July 03
Situation remains grim, stranded passengers airlifted
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: Heavy downpour over the past few days crippled the state in surface communication as landslides and flash floods were reported in several places.
The Sagalee Additional Deputy Commissioner informed that over hundred passengers from Seppa (East Kameng district) were stranded at Sagalee on Sunday after the bridges over Papi and Pang rivers at the entry point of Sagalee were washed away by flood water.
Stranded passengers were accommodated in the Inspection Bungalow, while some were accommodated at former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki's private residence, under the management of Rural Development Parliamentary Secretary Mama Natung, who was also among the stranded commuters.
On Sunday, sensing critical condition of two patients, Parliamentary Secretary Natung requisitioned a helicopter and airlifted over 20 stranded passengers from Sagalee to Naharlagun. The passengers included four patients, three children, women and students.
There are also multiple landslides reported on the stretch of Sagalee-
Two dwelling houses at Santi Colony, Sagalee were reportedly damaged due to heavy landslide on July 1. However, there have been no reports of loss of life.
Similar blockades are reported at Hoj-
The District Administration of Papum Pare has also restricted traffic movement at
Popu-
Though it is reported that authorities are on war footing, restoration may take a few more days due to inclement weather.
In West Kameng district, flood situation reportedly subsided with low density of rainfall. However, frequent mudslides are being reported due to new earth cutting at Jamiri and causing inconvenience to commuters. The district administration has set up 24X7 emergency operating room or report center at DC's office for natural calamity related reports.
The River Kameng at Seppa is also reportedly flowing over the danger level. Few dwelling houses at Santipur, New Seppa and Kameng Tampa, pigsties and toilet sheds along Kameng river bank were reportedly damaged by the rising water level.
Deputy Commissioner Rajeev Takuk has sounded high alert to all the denizens residing at vulnerable locations, including river banks, and asked them to shift to safer locations. He further asked the people to be vigilant and not to venture into rivers for drifting wood. By evening, the DC informed that water level has receded.
In Tezu (Lohit district), sources informed that though water level is rising gradually,
there is no flood-
There are also reported major blockades in the areas of New Anaya and Arzoo caused by road construction work on the highway. However, traffic is flowing smoothly as the roads are being cleared wherever required by the concerned companies, who are working on the particular site.
The Deputy Commissioner of Lower Dibang Valley district has strictly directed all concerned representatives of the companies to keep the road free from any blockages for the convenience of the public.
There are no major blockades in the road from Roing to Anini.
Rains damage Barapani Bridge, traffic to be affected
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: Heavy downpour for the last couple of days has caused sinking of ground beneath the Barapani Bridge in Naharlagun,prompting the district administration to prohibit plying of heavy vehicles on the bridge.
During heavy rainfall, the rainwater seeps into the bridge through the gaps on its surface and loosens the ground beneath it. A tree next to the bridge had also collapsed on Saturday evening, due to the continuous sinking underneath the bridge.
On Sunday, Power Department workers and officials were undertaking the repair work of the electric pole next to the bridge.
'Branches of the tree which fell down last night had latched on to the side of the bridge with the help of the electric wires running parallel to the bridge, so when it fell, it slightly damaged the bridge,' said JE (Power) T T Tara, adding that they have been trying since Sunday morning to shift the electric pole to a safer place nearby.
'Given the rate at which the ground is sinking here, the pole could give in any time soon', the JE further said, pointing towards the rapidly sinking ground under the bridge.
Presently, repair works have not begun at the bridge owing to the rainy weather and rising level of the river water. Moreover, it will be difficult for the repair work to commence soon as the rains are showing no signs of abating any time soon.
Separate time zones
Monday Musing
[ Tongam Rina ]
Chief Minister Pema Khandu in an interview with Hindustan Times spoke on the need for a separate time zone for the region to improve work efficiency and save electricity.
"We get up as early as 4 am… Several daylight hours are wasted as government offices open only at 10 AM and close at 4 PM," he told the newspaper.
For years, the debate regarding a separate time zone has been on but there is major reluctance on the part of the centre to heed to these demands.
The matter has even reached the Gauhati High Court but the Court threw out the public interest litigation.
In 2012, the Indian Institute of Advance Studies, based in Bangalore suggested that Indian Standard Time is advanced by half an hour.
According to the institute, this would help India save 2.7 billion units of electricity every year so there seems to be logic and scientific backing.
Even the Planning Commission had recommended two time zones for the country to save energy. Off course, the recommendations were never seriously taken up.
But things seems to be looking up for those keen to have different time zones as the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is assessing the feasibility of having different time zones in the country to give scientific inputs.
According to reports, the study is expected to cover the overall impact, especially on the transportation system.
One is not sure how separate time zones are going to change the work efficacy, especially for Arunachal where most offices have set their own time and even moving back or forwarding the time zone is going to have little effect on them.
But if one wants to, there are always ways to make use of its daylight.
Many schools, mostly crowded government schools, in order to accommodate students, finish the first shift by 11 AM, making full use of daylight.
And many vegetable vendors in Itanagar are group IV government employees. They are done selling vegetables much before the 10 AM office opening time.
While it will be better if we have two or three time zones in order to save energy, but on the other hand, efficiency has nothing to do with sun light or darkness. Most Nordic countries have limited light during winters but that has not stopped them from performing well in almost all sectors.
Road rage in Itanagar, driver shoots bystander
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: In a brazen act of daylight shooting, a young man was hit by a bullet that was fired by an angry driver.
Reportedly, a white SUV (Fortuner) shot at a Tata Sumo taxi when it was reversing
to park. The bullet deflected from the front left fender of the Sumo and hit 18-
The incident took place on Sunday at around 5.20 AM at the Ganga Sumo Stand in Itanagar.
Speaking to this daily, Tama said that he was speaking to his mother on the phone when he felt something hard hit on the right side of his chest. He realised he was hit by a bullet only after onlookers told him that he was bleeding through his shirt. Tama immediately requested a man to offer him a ride to the Rama Krishna Mission Hospital as it was close by.
However, the required doctor was not available at the time and he was referred to Heema Hospital. Currently stable, Tama is expected to undergo surgery to dislodge the bullet from his ribcage.
The young man had arrived in the Capital to seek admission in Dera Natung Government College and was leaving for Daporijo on Sunday morning after submitting his documents.
His family in Itanagar has lodged an FIR in the Itanagar Police Station and requested the Police Department to find the culprit at the earliest.
"This shows that such incidents could happen to just about anyone. The Home Department should install CCTV cameras around the Capital Complex so that such culprits are not allowed to harm anyone and get away with it", the family said.
The Sumo driver also told this daily that he was reversing his car when the white SUV, coming from Chandranagar side, honked for passage. Merely seconds after the taxi gave way, the SUV driver allegedly took out a gun and took aim at the taxi driver.
"When I gestured him to calm down, he took aim at the front left fender of my vehicle and fired at it. But it was raining heavily and I did not realise that my vehicle was shot at until I reached home."
The Sumo driver found out that his vehicle had been shot at when he received calls that a bystander was hit by the bullet that deflected off his taxi.
The driver has also filed an FIR under section 307 IPC, read with section 27 Arms Act at the Itanagar Police Station.
According to eyewitnesses, the Fortuner sped off towards Jollang before anyone could react to it.
The police informed that all check nakas in and around the Capital Complex have been alerted to identify the white Fortuner, which is reportedly without a number plate.
The police said that they have CCTV footage to identify the vehicle and the driver would be arrested soon for endangering the lives of others.
NH 415 restoration within two days, Itanagar-
Staff Reporter
NAHARLAGUN, Jul 2: Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Prince Dhawan informed that the NH 415 near Dree Ground will be restored in two days time.
Reportedly, the PWD Highway has started the restoration work at Dree Ground on NH-
Naharlagun Division PWD Highway Executive Engineer, Nani Tath said that the department has deployed numerous heavy machineries to clear the road.
He said that they are working day and night to make the road thorough and also taking support of M/S T K Engineering group.
Meanwhile, the Jullang road, which is currently the only standing lifeline to connect Itanagar and Naharlagun, is in a pitiful condition.
In several points along the Jullang road,mudslides have caused considerable damage.The commuters who are already facing a difficult time due to blockade of NH 415 are having a tough time travelling through Jullang.
Even though the state government declared the said stretch as bypass road, the condition speaks something else.
PWD Parliamentary Secretary, Techi Kaso along with Chief Engineer PWD Katung Wahge and other engineers of the Capital Division PWD B on Sunday visited the said stretch and inspected the condition of the road.
The PWD Chief Engineer said that at this juncture it is not possible to start the renovation and repair works due to monsoon fury.
He informed that the government has allotted fund for construction of bypass road and tender process for the complete renovation and repairing have been completed. Work awarding process will be initiated shortly and work will start as soon as the monsoon season ends.
Further, he informed that an excavator has been kept on standby to clear land and mudslide.
When his attention was drawn toward a sinking culvert near Pagatara, the Chief Engineer said that it was due to earth cutting on the upper ridge, and the culvert needs to be raised. He said that the administration needs to take care of it.
Meanwhile, Disaster ManagementParliamentary Secretary, Kaling Moyong, along with
government officials of concerned department on Sunday inspected various rain damaged
areas in Chandranagar, relief camp at Gyan Ganaga Vidya Peeth, damaged road near
Dree Ground, Papu Nallah-
Moyong informed that he would submit the rain/flood damaged report to the Chief Minister for necessary action soon.
Protest against Chinese intrusion
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: The Bharatiya Tibet Sahayog Manch Mahila Bibag of Arunachal Pradesh (BTSMMBAP) held a protest rally at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar to observe 'black day' against the recent intrusion by China at Sikkim and burnt the effigy of Chinese forces.
The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) is observing the 'black day' across the nation to condemn the act of Chinese forces that were reportedly seen in a video, trying to enter India through Sikkim. The party was also against reports of obstructing the Kailash Mansorovar Yatra.
Terming the act 'cowardly', the BTSMMBAP said that North eastern states will always remain integral parts of India and appealed to the citizens to show patriotism and condemn the act of the Chinese forces.
Dree celebration in Itanagar begins
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: Dree Festival celebration in Itanagar began with inauguration of food festival and cultural programme at Dree Ground, Papu Nalah.
Inaugurating the food festival, Chairman Food & Civil Supply Ramjo Pordung appreciated the Apatani community for their hardworking nature and said that they can be the role model for many Arunachalees in various fields, including education and in maintaining tradition and culture.
Later in the evening, APWWS Advisor Jarjum Ete inaugurated the cultural programme. She exhorted womenfolk to come forward and work for preservation and promotion of traditional culture.
The final matches of volleyball competition for both men and women were also held.
In the Men's category, HBKT Club lifted the Trophy defeating Hero's Club (Runners up).
Hano-
State doctors observe Doctor's Day
ITANAGAR, Jul 1: The doctor's fraternity in the state celebrated Doctor's Day on Saturday at the state Banquet Hall, which was jointly organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Arunachal state branch and the Arunachal Pradesh Doctor's Association (APDA).
The day is celebrated nationwide to honour the legendary physician and second chief minister of West Bengal, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, and also to mark his birth and death anniversary.
Speaking at the event, IMA Arunachal State Branch President, Dr Lobsang Tsetim said, "This day is dedicated to all doctors to remind ourselves of the responsibility that is bestowed on us. We have to reflect it in our careers and redirect ourselves on to the ethical path of healing those in need".
The IMA Arunachal State Branch also submitted a memorandum to the state government through Education Minister Honchum Ngandam.
IMA Arunachal state branch General Secretary, Dr Jego Ori appealed to the state government for an IMA house in the state capital at par with other states to facilitate in accommodating guest lecturers for the Tomo Riba Institute for Health & Medical Sciences, and doctors visiting the state.
Later, APDA president Dr B Natung also submitted a memorandum appealing to the state government to appoint a senior doctor of the state for the post of Director Health Services, instead of appointing an IAS officer.
The Education Minister in his deliberation assured to take up the matters with the Chief Minister and lauded the doctors for their contribution to the health sector.
Pointing out their importance, he stated that health and education are those two sectors which are related to every individual. While one is a life saving department the other one is important for human resource development.
Earlier, Dr Mari Basar, retired senior surgeon of Tomo Riba State Hospital, was awarded the APDA Lifetime Achievement Award. The APDA also felicitated Arunachal Vivekananda Yuva Shakti (AVYS) for their contribution to the state in terms of blood donation. The association further felicitated guest faculty MCH (CTVS) Dr Arvind Bishnoi and DM (Cardiologist) Dr Indra Kuladhipati.
The main attraction of the event was a group dance by the senior lady doctors of Tomo Riba State Hospital.
Meanwhile, the doctors from Miao and Kharsang circles of Changlang district were felicitated for their services rendered to humanity on the occasion of Doctor's Day, organized by KBM Hospital, Injan of Miao Diocese on Sunday.
Chancellor of Miao Diocese, Father Joy Manikathan described doctors as god's answer to people's prayer for good health.
Chief Medical Officer from Miao Government Primary Health Centre, Dr Hanson Jongsam lauded the KBM Hospital for organizing the programme and hoped that the hospital would grow to meet all medical needs of people of Changlang and other districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Doctors from KBM Hospital, Dr Sudip Bhattacharya, Dr Rose Tom and financial administrator of Miao Diocese, Father Edvin Prabhu were present on the occasion.
Earlier, children from Mother Theresa School, Kharsang and Newman School, Neotan, along with staff and nurses from KBM Hospital honoured the doctors with a cultural programme.
Arunachal girls win regional round K-
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: Arunachal girls Janeth Pinggam (14) and Sophia Michi (14) won the
vocal category of Assam Regional Round of the K-
Janeth is a student of Royal Academy School, Itanagar while Sophia is from VKV Itanagar.
Both Janeth and Sophia have qualified for the finals to be held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on July 29.
They will be joined by two finalists each from the contests to be held in Dimapur and Aizawl.
The winners of the contest will vie for top spots in the 6th World K-
K-
Kim Kum Pyoung, Director Korean Cultural Centre and Priyanka Mazumdar, winner of
K-
Mudang Omo and Taku Yami win Dree marathon
ZIRO, Jul 02: Mudang Omo and Taku Yami won the men's and women's marathon organized by the Central Dree Festival Committee (CDFC) on Sunday to mark the golden jubilee Dree celebration.
Both Mudang and Taku took equal time of 62 minutes to cover the distance of 17 km (for men) and 10 km (for women). The route for the race was drawn to touch entire Apatani villages of the Valley.
The winners of both the sections were awarded cash prize of Rs 10,000 each, with trophies.
Hiinyo Novin (69 min) and Tage Koji (72 min) finished in second and third place in men's section.
In women's section, Mudang Kanya (68 min) and Taru Sunia (68.5 min) took the second and third positions.
All the second and third place finishers were awarded cash prize of Rs 5000 and Rs 3000 respectively with trophies.
There were consolation prizes of Rs 1,000 each for the top ten finishers.
Pura Duri Minu was awarded Rs 2000 for being the senior-
Prizes to the winners were distributed by senior citizens of the plateau Millo Bakhang and Tailyang Bakhang.
More than 150 runners participated in the race, which was flagged off by local MLA Tage Takiand CDFC Chairman Tapi Batt.
Anshu felicitated by SBI
MUMBAI, Jul 2: Ace mountaineer Anshu Jamsenpa was felicitated by State Bank of India in a function held on Saturday at Nehru Centre,Mumbai.
The function coincided with 62nd Bank Day celebration.
Anshu received a citation and cash award of Rs5 lakh from SBI Chairperson, Arundhati Bhattacharya.
SBI was one of the major sponsors of Anshu's Double Ascend Mt Everest Expedition 2017,wherein she created a new world record by climbing Mt Everest twice in five days.
She extended her gratitude to the SBI family,especially CGM PVLSN Murthy for the moral and financial support. She added that an empowered woman can help empower other women.
Speaking on the occasion, SBI Chairperson Arundhati lauded Anshu for making India proud by unfurling the national flag on top of Mount Everest. She said that SBI is always there to support outstanding sports persons, social workers and entrepreneurs.
Sona visits KGBV Mechukha
MECHUKHA, Jul 2: Government Spokesperson and Parliamentary Secretary (Tourism) Pasang Dorjee Sona on Sunday paid a maiden visit to Kasturba Gandhi BalikaVidyalaya, Mechukha.
Sona interacted with the students and staff and assured to sanction fund for construction
of permanent CC boundary wall of the school. He lauded the Onge Welfare Society for
imparting quality education and running the school smoothly in Mechuka sub-
Jomlo-
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: Jomlo-
Taga, who also is the local MLA, informed this during his visit to the village on July 1.
Addressing a public gathering in the village, the Minister assured that the village
will be taken up during the current financial year, and assured the villagers of
providing better road connectivity, safe and clean drinking water supply, sanitation
and installation of high-
The Minister also took stock of the district administration's preparedness and measures adopted to deal with any natural calamity during this monsoon.
AEF to offer free education to 50 students
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: Alva's Education Foundation (AEF), Moodbidri, Mangalore (Karnataka) has decided to offer free education to 50 selected students of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland in response to an approach made by Governor P B Acharya.
The Foundation will provide education fees of the selected students worth Rs 50,000 (per student), along with free accommodation facility. However, they will have to bear the charges for food, books, uniforms and university fees.
The AEF offers various degree and post graduate courses.
NWS felicitates meritorious students
ITANAGAR, Jul 2: The Nabam Welfare Society (NWS) has felicitated meritorious students of Nabam family, who have shown brilliant results in class X and XII examinations this year.
Those felicitated were Nabam Rilum, Nabam Kuku, Nabam Nukum, Nabam Yaji, Nabam Biro, Nabam Taji and Nabam Nyera Hina (class X), Nabam Leemi (Hum), Nabam Yamin and Nabam Meni (Sc) (Class XII).
NEET qualifiers Nabam Yamin and Nabam Raj Hina were also felicitated on the occasion.
Former Chief Minister and Sagalee MLA Nabam Tuki gave away the citations and cash award/scholarship to the students at a function at Siddhartha hall here on Sunday.
Tuki advised the students to devote their time and energy to study for academic excellence and achieve their desired goals in life.
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All rights reserved.
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Monsoon rain exposes state government
The monsoon fury has hit the state hard with capital region facing the maximum heat. Portion of NH 415 near Dree Ground has been washed away by the torrential rain. Landslide and mudslide has been reported from various parts of capital complex. Heavy rain has caused massive devastation. Every year during monsoon large scale devastation is caused but unfortunately no one seems to learn any lesson. Be it government agencies or public everyone takes the things for granted. As soon as monsoon ends, the citizens as well as government forget everything.
This is the root cause of the problem. It is well known that majority of the disasters that strike during monsoon in capital region are manmade. Erratic earth cutting and construction of houses by blocking natural drain are some of the major reasons of the incidents. Successive deputy commissioners including present DC have miserably failed to check the rampant illegal earth cutting. Also capital administration is well aware of the fact that Jullang road is the only alternate road to connect Itanagar and Naharlagun. But they have failed to properly repair it before the onset of monsoon. Now there is every possibility that Jullang road may also be blocked due to landslide and mudslide. The monsoon fury has totally exposed the hollow claim of state government who constantly claims to be ready to face any challenges. There is urgent need for state government need to come up with a proper blue print to deal with natural disaster.
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The Everyday language of Sexual Violence
Dear Editor,
There is a very common and casual language of violence and insensitivity, mainly
boys but not specific to them alone, among youth in the capital. I was a witness
to such use of language a few days back and as such I felt the need to recount the
incident. So a few days back I had gone to a Pool room where a group of boy were
getting involved in a lot of casual talk and other stuffs that boys tends to do when
they are in a group. There was also a match going on between two of them and as we
were watching them play, some of us were messing and joking around with each other.
As all of this was going on, one of the players goes out and while standing at the
door asks a few girls passing by “Behen lug, kaha jarai?” -
Yours,
Thangkhansuan Gualnam
Not really an outsider after all
Dear Editor,
Your esteemed daily represents the essence of what our State truly stands for: simple and diverse. In the clamor of chaotic mass media it is the reviews and the articles of this daily on which we rely for authentic, critical, unbiased and undistorted information. Like every other morning I happened to dive into the articles, first thing when my intoxicatingly polite newspaper boy delivered the day’s issue of The Arunachal Times.
This is in reference to the article, ‘Hollow promises and lack of accountability’ (AT, June 19). Taba Ajum happens to be one of the most candid journalists who would elucidate the flaws in the government machinery without being allusive. As usual he brought home his point with the introductory remark wondering why politicians of our State are never held accountable for their miserable performance. According the said piece, Chief Minister Pema Khandu chose to ditch the precarious issue concerning Lower Siang and instead wholeheartedly devoted his energy personally monitoring the massive management put in honor of the Dalai Lama in Tawang and West Kameng districts, earlier this year.
Before emphasizing my views I should be clarifying that the purpose of this write-
If you ever had a chance to visit Tawang or Bomdila you couldn’t deny the boundless reverence the people over have for His Holiness. The veneration for him would be palpable even to an outright atheist. No other force has such power to make young and the old across the road less international border to take arduous trek through the mountains, away from their homes. He may be, by virtue of being a Tibetan, an outsider to the State and to the country. But, for many across the snow clad peaks, he is very much a part of them; in their consciousness, in their prayers, in their faith, in their belief and in their hope. And with a single stroke of a word you have questioned the very legitimacy of that hope.
Having been to his sermon just months ago, this brief write-
But I rather blame it on my fondness for the early morning articles and admiration for its distinguished authors especially Tongam Rina and of course, Taba Ajum.
Yours,
Passang Tsering,
Itanagar
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