Exhibits at 21st Statehood Day

Arunachal entered into it’s 21^st year of being a state on 20^th Feb and this day saw Itanagar being put into air map of country with the laying of Foundation Stone of Green Field Airport at Karsingsa by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. I was thinking of writing a piece on where we are vis-à-vis other states after two decades of Arunachal's statehood but couldn't make it, instead I'm posting some photos of the exhibits that were put up at exhibition stalls by various government departments, PSU's and educational institutions, that fancied me.

Entry to the Exhibition Stalls

Some wood carvings on display

The pre-fab bamboo ply house manufactured at Arunachal

Stall by N.H.P.C. Ltd. that bagged the best stall award

Exhibits at 21st Statehood Day

Arunachal entered into it’s 21^st year of being a state on 20^th Feb and this day saw Itanagar being put into air map of country with the laying of Foundation Stone of Green Field Airport at Karsingsa by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. I was thinking of writing a piece on where we are vis-à-vis other states after two decades of Arunachal's statehood but couldn't make it, instead I'm posting some photos of the exhibits that were put up at exhibition stalls by various government departments, PSU's and educational institutions, that fancied me.

Entry to the Exhibition Stalls

Some wood carvings on display

The pre-fab bamboo ply house manufactured at Arunachal

Stall by N.H.P.C. Ltd. that bagged the best stall award

A India..You don't know

Wanna know? Watch this video by Bittu Kri

(link via prasanth )

A India..You don't know

Wanna know? Watch this video by Bittu Kri

(link via prasanth )

What does it take to get your water pipeline plumbed at Hapoli?

Patience…that too loads of, filled wallet (to buy appurtenances that may be demanded of by the plumber to set right the water line), some sweat and not to forget the neighbour’s complain. Well, that’s exactly what I found when I set to get my water line plumbed this Saturday.

This Saturday being second Saturday of the month-office off day, I decided to wake up late the previous night only to be woken up early at 8 o’clock in the morning (by my standard 8 a.m. is quite early, I being late riser) and told to complain about the water supply to the residence. Fearing, all the plumbers would be dispatched to various locations before I lodged the complaint, I rushed to PHE complaint room even without brushing my teeth to lodge my complaint. My complaint was lodged and I was assured that soon plumber would come to my residence to look after the problem.

No sooner had I finished my breakfast, the plumbers arrived and asked if I had given the complaint. I said, “Yes”. They asked me to show where the problem was (wasn't it their duty to check where the problem lie?). I presumed that the fault lied at the joint over the main road which might be broken due to vehicles plying over it (the main water supply runs across the main road and the pipeline that supplies water to my residence crosses the main road), so I told them to look at the socket over the main road and the union just after crossing the road. Without inspecting, one of the plumber asked me to bring a union, elbows and nipples. I obliged, in the process making my wallet lighter by 200 bucks, only to be told that hacksaw blade is required to cut-off the socket. Cursing the plumber for not coming without proper tools, I rushed to Hardware Store to buy the hacksaw blade, thereby making my wallet lighter by another 5 bucks again. My only concern at that time was that the waterline be fixed before 2.00 p.m. when they supply water, so that I may stock water for use, which was nil at that time owing to faulty water supply line. But, the horror was yet to come. The plumber while removing the socket after cutting it damaged the tread of the pipe. They gave up the work saying that die for making tread is not available with them or at their office and without the die work cannot be carried farther. They promised to come back on Monday with die to restore the water line (the next day being Sunday-the office off day). But, can you imagine yourself without water for 2 (two) days? So, I pleaded them to go and look for the die, which I was told, was taken to complaint at Siiro by another plumber, in my car and set right my water supply line somehow that day itself. After lots of coaxing and trying to make them understand that how horrible it would be to live without water for 2 days, finally, they agreed to go and look for the plumber that took the die, provided I drove them. With little choice left, I drove them around the town looking for the plumber and finally, we found the plumber that took the die to the complaint. Finally, my pipeline was restored at 12.30 p.m. Fully satisfied with the days labour (shouldn't I.....at least I prevented my family from living without water for 2 days), sweating it out to get my water pipeline fixed, I returned home only to be rebuked by the neighbour for blocking their water supply line. I wondered where my fault lies? Where has humanity gone? Hadn't I done them the favour by sweating out for around 3 and ½ hours to set right the water supply line (incidentally, I share the same water supply pipeline with my neighbour and the supply line enters my neighbour's residence before it reaches my residence)? And when water was coming to my residence, how on earth water was not coming to their residence? I had lost all the energy in setting right the water supply line to argue with my neighbour, I meekly said, "O.K. I'll complain about it the next working day".

So, if you are at Ziro-Hapoli, make sure you have lots of time to spare to run around looking for tools which the plumber wouldn't bring, has enough patience, enough money in the wallet to buy the appurtenances and are ready to take neighbours complain gracefully (I bet you wouldn't be left with any energy to argue with your neighbour), whenever you are trying to fix faulty water pipeline.

What does it take to get your water pipeline plumbed at Hapoli?

Patience…that too loads of, filled wallet (to buy appurtenances that may be demanded of by the plumber to set right the water line), some sweat and not to forget the neighbour’s complain. Well, that’s exactly what I found when I set to get my water line plumbed this Saturday.

This Saturday being second Saturday of the month-office off day, I decided to wake up late the previous night only to be woken up early at 8 o’clock in the morning (by my standard 8 a.m. is quite early, I being late riser) and told to complain about the water supply to the residence. Fearing, all the plumbers would be dispatched to various locations before I lodged the complaint, I rushed to PHE complaint room even without brushing my teeth to lodge my complaint. My complaint was lodged and I was assured that soon plumber would come to my residence to look after the problem.

No sooner had I finished my breakfast, the plumbers arrived and asked if I had given the complaint. I said, “Yes”. They asked me to show where the problem was (wasn't it their duty to check where the problem lie?). I presumed that the fault lied at the joint over the main road which might be broken due to vehicles plying over it (the main water supply runs across the main road and the pipeline that supplies water to my residence crosses the main road), so I told them to look at the socket over the main road and the union just after crossing the road. Without inspecting, one of the plumber asked me to bring a union, elbows and nipples. I obliged, in the process making my wallet lighter by 200 bucks, only to be told that hacksaw blade is required to cut-off the socket. Cursing the plumber for not coming without proper tools, I rushed to Hardware Store to buy the hacksaw blade, thereby making my wallet lighter by another 5 bucks again. My only concern at that time was that the waterline be fixed before 2.00 p.m. when they supply water, so that I may stock water for use, which was nil at that time owing to faulty water supply line. But, the horror was yet to come. The plumber while removing the socket after cutting it damaged the tread of the pipe. They gave up the work saying that die for making tread is not available with them or at their office and without the die work cannot be carried farther. They promised to come back on Monday with die to restore the water line (the next day being Sunday-the office off day). But, can you imagine yourself without water for 2 (two) days? So, I pleaded them to go and look for the die, which I was told, was taken to complaint at Siiro by another plumber, in my car and set right my water supply line somehow that day itself. After lots of coaxing and trying to make them understand that how horrible it would be to live without water for 2 days, finally, they agreed to go and look for the plumber that took the die, provided I drove them. With little choice left, I drove them around the town looking for the plumber and finally, we found the plumber that took the die to the complaint. Finally, my pipeline was restored at 12.30 p.m. Fully satisfied with the days labour (shouldn't I.....at least I prevented my family from living without water for 2 days), sweating it out to get my water pipeline fixed, I returned home only to be rebuked by the neighbour for blocking their water supply line. I wondered where my fault lies? Where has humanity gone? Hadn't I done them the favour by sweating out for around 3 and ½ hours to set right the water supply line (incidentally, I share the same water supply pipeline with my neighbour and the supply line enters my neighbour's residence before it reaches my residence)? And when water was coming to my residence, how on earth water was not coming to their residence? I had lost all the energy in setting right the water supply line to argue with my neighbour, I meekly said, "O.K. I'll complain about it the next working day".

So, if you are at Ziro-Hapoli, make sure you have lots of time to spare to run around looking for tools which the plumber wouldn't bring, has enough patience, enough money in the wallet to buy the appurtenances and are ready to take neighbours complain gracefully (I bet you wouldn't be left with any energy to argue with your neighbour), whenever you are trying to fix faulty water pipeline.

What should be the national issue?

Boundary intrusion……definitely a big NO, if going by the recent comment of Home Secretary V.K. Duggal on report of Chinese intrusion and occupation of some part of the state:

“There are some inadvertent incursions. Are we going to make them a national issue and make them come in the way of talks that are heading positively towards a resolution – no,”

-Courtesy CNN-IBN

Or does Mr. Duggal trying to mean that the area under intrusion falls under the territory that may be handed over to China as was hinted by the special representative on border talks, Mr. M.K. Narayanan at the end of 9^th round of border talks, to be merited as national issue?

“It is possible that there may be some amount of changes in territory. But what we have agreed upon is that where there are settled populations, we don’t want to have a Partition-kind of situation.’’

What should be the national issue?

Boundary intrusion……definitely a big NO, if going by the recent comment of Home Secretary V.K. Duggal on report of Chinese intrusion and occupation of some part of the state:

“There are some inadvertent incursions. Are we going to make them a national issue and make them come in the way of talks that are heading positively towards a resolution – no,”

-Courtesy CNN-IBN

Or does Mr. Duggal trying to mean that the area under intrusion falls under the territory that may be handed over to China as was hinted by the special representative on border talks, Mr. M.K. Narayanan at the end of 9^th round of border talks, to be merited as national issue?

“It is possible that there may be some amount of changes in territory. But what we have agreed upon is that where there are settled populations, we don’t want to have a Partition-kind of situation.’’

RHEP synced with the Grid

Yes, it has been officially reported. The Ranganadi Hydel Power Station of NEEPCO, the breakdown of which was attributed to the power crisis of Ziro-Hapoli township (as reasoned by the Power Department) has been put back to the grid-1^st Unit on 25^th, 2^nd Unit on 26^th and 3^rd Unit on 27^th of Jan.

But still, improvement in power position of this township has to be seen. And now, I wonder, what would the Power Department attribute to for non-improvement in present power position (when all the units of RHEP has been synchronised with the grid)?

Pride and Prejudice: Indian Edition

I almost spent twelve years in Delhi and NCR, and in these twelve years there was never a time I was asked if I was Indian except by a white man who was from Hong Kong. As a matter of fact, there were few people who actually knew that Arunachal is a part of India. Even educated people would ask if Arunachal is in China. Once, a friend of mine who came to Delhi from Manipur was asked, “Where is this Manipur?” May be, my friend was sick of answering the most obvious and perennial question, so he simply told him, “It is somewhere in the United States of America.” That gentleman nodded in acknowledgement and told my friend how he adores USA.

Twelve years of staying in Delhi enable me to learn and speak Hindi language like one of them. And I never hesitated to use it in Arunachal, but to make a conversation in Hindi language with Delhite means you are sure to be branded as Nepali. And to be called Nepali or Daaju or Kancha or Bahadur strike a wrong note to us. It is like a Tamilian or Punjabi or for that matter even U.Pites being called Bihari or vice versa. Besides, we, the people of Arunachal, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya grasp it as derogative, not a derogative word though. We abhor it because we weren’t Nepali. Secondly, for most North Indian, Nepali were synonymous with gatekeeper and domestic helper, which they consider as a menial job and are looked down or hold a little respect for the person who do this job. It is in the psyche of Indians that all the mongoloid who doesn’t look like Japanese or Chinese and those who doesn’t speak English-is a Nepali and therefore a gatekeeper or domestic helper. To justify my statement, let me cite an example of my encounter with a Rajasthani fellow at an antique shop in Jaipur where I was buying some memento for my relatives when this guy approached me and shocked me out and out. And without any formal introduction he rudely told me whenever we see (circling my face with index finger) people like you we call them Nepali. After almost 200 years of being ruled by English, the Indian were made to think that the English is superior. Thus, to command over English language not only makes you a part of privileged class but also induce people to think before they mock us. Perhaps, that’s why I preferred English language to Hindi, and a foreigner term is better, if not Indian.

What makes me much sadder is the discrimination I experienced while staying in Delhi. For instance, I had a saving account at Punjab National Bank (Moti Bagh Branch), and one particular gentleman, possibly a racist, almost always refused to realize my bank draft even though the teller confirmed that my bank draft had already realized. If I would turn up on Monday, he would say Tuesday. And on Tuesday, he would say not today, Friday and so on. I swear, I didn’t lay my eye on his daughter. I don’t even know if he had any. And how could I forget the dealing clerk at my college, he dilly-dallied to process my stipend form and prevented me from getting the scholarship. I don’t know why he hated me so much. During my final year, I gave him quite a shock with my Hindi as he always ridiculed me in Hindi under his breath. Auto rickshaw driver, taxi driver, shopkeeper, coolie they all look at us as we are some kind of prey, a “walking-coffer” would be more appropriate term-always ready to swindle our hard-earned meager money.

A lot of friend from Delhi asked me, “Why the North-Eastern folks keep so aloof?” Instead of answering their question, I asked them how they would react if they live their life under stress. How would they retaliate if their own government allows the army to bombard aerially on its own civilian population as happened in Mizoram in February 1966? Would their life remain as same if the draconian law like Armed Force (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFPSA) extended to their state which gives unlimited power to armed forces where even a non-commissioned officer has license to kill anyone, anytime and anywhere based on mere suspicion. I also reminded them that it took 12 days for the parliament to pass the bill when the women reservation bill is still pending even after more than a year. They were horrified by what they heard and said, “It is unjust, a human right violation.” True, would they realize it if we didn’t start our powwow? It is really very easy to make remarks from a distance unless we experience it. And the people in the metropolitan city will never comprehend the pain and humiliation as they are brought up in that way-cocooned in luxury and ample of opportunities to hone their career.

Even a mad dog that goes on biting spree can make headlines in city (courtesy Aaj Tak and Star News), not to mention of Outlook editor-in-chief Vinod Mehta’s pet, Editor, who always manage to makes a cameo appearance in the magazine. I really envy those dogs as our lives look cheaper vis-à-vis their life. When a child called ‘Prince’ falls into a pit, a bunch of neo-journalists gathered around the pit and reported the rescue attempt like some commentator giving commentary at a cricket match whereas they don’t even bother to find out the atrocities that go unreported in the North-East. I am not saying that child ‘Prince’ shouldn’t be saved and dog should be stoned. I am just implying that we too need their attention and that we should respect each other irrespective of what race you may be. It’s hard not to think of ourselves as foreigner when alienation and prejudice persists.

- Roto Chobin

RHEP synced with the Grid

Yes, it has been officially reported. The Ranganadi Hydel Power Station of NEEPCO, the breakdown of which was attributed to the power crisis of Ziro-Hapoli township (as reasoned by the Power Department) has been put back to the grid-1^st Unit on 25^th, 2^nd Unit on 26^th and 3^rd Unit on 27^th of Jan.

But still, improvement in power position of this township has to be seen. And now, I wonder, what would the Power Department attribute to for non-improvement in present power position (when all the units of RHEP has been synchronised with the grid)?

Pride and Prejudice: Indian Edition

I almost spent twelve years in Delhi and NCR, and in these twelve years there was never a time I was asked if I was Indian except by a white man who was from Hong Kong. As a matter of fact, there were few people who actually knew that Arunachal is a part of India. Even educated people would ask if Arunachal is in China. Once, a friend of mine who came to Delhi from Manipur was asked, “Where is this Manipur?” May be, my friend was sick of answering the most obvious and perennial question, so he simply told him, “It is somewhere in the United States of America.” That gentleman nodded in acknowledgement and told my friend how he adores USA.

Twelve years of staying in Delhi enable me to learn and speak Hindi language like one of them. And I never hesitated to use it in Arunachal, but to make a conversation in Hindi language with Delhite means you are sure to be branded as Nepali. And to be called Nepali or Daaju or Kancha or Bahadur strike a wrong note to us. It is like a Tamilian or Punjabi or for that matter even U.Pites being called Bihari or vice versa. Besides, we, the people of Arunachal, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya grasp it as derogative, not a derogative word though. We abhor it because we weren’t Nepali. Secondly, for most North Indian, Nepali were synonymous with gatekeeper and domestic helper, which they consider as a menial job and are looked down or hold a little respect for the person who do this job. It is in the psyche of Indians that all the mongoloid who doesn’t look like Japanese or Chinese and those who doesn’t speak English-is a Nepali and therefore a gatekeeper or domestic helper. To justify my statement, let me cite an example of my encounter with a Rajasthani fellow at an antique shop in Jaipur where I was buying some memento for my relatives when this guy approached me and shocked me out and out. And without any formal introduction he rudely told me whenever we see (circling my face with index finger) people like you we call them Nepali. After almost 200 years of being ruled by English, the Indian were made to think that the English is superior. Thus, to command over English language not only makes you a part of privileged class but also induce people to think before they mock us. Perhaps, that’s why I preferred English language to Hindi, and a foreigner term is better, if not Indian.

What makes me much sadder is the discrimination I experienced while staying in Delhi. For instance, I had a saving account at Punjab National Bank (Moti Bagh Branch), and one particular gentleman, possibly a racist, almost always refused to realize my bank draft even though the teller confirmed that my bank draft had already realized. If I would turn up on Monday, he would say Tuesday. And on Tuesday, he would say not today, Friday and so on. I swear, I didn’t lay my eye on his daughter. I don’t even know if he had any. And how could I forget the dealing clerk at my college, he dilly-dallied to process my stipend form and prevented me from getting the scholarship. I don’t know why he hated me so much. During my final year, I gave him quite a shock with my Hindi as he always ridiculed me in Hindi under his breath. Auto rickshaw driver, taxi driver, shopkeeper, coolie they all look at us as we are some kind of prey, a “walking-coffer” would be more appropriate term-always ready to swindle our hard-earned meager money.

A lot of friend from Delhi asked me, “Why the North-Eastern folks keep so aloof?” Instead of answering their question, I asked them how they would react if they live their life under stress. How would they retaliate if their own government allows the army to bombard aerially on its own civilian population as happened in Mizoram in February 1966? Would their life remain as same if the draconian law like Armed Force (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFPSA) extended to their state which gives unlimited power to armed forces where even a non-commissioned officer has license to kill anyone, anytime and anywhere based on mere suspicion. I also reminded them that it took 12 days for the parliament to pass the bill when the women reservation bill is still pending even after more than a year. They were horrified by what they heard and said, “It is unjust, a human right violation.” True, would they realize it if we didn’t start our powwow? It is really very easy to make remarks from a distance unless we experience it. And the people in the metropolitan city will never comprehend the pain and humiliation as they are brought up in that way-cocooned in luxury and ample of opportunities to hone their career.

Even a mad dog that goes on biting spree can make headlines in city (courtesy Aaj Tak and Star News), not to mention of Outlook editor-in-chief Vinod Mehta’s pet, Editor, who always manage to makes a cameo appearance in the magazine. I really envy those dogs as our lives look cheaper vis-à-vis their life. When a child called ‘Prince’ falls into a pit, a bunch of neo-journalists gathered around the pit and reported the rescue attempt like some commentator giving commentary at a cricket match whereas they don’t even bother to find out the atrocities that go unreported in the North-East. I am not saying that child ‘Prince’ shouldn’t be saved and dog should be stoned. I am just implying that we too need their attention and that we should respect each other irrespective of what race you may be. It’s hard not to think of ourselves as foreigner when alienation and prejudice persists.

- Roto Chobin

The 'Apatani Protagonist'

This past week had been quite hectic for me keeping me out of regular blogging and making me itch to be back on the net to update my blog.

The week witnessed first disaster of the new year, where around 28 houses at Bulla Village (Reru) were reduced to ashes and another around 27 were dismantled (to prevent spread of fire) in the fire on the Republic Day. No loss to human lives were reported.

Do you remember, I promised in my earlier post to introduce you to 'The Apatani Protagonists'? This past week was quite fruitful in the sense that finally, I was able to coax them to come out in open and here they are.

Hope they would address the issues of Ziro Hapoli in particular and entire Arunachal Pradesh as a whole.