February 20
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
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All rights reserved.
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Time for introspection
As the Arunachal gears up to celebrate the 31st statehood day, it’s time for us to introspect. The event of last one year has shaken the spirit of every citizen of this state. Arunachal has witnessed series of political crisis which culminated with the suicide of former CM late Kalikho Pul. As the politicians kept on hoping from one party to another, the developmental activities took a complete backseat. The political instability has dented the credibility of state.
Arunachal has been in national news for all the wrong reason in the last one year. The image of state has taken severe beating. After much difficulty, finally there seems to have some kind of political stability. For now Pema Khandu’s BJP government looks stable from the outside and people will be hoping that it remains stable as long as possible. It is time politicians as well as ordinary citizens introspect and ask themselves some tough questions. While rest of the country is marching ahead in every aspect, our state is still lagging behind. The corrupt nexus of politicians, contractors and bureaucrats poses massive threat to the future of state. If everyone do not collectively rally together and work towards better Arunachal, the situation will be very difficult for the state in future.
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What have you done for us?
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to say a few words to the so called intelligent and smartest ministers and selected people of our state.
I find no offence in calling the ministers the smartest and most intelligent ones
and indeed you may take it as a compliment because that’s what u do-
May I ask you what good you have done for your people and the state other than building and buying yourself buildings and properties n letting your illiterate relations into services meant for the qualified ones, allocating projects to your kiths and kins and just shouting out everyday making announcement of schemes worth in crores claiming of achievements whereas the outcomes are not even worth that of some thousand.
And of all this time you didn't even spare the poor students money. You people are preying your eyes even on our share. You people have gulfed up more than enough of public share just spare poor students share of money from stipend and scholarships. Don't teach your greed lust habits to these young minds. Theirs is young and are just in phase of budding don't water it with your treachery deeds. We are not your sons and daughters holidaying every day.
To the bureaucrats-
Associations, unions and coming leaders-
As far as our knowledge goes if the provisions states that no other scholarships are to be hold if one gets stipend then this was never mentioned in the previous years where many enjoyed both. If to be stated specifically, there are many other scholarship like single girl child scheme which is being given along with the stipend.
Yours,
Taesukh K
Rajiv Gandhi University
Stop harassing the public
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like that this letter reaches the ears of the CM and Dy. CM in particular and the general public as whole.
On 17th February 2017, I was at the DC office at exactly 9:30 am with some office works, in fact, to meet an Executive Magistrate.
As there are some three or four Executive Magistrates, I ventured into the chamber of the Executive Magistrates though I had all my doubts on the tardiness of the Officers, but, I ventured in.
To prove the tardiness of the officials, there was none present in their respective Chamber though the time was 9:30 am already.
With patience to exhaustion potentially inbuilt within me, more so the pranayamas performed just some hours back, I waited till 10:30 am in front of the chamber of the JMFC but, to a locked room till 10:30 am.
Surprising to myself for the patience just eluding me all of a sudden, I enquired from the office Peon as to where the JMFC Saaheb was?
Sordidly the Peon told me, "Yee, Dy. CM Tuting se aarai, re-
Then only I was made to realise as to why my time/public time was sacrificed for a day at the office of the DC, East Siang. Public time squandered just to bid incongruous goodbye to the Dy. CM at the Helipad? Period.
Dear CM and Dy CM, this the 21st century, even illiterates are near educated today. Why do you need all these ostentatious attitude and display of power? Do you have doubts upon your presence or even office that you need all the Officers of a particular place where you are visiting to stand in queue and welcome you or bid you goodbye?
Where is the constitutional provision(s) or a statutory provision that warrants all/some officers and even students to fall in line and welcome you people and further, wave their hands with the most conventionalized smile on their faces while you dash away to your destined places?
Let's be real men and respect and value the most precious thing on the planet, i.e 'Time' which can never be turned back or bought by anyone including you both.
Dear CM and Dy. CM, do remember this also-
The point I want you People, select few, privileged, fortunate ones in the form of CM, Dy. CM, Ministers and even MLAs, to realise is that, don't take sadistic pleasure by killing and harrassing the precious time of the poor public by mandating officials and officers to abstain from their official duty(s) for welcoming you or bid goodbye to you during office working days/hours.
Hope you people realise that your apathy for public welfare and your portentous attitude and outlook is no more to be given a blind eye by the public. So, it is high time you all realise that the present Generation are not to be taken for a joyride in the urge to suffice your pompous and rustic lifestyle and attitude and above all things, still carrying forward the unimpressive Arunachalee Politician style to this 21st century.
Yours,
Vijay Taram
Tebo village
Pasighat
Why are we so negative?
Dear Editor,
It is complex to watch complete news nowadays and stay positive.
I mean 'is nothing positive happening in the State/Country?' I fail to understand
that what is the use of being 'up-
Why are we so embarrassed to recognize the fact that we are such a great nation? Why don't we recognize our own strengths and our achievements? We have so many amazing success stories but we fail to acknowledge them. Why?
As we all know the law of attraction: more you think/talk about negativity more negativity will come. And there are enough media drawing negative picture while 'you' could be the odd one and share positive news. Well in Isreal, the Hamas had struck. It was the day after a lot of attacks, bombardments and deaths. But the front page of the newspaper had a picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert to an orchid and a granary. It is this kind of inspiring stories that people woke up to. The cruel details of killings, attacks, deaths could be buried inside the newspaper among other news.
While in India, we only read about sickness, suicides, killings, terrorism.
Why are we so negative?
Yours,
Bishal Aran
Itanagar
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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.
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Seven injured as bridge collapses
AALO, Feb 19: A newly constructed wire rope suspension bridge over Jii River, connecting
Bege and Rise-
The victims sustained injuries with five women referred to General Hospital Aalo.
The victims were on their way from Bege village to Rise-
The suspension bridge over Jii River is the only bridge that connects Bege and Rise-
The bridge executed by PWD, Basar Division was completed this year, according to reports.
Aggrieved by the poor quality work carried out by the department, the Gumin Rego Welfare Society has submitted a representation to the Deputy Commissioner of West Siang and the SP, claiming that the incident was because of poor quality of work. They alleged that the bridge was completed without supervision and physical monitoring.
The society also claimed that during the construction work, no field visits were made and that the fund allocated for carrying the work is not known to the public of the area.
Patron GRS Kego Jilen said, "All the seven fortunately fell down into the river and did not hit the rocks. Had it been on the rocky side, surviving the accident would have been impossible."
He further informed that the GRS has filed an FIR at Tirbin Police Station.
GRS also appealed to all the concerned departments carrying out developmental works to make sure that field engineers monitor the works.
There has been series of bridge collapses in the state over the last few years.
Bridge collapse timeline
Oct 2011: Wire Suspension bridge constructed by PWD over Kameng River snapped, killing 17 people and injuring scores.
Mar 2016: The Bailey bridge over Sigin River at Daporijo on Daporijo-
April 2016: The under construction RCC bridge over Sibut River near Bodak camp on
Pasighat-
Nov 2016: The ongoing RCC bridge over river Jengthu in Namsai district collapsed.
Dejected workers to go ahead with 4th phase of protest
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The dejected workers in the state, under the banner of Joint Working
Committee of Arunachal Pradesh Trade Unions (JWCAPTU), are all set to move ahead
with its fourth phase of democratic movement, beginning with Taali march-
Addressing media persons at Press Club on Sunday, chairman JWCAPTU Changma Tajo resented that the state government is being apathetic to the demands of the workers in the state, and said that if the demands are still not met, they would go on a hunger strike and statewide blackout as their future course of action.
"Instead of looking into the genuine demands of the workers, the state government is not even ready to talk," he said.
The JWCAPTU seeks fulfillment of its 13-
"We are not demanding that all the 13 points should be fulfilled at one go, but the government should at least be ready to negotiate," he said, further adding, "Please do not let us go ahead with our movement or else the state government will have to take responsibility if anything happens to any of the workers."
Also speaking, Secretary General Kenkar Yomcha informed that a movement named 'Assembly Chalo' will also be held in the coming days, where the workers will approach their respective MLAs with the demands with written assurances from them.
"If they still fail to fulfill the demands, a movement will start against the MLAs," he warned.
Saga of state awards
[ Amar Sangno ]
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The stage is all set for the state awards to be conferred to outstanding individuals on the occasion of Statehood Day.
Started in 1972, the awards are handed out based on recommendations and there is no restriction on the numbers. Since 2013, the state awards have been conferred to at least 75 outstanding individuals with gold medals, along with more than 90 individuals with silver medals and commendation certificates.
This year alone, 23 individuals representing different fields would receive the gold medal.
As expected, majority of awardees are government employees, who were merely performing their duties for which they were being paid by the government. Among them, top bureaucrats, mostly IAS officers top the gold medal chart. In contrary, police officers and sports persons are often awarded the state medals based on merit.
Going by the manner in which the Arunachal Pradesh State award is being handed out
to individuals, especially government servants, it would be easy for a layman to
misconstrue -
There is already apprehension about the depreciating state awards at the rate it is being given out at random to top government employees, and thereby degrading the value of the awards.
"With the pace that the medals are conferred, it would be apt to assume that after ten years every top officer will be a gold medalist in Arunachal Pradesh, and the state award will have no value", said a critic, who did not wish to be named.
"Recklessly giving gold medals to government servant, especially to IAS, IPS officers and engineers without knowing much about their contributions and background is demeaning to the state awards", he added.
"There should be strict criteria for conferring state awards like it is done for the Bharat Ratna. If nobody fits in the criteria, the awards should go without any awardee. That way, the importance of state awards can be restored" said an officer.
Interestingly, Clause (vii) of Arunachal Pradesh State Awards says, "Awards of Gold Medals shall be recommended only in very rare cases where the work done forming the basis of recommendations involves outstanding merit, exceptional bravery, risk of one's life which cannot be envisaged to fall within the normal sphere of duty of government servants and conscientious citizens".
Now comes the role of the Screening Committee that decides who gets the awards. What are the parameters to verify "outstanding merit and exceptional bravery" of those government servants and organisations? Why are medals awarded to government servants who are being paid to perform, unless it is an exceptional case?
Embarrassing instances include the time when Secretary Finance B M Mishra was awarded the Gold Medal in February 2016 on recommendation of his fellow IAS officer. His citation reads, 'He ensured strict adherence to GFR and all financial rules and regulations and has been successful in instilling financial prudence. He has also brought significant systemic changes in the Finance Department includes "discontinuation of Civil Deposit Policy".' Can that truly be considered exceptional work?
Let us also not forget that under his tenure as Secretary Finance, the state had reeled under tremendous financial chaos.
At the same time, a group of youths from Nature Unlimited Team, a Dambuk based tour operator was denied the Gold Medal despite its brave act in saving 20 stranded passengers from drowning in the ravaging Dibang River in the wee hours of 28th July, 2016.
However, a top IAS officer justified these awards for central officers and argued
that it is "exceptional" that an IAS or IPS officers serves in the Northeast region,
including Arunachal Pradesh, which is considered as an ultra-
The Arunachal Pradesh State Award has two levels of screening committee. The district level is headed by the Deputy Commissioner and the state level is headed by the Chief Secretary. The State Screening Committee then submits the list to the Chief Minister for final approval. The award list, once approved by the Chief Minister is forwarded to the Governor for his consent. Though the Chief Minister takes the final call, technically, he has no say on who receives the awards.
The transparency of the screening committee is often questioned as there is no "search
committee" or internal panel with well-
Called the 'bureaucratic appeasement', it is alleged that the screening committee hardly rejects any bureaucrats from the lists even if the person in question has a doubtful career.
Lack of laid down procedures and fixed dates for an annual exercise, well defined grading charts and clause on conflict of interest for the nominees have also clouded the entire selection process.
In addition, slapdash approach by the recommending authority and the screening committee without judging anything on merit of individuals has demeaned the status of the awards.
It is hoped that the glory of the awards will be restored in the days to come!
GAF, committee points out loopholes in Cabinet statement on Mere Vichaar
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: While the Green Arunachal Foundation (GAF) welcomed the decision
of the state Cabinet's resolve to forward the original copy of the 60-
Reacting to the Cabinet statement, wherein it claimed that the police opened the seal of the notes during the course of the investigation, the GAF termed it contradictory to the recent statement of Additional District Magistrate Talo Potom, who had said that he did not receive any appeal or request to open those notes officially.
However, in a recent interview with media persons, Inspector General of Police N Payeng did claim that the notes were used for the investigation.
Maintaining its demand for CBI inquiry into the matter the GAF appealed to the state government to initiate fair investigations rather than resorting to political high handedness.
It further called on both the state and central governments to seize the powers of those political leaders/ legislative members of Arunachal Pradesh whose names have been mentioned in "Mere Vichaar" so that the investigation may be carried out without any influence of the people in power.
While the GAF expressed gratitude to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for chalking out time to attend the Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day, it appealed him to focus and reflect on the issue of the suicide of late Pul in his address to the people of the state.
Further, the Mere Vichaar Andolan Committee termed the decision of the state cabinet
to handover late Pul's 60-
In a communiqué, it sought answers on why the police had not accepted the complaint lodged by the widows of late Pul on August 9 last year and acted upon it accordingly, and also asked why "Mere Vichaar" was not mentioned in the final report submitted by the Investigating Officer.
The committee demanded that instead of forwarding the matter to the MHA, the case should be registered as per the FIR filed by the wives by an independent agency and that it be monitored by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court.
The Mere Vichaar Andolan Committee also claimed that the Investigating Officer of the case has since "gone underground" and is nowhere to be found.
PPA reacts to govt statement on Mere Vichar
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: An upset People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) has reacted sharply to the government’s clarification of terming the content of Mere Vichaar as baseless. In a release, the PPA said that the explosive contents in "Mere Vichaar" that indicts top judges of the country, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minster and the Government Spokesperson of Arunachal Pradesh as corrupt to the core, cannot just be brushed aside as 'baseless'.
Government Spokespersons Bamang Felix and PD Sona while addressing the press on Saturday had termed allegation of corruption leveled in Mere Vichar as baseless, false and without evidence.
"It is but natural that the government spokesperson who is himself from a legal background
will talk of ‘evidentiary proofs’ to shield the truth. By deciding to forward Mere
Vichaar to the Union Home Ministry for investigation, the Pema Khandu led Government
in the state has put the charismatic Narendra Modi Government, into a serious ‘Agni-
The PPA has drawn the attention of Home Minister Rajnath Singh in this regard and appealed to him to see to it that the guilty persons are not made to go scot free.
"The press conference conducted by both the Government Spokespersons Bamang Felix
and Pasang Dorjee Sona have revealed thought-
Further they added, "As per the press statement given by both the government spokespersons, the sealed envelope containing Mere Vichaar was opened and resealed after investigation. As is the norm, while any sealed envelope under police custody when being opened, needs the presence of all those signatories who had put their signatures while the envelope was being sealed. The government must come out clean with the names of the magistrates and the police officers who were the original signatories when the envelope was sealed and when the envelope was opened for investigation. These are among the many lapses that go to prove that a systematic and thorough investigation will reveal that Mere Vichaar is more than a Pandora's Box of political conspiracies involving Pema Khandu, Chowna Mein and Pasang Dorjee Sona that abetted the “self killing” of late Pul, popularly revered as the "People's Chief Minister"."
The party has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene and initiate fair and systematic enquiry at the earliest before which the alleged culprits Pema Khandu, Chowna Mein and Pasang Dorjee Sona must be directed to step down from their respective posts.
Boulevard of Colours
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: Boulevard of Colours (BOC), the two-
The road leading to the Power House Road, from the tri-
There were three stages -
This event also hosted the Street Dance Battle which saw participation from across the country.
Lion Dance from Tawang, Idu Mishmi Priest Dance, Peacock Dance of Khamptis and Tangmei Tatang of Mishmis, Adi war dance were some of the major attractions of the event.
The event also hosted 'Meet the Author', 'Young Painters Exhibition' 'Craft & Jewellery Exhibition' and a traditional food court.
10 out of 11 ZPMs join BJP in Changlang
[ Indrajit Tingwa ]
CHANGLANG/MIAO Feb 19: Ten out of the 11 Zilla Parishad Members of Changlang district have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after a meeting held on February 17 under the leadership of incumbent Changlang Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Jowkhong Singpho.
The members include seven of People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), one Independent and two of Congress.
This is the second time that eight ZPMs, excluding the two Congress members have
joined the ruling party under the leadership of Singpho -
The lone independent member was extending support to the PPA party as an associate member, while it is the first time for the two Congress members leaving former ZPC Marina Kenglang alone in the Congress camp.
The members who merged from the PPA are Jowkhong Singpho, Yaofu Yobin, Korong Longri, Tongko Singpho, Pintri Singpho, Renu Salnang Mungrey and Ramwin Morang. Those from the Congress are Rumikam Tikhak and Tusam Longri, while Lungkham Longtu is the lone Independent member.
Singpho said that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and state party chief Tapir Gao was calling for promoting 'Team Arunachal' to take the state towards a new phase of development so it was the right time to join hands together.
At Tuting, over 200 Panchayat leaders and members, including Zilla Parishad Members
(ZPMs), Anchal Samity Members (ASMs) and Gram Panchayat Members (GPMs) of Upper Siang
district merged into the BJP in presence of former state BJP President Tai Tagak
and Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Alo Libang at a function on February
14, organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party 34-
Prominent, among them, were Zilla Parishad Chairperson Apel Modi, ZPMs Nyokgon Nitik
(Tuting), Kopir Osik (Jido Lekhor), Teli Sonam (Gelling Singa), Bodak Jongkey (Yingkiong-
Meanwhile, former state BJP president Tagak and Minister Libang welcomed them into the party fold.
ABKWW appeals DA to act against carom, snooker betting
[ Maksam Tayeng ]
PASIGHAT, Feb 19: Betting in snooker and carom has become a new form of social menace in Pasighat, which has further spread to almost all the villages.
Concerned over the menace, the women wing of Adi Baane Kebang, East Siang unit sought the district administration's immediate intervention to check it.
A representation in this regard was submitted to East Siang Deputy Commissioner by the women wing of ABK, which also demanded checking unlawful activities like consumption of drugs and alcohol in and around the township, including in the bank of Siang and nearby jungles.
The Deputy Commissioner was informed that drugs and alcohol are still consumed openly in the banks of Siang and various other streams and nearby jungles despite the administration's continued efforts to check such illegal activities.
The Deputy Commissioner was also urged to examine the quality of vegetables supplied to the market from Jampani and Tulap areas. The ABK women wing said that vegetables supplied from those areas were reportedly found unsuitable for human consumption, may be due to excessive use of fertilizer or pesticides.
The women wing of ABK also urged the Deputy Commissioner to initiate reinstallation of street lights to prevent illegal activities.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak told this reporter that he has already instructed concerned officials to take action as appealed by the ABKWW. He, however, said that snooker parlours are given licenses, but if they are found indulging in unlawful activities, necessary action will be initiated against the violators.
Tatak appealed to the civil society to support the administration in its fight against the menace in order to make East Siang district a better place to live in.
My strategies to reduce corruption in Arunachal
[ Pema Khandu ]
Ever since I became Chief Minister, reducing corruption has been my top most agenda.
It is the root of all social evils that breeds inequality, hinders social and economic
growth. Since there is no easy way out, it needs a well-
As a well thought out plan, my first step was to deploy smart technology using online
platforms to bring interaction between the government and the people closer. So on
phase-
Corruption is not always about bribes but it's also about how our resources are judiciously
used. Therefore it's also important to develop smart responses. One way is by doing
away of 'March-
Further, proper care is being taken that government employees are incentivized and paid well. Some empirical works shows that when government servants are poorly paid, the incidence of corruption is likely to grow. So the state government decided to fully implement the 7th pay commission in the state, in addition to regular conduct of departmental promotion committee (DPC) meeting to promote meritorious and senior employees.
Lack of manpower in government offices also contributes to corruption. When administration and services are far away from people, or when offices are short of employees, monetary benefits can be sought for faster completion of works and services. Therefore, to serve the people better and to ensure that public services reaches at their doorstep, the state cabinet recently has decided to create more than 500 posts to fill various vacancies. Also, genuine demands for creation of districts are also being met so that administration reaches nearer to people and no one suffers on account of remoteness and inaccessibility.
Another area where corruption is rampant is in the recruitment process. So measures are being taken to verify the selection procedure. The state government has decided that the delimitation rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) will be amended so that the entire process of appointment of grade B and below staffs will also be done through the commission.
One of the potent tools to fight corruption is the RTI legislation. To make it effective, State Information Commission is being strengthened. I have asked the government officials not to complaint of harassment on pretext of RTI urging them to make available all the information online and to stay clean so that the alleged blackmailers stand no chance. Also I have repeatedly said in my public statement that corrupt officials will not be shown any leniency.
Though it may not directly impact on minimising corruption, but emphasis is being
given to improve work culture in the ministries and the departments. I have formed
group of secretaries to work on different themes and to bring out best of ideas to
formulate pro-
Truth in politics in the light of the suicide note
[ Ngurang Reena ]
“Political language…is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable,
and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind. One cannot change this all in
a moment, but one can at least change one’s own habits, and from time to time one
can even, if one jeers loudly enough, send some worn-
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It has been an uncanny time for the people of Arunachal Pradesh with a series of events unfolding the incessant change in the government culminating in the most tragic death of a leader. Concealment, falsehood, betrayal and the role of deliberate lies have become the main tenets of Arunachal’s politics in the last five years, gaining formidable coverage in the national media.
After an unprecedented political crisis in January 2016, the President’s Rule was
imposed ending Nabam Tuki’s tenure as the Chief Minister. Thereafter, there have
been a multitude of related attempts to reconcile with the turmoil. Was/is it satisfactory?
No, au contraire, sorely lacking – yet perhaps the most imperative has been that
of a figure directly affected by it. An ambitious young leader – unlike many of his
comrades -
German-
On the morning of August 9th, 2016, we had heard of his demise. Our ex CM-
By the noon, I had gotten exceptionally anxious. I called my sister and my father;
we all shared a mutual sense of melancholy and hurt by this incident. Was this a
case of suicide? On no account had I ever witnessed such a dire political episode
in my country, let alone my state. I was deliberating on the idea, whether to reduce
the dynamics of this political event to merely a statistical factor-
Now that his letter, Mere Vichaar/ My Thoughts has been revealed (I read it first
on The Wire-
Speaking about judgment, will the names mentioned in the letter be summoned at all? Will the judiciary have any role to the alleged criticism? Or perhaps, all that said in the letter, is it a lie and nothing else? Only time will tell. Despite the inescapable reality that politics itself cannot be but a narrative, Sir Pul left us young, knowing so many things remain undone.
Here is an excerpt from his Mere Vichar.
“The sole purpose of putting these concerns out in the open is to awaken the people
and make them see the dirty games being played in the state and country, the corrupt
acts being perpetrated, and the reality of corruption that has seeped into the system.
But people have a short memory, they forget too soon……… If even 0.1 per cent realise
the intent behind my message and my sacrifices, and are inspired to affect some improvement
in their modes of thinking and action – rejecting greed, aggressive pursuit of self-
Politics and Truth
Through this letter, today, I wrest a poignant rumination on the betrayal we feel
at every revelation that our political leaders -
Mere Vichaar, like so much else in history, tells different stories, teaches different
lessons to different readers. Some claim they have only now understood what politics
is and what corruption is. Some even say it is now that they comprehend the unstable
political dynamics from late Jarbom Gamlin’s time to NabamTuki, then late Kalikho
Pul and now Pema Khandu. Transcendence has happened, outcome may have been brutal,
but for many others this is a unique opportunity to learn about decision-
What is the relationship of politics and truth? Truth and politics are on rather bad terms, has anyone said this? I think they really do not complement each other, and I wonder, if, one has ever considered truthfulness as one of the political virtues, say, “Thou shall never lie!” Lies are an inevitable part of politics and in fact they are regarded a justifiable tool not only of the politician’s or the demagogue’s but also of any Reich that the world has known of. Why is that so? I, for certain would be ecstatic if the explanation is gained by simplification or perhaps just narrowed down to a moral denunciation! Whoever reflects on these matters can only be surprised how little attention has been paid, in our tradition of philosophical and political thought, to their significance. On trying to understand how much is factual and how much is just an alternative (lie). And what does all of this mean for the nature and the dignity of the political realm, these are scratchy questions, but they arise necessarily out of our current convictions in this matter.
Lion or Fox?
Now, who is a good leader? Historical experiences and narratives demonstrates that
princes achieve the most success when they are crafty and cunning, I am a student
of Political Science and given the current scenario of state affairs, Niccolò Machiavelli’s
(Philosopher and Political Scientist), teachings can be best used to underscore my
thought process. In Machiavelli’s The Prince (1513), he made a powerful case for
what became known as the doctrine of raison d’état. For him, to be a successful leader,
a prince must possess the virtues such as -
I bring this analogy today to put forward a question to all the leaders of the state (including the students and other union leaders, which are by the way innumerable). What kind of a leader, as Machiavelli prescribes are you? Adding to that, Machiavelli’s widely discussed principle in International Politics of “The end justifies the mean” (The Prince). This was one of the most debated philosophies from his work. This formula clearly implied that to pursue one’s goal or objective, it does not matter whether the methods are fair or lewd, legal or unlawful, democratic or dictatorial, good or evil if the job gets done. The most prominent example to elucidate the idea is given in the context of war; how in the end one side is victorious, at the cost of human lives, which is utterly wrong. More complex example could be the American bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima from the August 1945 or one could gauge and rendition the Machiavellian idea at the contemporary events of bombings in Syria (where the target is supposedly the ISIS but most of the casualties are civilians).
If the readers are wondering, what Machiavellian ideas have to do with the state’s
politics, then let me remind you the commotion and the anxiety that we saw on the
day of the Supreme Court’s judgment on restoring the Congress Government in the state-
Money in Politics
“The cause of all these evils was the lust for power arising from greed and ambition;
and from these passions proceeded the violence of parties once engaged in contention”.
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“Hum tumko vote dega, aap humko kya dega? Mera bill pass kara do aur ek bike ya gaari toh kam se kam chahiye agar paisa nahi dega toh! (I will cast my vote for you, what can you offer me? Why don’t you approve my tender/bill (they are government sanctioned schemes) and a bike or a car is a prerequisite to our deal, if unable to deliver cash)”.
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This is a pervasive conversation, during and before the elections in the state. Statements
like that, ‘demands’ made by the voters in our state are justified in the name of,
“Leaders are corrupt anyway, we might as well have our share!” For those-
Just as former US President Barack Obama said, “we must reduce the influence of money
in our politics, so that a handful of families and hidden interests can’t bankroll
our elections — and if our existing approach to campaign finance can’t pass muster
in the courts, we need to work together to find a real solution”. It is imperative
to understand that, when you and I put forward such irrational demands, we also become
an indispensable part of the lowly game-
A message so profoundly reverberating in my ear, in the words of late Kalikho Pul himself,
“I ask, when will the public wake up from its slumber, when will it come to its senses? How long will people be taken in by the leaders’ flashy cars and their lures of liquor and money in return for votes, mistaking their false promises to be the truth? In reality, the public wants to remain in a fool’s paradise, it runs from the truth. It is for the people to decide what they need to do. My job was to tell them the truth, but the decision lies in their hands”.
-
Money, Politics and Students
There is an All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) the premier and the most
credible body to represent students and their resentments. But of late, their conduct
during elections have engulfed me with severe speculations on their credibility –
yet again the same behaviour of ‘Mutual transaction of selling and buying votes’
by the candidate and the voters are universal and for some reason this is ‘acknowledged’
by all. Last year during their elections, I witnessed it first-
Conclusion
In conclusion, I return to the questions I raised at the beginning-
State Assembly elections are knocking at the doors; things look more complicated and uncertain than before. But, if you are already disgusted by politics and don’t want to vote, you are in effect voting for the entrenched establishments of the continuing stale old political parties. Stay home if you want, but don’t convince yourself that you’re not voting. Please go and vote but this time with caution, lest we regret. I am compelled to recount Isak Dinesen’s words, where he says, “at the end we shall be privileged to view, and review, it “– and that is what is named the Day of Judgment.
Michel Foucault (a French Philosopher) also emphasized that the state is not the
primary source of power-
Dear young and energetic one, who are reading this, if you still value yourself and
our free societies, although besieged by uncertainty we must recover a public discourse-
In reverence to Mere Vichaar, I will rest my case here.
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”
¯ Martin Luther King Jr.
(The contributor is a PhD candidate at the Centre for European Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)
56th governing body meeting of East Kameng DRDA held
Natung gives priority to need-
SEPPA, Feb 19: RD and PR Parliamentary Secretary Mama Natung gave emphasis on selection
of need-
Highlighting the importance of the RD Department, Natung said without pro-
He informed that the central and the state governments are working together with renewed vigour so that that the fruits of real development are percolated down to the grassroots level. The state government is considering a proposal to introduce a novel concept of revolving fund, wherein central schemes, particularly the MGNREGS, IWMP and PMAY could be implemented ceaselessly even without receiving necessary allocation from the Centre in time, he disclosed.
Stressing on team spirit and proper coordination between the PRI and government officials, he urged all concerned to work together to make East Kameng a model district.
The Parliamentary Secretary also suggested the BDOs to furnish lucid photographs
of the works undertaken with proper date inscribed on it and also instructed the
PD and the BDOs to complete the task of MIS and geo-
Also, against the unanimous demand of the BDOs, the Parliamentary Secretary assured to provide two vehicles to the DRDA of the district.
Appreciating the BDOs for their performance, East Kameng DC Rajeev Takuk exhorted
them to select and undertake need-
Admitting that MGNREGS is one of the biggest social welfare programmes, the DC urged everyone involved to work hard with interest and dedication to achieve the goal under the schemes.
DRDA Project Director Dahey Sangno gave presentation on roles, functions and composition
of the governing body under DRDA. Briefing about the recent trends in centrally sponsored
schemes, he apprised that fund allocation is liability driven, and that Aadhaar-
Presenting the performance of the department, Sangno briefed the house about the
cumulative status of the physical and financial achievement of the works implemented
under MGNREGS, PMAY (G) and IWMP/PMKSY in the entire district during 2016-
Sangno reiterated that fund received should be judiciously used by executing agencies as per guidelines involving PRI leaders who are more experienced in mobilizing beneficiaries in their locality.
Pinning hope that everyone will work hard together for progressive result, ZPC Mering Natung also requested the PR members to educate as many people as possible to enroll for Aadhaar card and open bank accounts soon.
All the BDOs of nine CD blocks under DRDA, East Kameng gave presentations on the achievement made so far during this session and placed new proposals for the coming financial year on all RD programmes. ZPMs Khya Choya and Dadi Rimo also spoke in the meeting.
After a threadbare discussion, the governing body members present unanimously approved
the proposal and passed the AAP (2017-
What Is Obsessive-
[ Osunam Pertin ]
Obsessive-
A diagnosis of OCD requires the presence of obsession and/or compulsions that are
time-
" Obsessions
Obsessions are repetitive and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that arouse anxiety or disgust. Many people with OCD recognize that the thoughts, impulses are excessive or unreasonable, but these intrusive thoughts cannot be settled by logic or reasoning. Typical obsessions include excessive concerns about dirt or harm, the need for symmetry or exactness, or forbidden sexual or religious thoughts.
" Compulsions
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person is compelled to perform in response to an obsession. The behaviors are performed to prevent or reduce distress from the feared situation. In the most severe cases, a constant repetitive behavior is carried out the entire day, making a normal routine impossible. Although the compulsion may bring some relief to the worry, the obsession returns and the cycle is repeated all over. Some common examples of compulsions include cleaning to reduce the fear that germs, dirt, or chemicals will "contaminate" them and some spend many hours washing themselves or cleaning their surroundings. Some like to put objects, such as books in a certain order, or arrange household items "just so", or in a symmetric fashion. They order and arrange to reduce discomfort. Counting, tapping, and repeating certain words are also compulsions to reduce anxiety.
Treatment
Treatment of OCD may not result in cure but can help in managing the symptoms so that it won't ruin the daily living. The two main treatment of OCD are:
" Psychotherapy: Cognitive-
" Medication: certain psychiatric medications can help control the obsession and compulsions of OCD.
" The combinations of both the treatment are the most effective. (The writer is a Clinical Psychologist at Government Mental Health Center, Midpu (Doimukh) and can be reached at osunam1988@gmail.com)
APPDSU appeals for immediate release of enhanced stipend
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The All Papum Pare District Students' Union (APPDSU) has demanded that the state government immediately release the enhanced stipend rate of students studying in government schools from class I to XII, which is allegedly pending till date.
For classes I to V, the amount is Rs 800, for classes VI to VIII it is Rs 900, and for classes IX to XII, the stipend amount is Rs 1100, it informed.
"The students' community of Arunachal Pradesh wants answers from the state government, especially from the Education Minister, Director of Higher and Technical Education, Director of Elementary Education, Director of School Education and State Project Director SSA on why the payment of students' stipends are kept pending each academic year", said the APPDSU.
They expressed surprise that stipend of students studying in government schools have not been paid for the academic year 2016 to 2017. "How can 10 months of stipend be kept pending when the new academic session is about to start? The Education Minister is answerable to this partial treatment meted out to the poor APST students studying in government schools, colleges and university and to the students pursuing higher studies who are dependent on the stipends," the APPDSU stated.
The Union has requested the state government and Education Department and to the minister concerned to not play with the sentiments of poor students and to stop doing business with the funds meant for the welfare of the APST students and development of the government schools, colleges and university.
Colonies inspected for Mission Clean Aalo
AALO, Feb 19: RCCN Director Liduk Ete, along with panel of four judges, consisting of Degam Ete, Kirdo Ete, Tumto Ete and Gijum Tali undertook the second round of inspection of all 34 colonies on Saturday to assess their cleanliness.
The Clean Aalo Mission is a part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the RCCN Aalo is also taking up the mantle of instituting Annual Cleanliness Award with cash prizes, attractive trophies and certificates to the three most beautiful sectors/ colonies of Aalo.
The panel of judges appointed will make monthly assessment on cleanliness till September 2017.
The Galo Anne Safai Abhiyan is spearheading the awareness campaign by conducting social services and closely monitoring cleanliness in the town and even imposing fines to government institutions and market places violating the cleanliness norms. (DIPRO)
Joram kicks off sporting event for Nyokum festival at Jollang
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: A sports event, organized as part of Nyokum festival at Jollang began on Sunday where All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) President Byabang Joram encouraged youths to take up sports sincerely and make a career out of it.
Joram also informed the various sportsperson-
Festival celebration committee Chairman Byabang Raju, Secretary Tassar Mohan, ANSU
Co-
Sports event included football and volleyball for both men and women.
KK BJP clarifies on merger issue
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The Kurung Kumey (KK) District BJP gave clarification on a press release regarding merger of Congress office bearers with BJP, which was published in this daily recently.
In fact, the office bearers/members of 21 Koloriang BCCI, not Kurung Kumey DCC, merged with BJP, clarified the Kurung Kumey BJP unit in a release.
It may be mentioned here that the news item, which was published based on a press release issued by Kurung Kumey District BJP on February 17, sparked strong reactions from the Kurung Kumey DCC.
The Kurung Kumey District BJP has regretted the inadvertent mistake on its part that had cropped up due to 'typing error'.
State and APP teams leave for KAI
Senior National Karate Championship
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The state team and Arunachal Pradesh Police (APP) Karate team left
for Goa on Sunday to participate in the KAI Senior National Karate Championship to
be held at Panaji on February 25 and 26. The 17-
The players were given a 20 days intensive coaching to fine tune their karate skills recently.
Shihan S Deben Sharma and Rakesh Gamnu are the coach and assistant coach of the state team and Tai Hipik is the manager.
The Arunachal Pradesh Police (APP) has sent 10 players for the championship and Yesenso Yun is the coach.
2nd district level drawing / painting competition held
[ Karda Natam ]
DAPORIJO, Feb 19: The 2nd district level drawing / painting competition for school children was held on Friday. Aimed at creating awareness on Swachh Bharat Mission in the district to keep the town clean and promote tourism in the district, it was organized by Menlebotom Tourist Lodge in collaboration with district administration, UD & Housing Department and District Tourist Office, with 'cleanliness drive' as its theme. Prizes for the competition will be distributed on the occasion of the 31st Statehood Day celebration.
IMA Arunachal organizes CME programme
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Arunachal unit has recommended the state government to come up with Blood Component Separation Therapy in the state. This was decided in the panel discussion held during the Continuing Medical Education (CME) organized on Rational Use of Blood by Clinician at Itanagar on Saturday.
With panelists, Nodal Officer Blood Cell NHM Dr Nabam Budh, Blood Bank Officer RKMH Dr L R Choudhury, Dr Kaling Megu MS General Surgery, Heema Hospital, Dr Chetah Langkhun MD Medicine Niba Hospital, Obstetrician and Gynae Tomo Riba State Hospital Dr Tomar Basar, Radiation Oncologist Dr Sam Tsering and ENT Surgeon Tomo Riba State Hospital, Dr Jego Ori was the moderator.
Earlier, Dr A Meina Singh, Professor of the Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion RIMS Imphal spoke as guest lecture on Rational Use of Blood by Clinician.
Deputy Director State Blood Transfusion Council, Dr Nabam Budh spoke on hazards of blood transfusion.
Doctors from all over the state participated in the CME.
Assoc demands eviction of illegal constructions
NAHARLAGUN, Feb 19: The Naharlagun Commercial Building Owners Welfare Association (NCBOWA) has demanded the General Manager of State Transport Services, Naharlagun to immediately evict unauthorised/ illegal construction in government land by unknown person(s).
AAPPP submits memo to CM
ITANAGAR, Feb 19: The All Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Parishad (AAPPP), an affiliated body of All India Panchayat Parishad, has urged the state government to regularize all the contractual staff under the Panchayat Department.
In a seven-
Other demands include creation of the Panchayat Window for allocation of 30 percent state fund allocated by the Central Government as per Article 243 of the Constitution of India, notification for protocol status/perks and privileges for the Zilla Parishad, Anchal Samity, Gaon Panchayat chairpersons and members, appointment of independent District Panchayat Development Officer and establishment of separate Engineering Wing for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development departments.
It also said that the government should pay heed to its demands and announce its positive decision on Statehood Day to avoid any democratic movement.