oct15 27

2015

October 27

CoSAAP seeks early arrest of DDSE assaulter

ITANAGAR: The Confederation of Service Association of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) in its GBC meeting held on October 24 strongly condemned the physical assault on DDSE, Marken Kadu allegedly by one Tabu Guha on October 23.

Seeking stringent punishment to assaulter, CoSAAP submitted a memorandum to the Home Minister, demanding immediate arrest of the culprit, expulsion from Congress Seva Dal membership and non-entertainment of bail petition etc. The federation threatened to stage peaceful dharna as mark of protest against the inaction by the authority.

PRIs get 44 Cr

ITANAGAR: The State Government has released an amount of Rs 44 crore to the Panchayati Raj institutions for developmental projects at the grass root as per their respective developmental plans chalked out on need basis.

The grant under the 14th Finance Commission will be utilized by the Panchayati Raji institutions for welfare and developmental projects like garbage management, drainage system, electrification in villages.

"It is the commitment of our Government for devolution of the 3Fs to the local self Government and accordingly we have concentrated on requirements of the basic services in all the villages," the Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said while approving the release of the amount. The Chief Minister while presenting the budget for financial year 2015-16 had proposed placement of Rs 100.00 crore for rural local bodies, which included Rs 88.52 crore from the FFC Grants.

For this, he had suggested a need based action plan to be prepared by engaging experts for maximum benefit to the villagers.

Victim's father pleads for speedy trial

ITANAGAR: The father of the minor girl, who was sexually molested earlier this month at Seppa, appealed to the competent authorities to set up Fast Track Court at Seppa for speedy trial of the alleged accused in the molestation case (no.111/2015 of Seppa Police Station). In his representation to the Guwahati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench, Principle Secretary Home, Itanagar, Secretary Law & Judicial, Itanagar, Chairperson, State Women Commission, Itanagar stated a Supreme Court order on the infamous Nirbhaya rape case of Delhi which directed that trials of rape cases should be conducted by constituting FTC to ensure early delivery of justice to victims.

Otherwise, the case should be transferred to District and Session Court, Yupia for speedy trial, the victim's father pleaded.

Educational tour

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: A team of 14 students from different schools of Seijosa sub-division today left for an educational tour to Guwahati and Shillong.

ADC Seijosa, TR Tapu flagged off the tour which is covered under Innovative Activity of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Department of Education. The team is led by teachers B. Rai and Robert Phukan.

AdiSU meet HM, demand arrest

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: A team of AdiSU today met the Home Minister and submitted a representation to him demanding immediate arrest of all the miscreants, who attacked the passengers at Gumti Bill near Chapakhowa, Assam on Saturday, under non- bailable section.

AdiSU informed the HM that 30 passengers, who were traveling from Tinsukia, to Roing in an APST bus on Saturday, were attacked by miscreants at Gumti Bill near Chapakhowa, Assam. The driver, conductor of the bus and few passengers received grievous injuries and some of them were shifted to well-equipped hospital for better treatment, AdiSU said. The passengers were also robbed of their cash and other belongings. Even they did not spare the female passengers from assaulting, the representation said. AdiSU also demanded compensation for those who were robbed of their belongings during the incident.

Thirty-four selected for state level sports

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: In all, thirty-four players from Longding district were selected for state level competition in various events, during an AVP district unit conducted two-day district-level games and sports competition, which concluded at general ground, Longding on Sunday.

About a hundred participants from three circles of the district took part in the program in various events.

Addressing the inaugural day of the competition, District Sports Officer, Ahua Wangsu appealed all to support AVP in their endeavour for the development of games and sports. He further urged the youths to take up sports as a career.

Highlighting the importance of games and sports for all round development of the local youths, AVP Longding president Chanwang Wangsa further exhorted all to contribute towards the development of society.

Wancho Cultural Society president, Manhang Loham, Longding District Students' Union president, Manlem Wangsu, Wancho Students Union president, Manphua Wangsu along with chief of Niaunu, panchayat leaders and students of Higher Secondary, Longding attended the program.

Damdul to deliver lecture at Itanagar

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: Director of Tibet House, New Delhi, the Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Geshe Dorji Damdul, will deliver a lecture in English on Buddhist Philosophy, Psychology, Logic and Practice at Thupten Gatselling Monastery (Itanagar Gompa) on October 30, 31 and November 1 next.

Director of Tibet House, Geshe Dorji Damdul gives regular lectures and leads Philosophy classes in Tibet House and other places such as in Universities and Institutes. He travels widely within India and abroad to teach Buddhist Philosophy, Psychology, Logic and Practice.

He has been serving as a interpreter for His Holiness the Dalai Lama for so many years and at the same time involved in doing written translation of many texts from Tibetan into English such as Arya Nagarjuna's Mulamadyamikakarika (Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way), Acharya Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara (Wisdom Chapter).

He has written a number of important papers for national and international conferences held in different Delhi University and other Institutes on the topic such as "The Paradox of Brain & Mind and "Ultimate Reality According to Arya Nagarjuna."

The programme is being organised by Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society, Itanagar.

Training for in-service teachers begins

ROING, Oct 26: A 15-day refresher in-service teachers training programme at BRC level for Roing Block was organized by the SSA District Mission, which began at Anchal Samiti Hall here today.

Lower Dibang Valley DC-cum-SSA District Mission District Project Director, Ravi Dhawan in his inaugural address urged teachers to improve and bring positive impact among the students. He urged the primary teachers to participate in the training with the right spirit and requested the resource persons to make it a more interactive session rather than just a routine training.

The DC further asked the teachers to impart teachings on moral values apart from regular subjects to mould the children in the right direction.

DDSE-cum-District Project Officer SSA District Mission, Mijum Lego also informed that such training is being imparted to the teachers every year to make them acquainted with new learning techniques and process evolved by the NCERT for imparting quality education to the student.

Pedagogy Coordinator (SSA) Siky Mikhu further informed that the in-service teachers training is being imparted in three blocks of the district separately with the physical target of 359 upper primary and primary teachers in the district. During the training programmes, emphasis will be given on early literacy programme and school mathematics for class I & II, Mathematics, language and CCE for class III to V and focus on Science and Mathematics will be given for upper primary teachers, Mikhu informed.

DIET Principal Basant Singh and lecturers from DIET Dr J K Katiyer, J S Mehra, N P Singh and B N Tiwari from GHSS, Roing were the resource persons for the training programme. (DIPRO)

Sunfeast Cup finals today

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: The U-13 final match of the Sunfeast Cup Football tournament will be played between Arunachal Sporting Club and BK Sports Academy at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun tomorrow at 1 pm.

Arunachal Sports Club defeated 'D' Sector United 4-0 and BK Sports Academy beat Arunachal United FC 5-0 in lopsided matches to enter into the final.

Tarh Khu FC, VKV PTC, Artrus FC and DFC Chimpu entered into the semifinals in U-16 category defeating their respective opponents.

Tarh Khu FC will play against VKV FC in the first semifinal at 9 am tomorrow while Artrus FC will be up against 7DFC Chimpu in the second semifinal at 10 am.

The final will be held between the winners of the semifinals at 2 pm on the same day.

Shuttlers leave for NEZBC

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: An 18-member badminton team, including two officials, from the state on Monday left for Manipur to participate in the North East Zonal Badminton Championships (NEZBC) scheduled to be held from October 28 to 30 next.

"We are confident that the players will perform to their potentials and win more medals for the state, said Arunachal State Badminton Association Secretary Bamang Tago in a small sending off function at Raj Bhawan Badminton Stadium here.

Tago, on behalf of ASBA wished them all the best for the championship.

Technical officers Pema Ladon and Penya Bagra are accompanying the players.

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Arunachal file review petition against SC verdict on Chakma-Hajong refugees

AAPSU wants Centre to file petition

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: The state government has filed a review petition today, aggrieved at the Sept 17 Supreme Court decision to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees who fled to India between 1964-69 from Chittagong hills, Bangladesh, following religious persecutions and environmental displacement because of Kaptai Dam.

The review petition was filed by the Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh, while the state govt is reported to have also engaged Supreme Court Lawyer, Venugopal to appear on its behalf.

On the other hand, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union said that govt of India should also file a review petition against the SC verdict.

Speaking to this daily, the AAPSU spokesperson Tanya Agu said that if the Centre is really empathetic to the cause of the indigenous communities, as mentioned by some of the ministers in the Centre, it should file a petition too.

Union further questioned the role of the Joint High Power Committee formed in 2012 on refugee issue by the Centre as it did not bother to take the feedback of the students, though Union activities on the refugees is repeatedly cited by the SC.

AAPSU has already filled a review petition on Oct 15, though it is not a respondent in the current case.

The Union welcomed the move of the state government; adding that there should not be any laxity in following up the case by the govt.

Standing Counsel needs to be reminded as well as monitored about the case, said Agu.

Though the copy of the Review Petition filed by the state govt is not available with this daily, an insider said that the petition sought review of the SC verdict as it passed an order without hearing the stand of the state govt as well non- consideration of ground realities. The state govt contends that out of total 4637 applications, 4213 applications for citizenship do not fulfill the criteria of signing of oath of allegiance, as per the second schedule to the Citizenship Act, 1955. The verification had to be done for only those Chakma and Hajong who were accommodated between 1964-1969. These relevant aspects have not been considered at all and there are errors apparent in the judgment. The petition also questions the SC stand on non-applicability of Inner Line Permit for refugees whereas any non-indigenous person, including the government officials are required to have one to get entry into the state.

Supreme Court had directed the Centre and Arunachal Pradesh to finalise the conferment of citizenship rights on Chakmas and Hajongs who came to India between 1964-69 and as well as ensure compliance of directions in judicial decisions for protection of their life and liberty and against their discrimination in any manner. The exercise may be completed at the earliest preferably within three months, it had said while passing the verdict on Sept 17.

The verdict led the AAPSU to initiate a massive anti-refugee rallies across the state as well as in Delhi.

MHA’s support sought for a lasting

solution to refugee issue

NEW DELHI, Oct 26: A delegation led by the legislators of Namsai district Chowna Mein and Chau Zingnu Namchoom called on Union MoS (Home) Kiren Rijiju at his official residence in New Delhi on Saturday and apprised the Home Ministry of the concerns of the local people in the wake of the recent Supreme Court verdict to grant Indian citizenship status to Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal Pradesh.

The delegation made a strong plea to seek the support of Home Ministry in finding a lasting solution and also to make effective review of the Supreme Court's verdict in the interest of indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh.

Rijiju informed the delegation that MHA is taking strong note of the court's order and it has advised the state government for making a review petition in the Supreme Court.

The delegation also expressed its displeasure over the state government's alleged casual approach towards the case.

"Even the Advocate General was not present during the hearing which resulted in the ex-parte decision which went against the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh," they said.

APYC seeks action against non-performing

MLAs, ACR concerned

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) urged the Chief Minister to take disciplinary action against all the absentee and non-performing party legislators.

"It is learnt that some MLAs are camping at Delhi and whereabouts of some are not known even by the people of their respective constituencies," APYC said in a release. APYC also stated that many legislators have not visited their constituencies in the last couple of months showing sheer negligence of duty, responsibility and towards people's interest.

The Youth Congress requested those absentee party MLAs to come back to their respective constituencies and engage themselves in the developmental activities as their long absence will hamper the development initiatives.

The APYC further appealed to the state Govt. to ask all the working agencies to maintain quality in their works.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Citizens' Right (ACR) expressing concern at the political scenario of the state has appealed all the MLAs to come back from New Delhi and attend public grievances at the earliest.

In a release, ACR stated that reportedly some MLAs have been camping at New Delhi in Five Star Hotels spending Rs. 20000 per day per person for the last couple of months neglecting their respective constituencies. As such, the concerned constituencies have more or less gone leaderless. All developmental and welfare activities of the government have stopped and the common people of the constituencies are the worst sufferers, it added.

Further, ACR stated that such practice by the elected representatives ignoring people’s mandate is very unfortunate. "If the MLAs do not turn up in their own home constituencies, fail to attend public grievances or are unable to deliver developmental activities then they should allow the State Government to constitute a Developmental Committee to oversee their respective constituencies. Otherwise they should allocate all their powers to the Panchayati Raj to oversee timely implementation of various developmental projects including all State and Central government flagship programmes", it said.

Interestingly, ACR release also stated that the latest political scenario of the State particularly the reported internal conflict within the ruling Congress Party, is being allegedly fuelled by the BJP from outside with objective to destabilize the Nabam Tuki Government.

Fire fighter injured, society blames department

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: Following the fire accident that broke out at United Brother Distillery Pvt Ltd at Papu Nallah on October 24 last, fire fighter Karto Zirdo was injured while dousing the fire. Zirdo sustained injury when a plastic bottle believed to have contained chemical, exploded. Zirdo is currently undergoing treatment at State Hospital, Naharlagun.

Zirdo was not wearing Proximity Suit, which was kept in fire tender, while dousing the fire.

The family and relatives under the aegis of Nyoi Ao Welfare Society, Likabali squarely blamed the fire service department and the state government for allegedly not providing fire resistant jacket while he was on duty.

Blaming the department, the society lamented the pathetic condition and ill-equipped fire fighters. It demanded the department to provide fire fighting and resistance equipment immediately so that such incident may not happen again. When contacted Capital Fire Service SP Kime Aya confirmed that department is not equipped with Fire Resistance Jacket. However, he made it clear; it has proximity suits available which are currently being used by the fire fighters when situation demands. Fire Service SP further appealed the citizens to take maximum precaution as dry season is coming saying that risk of fire accident are higher in winter season.

Education on EKSWCO’s top priority list

BAMENG, Oct 26: The 37th foundation day of East Kameng Social Welfare and Cultural Organisation (EKSWCO) concluded here on Sunday with the adoption of a five-point resolution prioritising improvement of the education sector in the district.

One of the key resolutions passed was to club 'defunct' schools under one administrative roof to be manned by the "district cadre teacher."

The proposal for clubbing together 'defunct' schools was necessitated as the schools in the district are scattered in sparsely populated areas which pose inconvenience for the education administrators. The move is also expected to assuage student-teacher ratio problems.

It was also resolved to put an end to 'unabated' killing of wild animals, its consumption and sale in order to control the sharp depletion of animal population with the coming of modern weapons in the tribal's life.

EKSWCO will encourage 'voluntary arm-fire surrendering' through awareness camps.

Resolutions were also adopted to find ways to encourage self-employment in the private sector by imparting skill and entrepreneurships development programmes in collaboration with government and non-governmental agencies.

Steps to foster unity and integrity among the inhabitants -Akas, Galos, Nyishis, Puroiks, and Sajolangs of the district were adopted as resolution during the technical session.

The other important resolution adopted during the celebration was to create awareness about the necessity for hospital/institutional delivery systems and immunisation in the district.

The celebration also witnessed launching of EKSCWO's official website, souvenir "Laapi," and audio album "Ngulu EKSCWO" besides a host of other cultural and sports competitions. Prominent personalities from the districts were also facilitated on the occasion that included Lokup Sono Yangfo (EKSWCO's founder chairman), Dr Rachob Taba (academic excellence), Dr Pradip Lingfa (academic excellence), Er Pai Dawe (art and culture), Takam Nabam (wildlife conservation), Juna Dada (sports), Perung Cheri (social activities) and Chopa Cheda (journalism and social activities).

EKSWCO chairman Safar Pao, in his keynote address, appealed for maintaining cordial relation among the five tribes of the district while stating that the organisation will strive to work for equal distribution of "developmental fruit."

Pao also expressed his gratitude to the panchayat leaders, people of Bameng and local MLA Kumar Waii for helping facilitate the celebrations.

Resource persons during the day were Chapo Yangfo who spoke on the primary theme of the celebrations- Towards a society beyond clans and politics; former EKSCWO chairman and East Kameng DDSE Kata Rangmo on 'Education scenario of East Kameng'; Tamo Dada on 'Wildlife conservation'; Dr Raja Dodum on 'Health scenario of East Kameng'; Dr Pradip Lingfa on 'Development model of East Kameng district'.

Governor winds up Tawang tour, advises for improving tourism infrastructure

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: Governor JP Rajkhowa while winding up his three-day Tawang tour called for improving tourism infrastructure for flourishing tourism in the frontier district.

"Arunachal Pradesh has huge potential for tourism, particularly eco and adventure tourism as the whole State is blessed with nature's bounty. To harness these bounties and for tourism to flourish, the state must have good tourism infrastructures, such as guesthouses, restaurants and other wayside amenities in addition to good roads, the Governor said after he visited some tourism related infrastructures.

He also gave emphasis on cleanliness. All the tourism related facilities must be clean, hygienic and maintained properly, Rajkhowa said.

While visiting the Presidential Suite of the tourist guesthouse near the Circuit House, which was being repaired for some electrical faults, the Governor advised the officials to carry out regular check and maintenance works of electrical appliances to avoid any untoward incidents.

He also emphasized on annual maintenance, inspection and checking of all the facilities by the concern departments and use of 'ISI' (Bureau of Indian Standards) marked appliances only. He said that such precautions will not only ensure longevity of infrastructure but also provide safety and comfort to the guests.

The Governor said that these facilities must also reflect indigenous aesthetic values bringing serenity of the place.

Sharing her view, the First Lady Rita Rajkhowa suggested plantation of flowering and locally available ornamental trees in every tourism related facilities.

Before returning to the State Capital, the Governor also visited Tawang Ropeway and took a ride. He lauded the tourism department for the facility and said that it is a very good tourism initiative in the district.

Sharing his experiences in Switzerland, Scotland, USA and India, the Governor advised the District Tourism Officer, Tawang, to add more cable cars to facilitate all the interested tourists, who want to take or experience a ride on ropeway.

He also suggested that there must be some sales counters in the other end or terminal so that tourists can avail refreshments and snacks, including famed Butter Tea of the Buddhist Community, during their visit to Ani Gompa. Moreover, such counters will provide employment opportunities to the local youth.

The Governor also advised the District Tourism Officer to take necessary precautions for the safety of the tourists and also of the ropeway.

District Tourism Officer, Tawang Tsering Dekey informed that the Tawang Ropeway, funded by DoNER (NLCPR) at the cost of Rs.330.89 lakh, has a rope length of 1184m running from Tawang Monastery to Gyangong Ani Gompa. It is one of the most popular tourism facilities in Tawang. She added that safety inspections are carried out every month. (PRO to Raj Bhawan)

State level training of resource teams on IPPE-II

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: The second state level training of resource teams on IPPE-II commenced today at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) Conference Hall. The programme is being conducted for concerned officials from Upper Subansiri, Papum Pare, East Siang, West Siang, Upper Siang, Longding, Changlang and Tirap.

Director RD, Bokar Basar inaugurating the programme informed that MoRD had initiated Intensive Participative Planning Exercise last year as a process of developing labour budgets in due participative process. Under the second phase of IPPE, MoRD is emphasising on convergence with all RD programmes such as IAY, DDU - GKY, NSAP and other initiatives under Rural Livelihoods Mission.

He informed that all the resource team members being presently trained by SIRD shall be directly involved in the process of training and equipping Block Planning Teams in their respective locations.

Basar also stressed on timely completion of all processes so that works permissible under MG NREGA as derived from the composite Gram Panchayat Development Plan are included in the Labour Budget for respective Gram Panchayats and that the labour budgets are duly entered in MIS well before 31st December 2015.

The Director RD also informed that funds for conduction of IPPE I which were to be received from MoRD in reference to last financial year, were not released and therefore Department of RD could only release the amount which it had received from MoRD. He assured that balance funds of IPPE -I shall be released very shortly.

Addressing the delegates, Dy. Director PR, A.G. Ligu informed that under the provisions of 14th Finance Commission Grants the funds shall be released to Gram Panchayats by the state government. Every Gram Panchayat shall be required to develop a comprehensive Gram Panchayat Development Plan based on the instructions under the My Village My Development Plan (MVMDP) initiative, which are expected to be notified by the state government very shortly. He also informed that SIRD Arunachal Pradesh shall be providing required training and capacity building under MVMDP.

Earlier Director SIRD B.J. Duia addressing the delegates informed that planning is important as it helps to understand the actual need of rural poor which would naturally be predominantly dominated by agriculture and allied activities and connectivity related issues. He also called upon all districts to share their success stories. He also stressed on the importance of innovation in overall planning and implementation of rural development programmes. He recalled his past experience and shared that innovative ideas excite and motivates functionaries and elected representatives to work hard.

Speaking on the occasion, State Nodal Officer IPPE - II, S W Bagang, informed that RD department had entrusted the entire task of implementing IPPE - II to SIRD Arunachal Pradesh. He cited Para VII of Schedule I of MGNREG Act wherein systematic participative planning process is to be adopted at Gram Sabha level for obtaining shelf of works at all levels. He informed that IPPE - I was launched in 2500 backward blocks in the country. While 61 nos of blocks were covered under IPPE - 1 in Arunachal Pradesh, this has risen to 64 nos of blocks under IPPE - II. He also informed that since there are only 2 nos of State Resource Team Members viz. Dr. Rakesh Srivastava, Dy. Director cum Sr. Core Faculty and SW Bagang Asst Director cum Core Faculty and SNO IPPE II, it was decided that a team of 64 resource team members shall be developed for ensuring timely completion of training of Block Planning Teams as well as supporting the process of proper development of Gram Panchayat Development Plans. He also gave a detailed overview of the training programme.

A special session was held for flagging the issues affecting MGNREGA in the districts.

A summary report of the issues shall be submitted to the State Government after the training.

Abotani - first tribal animated film to be screened

ITANAGAR, Oct 26: The premiere screening of the short animation film, "Abotani", the first tribal story from the Tani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh to be adapted for animation would be held on October 28, at the Rajiv Gandhi University.

Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, JP Rajkhowa will attend the screening.

This animation film project began in early 2013, with an animation workshop that was organised by the UK based organisation, the Adivasi Arts Trust, in collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi University and the Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation in Naharlagun. The three-week long workshop introduced local participants to animation as a tool to sustain their storytelling traditions for future generations and also to communicate tribal culture to wider audiences.

The workshop was led by a team of young Indian animators, students and graduates in animation from the National Institute of Design. It also attracted members of the Adivasi Arts Trust from the UK, who shared their experiences about the production process.

The team chose a popular folktale from their Tani tradition from Central Arunachal Pradesh to develop into a short film. As well as attending daily screenings of a wide variety of animation films made by independent artists and studios, the young artists researched their traditional art forms for the designs for the characters and world of the short film.

Abotani is their cultural hero, and in this story he quarrels with his brother Yapom. This leads to the division of land. After that, Tapen, the trickster Bat intervenes and reignites the battle between mankind and the ancestor of the spirit beings. The details of this origin myth that gives an explanation for how things came to be before there was any local knowledge of reading and writing were unraveled in discussions with cultural elders of the community. The story was then adapted for a film script, from which the visual storyboard was developed to produce a detailed plan for the film. The voices for characters were also recorded, to complete the plan.

Stop-motion puppet animation was chosen as the medium for the animation, as it could include the local traditions of handicraft and sculpture. The puppets were made by British artist Jonathan Marchant, based on designs that emerged during the workshop. The film shoot took place a year later, first in Ahmedabad, and then in Delhi in 2014, at the Lalit Kala Akademi. The animation shots were recorded meticulously over two months by a team of students from the National Institute of Design. Being from tribal backgrounds themselves, Wangdan, Rabindra and Kirat appreciated the story and the opportunity to bring it to life in a new medium. They then went on to do the visual compositing, in which the characters are integrated into environments painted in water colour.

The story about Abotani is one of a collection called "Tales of the Tribes" produced by the Adivasi Arts Trust, with other stories from Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur and Madhya Pradesh. The series is presented as a storytelling competition, young audiences will be asked to vote for their favourite story, and the host will offer a trophy for the winning tale. This format was explored in an earlier programme called "The Tallest Story Competition" (2005, produced by West Highland Animation, Scotland), based on Adivasi stories from Central India. It is hoped that this new series, the first to be produced in India by traditional artists and Indian animators, will show how the animation medium can be used to tell tribal stories to local audiences that are now avidly watching commercial animation programmes on television media.

The "Abotani" film has been an enriching journey for the entire team, who found out more about the wealth of culture of Arunachal Pradesh through the project; about its current relevance to their community and about communicating contemporary cultural forms. The film has already had preview screenings at the Nehru Centre in London and recently, at the Chitrakatha Animation Festival at the National Institute of Design, Gujarat. The assessment will be on how it is received with audiences back from where the story emerged. The film has been dubbed into Arunachalee Hindi for the screening, and versions in several of the Tani languages will follow so that the film can be screened in local schools too. The premiere event will be attended by local partners and members of the Adivasi Arts Trust.

---- Editorial ----

Unexplored NE and research

It is really good to know that more and more universities in the country are taking interest on North East India. Recently, Manipal University has launched the North East (NE) Studies Centre. The Centre will be conducting research on various issues concerning North-Eastern society and their economy, culture and dialects.

The Centre is also planning to admit students who are interested in pursuing knowledge on the North-eastern region.

It is worth mentioning that Jamia Millia Islamia - A Central University had already set up a Centre of North East Studies and Policy Research in 2009. The Centre has been conducting workshops, national seminars, lectures and research on various issues confronting the North-eastern region.

In the month of July this year, DoNER ministry also announced the introduction of the PG course in the Centre for Northeast Studies of Jamia Millia Islamia University.

In the year 2006, the Jawaharlal Nehru University had set up the North East India Studies Programme (NEISP) with an aim to equip the scholars and students with appropriate skills necessary to carry out research on social, historical, cultural, political, economic and environmental issues of the north eastern region. NEISP had also started direct Ph.D. level programmes since August 2013.

The NE region is one of the most ethically and linguistically diverse regions in the world. A home to more than 200 major tribes with rich culture and heritage, the NE region is a hidden paradise so far, unexplored. The Study Centres being set up in various universities will surely bring the rest of India closer to this region.

___________________

---- Readers Forum ----

Kiren is not wrong

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw the attention of fellow countrymen in general and people of North India in particular regarding the statement of HMoS Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju. He only quoted the remarks of former Delhi LG. He was really not against the North Indian people. He was against all the criminals who rape minor girls, who rape and kills young girls and who kills innocent people.

What our MoS Home said was not against any Indians but, it was against all those criminals. We all see that the crime against women and children are more frequent in north India than in comparison to south India.

However, Rijiju apologised for his remark.

In my opinion, he was not wrong while referring to the criminal activities that happen in north India as compared to the south India.

The remark of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on the statement of MoS Home is not justified as the statement was not meant to divide the people of north and south India. What he intended to show us was growing criminal activities in the north India.

Available crime record data of north India outnumbers other parts India. Such factual matter should not be politicised in the greater interest of the nation.

Yours,

Keling Yaying

Vote responsibly for a responsible govt.

Dear Editor,

Our people are thrashed and harassed at the borders and at Assam, refugees gets right to reside in our land, graph of heinous crimes rising, more than hundreds cases of accidental fire. But there’re few words of condolence from the government, sometimes even no response.

Every time when anything bad happens in the Arunachal, there is blame game by the political parties, criticism in the social networking sites and condemnation by series of welfare Association/Unions who mostly give statements in the papers, but do not follow it up.

Bad road, criticize government, bad electricity criticize government, bad education criticize government. Criticism has become a part and parcel of the Arunachalees, which is a good sign. It implies that people are getting aware. But, only criticism is not enough, time has to come implement some of criticism into reality.

Now the basic question arises that who’s this government whom people criticize? Are they a separate entity? No. State government is nothing but the direct reflection of people. The people of Arunachal brought them to power by voting. Hence, before criticizing the government, ask yourself.

Did you ever vote for the right candidate in the past elections? Because, as per my practical experiences, I’ve seen, during the election, egos of the most of the voters are at the top, and almost every voter votes for the candidate who gives them good money. In short, most of the voters sell their vote to the candidate; some sell their votes for getting contract works or other favour after election, and the most of the bureaucrat’s votes for their better posting places and promotion.

In short, our election is totally a business proportion. Almost every MLA of Arunachal throws crores of money to win the election, which in other word is an investment. And when these MLAs wins election, first thing which they do, is to recover the spent capital.

As many of them, take loan for the election to buy votes. So, bottom-line is that people don’t act responsibly, they sell their vote when they vote, and when they vote irresponsibly, and then it is obvious that irresponsible government would come.

Then, why the people expect government to be responsible and non-corrupt when we ourselves are corrupted. How can one expect them to act responsibly and sensibly? This is the harsh reality. Which means criticizing and blaming the government in the social networking sites and in the papers with big phrases and idioms is pointless, as we voted them to the power? And the people who didn’t vote, I believe they had no right to even criticize. So, the crux is that the people are irresponsible, that’s why the government is irresponsible.

Similarly, it is also true that in the past people voted cleanly, without taking money, but many MLAs turned out to be corrupt after they won. So, it’s hard to say who is polluted or corrupted -the voter or the candidate, and who is to blame?

And I am not also saying that clean voting will end the corruption, but I think voting for right and able candidate, cleanly, might bring some change in today’s era, as there’re many candidates, nowadays, who have political will to do something. And it is true that bringing one or two abled and genuine candidate will not work, which means if we want change, then we need to bring atleast two dozens of MLAs who’re ideologist and have strong political will, which means voters of at least twenty four constituencies have to vote cleanly, and which is a Hercules task. But it’s also a known fact that we, the people of Arunachal, needs to try it. Because, funds has been misappropriated, salaries delayed for months, high inflation, no water supply, nepotism and corruption in job interviews, etc., all due to irresponsible government.

So, need of the hour, is responsible government, therefore, vote for the best candidate in the next election. Besides, we, common man-the sufferer, who gets nothing, do not have other option. Only good governance can help us grow.

Yours,

Pappu Baza,

Naharlagun

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----Editor