Arunachal Diary

A Glitch

2009-10-14T01:16:00.000+05:30

Arunachal Diary is in the process of fixing a glitch that this site encountered recently...We promise we would be back soon with all the lost posts posted since September 2nd and with new updates.

Do bear with us till Arunachal Diary is back in it's normal self.

‘Boli’ banned in Capital Complex of Arunachal- one month ultimatum to wrap up the game

2009-09-02T22:06:00.000+05:30

Off late, one game has taken womenfolk of the Capital Complex by storm. If hearsay has to be believed, most of the womenfolk in and around Itanagar and Naharlagun are gripped by this game called ‘Boli’, which involves million of Rupees. Some say this game is a social evil which causes conflicts in the families and leads to broken family; whereas, those who are ardent fan of this game say otherwise. They say that for this game they are able to meet their financial needs for educating their children, medical treatments, buying of properties etc.

So when the Capital District Administration banned playing, conducting or propagating ‘Boli’ in any form across the State Capital, terming it is disturbing the social fabric and causing conflicts in families, the organizing committees cried foul over District Administration’s decision to ban the game. They said that responding to show cause notice issued to the organizing committee of the game by the Deputy Commissioner, they had met Deputy Commissioner and apprised her (the DC) of the benefits of the game. They claimed that impressed with presentation on game, the DC had decided against banning the game and had rather shown interest in joining the game.

However, withholding her earlier decision to ban the game, the Deputy Commissioner has asked the organizer of the game to wrap up the game within one month time.

So, what is ‘Boli’?

‘Boli’ is a Hindi term literally meaning bidding. Thus, ‘Boli’ is a bidding game where huge sum of money exchange hands and where the person who bids the lowest is declared successful in a round of game which consists of several rounds equivalent to the number of members in a group.

How it is played?

It is played in a group, the number of which, the amount (usually in millions) for which it is played and the frequency of the game (i.e., in how many rounds the game would be finished) is decided by the organiser. Each member then deposits an amount equivalent to the total amount divided by number of members in a group in each round. For example, if there are 10 members in a group and the game is played for an amount of 2 million then each member has to put in an amount of 20,000/- in each round. Then ‘Boli’ or rather bidding starts. However, prior to commencement of the game, a rule is framed. The rule is framed for the maximum amount a person can bid for, which is usually 80% to 90% of the amount for which the game is being played (decided by the committee). This 10% or 20% of the total amount as decided by the committee is then distributed equally amongst the members. Thus, the amount left for bidding is 80% 0r 90% of the total amount.

Now, based on the personal requirement of money at that time, the member bids how much minimum amount they are ready to take from the available amount for bidding (i.e., total amount minus 10% or 20% of the total amount as decided). The member who is ready to take the minimum amount is the winner and draws the bid amount from the available amount for bidding. The remaining amount i.e., the amount left after deducting bid amount from the available amount for bidding is then distributed amongst the members. The member who is declared successful in bidding is further barred from bidding in the subsequent rounds of the game, though in each round the member has to contribute equal amount as decided earlier.

Does it affect the societal set-up?

No matter how hard the fan of ‘Boli’ may try to justify this game by saying that it has helped them to meet financial requirement for educating their children or for medical treatment or to buy properties etc., a simple arithmetic calculation shows otherwise. The fact is that only few of the members do actually get benefitted and remaining needy members who had drawn money, by bidding amount much lesser than the amount available for bidding do get exploited monetarily, who shell out more money than the rest. In order to draw large sum of money at one go (for whatever financial requirements), it is said that people tend to borrow money at a very high interest rates falling in debt trap which finally leads to conflicts in the family and resultant disintegration of the family. So, it would not be wrong to say that ‘Boli’ has in one way or the other has affected the societal set-up.

On a lighter note: It was overheard that ATM’s at Capital Complex are not able to dispense cash because the ATM’s become empty as soon as ATM’s are replenished with cash as huge sum of money are drawn from the ATM’s to be put in ‘Boli’

The district administration has spoken and declared ‘Boli’ illegal and I too have put my perspective on it. So, it’s your turn to say if ‘Boli’ is a social evil as some section of the society and the district administration says or if it is the means for weaker section of society just to mitigate their financial needs as advocated by the fans or rather players of the game. Do put in your views.

Arunachal Pradesh to go on poll on October 13

2009-09-01T17:13:00.001+05:30

Arunachal Pradesh along with Maharashtra and Haryana would go to poll on October 13th, as declared by Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla on Monday. The counting of votes would be done on October, 22^nd and the entire process will be completed by 25^th of October. Below is the schedule:

Issue of notification — September 18
Last date for nominations — September 25
Date for scrutiny of nominations — September 26
Last date for withdrawal of candidature — September 29
Date of poll — October 13 (Tuesday)
Counting — October 22 (Thursday)
Date before which the entire election process will be completed — October 25 (Sunday)
Model code of conduct comes into force with immediate effect
Poll in these states will be conducted at all polling stations using EVMs

Kiren Rijiju joins Congress

2009-08-25T12:55:00.003+05:30

The BJP ex-MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Kiren Rijiju has joined Congress ahead of forthcoming assembly election scheduled about 2 months from now.

Considering the political history of Arunachal, it is not surprising but it was not expected either.

I remember, when I chanced to meet him at Ziro during his poll campaign of recently concluded Parliamentary election, I heard him saying to public, “What come may, I would never change my party.” He even went on to say that he was tempted by Congressmen with money to join Congress but he declined. This had put him in my high esteem and I thought this is the right man, the man who would take Arunachal in the right path; who refuses the monetary benefit offered to join the rival party because he feels that Congress is responsible for all the mess that we are in. If you remember, I even vouched for him in my earlier post, even though I’m not a staunch supporter of BJP.

But now if I get chance to vote for him, I would not do so. He has shown that all the politicians of the state are the same who change color based on the color at the centre. He has shown that he is no exception but sheep of the same flock.

Now, the question is why did he took this step after hope was pinned on him, that may be our state would see a change; come this assembly election. Was his step a fallout of the turmoil in the central BJP leadership? Was it because he was not projected as CM candidate for forthcoming Assembly election by the state BJP unit? After all who does not want power? Or is there any exception?

Well, putting aside the speculation, let’s see what Kiren Rijiju has to say on his joining Congress.

Explaining the reason for his joining the Congress, Rijiju said he was determined to serve the people of the state at maximum capacity and after thorough retrospection, he felt Congress was the right platform for the purpose, keeping in mind the political scenario of the country where people’s mandate were in favour of the party after the recent Lok Sabha polls.

-Source Echo of Arunachal

I’m not sure whether there is any connection between serving the people of the state at maximum capacity and changing of party. Or is there any?

Further, he says,

“I don’t see much role as member of BJP to serve the people and the state,” he commented. Stating that his joining was ‘unconditional’, Rijiju said he has decided not to contest in the Assembly polls due in October next.

-Source Echo of Arunachal

Well, Mr. Rijiju, you could have served better to the people of the state if you had become leader of opposition if your party (BJP) is not able to form government in ensuing assembly election rather than changing party. And I would not be surprised if you contest in Congress ticket even though you have said that joining Congress was ‘unconditional’ and that you would refrain from contesting the poll due this October.

This very act of 'Rijiju joining Congress' has once again proved that our politicians has no political ideology or loyalty to any political party.

Thanks Rijiju for disillusioning us.

How to share GPRS connection on your WinMo (Widows Mobile) based phone with laptop over Bluetooth

2009-08-21T22:59:00.002+05:30

Does the title of this post seem quite off topic for Arunachal Diary? Sure it is. Then why am I doing a post on this in Arunachal Diary, you would wonder. So, here is the story. (If you’d like to skip the story part and like to jump directly to How To…then click here)

The Story

Having moved places, I was looking for a service provider that could provide me with a broadband connection so that I could continue with updates on Arunachal Diary. Having better facility than Ziro in my new place, I thought it would not that be difficult to get one; only to know that it is not as easy as I thought it would be. So, in the meantime I thought of activating the GPRS service on my phone so that I could update Arunachal Diary with short post over GPRS through my WinMo device (I’m using HTC Touch with Windows Mobile 6.1). But updating Arunachal Diary with short posts over WinMo device was not a smooth sail either. (I bet, those using touch devices would surely vouch for the pain in typing out using onscreen keyboard) So, I decided to share the GPRS facility on my WinMo phone with my laptop; but the question was how do I do? After ‘Googling’ for a while, I found out how to share the GPRS connection so that I could surf the net on my laptop using GPRS connection on my WinMo based phone. And I thought why not share the little knowledge that I gained over the net so that you readers gain from my experience; hence this off topic post.

How to share GPRS Connection in WinMo based phone with your laptop over laptop?

A picture says thousand words, but in this tutorial I would not be using any snapshots of WinMo screen but would rather use words only to tell you how to share your GPRS connection on WinMo device with your laptop. Here are the steps: -

Pair your WinMo PPC with your laptop.
Go to Start>Programs>Internet Sharing in your WinMo PPC.
Select Bluetooth PAN in PC Connection selection box.
Select your network connection in Network Connection box.
Press Connect button.
Now right-click on the Bluetooth icon in the system tray on your laptop and select Join Personal Area Network.

That's all and now you can use the GPRS service on your phone in your laptop to surf the net.

Have fun!

An Arunachalee ready to conquer Bollywood...

2009-08-19T22:34:00.002+05:30

Did I heard it right? Well, yes you have.

The actor of internationally acclaimed Arunachalee feature film 'Sonam', Hage D. Appa has been cast in a Bollywood flick 'Shivam' directed by Anshuman Barua where he will be playing a cop. The film would be shot extensively at Guwahati, Shillong and Mumbai and is expected to hit the theatres at the end of this year.

Hope Hage D. Appa would make a mark in Bollywood with this film and Arunachal Diary wishes him all the best.

Wrong depiction of Arunachal Pradesh due to mistake in processing new data says Google Spokesperson

2009-08-08T23:31:00.001+05:30

Google spokesperson via his comment in Arunachal Diary has stated that wrong depiction of Arunachal Pradesh map data was due to processing of new data wrongly and that it would be reverted back to it's old data shortly.

"Earlier this week, as part of a routine update to Google Earth, we published new data for the Arunachal Pradesh region that changed the depiction of certain place names in the product. The change was a result of a mistake in our processing of new map data .We are in the process of reverting the data to its previous state, and expect the change to be visible in the product shortly. We would like to clarify that this issue did not impact our depiction of international borders.

Google spokesperson"

Can we expect now that Google would become wise and would update it's data sensibly instead of fuelling the boundary dispute issue between India and China when both the countries are trying hard to settle the age old boundary dispute?

Local media reacts to Google Earth's representation of Arunachal Pradesh

2009-08-07T12:03:00.002+05:30

Representation of Arunachal Pradesh as an "Independent Nation or a Chinese territory" by Google Earth is not new and it was discused at Arunachal Diary almost two years back and quite recently Arunachal News had pointed out that Google Maps has started showing Arunachal Pradesh as Chinese Territory and all the places are marked in Chinese with Chinese names.

Now, the local media has finally taken notice of the errors made by Google Earth toward representation of Arunachal Pradesh; apparently after News Live channel reported on the same.

In it's todays edition, Arunachal Front has reported that Google has shown Arunachal in China.

"Only three days prior to the crucial 13^th round Sino-India talks in New Delhi, world famous Google website has been showing Arunachal Pradesh in the map of China and this development is expected to echo in the ongoing Parliament session tomorrow."

Further, the author questions if the site has been hacked or if the error is deliberate to please China by Google Authority.

"Now the big question is - whether some hacker has corrupted the site or is it handiwork of the Google authority to please the Chinese who are laying their claim oa Arunachal and tried to unsuccessfully block an ADB loan for the state."

Echo of Arunachal goes online

2009-07-29T21:44:00.007+05:30

I've been bit late in informing you about this. Perhaps by now, quite few of you might be knowing that apart from The Arunachal Times, Epitome and yours only Arunachal Diary, there is yet another site that you can visit to satiate your news updates on Arunachal Pradesh.

But for those who are not yet aware, another vernacular of the state has gone online and this time, it's Echo of Arunachal which went online couple of week back. Not only did it went online but it's paper version has become 8 pages color daily.

P.S. I'd be doing short posts till I get my broadband connection.

A farce reporting in NE TV

2009-07-24T12:30:00.001+05:30

Electronic media resorting to farce and unverified report is not new. This time around NE TV has shown that it is not far behind.

The special report on a new insurgent outfit National Liberation Council of Taniland is a headline of the channel since last 24 hours. The report says:

the outfit is active in Arunachal Pradesh as well in Assam-Arunachal border areas;
it receves aids and training from China;
it has forged links with ULFA;
it’s headquarter is at Ziro (which the report says is only 15 km from Indo-China boder);
the outfit is fighting for cause of Apatanis and demands separate homeland for Apatanis;
H Tamang, SP Papumpare denied having report of the outfit being active as of now. He said that there was instances of extortion notice being served in name of this outfit by some misguided youth who got training from NSCN(IM) in the April last. The Commander in Chief along with 19 others and some youths from NSCN(IM) outfit were arrested and the outfit was cracked down. He also was not in opinion that this outfit received training and aids from China.

The reporters of NE TV whosoever they are should know while preparing the report that:

· Ziro is hundreds of km away from Indo-China border;

· ‘TANI’ in National Liberation Council of Taniland is nothing to do with Apatanis. TANILAND as I could understand from various media report is the area comprising a part of Arunachal and of Assam inhabited by so called descendents of Abo Tani such as Adi, Apatani, Nyishi, Galo, Mishings etc.;

· Dragging the good name of Apatani community into the report is being resented by Apatanis across the country.

Still far from regular updates...

2009-06-16T18:03:00.003+05:30

Thank you guys for all the get well soon wishes.

And I'm recuperating very well.

But when I thought I'd be updating AD, I've to move place. So, till I'm settled at new place..get my phone and broadband connection...updates would take back seat again...may be another couple of weeks.

However, in the meantime, I've asked Cho and Tallo to keep you updated about Arunachal till I'm back to regular posting and I hope they would do. So, do keep visiting Arunachal Diary for regular updates.

P.S.: - No, I was not threatened ... it's just my health :)

Down with flu...

2009-05-11T22:22:00.000+05:30

This is just a short post to announce that I've been down with flu since past week and the updates on Arunachal Diary has taken a backseat.

Hope to start updating and replying to your comments very soon.

Cartoon-o-scope # 2

2009-04-29T16:47:00.002+05:30

How many of you reader still remember that Arunachal Diary had earlier started a series called Cartoon-o-scope? Not many I guess.

So, here is another cartoon to continue the series. Enjoy!

The above cartoon is part of the series of caricature of the LS Election candidates, that I'm trying to do based on my observation of poll campaign speech and the candidates themselves. Watch out for this space for rest of the series.

Shopping online

2009-04-27T14:14:00.005+05:30

I don't know how many of you are comfortable with shopping online? I never had.

Though the advent of online stores has given consumers the convenience to shop for product/s from the comfort of their homes and with a mouse click, I had never preferred shopping online but rather always preferred the conventional way of shopping. The reason may be because I was and am apprehensive that my account would be compromised while transacting online, that I don't get chance to see and feel the product before making purchase as in conventional way, that I would not be delivered with the same quality product that I ordered for or that the product may not be delivered to you safely.

However, putting aside my apprehensions, I thought of finally to give online shopping a try-at least for experimental sake. So I Googled for online stores. Apart from plethora of online stores thrown at by Google to me, I quite liked this site, which though basically not an online store, but nevertheless which helped me in carrying out my first purchase online.

Now you would ask how's that so? Well, apart from listings of online stores ShopWiki has an user or rather consumer generated product guides on plethora of products like cameras, kitchen appliances, books, clothing, movies and music, food processors, consumer electronics, hand mixers, stand mixers, memorablia, dinnerware, flatware, appliances, computers and softwares, and so on. And the product buying guide listed over the site helped me in selection of products to buy.

Now that I have carried out my maiden online shopping, let's see if the experience will wash away all my apprehension about online shopping or would it embolden my apprehensions.

And coming to you, share with us how was your online shopping experience?

Is the freedom of speech and expression being challenged?

2009-04-20T13:09:00.001+05:30

Article 19 clause (1) sub-clause (a) of the Constitution of India guarantees to its citizen the right to freedom of speech and expression subject to reasonable restrictions (as laid down in Article 19, Clause (2)) on the exercise of this right relating to:

defamation;
contempt of Court;
decency or morality;
public order;
incitement to an offense;
security of the state;
friendly relation with foreign state;
maintenance of sovereignty and integrity of India.

But recently when Nabam Tuki, Minister PWD and UD and APCC President threatened to lodge an FIR against one Tana Takang for expressing his views in a popular local press media, it made me wonder if the 'Freedom of Speech and Expression' conferred to its' citizen by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution has been challenged.

A brief history of the issue

In it's April, 08 edition, The Arunachal Times published a letter of one Tana Takang in its' 'Readers' Forum' column, wherein the author, apparently fed up with the political rhetoric dished out by the political parties and their candidates; allegations and counter-allegations during their campaign for LS polls appearing in the local dailies, had asked both the parties-ruling and opposition (read INC and BJP) to debate it out in a common platform in line of Presidential elections of US of A, so that the common masses could decide better and select the right candidate to represent them in the parliament. Well, this seem the core of the letter to me.

The letter, however, did not go down well with the ruling Congress Party and a press statement appeared the next day where APCC President Nabam Tuki threatened to lodge an FIR against the said person terming the letter was written with the intend to malign the area.

"Tuki further referring to a Readers' Forum published in this daily by one Tana Takang said that as per their observation, there is no such person residing in the said locality. He said that whoever is behind the letter was doing it with intend to malign the area and it needed to be punished as per law. The party will lodge an FIR against the said person to trace out the reality, he added."
-The Arunachal Times, 09-04-09 issue
under heading 'Sonia to address Itanagar rally'

After going through the statement of the Minister in the paper, my first reaction was how could anyone try to curb one's 'Freedom of Speech and Expression' by threatening. However, instead of reacting to the statement instantly, I decided to put aside my emotional outburst and try to see if the author had put reasonable restrictions as laid down in Article 19, Clause 2 while expressing his views or not. So I went through the said letter again, and I could not come up with anything objectionable that could have suggested that the author have not put 'reasonable restrictions' while expressing his views. Or have I missed something that others may find objectionable in the letter that might suggest that the author had not put reasonable restrictions? Go through the letter (reproduced below) for yourself and put in your comments if the letter was objectionable to attract the ire of APCC President and an FIR threat.

Was the letter intended to malign the area as put by the Minister?

Now coming to the Ministers' allegation that said person does not reside in the locality and that the letter was written with the intend to malign the area, in which case I guess the area under question is Chimpu, Itanagar, I could not quite comprehend how the letter was intended to malign Chimpu. Apart from mentioning Chimpu, Itanagar in the address, there is no mention of Chimpu, not even once in the body of the letter itself, whether with good intend or bad intend. :) And on their observation that letter was written by a person not 'physically' residing in the locality; does it really matter? In fact, I found the allegation quite flimsy and childish. The charge seem more of to bully the person who quite openly appreciated the opposition candidate through his letter.

So, is it the case of curbing one's freedom of speech and expression by bullying tactic or indeed the author of the letter has not put restraint while expressing his views?

Arunachal goes for re-poll

2009-04-20T12:42:00.000+05:30

This was expected.

In a state where the Lok Sabha seats are almost always secured by the candidates of a ruling government and with a candidate, whose popularity amongst the masses rose to an extent that it threatened to crumble the 60 member team, it was expected that there would be instances of poll rigging, booth capturing and damage of EVM's during this Lok Sabha polls in the interiors of the 1-Arunachal West Parliamentary Constituency considering the fact that the security would be lax at the polling stations due to logistical problems owing to difficult terrain.

But it came as a surprise when majority of the polling stations, where re-polling was ordered owing to instances of booth capturing and damage of EVM's was from the polling stations situated in and around the state Capital and not from the interiors as was expected. Where was the security arrangement? It was reported that at each polling stations only 2 to 3 security personnel's were deployed. Did the administration thought that this arrangement would be enough to thwart any attempt of disturbing the poll process? Or was there shortage of security personnel to be deployed? But then, why additional para-military forces was not asked for, if that was the case?

Predictions for Lok Sabha Polls in Arunachal???

2009-04-13T22:16:00.002+05:30

Sinlung has predicted that both the seats in Arunachal would be swept by BJP in this Lok Sabha polls.

But, what's the basis of their post and prediction?

Wished they had given the basis of their poll prediction...Sigh.

Awareness and Change is the need of hour says Rijiju

2009-04-09T11:25:00.001+05:30

Quite frankly I had never attended or rather never tried to attend any election rallies in the state for I expected that there would be the same political rhetoric of development that the party has brought about which in actuality wouldn’t have been achieved; for there would be same political bashing of the opponent whether truth or cooked up; for we have known all the time that the contesting candidates are the same sheep in different garbs (read different political parties) and for they would be promising us stars which would vanish as soon as their sun shines.

But having heard so much about one particular candidate who had been named one of the most powerful debater in the opposition bench of the parliament earlier, who didn’t change his garb but stuck to his garb even when tempted to and who have been designated as ‘one man army’ in his quest for re-election to the same seat by the oh-so powerful party in the state having cent percent majority in the state assembly, I couldn’t stop myself from attending his rally to hear him live, what he has to offer/say. And yes, I’m talking about Kiren Rijiju, the BJP candidate from Arunachal (West) constituency who brought his campaigning trail to Ziro-Hapoli yesterday. And here I must tell you that I didn’t attended the rally because I’m staunch follower of BJP or it’s ideology or I’m a huge admirer of Kiren Rijiju, though I’ve said earlier that off late he is gaining appreciation from me, but because I wanted to hear an Arunachalee and not a BJP member, who has brought Arunachal Pradesh to national attention by his oratory or his debating prowess, whatever you may say.

And to my amazement and delight, he didn’t resorted to making sky high promises that could never be achieved but rather his speech was more or less concentrated on his performance during his tenure as an opposition MP and what he did to highlight the issues of the people in the parliament and to bring Arunachal Pradesh to national attention and why one should elect him as their representative. For instance, he explained how he brought about nomenclature change of Nyishi from Dafla, an issue pending since 1978, by coaxing the member of parliaments to the 2/3 majority to pass the Bill.

But as expected, he however, didn't fail to utilize the opportunity to take a dig at the Congress either. He questioned, when the Congress government is not able to enhance the GB honorarium, enhance the minimum wages of the labor which is apparently lowest in the country and when they are not able to implement 6^th Pay Commission Recommendation due to fund crunch, from where did they generated INR 3 billion to be distributed to the voters to defeat him in this Lok Sabha Election? And why the Congress is so afraid of this ‘one man army’ so as to utilize money and muscle power when they say that peoples’ support is there for the party and the party is backed by 60 MLA’s? “Let’s fight the election in a democratic way by winning the peoples’ heart with one’s performance and not with money and muscle power”, said Rijiju.

It was soothing to ears to hear him say that it’s time that people become aware, aware of their rights and challenge the government when the funds are misappropriated and make them accountable. It’s time people distance themselves from petty ‘money’ politics and elect the right representatives. It’s time people bring about change and reverse the attitude that government is above the people. Only when people are able to make government realize that it is for the people, of the people and by the people then only we would be able to see the development in Arunachal in a true sense.

Rightly said Mr. Rijiju. It’s indeed right time that we became aware. Time to introspect and see who would be the right candidate to represent us in the parliament irrespective of the party affiliation. It’s the right time we bring about change by exercising our rights and electing the right candidate. If we are able to send the right candidate to the parliament, it would be one step towards change, towards taking Arunachal in a developmental path.

So guys, have you decided your right candidate?

Provision for online processing and application for ILP to enter Arunachal Pradesh, soon

2009-04-06T13:01:00.001+05:30

Apart from poor infrastructure and lack of knowledge about the region it was always thought that one of the major deterrents to tourists intending to visit Arunachal Pradesh has been the cumbersome and complex entry formalities.

The other day one of the readers of AD commented why not provision for applying and processing ILP be made online? And as if his thought had been heard, the Government is contemplating putting into place the online processing and application of ILP just after the Lok Sabha elections.

State tourism department sources said the Central government has given the go-ahead to it for setting up an online system to process and clear permits, a move, they said, will bring rich dividends to the state known for its mountains and monasteries. Visitors entering Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram need the inner-line permit issued by the respective State governments.

The permits were presently being obtained after filling up necessary formalities at designated offices in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Guwahati besides others. The department has already made a blue-print for the project and the real work on the schem e will start soon after the Lok Sabha elections, sources said. (Source: The Hindu Business Line)

Hope the blue-print of this scheme includes online tracking of the application too, which would help the potential visitors to finalize their itinerary. :)

Election Agenda of BJP Candidate from Arunachal for Lok Sabha Polls

2009-04-02T12:03:00.001+05:30

I was quite appreciative of the initiative of 'The Arunachal Times' to let the citizen know about their candidates for better decision making this Lok Sabha Election, when they started a series called 'Know your Candidate'. However, after carrying a series on INC candidates namely, Takam Sanjoy and Ninong Ering who are in the fray for LS seats from Arunachal (West) and Arunachal (East) constituency respectively, they altogether discontinued their series; well, this was what I felt having waited...waited and still waiting for the article on other party candidates vying for the 2 LS seats, in their 'Know your Candidate' series. This has made me wonder if this local daily is affiliated to particular political party and is not unbiased in their reporting as was thought of earlier. But then, this didn't come as a surprise either considering the fact that most of the major national media are affiliated to one political party or the other.

Now, having gone through the election agenda of INC candidates for Lok Sabha seats from Arunachal earlier, let's see what BJP candidates has to offer if they are elected to represent us in the parliament.

In an advertorial appearing in 'Arunachal Front' Kiren Rijiju, the BJP candidate from Arunachal (West) has to say:

Vote NDA to Power and I assure the following commitments for Arunachal Pradesh:
Complete payment of 36 months arrears for Government Employees as per 6^th pay commission recommendation.
Regularisation of services under SSA.
Creation of Labour Welfare Fund.
Declaration of special status for Arunachal Pradesh for fast development.
Enhancement of Gaon Burah Honorarium
Enhancement of Student's stipend.

After the discontentment of state employees over the implementation of 6^th Pay Commission recommendation, this issue seem to have become 'hot cake' among various political parties with each party trying to make the most out of this issue by promising to implement the 6^th Pay Commission Recommendation in toto, if voted to power. And with more than 85,000 state workforce along with their family members and relatives (which equates to a large chunk of votes), no wonder if prospective candidates are trying to woo them with their promise.

Like INC agenda, it appears that the agenda of BJP is also more of a political rhetoric than that can be achieved or fulfilled in reality with no logical instances on how they are going to achieve it.

For instance, how's BJP going to implement 6^th CPC recommendation in toto if they are voted to power? Considering the financial crunch the state is in, are they planning to divert 'Peace and Green Bonus' to pay the arrears? But then, would the people allow it?

No doubt the services of the SSA teachers are required and indeed calls for their regularization but, how they are going to pay for the regularized SSA teachers? How they are going to mitigate the 90% funding from Center for this initiative when SSA teachers' are regularized? Is there any action plan?

I only wished if the politicians instead of giving their political rhetoric convince us with proper action plan that they are going to adopt if voted to power, to make Arunachal Pradesh developed, self-reliant and prosperous.

Tawang Monastery named 'The Spiritual Wonder of India'

2009-04-01T16:25:00.004+05:30

Tawang Monastery has been named 'The Spiritual Wonder of India' along with Taj Mahal and Golden Temple which has been named 'The Wonder of India' and 'Peace and Harmony Wonder of India' respectively in the finals of '7 Wonders of India'

The year long campaign initiated by NDTV in association with Union Tourism Ministry to unravel the 7 best natural and man-made marvels in the country came to an end with the announcement of 7 Wonders of India at a gala ceremony held at Delhi on Monday, the 30^th of March.

The '7 Wonders of India' chosen through nationwide poll are:

Sun Temple, Konark
Khajuraho
Red Fort, Delhi
Jaisalmer Fort
Meenakshi Temple
Nalanda University
Dholavira site.

Arunachal Diary thank all it's reader who had voted for Tawang Monastery in the race for '7 Wonders of India'.

Eight candidates in fray for two LS seats in Arunachal

2009-04-01T11:24:00.001+05:30

Here is the (final) list of candidates who would be vying for 2 LS seats in Arunachal, (that is if they don't withdraw their nominations by tomorrow):

Arunachal (West)

Kiren Rijiju (BJP)
Takam Sanjay (INC)
Taba Taku (Lok Bharati)
Subu Kechi (Independent)

Arunachal (East)

Tapir Gao (BJP)
Ninong Ering (INC)
Lowangcha Wanglat (AC)
Dr. Samson Borang (PPA)

Land of 'Khusi-Khusi'?

2009-03-30T00:00:00.001+05:30

This re-affirms Arunachal Pradesh is a land of 'Khusi-Khusi' (Assamese term loosely translated to 'at one's own will').

Anything is possible in Arunachal, buddy. ;)

Subu Kechi to file his nomination tomorrow (Updated)

2009-03-29T22:58:00.002+05:30

Speaking from Along to Arunachal Diary, Subu Kechi, independent candidate has confirmed that he will be filing his nomination at Along tomorrow to contest from Arunachal (West) constituency for Lok Sabha seat.

Earlier, BJP candidate Kiren Rijiju and INC candidate Takam Sanjoy had filed their nominations for Arunachal (West) and Ninong Ering (INC) and Lowancha Wanglat (ADA) for Arunachal (East) Constituency.

As 30^th is the last date of filing the nomination, it is to be seen if BJP candidate Tapir Gao ~~and Lok Bharati candidate Taba Taku~~ (Taba Taku filed his nomination on Saturday) would file ~~their~~ his nominations too tomorrow for Arunachal (East) ~~and Arunachal (West) constituency respectively~~.

NES denies issuing press statement supporting candidature of Rijiju

2009-03-28T15:20:00.001+05:30

This had to come.

I was in for a shock, when I came across this news item carried in local dailies yesterday where it was stated that NES along with ANSU and Central Nyokum Committee has decided to support candidature of Kiren Rijiju, BJP candidate from Arunachal West Constituency for the coming Lok Sabha Election.

Nyishi Elite Society has decided to support the candidature of Kiren Rijiju in the ensuing parliamentary election for the western seat. The state would go to the polls on April 16.

Its president Bengia Tolum said that decision to this effect was taken at a joint meeting of Nyishi Elite Society, All Nyishi students Union , Central Nyokum Committee.

He said that NES is grateful to Rijiju for fulfilling long pending demands of the community by changing its nomenclature from Dafla to Nyishi last year during his tenure as a Member of Parliament.
(Source: Arunachal Times)

The reason being:

Can a non-government non-political organization, which I presume NES or ANSU is, show support to any political party openly?

And true to the apprehension, NES came out with a statement today in local dailies stating that yesterdays press statement was 'forged' and has demanded the state government to find out the culprit within seven days.

The Nyishi Elite Society today disowned the press statement that appeared in cross section of local dailies where it declared that NES is supporting Kiren Rijiju as the West Parliamentary candidate in the coming election.

In a press conference today at ANSU office, NES president Bengia Tolum clarified that press statement did not emanate from the NES but by some miscreants.

Expressing shock and anguish at the same time, he said that he was in Yazali since March 10 last so question of writing the press release on March 20 does not arise.

Meanwhile, the NES said that it will lodge complaint in the nearest police station against fake press statement and demanded the state govt to find out the culprit within seven days.
(Source: Arunachal Times)