of the sector in Bhutan.

Delegation Chairman Dupthop agreed to the views and suggestions put forth by the Chief Minister and his team. He was in complete agreement with the suggestion to develop a tourist circuit encompassing Bhutan and parts of Arunachal, which were religiously related to each other.

“If this materializes, we will be the one to benefit more,” he said.

Dupthop, however, informed that it was up to the Executive of the democratic set-up of Bhutan to decide on this. He assured to place the matter before the Executive and impress upon it to take it up with the Indian Government.

“As the matter is a bilateral issue, our Government will have to process it with the Government of India. Hope Delhi listens to us!” Dupthop added.

 

Know Your Legendary Artistes

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Very often people behind the scene never get recognized. The song writers or lyricists as they are known are one such group of people. They jot down many melodious songs, which singers sing and go on to win accolades. Today, we are presenting two persons, who wrote songs, which became very popular throughout the state.

Bengia Loog, born on 15th September 1963 at Hoj village under Papum Pare district is one of the renowned lyricists of Nyishi community. He started writing song in the year 1978 when he was in class VII.  He has written more than 80 songs, including the famous ‘Nyodi Gay Pung chubnam Aniya Taapa Doe”. Other songs written by him include Dirgi bargo Ngag Lamta si (sung by- Bengia Hemanta) and

Nage Anga Hena (sung by- Moge Doje and Taba Yall Nabam). He currently lives in Doimukh town with his family.

Born on 28th February 1963 at Karka Village in West Siang district, Goto Ete is a lyricist, composer and singer in various languages including Adi, Galo, Hindi and Assamese. He received many awards during his singing days. He was awarded the second best singer in 1984 and the best singer in 1985 in the music competition of the university in Punjab University, Chandigarh.

He became an All India Radio (AIR) artiste in 1980. His Adi song ‘Ngo Nesin Neming Aralo’ composed by his friend Anong Jonkey was recorded at All India Radio, Dibrugarh, Assam in 1980 and thereafter he recorded as many as 40 songs in Adi and Galo. Most of his songs in Adi and Galo were written and self composed by him.

He contributed his self composed Galo song ‘Jenam Jenam’ in the first ever Galo audio cassette released in 1993. He also recorded some Galo songs for Doordarshan Itanagar in the year 2000.

Ete is a law graduate from Punjab University Chandigarh. Presently he is additional district and session Judge of the Fast Track Court in the State.

 

Arunachal pre-Statehood Day celebration in Punjab

JALANDHAR (Punjab) Feb 19: Festivity is in the air as Arunachalee students studying at Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab celebrated pre-statehood day with great enthusiasm on Saturday last.

Attending the function, CNN-IBN Citizen Journalist Award 2012 winner Payi Gyadi advised the students to excel in their field of study through hard work while maintaining patriotism wherever they live. He advised them not to form associations/ unions unnecessarily.

Gyadi vowed to continue his fight against corruption in the state saying that his crusade against corruption was for a bright tomorrow.

The function was also attended by Dr. Joram Beda; IAS Sub-divisional Magistrate of Moga in Punjab, Captain Tero Keyang of Ambala based Indian Army.

Both the officers exhorted the students to study hard to excel in their field of studies in order to build a stronger nation since students are the future of our country.

The celebration was followed by an interaction programme between Arunachalee students and visiting guests led by Dr. Joram Beda and Captain Tero Keyang.

 

Health literacy

Dr Tana Natung

Health Literacy is an individual’s ability to read, understand and use healthcare information to make informed decisions and follow instructions for any treatment or healthcare interventions. A more robust view of Health Literacy includes the ability to understand scientific concept, content, and health research; skills in spoken, written and online communication; critical interpretation of mass media messages; navigating complex systems of health care and governance; knowledge and use of community capital and resources; as well as using cultural and indigenous knowledge, in health decision making. This perspective defines Health Literacy as a wide range of skills and competencies that people need to develop over their lifetime to seek out, comprehend, evaluate, and use health information and concepts to make informed choices, reduce health risks, and increase quality of life.Thus Health Literacy is a social determinant of health that offers powerful opportunity to reduce inequities in health.

Problem Statement:

Research studies have revealed that upto half of patient and patient party cannot understand basic healthcare information irrespective of their general literacy status. Low Health Literacy reduces the success of treatment or any healthcare intervention services. Low health literacy negatively affects the treatment outcome and safety of care delivery as these patients have a higher risk of hospitalization, longer hospital stays as they are incapable of self-domiciliary medical care, are less likely to comply with treatment schedule, are more likely to make errors with medication and are more likely to seek medical care at terminal stage of pathological conditions.

The mismatch between a healthcare provider’s level of communication and patient’s ability to understand it can lead to medication errors and adverse treatment outcome. The lack of health literacy affects all sections of population. Health literacy skills are not only a problem for a common man. Health care professionals (doctors, nurses, public health workers) can also have poor health literacy skills, such as low ability to clearly explain health and related issues to patients and the public.  

Determinants

There are many factors that determine the health literacy level among general population and how easily health information is understood and followed. Some of the important determinants are:

1. Individuals’ ability to read and write:

People having better ability to read and write tend to have better level of health literacy than their counterpart.

2. Individuals’ level of formal education:

People having higher level of formal education tend to have better level of health literacy. Therefore it is seen that states with higher rate of general literacy do have better rate and ratios of health indicators.

3. Language barriers:

In states where more than one language is used for formal as well as informal communication, language barriers act as a hindrance in improving the health literacy amongst the general masses.

4. Mode and content of communication:

It should be culturally appropriate and acceptable by the targeted population for the effective dissemination of heath literacy in the intended population.

5. Format and style of communication:

It should be easily understandable and sensitive to the sensitivities of the intended audiences.

6. Sentence structure:

The simple and short sentences are a better option instead of using long and complex sentences in communication related to health issues.

7. Use of illustrations:

Use of simple, colourful and legible illustration of the theme of health literacy helps the people to understand the topic more easily and is desirable.

8. Accessibility of material:

The materials related to health literacy should be easily and freely accessible to any interested person. The placement of posters, banners and hoardings of such communication should be easily visible to the maximum number of the targeted audience.

9. Interactiveness of intervention:

Encouragement of interaction between the community and health care provider during any healthcare intervention improve the health literacy.

Risk Identification

Identifying a patient at risk due to low health literacy is productive. Health care provider should spend a couple of minute to assess the level of health literacy of patient and should communicate in language easily understood by the patient in case of low health literacy. Health behaviour such as correct medication use, taking advantage of health screening tests and effective preventive measures such as exercise and smoking cessation improved when patient with low health literacy were given visual aids, easy readability brochures or videotapes.

Interventions

Various interventions may be employed once the patient with low health literacy is identified. At every visit, clear information with simple and lucid mode of communication should be opted such as simplified information and illustrations of important concepts; avoiding medical or scientific jargons and terminologies during the process of communication. At the same time confirming that the information has been understood by the patient by adopting “teach-back methods” in which the medical service provider after explaining the advisories to beneficiaries again ask the beneficiariesto teach back the methods to the healthcare providers.

A program called “Ask Me 3” is designed to bring the physician and public attention to this issue where patient are encourage to ask questions to the attending healthcare provider regarding any queries related to their health problems and services provided to them. The three questions usually encouraged are:

1. What is my main problem? 2. What do I need to do? 3. Why is it important for me to do this?

Adoption of such method by healthcare providers has improved health behaviours in population with low health literacy.

Conclusion

Health Literacy is of continued and increasing concern for public health professionals as well as clinicians, as it is a primary factor responsible for intra as well as inter-community or public health disparities. The “Healthy People 2020” initiative of the United States of America’s Department of Health and Human Services has included it as a pressing new topic in the field of Public Health, with the objectives for addressing the low health literacy level among general population in the decade to come. Government of India has also taken up similar initiatives which are being implemented through various National Health Programmes, the result of which is yet to be seen. When it comes to the state of Arunachal Pradesh, still we have a long way to go in attaining the adequacy in level of Health Literacy among general populace. A proper State Health Policy with regard to promotion of Health Literacy among general public and health professionals, targeting the preventive aspects of the health problems,where the outcome of the policy is measurable, is the need of the hour in order to have a sustainable healthy population that is economically and socially productive. (The contributor is Medical Officer, CHC Doimukh, presently undergoing Postgraduate Studies in Community Medicine, at RIMS-Imphal).

 

Enhancing Quality in Engineering Education

Professor (Dr.) Chandan Tilak Bhunia,

The impact of technical education on the industrial growth, infrastructure development and socio-economic uplifment of a country is profound and substantial. The most significant component of achieving greater impact in this respect is the quality of education. The technical education has increased in leaps and bounds in India after India had taken part in liberalization, privatization and globalization process that necessitated the widen of private investment in technical higher education. The quality has not equally improved as many authorities talk of and as many research findings say so. The several parameters contribute to improved quality; and theses are quality teachers, better infrastructure, better environment and good syllabus. The component of syllabus has never and ever given considerable thrust for quality improvement; although fact is that good syllabus offers a competitive advantage to betterment in all aspects of productivity of technical education system.

The objectives of designing a good syllabus will be to make it dynamic and adoptive in nature, relevant in application, value-added in interest, thought generating and innovative in character, and to reduce gap between industry and academic. Most of technical education syllabus prescribed for private institutes looks into the technical content of the syllabus but lack to generate opportunity among students the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, thought prorogating and value addition. These gaps need to be filled in by appropriate manner to produce quality graduates / post graduates of the system. In this context, all B.Tech / B.E. level syllabus should include following courses in the syllabus.

First, History of Science & Technology (HST) : The subject is to introduce humanity's endeavor behind science and its application over the centuries. This empowers readers in understanding creators' and inventors' philosophy and innovative resolveness to solve a problem ever faced. Ability to understand science and to manipulate the same to applied deliverables should be known in details by the students to ignite their inherent ability and sleeping ingenuity. This will certainly enhance the imaginative and thought provoking power of students. Motivations arise from the examples. Lives of scientists and technologists will play immense and undisputed roles for adopting science and technology as life enterprising among readers, otherwise science and technology may remain as uninteresting subject. Path of scientific and technological revolution has a prominent role in shaping the science and technology teaching. The subject of HST should be included in the first year of four years degree course.

Second, Entrepreneurship Practice (EP) : The body of knowledge in EP is to make Engineers who will just not only run after jobs, but will create jobs. The subject will focus to produce entrepreneur, innovator, business incubator and organizer in an integrated manner. The society will benefit from Entrepreneurial Activities expected to be produced after introduction of EP in syllabus. New products, new production methods, new markets, new forms of organization and new business may be created by the would-be engineers on adoption of such courses. With introduction of the course, national wealth will be created, innovations will result in, speed of wealth creation will enhance and knowledge creation will be productive. EP may be introduced right from 2nd year of the engineering course.

Third, Values & Ethics (VIE) : Society deserves to have its future engineers ethically sound and valued oriented. Values make one to take decision about right and wrong, should and shouldn't, good and bad. Values help one to understand which are more or less important, which is useful when we have to trade off meeting one value over another. Without having understood the subject of values, the integrity of engineers will not reach up to the expected mark that makes it essential to introduce the subject in engineering. DA pamphlet said: "Values are what we, as a profession, judge to be right." Doing what is right or wrong is what we mean by ethics. To behave ethically is to behave in a manner consistent with what is right and moral.

Teaching values will add to integrity, professionalism, caring, teamwork, stewardships and socially responsible. VE should be a subject of 3rd year. It may be mentioned that in some universities such a course is existing.

Fourth, Dissemination of Scientific & Technical Knowledge (DSTK):  Difficulties with distribution of scientific and technical information is rapidly increasing with unprecedented spade of science & technology. Future engineers must be prepared to meet with this challenge. The subject should cover body of knowledge for the establishment of adequate and effective distribution of information. Lack of information does not make a sound engineer. Engineers should be specialists in information dissemination for which a course on DSTK is of paramount importance. Engineers should be made to write articles and research papers fluently and confidently. They should be taught to deliver talks in seminars and conferences. They should be taught how to organize seminars and conferences and how to publish magazines and journals. DSTK should be a subject of 4th years in engineering course.

Fifth, Paper/ Essay Completion (PEC) : Paper should be included in sixth semester. It may be a sessional paper. It will offer students to take part in at least four paper/essay competition each in four months on relevant topics. In general research productivity is lacking in system of technical education. We must remember important issue that the difference between the developed and the developing is nothing but science and technology. Technological development is not possible without productive and innovative research for which such a subject paper will be made an exercise achieving the goal.

Sixth, Design Competition (DC): Paper should be included in seventh semester. It may be a sessional paper. It will offer students to take part in basically hardware type design competition on relevant topics. Indian technical education must promote if not chip level but at least at system level integration for hardware design to make engineering education meaningful. Japan and China have made the art of hardware design at highest level in their engineering education system. This will bring mastery of engineers at global level.

The six subjects mentioned above are certainly not core technical subjects relevant to any stream. These are generalized subjects of immense importance for all streams for enhancing quality of technical education toward integrated and innovative man making. (The writer is a Director of National Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh)

 

Army Symphony Band enthralls audience at Raj Bhavan

Itanagar, Feb 19: Participating in the Statehood celebration of Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Army Symphony Band presented an orchestra programme at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on eve of the celebration on February 19. Arunachal Pradesh Governor General (Retd) J.J. Singh, First Lady of the State Anupama Singh, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Wanglin Lowangdong, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, his cabinet colleagues, members of Parliaments, defence officers with family members led by 3 Corps GoC Lt General Dalbir Singh and 4 Corps GoC Shakti Gurung and  large numbers of dignitaries and invitees witnessed the presentation.

Conducted by Subedar Rajendra Kumar Rana and Naik Subedar B.B Chettri, the Indian Army Symphony Band mesmerized the audience with ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’ composed by Major H.B. Brall, ‘Cornfield Rock’ composed by Jacob D Hann, ‘Blue Berry Hill’ composed by Vincent Rose, ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon by Pradeep, ‘Final Countdown’ by J Rodrigues, ‘Col Bogey’ by Kenneth J Alford, ‘Besame Mucho’ by Consuelo Velazquez, ‘Mac & Mac’ by KJ Alford, Hindi Medly by Subedar Rajender Kumar Rana and Sare Jahan Se Achha composed by A Lobo. In the brightly lighted Raj Bhavan compound arranged for the celebration, Sipoy Sukdev Gurung gave a popular English number.

The Indian Army Symphony Band was raised in 1990 at New Delhi with bandsmen taken from all military bands of the Army to retain the true representation of the entire nation in one band. Subsequently, in order to add variety to the music, Indian classical musical instruments like Santoor, Sitar, Jaltarang were also incorporated with the military band.

The Indian Army Symphonic Band has the unique privilege of performing during the visit of various foreign dignitaries to India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and during National level functions like the Republic Day, Independence Day and Beating the Retreat ceremonies.

In recent past, the Indian Army Symphony Band has participated in various military tattoos and music festivals in Russia, France, Italy, Sweden, Japan, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Germany, Bhutan and Nepal.

The relation between music and war can be traced back to ancient times when man lived in tribes and foughtterrible battles, shedding his own and his opponent’s blood. To summon men to such missions called for a very high degree of motivation, something akin to madness. War cries formed the original morale boosters, which gradually came to be augmented by the use of horns and drums.

As a precursor to the distinct regimental music in ancient India, conches (Shankh) were used by warriors to announce their Army’s distinct identity on the battlefield. During Mahabharat, the sound of Lord Krishna’s conch ‘Panchjanya’ or Anjuna’s conch ‘Devdatta’ was enough to infuse the fear of death in the opponent’s heart, while extolling own troops to victory.

In the past, the military bands had a distinct operational role in the battlefield, that of raising the morale of the troops and motivating them to fight with valour to vanquish the enemy.

Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa the First commander in Chief of Independent India believed in the indigenous nature of training of martial music and ‘Military Music Wing’ was established as a part of Army Education Corps Training College and Centre on 23rd October 1950. The bands of the Army took up the challenge and music of a very high order gradually evolved with influence of Indian Classical and folk culture in the new compositions.

Lt Col NN Joshi, PRO (DEF), Ministry of Defence, Mission Chariali, Tezpur informed that in addition to the Symphony, Army personnel of Gajraj Corps Eastern Command are joining the people of Arunachal Pradesh in the Statehood Celebration in a big way.  A mega show is being planned at Indira Gandhi Park from February 20 to 24.

PRO added that during the event, Fly past by SU-30 and ALHs, dare devil motorcycle tricks and cultural activities, depicting various region of the country, will be showcased. Besides, weapon on display and medical camp will be organised during the event apart from awareness about army for the common people.

The people will be witnessing the performance of a team of brave volunteer motor cycle riders from armies who have brought laurels to the nation.  Worldwide they are known as ‘Tornadoes’ and have found their place in “GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS” a number of times.

 

Awareness drive on rubber plantation

Arunachal plans to make Arunachal a rubber hub

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Department of Trade and Commerce, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh and Rubber Board, Guwahati jointly organized a one day awareness drive on rubber plantation at Jote, Papum Pare district on February 18.

Addressing the gathering, Parliamentary Secretary, Trade and Commerce, Phosum Khimhun said that rubber cultivation is the only way that can help solve unemployment problem to a certain extent. He said, there is saturation in Govt jobs and other contract works. The only way to solve unemployment lies with self employment through cultivation of rubber, he added.

He further assured to take up the proposals for establishment of Regional Office of the Rubber Board in state and all other possible assistance to encourage rubber cultivation with the State Govt.

Additional Rubber Production Commissioner, Guwahati Rubber Board, K.G. Mohanan said the rubber plantation will help the state develop rural area. He also appreciated the initiatives taken by the Parliamentary Secretary for the development of rubber plantation in the state and also Ojing Aje for pioneering rubber cultivation in the state. Mohanan also assured to sanction fund for an exposure trip for 10-member team of Arunachal Pradesh to Kerala. However, the State Govt has to recommend such proposal, he added.

Rubber cultivation is not only a lucrative sector, but it helps maintain greenery and ecological balance also, said Trade and  Commerce  director Tokong Pertin, in his address. He further informed that the white gold has world-wide demand and can be marketed any time according to its market value.

Pertin said his department is committed to turning Arunachal Pradesh as one of the rubber hub of North East region, as by virtue, the people of this state are agriculturists. With technical guidance/expert inputs given by the Rubber Board, the rubber cultivation activities can be enhanced, he said.

At the initial stages up to four years multi-cropping can be practiced to supplement the income of rubber planters, he informed adding that the people of the state are now shifting to non-traditional rubber cultivation. Pertin requested the Rubber Board to extend all possible help and assistance including technical guidance and financial support to the people.

Syndicate Bank officer Kuldip Thakuria said that the rubber plantation scheme is very viable and feasible in the entire North-East. He urged the Rubber Board and Trade and Commerce department to liaise with the bank for necessary funding.

Ojing Aje, a pioneer rubber grower of the Ruksin area of East Siang district while sharing his experiences on cultivation of rubber highlighted the scientific and systematic cultivation of rubber cultivation. He informed that he has taken up rubber plantation during 1996 and production started in 2002. For cultivation of one acre of rubber one can earn a net profit of Rs 2.50 lakh per month after period of seven years. He also told that in the beginning, everybody was laughing at him and after seeing his earning now everybody is after him.

ASM Techi Ana urged the Tea Board and the Department of Trade  and Commerce to give technical advice and training so that common man can take up the cultivation and also make arrangement for its marketing in future.

Among others, Amar Kumar Sharma, MD, Assam Plantation Crops Development Corp. Ltd, Sonyung Modi, Deputy Director, Trade & Commerce, Pranab Goswami, D.O. Rubber Board, Guwahati, Toko Togur, Asstt Director, Trade and Commerce, Tadar Kadung, AE, WRD, Tada Debia Neckom, Sr. Tech. Officer, Agriculture Deptt. and the public of Jote village attended the programme.

 

Happy Statehood Day Common Man!

Denhang Bosai,

The common man is the quintessence of innocence and is blissfully unaffected by the sweeping changes taking place around him. He has limited needs and a few or no worldly wants. His problems are simple. He considers his problems as facets of life and faces them without a fuss.  He can be spotted at odd places:  on the tree top, in the river, in the jungle and in the jhumland doing all kinds of work. He can be seen struggling with a long bamboo or a tree trunk, trying with all his might to pull it out of the jungle. He can be spotted pushing a boulder in the river, trying his best to block or divert the current. He can also be seen walking down thoughtfully through the narrow village thorough fare along with his prized domestic animals. He can be seen singing the loudest and dancing the hardest during the village festival. Hardships and difficulties notwithstanding, he always wears a smile on his lips. All the pangs and sufferings of life are hidden in the smiles he sports. His life is indeed hard and unforgiving. But he possesses that rare resilience and fortitude to overcome them with ease and élan. In fact, it is his carefree attitude of ‘it’s my life and I am responsible for it’ that enables him to survive merrily in this rather cruel world. He is oblivious of his rights and privileges as a citizen. He is also blissfully ignorant about the benefits doled out to him by his government. Little wonder then, it will be foolish to expect too much from him towards development of our place. His ignorance and simplicity work to his disadvantage as he is vulnerable to easy exploitation by politicians and unscrupulous elements in society. Nobody seems to take his problems seriously, leave alone addressing them. But interestingly, he becomes the most important person and the most sought after man during the elections. He, being credulous, believes in everything his political masters tell him only to painfully realize later that promises are made to be broken and that they are as empty as the blue sky above.

You have guessed right, he is the common man of our young state Arunachal Pradesh who is urgently in need of the help and support of the people in powers. In fact, it is the duty of the state to help him and make him an integral part of the developmental processes. A state can make headway only when the common man reaps the fruits of development. We should not only be good at taking the common man for a ride but must address his problems too. We owe him our services; after all it is the common man who pitchforks some of us  to positions of unlimited powers. The common man lives, where else but in the village. Sadly, development of the villages in Arunachal leaves a lot to be desired. To be candid and call spade a spade, the actual developments have not percolated to the villages, especially in the far-flung areas in spite of the best effort by successive governments. Today, when we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Statehood with much fanfare, the common man asks this rather pertinent question to all who matter, “Celebration for what?” He says, “Nothing much has changed in my village for many years and nothing much will. However, people who think they can make a difference are welcome to try.”  While continuing to express his frustrations the poor man says, “I often think as to how representative are our elected representatives. They are seldom seen after the elections are over. However, I don’t blame any one. It is my fate to struggle and suffer in silence and for this miserable plight of mine I don’t need commiseration from any quarters.” Another common man who has probably seen eighty summers struggles to put forth his views in this way; “During our younger days many government officers used to visit our village on foot. We even knew their names. They really wanted to work for our well-being. They loved us and cared for us. These days no one ever comes to our village. The supercilious officers   do not bother to listen to our problems and do not feel it necessary to enlighten us on the beneficial schemes meant for us. I have no one to repose my faith in. The young educated youth of my village have mortgaged their conscience to money. I am told that all developmental plans and reports are prepared in the offices without even consulting us. In such a scenario, how can I expect proper development of my village?”  I was ashamed and saddened to listen to the common people who were speaking the bitter truth.

A serious brainstorming and retrospection is the need of the hour. I feel that self-pity should not be encouraged but self-criticism is at times conditio sine qua non in order to find out where we have faltered and improve upon our past performances. We need to look at the mirror from time to time to ask a few questions to ourselves and look for the answers. All the development activities are somehow concentrated in the capital Itanagar and the district headquarters thereby triggering huge migration of villagers to urban areas which is going to be the biggest problem for the government in the near future. While whole-heartedly appreciating the state government for embarking on many ambitious projects that will, without an iota of doubt, take our state to new height of all round development, the problems that the common people face now, like road connectivity, erratic power supplies , water scarcity and so on may be addressed on priority. These are basic needs of the common people.  When these needs of the people are in place, other developments will follow suit. It is seen and felt that in the euphoria of grand futuristic plans the common people are enduring untold sufferings. The education and health sectors must be taken care of on top priority because many in the interior areas of the State are deprived of quality education and proper healthcare.  It is needless to mention here that our state government is trying its best to usher in developments in all spheres.  The people should also be equally receptive and contribute their mite towards the healthy and unstinted growth of our state.But as of now, if we say that all is well in our interior villages then we are living in a fool’s paradise. Much is required be done.     

Our young state has many miles to go and many hurdles to surmount in order to catch up with the other more developed states. It is now passing through a delicate phase of transition. However, at this critical juncture, Arunachal is unfortunately plagued by a plethora of problems. Political instability has been our state’s nemesis over the years that has impeded development in no small measures. However, the affable and experienced Chief Minister Nabum Tuki is trying his best to undo the wrongs done in the past and establish a stable and truly people-friendly government in the state. The imported bandh culture from our neighbour Assam is  greatly hampering development and it is high time our government found out mechanisms to arrest this burgeoning menace in the interest of our state. The false ethnocentrism that some people in our state believe in is opposed to growth and they must realize that only harmony and amity among all ethnic entities in the state can bring about a balanced development. We must shed our smallness, come out of the cocoon of self-made miseries and walk on the earth with our heads held high as masters of our destiny. Our laidback attitude and lack of work culture are the actual reasons for the success of the failure rate in smooth   implementation of the various government schemes in our state. Today, for unknown reason (s) the youth in the state has become restive and intolerant.  It is indeed disheartening to observe that destruction of public properties by the disgruntled youth at the slightest pre-text, has become a common place which is a cause for worry.  Something drastic has to be done to check this ugly trend which is tarnishing the image of the state.  Drug addiction, especially opium in some parts of the state and the growing malaise of alcoholism among the youth must be dealt with, with a greater degree of seriousness by the society. Efforts must be made to engage the youth gainfully.   In the past when there were only a few tribal officers, the villagers thought and dreamt that when the sons of the soil take the charge of the government departments in the state, more developments would take place. But sadly, those officers whom the gullible people banked on so much, have belied their hopes and aspirations by not delivering the goods as expected of them.  The mindset of these officers has to change in the interest of the common people. As we celebrate our statehood day, the people of Tirap and Changlang are facing a serious insurgency problem about which nobody likes to talk, leave alone addressing it. The  people there are truly caught between the devil and the deep sea and are reticent. Governments have come and gone and will continue to come and go but sadly, there is no semblance of a solution to this vexed problem. It was in early 70s when insurgents in small batches started infiltrating through the porous Indo-Myanmar border and began to use Tirap and Changlang as a corridor. But it was in the late 90s when insurgency problem became more pronounced and a saga of kidnappings and killings became the order of the day. Scores of innocent civilians have been killed in cold blood. Today, the insurgents belonging to various groups are well-trained, well-entrenched and more emboldened. During Chalo Loku celebrations at Khonsa on 25th November last year, Chief Minister Tuki announced that MHA’s package for recruitment of Police in Tirap-Changlang would be implemented. He categorically said that there would be no compromise on territorial integrity of the state.         

There are no two opinions about the fact that all the politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats and business entrepreneurs in the state have their roots in the village and they must pay back to their place of birth in the form of development. Don’t they remember that old tree in the outskirt of the village around which they played or the stream near the village where their wonder days of childhood were spent? Don’t they remember that narrow lane in the village through which they went to the jhumland? Don’t they cherish the wonderful moments they spent in the village? Don’t they identify themselves with the common man in the village? They need to renew the memories of the past in the village as they provide strength and inspiration while the future beacons invitingly. Let us all ensure that the common man with whom we all identify takes strides forward to reach that cherished goal of progress and prosperity. His development is our development. His happiness,  our happiness. Today, as we get lost in celebrations to commemorate the 25th Statehood Day, the common man for whom it matters little is blissfully oblivious of the significance of the occasion and is probably busy in his field, facing the daily life’s vicissitudes like any other day. Our celebration will carry a meaning only when we see willing smiles on the face of the common man of Arunachal. Happy Statehood Day Common Man! [The writer is the Secretary of Society for Promotion of Nocte Indigenous Culture.]

 

Lower Subansiri celebrates silver jubilee

ZIRO, Feb 19: A three-day- long  celebration to mark the completion of 25th years of statehood organized by Lower Subansiri district administration ended today. The extravaganza which started on Feb 17 under the guidance of deputy commissioner Nila Mohananan was being organized as part of district level celebration to commemorate the Silver jubilee celebration of Arunachal Pradesh statehood. The celebration revolved around the theme - 'Celebrating 25 Glorious Years of Statehood'.

The bonhomie between Nyishi and Apatani, the two major tribes of district was quite visible in the celebration.

The main attraction of penultimate day was musical night in which artists like Hage Komo, Leegang Ania, and Joram Tach performed.

Mibi Nyodu, one of the most popular singers of state, who was special invitee for the evening enthralled the crowd with her melodious numbers.

Parliamentary Secretary for UD and Land Management Padi Richo who is also local MLA joined the celebration along with Likha Saaya, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture.

The other attraction of festival includes food festival. Tribal dishes like popular Pike-Pilla of Ziro valley, the ‘Poroq Aki’ of the Galo’s and Momo’s of Monpa were in big demand.

Participants from all over Arunachal, Assam and Kerala set up food stalls. In fact there was best food stall competition.   

The festival began with the inauguration of food festival and handloom and handicraft exhibition by Member of National Assembly of Bhutan, Dupthob amidst huge gathering at Subansiri Stadium, Ziro on February 17.

In his inaugural address, Duphtob, who is also Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Poverty Reduction, called for strengthening relations between India and Bhutan through the state of Arunachal Pradesh, which shares much in common with Bhutan. He suggested for more cultural exchanges in days to come.

He was accompanied by his fellow parliamentarians from Bhutan, Ugen Tenzin, Kinley Dorjee and Choki Wangmo, who are on their maiden visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

MLA and parliamentary secretary, Land and UD, Padi Richo expressed his happiness that the celebration was inaugurated by an international delegation of Bhutanese parliamentarians and wished that they would continue to visit India. The Bhutanese parliamentarians also regaled the audience with a traditional Bhutanese and a Hindi song.

A wide array of food and handloom and handicrafts of various tribes and communities of the state have been showcased in the festival. The celebration also includes a grand musical evening, traditional games and sports and traditional fashion show.

 

Govt. invites NEDFi and Rubber Board to Arunachal

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Taking the PPP (Private Public Partnership) policy adopted recently from paper to reality, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today invited NEDFi and the Rubber Board to go ahead with their plans to implement and support projects in cooperation with the state government in Arunachal Pradesh.

On invitation of Planning Minister Chowna Mein NEDfi and Rubber Board today had a brainstorming discussion with the Chief Minister in presence and inputs from state government officials here at CMO. The objective was to understand the operations of both the public sector agencies and their scopes for activities in Arunachal Pradesh.

Expressing happiness and gratitude that NEDFi and Rubber Board have agreed to cooperate with the state government to develop agriculture and allied sectors in the state, Tuki asserted that his government is giving top priority to enhance the income generation capacity of the rural masses. He pointed that agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors were the only viable options with the government to do so and sought cooperation from institutions like NEDFi and Rubber Board.

He assured all cooperation from the state government’s side in facilitating and implementing schemes proposed by NEDFi and Rubber Board, which will be finalized by concerned state government departments.

Planning Minister Chowna Mein, in his opening remarks, said that the main focus of the state planning in the ensuing 12th Five Year Plan would be growth-centric, particularly in agri-related sectors. Expressing concern over rampant migration of people from rural to urban areas in search of economically viable livelihoods, he said that it is urgently required to address the situation through facilitating gainful self-employment avenues in rural areas.

Mein felt NEDFi as a diversified financial institution and the Rubber Board as facilitator of rubber cultivation have vast scopes to invest as well as usher in development in the state, which is yet to be self-reliant.

NEDFi, led by its CMD B Paul Muttiah, and Additional Rubbar Production Commissioner (Guwahati Zone) K G Mohanan gave power point presentations highlighting their respective field of activities and scopes for working in Arunachal Pradesh especially under the PPP mode.

 

AAPSU’s expectation from Defence Minister

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) while welcoming the visit of union defence minister AK Anthony to Arunachal expressed the hope that he will address core issue which concerns people of state during his visit. Drawing the past experiences,  AAPSU said many union ministers visit Arunachal to make hollow promises and leave after garnering applauds.  

In a release AAPSU President Takam Tatung urged the defence minister to address those problems which affects the life of ordinary citizens. “Just addressing gathering at IG Park, going around in VIP vehicles and having dinner with high profile people won’t help the cause of the people. We hope defence minister will look into major unfinished central projects like Trans Arunachal Highway and Green Field airport which was supposed to come up at Karsingsa,” said AAPSU President Takam Tatung.

These two projects were specially started keeping in mind the strategic importance of Arunachal and therefore defence ministry needs to pay special attention, stated Tatung.

AAPSU urged visiting defence minister to take serious view of insurgency problem in Eastern Arunachal.

“Tirap and Changlang for long has been facing insurgency problem created by Naga rebel group. The life of citizens of these two districts is going from bad to worse every year. However govt of India is keeping mum. Now there is report that Lohit district is also under grip of underground group as every month cases of kidnapping and extortion is pouring in. We appeal defence minister to take stock of the situation,” stated Tatung.

Drawing the attention towards border issue, AAPSU called for vigilance by security forces along international boundary.

“Arunachal shares international boundary with China, Myanmar and Bhutan. Despite tall claims by security officials, ground realities show that these borders are not guarded properly. There is urgent need to take care of this problem,” stated AAPSU.

On vexed hydropower issue, AAPSU called for review of whole MOUs/MOAs. “Many locals have come out against hydropower projects in various parts of state. It somehow shows that things are not being in proper way. Only signing MOUs/MOAs wont do. Central and state governments have to make sure that interests of affected citizens are taken care of,” AAPSU said.

On the core issue of Chakma-Hajong refugee, AAPSU urged Centre to understand the sentiments of indigenous tribal community of state. “We have suffered enough because of Chakma-Hajong problem. The refugees were dumped into our land by central leaders. The union government has to pay back us for our sacrifice by not compromising interest of indigenous tribal,” AAPSU said. Further AAPSU wanted to know what happen to projects like 500 bedded medical at Naharlagun and central jail whose foundation stone was laid by union ministers years ago. Union also urged defence minister for his personal intervention in Assam Rifles recruitment controversy, in which Chakma refugee and Nepali citizens were recruited for seats meant for Arunachalee ST.

 

Sadness over demise of energetic youth

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: An energetic youth and engineering graduate  Tana Tate of Pech village under Sagalee circle died after prolonged illness on February 17 on his way to Arunachal from Apollo Hospital, Chennai.  He was being treated at the same hospital for last few years.

He was 25 years old and is survived by his father, mother, brothers and sisters, a wife and a baby born on the same day he died.

Late Tate was also brother in law of Tad Tana, state NCP vice president.

His body is being brought home town by ambulance. His burial ceremony will be held at his native place on February 20.

A kind-hearted man late Tate, who was loved by all for his helpful nature,  started his early education at M E School, Laptap, did his secondary education at Government Higher Secondary school, Doimukh, completed his higher secondary from Government Higher Secondary School, Sagalee. After that he completed his graduation in BE (Civil) from Bharat Institute of Science and Technology, Selaiyur, Chennai in 2009.

Meanwhile, Tad Tana, relatives and well-wishers expressed deep shock and sorrow over the demise of Tate.

He was hope for his family for a bright future.

Late Tate was a man with great humanity. He was the one who knew the value of relation and respect towards the family, friends, society, state and the nation as a whole. His death is a great loss to the people of his area, Nyishi society and the state as a whole, said Tad Tana in a condolence message today.

Tana and family members prayed to  Almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul.

The members of United Leil Tara Youth Foundation have also condoled the death of Tate (Pare) and termed his death a great loss for the society in particular and the state as a whole.

 

Journey of JN College

Prafulla Kaman

PASIGHAT, Feb 19: Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC) established at historical Pasighat town is one of the premier institutions of higher education not only in Arunachal Pradesh but in entire Northeast, which has achieved its potentiality to get a university status. Even today, students from all corners of the state and other NE states come to study in the college.

Granting University Status to JN College at Pasighat has benn long pending public demand.

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), during its visit in 2006, awarded B++ grade to this college. Subsequently, in 2010, University Grant Commission (UGC) again conferred a status of “College with Potential for Excellence”.

Established in 1964, JN College was started with 8 faculty members and 42 students and only Humanities courses were taught.

Today it has a student’s strength of 2400 and offers Honours and Pass Course in 13 disciplines in Arts, Science and Commerce streams.

It has also started offering Post-Graduate courses in History and Geography from this academic year.

Principal T Talom informed that his college was affiliated to Gauhati University since its inception and later it gained another affiliation from Punjab University in 1979.

Since 1985, it is affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar.

Talom claimed that his assistant and associate professors are achieving a success story in imparting quality education and showing the learners a right path to establish themselves.

It all set to submit its ‘Annual Quality Assessment Report’ for this year during the 2-day Higher Education Conference that is slated for February 22 and 23 next.

The College has Lower campus and Upper campus.

The lower campus includes residential areas with 10 hostels- two for girls and eight for boys besides accommodation for the faculty staff and the College Auditorium Cum Students’ Centre.

The upper campus is situated half a kilometer away from the lower, which comprises the administrative block, teaching compartments with the college library.

There have been many demands for extending the status of State university status to the premier college. The time has perhaps come for the government to seriously look into the demand.

 

Ruksin PRI leaders unhappy at MLA’s role

Correspondent

RUKSIN, Feb 19: A large section of PRI leaders including Ruksin block Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) and Anchal Samiti Members (ASMs) have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the alleged partisan role of the local MLA in implementation of schemes under Rural Development fund in the area.

Ruksin ZPM Tonggeng Panynag, while addressing a public meeting at Ngorlung village on Saturday, alleged that their MLA Tangor Tapak is depriving the PRI leaders from taking part in the developmental activities. The ZPM said that lion’s share of the ‘Local Area Development’ fund and funds granted under Special Central Assistant (SPA), are misappropriated by unscrupulous section, who are said to be near and dear ones of the local MLA.

“The local MLA is involving only a limited section of his followers in the developmental activities and thereby betraying the local people. He is accustomed to adopt a policy of invisible development to ensure benefits to his kith and kins, ignoring the greater interest of the common people”, the ZPM, who is also a member of RADC said.

Besides the ZPM, a number of ASMs from different segments including Taking Taying, Tobu Tapok, Gram Chairperson Olom Modi and others have also expressed strong concern over the MLAs alleged activities.

They alleged that the rural poor and destitute of the area are deprived from availing benefit of the development such as- rural housing, electrification under RGGVY and other schemes.

The PRI members informed they have adopted a resolution to draw attention of the state government about the alleged activities and injudicious use of the SPA fund meant for West-Pasighat constituency.

 

All set for statehood day

ITANAGAR: Stage is set for the celebration of the completion of 25th years of statehood on Monday and four day long Festival of Arunachal.  The main function will be held at I G Park here.

The main attractions of the day off course would be a fly past by three Sukhoi 30 fighter planes of the Indian Air Force. The Indian Army would showcase motorcycle stunt by Army’s Dare Devil team, weapon display, cultural activities and medical camp, symphony by Tri Service Band and bands from Grenadiers Regimental Centre, 58 Gorkha Training Centre and 13 Grenadiers.Another attraction is the Food Village with more than 50 stalls which will serve traditional cuisine and beverage.

There is massive security arrangements in place for smooth celebration.

Police Control Room has been established with WT arrangements and dedicated telephone at the Police Control Room which will function round the clock at the Park. Police observatory towers have been erected at the Control Room and at the main exhibition centre.

It will be only one way vehicle entry from VIP gate/ Kingcup School and would exit only through gate adjacent to D’ sector/ lawn tennis court.

The pedestrians will have to come through Forest Gate leading to petrol pump, C’ Sector.

 

IPPI in Arunachal Pradesh

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) campaign in Arunachal Pradesh has been launched by administration of 2 drops of polio vaccine to a child by Minister, Health & Family Welfare Atum Welly at the Arunachal State Hospital, Naharlagun today.

This was organized as  part of the nationwide National Immunization Days (NIDs) fixed on February 19 and April 15, 2012 for eradication of polio in India. The campaign would be a 3 days activity with fixed booth activity on first day followed by house to house visit by health workers on 2nd and 3rd day. The minister appealed to the health workers to see that no eligible children are left out during the campaign and to perform their assigned duties sincerely.

An estimated 20,4,720 (0 -5 years) children would be targeted for immunization during the 3 days programme in various parts of the state.

It is also pertinent to mention here that this is for the first time in the history of Polio eradication in India that the country is Polio free since last one year. The last case of Polio was in Howrah district of West Bengal in January 2011. Additional Polio rounds are required for some more time to ensure that no pocket of infection remains anywhere in India and India is certified completely Polio free. The programme was attended among others by Dr K Nishing, Director health Services; Dr D Raina, MS of Arunachal State Hospital; Dr T Takum, SMO of the WHO-NPSP; a host of senior officials of the health directorate; doctors; other medical staff and parents.

 

PPA hits out at govt on hydro power projects

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: On the eve of 26th statehood day, the People’s Party of Arunachal has hit out at the Congress Government in Arunachal Pradesh for not doing enough for the Panchayat Raj Institutions  in the state.

The Congress govt is betraying the people of Arunachal Pradesh by not decentralising the power to the Panchayat Raj, PPA said in a written statement today. Without decentralisation of the power, the existence of Panchayat Raj is mockery of the institution itself, it said.

The party went on to question the state govenrmnt as why it was reluctant to bring out white paper on their Hydro-Power Policy. The PPA never questioned the technical parameter and technology sophistication, but it opposes the Multiple Mega Dams. At this stage the State need not go for 130 Dams, because till now we have not prepared enough numbers of skilled human resources to be employed and manage the 130 dams, it added.

If 130 dams are constructed in Arunachal Pradesh, will not it submerge the best cultivatable land or affect the Cultural Mosaic of the people or disturb the ecological balance of the State, it asked while questioning whether the government had obtained prior consent from the people of the state on hydro power projects in the state.

It further said that instead of looking at the hydro power alone, the state should look at other important sectors like Tourism and Horticulture.

The Congress should trace the roots of vexed Chakma refugee problem in the State and learn a lesson or two from Sikkim on scrapping of dams.

 

Eastern Army and Air Chiefs call on the Governor

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: General Officer Commanding in Chief of Eastern Army Command, Lt Gen Bikram Singh and Air Marshal S. Varthaman, Air Officer in Command in Chief, Eastern Air Command called on Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh at Raj Bhavan today.

The Governor and the Eastern Army Commander discussed on various sectors where Army can contribute towards the welfare of the people of the Frontier State through its development projects.

The Governor discussed on the progress of works in the renovation of airfields in different parts of the State with the Eastern Air Command chief. He said that completion of the subsidiary airfields will boost the tourism sector of the State, which has huge potential.

The Governor conveyed his appreciation for the renovation of Vijoynagar airfield.

Secretary to Governor Ankur Garg and 4 Corps General Officer Commanding, Lt General Shakti Gurung were present in the meeting. (PRO, Raj Bhavan)

 

Committee writes to MLA

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Paph-Nehabo Village Welfare Committee, Dutta (PNVWC) in a letter to the MLA Padi Richo has requested his intervention regarding acquisition of land for Advance Landing Ground under PM Package at Ziro.

It said that people of Dutta village including the land owners are opposed to the establishment of Advance Landing Ground at Ziro and it will not spare its ancestral land. It said that if the voices of the people are not heard, the MLA will be held responsible for any problems that would arise in course of time. The organisation reiterated its earlier demand and said that it would not spare a single inch of land for the landing ground.

 

Study Tour

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Arunachal Pradesh State Cooperative Union (APSCU) has conducted an inter-state study tour for the cooperatives personnel of the state to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh from February 6 to 17.

The main objectives of the tour was to interact with the  personnel of cooperative societies of outside the state and gain knowledge about successful cooperative management so that the team members use the innovative ideas and technology in their respective cooperatives  to give a new direction to the cooperative movement in the state.

The team headed by APSCU assistant education officer R Riba included chairpersons of the different cooperatives of the state.

 

Mini marathon race at Basar

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: A mini marathon race was organized at Basar to mark the completion of 25 years of statehood of Arunachal Pradesh by the general administration of Basar today.

Tonya Bam of New Bam village emerged as champion clocking the 16 km in just one hour.

Rajiv Guchi of Tomi Polytechnic College (1hr and 1 min) and Jumi Basar of Gori village (1 hr & 10 min) finished second and third respectively. All the three top finishers would be awarded cash prizes along with trophies and certificate on the statehood day celebration tomorrow.

Altogether 35 participants from nearby villages and Tomi Polytechnic College took part in the race.

Additional deputy commissioner, Basar, Dr. Sachin Shinde flagged off the race starting from Basar Town Club to Bam Tri-junction and back covering a distance of 16 km.

 

Tsona Lama dedicates his vehicle to Tawang Monastry

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Tsona Lama's consistent effort for upholding spirituality through his teachings, meditation and prayers saw another milestone when he dedicated his vehicle Toyota (Fortuner) to the Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery).

The lineage holder of the Great Tsonawa, who is placed high in rank as "Tha-khop Mun-pa Kun-sel  Tsonawa", handed over the papers and keys of the vehicle yesterday to the Administrator of the Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery) for its use during the visit of senior monks to the monastery.

 

AAPWU serves ultimatum to govt

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Reiterating its demand for immediate removal of Labour Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Building & Other Constructions Workers Welfare Board (APBOCWWB) Ojing Darung from his post for alleged misuse of his power and function and illegal encroachment of Govt. land, All Arunachal Pradesh Workers’ Union (AAPWU) today served seven days ultimatum to state government.

Addressing a press conference at Press Club here today, AAPWU secretary general Changma Tajo alleged that Labour Commissioner has misused public money meant for poor labour and illegally encroached Govt. land as well as dismantled the official quarter allotted to him and constructed a private building in its place.  

Besides these, it also alleged that Labour Commissioner has carried out various illegal departmental works like tender, supply order without following official procedures.

The union strongly demanded the government to immediately suspend  the Labour Commissioner and constitute a high level inquiry committee to unearth the truth behind embezzlement of funds and misuse of his power and position within seven days. It threatens to resort to phase-wise movement from March 1 next, if the government fails to respond within the given period.

 

ITBP celebrates golden jubilee by relay range patrolling

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: While celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the Indo- Tibetan Border Police Force is conducting a relay Long Range Patrolling from Jachep la in Arunachal Pradesh to Track Junction (Karakoram Pass) covering more than 3480 Kilometers of border routes. Flag of the Himveer-50 Relay LRP reached Mebo in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh on February 18  and was handed over to Narender Singh, Dy Commandant of 20th Battalion ITBP.

The patrolling party of 20th Battalion will be carrying ahead this pride of the force till next stage where it will be handed over to the next patrolling party at Kimin on March 2. En route this squad of the elite ITBP is carrying out many Civic Action Programmes like free medical checkup of the residents of the villages coming across, distributing snacks and tea to the patients taking medical prescriptions and distribution of school bags and study materials to the students and other essential items to the local population inhabiting the border areas.

 

Students call Bandh

ITANAGAR, Feb 19: All Changlang District Students Union (ACDSU) has decided to go for a 24 hours bandh call on Feb 21 if the govt. fails to fulfill the demands of the Union.

The Union has been demanding issue of corrigendum with re-advertisement in connection with the special civil police recruitment for Tirap and Changlang Districts.

It further threatened to launch second phase of bandh if the govt does not respond to its demands.

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• Awareness drive on rubber plantation
• Happy Statehood Day Common Man!
• Lower Subansiri celebrates silver jubilee
• Govt. invites NEDFi and Rubber Board to Arunachal
• AAPSU’s expectation from Defence Minister
• Sadness over demise of energetic youth
• Journey of JN College
• Ruksin PRI leaders unhappy at MLA’s role

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

All rights reserved.

Starving teachers and unhelpful govt

Dear Editor,

It is very unfortunate that in our state while the schools are suffering from various diseases like dearth of teachers, furniture, textbooks, the SSA Teachers are starving.  The teachers serving under SSA are yet to receive their three month's salary and the state Government is in no hurry. These teachers are starving and eagerly waiting for the end of starvation but the people's Government is still at ease. Some of these teachers might be suffering from serious ailments and might be in urgent need of money for the treatment  but the state government has the union government to blame. The teachers are suffering, crying, starving, frustrated, and running after money lenders with so many uncertainties. The dignity of teaching profession has been shattered and efficiency of the teachers has been curbed. Still our politicians are not serious enough to make things better.

Yours,

Tintong Borang

 

 

Incorrigible demands

Dear Editor,

The people of the border areas and whole of Arunachal want to know from All Arunachal Pradesh Border Students Union why it has put a 10-points charter of demand to the government.

The people wonder as to how the government can accomplish a long list of 10 demands. The major contentions of the AAPBSU seem to be nothing but a pressure tactic to earn some bucks. There is no logic in their demand and the name of the union itself would invite criticism not only from the government but also the people living along the Arunachal-Assam borders.

If the AAPBSU has the guts, they can try their luck by calling a 4-day Arunachal Bandh starting from 20 February instead of restricting the inter-state issue to twin capital towns of Itanagar and Naharlagun alone. The shadowy deals shall always come to light even if the union tries to deal it conspicuously with the concerned party.

Yours,

Abo Tani, Itanagar

 

 

Coal mining, contract work and environmental concerns

Dear Editor,

Subsequent to your article ‘Irregularity alleged in awarding contract works for mining and marketing coal’ published in 18th February edition, I am pleased to know that Former Minister and Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad Joint Secretary Talo Mugli has raised the issue.  The contract works to extract coal was awarded to the National Mining Company Private Limited (NMCPL) by the Arunachal Pradesh Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited (APMDTCL). Endorsing the concern raised by Mugli I fully support the fact that the State Government should not further extend the mining contract in favor of NMCPL.

The next money spinning sector in the State after Hydro power is Coal. The coal sector is here to stay and it should be extracted and utilized very carefully.

The State Government should therefore, take extra care in awarding such contract works. Also Mining is a sector which has tremendous impact on environment.

Coming to the point of concern raised in your paper I would like to share that as far as I know NMCPL does not have any technical expertise in the mining sector. Merely possessing  machineries like JCB’S, Dumpers, Excavators and some 50-60 labors does not make one a competent firm to undertake such a technical and colossal project like Mining.

Here I would like to hold the then State Government responsible for awarding the contract to such a hopeless Company and handing the State’s most treasured and the only mine and its environment to ransom. The State Government should have earlier awarded the contract works by closely examining the technical know-how of the said Company and its capacity to mine along with sustaining the environment. The point here is that aspects like technical know-how about environment sustenance and past experience in similar area of work should have been the criteria and the Company having expertise in those fields should have been awarded the work.

The State Government should not be satisfied by receiving the state royalty alone. Now it is known how the State Government has been made a fool of after knowing that the Company has been selling the same coal at prices four times higher than the Govt. fixed rates. The State Government should look beyond royalty money and try to comprehend if the Company has been observing all the formalities regarding various aspects like environment and wildlife protection. No such Company should be allowed to work at the cost of the State’s property and its environment. If any anomalies is observed the State Govt should be stern enough to terminate its contract if the company does not follow Government formalities.

Not mincing any words I feel that the Managing Director of NMCPL should be booked under law if he has been truly involved in such gross manipulation of Government Rules. No individual/Company is above Government rules and if it does not follows it the State Government should terminate the contract immediately and set a strong precedent for every Company to see and take a note of. It’s high time the State Government take note of such genuine concerns and invite fresh tenders when due. And this time please see that only technically expert and law abiding firms with past experience are invited.

Yours,

Concerned Citizen

 

 

Speed posts at snail’s pace

Dear Editor,

The present system of speed post service in Arunachal Pradesh needs review. As a stake holder I would like to draw the attention of postal department through your esteemed daily. Recently two speed posts, one from Namsai SO for NERIST with article no.EE46999346IN on 03/02/12 and another from Ramkrishna, Itanagar for Pasighat with article no. EE470050755IN on 08/02/12 was posted.

On tracking their status it shows that both articles were lying at Tinsukia upto 18/02/12. Earlier trend also shows that for a speed post delivery in Arunachal Pradesh, it takes almost a month. This type of service from postal department has deprived many stakeholders from attending their interviews, counseling and other important matters.

Therefore, I earnestly urge the postal department to review their present system of speed post service in Arunachal Pradesh for speedy delivery of posts.

Yours,

Braj Kishore Singh,

J/T Govt Hr Sec School, Old Mohong

Lohit

 

 

Unequal disbursement of stipend

Dear Editor,

Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to share how stipends are disbursed unequally. It has come to the knowledge of all the college students that the govt. has released the stipend of six months, i.e. for the month of July 2011 to Dec. 2011 at the rate of Rs. 380 per month which amounts to Rs. 2280. As of the government’s sanctioned amount is concerned, we are to receive Rs. 2480 i.e. including Rs. 200 for book grant, but it varies at different colleges. For instance, let’s take the case of DNGC Itanagar where the highest amount of stipend received by a B.A & B.Com 1st year student is Rs. 2200 and that of 2nd year is Rs. 2100. Besides that there are some students who received Rs. 1290, Rs. 1650 and so on, not to forget even in the book grant some are getting Rs. 150. When I inquired my friend of other colleges they told me that they were getting full stipend. So, here raises the question: When other colleges are receiving full stipend, why not ours?

Therefore, in this connection I would like to request and suggest the concerned education department to inspect every college of our state couple of times in a year so as to make them strictly implement any aid, i.e. stipend, etc. given by the govt.

Yours,

Habung Tamer

DNGC,  Itanagar

 

 

Unhealthy practice by doctors

Dear Editor,

In the name of NRHM or State Health Services, our Govt is recruiting AYUSH doctors without making medicines available for them to use for treatment.

Instead these doctors are prescribing Allopathic medicines which could have serious repercussions.  Moreover their lack of proper training means that they lack clinical knowledge about diseases often leading to wrong diagnosis.

Through your esteemed daily, I urge our Govt. to kindly equip AYUSH doctors with their brand of medicines and not to play with lives of innocent rural folks.

And government should stop recruiting AYUSH doctors till the arrangement is made to supply drugs used by them for treatment.

The Govt should also fill the vacant posts for recruitment of allopathic doctors soon so that poor people of this state can avail the health benefits to the fullest.

Yours,

Concern Citizen

 

 

 

All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.        

----Editor

Malnutrition and child health

300 children die because of malnutrition every hour. Chronic malnutrition or lack of proper nutrition causes more than two million child deaths per year. If the problem is overlooked, it can put the world's 450 million children at high risk in the next 15 years, according to a report by Save the Children.

Chronic malnutrition weakens young children’s immune systems, leaving them more likely to die of childhood diseases like diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria. It leads to 2 million child deaths a year, three times as many as result from acute malnutrition.

On the other hand well-nourished children perform better in school and grow up to earn considerably more on average than those who were malnourished as children. Recent evidence suggests nutritional interventions can increase adult earnings by 46 per cent. Malnutrition costs many developing nations an estimated 2-3 per cent of their GDP, extends the cycle of poverty, and impedes global economic growth at a critical time.

While addressing food security, world leaders have galvanized much-needed support to boost agricultural productivity, but they have yet to make nutrition central to their efforts.

Progress on reducing malnutrition has been extremely slow for 20 years, in comparison to great strides made on other global health crises. Save the Children’s new report calls for action on proven solutions that would prevent these deaths and help all children affected by hunger and malnutrition.