The Land of Temples

“Arunachal Pradesh is already in contention to be known as the land of temples”, a friend of mine suggested.

“That’s good for us,” I told him.

“Good for us! How?” He was not ready to agree.

I knew I cannot beat him in argument but I went for it. “Well, I can’t think of how it’s not good for us, any way,” I said.

“I think”, he said, “Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa was right when he said that God lives in the pure heart of every child.”

“That’s right, but…..”

“Let me finish first,” he interrupted me. “Remember those childhood days in Itanagar at H-Sector. We used to gather there at the open space-a sort of small playground for the children of the sector. We’d play, shout, fight and cry – it was such a fun, those days. You might have seen what has happened to that small playground. A temple has come up and fences have been erected around it.”

“Yes that’s so.” I had to agree because it happens to be true.

“Do you know what the children of the sector do now-a-days? Some play in the road and some whose parents think the road too unsafe to play on are confined to their home. H-Sector is just one example – go to A-Sector, B-Sector, C-Sector – everywhere in Itanagar and Naharlagun, you’ll see temples coming up at the spaces meant for the children. You’ll see…….” Just then his mobile rang. It was his mother.

“I have to go,” he said. He looked little annoyed to leave at this juncture. It was a disappointment for me as well, as I wanted to elicit some more from him.

The next day I made a quick survey to what he had told me about the temples. He was right. What once used to be a small open breathing space left in the colony or a small playground for the children, as he called it, was replaced by a temple in the heart of Ganga market. I still have vivid picture of Durga Puja pandal being erected in the place, some seven years ago, where the temple stood today. It was a much needed space left by the town planner, perhaps, to accommodate the future need of the market.

“Does law allow encroachment of public land anywhere to build a place of worship?” I asked myself.

“No comment”, said my inner voice. “This is a sensitive matter.”

I wonder if readers of Arunachal Diary has any comment on it.

-Shared by Gyati Tallo

The Land of Temples

“Arunachal Pradesh is already in contention to be known as the land of temples”, a friend of mine suggested.

“That’s good for us,” I told him.

“Good for us! How?” He was not ready to agree.

I knew I cannot beat him in argument but I went for it. “Well, I can’t think of how it’s not good for us, any way,” I said.

“I think”, he said, “Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa was right when he said that God lives in the pure heart of every child.”

“That’s right, but…..”

“Let me finish first,” he interrupted me. “Remember those childhood days in Itanagar at H-Sector. We used to gather there at the open space-a sort of small playground for the children of the sector. We’d play, shout, fight and cry – it was such a fun, those days. You might have seen what has happened to that small playground. A temple has come up and fences have been erected around it.”

“Yes that’s so.” I had to agree because it happens to be true.

“Do you know what the children of the sector do now-a-days? Some play in the road and some whose parents think the road too unsafe to play on are confined to their home. H-Sector is just one example – go to A-Sector, B-Sector, C-Sector – everywhere in Itanagar and Naharlagun, you’ll see temples coming up at the spaces meant for the children. You’ll see…….” Just then his mobile rang. It was his mother.

“I have to go,” he said. He looked little annoyed to leave at this juncture. It was a disappointment for me as well, as I wanted to elicit some more from him.

The next day I made a quick survey to what he had told me about the temples. He was right. What once used to be a small open breathing space left in the colony or a small playground for the children, as he called it, was replaced by a temple in the heart of Ganga market. I still have vivid picture of Durga Puja pandal being erected in the place, some seven years ago, where the temple stood today. It was a much needed space left by the town planner, perhaps, to accommodate the future need of the market.

“Does law allow encroachment of public land anywhere to build a place of worship?” I asked myself.

“No comment”, said my inner voice. “This is a sensitive matter.”

I wonder if readers of Arunachal Diary has any comment on it.

-Shared by Gyati Tallo

Team India...

What would you say about the team India after their loss to Sri Lanka.....

Inconsistent and Unpredictable, I would say.

Team India...

What would you say about the team India after their loss to Sri Lanka.....

Inconsistent and Unpredictable, I would say.

Myoko Fest from today

O.k. it's time to wine and dine.

Contrary to what people says, the month long "Hong Myoko" is beginning today without any rain which will be officially declared open after "Sama Piniing".

My Myoko wishes to all the apatani brethrens on behalf of Arunachal Diary.

Trip to Kardo - A Photo Feature

Road to Kardo

Stairs to Siddeshwar Nath Temple

The Lingam

Ganesha

Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha trio

Highest ever World Cup total

Well, I said, I would think twice before watching the match between India and Bermuda yesterday but I guess, I lied. Like any other Indian I could not help myself from watching that match and the way the team India played making highest ever world cup total of 413 runs made me wonder where was that zeal while playing with Bangladesh? Hope the team India keeps that tempo in the forthcoming match with Sri Lanka and register its place in Super 8.

Hey, am I turning into a Cricket buff?

Myoko Fest from today

O.k. it's time to wine and dine.

Contrary to what people says, the month long "Hong Myoko" is beginning today without any rain which will be officially declared open after "Sama Piniing".

My Myoko wishes to all the apatani brethrens on behalf of Arunachal Diary.

Trip to Kardo - A Photo Feature

Road to Kardo

Stairs to Siddeshwar Nath Temple

The Lingam

Ganesha

Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha trio

Highest ever World Cup total

Well, I said, I would think twice before watching the match between India and Bermuda yesterday but I guess, I lied. Like any other Indian I could not help myself from watching that match and the way the team India played making highest ever world cup total of 413 runs made me wonder where was that zeal while playing with Bangladesh? Hope the team India keeps that tempo in the forthcoming match with Sri Lanka and register its place in Super 8.

Hey, am I turning into a Cricket buff?

Underdogs beating the Veterans

Though not a cricket buff, I almost stayed awake through the World Cup match between India and Bangladesh on Saturday night but for the dismal performance of Team India, I thought it was a waste to waste my sleep and went to bed. The morning news shouted the obvious- the underdogs (Bangladesh) had beaten the veterans (India) making team India almost uncertain to secure a berth in Super 8.

What went wrong? Was it the case of over-confidence? Was it that the youths of Bangladeshi Team had an edge over the ageing Indian Team? Do write in what you thought went wrong.

The performance of Bangladeshi's during the match so impressed me that at one time it didn't seemed exaggeration to me when one of their fans flashed the banner with "2011- Bangladesh ICC World Cup Champions" written on it during the match.

And the performance of Indian Team would make me think twice before I sit and watch their match with Bermuda tonight.

Underdogs beating the Veterans

Though not a cricket buff, I almost stayed awake through the World Cup match between India and Bangladesh on Saturday night but for the dismal performance of Team India, I thought it was a waste to waste my sleep and went to bed. The morning news shouted the obvious- the underdogs (Bangladesh) had beaten the veterans (India) making team India almost uncertain to secure a berth in Super 8.

What went wrong? Was it the case of over-confidence? Was it that the youths of Bangladeshi Team had an edge over the ageing Indian Team? Do write in what you thought went wrong.

The performance of Bangladeshi's during the match so impressed me that at one time it didn't seemed exaggeration to me when one of their fans flashed the banner with "2011- Bangladesh ICC World Cup Champions" written on it during the match.

And the performance of Indian Team would make me think twice before I sit and watch their match with Bermuda tonight.

Wake up!...Administrators

Hmm! Seems it takes a report or two before the administrators are made to budge into action. It's not that the authorities are or were unaware of rampant use of unfair means at any exams be it CBSE or other Competitive Exams of the State. But it was only after two successive stories that appeared on 14^th and 15^th March issue of The Arunachal Times, on the mass and rampant use of unfair means at the ongoing CBSE exams at the schools of twin Capital Township of Naharlagun and Itanagar, when the authorities swung to action. Read on-

“Ruffled by the reports of mass copying during the ongoing CBSE examinations appearing in this daily, the district administration today posted magistrate to each exam centre to prevent malpractices and facilitate smooth conduct of the remaining examinations.”

-The Arunachal Times in its 16^th March issue

Better late than never, eh!

Wake up!...Administrators

Hmm! Seems it takes a report or two before the administrators are made to budge into action. It's not that the authorities are or were unaware of rampant use of unfair means at any exams be it CBSE or other Competitive Exams of the State. But it was only after two successive stories that appeared on 14^th and 15^th March issue of The Arunachal Times, on the mass and rampant use of unfair means at the ongoing CBSE exams at the schools of twin Capital Township of Naharlagun and Itanagar, when the authorities swung to action. Read on-

“Ruffled by the reports of mass copying during the ongoing CBSE examinations appearing in this daily, the district administration today posted magistrate to each exam centre to prevent malpractices and facilitate smooth conduct of the remaining examinations.”

-The Arunachal Times in its 16^th March issue

Better late than never, eh!

A new member …..

After doing these (1,2,3) pieces intermittently for Arunachal Diary, Roto Chobin will now be contributing to Arunachal Diary on regular basis beginning with this take on 9^th March Fire at Hapoli and all his work, now can be found under the label Cho's Take.

FIRE AT ZIRO: TOO HOT TO HANDLE

In two month and eleven days, Ziro has witnessed a series of fire accident - both major and minor. The March 9th Fire, which completely burnt down eight houses to ashes, could engulf whole Hao po lyang (Hapoli) town if it was not for the timely intervention by public. As usual, the fire fighters didn’t think it was necessary to act promptly. And there were more spectators than the people who actually were allaying the swell of fire as if they were partaking in the bonfire. And, to great extent, they were preventing the voluntary fire fighters from dousing the fire effectively. Under these circumstances, it is becoming an impossible task to have a sound sleep without a worry. Every night, I go to bed with a nightmare that being roasted alive at Ziro is within the bounds of possibility - You never know, when and where the next mishap will take place at Ziro.

It is clear as day that there will be no fire unless the spark to ignite the fuel was not provided. And who furnishes this required spark? Moreover, should they be particularly held liable for such catastrophe? For starters; fire is frequently caused due to negligence and those who think it is safe to leave the fire uncared-for is almost always responsible for the disaster, but at the same time the electrical department is not blameless altogether as many fire-accident cases are reported because of short-circuit. The erratic powers supplies along with fluctuation in voltage seem to be the only reason for short-circuit at Ziro. And it looks like the authorities have no concern at all to rectify it.

There’s no denying the fact that the fire department is having a hard time at Ziro. There could be a thousand reasons for their inefficiencies in dealing with fire-accident, but they have to admit it - their inefficiencies, of course. Their late arrival at scene, as was their wont, only enrages the irate commonalties which further estrange the ligament between the people and the fire department. Furthermore; the denizens of Ziro, strange to say, is so parochial that the parochialism even shows in the way of living also. The houses at villages, Hao po lyang (Hapoli) and Old Ziro town are compactly built (perhaps, even a dog will think twice to pass through it) with materials like bamboo and pine wood. The resin in pine wood is highly inflammable, so are the bamboos when it dries which makes the entire habitation vulnerable to fire. In a typical Apatani house, there will be usually two doors - one in front and the other in back of the house which will steer you to another house. Most of the alley that leads to one’s house is hellishly narrow; if two people pass each other in the alley one are sure to tumble. More importantly, firewood are used throughout the year and consumed with great gusto due to inhospitable (cold) weather of Ziro and cheap source of fuel [sic].

In a recent local weekly, an index of fire-accident was featured, in which the number of house burnt and loss of property was also displayed. It is evident from the fact that the devastation of fire is enormously huge and it also implies that the people of Ziro have not learnt the lesson well enough until now. The resultant: a string of fire-mishap. I believe, it will take another decade for the people of Ziro to grasp the meaning of safety as the development in Ziro manifest that the safeness is secondary to properties. I guess it is not feasible but we, the humans, seems to be seriously thinking that we could Fedexed our property to our new address when we will die and go to heaven or hell. Or am I fool to think that it is not feasible?

The authorities instead of handing out, especially relief money, they could find a practical solution to the problem. They could provide adequate fire engine and efficient fire fighters to tackle another disaster. Some years back when almost entire Hari village was burnt down, beneficiary didn’t get what they should get. It was the influential person who pocketed the lion’s share of relief fund. Besides, Relief money may help a victim in a small way to meet the expense in building new house but that cannot prevent disaster.

To blame a single entity for tragedy would be erroneous and unjust. Therefore, the society (fire-victim, to be precisely) has to own up the largish part of the blame for their carelessness, the government for their apathetic attitude and the bureaucrat for disloyal to their office and duty.

-Roto Chobin

A new member …..

After doing these (1,2,3) pieces intermittently for Arunachal Diary, Roto Chobin will now be contributing to Arunachal Diary on regular basis beginning with this take on 9^th March Fire at Hapoli and all his work, now can be found under the label Cho's Take.

FIRE AT ZIRO: TOO HOT TO HANDLE

In two month and eleven days, Ziro has witnessed a series of fire accident - both major and minor. The March 9th Fire, which completely burnt down eight houses to ashes, could engulf whole Hao po lyang (Hapoli) town if it was not for the timely intervention by public. As usual, the fire fighters didn’t think it was necessary to act promptly. And there were more spectators than the people who actually were allaying the swell of fire as if they were partaking in the bonfire. And, to great extent, they were preventing the voluntary fire fighters from dousing the fire effectively. Under these circumstances, it is becoming an impossible task to have a sound sleep without a worry. Every night, I go to bed with a nightmare that being roasted alive at Ziro is within the bounds of possibility - You never know, when and where the next mishap will take place at Ziro.

It is clear as day that there will be no fire unless the spark to ignite the fuel was not provided. And who furnishes this required spark? Moreover, should they be particularly held liable for such catastrophe? For starters; fire is frequently caused due to negligence and those who think it is safe to leave the fire uncared-for is almost always responsible for the disaster, but at the same time the electrical department is not blameless altogether as many fire-accident cases are reported because of short-circuit. The erratic powers supplies along with fluctuation in voltage seem to be the only reason for short-circuit at Ziro. And it looks like the authorities have no concern at all to rectify it.

There’s no denying the fact that the fire department is having a hard time at Ziro. There could be a thousand reasons for their inefficiencies in dealing with fire-accident, but they have to admit it - their inefficiencies, of course. Their late arrival at scene, as was their wont, only enrages the irate commonalties which further estrange the ligament between the people and the fire department. Furthermore; the denizens of Ziro, strange to say, is so parochial that the parochialism even shows in the way of living also. The houses at villages, Hao po lyang (Hapoli) and Old Ziro town are compactly built (perhaps, even a dog will think twice to pass through it) with materials like bamboo and pine wood. The resin in pine wood is highly inflammable, so are the bamboos when it dries which makes the entire habitation vulnerable to fire. In a typical Apatani house, there will be usually two doors - one in front and the other in back of the house which will steer you to another house. Most of the alley that leads to one’s house is hellishly narrow; if two people pass each other in the alley one are sure to tumble. More importantly, firewood are used throughout the year and consumed with great gusto due to inhospitable (cold) weather of Ziro and cheap source of fuel [sic].

In a recent local weekly, an index of fire-accident was featured, in which the number of house burnt and loss of property was also displayed. It is evident from the fact that the devastation of fire is enormously huge and it also implies that the people of Ziro have not learnt the lesson well enough until now. The resultant: a string of fire-mishap. I believe, it will take another decade for the people of Ziro to grasp the meaning of safety as the development in Ziro manifest that the safeness is secondary to properties. I guess it is not feasible but we, the humans, seems to be seriously thinking that we could Fedexed our property to our new address when we will die and go to heaven or hell. Or am I fool to think that it is not feasible?

The authorities instead of handing out, especially relief money, they could find a practical solution to the problem. They could provide adequate fire engine and efficient fire fighters to tackle another disaster. Some years back when almost entire Hari village was burnt down, beneficiary didn’t get what they should get. It was the influential person who pocketed the lion’s share of relief fund. Besides, Relief money may help a victim in a small way to meet the expense in building new house but that cannot prevent disaster.

To blame a single entity for tragedy would be erroneous and unjust. Therefore, the society (fire-victim, to be precisely) has to own up the largish part of the blame for their carelessness, the government for their apathetic attitude and the bureaucrat for disloyal to their office and duty.

-Roto Chobin

Fire at Hapoli Market

The year has not even completed its first quarter than this Apatani Plateau witnessed another fire accident (3^rd in these three months) devastating 6 houses at the heart of Hapoli Township.

Friday the 9^th, time around 2215 hrs

It was just after 2200 hrs; I had finished watching the programme “The Great Indian Laughter Champions-Dwitiya” on Star One and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard commotion outside. I thought, what’s this commotion about at this odd hour, when people usually are in deep slumber. I looked out through my window.

“Oh! My God, it’s F-I-R-E”, I shouted. Looking at the flames through my window, it appeared that the entire market area was engulfed by fire.

I rushed out to the main road and found that the people were rushing towards Club Road. I too ran along with them to see if I could be of any help in containing the fire or helping the people and their belongings to be shifted to a safer place. Lots of people had gathered there and were trying to contain the fire by putting water. Some were helping the people shift their belongings to a safer place. But ironically, no fire fighters from fire department were seen. The people were frantically trying to contain the fire but with the housing arrangement the market area of Hapoli Township has, the fire was spreading like wild fire and it was almost certain that without the help of fire fighters from fire department, the fire would wipe out the entire market area.

Finally, though after much delay and to the relief of people the fire fighters arrived and the fire was able to be contained and doused by 1.30 a.m. the next day. The devastation-6 houses completely gutted and several others partially damaged to contain the fire. Luckily no human casualty was there.

I returned home wondering-wouldn’t the damage been less had the township been planned properly with proper guidelines for construction of commercial or residential buildings? Had the fire fighters arrived in time, wouldn’t the destruction been minimised? Would the public, the politicians and the administrators wake up and ponder over the need to re-structure and re-plan the entire township after these incidents?

Sunday the 11^th, time around 1530 hrs

Just after a day of fire accident, people’s effort prevented another fire accident from happening in the market area of Hapoli Township.

It all started with leaking gas at Gupta Sweets but the cautious people were able to contain it before it could become unmanageable and as usual fire fighters arrived just after the fire has been doused.

The devastated houses

Update: Some more pics shot with mob-cam on the night of inferno

Fire at Hapoli Market

The year has not even completed its first quarter than this Apatani Plateau witnessed another fire accident (3^rd in these three months) devastating 6 houses at the heart of Hapoli Township.

Friday the 9^th, time around 2215 hrs

It was just after 2200 hrs; I had finished watching the programme “The Great Indian Laughter Champions-Dwitiya” on Star One and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard commotion outside. I thought, what’s this commotion about at this odd hour, when people usually are in deep slumber. I looked out through my window.

“Oh! My God, it’s F-I-R-E”, I shouted. Looking at the flames through my window, it appeared that the entire market area was engulfed by fire.

I rushed out to the main road and found that the people were rushing towards Club Road. I too ran along with them to see if I could be of any help in containing the fire or helping the people and their belongings to be shifted to a safer place. Lots of people had gathered there and were trying to contain the fire by putting water. Some were helping the people shift their belongings to a safer place. But ironically, no fire fighters from fire department were seen. The people were frantically trying to contain the fire but with the housing arrangement the market area of Hapoli Township has, the fire was spreading like wild fire and it was almost certain that without the help of fire fighters from fire department, the fire would wipe out the entire market area.

Finally, though after much delay and to the relief of people the fire fighters arrived and the fire was able to be contained and doused by 1.30 a.m. the next day. The devastation-6 houses completely gutted and several others partially damaged to contain the fire. Luckily no human casualty was there.

I returned home wondering-wouldn’t the damage been less had the township been planned properly with proper guidelines for construction of commercial or residential buildings? Had the fire fighters arrived in time, wouldn’t the destruction been minimised? Would the public, the politicians and the administrators wake up and ponder over the need to re-structure and re-plan the entire township after these incidents?

Sunday the 11^th, time around 1530 hrs

Just after a day of fire accident, people’s effort prevented another fire accident from happening in the market area of Hapoli Township.

It all started with leaking gas at Gupta Sweets but the cautious people were able to contain it before it could become unmanageable and as usual fire fighters arrived just after the fire has been doused.

The devastated houses

Update: Some more pics shot with mob-cam on the night of inferno

The Bandh Culture

During my brief stint at Manipur I observed that once into Manipur you can’t plan in advance when you can leave Manipur and once out of it you are not sure when you will be able to return to Manipur because of ‘Bandhs’ which are like the weather of Ziro during this month – you never know when there will be rain. And to go by the people of Manipur, the state has earned the sobriquet of “Bandhpur”.

Coming back to our state, it seems we Arunachali’s are also following the Manipur’s way. The ‘Bandh’ seems to have become the mantra to register your protest about anything-be it lottery imbroglio, power cuts and the most recent- to force resignation of Minister on morale ground. And in doing so, let the common people be damned, the student community, which is the future of state, be damned-this was what the Papum Pare District Youth Welfare Society (PPDYWS) exactly did, by calling 10 hr Capital ‘Bandh’ on 1^st of March, incidentally when C.B.S.E. exam began, to force the UD Minister Nabam Tuki, to step down from the Post on morale ground.

Here, what I couldn’t understand was, why the PPDYWS resorted to Bandh Call when PIL was filed at Guwahati High Court against the alleged involvement of UD Minister in corrupt practices and that too when thousands of students in the twin Capital City of Naharlagun and Itanagar were to sit for their Board Exams. Why was the hurry? Shouldn’t they have waited for the law to take its own course? Or even if they wanted the Minister to step down from the post on morale ground, wasn’t there other form of protest like sit-in-dharna or taking out peaceful procession etc. Or was there any vested interest of certain section of people? (BTW..how do you justify taking entire population to ransom for fulfilment of interests of certain section of people?)

The Bandh Culture

During my brief stint at Manipur I observed that once into Manipur you can’t plan in advance when you can leave Manipur and once out of it you are not sure when you will be able to return to Manipur because of ‘Bandhs’ which are like the weather of Ziro during this month – you never know when there will be rain. And to go by the people of Manipur, the state has earned the sobriquet of “Bandhpur”.

Coming back to our state, it seems we Arunachali’s are also following the Manipur’s way. The ‘Bandh’ seems to have become the mantra to register your protest about anything-be it lottery imbroglio, power cuts and the most recent- to force resignation of Minister on morale ground. And in doing so, let the common people be damned, the student community, which is the future of state, be damned-this was what the Papum Pare District Youth Welfare Society (PPDYWS) exactly did, by calling 10 hr Capital ‘Bandh’ on 1^st of March, incidentally when C.B.S.E. exam began, to force the UD Minister Nabam Tuki, to step down from the Post on morale ground.

Here, what I couldn’t understand was, why the PPDYWS resorted to Bandh Call when PIL was filed at Guwahati High Court against the alleged involvement of UD Minister in corrupt practices and that too when thousands of students in the twin Capital City of Naharlagun and Itanagar were to sit for their Board Exams. Why was the hurry? Shouldn’t they have waited for the law to take its own course? Or even if they wanted the Minister to step down from the post on morale ground, wasn’t there other form of protest like sit-in-dharna or taking out peaceful procession etc. Or was there any vested interest of certain section of people? (BTW..how do you justify taking entire population to ransom for fulfilment of interests of certain section of people?)

Online Version of The Arunachal Times?

No..., don't jump to any conclusion yet.

What do you do to satiate your hunger to keep abreast of latest happenings around the world? Read the paper, watch news channels or log on to the net-these are the obvious things you would do, right. But what if, you wanted to know about the latest happenings of the State Arunachal Pradesh? Grab The Arunachal Times or Echo of Arunachal or Dawnlit Post-all published from Itanagar, of course. But the matter of fact is that when there is 'bandh' or some other transportation problem you wouldn't get chance to lay your hands on the paper for quite a few days at stretch (the dailies being dispatched from Itanagar, reaches Ziro in the evening) and not to forget the peoples staying outside the state, who has altogether no access to the local dailies. And you can't think of news channels, as all you get is news about metros. So, I wondered, if the State dailies has any online presence?

Surprise! Surprise! when I Googled the key word " Arunachal Times" I got this (see the snap shot below)

"G-R-E-A-T", I shouted, now people from this state studying or working outside the state would be able to keep abreast of the happenings of the state. But wait, to my horror when I clicked the link I got this (snapshot below) (what do you think about the sites look?) which has most of the link non-functional. May be the site is in developmental stage.

So, till the site is fully developed, which I hope would be developed soon, the people would have to make do with the conventional ways, as they did before to know about the happenings of the state, country and the world.

Online Version of The Arunachal Times?

No..., don't jump to any conclusion yet.

What do you do to satiate your hunger to keep abreast of latest happenings around the world? Read the paper, watch news channels or log on to the net-these are the obvious things you would do, right. But what if, you wanted to know about the latest happenings of the State Arunachal Pradesh? Grab The Arunachal Times or Echo of Arunachal or Dawnlit Post-all published from Itanagar, of course. But the matter of fact is that when there is 'bandh' or some other transportation problem you wouldn't get chance to lay your hands on the paper for quite a few days at stretch (the dailies being dispatched from Itanagar, reaches Ziro in the evening) and not to forget the peoples staying outside the state, who has altogether no access to the local dailies. And you can't think of news channels, as all you get is news about metros. So, I wondered, if the State dailies has any online presence?

Surprise! Surprise! when I Googled the key word " Arunachal Times" I got this (see the snap shot below)

"G-R-E-A-T", I shouted, now people from this state studying or working outside the state would be able to keep abreast of the happenings of the state. But wait, to my horror when I clicked the link I got this (snapshot below) (what do you think about the sites look?) which has most of the link non-functional. May be the site is in developmental stage.

So, till the site is fully developed, which I hope would be developed soon, the people would have to make do with the conventional ways, as they did before to know about the happenings of the state, country and the world.