A very Merry Christmas to you all (though belatedly).

This last week has been quite enlightening and productive for me.

I was asked to attend the 21st Indian Engineering Congress at Guwahati, which was a welcome break from the monotonous and dull life without electricity at this sleepy town of Hapoli. I was almost saturated to the core, but for this Engineering Congress which jostled my saturated mind a bit.

And I said the week has been productive as this trip of mine to Guwahati led me to come out of my forced hiatus, as my PC was fixed by the mobo that I bought from Guwahati. Now, I no longer would depend on my friends PC to update my blog and I guess I would be quite regular in updating my blog from now on. And I do thank you for visiting Arunachal Diary even when I was unable to update my blog owing to breaking down of my PC and the power cuts.

Thanks once again.

A very Merry Christmas to you all (though belatedly).

This last week has been quite enlightening and productive for me.

I was asked to attend the 21st Indian Engineering Congress at Guwahati, which was a welcome break from the monotonous and dull life without electricity at this sleepy town of Hapoli. I was almost saturated to the core, but for this Engineering Congress which jostled my saturated mind a bit.

And I said the week has been productive as this trip of mine to Guwahati led me to come out of my forced hiatus, as my PC was fixed by the mobo that I bought from Guwahati. Now, I no longer would depend on my friends PC to update my blog and I guess I would be quite regular in updating my blog from now on. And I do thank you for visiting Arunachal Diary even when I was unable to update my blog owing to breaking down of my PC and the power cuts.

Thanks once again.

After a hiatus

Did you wondered, where I had been?

Well, if power cuts at Hapoli was not enough, my PC went kaput (and I don't know how) leaving me with a little choice but to go into unwilling hiatus on compulsion. But then, it helped me to find my protagonists-'Apatani Protagonists', which I surely would introduce to you in a days to come.

Now I've to make do with my friends PC to update my blog and till my PC is set right (which the service guys says is a mobo problem), I would be bit irregular in updating my blog but even then may I assume you will keep visiting my blog (am I sounding bit demanding?)

"What about the power position of Hapoli? Has it improved? How's your crusade against power cuts going?" - People ask me.

To be frank, I lost all count of the days. Has it been a week?...... a fortnight? ……. a month? I don't remember exactly, I guess it has been more than a month since we Hapolian are reeling under the darkness. In fact, I’ve started liking this darkness. Thanks to Power Department; we are re-living the lives of our ancestors – 'work up to the hilt till there is sunlight and retreat to bed early after a bout of ‘Rice Beer’ - locally called “O” – and a dinner'.

It is heard that ‘Consumers’ Right Forum’ (CRF) Ziro, in association with ‘Ziro Chambers of Commerce and Industries’ (ZCC&I) and ‘Apatani Students Union’ (ASU) has served ultimatum to Power Secretary to restore normal power supply within a week or else face 2^nd Phase of Bandh for 48 hrs on14^th and 15^th of this month.

I say, why on earth people want to come out from this opportunity of re-living the past, that too without a 'Time Machine', by asking for electricity? Or is electricity that important? Only if Power Department knew.

After a hiatus

Did you wondered, where I had been?

Well, if power cuts at Hapoli was not enough, my PC went kaput (and I don't know how) leaving me with a little choice but to go into unwilling hiatus on compulsion. But then, it helped me to find my protagonists-'Apatani Protagonists', which I surely would introduce to you in a days to come.

Now I've to make do with my friends PC to update my blog and till my PC is set right (which the service guys says is a mobo problem), I would be bit irregular in updating my blog but even then may I assume you will keep visiting my blog (am I sounding bit demanding?)

"What about the power position of Hapoli? Has it improved? How's your crusade against power cuts going?" - People ask me.

To be frank, I lost all count of the days. Has it been a week?...... a fortnight? ……. a month? I don't remember exactly, I guess it has been more than a month since we Hapolian are reeling under the darkness. In fact, I’ve started liking this darkness. Thanks to Power Department; we are re-living the lives of our ancestors – 'work up to the hilt till there is sunlight and retreat to bed early after a bout of ‘Rice Beer’ - locally called “O” – and a dinner'.

It is heard that ‘Consumers’ Right Forum’ (CRF) Ziro, in association with ‘Ziro Chambers of Commerce and Industries’ (ZCC&I) and ‘Apatani Students Union’ (ASU) has served ultimatum to Power Secretary to restore normal power supply within a week or else face 2^nd Phase of Bandh for 48 hrs on14^th and 15^th of this month.

I say, why on earth people want to come out from this opportunity of re-living the past, that too without a 'Time Machine', by asking for electricity? Or is electricity that important? Only if Power Department knew.

Become a ‘Millionaire’ overnight

What?”

“How?”

(On a second thought) “Are you kidding?”

Of course not, this really is possible in the land of “Khusi Khusi” and that too legally – the only prerequisite being affinity to or acquaintance with some local politician.

How?

All you need to do is identify a Financial Institution owned and managed by State Government and if you fulfill the ‘prerequisite’ (knowing the Branch Manager of that Financial Institution will be an added advantage), just walk up to that Financial Institution and apply for whatever amount as loan against any plot of land or forests area (be it reserved forest) or for that matter even whole of Arunachal State – the fulfillment of ‘prerequisite’ will make the Financial Institution not to verify whether the said plot does really exists or not or if it does exists then whether it suffice as mortgage for the applied loan; your loan is sanctioned and voila you are a ‘Millionaire’ overnight.

“But then, you have to repay your loan amount?”

Hell no. You don’t have to bother about the repayment as no one will pay back and with such a huge amount disbursed as loan to so many persons, the Financial Institution is bound to shutdown one day or the other. The Management and the Government would be too busy pointing fingers at each other for mismanagement of the Financial Institution to ask you for repayment.

Even if they do, then there always is ‘Citizens’ Grievances Forum on that particular Financial Institution’ through which you can accuse the financial institution of shutting down before you are able to repay the loaned amount. And you can sue the Financial Institution for defaming you by flashing your name in the TV Channels and Print Media as defaulter in repayment of loan. (Pretend that) After all, you wanted to repay the loaned amount but for the closure of that Institution.

And for fear of losing the defamation suit, the bankrupt Financial Institution would ask you to keep the amount without repayment in lieu of you withdrawing the ‘Defamation Suit’ as they won’t be able to cough up huge amount as compensation in the eventuality of losing the ‘defamation suit’. And you are a ‘Millionaire’ that too legally without any liabilities to Financial Institutions.

Blame your luck though, becoming a ‘Millionaire’ overnight now would just be a dream, for the lone state owned and managed financial institution, Apex Bank is in shambles. The government and the management of the Bank is pointing fingers at each other for the present condition of the Bank and to make the matter worse, a Citizen’s Grievances Forum on A.P. State Co-operative Apex Bank (CGFAPSCAB) which has been formed recently (most of the members, which I presume are the loan defaulters), is blaming the bank for shutting down making the loan defaulters unable to repay their amount.

The people had to become 'millionaire' and they became one, the bank had to shut down and they did but what about the people-mostly daily wage earner who had entrusted the bank to take custody of their daily earnings?

Become a ‘Millionaire’ overnight

What?”

“How?”

(On a second thought) “Are you kidding?”

Of course not, this really is possible in the land of “Khusi Khusi” and that too legally – the only prerequisite being affinity to or acquaintance with some local politician.

How?

All you need to do is identify a Financial Institution owned and managed by State Government and if you fulfill the ‘prerequisite’ (knowing the Branch Manager of that Financial Institution will be an added advantage), just walk up to that Financial Institution and apply for whatever amount as loan against any plot of land or forests area (be it reserved forest) or for that matter even whole of Arunachal State – the fulfillment of ‘prerequisite’ will make the Financial Institution not to verify whether the said plot does really exists or not or if it does exists then whether it suffice as mortgage for the applied loan; your loan is sanctioned and voila you are a ‘Millionaire’ overnight.

“But then, you have to repay your loan amount?”

Hell no. You don’t have to bother about the repayment as no one will pay back and with such a huge amount disbursed as loan to so many persons, the Financial Institution is bound to shutdown one day or the other. The Management and the Government would be too busy pointing fingers at each other for mismanagement of the Financial Institution to ask you for repayment.

Even if they do, then there always is ‘Citizens’ Grievances Forum on that particular Financial Institution’ through which you can accuse the financial institution of shutting down before you are able to repay the loaned amount. And you can sue the Financial Institution for defaming you by flashing your name in the TV Channels and Print Media as defaulter in repayment of loan. (Pretend that) After all, you wanted to repay the loaned amount but for the closure of that Institution.

And for fear of losing the defamation suit, the bankrupt Financial Institution would ask you to keep the amount without repayment in lieu of you withdrawing the ‘Defamation Suit’ as they won’t be able to cough up huge amount as compensation in the eventuality of losing the ‘defamation suit’. And you are a ‘Millionaire’ that too legally without any liabilities to Financial Institutions.

Blame your luck though, becoming a ‘Millionaire’ overnight now would just be a dream, for the lone state owned and managed financial institution, Apex Bank is in shambles. The government and the management of the Bank is pointing fingers at each other for the present condition of the Bank and to make the matter worse, a Citizen’s Grievances Forum on A.P. State Co-operative Apex Bank (CGFAPSCAB) which has been formed recently (most of the members, which I presume are the loan defaulters), is blaming the bank for shutting down making the loan defaulters unable to repay their amount.

The people had to become 'millionaire' and they became one, the bank had to shut down and they did but what about the people-mostly daily wage earner who had entrusted the bank to take custody of their daily earnings?

Seeing Ziro: In Two Tone

Homecoming is something I always look forward to, especially when if I stayed away from home beyond schedule. The nipping icy breeze, which welcomes you as soon as you approach the peak of the mountain, is so fresh and invigorating that left you drooling all over it.

The landscape of Ziro is full of wonder and always amazes me. No matter whichever place or spot you are, you’ll be surrounded by hills and it feel like you are being trapped amid hills. The perpetual green in profusion and the valley lush with paddy fields in summer, the unpredictable rain and the occasional rainbow, and the low-slung mist that resembles lake and deceives onlookers, not only enthralls but also nourishes soul.

Over the years, things have changed. The atmosphere of purity has waned a little. The rain no longer drizzles but pounds. The forest is being cleared and the paddy fields are receiving rapidly to accommodate the growing population or to convert it into cash. With the forest diminishing at breakneck pace, the flora and fauna too had seemingly vanished. I learned to respect the birds when my father used to tell us the mesmerizing stories of hornbill. And my mother still loves to narrate how she encountered deer at our paddy field. Indeed, things have changed. The valley is not what it used to be. It’s gloomy and ugly with houses built messily and so compactly that it look like a slum, and if you happen to be in one house, you can almost discern what’s happening in the neighbour’s house.

Two decades ago, there were few people and fewer houses, and everybody knew everyone in the town and there were two cinema halls to entertain them. And when I was very young, my whole body would itch to see a movie as soon as the cinema operator would play a song in a gramophone-to beckon the viewers. If I would help my parent in the household chores, they would allow me to go with my friends and watch a movie on weekend. It was quite an experience for a young mind then. The cinema hall had conked out a long time ago.

Now; our folks, young and old, derive little happiness from the episodic social events that usually fizzles out as soon as the VIP leaves the podium. Youngsters especially are seems to be in delirium as the town lacks in infrastructure to nurture their talents, thus making them highly prone to drugs and substance abuse, and which could also lead them to the world of crimes.

Ziro, in a way, is a cost-effective town and boon to misers like a breeze to sailors. Fruits and vegetables et al are comparatively cheap and the vicinity of town is within a stone’s throw distance - enabling the commuters to save great amount of cash unless you choose not to own a vehicle of your own. Unlike the metros or cities, that are flooded with different branded items, we don’t need to decide which to pick out and which not to. So, it’s almost sure, you’ll end up buying Nestle’s Nescafe from one of the many, but analogous shop, if you are looking for a packet of coffee. But alcoholics are lucky or unlucky in this case as they have an option to choose from variety of liquors that are made available by more than five wine shops in Hapoli alone.

For the tourist at Ziro and Arunachal as a whole, it’s a sad story. Ziro has all the potent to emerge as a veritable paradise for both foreign and domestic tourists. But, unfortunately, doesn’t have too much to offer to tourist excluding anthropologists and sociologists. “There’s literally no place in Ziro where the tourist can spend some money” a local ourist guide points out. When I was at Delhi University, some of my friends from Geography Department went on study tour to Arunachal. On their return, I expected that they would remark and argue on the under development of physical and civic infrastructure in our state and that I would defend my state, but what they complained was, they couldn’t find single eateries where local delicacy was served, and it vexed me altogether.

The people of Ziro are still friendly and helpful to large extent. But they have become a cynical and insensible too. By the way, who has not? The rich peoples are busy making money – to stash the cash in their already fatted coffer and the poor – to get rich. Though the Cable TV, Internet and all sorts of electronic media had opened a window to the outside world, it hardly influences our sectarian mindset. Despite what’s been said, there’s no denying the fact that it indeed introduced the culture of consumerism to the people. Hence, we vigorously pursue our quintessential character – hunger for property and property related disputes.

In summary, Ziro (Hapoli, in particular) has almost all the things that gratify basic human being’s need, not everything though. There is an internet facility that takes ages to connect to the server, and then there is a drinking water (sic), catered to every household, provided we purchase our own appurtenances. And the wall of Hapoli Ground, which serve as a urinal for migrant labourers and traders. We have an access to Telecommunication, Banking system, Health Care, Post Office, Gas Station (Petrol Pump) and so on but, regrettably, all labeled with ineffectual service and apathetic customer care to large extent. And it seems as if some stale porridge had been prepared in a hurry for equally hurried guest.

To conclude, Ziro, I daresay, is still reeling under the clouds of rustic existence and trying very hard to shudder it off. But without the solid foundation of basic infrastructure, it is staggering. And if we compare with other district headquarters, it may fare a little better. But to compare with coequal, I believe, is worst thing to do. As we should be competing with the best.

-Roto Chobin

(The author is the editor of ZIRO MIRROR and can be contacted at rotochobin@rediffmail.com or ziromirror@yahoo.com)

Seeing Ziro: In Two Tone

Homecoming is something I always look forward to, especially when if I stayed away from home beyond schedule. The nipping icy breeze, which welcomes you as soon as you approach the peak of the mountain, is so fresh and invigorating that left you drooling all over it.

The landscape of Ziro is full of wonder and always amazes me. No matter whichever place or spot you are, you’ll be surrounded by hills and it feel like you are being trapped amid hills. The perpetual green in profusion and the valley lush with paddy fields in summer, the unpredictable rain and the occasional rainbow, and the low-slung mist that resembles lake and deceives onlookers, not only enthralls but also nourishes soul.

Over the years, things have changed. The atmosphere of purity has waned a little. The rain no longer drizzles but pounds. The forest is being cleared and the paddy fields are receiving rapidly to accommodate the growing population or to convert it into cash. With the forest diminishing at breakneck pace, the flora and fauna too had seemingly vanished. I learned to respect the birds when my father used to tell us the mesmerizing stories of hornbill. And my mother still loves to narrate how she encountered deer at our paddy field. Indeed, things have changed. The valley is not what it used to be. It’s gloomy and ugly with houses built messily and so compactly that it look like a slum, and if you happen to be in one house, you can almost discern what’s happening in the neighbour’s house.

Two decades ago, there were few people and fewer houses, and everybody knew everyone in the town and there were two cinema halls to entertain them. And when I was very young, my whole body would itch to see a movie as soon as the cinema operator would play a song in a gramophone-to beckon the viewers. If I would help my parent in the household chores, they would allow me to go with my friends and watch a movie on weekend. It was quite an experience for a young mind then. The cinema hall had conked out a long time ago.

Now; our folks, young and old, derive little happiness from the episodic social events that usually fizzles out as soon as the VIP leaves the podium. Youngsters especially are seems to be in delirium as the town lacks in infrastructure to nurture their talents, thus making them highly prone to drugs and substance abuse, and which could also lead them to the world of crimes.

Ziro, in a way, is a cost-effective town and boon to misers like a breeze to sailors. Fruits and vegetables et al are comparatively cheap and the vicinity of town is within a stone’s throw distance - enabling the commuters to save great amount of cash unless you choose not to own a vehicle of your own. Unlike the metros or cities, that are flooded with different branded items, we don’t need to decide which to pick out and which not to. So, it’s almost sure, you’ll end up buying Nestle’s Nescafe from one of the many, but analogous shop, if you are looking for a packet of coffee. But alcoholics are lucky or unlucky in this case as they have an option to choose from variety of liquors that are made available by more than five wine shops in Hapoli alone.

For the tourist at Ziro and Arunachal as a whole, it’s a sad story. Ziro has all the potent to emerge as a veritable paradise for both foreign and domestic tourists. But, unfortunately, doesn’t have too much to offer to tourist excluding anthropologists and sociologists. “There’s literally no place in Ziro where the tourist can spend some money” a local ourist guide points out. When I was at Delhi University, some of my friends from Geography Department went on study tour to Arunachal. On their return, I expected that they would remark and argue on the under development of physical and civic infrastructure in our state and that I would defend my state, but what they complained was, they couldn’t find single eateries where local delicacy was served, and it vexed me altogether.

The people of Ziro are still friendly and helpful to large extent. But they have become a cynical and insensible too. By the way, who has not? The rich peoples are busy making money – to stash the cash in their already fatted coffer and the poor – to get rich. Though the Cable TV, Internet and all sorts of electronic media had opened a window to the outside world, it hardly influences our sectarian mindset. Despite what’s been said, there’s no denying the fact that it indeed introduced the culture of consumerism to the people. Hence, we vigorously pursue our quintessential character – hunger for property and property related disputes.

In summary, Ziro (Hapoli, in particular) has almost all the things that gratify basic human being’s need, not everything though. There is an internet facility that takes ages to connect to the server, and then there is a drinking water (sic), catered to every household, provided we purchase our own appurtenances. And the wall of Hapoli Ground, which serve as a urinal for migrant labourers and traders. We have an access to Telecommunication, Banking system, Health Care, Post Office, Gas Station (Petrol Pump) and so on but, regrettably, all labeled with ineffectual service and apathetic customer care to large extent. And it seems as if some stale porridge had been prepared in a hurry for equally hurried guest.

To conclude, Ziro, I daresay, is still reeling under the clouds of rustic existence and trying very hard to shudder it off. But without the solid foundation of basic infrastructure, it is staggering. And if we compare with other district headquarters, it may fare a little better. But to compare with coequal, I believe, is worst thing to do. As we should be competing with the best.

-Roto Chobin

(The author is the editor of ZIRO MIRROR and can be contacted at rotochobin@rediffmail.com or ziromirror@yahoo.com)