jan17 14

2017

January 14

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Poor immunization coverage in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Health Commissioner Kaling Tayeng on Friday expressed dissatisfaction over state's immunization coverage under IPPI and Mission Indrandhanush.

Addressing a meeting of State Task Force for IPPI and MI-2017 in the Chief Secretary's conference hall here on Friday, Tayeng lamented that the target achieved so far by the state was abysmally low. He urged the implementing agencies to spare no effort in improving their performances. He also said that Governor of the state was not happy with the low coverage of immunization.

He asked the officers of the department to address the core issues on immunization.

All left out children must be covered he said and urged STFI to seek help and support from the district administration to achieve better results in the next phases of IPPI campaign.

He further said that Mission Indradhanush should be given a big push to achieve the immunization target.

SIO Dr. D Padung threw light on the scopes and challenges vis-a-vis mission Indradhanush strategy. While presenting an overview on the performance of the state on immunization, he stated that some districts were doing well.

He mentioned some reasons for the poor performance and assured the Commissioner that more efforts would be put in to improve the records of those poorly performed districts.

He said that altogether 13 districts in the state have been identified to cover under Indradhanush saying that the other remaining districts too would be covered in due course.

Dr. Tage Taka, SMO, WHO said a better working coordination among the stakeholders is needed to make all the health programmes truly successful.

He spoke about the world Polio scenario.

Dr. Tage said that though most countries have been successful in eradicating Polio virus, some developing countries are yet to fully arrest the Polio virus and warned that the whole world was at risk due to those few countries.

Traffic wardens to continue strike

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Agitating Itanagar Traffic Wardens (ITW) vowed to continue indefinite strike unless the authorities come up with a written assurance to address their demands. The development came after Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Singh appealed them to call off the whistle down strike and resume duty.

DC Capital Complex invited the wardens to his office chamber to know their issue. After hours of hectic parley, the DC assured to look into their charter of demands except demand for regularization of job.

However, the Deputy Commissioner's verbal assurance failed to pacify the wardens who later decided to continue its indefinite Whistle down strike unless the state government and authority come up with written assurance.

ITW had launched indefinite "Whistle Down" strike since Monday demanding regularisation of job, enhancement of payment, stop payment deduction and 15 days casual leave annually.

The wardens later sought the Home Minister’s intervention in the current fiasco. In its representation, the wardens resented that despite their round the clock duty, they are being paid with meagre amount.

In a statement, ITW said that their agitation is neither politically motivated nor instigated by anyone but expression of genuine anguish.

IMC launches awareness on cleanliness

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Councilors of Itanagar Municipal Council (IMC) led by chief councilor Kipa Kaku and deputy chief councilor Tarh Nachung on Friday launched a vehicle installed with a public address system to bring mass awareness about cleanliness.

Developed under its Swachata Sarvekshan, the vehicle will make round of the Capital Complex.

"It is our city, we have to clean it. It is not only the responsibility of the IMC or Govt," chief councilor Kipa Kaku said in her address to the gathering, and made a fervent appeal to all to take up cleanliness with commitment.

"It was shameful for all that our twin city was assessed as third dirtiest city in India. If we wholeheartedly clean our surrounding and stop dirtying it, the status can rise to the third cleanest city. This can only be possible with united move by the masses," deputy chief councilor Tarh Nachung appealed.

"The IMC, your civic body has been working with commitment and this initiative aims at mass involvement of the civilians," said chief municipal executive officer Habung Lampung, who had conceived the vehicle idea.

"Participation of the civilians and their awareness carry mark in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan," Lampung said, adding a team from Delhi would visit soon to conduct survey. He urged the masses to respond to the questions of the visiting team properly.

Ex-gratia sought for accident victims

BORDUMSA, Jan 13: Claiming that one person identified as Nepa Ranjan Chakma (36) of Jyotipur-I village has succumbed to his injuries, while eight passengers of a Bolero Pick-up van were injured in an accident which occurred at Alubari Mohong village on Thursday last, the Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union (APCSU) has appealed to the state Governor and Chief Minister to provide ex-gratia to all the accident victims including the next of kin of the deceased at the earliest.

In its release on Friday, the APCSU stated that the vehicle bearing Registration No. AS-23BC/5654 which had nine passengers, most of them poor women vegetable sellers from Diyun was returning from Bordumsa Weekly market when it met with an accident.

'The deceased Nepa Ranjan Chakma is survived by his wife and three children while, the other injured victims were treated at CHC, Bordumsa and discharged on Friday', the APCSU claimed.

It further informed that former Minister, CC Singpho who met the accident victims on Friday, had also urged the officials to extend all necessary help to the victims.

Orgs threaten agitation against road Construction Company

AALO, Jan 13: Aalo Town Public Welfare and Development Society and Memo Ao Youth Association have threatened to launch series of agitation against a road construction company for not taking up highway works from Bam to Gabu Stream despite assurances.

The stretch of the road has reportedly been lying in deplorable condition and it is almost abandoned by all the passenger vehicles that prefer to ply from Aalo to Silapather and Itanagar via narrow Nikte-Nyorak road.

The people from Doji, Bagra, Angu and other areas have been bearing the brunt of bad road condition for last few years.

The district administration has handed over the said stretch of road to the TK Engineering and it is up to the executing agencies to speed up the pace of work. DIPRO

Bankers urged to look beyond profit for success of e-payment

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Singh urged the bankers to look beyond making profit for overall success of Digital Payment Methods.

Singh urged the bankers to go for financial inclusion of remote places and conduct sensitization programmes on digital payment for all the traders/ businessmen of twin capital city of Itanagar and Naharlagun and government employees in various departments in liaison with administrative officers.

He was addressing a meeting to discuss various methods of digital payment, which was attended by all the administrative officers, bankers in capital complex, Lead Bank Manager, HODs, office bearers of Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries, market welfare committees.

The bankers explained the benefits of installing POS system in various merchant establishments.

Attention was also drawn on non-availability of internet connection in remote places for digital payment by the administrative officers and heads of various line departments. They sought suggestion and solution for cashless transaction in such places, where there is no internet and Mobile network for disbursement of various govt. schemes such as MGNERGA wages and purchase of goods from Public Distribution Systems.

The Managing Director, Apex Bank Govt. of Aruanchal Pradesh displayed various banking products - Micro ATM, V-Sat enabled network with solar power for cashless transaction for remote places. Mobile ATM (Sim-based) POS-System, Kisan Debit Card (Rupay), Kissan (Card), Sim se Pay (IMPS based) etc were other products that were demonstrated for digital payment method.

The Yes Bank Manager also introduced the banking product "YesTag" offered by the Bank to their customer.

The Branch Manager of SBI, Itanagar highlighted the various banking products for Digital Payment such as SBI Buddy, SBI Freedom etc. through PowerPoint. DIRPO

DC stresses on proper utilization of resources

PASIGHAT, Jan 13: East Siang Deputy Commissioner, Tamiyo Tatak has stressed on proper utilization of resources with strict monitoring and compliance of all quality control measures as per laid down guidelines.

Addressing a coordination meeting held at the Siang hall here on Thursday last, to review the progress of all government departments of the district, the DC called upon the implementing agencies to come up with clear idea on target and achievements of schemes undertaken by them.

While listing his top priorities, the DC informed that the district administration would put all efforts to get a place in the ensuing Smart City Race. Health and hygiene, water supply, education,

electricity, road communication, installation of solar power plant, agri-horti sectors would be revitalized. Digital governance and coordinated efforts of all elected representatives, officers, senior citizens and youths, a wide range of awareness campaigns would take place to aware and educate the people on smart living.

The planners should prepare a plan on technology based urban system and seek public opinions as how they would go about making Pasighat, a Smart City with efficient management and economic growth. Being strategically located, with excellent connectivity by river, air, rail and roads, Pasighat is located on the mid-point of six districts including a vast area of neighboring Assam. With advent of Smart City Project local people would have more opportunities to begin new ventures, startups, and other entrepreneurial opening, noted DC Tatak.

The meeting was attended by the In-charge SP A. Taying, engineers of all working departments and head of offices. (DIPRO)

FARM Northeast Prog- II launched in Raga

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Itanagar Diocesan Empowerment Association (IDEA) with support of Caritas India launched the project "Facilitating Agricultural Regeneration Mission (FARM)" in North East Phase-II at Boasimla under Raga sub-division of Lower Subansiri.

The main focus of the project is to improve the life of poor and marginalized people through sustainable livelihood options mainly agriculture. The major thrust of the project implementation is to promote sustainable (traditional) agriculture practices, herbal medicines to improve the livelihood of the villagers.

The project was launched by Raga Block Development Officer Tassar Dava and Caritas India's Zonal Manager (Guwahati) Jonas Lakra in presence of 15 GBs and 80 farmers and staff of Saint Claret School, Boasimla.

IDEA Deputy Director Sr. Lissy, Project Coordinator Sanjit Basumatary and field supervisors were also present during the programme.

The BDO planted saplings in the school compound to mark the launching of second phase of the programme.

Caritas India's Zonal Manager Lakra explained in details the objectives of Farm Northeast Programme Phase - II to the entire public.

On the occasion, a plantation programme was organized in 15 villages under Raga.

HGBs, GBs asked to be conscious of their responsibilities

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Commissioner GA/DA & Education, Hage Kojeen exhorted the Head Gaon Buras (HGBs) and Gaon Buras (GBs) to be conscious of their responsibilities and discharge their duties with sincerity to maintain law and order at their respective villages.

He said this during a meeting of HGBs and GBs at Abotani Hall, Hapoli on Friday.

Elaborating on powers and functions of GBs, he said that the institution of Gaon Buras originates from the Assam Frontier (Administration of Justice) Regulation 1945. 'As provided in the Regulation, this is one of its kind institution in our country upon which the power of police, criminal and civil court is vested. Therefore, it becomes all the more important for HGBs and GBs to be conscious of their responsibilities', he added.

He further informed that the GoAP has increased the honorarium of HGBs to Rs 1500 and that of GBs to 1000 and hoped that it would further motivate them.

Touching upon the vexed issue of expansion of advance landing ground at Old Ziro to accommodate landing of fixed winged aircrafts for civilians,

the Commissioner requested the HGBs and GBs to impress upon the populace nearby the ALG to accept expansion plan of ALG for greater good of the generations to come.

The meeting was also attended by Nending Chatung, incharge DC along with all the administrative officers and the EE, Power, Ziro.

District task force for IPPI (NID) and MI 2017

YUPIA, Jan 13: The district level workshop-cum-district task force for immunisation meeting on IPPI (NID) and mission Indradhanush (MI) 2017 of district health society, Papum Pare was held at ZPC's conference hall here on Friday under the chairmanship of ADC Hage Taka.

DMO Dr Tasso Kampu, DRCHO Dr. Jomnya Ado, DANO Dr. Tania Raju, DVBDCPO Dr. Tana Aruna, CDPO Naharlagun Y R Ete and MO inchrage of all health facilities of the district, TRIHMS and staffs from RKM Hospital, Itanagar, were present.

ADC Hage Taka urged all the participants to actively take part in the IPPI and MI workshop. Stressing on effective planning and implementing IPPI and MI programme in the district, he exhorted other line departments like Education, ICDS, police department etc, to work together for its effective implementation.

Urging all MO i/c and other health workers to reach those remote areas where transportation hasn't reached, he said, "Not even a single child of the district during the IPPI and MI programme should be left behind."

He also urged DMO/DRCHO, Papum Pare to award best MO i/c or staffs of the district with commendation certificate for encouraging them.

DMO Papum Pare, Dr Tasso Kampu directed all MO i/c and health workers to sincerely deliver their duty on the IPPI and MI programme.

She also directed all Mo i/c and other health workers to wear uniform compulsorily while discharging their duties and that each and every child (0 to 5years) age children must get vaccinated.

DRCHO, Dr J Ado reviewed the 2016 IPPI and third phase of the MI and also briefed all the participants about the Target and Achievement of the entire Blocks of Papum Pare district in his comprehensive PowerPoint Presentation on parameters of IPPI and MI of previous year achievement. He informed that the total target of the district is 29684 (below 0-5 years) of age during the IPPI and MI programme. (DIPRO)

Conference of IMCLS begins at Anini

ANINI, Jan 13: The general conference of the Idu Mishmi Cultural & Literary Society (IMCLS), the apex body of the Idu Mishmi community, began at the auditorium of Govt Higher Secondary School, here on Friday.

Speaking during its inaugural session, Dibang Valley DC Tamune Miso emphasized on the importance of preserving Idu language, developing the script and introducing it in primary as well as secondary levels in schools. He also suggested for coming up with remedial measures with menace of drugs and alcohol among the youths.

He also underscored on the cooperation of the society to the district administration in enforcing Swaccha Bharat Mission and making the Idu Society an Open defecation free society. He also urged the apex body to stay away from communal mindsets and work for the betterment of the Society.

General Secretary of Cultural and Literary Society of Mishmi (CALSOM) Suraj Tayang also spoke.

Bittu Kri, Rome Mele, Shanti Mihu, Gote Mega, Dishi Mihu and Late Athombo Molo were felicitated by IMCLS for their contribution and bringing laurels to the community. (DIPRO)

DEO’s holds interactive prog. with students

BOMDILA, Jan 13: Adhering to the Election Commission's theme for the 7th National Voter's Day (NVD) empowering young and future voters, an interactive teaching and learning activities with the students at Government Higher Secondary School, Bomdila on Friday.

In the run up to the 7th National Voter's Day to be celebrated on January 25, the Deputy Commissioner Sonal Swaroop, who also is the District Election Officer, has had interaction with the future voters (of class X and XII).

The DC cum DEO answered numerous queries from students between the age group of 15-17 years, and explained in details on subject starting from federal government structure to ECI, age limit for new voters, form 6, 7, 8, 8A and others.

Among others, inquisitive questions posed to the DEO ranged from the coinciding of MP and MLA election to how ECI supervises the state election etc.

The interaction programme was followed by screening of "Masti Dosti Matdan" movie.

Similar interactive programmes were also conducted by ADC in-charge (HQs) cum ERO Sang Khandu, Bhalukpong EAC T Riba and Rupa SDO TR Tapu at government higher secondary schools Nafra, Bhalukpong and Rupa respectively on January 10 and encouraged the students to get themselves enrolled in the electoral rolls.

Aalo DIPRO adds: In an effort to empower young and future voters of the district, an Interactive school engagement programme was also held at Nehru Memorial Govt. HS School on Friday.

Around 1000 thousand students with teachers attended the day-long programme.

Informing the students that Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to dedicate the year 2017 to the future voters and have the NVD as the running theme, West Siang District Election Gamli Padu exhorted all young eligible voters to enroll their names in electoral rolls to exercise their franchise in the coming election. He also informed that all newly enrolled voters will be felicitated on National Voters Day on January 25.

CO (Election) Lijum Ete highlighted the importance of participation of youths in election process and also informed on the registration process.

A question-answer session was also held.

National Youth Day celebrated

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Along with the rest of the country, the 154th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was also celebrated at Vivekananda Centre of Human Excellence (VCHE), Naharlagun on Thursday. Rev Monk Mangalatm-anandaji Maharaj of Rama Krishna Mission Hospital inaugurated a new Computer lab set up in the VCHE premises to mark the day.

Earlier, members of the Centre distributed blankets and principal food items to the women residing in the Mother's Home, Naharlagun.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) state unit also observed the day. At Doimukh and Tezu, school students came out in large number to participate in rally organised by the Karyakartas. At Aalo, Seppa, Naharlagun, Sagalee and Itanagar, different activities such as drawing Competition, Essay Writing competition, Elocution Compilation and lectures were conducted.

At Pasighat, National Cadet Corps (NCC) celebrated the day in a different way under the supervision of Col. H. Padmanabhan, CO, 22 AP NCC Company and AK Singh NCC Officer. NCC cadets of Daying Ering Hr. Sec School, Pasighat went out and interacted with public at various places to motivate people to adopt and promote cashless transactions. They explained how to use UPI and BHIM without using smart phones and internet for cashless process.

DC Tamiyo Tatak urged the cadets to reach out to market places with similar mission and help the shop owners make digital transactions.

At Namsai, the dance team from Lekang circle was declared winner of the district-level traditional dance and drama competition on the occasion of Vivekananda Jayanti at town club.

At VKV, Jirdin, West Siang DC Gamli Padu stressed on the importance of the day and highlighted the contribution of VKV Jirdin as a premier institution in girls' education in the district.

Principal K Amudha Valli suggested the students to imbibe the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. (With input from DIPROs)

Governor greets on Makar Sankranti

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Arunachal Pradesh Governor, V Shanmuganathan has greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

In his festival message, the Governor said that Makar Sankranti is one of the most propitious occasions for the Hindus and is celebrated all parts of the country with great devotion and religious fervor. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Gangasagar, Prayag and also in Parasuram Kund in Arunachal Pradesh and pray to the Sun.

While extending his best wishes to all, the Governor hoped that the festival binds everyone in fraternal love and affection. (PRO to Governor)

Pensioners seeks 7th CPC

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Claiming that Finance Department is yet to issue order for affecting the benefits of 7th Central Pay Commission as announced by the State Government, the Arunachal Pradesh State Government Pensioners Association expressed its anguish over alleged inordinate delay. The pensioners submitted a representation to Chief Secretary urging her for immediate redressal. The finance department has issued office of memorandum for effecting new pay structure of regular staff, the association added.

Felicitation for Mother of Substance

ZIRO, Jan 13: Byodakiila Anne Society, Ziro (BAS) on Friday felicitated Hage Tado Nanya for winning the 'Mrs. Arunachal Mother's of Substance 2016' title, which was held in Itanagar recently.

Speaking at the function, BAS secretary Hage Riku Yabii, exhorted the younger generation to draw inspiration from Nanya's (55) success and work hard to achieve the desired goal in life.

The first batch of contemporary Apatani girl students of seventies has also formed a society, of which Nanya also is a member. The society has resolved to take up social various socials issues, like women empowerment, and also motivating other like minded members of various organizations to work in this field.

DC convenes coordination meeting

AALO, Jan 13: A coordination meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of Siang Deputy Commissioner, Rahul Singh to take stock of all issues concerning newly created Siang district at the DC's Conference Hall, Pangin on Jan 11 last.

The meeting dwelt at length on labour budget, work projection, Aadhar seeding, bank account, geo tagging under MGNREGA and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

Earlier, during his spot visits to the villages of Rumgong blocks at Jomlomogku, Jomlo Bari, Pankeng Moli, Pessing, Rampa, Mopung, Molom on Jan 12 last, the DC instructed all BDOs to upload and complete the pending works within a week and proposed to visit all the works taken up in all blocks of Siang as scheduled from Jan 12 to Feb 10 next.

The DC further advised people to use MGNERGA and other fund judiciously. The meeting was attended by DRDA PD, T Jonnom, APO (RE) Kerli Bui and all BDOs, EO (REs) of Siang. (DIPRO)

Youth awareness camp held

AALO, Jan 13: West Siang District Health Society along with "Voluntary Star Campaigner' on Friday held a youth awareness camp at Pobdi Secondary School, wherein some burning issues facing the youth today, like drugs addiction, alcoholism, early marriage etc were dwelt elaborately by the doctors and social activists.

Mechukha ADC Tumge loya reminded the students of their duty and responsibility and asked them to devote time and energy to study.

Stating that quality education leads to a healthy society, the ADC called upon the teachers to impart quality education. District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. Marbom Basar advised the school children to set achievable target and work hard to achieve it. He also advised them not waste their valuable time and energy in unproductive activities.

DFWO Dr. K.Ori gave emphasis on youth health saying that healthy body and mind is the key to success and happiness. He advised the school children to keep their surrounding clean.

Social workers Jarjum Ete advised the girl students to study first and avoid early marriage.

Retired State Govt. Secretary Tomi Ete explained the harmful effects of smoking, drugs and alcohol on user's health and its negative impact on society. DIPRO

Skill training for urban poor commences in Pasighat

ITANAGAR, Jan 13: Skill development training for urban local poor within the jurisdiction of Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) commenced at Conference Hall of the IMC here.

SynchroServe Global Solutions Pvt. Ltd. partnering with Tajuk Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is conducting the training with support of PMC under State Urban Livelihoods Mission (SULM).

The inaugural function was attended by Mission Director, State Urban Livelihoods Mission Taring Darang, PMC Deputy Chief Councillor Kaling Darang, Chief Municipal Executive Officer (PMC) Einstein Koyu, State Mission Manager (SULM) Sameer Nitik, vice president of Tajuk Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Timothy Nima.

Training on energy conservation building code commences

TAWANG, Jan 13: A two days training on 'energy conservation building code' commenced here on Friday organized by Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA) with support of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Govt. of India.

The day one of the training, which was attended by HoDs, dealt on subjects like, introduction of ECBC, scope of code - applicability, administration and enforcement-compliance requirements, building envelope- code compliance through building envelope, heating ventilation and air conditioning- code compliance through HVAC system design for building and APECBC and simulation.

The training also covered topics, like Service Hot Water Requirement and Pumping - Code Compliance through efficient power distribution system design for building.

Assistant Project Manager of BEE Abdullah Nisar Siddiqui, Simulation Specialist (Building Physics (Ziaur Rehman, Simulation Specialist (Built Environment of Global Evolutionary Energy Design) SMH Adil are the resource persons. DIPRO

2015

2016

---- Editorial ----

End the confrontation

The confrontation between Itanagar Traffic Warden (ITW) and authority concern is refusing to die. ITW which has launched whistle down strike even took out a protest rally on Thursday seeking immediate fulfillment of their demands. They started their indefinite agitation on Monday and placed demands which include regularization of job, enhancement of payment, ending payment deduction and 15 days casual leave annually. The Chief Estate Officer who is the nodal officer for ITW in his clarification claim that wardens can’t demand for regularization as per the contract signed at the time of hiring.

The CEO may be technically correct but one needs to look into demand with humanity. There is no denying that ever since ITW started manning traffic in capital complex, the traffic scene has vastly improved. The wardens have done decent job and have contributed a lot towards easing the traffic congestion. Apart from regularization issue, the state government should look into the remaining demands. At present ITW are reportedly paid Rs 6000 per month which is too less. Also it is unfair to deduct pay citing absenteeism as reason. Sometimes urgent family duty crops up which cannot be avoided. Government should atleast provide them proper holiday in par with a regular employees. The warden on their part should be practical enough and stop making those demands which will be difficult for the authorities to fulfill.

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---- Readers Forum ----

The centre and NE

Dear Editor,

The repeated brawl and political war between the Eastern and NE Indian state Governments and the Center will have negative impacts on the center-state relationship and the weak economy of the states of these two regions. Most states in Eastern and NE India have suffered historically due to the strong difference of opinions and political ideology between the ruling states and successive central governments post-independence. The consequence has been that the states suffered worst economic development for decades and what is more disturbing is their poor record of rapid industrialization and failure in generating employment for the young working force. The state administration has very limited opportunity to increase direct employment and has to look for private enterprise and heavy industries for generating more employment.

But the political situation in the Eastern and NE Indian states in constant warpath with central government is going to scare away any national or international initiatives for establishing credible industries in these states. The state governments need to think seriously about this and make sure that constant political agitation does not shift their principal focus from their primary objective of economic revival. Unless this happens there will be no platform available for the political parties to agitate in Eastern and NE India. If the economy deteriorates further, eastern and NE India has very little opportunity of economic development in the next three decades. It is high time that everyone caring for the states including major political stakeholders remembers that. Do the people of the region always want to support political agitation and look and wonder at the strong economic developments happening in Western, Southern and Northern India for another three decades?

Yours,

Saikat Kumar Basu

Canada

India for the privileged

Dear Editor,

The sponsors and blind admirers of demonetisation, in order to support the “historic” step by hook or by crook, are coming up with an unique theory --- “All Indians are overwhelmingly supporting it”!

I wonder, vide which methodology, have the self-declared nationalists arrived at such a conclusion! Have they conducted any national opinion poll or referendum which have reflected that indeed 100% of Indians are overwhelmingly supporting it(However even if such a poll had been conducted and votaries of demonetisation formed the brute majority, still it would have proved nothing because good or evil, truth or falsehood are not a bit dependent upon results of foolish opinion polls. Even if that stray boy, among a mass of people, had not pointed out the nakedness of the King; still he would have remained stark naked and not to forget that Hitler also found overwhelming popular support during his heyday)? Is the zealous statement of “All Indians supporting demonetisation” as jumla as “Hindi is India’s national language and all Indians have accepted it”, “Erection of Ram Temple at Ayodhya is the ultimate dream of all Hindus”, “All Indians treat Sachin Tendulkar as God of Cricket”, “The whole India had voted for the BJP to bring in ‘Good Days’ “! If anything is said long, long and convincingly enough; ultimately it becomes “true” in the mind of its listeners, isn’t it? Goebbels in the land of truth-seeker Mahatma or that of Gurudev’s who dreamt of “words coming out from the depth of truth”!

However this brain-washing programme can be viewed from another angle also. When the “God” had at last touched the statistical jargon of “Century of centuries” against Bangladesh in Asia Cup, a certain overhyped veteran Bollywood superstar tweeted “Now all Indians can go to sleep peacefully at night”! When the orbit of Mars had got attained, a highly vocal “dynamic” political leader had boasted that “India has turned elite from today”! And thanks to that very leader, we have come to know that India’s might has got proved after performing mass Yoga at Delhi’s Rajpath!

Now what do these statements prove? Yes, in a country where the overwhelming majority of the population are constantly plagued by hunger, malnutrition, illiteracy, joblessness, acute poverty, injustice, disease, child labour, bonded labour, prostitution or trafficking; all things cricket, space technology or Yoga remain at the furthest distance from their highly tortured deprived violated hungry bodies, minds and souls. Still we have to constantly hear about such “nationalist” bankrupt rhetoric, thanks to the vocal power of the Who’s Who of India’s political and entertainment sector who are all elite and affiliated to the privileged class! So we can easily deduce that either the creamy layer of the Indian society do not acknowledge the existence of the downtrodden marginal, despite being in supreme majority physically sons and daughters of India or cleverly try to sweep all the ills and failures of India under the “nationalist” carpet of 100th Century, Mars orbit or mass Yoga! And it gets scandalously and nakedly proved that India is of the privileged, for the elite, by the mighty!

Yes, this very same elite mindset is giving birth to the statements of “All Indians supporting demonetisation”. Again I say that truth or falsehood is not a bit dependent upon shrill rhetoric. So despite the much-publicised theory of “Rich are spending sleepless nights” and “Poor are enjoying sound sleep”; the hard fact remains that while the rich have not suffered a bit due to demonetisation, the poor have got affected in a disastrous fashion thanks to it. It is the poor and lower-middle class who have succumbed to death in long inhuman queues at banks or their children have passed away after getting refused medical treatment due to lack of “legal cash”. Again the suicides are being committed by the hapless poor farmers after suffering huge financial losses due to cash crunch. In contrast, the fire of demonetisation has not even touched the rich and upper middle class elite a bit. They are endowed with plastic cards, credit cards, cashless or absolutely free medical insurance. Still if they face any monetary problem, they can get over the crisis as they enjoy considerable manpower who will conduct the banking transactions on behalf of them or their influential friends will lend them money during emergency. So they can afford to enjoy the luxury of safely relaxing in the high ivory towers of their own and deliver “nationalistic” sermons in favour of demonetisation! Since the creamy layer did not have to go through the Himalayan ordeals for hours through several days on bank queues, face medical negligence or lose any family member; they had no problem in asking the non-privileged to “make sacrifices for the nation”! So despite the tragic deaths of more than 100 innocent souls; we can proudly claim that “All Indians are supporting demonetisation”! After all in this “liberal” country basking in “Good Days”; the only thing that matters is the existence and interest of the elite, privileged and mighty.

Yours,

Kajal Chatterjee,

Kolkata

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----Editor