mar15 04

2015

March 04

Police clueless on absconding rapist

Staff Reporter

SEPPA, Mar 3: Even after a week of the gruesome abduction and rape incident of two minor girls that shocked Seppa Township, the district police are still clueless on the absconding accused who is still at large. Sources from Seppa informed this daily that though the man hunt is on to arrest the accused, but the police is still clueless of his whereabouts.

The alleged inaction of police department to nab the rapist has irked the family members and the organisations in the district. The agitated family members have questioned the response of the police and the administration’s response to the incident. “This is very unfortunate that the police are unable to arrest absconding rapist even after a week” said an angry relative.

However, due to poor network this daily was not able to establish connection with any police authority in the district for confirmation.

AP Budget session from Mar 5

Itanagar, Mar 3: The budget session of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly will begin with the presentation of vote-on-account on March 5 next, Speaker Nabam Rebia said today.

Rebia, who also heads the business advisory committee, said that initially the session scheduled for nine days with three days break has been rescheduled to three working days on March 5, 9 and 10 next.

The vote on account or interim budget presents an estimate of expenditures to be sanctioned by the exchequer till a full budget is passed.

This facilitates payment of salaries of the employees and political expenditure during that period, he said. PTI

Naharlagun fire brigade fights fire at North Lakhimpur

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Responding to an emergency assistance call from North Lakhimpur Fire Station, Assam, the fire brigade from Naharlagun Fire Station rushed to North Lakhimpur town yesterday night to fight a devastating fire.

The fire fighters from Naharlagun under the command of SFO, PC Roy rushed to North Lakhimpur town with a fully equipped fire tender and fought whole night to contain the inferno along with fire fighters from North Lakhimpur. The fire was brought under control after several hours of hectic efforts at around 3.30 am.

The fire that broke out at around 10 pm, completely devastated two dry food stores of Mohan Lal Hira Lal Co. and seven rooms of Radhakrishnan flour mill located at the heart of the town.

Meanwhile, N Payeng, Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Arunachal Pradesh has commended the alert crew members from Naharlagun Fire Station and advised them to maintain the same co-operation in future.

Artisan Mela

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: An artisan mela was organized by R.K. Mossang Memorial Society at Jairampur on Feb 24. The programme was sponsored by TRIFED of India, Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 32 artisans from Khonsa, Bordumsa, Raja Nagar, Jairampur and Nampong had participated in the mela with their handloom and handicraft products. The handloom products of the Tangsas and Singphos woodcrafts and beads of the Noctes and Wanchos attracted the visiting crowd.

Org opposes allotment of daily market

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Alleging that then Deputy Commissioner of Upper Subansiri had allotted the new Daily Market Shed near Rijo ground in Daporijo to one individual and NGO, the All Tagin Youth Organisation (ATYO) strongly opposed at allotment and requested the Director Land Management to stop the process. The organisation also added that daily market shed has been source of livelihood for many local daily wage earners and they have been paying revenue regularly.

Quiz Competition results declared

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Rido Achung of Garden Dew School Itanagar, Tai Kache Govt ME School D Sector and Miss Anu Megu of Class VIII won first, second and third prizes respectively in a quiz competition organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Police, Road Safety Cell at various schools in Itanagar on the occasion of Statehood day. The first prize was given cash prize of Rs 1000 and Rs 700 and Rs 500 for second and third.

Violation of guidelines alleged

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: The All Arunachal Agriculture-Horticulture Input Suppliers Registered Dealership Association has alleged there was gross violation of the guidelines and notification issued by Govt of Arunachal Pradesh during recent concluded selection process of firms for implementing agriculture inputs incase of Tawang and Changlang district. In a letter written to the Commissioner Agriculture, it claimed that selection was done by pick and choose without floating tender thus depriving registered firm holders. It demanded the authority to recall the selection process and conduct fair and transparent bidding. The association also demanded to initiate action against the defaulters.

AKKPSA cautions against issue of fake TCs

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: All Kurung Kumey Private School Association (AKKPSA), in a release, informed that various private and government schools and schools run by NGOs are producing fake transfer certificates (TCs) without enrolment in the school and taking admission without financial clearance certificate and proper document from the previous school where the student last attended.

AKKPSA in a meeting with the management committee of various schools in the district decided that no school should take admission without proper documents and financial clearance certificate from the previous school where the student last attended failing which stringent action as per law will be initiated, the release added.

APDA condolence

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: The Arunachal Pradesh Doctors Association has mourned the untimely demise of late Dr. T Darang SMO, R.K.M.H. With his untimely demise, the people of state have lost a dedicated doctor, read a statement from the association.

We pray the almighty God to give a lot of strength and inner peace to his wife and children to take care of the vacuum left over by Late Dr. T Darang, the message added.

Renovation under RKS

Seppa, March 3: During a Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) review meeting which was held in Seppa yesterday, DC cum chairman, RKS governing body Sandeep Kumar Singh earmarked fund for infrastructures for identified mortuary room, solar lamp for new IPD building, boundary wall at main stretches vulnerable to encroachment, medicine for homeopathy, repair works among others.

He asked the medical superintendent to devise a system to ensure that items used in labour room or OT were taken care of properly and also to submit weekly report by medical officers handing delivery cases on availability of medicines of labour room.

DMO Dr. Nyage Geiyi said under RKS fund, minor purchases can be made for patients in the hospital. He stressed on the need to report to hospital on MDR cases.

Medical Superintendent Dr K Gyadi placed before the members’ lack of boundary wall, proper power supply, X-ray Machine, mortuary, staff quarters, biomedical waste disposal at the hospital. DIPRO

Capacity building programme on women leadership

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: A two-day capacity building programme on “Women Leadership and Participation” is being organised by Women Studies and Research Centre, RGU in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Chennai on March 3 and 4.

In his welcome speech, Dr. Kesang Degi, Coordinator of the programme, highlighted the importance of women participation and leadership for overall development of the society. The resource persons for the programme are Prof. Nandini C. Singh, Dr. Tage Rupa, Likha Kiran Dy. Director SIRD, Dr. B. Reena Tok, Mabi Taipodia, EAC Yupia, and Devi Baruah.

Women leaders from different parts of the state, the faculty members and research scholars of RGU attended the programme.

News Impact

Assam Orgs call for scrapping of Hydro Projects in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Thirteen Assam based organizations have called for scrapping of hydro power projects in Arunachal, in a letter to the Prime Minister of India. Inevitably if proposed dams of Arunachal are not scrapped, it has to be replaced by sustainable smaller dams, the memo read.

Calling for scrapping of major projects, the organizations drew comparison to the Uttarakhand catastrophe of June 2013. MoEF admitted that the Hydro Power dams of Uttarakhand had a great devastating impact on the catastrophe in an Affidavit in the Supreme Court in December 2014 (as a Respondent to IA No.6 of 2013,Civil Appeal No6736 of 2013).

It demand that what the Ministry of Environment Forest Climate Change (MoEFCC) is now advocating for Uttarakhand i.e. – cumulative impact assessment, longitudinal connectivity, aviral dhara (continuous flow), must be true of all Northeast dams as well.

It called for scraping the present proposed dams of Arunachal and to undertake basin wise survey of Lohit, Dibang, Siang, Subansiri to construct sustainable dams.

It further called for planning and construction of 24x7 true Run of the River (ROR) dams generating power in a sustainable way.

Major protests are inevitable unless these proposed dams of Arunachal are not scrapped, to be replaced by 24x7 sustainable dams. It also will be a travesty of justice, if the norms for Uttarakhand dams of Aviral Dhara, longitudinal connectivity, cumulative impact assessment survey of the basins etc. as being envisaged now, are not incorporated for Arunachal Dams. Natural flow of the rivers is sacrosanct for Arunachal rivers of North East India.

A basin wise cumulative impact assessment by an interdisciplinary expert group is carried out in the four valleys, ? Lohit, Dibang, Siang, Subansiri (as is now advocated by MoEFCC for Uttarakhand in its Affidavit to the Supreme Court) so that sites for the sustainable dams and other parameters can be fixed scientifically.

True Run of the River Hydro Electric Projects with natural flow of the river unhindered through the dams, must be constructed in Arunachal Pradesh to take care of the energy needs of the North East India fully and the needs of the country.

The Chinese must be told directly by the GOI and through the International Community that at no point of time ever, any scheme to divert any water from Yarlung Sangpo can be constructed by the Chinese including big reservoir dams. They can only construct true RoR sustainable Hydro Electric Projects where the river flow is not obstructed.

The signatories are All Assam Mottock Yuba Chatra Parisad, All Assam Sonowal Kachari Chatra Santha, All Assam Brihotter Asomiya Yuva Manch, Asom Yuva Parisad, Hindu Yuva Chtra Parisad, Pathar Krishak Shramik Unnayan Parishad, Kolakhowa Mising Dolang Bane Kabeng Mahasava, Bhujpuri Yuva Chatra Parisad, All Assam Kaibortta Yuva Chtra Parisad, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Sanmilan, All Assam Koch Chatra Santha, All Assam Anusuchita Jati Yuva Chatra Santha, All Assam Sanmileeta Maha Sangha.

‘Commodity Futures Trade to minimize interference of middleman’

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Stating that total removal of middleman from existing agriculture marketing chain is almost impossible, Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB) Chairman Ngurang Pinch opined that Commodity Futures Trade is one of the best options to minimize the interference of middleman and maximize farmers share on the final value of the products.

He was addressing a Capacity Building Programmes on Commodity Futures Trade and use of USSD technology of agriculture data dissemination for cardamom growing farmers, members of financial institutes of Capital Complex and officials of Department of Agriculture at Conference hall of Directorate of Agriculture, Naharlagun yesterday.

Pinch also informed the gathering about the advantage of Commodity Futures Trade for crops like cardamom.

Director, Agriculture Marketing cum CEO APAMB Mudang Butang informed about the prevailing condition and challenges of Commodity E-Trading in the state and asked officials to take full advantage of such new concept based training programmes for the benefit of farming community of the state.

Deputy Director, APAMB Anong Lego briefed on the prevailing marketing scenario and role of APMCs in and role of the marketing board of the state, importance of marketing boards and also the issue of Agri-Marketing in the state with current objective and future goals of the marketing board.

When asked about the feasibility of e-commerce trading for agriculture commodities for Arunachal Pradesh, programme coordinator Okit Palling, ADO informed that Marketing Board will take up the matter with FMC and SEBI for establishment of Trading and Warehousing Locations in Arunachal Pradesh for delivery of large cardamom variety.

The programme was organized by Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB), Department of Agriculture, Naharlagun in collaboration with Forward Market Commission (FMC), Government of India, Mumbai, Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) Mumbai. Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) under Department of Agriculture, Government of India New Delhi, Institute of Cooperative Management (ICM) Guwahati, and National Institute of Agriculture Marketing (NAIM) Jaipur.

Officials conduct land survey for Sainik School at Ruksin

Correspondent

RUKSIN, Mar 3: A team of officials from Sainik School Society (SSS) set up under Union Ministry of Defence has inspected the site for proposed Sainik School inside Industrial Growth Centre (IGC) at Niglok in East Siang district today.

The Director of SSS, Col. Rajveer Singh accompanied by administrative officer cum Principal of Sainik School, Goalpara (Assam), Captain Godwin and state government officials have conducted thorough study on feasibility of land and other prerequisites for setting up of the proposed Sainik School in the industrial complex.

The team assisted by Ruksin ADC, T Pada and industry department officials inspected all unused buildings at different blocks in the industrial estate and found the area feasible for setting up a Sainik school. As such, the officials have given a go ahead signal to the state government for establishment of the much-hyped Sainik school.

Col Rajveer Singh, who was apparently impressed by massive reception accorded by local villagers, assured the people to take all out efforts from his side for establishment of the Sainik school at the proposed location.

The ADI cum Project manager of Niglok IGC, J Riba informed the survey officials that there was adequate unused building in the industrial campus to provide temporary accommodation of classrooms and student hostel. According to him, there is available unused plots, wherein permanent school building and necessary infrastructure can be developed.

Addressing the gathering, Director Elementary Education, Bodong Yirang urged the local people to extend cooperation to the authority for early establishment of the Sainik school. Yirang, who is a native of East Siang district, recalled the contributions of the Arunachal Governor, chief minister and local political leaders for their pragmatic approach for the Sainik school.

It may be recalled that a team of state government officials led by Director Bodong Yirang during May last year visited Niglok IGC and conducted primary survey for setting up the Sainik School. The team later submitted report on availability of land for the school, hostel, dispensary and play ground besides water and electricity supply.

Ruksin block ZPM, Tonggeng Panyang in his address apprised the officials that the Murkongselek BG rail station and Military Brigade HQ at Rayang is located in close proximity, while ALG Airport at Pasighat is at 30 km distant from the area. Claiming that Niglok IGC is best suitable place for the school, the ZPM requested the officials to fulfill the long-cherished hope of the local people.

Deputy Director of Industries (Pasighat), Kaling Koyu, DDSEs- Tani Talom (Pasighat) and Obuk Panor (HQ), local Gaon Burahs and panchayat leaders also accompanied the officials during visit.

International Leo Expo at IG Park

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: The International Leo Expo organized by Northeast's one of the premier advertising agencies-cum-event management companies Leo Advertising in association with All Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Union (AAPTU) formally began at Indira Gandhi Park here on March 1. The Expo was formally inaugurated by Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Mige Kamki on Monday evening.

A good number of participants from the country and abroad, including Thailand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are taking part in the expo, which is scheduled to conclude on March 14.

Apart from these countries, products from Egypt and Turkey will also be available to the visitors.

Jewelleries and a range of flower imitations, modern decorative items etc. will be available for purchase in Thailand stalls.

The Sri Lankans have brought their world famous precious Gemstones; Jamdani, Tangail, while locally made handloom sarees of Bangladesh are available along with handloom bedcovers in the Expo.

Lovers of comfortable blankets can easily jump to the Turkish stalls and lighten their pockets happily. Traditional hand-made decorations of Egypt are the added attraction of the Expo.

Apart from these international traditional products, Jaipur's rajais, ladies kurtis, churidars, decorative lamps etc., are also receiving good response from different customers who thronged the Expo so far. Taste buds of the people of Itanagar have also been tickled by the various eateries available in the Expo.

Special attraction of the Expo this year has been the exhibition of world famous luxurious car brand Audi.

The visitors on March 1, 2 and 3 were also enthralled by the fireworks for Barpeta, Assam.

World Wildlife day observed with photo exhibition

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Along with the rest of the world, the Centre with potential for Excellence in Biodiversity, Rajiv Gandhi University observed the 2nd World Wildlife Day to reaffirm the ecological, economic, scientific, educational, ecotourism, socio-cultural, recreational and aesthetic value of wildlife and to sustainable use of wildlife resources.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. A Mitra, F&AO, RGU, said, ‘Economic development no doubt raises the per capita income of a country but it imparts a negative impact on the ecosystem’. He opined that people should adopt economic development process which provides maximum economic welfare to people but leave a minimum damage to ecosystem. He also appreciated the effort of CPEB to document and raise awareness on biodiversity in Arunachal Pradesh and suggested the gathering of scientist to start valuing the biodiversity resources of Arunachal Pradesh.

In his address, Prof. K Thyagesan, Bharatidhasan, University Tamil Nadu said that India has rich wildlife but various law enacted to protect the wildlife is not yet able to put off the loss of wildlife’. “Now, wildlife are seen only in protected areas, which is like a tiny island of wildlife and traditional hunting, poaching, commercial trade, mining, overgrazing etc are serious threats even to population of wildlife in protected areas’, he said. He further opined that until and unless all branches of government authorities, local people in villages in and around protected areas, Non Governmental Organisations, scientists, environmentalists and general public work together for pragmatic solution for conservation of our wildlife, particularly, Arunachal Pradesh as it occupies a significant position in term of biodiversity, we don’t have hope for future.

Earlier, Dr Daniel Mize, while narrating the history of birth of World Wildlife Day, informed the gathering that in December, 20, 2013, in its 68th session, United Nation General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare 3rd March, the date of adoption of CITES, as World Wildlife Day on the recommendation of Sixteenth conference of CITES parties in Bangkok, Thailand.

He also informed that purpose to proclaim 3rd March as World Wildlife Day by UN General Assembly was to provide a platform for the promotion of International and National action with regard to conservation and sustainable use of wildlife.

Among others Prof. D N Das, Dr Hui Tag, Dr. Hiren Gogoi also addressed and exhorted the young wildlife biologist to take up wildlife as profession and to contribute in the conservation of wildlife in Arunachal Pradesh through research and by educating the people.

On the occasion wildlife photo exhibition was organised by the CPEB for local wildlife photographer of the state to showcase their talent and signify the scientific value of wildlife. Mrinal Bengia, local wildlife photographer displayed his work to encourage people to take wildlife photography as profession which has huge scope in Arunachal Pradesh. Large number of visitors thronged the exhibition and appreciated the work of the Fish Biology Unit CPEB.

APSTS service from Itanagar to Kamba

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services is introducing APST bus service between Itanagar to Kamba very soon. Informing this Liromoba MLA Nyamar Karbak, termed the introduction of APST bus service to Kamba from the state capital would reduce the communication bottle neck from Kamba circle.

The service will also benefit the people of Darak circle, he added. Expressing happiness over the development, Karbak acknowledged the initiative to Parliamentary Secretary State Transport Service Jomde Kena and General Manager Abu Tayeng.

Meanwhile, as many as 17 members of Women Self Help Groups of Yomcha circle under 27th Liromoba Constituency in West Siang district have left for Darjeeling and Sikkim in a weeklong exposure tour today. The exposure tour is being sponsored by local MLA cum Chairman Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Nyamar Karbak. The women's contingent will focus on to learn the skills and the techniques of large scale organic farming, modern kitchen gardening, tea plantation, eco-tourism and large cardamom plantation.

In a statement, local MLA Nyamar Karbak informed that the self-help women's group is the first batch from his constituency and more groups will be sent in the days to come. Karbak added the whole idea of initiating and sponsoring such exposure tour is to generate entrepreneurship among the people particularly women's group in his constituency. He said that learning skills in farming and eco-tourism will make people self-reliant and economically independent without much depending on Assam for vegetables and other food grains. He exuded hope that the weeklong exposure tour will benefit not only to 17 members women group rather entire people of the area in making them self-sustainable.

Illustrious Joken Kamki no more

ITANAGAR, Mar 03: Noted social worker, public leader and Gaon Bura Joken Kamki died aged 80 on February 11 this year.

Born in 1935 at village Kamki, Kamba of West Siang, he was elected as GP member in the first ever Panchayat Raj election held in 1975 and elected twice as ASM (1980-86).

Pioneer of many, he started weaving, tailoring, horse rearing and ploughing, blacksmith in Kamki-Kamba area during 60’s and early 70’s. He was among the first persons to construct multistory RCC building as well as modified Galo house. He was the first person to introduce rice mill in his area.

He was the man behind establishment of Regional Cattle Breeding Centre, piggery, and poultry cum fodder cultivation projects under NEC Dairy Farm at Kamki during former Chief Minister Lt. Tomo Riba.

He was also played a pioneering role in establishment of Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Kamba, donated land for the Donyi-Polo Govt. College, Kamki.

He escorted Indian Army to China border and established good relationship with the Indian Army. He escorted the cultural troupes of Kamba area as a troupe leader to many parts of Arunachal and the country, like Shillong, Bangalore, Delhi etc during the tenure of former CM PK Thungon.

He also worked closely with officers and political leaders of Arunachal Pradesh, including Lt. Bakin Pertin, former CMs PK Thungon, Lt. Tomo Riba, Gegong Apang, Lt. Jarbom Gamlin, formder minister Lt. Todak Basar etc. and Lt. Governor Lt. KAA Raja.

He also served a chairman of All Arunachal Pradesh Nyibo Association during the tenure of former CM Mukut Mithi.

He left behind two wives, six sons, seven daughters, 37 grand and 15 great grand children.

All the shops and business establishments of Kamba, Kamki, Dego-Kamki, college campus remained closed on the day when his body was laid to rest, as mark of respect to the departed leader.

The family members and relatives expressed gratitude to all those who stood by them during the moment of grief and sadness.

40 youths to undergo beauty course in Noida

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: The first batch of 40 youths selected under skill development and employment generation, a flagship programme of the state government, will be leaving here today for New Delhi to undergo skill development training in beauty sector in VLCC institute in Noida.

The Institute will impart seven months training, both theory and practical, including soft skill like spoken English, communication skill, internet browsing etc. The state Govt. has signed an MoA with VLCC for imparting training and to ensure minimum of 70 per cent job placement at a minimum monthly salary of Rs.10000 immediately after successful completion of the training, informed Subu Tabin), Director, Skill Development and Employment Generation, GoAP in a release.

VLCC is imparting training for the state since last one and half year.

Director Tabin, Deputy Director K. Sarma, and Boiler Inspector/State Coordinator Kabom Nada during the sending off programme briefed the youths about the training programme and security, precautionary measures to be taken during their stay at New Delhi. They also advised the trainees to be disciplined during the training period and wished them best of luck for the training.

As many as 4500 youths from the state were selected under the flagship programme during the district level Job Melas.

Lower Dibang Valley DLMC meeting held

ROING, Mar 3: The 26th District Level Monitoring Committee meeting of Lower Dibang Valley District was held at Roing today.

During the meeting, all the work departments presented their upto date project status and some of the concerned officials informed that there are some projects like ‘Augmentation of Water Supply Project (RIDF), C/o Hunli-Desali Road (RIDF) could not be completed due to non receipt of further installment of fund.

Chairing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman, DLMC Shiv Kumar directed all the work departments to complete the projects in time without compromising the quality of work and submit the utility certificate in time. He also directed them to remain in the work site for proper technical guidance to ensure the quality.

Later, the DLMC members inspected under construction CC Road and drainage in Roing Township executed by PWD, UD & Housing departments. The members expressed their dissatisfaction on one stretch of CC Road near Helipad under UD & Housing department and directed the concerned officer for corrective measure. The team also inspected construction of CC road and culvert under PWD and appreciated the work. They also urged the PWD Officer to keep up the quality of work and informed that administrative officers have been engaged against different location for close and proper monitoring of CC Road.

Earlier, M Dirchi, DPO-cum-member Secretary DLMC highlighted the importance of DLMC. The meeting was attended by ZPC Sipi Elapra, ZMPs, Superintendent of Police, Head of Work depts., Circle Officers, RA of DPO Office. DIPRO

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---- Readers Forum ----

Railway Budget 2015-16

Dear Editor,

Though Hon’ble Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has announced lot new of facilities like online booking of wheelchair, Lifts and escalators for senior citizens, for differently-abled and patients at select stations & also edible food which can be booked online with IRCTC services, we have to wait and watch whether they would be implemented in the same spirit and alacrity with which these announcements have been made and also without compromising on quality! Also keeping in mind the existing level of penetration of smart phones in India, an announcement had been made about the ease of unreserved ticket purchase through smart phones and debit cards. But still a substantial percentage of population is illiterate and ignorant of 3R (reading, writing, arithmetic).They don’t possess or know to use smart phone or plastic cards. In some cases there are people with locomotor disability or stroke patients who are unable to use their hands and fingers. Though embracing technology is a progressive approach, let us not forget we need to have an inclusive approach.

Yours,

T S Karthik

Chennai 87

Culture of Convenience!

Dear Editor,

The recent move by the Kabu villagers in West Siang district is to be lauded and welcomed by every conscious citizen for greater good and larger interest of the society. It has been decided by the village council that in case of a death in a particular house in the village, the mourners or visitors would not bring with them alcohol. Henceforth, no kind of alcohol like beer, rum whisky etc would be allowed to be brought to the house, where a death has happened. Of late, it has been observed that this peculiar and new found trend of bringing beer case etc has been on the rise in the region- reasons best known to the people. God knows who started it, but the trend has picked up in and around the Aalo township and is sending across a wrong message to the youngsters, especially. It has risen to such an extent that it seems now mandatory to bring along with you such things if you desire to visit that particular house, even if you just wish to pay your last respect to the deceased by your physical presence. It had never been in the Galo society this way, as widely and mindlessly practised these days. In the name of culture some rich and high ranking people are thrusting on new trends in the society at the whims and fancies of their own, which will surely have its negative and widespread ramifications in the future. There must be a limit to such mindless and ‘modern’ ritual and there must be guidelines in place for it. At the most what used to be the tradition, according to the elders, was to assemble in solaridity at the ill fated family’s house to give them moral support and as a show of sol aridity for the unfortunate death of the member. The ladies would collect fire woods for the household and bring along with them some pokas(locally made brew) so that it can tend to the needs of the villagers who would be guarding the dead body overnight to be laid to rest the next day, and looking after the arrangements for the last rites like digging of the grave etc.

But it has become a trend, a widely practised ritual and getting more & more fashionable day by day. In the name of giving solace to the family, people gather in the house and play cards the whole night. Under the influence of alcohol they soar the decibel level of noise pollution high, often get into brawling and strangers totally unrelated to the family come over and join the group as if it were some sort of a ‘celebration’. Scenes of these ‘mourners’ bursting into occasional cheap jokes over innumerable glasses of whiskeys they gulp down so happily, is hardly indicative of the ‘mourning stage’ they are suppose to be in. It happens in total disregard to the dead body and the pain and the sense of loss the family is undergoing. Scenes of them occasionally bursting into laughter, cracking cheap jokes and sitting outside the house in the bonfire lit, carrying on with their card session is a common sight, totally unmindful of the loss the family has suffered. This ‘happy session’ happens in total disregard to what the family is going through inside, sitting beside the dead body. So much so that they insist for brand of their choice. Isn’t it an outright insult to the grief stricken family? My question to these ‘sympathisers’ is simple- If you have come to be a part of the grief that the unfortunate family has suffered, the sorrow that has befallen them, be with them genuinely, with a pure heart. Take humbly whatever is being served to you, why insist for a brand of your choice at such hours ! These are the things people must change. Readymade answer from this good-time visitors, when confronted is- as the family is already in shock we can ill afford to be in the same mood, hence, lets neutralise it and make the mood lighter ! But at what cost ? Is this the way of making the mood lighter? Neutralise or brutalise? On the contrary these very people will not set a single step in a house where some unnatural death happens, like deaths due to accident or suicide etc. It’s a taboo to visit such houses, fearing ill effect or evil effect ! The ill fated family is left to fend for themselves when the help and solace is needed the most. Questions to ponder over!

There must be an attitudinal change in all these aspects and people have to amend their perceptions. Coming to the earlier point, Apex body like Galo Welfare Society must make positive interventions and come out with (do’s and don’ts) regarding this. ‘Kabu Model’ as we can call it, should be adopted by all the villages in and around the Aalo Township as a starter and must be strictly adhered to.

The reform must come early or else the future generation will be a confused lot of youngsters who will not be able to differentiate between celebration and tragedy. Let’s think about it.

Yours,

Raja Jini

Yoji Jemen Colony, Aalo

Thank you

Dear Editor,

With this letter I would like to thank all the people of Yazali and the Officer in Command (OC) of Border Road Organization (BRO) 119 RCC Yazali for timely help which dozed off the fire in time with no casualty on the early morning of 18th February.

On the early morning of 18th February 2015, a huge fire suddenly erupted in my residence in Yazali market which engulfed my house along with household properties completely. Some partial damages also occurred to my shop and nearby buildings. The inferno could have been disastrous but with the help of Yazali Public and the Officer in Command (OC) of Border Road Organization (BRO) 119RCC GREF Yazali, the fire was dozed off safely without any casualty for which I am very thankful.

Yours,

Taba Tekhi

Yazali market

************************************

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----Editor

---- Editorial ----

Dangerous alliance

With PDP and BJP coming together to form the next government in Jammu & Kashmir, the state is awaiting interesting time in days to come. The coming together of two parties whose ideologies are poles apart is both interesting as well as dangerous. Their alliance has been termed as meeting of "North Pole and South Pole" by PDP Patron and newly elected Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. If things don't work out properly it can have catastrophic effect on the future of state.

To make matter more complicated separatist turned politician Sajjad Gani Lone was sworn in as the cabinet minister from the BJP quota. Coming together of many parties and personalities with varied ideologies will pose serious challenges to the functioning of government. They will have to evolve consensus on various contentious issues for the betterment of the society. It looks like both PDP and BJP have already started working in this direction. Just after assuming office of Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday praised the Hurriyat, Pakistan and militants for allowing successful elections in the state. Even though opposition parties strongly criticized his statement ally BJP reacted with caution. In normal circumstances BJP which consider themselves as nationalist party could have ripped part Mufti for such statement.