School bus overturns, children, teachers injured
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: At least dozen of students sustained injury when a School Bus overturned near Shiv Mandir along NH415 on Sunday morning. The school bus bearing registration number As01N-2352 was carrying students from Little Angel School, Ganga village Itanagar.
Accident reportedly occurred around 8:15 AM when the bus with 28 people on board including 19 school children and six teachers were going to attend a function at Town Baptist Church, Doimukh.
Injured teachers and children were immediately rushed to Heema and RK Mission Hospitals, here.
Police source informed that driver identified as K.F Ivesh has been arrested for negligent driving and a case registered with Police station, Itanagar.
Abstain from disrupting road construction: Pul
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: Taking note of the repeated instances of drunk youths misbehaving with the workers and disrupting the highway work, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has appealed to the youths, especially those trouble mongers to abstain from doing so and allow the developmental works to carry on.
Pul was inspecting the ongoing carpeting, upgradation and maintenance of road stretch from Itanagar to Banderdewa on Sunday morning.
While directing the law enforcing authority to strictly deal with the trouble makers, Pul said, “Good road is public property and will be used by all”.
Inspecting the ongoing carpeting works, the CM appreciated the contractor. “The dedication and sincerity shown by the work agency and the contractor deserves applaud from all sections of the society” Pul said. He further encouraged workers for their dedication and assured to initiate welfare measures for them.
Taking serious note of road side bumps and heaps of mud which eventually results in damage of road and minimised road width, the CM asked the department to immediately clear it. He instructed for construction of proper drainage system which is another main reason for damage to roads.
The CM also appealed the locals to stop rampant earth cutting along the National Highway, state and sectoral roads which have taken the toll of the road stretch.
“Earth cutting and dumping of mud along the road side pose severe threat of landslide during rainy season and the worst sufferers are the land owner themselves as their land and properties get badly damaged besides causing road blockades for commuters, he observed. CM appealed them to take the responsibility of disposing the debris and mud themselves. CM also instructed the district administration to ensure that debris are immediately cleared to make way for a healthy and all weather road.
Although national highways are funded by the central government, a collective approach and support from all stakeholders is the need of the hour, he added.
The compensation issues should be tactfully dealt with a positive approach of having an all-weather road for the state. “Our people should understand this necessity and come to a conclusion to allow the development works to take place in smooth and congenial atmosphere” he asserted. Pul reiterated that district and administrative block roads would also be given equal importance and made all weather roads in the days to come.
Expressing concern over the growing traffic congestion in the Capital region, CM directed the PWD to immediately renovate the alternate route from Jullang to ease out the traffic. He further said that Government would work out and alternate route through the Donyi Polo Mission School to connect the rest of the capital region soon so that the potential economic zone of the area could be made good use of.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has called for immediate submission of DPRs of vital roads in the state to the MoRTH for early sanction. Pul said this in a series of meetings convened with Highway Engineers and district administration regarding National Highways construction in the state. The CM disclosed that he would also impress upon the Central ministry for expediting the projects.
Expressing a positive gesture from the Centre, Pul said, “Arunachal is one of the most important state considering the strategic international borders with China, Bhutan and Myanmar. It is therefore onus of the central government that Arunachal Pradesh is given importance in all spheres”.
Gender based violence and need for change in perspective
[ Junroi Mamai ]
Even as we celebrated Women’s Day this March 8 and continued our tirade in favour of gender equity, women all over the world are struggling hard for their basic rights and safety in their respective homes, neighbourhood, school and workplace.
There is an alarming increase in the number of crimes against women in recent times in our state too. What is more upsetting is the fact that most of victims are minor girls.
‘In most of the cases, the perpetrators of crimes are emboldened by the fact that the child will be unable to speak up about the atrocity, out of fear’, said Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) legal advisor Kani Nada while citing the instance of child abuse case in a private school at Geku last year, where a teacher was involved in sexually assaulting a six year old student.
‘Teachers of the school where the incident happened had intimidated the child into withholding the truth about her ordeal. Here, parents have a critical role to play in preventing sexual abuse of their child, they need to keep reinforcing their child for keeping communication channel open’, she suggested.
According to the APSCW annual report, a total of 9 cases of rape, sexual harassment, molestation and sexual exploitation against women have been reported in the state between 2014-15.
In the current year, a total of 7 cases of crimes against girl child including trafficking, rape, attempt to rape and molestation have been reported in the months of January and February alone. These data clearly show that incidences of crime against women and girl child have risen drastically and should have set alarm bells ringing about the safety of girl child in our state.
But sadly, the state police force is ill equipped to handle cases relating to crime against women. Moreover, there is lack of women police stations and juvenile units for appropriate handling of such cases.
APSCW Vice Chairperson Nabam Yabang had also rued shortage of women police personnel in the state’s police stations. ‘We often find male officers and personnel instead of women police handling sexual assault cases. The state police need to depute more women personnel,’ she stated.
Yabang said that not only should the police force need to be sensitive while dealing with such cases, they should also be well-informed about laws like Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act.
She further emphasised the need for the parents and the society to change their perspective on sexual abuse to ensure speedy trial and justice.
Sometimes atrocities against women are justified as customary practice and sometimes parents suppress such issues fearing social stigma. We need to change this notion for our women and children to protest and speak up against any kind of sexual abuse without the fear of being stigmatised, Yabang said.
Women in our state also face gender bias over issues like marriage, property rights and family honour. The issue is implicitly responsible for curtailment of women’s rights and encouraging more crimes against them. A total of 130 cases of various atrocities against women were recorded in APSCW’s annual report including domestic violence, forced or child marriage, trafficking, polygamy, sexual harassment, rape, molestation, kidnapping during 2011- 15. These dismal statistics should serve as an eye opener for all of us and those in authority to initiate change, both in terms of perspective and action to prevent crimes against women and girl child in our state.
Take Likabali-Daporijo route: DC
[ Karda Natam ]
DAPORIJO, Mar 13: Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner has suggested all the motorists to take the road via Likbali to reach Daporijo as the alternative route to reach the district headquarters at Lidu colony have become unusable.
The alternative road is in deplorable condition which has become totally unusable for motor vehicle, the DC said. The repairing work is going on and will take some time, the DC told this reporter.
Meanwhile, dwellers of Lidu Colony cleaned the garbage and repaired the colony road which got damaged after it was used as alternative route to reach Daporjo, post Sigin bridge collapse.
Colony Secretary Mayum Dobin also appealed to the local residents not to ply vehicles on the road until the maintenance work is over. He hoped the work would be completed within a week.
Meanwhile, the colony dwellers appealed to the higher authority for improvement of the road as early as possible, especially keeping in mind that Daporijo, being fire prone, there must be easy access of fire fighting vehicles to every colony.
Strengthen Adi-Mising relationship: Moyong
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Mar 13: Pasighat East MLA Kaling Moyong on Sunday called upon the people of Assam and Arunachal to maintain cordial relations to ensure communal harmony in the inter-state boundary areas.
Attending the concluding programme of 62nd -Central Ali Aye Ligang celebration at Jonai, Assam, MLA Moyong urged the people of both sides to foster unity and integrity for socio-economic development of the boundary area.
“The communities living at both sides should extend cooperation to each other in case of any need and any problems pertaining to communal tension and disputes should be solved through proper negotiation”, Moyong said.
Highlighting the relation between Adi and Misings, Moyong said that Adi and Mising belong to a single community, but majority of the Misings dwelling on plain lands were separated after a political separation. He requested the Mising brethren to extend their every possible cooperation to the Adi people living in the bordering state and work for strengthening the existing bond between the two communities.
Stressing on the need for preservation of age-old traditional cultures for ethnic identity, Moyong exhorted the Mising youths to shoulder responsibility in this regard. He urged the Mising youths to refrain from consumption of alcohol, narcotics and other harmful substances, which may spoil their future. He also requested the woman to come forward to uproot the evil practices from the society.
Speaking on the occasion, Mising Baane Kebang general secretary, Girin Morang sought the MLAs initiative for easy entry of Mising people into Siang belt of Arunachal besides granting tribal status to the Mising people permanently residing in the hilly state.
Among others, eminent citizens from neighbouring East Siang including retired ADC, Oti Dai, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Boken Pao, members of Adi Baane Kebang and Adi Student leaders were also present in the occasion.
For the Love of Martial Arts
[ Tom Simai ]
As we turn the pages of our state’s insipid sport history, we find, all these years our primary focus has been devoted to outdoor sports like soccer and T20 cricket. Needless to say, the favoritism has earned massive fan followings locally but unfortunately, it didn’t scale the heights both as a team or individual outside the comfort zone (state).
An analytical peek will ensure that we’ve failed cultivating the huge possibilities as all these past years; we’ve been draining our sparse resources in perfecting and promoting the wrong sports.
For instance, soccer and T20 cricket are miles away from what indoor sport like martial arts (Judo, Karate, Jujitsu, Tai-Kwan-Do, etc.) has already accomplished for our state. Literally, it has won more national and international medals than any other sports combined. It is ironic that the various forms of martial arts that have lavished the state with global glory don’t find mention in our priority.
Considering the verity, this is one sport our state has ostracized totally by undermining its medal winning potentials. The other sports might have massive fan following but it doesn’t have indigenous champs or success ratio like martial arts.
Our exploit in rectangular field or oval ground has been restricted to regional circles only. As the reach of our domestic tournaments doesn’t transcend the state frontier, the destiny of provincial star’s (progeny of domestic tourney) fails to shine or survive beyond it. And without the prospect of progressing further, the incredible gems that should mesmerize the universe with their extraordinary talents evanesces from the limelight, only a few fortunate one sticks around in the memory of their diehard-fans.
On the other hand, with its perfect punches and knockout kicks martial arts have claimed worldwide fame and revere for the state. Through this medium, at least we can dream of making it to the big leagues like National Game, Asian Game or even the Olympic. With state’s secure support and resources, we can even snatch gold at any competition.
Going by the record book, we can certainly claim – “We aren’t good but we’re prefect in martial arts.” Martial arts deserve to be our state’s new sport emblem. Likewise, I also reckon the concept of enrolling all the medals winners as Sensei to transform our promising talents into real champions as well as teach the internet and mobile addict generation that art of weaponless self-defense.
As of now, the prospect of Arunachal’s podium finish at earth greatest sporting events like the Olympic might be a distant dream, but we can narrow the gap to greatness by starting our first calculative steps towards it. And with the kind of talents we have, why rely or pray for luck, why not defeat destiny and seize the greatness that our state fairly deserves. (The writer can be reached at simaitom@gmail.com)
MLA seeks detailed report on school fire
PASIGHAT, Mar 13: Pasighat MLA Kaling Moyong sought a detailed report on the IGJ Hr. Sec. School fire which devastated the oldest school of the State last month.
Moyong, who visited the school on Sunday along with DDSE Obuk Panor, OC N Riba and AE (PHED) Kaling Taki granted Rs 2 lakh to the school authority from his discretionary fund for procurement of school furniture, office accessories and equipments. He said that the issue of restructuring of the school has already been taken up at appropriate level by him. DIPRO
Lok Adalat at Seppa
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: The court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate cum Civil Judge Senior Division, Seppa, East Kameng district on Saturday conducted its monthly Lok Adalat.
A total of 14 cases which included 11 criminal and 3 bakijai cases were disposed out of 115 cases listed in the Lok Adalat proceedings.
Meanwhile, a total of 70 cases were disposed off in the Lok Adalats held across the state on Saturday.
EE conferred Rashtriya Gaurav award
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: India International Friendship Society (IIFS) has conferred Rashtriya Gaurav award to Nyakpu Yangfo, Executive Engineer, Seppa PWD division, East Kameng for his outstanding service to the department and the society in a glittering function at New Delhi on Friday.
Yangfo received the award from former governor of Assam and Tamil Nadu Dr Bhishma Narain Singh during a seminar on "Economic Growth and National Integration"
Hailing from Yangfo village of Chayang Tajo circle, Nyakpu is a graduate of NERIST and joined the State PWD as Assistant Engineer in 2002.
MLA inspects ongoing schemes at Dadam
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: Khonsa West MLA Tirong Aboh has urged the PWD officials to complete the works within stipulated time-frame without compromising quality as per technical specifications and laid-down norms.
Aboh was inspecting the ongoing works of Govt. Secondary School building; Inspection Bungalow and rural link road between Dadam and Moktowa on Sunday under Dadam circle headquarter.
The MLA appreciated the PWD for the work which is progressing fast. The MLA was accompanied by EE (PWD) S.K. Badalia, Chief, GB and PRI members of Dadam village. (DIPRO)
Health Camp at Namtok
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: A total of 346 patients from different villages of Namtok circle under Changlang district benefitted from a mass health camp organised on Sunday at Government Secondary School, Kongsa.
The camp was conducted by Primary Health Centre Namtok in collaboration with Army Medical 402 Field Hospital HQ2 MTN DIV Lekhapani under the banner of MCH (IMR) PHC Namtok.
The medical team consisting of Captain Vivek Yadav, Capt. Damodar G, Capt. Atul Bishnoi along with Primary Health Centre, Namtok, Medical Officer incharge, Dr. Om Pradhan and other 15 paramedical staff conducted the camp.
Awareness on Maternal & Child Health, Ante Natal check up, Immunization, JSY, JSSK and common diseases during childhood and its prevention, health education on types of addiction and its impact were imparted in the health camp with IEC materials.
The medical team with free checkup and tests also provided free medicines too. The most common disease detected during the camp was URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection), LBP (Low Back Pain), Ostealgia, under nutrition, skin disease, anaemia among the tea gardeners. The Army Medical Core 402 Field Hospital HQ2 MTN Div also donated the medicines for the use at Namtok PHC.
Priest dies
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: Renowned Priest (Nyub) of Toru area of Papum Pare, Techi Tubin died on March 12 at his Kheel village after a prolonged ill.
He was more than 65 years, and is survived by his wife Techi Yayir, three sons and four daughters.
Tubin was a well known person in the field of traditional healing practices, who also rendered relentless services in Sagalee area, said Central Nyedar Namlo (CNN) and Nyedar Namlo Doimukh unit in a condolence message while recalling his contribution towards society.
Both CNN and Nyedar Namlo unit of Doimukh conveyed condolence to the grieving family members and prayed to almighty Aane Donyi to rest his soul in eternal peace.
DC Anjaw visit border circles
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: The Deputy Commissioner of Anjaw district M Riba on Sunday visited Walong and Kibithoo, the two border circles. This was her maiden visit after taking over as Deputy Commissioner of the Anjaw.
DC made the visit to get the first hand ground reality of the two border administrative circles accompanied by T. Pertin, EAC, Hawai who is in charge of CO, Walong and Kibithoo.
Despite rough terrain, the Deputy Commissioner along with team of official visited Kaho, the last border village of India under Kibithoo circle. While interacting with the villagers and govt. officials at Walong and Kaho village, she assured to extent all possible help to the villagers.
The DC inspected CO office, PHC run by Karuna Trust and other public utility infrastructure at Walong. She appreciated the efforts put in by the Karuna Trust in Health management of the border circles of Walong and Kibithoo.
Meanwhile, the circle level committees comprising of administrative officers and PRIs will monitor and regulate buffer stock in view of incoming monsoon.
Free eye and general health check up camp at DH Daporijo
[ Karda Natam ]
DAPORIJO, Mar 13: Over 530 patients have benefitted from a free eye and general health check up camp organized at District Hospital, Daporijo.
Cataract surgeries were performed on 45 patients by doctors from RK Mission Hospital during the three days camp which was organized by LT Eye Care from March 10.
Treatment of those patients who have been referred to RK Mission Hospital would be done free of cost, the organizer said.
Apart from eye check up, general health check up was also conducted. Around 200 ENT patients attended the camp.
Meantime, world ‘Glaucome Week’ was observed at a hotel here as part of World Glaucoma Week celebration organized by Arunachal Academy of Ophthalmology and Entod Pharma Ltd.
CME for doctors
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: Indian Medical Association (IMA), Arunachal branch in collaboration with Samaritan Hormin Hospital organized a CME (Continuing Medical Education) programme in Naharlagun on March 12.
Dr.Arup Kumar Nath, Urology Wintrobe Hospital, Guwahati spoke on “Advance Trend in the Management of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) while Dr.Jomson Bagra, (Obs & Gynae) and Consultant Niba Hospital spoke on Post-Partum Hemorrhage (PPH) and Management. Dr Mika Umpo, Registrar cum Secretary, APMC presented a paper on Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics.
Fifty-five doctors/medical practitioners from Capital Complex attended the CME.
Village health workers trained on first aid
ITANAGAR, Mar 13: Arunachal Vikas Parishad (AVP), East Kameng district unit conducted a training programme at Seppa to train village health workers for providing first aids and essential medicines to patients of interior villages.
Altogether 12 health workers, including three females, from 12 villages were trained during the five days training programme from March 7 to 12.
Dr. RB Mishra was the chief instructor of the camp while Dr. J Tana also held some sessions.
Dr. Mallo, DMO, who attended the function, assured the trainees of all possible assistance, and appealed for voluntary work for the society.
The camp was inaugurated by Chagam Dolo, BDO Seppa.
Editorial
A good decision
Monitoring of the ongoing project funded by central government in the North Eastern
region has been cause of concern. In the last 20 year Government of India has pumped
in massive amount of money into the region. However desire progress has not been
made at ground level. Due to difficult terrain and in some place owing to insurgency
problem, the monitoring has not been properly done. Concern over this government
of India has finally decided to use satellite images to monitor projects in NE states.
An announcement to this effect was made yesterday by the DoNER minister Jitender
Singh.
The images obtained from satellites will help in verification of the reports regarding
the completion of work obtained through other means by actually picking up the precise
location at which the work has been done. This will leave no space for any wrongdoing.
The capturing of images from satellite will give real input. Often it is seen that
monitoring team usually do not visit actual sites due to difficult topography and
constraints of accessibility. They are totally depended on local officials. In such
situation the chances of manipulation manifolds. Government of India has taken very
good decision by deciding to use satellite images for monitoring of projects. Hopefully
this will led to better implementation of centrally sponsored schemes in the NE region.
If properly implemented, this decision will have huge impact in years to come.
________________________________
Readers’ Forum
Kudos to Arunachal public service commission
Dear Editor,
Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission has set a heartening example of honest
and discreet approach while conducting their last recruitment test to fill 51 vacancies
of Circle Officers and Deputy Superintendent of Police. The viva voce of 132 candidates
who qualified in the written test was held between 8th and 11th March 2016. The Commission
formed two groups to conduct the oral test. Each group was comprised of three members
and a Chairman, who was a member of the commission. Sailendra Kumar Nath IAS (Retd)
and I were invited from Assam to be members of the boards. We were enthused to accept
the sudden invitation because we felt that inviting strangers from another state
to participate in the process of selection of their officers bore in itself the fervor
for their intention to herald transparency and to exhibit it to public view. The
members of the boards were selected by lot and the lottery was held each day. Hence
the composition of the boards kept changing. However it was ensured not to put Nath
and me in the same board any time because we were the only two outsiders.
During this period, nobody had even hinted us to favour one candidate or the other.
All were straight laced.
On 12.03.2016 at 07 AM, when Nath and I were getting ready to return to Guwahati,
we got a call from one of the members of the board who informed us that the result
of the test had been declared the previous day at six in the evening, i.e., after
roughly four hours from the time of closure of the viva voce. We had already had
the hint that the Commission would brook no nonsense. Rather they would harness lightening
speed to stall the advent of anything unholy.
We returned with a heart full of appreciation for Arunachal Pradesh Public Service
Commission.
Yours,
Dipak Kumar Goswami, ACS (Retd)
Guwahati
Dental surgeons have been overlooked
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, we would like to draw the kind attention of our Honourable
Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and commissioner, Health to the grievances faced
by the Dental Surgeons since a very long period of time.
1) No regular M.O (dental) post has been created since 15 years which has resulted
in mushrooming of unemployed dental surgeons in our state. Now there are more than
50 unemployed dental surgeons and each year, the number will increase reaching the
epitome of unemployment in no time.
2) According to Indian Public Health standards (IPHS)2005, Dental surgeons and Para
dental assistants should be posted up to PHC level, which is not the case in the
present scenario.
3) The recruitment of dental surgeons will be highly questionable if the selection
is not as per the APPSC norms, which is the only fair way for us to compete for the
provided post.
4) The advertisement for the 2 M.O (Dental) by APPSC bearing File no. PSC-R/01/2014,
dated Itanagar, the 18th september’2014 has not been conducted till date.
We have waited patiently but the negligence towards us seems to be never ending.
We are a crucial part of the health delivery system and our role has always been
shadowed and understated.
Yours,
Dental surgeons (Unemployed)
Declare results
Dear Editor,
I would like to appeal to the authority concerned to declare the results of interview/examination
held for recruitment of candidate(s) for the posts of JE (PWD) immediately.
Delaying the results for the issue of “Sports Quota” is unjustifiable. I also strongly
oppose the move of Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) demanding more and more quotas
for sportspersons. It is beyond our understanding why the AOA has been demanding
quota for sportspersons from the year 2002 when the govt. notification for reservation
in job for sportsperson was not implemented.
Yours,
(An aspiring candidate)
Removal of extra baggage
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to plead APPSC for considering removal
of 2nd optional paper from AP civil service exam. The reasons being the following:
1) Quality of exam won’t be compromised
An administrator’s basic required traits are having basic knowledge of various fields,
strong analytical & decision making skills and an effective verbal & non-verbal communicational
competence. The removal of 2nd optional paper from the current exam pattern won’t
at all reduce the effectiveness in scrutinizing the aforementioned traits. In fact,
2nd optional paper can be considered as redundant considering the digitized era we
live in and availability of several institutions and machineries facilitating the
required technical expertise.
2) Other civil service examinations
There are various state CSE having either one optional (eg. W.Bengal) or even no
optional(eg. Nagaland, Maharashtra, Rajasthan etc.). Rajasthan upgraded to “no” optional
this year. Even UPSC has only one optional.
3) Advantage for students
• A humungous off-load of an undue pressure.
• More time to prepare for other examinations (which even might help in addressing
the state’s unemployment scenario).
4) Advantage for APPSC
• Help save time, energy and money.
• Recovery of its image. It will be a constructive redemption act providing a fresh
lease of life.
All I can see is dividend and loss of none. I sincerely hope that APPSC perceives
it the same way and if possible, act upon it from the next examination onwards.
Yours,
Duyu Komo, Itanagar
Make scope for others
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to thank APCS for fair and Swift result.
At last after 3 long years, I am a free bird though I couldn't qualify. Now coming
to the point, the candidates who have qualified are already officers. Few of them
are recruited by APCS during the last exam. Now my matter of concern; let others
get the front seat.
Yes, I know India is a democratic country but there is a word called sacrifice. Because
of them, many newcomers couldn't get the job and ultimately they got dejected. There
are two kinds of talent, one is God gifted talent and the other one is hardworking
talent. We are the second one. My tenure is over as I am past the maximum age limit.
This letter of mine is purely based on personal opinion and not for any controversy.
Yours,
4th time aspirant
