Merry Christmas !!

Signing off with a poem on Christmas titled 'Christmas Eve' by G. Ampi.

Christmas Eve
- by G. Ampi

Dark night
But beautiful sight
With moon and stars
Shining so bright.

Angels blessing us
With happiness and success
On this occassion
As we celebrate Christmas.

People in streets
People at homes
Enjoy every moment
Of the musical notes.

Singing melodies
With everyone
Forgetting the fury of cold
And remembering dear one

It's the time
Rich or poor
People dance
Till feet are soar.

Men and women
All pray together
Crying and smiling
They hug each other.

You, me and they
Know what day it is
And when it's over
We say, 'bye Mister or Miss'

But as we go
We take with us
Every moment
Of love and happiness.

Once again, wishing you all a fun filled Holiday Season.

Merry Christmas !!

Signing off with a poem on Christmas titled 'Christmas Eve' by G. Ampi.

Christmas Eve
- by G. Ampi

Dark night
But beautiful sight
With moon and stars
Shining so bright.

Angels blessing us
With happiness and success
On this occassion
As we celebrate Christmas.

People in streets
People at homes
Enjoy every moment
Of the musical notes.

Singing melodies
With everyone
Forgetting the fury of cold
And remembering dear one

It's the time
Rich or poor
People dance
Till feet are soar.

Men and women
All pray together
Crying and smiling
They hug each other.

You, me and they
Know what day it is
And when it's over
We say, 'bye Mister or Miss'

But as we go
We take with us
Every moment
Of love and happiness.

Once again, wishing you all a fun filled Holiday Season.

Two houses devoured by fire at Hapoli

At about 6.00pm yesterday evening, a fire broke out from the house of one Tasso Kaya, situated some distance beneath the PDS godown (earlier CPO), taking along with the house of one Hage Sambyo which were reduced to ashes.

Considering the Town Planning of Hapoli Township or rather lack of it (there was no way that a fire engine could reach the spot), bunch of arrogant and insensitive people who cut the hose when firefighters somehow managed to bring the hose to the site by coupling hoses together and was trying to douse the fire and the mute spectators that were blocking the passage of those tending the fire; it was thought that it would turn to a major catastrophe engulfing almost half of Hapoli market area but for the sincere efforts of those who despite all the odds were able to contain the fire from spreading.

At the time of fire, it is reported that the occupants-a group of youngsters who were residing and looking after the house, the owner being at Itanagar, had gone to village to mend fences. People says that fire probably started from electrical short circuit arising out of loose electrical wiring done for decoration for Christmas day celebration and left unattended owing to power cut due to load shedding. However, exact cause of fire is not known yet.

Thinking of yesterday evening's fire and the thought that it could have burnt almost half of Hapoli Township, sends down chill in my spine, still. There was no way that fire could have been controlled without the help of fire fighters. I'm surprised as to why those bunch of insensitive people cut the hose almost putting Hapoli Township under jeopardy? Why don't they just let the professionals do what they are trained to do? Now, from yesterday's incident I come to believe that it's not the fire service department that is at fault always. Somehow, I feel it's people like us who don't let the professional do the work and clear the way for them to do their work, more responsible for letting the fire cause more damage. Time to think twice.

Also, it's time we seriously give a thought to the town planning and settlement in Hapoli Market area. But who would make the first move?

Two houses devoured by fire at Hapoli

At about 6.00pm yesterday evening, a fire broke out from the house of one Tasso Kaya, situated some distance beneath the PDS godown (earlier CPO), taking along with the house of one Hage Sambyo which were reduced to ashes.

Considering the Town Planning of Hapoli Township or rather lack of it (there was no way that a fire engine could reach the spot), bunch of arrogant and insensitive people who cut the hose when firefighters somehow managed to bring the hose to the site by coupling hoses together and was trying to douse the fire and the mute spectators that were blocking the passage of those tending the fire; it was thought that it would turn to a major catastrophe engulfing almost half of Hapoli market area but for the sincere efforts of those who despite all the odds were able to contain the fire from spreading.

At the time of fire, it is reported that the occupants-a group of youngsters who were residing and looking after the house, the owner being at Itanagar, had gone to village to mend fences. People says that fire probably started from electrical short circuit arising out of loose electrical wiring done for decoration for Christmas day celebration and left unattended owing to power cut due to load shedding. However, exact cause of fire is not known yet.

Thinking of yesterday evening's fire and the thought that it could have burnt almost half of Hapoli Township, sends down chill in my spine, still. There was no way that fire could have been controlled without the help of fire fighters. I'm surprised as to why those bunch of insensitive people cut the hose almost putting Hapoli Township under jeopardy? Why don't they just let the professionals do what they are trained to do? Now, from yesterday's incident I come to believe that it's not the fire service department that is at fault always. Somehow, I feel it's people like us who don't let the professional do the work and clear the way for them to do their work, more responsible for letting the fire cause more damage. Time to think twice.

Also, it's time we seriously give a thought to the town planning and settlement in Hapoli Market area. But who would make the first move?

Pangsau Pass Winter Festival'09 to embark on schedule

The ethnic extravaganza, the spectacular Pangsau Pass Winter Festival 2009 will be officially unveiled to mesmerize the globe as per its annual schedule i.e. 20th to 22nd January, acquaints the Organizing Committee of the PPWF’09 here, today.

With the éclat celebrations of previous year still enduring, the Organizers are optimistic that the PPWF’09 will magnetize more global guests this year as it has decided to introduce some new fascinating formats into the festival frames. The Organizers enlightens blithely that the PPWF’09 has
determined to broaden its scope by incorporating more incredible tribes and traditions of amazing Arunachal and mesmerizing North East, respectively. The resurrection of the ancient heritages of exodus era in these 3 delightful days of ethnic celebration is presumed to entice and entertain the global back packers and culture hunters. Besides, experiencing the exuberant spirits of multi-culture amalgamation and nibbling the indigenous cuisines, the mega event will also exert superfluous efforts to regale the eco-aficionados by opening its enthralling corridors to explore the nature’s treasure house and it’ll also proffer the rarest opportunities to wreath and revere on the grave of bravest soldiers of the war at the World War- II Cemetery, adds the report.

Two splendid years down the line, with little flaws and prudence’s, the assiduous endeavors to depict the tribal heritages, indigenous cuisines and ethnic etiquette along with the sighting of mindboggling bio-assets have become the hallmark of this mammoth carnival and as ever, it is sure enough to mesmerize with its flamboyant presentation and extensive ecoexploration, says the release.

Visit Amazing Arunachal for more information.

Pangsau Pass Winter Festival'09 to embark on schedule

The ethnic extravaganza, the spectacular Pangsau Pass Winter Festival 2009 will be officially unveiled to mesmerize the globe as per its annual schedule i.e. 20th to 22nd January, acquaints the Organizing Committee of the PPWF’09 here, today.

With the éclat celebrations of previous year still enduring, the Organizers are optimistic that the PPWF’09 will magnetize more global guests this year as it has decided to introduce some new fascinating formats into the festival frames. The Organizers enlightens blithely that the PPWF’09 has
determined to broaden its scope by incorporating more incredible tribes and traditions of amazing Arunachal and mesmerizing North East, respectively. The resurrection of the ancient heritages of exodus era in these 3 delightful days of ethnic celebration is presumed to entice and entertain the global back packers and culture hunters. Besides, experiencing the exuberant spirits of multi-culture amalgamation and nibbling the indigenous cuisines, the mega event will also exert superfluous efforts to regale the eco-aficionados by opening its enthralling corridors to explore the nature’s treasure house and it’ll also proffer the rarest opportunities to wreath and revere on the grave of bravest soldiers of the war at the World War- II Cemetery, adds the report.

Two splendid years down the line, with little flaws and prudence’s, the assiduous endeavors to depict the tribal heritages, indigenous cuisines and ethnic etiquette along with the sighting of mindboggling bio-assets have become the hallmark of this mammoth carnival and as ever, it is sure enough to mesmerize with its flamboyant presentation and extensive ecoexploration, says the release.

Visit Amazing Arunachal for more information.

Don't hold the future of students to ransom, please!

This post is not to undermine the grievances of teaching fraternity but to ask why the future of the innocent students' is being held to ransom in a fight between the teaching fraternity and the government?


The students’ communities of the state are caught in a very uncomfortable situation. If they raise their concern, they are termed as bunch of insensitive and vested interest individuals and if they don’t, their future is at stake driving them to a predicament on what to do and what not to do?

Students’ have been driven to this uncomfortable situation- when their mid-term exams are underway and the CBSE board exams are very near, by the ongoing pen down strike of teaching fraternity of the state namely ATA, which resulted from the fall out of demands of the ATA being not considered by the state government. Their demands (as told to me by one of the teacher) are:

1. Appointment of Director of School Education from their own teaching fraternity may be from DDSE's and not through the APPSC. (for better understanding of teachers' grievances)
   
2. Review of Recruitment Rules of teachers’ which has not been reviewed since 1983.
3. Consideration of regularization of SSA teachers’ inline with the regularization of teachers’ appointed under OBB.
   

Comprehending, their future has been put to stake, several students had requested the state government and ATA to come out with an amicable solution and to put their differences to end and some in their agitated mind had seem to state that the teachers’ were drawing salary without doing any work. This didn’t go down well with the teaching fraternity. They termed the allegation of students as baseless and stated that they were and are present in the school but are refraining from class room activities till the government addresses their genuine problems. But I wonder, merely being present at the school without teaching equals work been done?

Meanwhile, the Papum Pare ATA unit has reacted sharply to allegations of ‘drawing salary without attending duty’ leveled by certain sections of students community and termed it as baseless.

“Every teacher is present in the school but are refraining from classroom activities till the government addresses their genuine problems,” the unit said in a statement here today.

It claimed that the ‘group of students’ cannot underestimate the sentiments of about 30,000 teachers serving in all corners of the state. If the teachers are agitating that means there is something seriously wrong with the department, it said. “Instead of supporting their teachers it is unfortunate that few students are throwing allegations on them,” it said.

-Echo of Arunachal

This pen down strike by the teachers’ has been going on for more than 10 days and there seems to be no solution at sight with the state government not willing to come to the negotiation table and teaching fraternity threatening to intensify their agitation by boycotting all the exams and taking out processions and black marches. This deadlock is further intensified with the government ordering holding the pay of the agitating teachers in line with 'no work no pay' policy.

Now where does this leave the students community? Whom do they look forward to get their courses completed before their exams? How would they fare in their exams? What about their futures? Why are the students sandwiched between the agitating teachers' and the adamant government, for no fault of theirs?

Here I don't mean to say that the grievances of teaching fraternity are not genuine or that there isn't anything wrong with the department. But why the agitation was timed when the students' are in the midst of their term exams or when the CBSE Board exams are near? Is it because by timing agitation before the exams they could pressurize the government more? But then, what about students' stake? Hadn't they thought that it could effect the students' future? They could have simply started their agitation at the onset of academic session. And what about the government? Why aren't they considering about the students' future if not the teaching fraternity? Why don't they come to negotiation table with teaching fraternity and sort out the differences amicably? Don't hold the future of the students to ransom, please.

I only wish that this deadlock comes to an end soon and both the government and teaching fraternity will sort out their differences and come to an amicable solution taking out the future of the students from ransom.

Are you listening for students sake, please!

Update:
Giving respite from the uncomfortable situation that the students' had been put through, the ATA has temporarily suspended their pen-down strike till December 15^th and the classes resumed in full swing from 8^th of December. This temporary suspension of pen down strike came in the wake of Governments assurance to look into their matter.

Don't hold the future of students to ransom, please!

This post is not to undermine the grievances of teaching fraternity but to ask why the future of the innocent students' is being held to ransom in a fight between the teaching fraternity and the government?


The students’ communities of the state are caught in a very uncomfortable situation. If they raise their concern, they are termed as bunch of insensitive and vested interest individuals and if they don’t, their future is at stake driving them to a predicament on what to do and what not to do?

Students’ have been driven to this uncomfortable situation- when their mid-term exams are underway and the CBSE board exams are very near, by the ongoing pen down strike of teaching fraternity of the state namely ATA, which resulted from the fall out of demands of the ATA being not considered by the state government. Their demands (as told to me by one of the teacher) are:

1. Appointment of Director of School Education from their own teaching fraternity may be from DDSE's and not through the APPSC. (for better understanding of teachers' grievances)
   
2. Review of Recruitment Rules of teachers’ which has not been reviewed since 1983.
3. Consideration of regularization of SSA teachers’ inline with the regularization of teachers’ appointed under OBB.
   

Comprehending, their future has been put to stake, several students had requested the state government and ATA to come out with an amicable solution and to put their differences to end and some in their agitated mind had seem to state that the teachers’ were drawing salary without doing any work. This didn’t go down well with the teaching fraternity. They termed the allegation of students as baseless and stated that they were and are present in the school but are refraining from class room activities till the government addresses their genuine problems. But I wonder, merely being present at the school without teaching equals work been done?

Meanwhile, the Papum Pare ATA unit has reacted sharply to allegations of ‘drawing salary without attending duty’ leveled by certain sections of students community and termed it as baseless.

“Every teacher is present in the school but are refraining from classroom activities till the government addresses their genuine problems,” the unit said in a statement here today.

It claimed that the ‘group of students’ cannot underestimate the sentiments of about 30,000 teachers serving in all corners of the state. If the teachers are agitating that means there is something seriously wrong with the department, it said. “Instead of supporting their teachers it is unfortunate that few students are throwing allegations on them,” it said.

-Echo of Arunachal

This pen down strike by the teachers’ has been going on for more than 10 days and there seems to be no solution at sight with the state government not willing to come to the negotiation table and teaching fraternity threatening to intensify their agitation by boycotting all the exams and taking out processions and black marches. This deadlock is further intensified with the government ordering holding the pay of the agitating teachers in line with 'no work no pay' policy.

Now where does this leave the students community? Whom do they look forward to get their courses completed before their exams? How would they fare in their exams? What about their futures? Why are the students sandwiched between the agitating teachers' and the adamant government, for no fault of theirs?

Here I don't mean to say that the grievances of teaching fraternity are not genuine or that there isn't anything wrong with the department. But why the agitation was timed when the students' are in the midst of their term exams or when the CBSE Board exams are near? Is it because by timing agitation before the exams they could pressurize the government more? But then, what about students' stake? Hadn't they thought that it could effect the students' future? They could have simply started their agitation at the onset of academic session. And what about the government? Why aren't they considering about the students' future if not the teaching fraternity? Why don't they come to negotiation table with teaching fraternity and sort out the differences amicably? Don't hold the future of the students to ransom, please.

I only wish that this deadlock comes to an end soon and both the government and teaching fraternity will sort out their differences and come to an amicable solution taking out the future of the students from ransom.

Are you listening for students sake, please!

Update:
Giving respite from the uncomfortable situation that the students' had been put through, the ATA has temporarily suspended their pen-down strike till December 15^th and the classes resumed in full swing from 8^th of December. This temporary suspension of pen down strike came in the wake of Governments assurance to look into their matter.

Fire Ravages Bulla Village

At around 4.30 pm yesterday, it was reported that a massive fire broke out at Bulla village, engulfing almost entire Kalung Village. The fire could be doused around 5.15 pm by the effort of people and fire fighters from Fire Department at Old Ziro. More details are awaited of the incident.

Update (20-11-2008):

The fire reportedly broke out from the house of one Kalung Tani, which burnt around 10 houses to ashes.

In an another incident, around 17 houses were gutted at Hong village on 19-11-2008. The fire started at around 8.30 pm which was doused at around 9.30 pm. In both the incidents, no casualties were reported.

Fire Ravages Bulla Village

At around 4.30 pm yesterday, it was reported that a massive fire broke out at Bulla village, engulfing almost entire Kalung Village. The fire could be doused around 5.15 pm by the effort of people and fire fighters from Fire Department at Old Ziro. More details are awaited of the incident.

Update (20-11-2008):

The fire reportedly broke out from the house of one Kalung Tani, which burnt around 10 houses to ashes.

In an another incident, around 17 houses were gutted at Hong village on 19-11-2008. The fire started at around 8.30 pm which was doused at around 9.30 pm. In both the incidents, no casualties were reported.

The new Amazing Arunachal site

It may take a while for Arunachal Pradesh to become a tourism hot-spot or for tourism sector to become a sustainable revenue earner for the state. The reasons are many; some attributable to government’s lackadaisical attitude in promoting the true tourism potential of the state, lack of infrastructure, tedious and cumbersome entry formalities, misinformation about the region etc., to name a few. But then, there are some who are so enamored by the beauty of the state: the landscape, the people, their custom and culture, their cuisine etc., that they think Arunachal Pradesh could become a tourism hot-spot and are hell bent on showcasing the charm of Arunachal Pradesh to the outside world through whatever possible ways and means they can; notwithstanding the governments' attitude and the bottlenecks that prevents Arunachal Pradesh to become a tourism hot-spot. One such person is Arif Siddiqui, who mailed in to tell me that the Amazing Arunachal site has been re-done, which earlier, if I am not mistaken, was started to showcase the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival and which mainly concentrated around this particular festival. Having known Arif for a while (though not personally but through net), I couldn't help myself from visiting the Amazing Arunachal site which the site says is an endeavor by a group comprising Tom Simai, Arif Siddiqui and Kamlesh Mehta to expose the beauty of Arunachal Pradesh, which has so far been eluding the contemporary world, through words and through pictures. In their words:

It is a petite attempt to exhibit the beauty and reveal the enigma of Arunachal Pradesh to the contemporary world through camera lenses.

And true to their words, you are greeted with breathtaking photographs on the front page. Having accessed the site on a slow net connection, I only wished the page could load faster (even though the photographs are eye candy when fully loaded) or there was an option to skip the flash content and enter the site. But I could find none and I had to wait for ages to let the page load fully and to enter the main page.

The home page contains brief on Arunachal Pradesh, from where one can navigate to various other sections like pages on how to reach Arunachal Pradesh, entry formalities, brief on 16 districts of the state, culture and traditions etc. However, the most anticipated section i.e., the photo section is yet to be updated, which Arif says is in the stage of finalization.

Juxtaposing Arunachal Tourism official site and Amazing Arunachal, I found the contents more or less similar. However, I must admit that some sections had more information than the official tourism site of Government of Arunachal Pradesh and some sections needed more information to be added. And with the launch of this new site, I guess it has given those interested on Arunachal Pradesh an another option to look for information on Arunachal Pradesh.

Having almost similar contents, I'm looking forward to the photo section to be updated which would exhibit the beauty and reveal the enigma of Arunachal Pradesh to the contemporary world through camera lenses and which would make this site stand apart from the official site of Tourism Department of Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

The new Amazing Arunachal site

It may take a while for Arunachal Pradesh to become a tourism hot-spot or for tourism sector to become a sustainable revenue earner for the state. The reasons are many; some attributable to government’s lackadaisical attitude in promoting the true tourism potential of the state, lack of infrastructure, tedious and cumbersome entry formalities, misinformation about the region etc., to name a few. But then, there are some who are so enamored by the beauty of the state: the landscape, the people, their custom and culture, their cuisine etc., that they think Arunachal Pradesh could become a tourism hot-spot and are hell bent on showcasing the charm of Arunachal Pradesh to the outside world through whatever possible ways and means they can; notwithstanding the governments' attitude and the bottlenecks that prevents Arunachal Pradesh to become a tourism hot-spot. One such person is Arif Siddiqui, who mailed in to tell me that the Amazing Arunachal site has been re-done, which earlier, if I am not mistaken, was started to showcase the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival and which mainly concentrated around this particular festival. Having known Arif for a while (though not personally but through net), I couldn't help myself from visiting the Amazing Arunachal site which the site says is an endeavor by a group comprising Tom Simai, Arif Siddiqui and Kamlesh Mehta to expose the beauty of Arunachal Pradesh, which has so far been eluding the contemporary world, through words and through pictures. In their words:

It is a petite attempt to exhibit the beauty and reveal the enigma of Arunachal Pradesh to the contemporary world through camera lenses.

And true to their words, you are greeted with breathtaking photographs on the front page. Having accessed the site on a slow net connection, I only wished the page could load faster (even though the photographs are eye candy when fully loaded) or there was an option to skip the flash content and enter the site. But I could find none and I had to wait for ages to let the page load fully and to enter the main page.

The home page contains brief on Arunachal Pradesh, from where one can navigate to various other sections like pages on how to reach Arunachal Pradesh, entry formalities, brief on 16 districts of the state, culture and traditions etc. However, the most anticipated section i.e., the photo section is yet to be updated, which Arif says is in the stage of finalization.

Juxtaposing Arunachal Tourism official site and Amazing Arunachal, I found the contents more or less similar. However, I must admit that some sections had more information than the official tourism site of Government of Arunachal Pradesh and some sections needed more information to be added. And with the launch of this new site, I guess it has given those interested on Arunachal Pradesh an another option to look for information on Arunachal Pradesh.

Having almost similar contents, I'm looking forward to the photo section to be updated which would exhibit the beauty and reveal the enigma of Arunachal Pradesh to the contemporary world through camera lenses and which would make this site stand apart from the official site of Tourism Department of Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

Crossing over to China-Is it the case of mass exodus looking for "Greener Pasture" or the case of unintentional crossing over?

Amid fresh word of wars on border disputes between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh, Hindustan Times has reported a very interesting story about mass exodus across border by Arunachalee looking for a "greener pasture".

As political heat between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh ratchets up, the state is also facing the challenging task of stopping border exodus as an increasing number of residents migrate to China and other neighbouring states in search of livelihoods.

Over the years, the Chinese have developed good infrastructure on their side while border areas in India are still backward. Feeling neglected, residents here are looking for “greener pastures” across the border.

With increase in unemployment problem in the state, no doubt there is migration of Arunachalee to other Indian states looking for (better) jobs, but do the people of Arunachal Pradesh (residing at the periphery of the border) indeed migrate across the border to China looking for "greener pasture"? I doubt. Considering the statement of state officials that there is stray incidents of crossing-over to China but no mass exodus, I wonder if it is the case of crossing over the border unknowingly due to unclear demarcation of boundary between India and China? Or is it the case of people moving over to China to visit their relatives residing just across the border? After all, it is said that people of Arunachal Pradesh also do resides just across the border.

Crossing over to China-Is it the case of mass exodus looking for "Greener Pasture" or the case of unintentional crossing over?

Amid fresh word of wars on border disputes between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh, Hindustan Times has reported a very interesting story about mass exodus across border by Arunachalee looking for a "greener pasture".

As political heat between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh ratchets up, the state is also facing the challenging task of stopping border exodus as an increasing number of residents migrate to China and other neighbouring states in search of livelihoods.

Over the years, the Chinese have developed good infrastructure on their side while border areas in India are still backward. Feeling neglected, residents here are looking for “greener pastures” across the border.

With increase in unemployment problem in the state, no doubt there is migration of Arunachalee to other Indian states looking for (better) jobs, but do the people of Arunachal Pradesh (residing at the periphery of the border) indeed migrate across the border to China looking for "greener pasture"? I doubt. Considering the statement of state officials that there is stray incidents of crossing-over to China but no mass exodus, I wonder if it is the case of crossing over the border unknowingly due to unclear demarcation of boundary between India and China? Or is it the case of people moving over to China to visit their relatives residing just across the border? After all, it is said that people of Arunachal Pradesh also do resides just across the border.

Infringe Within - A music band from NERIST!!!!

Thought institution like NERIST is the breeding place for nerds and techies; but no, it has a place for musicians too ;). Don't believe me? Check out the video below (which is though a bit amateurish).

The video above by Infringe Within features among the most viewed this week of the You Tube channel- Musicians (India)...Great no!

Infringe Within - A music band from NERIST!!!!

Thought institution like NERIST is the breeding place for nerds and techies; but no, it has a place for musicians too ;). Don't believe me? Check out the video below (which is though a bit amateurish).

The video above by Infringe Within features among the most viewed this week of the You Tube channel- Musicians (India)...Great no!

BSNL-Ziro slapped with legal notice

It was expected. It had to come sooner or later. How long would they (the consumers') be taken for a ride by BSNL?

On behalf of President, BJP District Unit, Lower Subansiri District, Ziro a legal notice has been served to SDO, BSNL Ziro to refund the the rental charges paid by BSNL consumers' of the District, for the period when the service was not available, within 15 days from the date of issue of the notice which was served on 22^nd of October. The four point notice states that:

1. That the Mobile and WLL Telephone is not functioning in the Lower Subansiri District since 14^th June 2008 till date. The Mobile and WLL Telephoone users have been charged monthly rent at the rate of Rs. 225/- for Mobile, Rs. 100/- for WLL Telephone, service tax @ 12% without providing service and education cess @3% per month for the period from June to till date without providing services to the consumers. The consumers have paid the monthly rent charges on demand even without the getting services out of fear of disconnection. But the BSNL has no right to charge monthly rent without providing services to the consumers.

2. That the monthly rent charged from the Mobile phone and WLL Tlelphone users for the defunct period is deserved to be exempted and they are entitled to be repaid by the BSNL.

3. That it has been found that call charges are also charged for the defunct period without making any call by the users. The Mobile and WLL Telephone users have paid it out of fear of disconnection. It is illegal to charge call charges without making call.

4. That the monthly rent charged from the Mobile phone and WLL Telephone users are deserved to be repaid without further delay and Mobile phone and WLL Telephone network be restored immediately.

Further, the notice warns that BSNL would attract legal proceedings in the event of failure to refund the rental charges. Find copy of the notice here.

This notice comes in the wake of intermittent or rather nil service provided by the service provider since June 14^th last when the mobile connectivity of Ziro exchange of BSNL was disrupted reportedly due to the torrential rain and subsequent landslide that flushed away the OFC connecting Ziro exchange with Itanagar exchange. Since then, no sincere effort has been/was forthcoming from BSNL side to restore the mobile service. The mobile network would be up intermittently only for 10-15 mins, that too after gap of 3-4 days. However, despite no service, it was made sure that the mobile bills were raised and served to the consumers' on time claiming rental charges, which made one wonder, rental charges for what? For luxury of having BSNL's SIM card without being able to put it into use?

Now, it has to be seen if this notice would jostle BSNL to take the restoration business seriously and if the poor consumers' would be freed from the misery of having mobile connections without any connectivity and from payment for no service.

Related reading:
Rants on BSNL Service at Ziro-Hapoli

BSNL-Ziro slapped with legal notice

It was expected. It had to come sooner or later. How long would they (the consumers') be taken for a ride by BSNL?

On behalf of President, BJP District Unit, Lower Subansiri District, Ziro a legal notice has been served to SDO, BSNL Ziro to refund the the rental charges paid by BSNL consumers' of the District, for the period when the service was not available, within 15 days from the date of issue of the notice which was served on 22^nd of October. The four point notice states that:

1. That the Mobile and WLL Telephone is not functioning in the Lower Subansiri District since 14^th June 2008 till date. The Mobile and WLL Telephoone users have been charged monthly rent at the rate of Rs. 225/- for Mobile, Rs. 100/- for WLL Telephone, service tax @ 12% without providing service and education cess @3% per month for the period from June to till date without providing services to the consumers. The consumers have paid the monthly rent charges on demand even without the getting services out of fear of disconnection. But the BSNL has no right to charge monthly rent without providing services to the consumers.

2. That the monthly rent charged from the Mobile phone and WLL Tlelphone users for the defunct period is deserved to be exempted and they are entitled to be repaid by the BSNL.

3. That it has been found that call charges are also charged for the defunct period without making any call by the users. The Mobile and WLL Telephone users have paid it out of fear of disconnection. It is illegal to charge call charges without making call.

4. That the monthly rent charged from the Mobile phone and WLL Telephone users are deserved to be repaid without further delay and Mobile phone and WLL Telephone network be restored immediately.

Further, the notice warns that BSNL would attract legal proceedings in the event of failure to refund the rental charges. Find copy of the notice here.

This notice comes in the wake of intermittent or rather nil service provided by the service provider since June 14^th last when the mobile connectivity of Ziro exchange of BSNL was disrupted reportedly due to the torrential rain and subsequent landslide that flushed away the OFC connecting Ziro exchange with Itanagar exchange. Since then, no sincere effort has been/was forthcoming from BSNL side to restore the mobile service. The mobile network would be up intermittently only for 10-15 mins, that too after gap of 3-4 days. However, despite no service, it was made sure that the mobile bills were raised and served to the consumers' on time claiming rental charges, which made one wonder, rental charges for what? For luxury of having BSNL's SIM card without being able to put it into use?

Now, it has to be seen if this notice would jostle BSNL to take the restoration business seriously and if the poor consumers' would be freed from the misery of having mobile connections without any connectivity and from payment for no service.

Related reading:
Rants on BSNL Service at Ziro-Hapoli

Addiction versus De-addiction

-Gyati Tado (Tadu)

President, Union of Apatani Educated Unemployed Youth (UAEUY)

Alcoholism and drug addiction are two ignored social evils which endorse for weakening people's moral fibre. It spells disaster not only for the addict but also to his family and society as a whole. If we take a closer look of social and cultural fabric of our society, the "O" culture is most predominant. At this stage of globalization and modernization we surely are on backstage and struggling for identity. Every man of prudent mind can understand the evil effects of alcoholism and drug abuse but nobody is concerning and for why? Being a social animal we can atleast appreciate Apatani Youth Association (A.Y.A) and District Administration, Ziro for their noble initiative i.e., 'Mission De-Addiction' by banning GUTKA.

Legally, it is a crime in which the addict himself is criminal as well as victim. However, sociologists and criminologists reveals through investigation that a major chunk of the crimes are committed by a person in abuse of narcotic drugs and alcoholism. Under the influence of intoxication the person loses self- control and may develop criminal tendency which results into acts of misbehaving, indecency, aggression or assault at any moment.

The process of addiction starts when person makes stimulant like alcohol and narcotic drugs as relief for stress, depression, tension, family discord, discontentment etc. In broader sense the spread of these evils are mainly due to apparent failure in personal life, unemployment especially among youths, lack of parental care, careless habits of elders at home that arise interest among younger to taste it, negative influence of peer group and the recent development in pharmaceutical and medical sciences having capable to produce variety of toxic synthetic substances like nail polish remover, dendrite etc. Among the youngster it happens as fun or enjoyment on experimental basis at first and gradually good majority of them turn out to be habitual. Due to addiction they detach themselves from worldly affairs. Consequently, the individual's health gets affected as mental faculty of an alcoholic does not function in a normal way and delinquency especially juvenile delinquency follows addiction.

To eradicate this twin menace there is a dire need to evolve an effective control mechanism to check unrestricted production and their sale in open market. Accordingly, the Constitution of India under Article 47 mandates that the State should endeavor to bring about prohibition of intoxicating beverages and drugs which are injurious to public health. But society cannot blame administration all the time for eroding social and cultural fabric mainly caused by individual's irresponsible act. It is a part of individual's duty to stay away or abstain/refrain from devastating melody of alcoholism and drug addiction. Administration, however, has corresponding duties to undertake corrective measures as India being one of signatory to International Convention on Drugs which reiterated faith in human dignity and the legitimate aspiration of humankind for a decent life. It insist the need for generating universal consciousness of, and determination to battle, the drug problems in all it's pervasive forms at national, regional and international level. Under the auspices of United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 under proviso (1) of Article 38 and International Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 under proviso (1) of Article 20 has emphasized the need for prevention of abuse of psychotropic substances and early identification, treatment, education, after- care, rehabilitation and social reintegration of the person involved. The Indian Parliament by taking legislative measures has enacted the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (Ammenament) Act, 1988 to tackle these menace in socio-legal perspective. Under Section 71 of the Act, it provides for rehabilitation and reformative measure for an addictive whether he is an offender or not. Thus the Act seeks to prevent people from the dangers of drug-abuse.

Despite existence of various tough and reformative laws the menace of alcoholism and drug addiction cannot be effectively controlled without the helping hand of voluntary social organization in cooperation with Government Authorities and self-realization of the addicts. To check these evils, every sections of the society should stand unitedly by saying ''No" to narcotic drugs & alcohol. Besides, the addicted should be given a chance for treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration and that would definitely turn out to be Midas touch to our society. Due to acute problems of drug-abuse in North -Eastern States the Government of India has decided to provide 100% liberal grants to start drug de-addiction centres in these states. For this noble venture, a voluntary social organization should come forward to bring awareness about it's harmful effects and rehabilitation. As the principle and purpose of reformative penology is to "destroy criminality in a human being without destroying humanity in a criminal."

Addiction versus De-addiction

-Gyati Tado (Tadu)

President, Union of Apatani Educated Unemployed Youth (UAEUY)

Alcoholism and drug addiction are two ignored social evils which endorse for weakening people's moral fibre. It spells disaster not only for the addict but also to his family and society as a whole. If we take a closer look of social and cultural fabric of our society, the "O" culture is most predominant. At this stage of globalization and modernization we surely are on backstage and struggling for identity. Every man of prudent mind can understand the evil effects of alcoholism and drug abuse but nobody is concerning and for why? Being a social animal we can atleast appreciate Apatani Youth Association (A.Y.A) and District Administration, Ziro for their noble initiative i.e., 'Mission De-Addiction' by banning GUTKA.

Legally, it is a crime in which the addict himself is criminal as well as victim. However, sociologists and criminologists reveals through investigation that a major chunk of the crimes are committed by a person in abuse of narcotic drugs and alcoholism. Under the influence of intoxication the person loses self- control and may develop criminal tendency which results into acts of misbehaving, indecency, aggression or assault at any moment.

The process of addiction starts when person makes stimulant like alcohol and narcotic drugs as relief for stress, depression, tension, family discord, discontentment etc. In broader sense the spread of these evils are mainly due to apparent failure in personal life, unemployment especially among youths, lack of parental care, careless habits of elders at home that arise interest among younger to taste it, negative influence of peer group and the recent development in pharmaceutical and medical sciences having capable to produce variety of toxic synthetic substances like nail polish remover, dendrite etc. Among the youngster it happens as fun or enjoyment on experimental basis at first and gradually good majority of them turn out to be habitual. Due to addiction they detach themselves from worldly affairs. Consequently, the individual's health gets affected as mental faculty of an alcoholic does not function in a normal way and delinquency especially juvenile delinquency follows addiction.

To eradicate this twin menace there is a dire need to evolve an effective control mechanism to check unrestricted production and their sale in open market. Accordingly, the Constitution of India under Article 47 mandates that the State should endeavor to bring about prohibition of intoxicating beverages and drugs which are injurious to public health. But society cannot blame administration all the time for eroding social and cultural fabric mainly caused by individual's irresponsible act. It is a part of individual's duty to stay away or abstain/refrain from devastating melody of alcoholism and drug addiction. Administration, however, has corresponding duties to undertake corrective measures as India being one of signatory to International Convention on Drugs which reiterated faith in human dignity and the legitimate aspiration of humankind for a decent life. It insist the need for generating universal consciousness of, and determination to battle, the drug problems in all it's pervasive forms at national, regional and international level. Under the auspices of United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 under proviso (1) of Article 38 and International Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 under proviso (1) of Article 20 has emphasized the need for prevention of abuse of psychotropic substances and early identification, treatment, education, after- care, rehabilitation and social reintegration of the person involved. The Indian Parliament by taking legislative measures has enacted the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (Ammenament) Act, 1988 to tackle these menace in socio-legal perspective. Under Section 71 of the Act, it provides for rehabilitation and reformative measure for an addictive whether he is an offender or not. Thus the Act seeks to prevent people from the dangers of drug-abuse.

Despite existence of various tough and reformative laws the menace of alcoholism and drug addiction cannot be effectively controlled without the helping hand of voluntary social organization in cooperation with Government Authorities and self-realization of the addicts. To check these evils, every sections of the society should stand unitedly by saying ''No" to narcotic drugs & alcohol. Besides, the addicted should be given a chance for treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration and that would definitely turn out to be Midas touch to our society. Due to acute problems of drug-abuse in North -Eastern States the Government of India has decided to provide 100% liberal grants to start drug de-addiction centres in these states. For this noble venture, a voluntary social organization should come forward to bring awareness about it's harmful effects and rehabilitation. As the principle and purpose of reformative penology is to "destroy criminality in a human being without destroying humanity in a criminal."

Happy Deepavali!!

Arunachal Diary wishes it's reader a very Happy Diwali.

Say 'No to Crackers' this Deepavali.

Happy Deepavali!!

Arunachal Diary wishes it's reader a very Happy Diwali.

Say 'No to Crackers' this Deepavali.

New look of Arunachal Tourism official site

While going through the recent comments section, I had to navigate to the post where I had written how the tagline-'Gateway to Serenity' came into being for the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh (Read the story here.) The post led me to navigate to the official site of Arunachal Tourism. I was quite impressed by it's new simple look (see snapshot at left), which has elements of Web 2.0 design (if I'm not wrong) and I'm glad that the state government departments are trying to make their official site more vibrant unlike the NIC managed dull sites. Just check state government's official site. Coming back to the Arunachal Tourism site-Hey! where is the logo and the tagline? Have they forgotten to include the logo in the design or has purposefully refrained from using the logo...*wicked smile*...

One of the turn downs that makes both foreign and domestic tourists from putting Arunachal Pradesh in their itinerary is the Entry Formalities i.e., RAP & ILP and the lack of information on how to obtain them. The section Entry Formalities of the site just covers that and gives information on where to apply for ILP or RAP. However, it fails to address one pertinent question-How long does it take to obtain ILP or RAP? Also the section is updated with the information on recent relaxation in entry formalities for foreign visitors.

The Destination Section has a brief on existing travel circuits like places of interest, how to reach, where to stay etc. But I failed to understand why destination Tawang and West Kameng alone has been given dedicated full pages and not for other destinations?

Besides, the site has briefs on Festivals, Arts and Crafts, People, Wildlife and Orchids and information on government registered tour operators.

So head on to the official tourism site of Government of Arunachal Pradesh for information on entry formalities, travel circuits etc., if you are planning a trip to Arunachal, soon.

New look of Arunachal Tourism official site

While going through the recent comments section, I had to navigate to the post where I had written how the tagline-'Gateway to Serenity' came into being for the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh (Read the story here.) The post led me to navigate to the official site of Arunachal Tourism. I was quite impressed by it's new simple look (see snapshot at left), which has elements of Web 2.0 design (if I'm not wrong) and I'm glad that the state government departments are trying to make their official site more vibrant unlike the NIC managed dull sites. Just check state government's official site. Coming back to the Arunachal Tourism site-Hey! where is the logo and the tagline? Have they forgotten to include the logo in the design or has purposefully refrained from using the logo...*wicked smile*...

One of the turn downs that makes both foreign and domestic tourists from putting Arunachal Pradesh in their itinerary is the Entry Formalities i.e., RAP & ILP and the lack of information on how to obtain them. The section Entry Formalities of the site just covers that and gives information on where to apply for ILP or RAP. However, it fails to address one pertinent question-How long does it take to obtain ILP or RAP? Also the section is updated with the information on recent relaxation in entry formalities for foreign visitors.

The Destination Section has a brief on existing travel circuits like places of interest, how to reach, where to stay etc. But I failed to understand why destination Tawang and West Kameng alone has been given dedicated full pages and not for other destinations?

Besides, the site has briefs on Festivals, Arts and Crafts, People, Wildlife and Orchids and information on government registered tour operators.

So head on to the official tourism site of Government of Arunachal Pradesh for information on entry formalities, travel circuits etc., if you are planning a trip to Arunachal, soon.

Charcoal Sketch

Did I told you that other than blogging, my indulgence includes sketching? ;) ... Well, well, that was a long... long ago, infact. It has been ages since I seriously tried my hands on sketching...again. It was some days back when I was flipping through my steel trunk of college days, that I came across this sketchbook which reminded me that long back I had tried my hands at sketching. Below, I am sharing two of my sketches from that sketchbook done with charcoal, around a decade back.

Tried to do portrait of a lady that appeared in some magazine.

Was it an ad for Jeans or for Shoes? Hmm..I don't seem to recall. (Again from some magazine)

P.S. What above sketches got to do with Arunachal or Arunachal Diary? Nothing...but then, Arunachal Diary is also the personal space of AG besides space for issues related to Arunachal, right? ;)

Charcoal Sketch

Did I told you that other than blogging, my indulgence includes sketching? ;) ... Well, well, that was a long... long ago, infact. It has been ages since I seriously tried my hands on sketching...again. It was some days back when I was flipping through my steel trunk of college days, that I came across this sketchbook which reminded me that long back I had tried my hands at sketching. Below, I am sharing two of my sketches from that sketchbook done with charcoal, around a decade back.

Tried to do portrait of a lady that appeared in some magazine.

Was it an ad for Jeans or for Shoes? Hmm..I don't seem to recall. (Again from some magazine)

P.S. What above sketches got to do with Arunachal or Arunachal Diary? Nothing...but then, Arunachal Diary is also the personal space of AG besides space for issues related to Arunachal, right? ;)

Rants on BSNL Service at Ziro-Hapoli

In the first instance, this sounds 'Cool', doesn't it? A 3G services for NE States by BSNL, by January 2009? But try asking the consumers' of BSNL services in this part of the country i.e., Ziro-Hapoli Township of Arunachal Pradesh, for them, this is an irony, a joke.

Why?

There is this mobile service provided by BSNL (the lone service provider), but no network to make a call (and you are talking about 3G services). There is this supposedly 'always-on Broadband Service' provided by BSNL, that seems to have forgotten when to turn on. And the greater irony is that the consumer has to shell out their hard earned cash for the service that has been denied to them by the service provider's laxity in restoring the service.

This on and off relationship with the services provided by the BSNL has been prevailing since 14^th June, when torrential rain and subsequent landslide washed away the OFC linking Ziro Exchange with Itanagar Exchange. I wonder what is keeping the BSNL authorities such long from restoring the service? The only response that is forthright from them whenever anyone enquire about the prevailing condition of service is the cliché, 'Sir, the OFC has been cut by some miscreants at X or Y or Z location'. Well, can't they think of any other alternative to provide the service or to lay OFC that is out of reach from the so-called miscreants? Or is it just an excuse not to restore the service, after all they are getting paid for the services they are not providing ;)?

And to talk about the ambitious project of providing 3G services to NE states by January 2009; why don't they first concentrate on improving quality of service in this part of the country? Without network and poor QoS what would be the utility of 3G services, I wonder....

Rants on BSNL Service at Ziro-Hapoli

In the first instance, this sounds 'Cool', doesn't it? A 3G services for NE States by BSNL, by January 2009? But try asking the consumers' of BSNL services in this part of the country i.e., Ziro-Hapoli Township of Arunachal Pradesh, for them, this is an irony, a joke.

Why?

There is this mobile service provided by BSNL (the lone service provider), but no network to make a call (and you are talking about 3G services). There is this supposedly 'always-on Broadband Service' provided by BSNL, that seems to have forgotten when to turn on. And the greater irony is that the consumer has to shell out their hard earned cash for the service that has been denied to them by the service provider's laxity in restoring the service.

This on and off relationship with the services provided by the BSNL has been prevailing since 14^th June, when torrential rain and subsequent landslide washed away the OFC linking Ziro Exchange with Itanagar Exchange. I wonder what is keeping the BSNL authorities such long from restoring the service? The only response that is forthright from them whenever anyone enquire about the prevailing condition of service is the cliché, 'Sir, the OFC has been cut by some miscreants at X or Y or Z location'. Well, can't they think of any other alternative to provide the service or to lay OFC that is out of reach from the so-called miscreants? Or is it just an excuse not to restore the service, after all they are getting paid for the services they are not providing ;)?

And to talk about the ambitious project of providing 3G services to NE states by January 2009; why don't they first concentrate on improving quality of service in this part of the country? Without network and poor QoS what would be the utility of 3G services, I wonder....

AD is still alive!!

Have you thought Arunachal Diary is 'dead' and won't be updated anymore?

Well, this is a very short post to announce that Arunachal Diary is still alive and kicking but for the forced short hiatus I had to take due to unplanned trip down South to Bangalore (Bengaluru) and to Coimbatore, which kept me out from updating the blog. Watch out for the space till I update myself with the latest happenings of the state and let you updated about Arunachal Pradesh. :)

Thank you all for visiting Arunachal Diary even when it was not updated for a while.

AD is still alive!!

Have you thought Arunachal Diary is 'dead' and won't be updated anymore?

Well, this is a very short post to announce that Arunachal Diary is still alive and kicking but for the forced short hiatus I had to take due to unplanned trip down South to Bangalore (Bengaluru) and to Coimbatore, which kept me out from updating the blog. Watch out for the space till I update myself with the latest happenings of the state and let you updated about Arunachal Pradesh. :)

Thank you all for visiting Arunachal Diary even when it was not updated for a while.

'Operation Clean Drive' and Backlash

Once bitten twice shy - but for some, they never seem to learn a lesson. It was thought that the administration would learn a lesson from their mistake that they made around same time last year when they passed on the baton to juveniles instead of weilding the baton themselves which led to tension along Arunachal-Assam border. But no. They made the same mistake again this year and even supported the act. The result- economic blockade along National Highway NH-52, the lifeline of Arunachal Pradesh, by All Assam Minority Students' Union (AAMSU) against the recent drive to detect and deport illegal migrants by students' bodies of Arunachal, damage of public and private vehicles bearing Arunachal registration, attack on the people of Arunachal along the stretch of Kimin & Banderdewa (Assam side) and finally injuring of 12 protestors by law enforcing agencies to bring the situation under control.

It all started with All Papum Pare District Students' Union (APPDSU) and All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) serving quit notices on 6^th September to illegal migrants to leave the state within 5 days, in the wake of reported increase in cases of burglary, theft, conspiracy to murder and other serious crimes allegedly involving the so-called 'illegal Bangladeshi' migrants at Capital Complex. The first phase of 'Operation Clean Drive' was carried out on September 12^th where the supporter's of students' union supposedly took the law into their own hands and physically went about evicting the 'illegal Bangladeshi migrants'. 

This provoked the All Assam Minority Students' Union (AAMSU) to clamp indefinite economic blockade at Banderdewa and Kimin-the two entry points to Arunachal and to take on the streets vandalising the vehicles bearing Arunachal registration and assault on the passenger's on 18^th of September; alleging that unnecessary and unlawful harrassment has been meted out to the genuine minorities from Assam living at Arunachal Pradesh with law enforcing authorities becoming just a mute spectator to the entire drama.

“We have decided to impose an indefinite economic blockade on Arunachal Pradesh in protest against the anti-migrant drive which saw an exodus of at least 2,000 to 3,000 Muslims from Arunachal Pradesh. We announced our decision on the road blockade at a meeting, which was attended by 10,000 Muslims, at Laluk in North Lakhimpur yesterday. The union strongly condemned the atrocities meted out to the innocent labourers by student unions in the name of detection and deportation of illegal migrants,” Rahman said from Laluk over phone today.

(Source)

However, with the interference of district administration from both the states, the situation has been diffused a bit and a meeting of the officials of both the districts Papum Pare and North Lakhimpur has been fixed for tomorrow to discuss the matter in presence of public and the unions. The outcome of the meeting is awaited.

Now the question that comes to mind is had this 'ugly situation' been averted? And the answer is, hopefully, yes, had the administration weilded the baton themselves and had carried out the detection and deportation of illegal migrants plaguing the state, lawfully. I wonder, why didn't the administration learnt from their past mistake of allowing students' union to carry out 'Operation Clean Drive' last year which resulted in almost similar kind of tension? Why did the administration shirked away from their responsibility this year too?

(Picture at top- source The Arunachal Times)

'Operation Clean Drive' and Backlash

Once bitten twice shy - but for some, they never seem to learn a lesson. It was thought that the administration would learn a lesson from their mistake that they made around same time last year when they passed on the baton to juveniles instead of weilding the baton themselves which led to tension along Arunachal-Assam border. But no. They made the same mistake again this year and even supported the act. The result- economic blockade along National Highway NH-52, the lifeline of Arunachal Pradesh, by All Assam Minority Students' Union (AAMSU) against the recent drive to detect and deport illegal migrants by students' bodies of Arunachal, damage of public and private vehicles bearing Arunachal registration, attack on the people of Arunachal along the stretch of Kimin & Banderdewa (Assam side) and finally injuring of 12 protestors by law enforcing agencies to bring the situation under control.

It all started with All Papum Pare District Students' Union (APPDSU) and All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) serving quit notices on 6^th September to illegal migrants to leave the state within 5 days, in the wake of reported increase in cases of burglary, theft, conspiracy to murder and other serious crimes allegedly involving the so-called 'illegal Bangladeshi' migrants at Capital Complex. The first phase of 'Operation Clean Drive' was carried out on September 12^th where the supporter's of students' union supposedly took the law into their own hands and physically went about evicting the 'illegal Bangladeshi migrants'. 

This provoked the All Assam Minority Students' Union (AAMSU) to clamp indefinite economic blockade at Banderdewa and Kimin-the two entry points to Arunachal and to take on the streets vandalising the vehicles bearing Arunachal registration and assault on the passenger's on 18^th of September; alleging that unnecessary and unlawful harrassment has been meted out to the genuine minorities from Assam living at Arunachal Pradesh with law enforcing authorities becoming just a mute spectator to the entire drama.

“We have decided to impose an indefinite economic blockade on Arunachal Pradesh in protest against the anti-migrant drive which saw an exodus of at least 2,000 to 3,000 Muslims from Arunachal Pradesh. We announced our decision on the road blockade at a meeting, which was attended by 10,000 Muslims, at Laluk in North Lakhimpur yesterday. The union strongly condemned the atrocities meted out to the innocent labourers by student unions in the name of detection and deportation of illegal migrants,” Rahman said from Laluk over phone today.

(Source)

However, with the interference of district administration from both the states, the situation has been diffused a bit and a meeting of the officials of both the districts Papum Pare and North Lakhimpur has been fixed for tomorrow to discuss the matter in presence of public and the unions. The outcome of the meeting is awaited.

Now the question that comes to mind is had this 'ugly situation' been averted? And the answer is, hopefully, yes, had the administration weilded the baton themselves and had carried out the detection and deportation of illegal migrants plaguing the state, lawfully. I wonder, why didn't the administration learnt from their past mistake of allowing students' union to carry out 'Operation Clean Drive' last year which resulted in almost similar kind of tension? Why did the administration shirked away from their responsibility this year too?

(Picture at top- source The Arunachal Times)

Let's speak Apatani - A Blog by GT

With Tanii agun (Apatani) being considered 'Endangered Language' on the verge of becoming extinct due to fascination of the Tanii's towards National Language Hindi and the global language English, an immediate attention was needed to preserve, promote and document Tanii agun lest it become extinct. 

In this line, to preserve and promote Tanii agun a wonderful effort was/is being made by NPR and PB through their blog Let us save Tanii. Following suit, here is another wonderful blog by GT - Tanii Agun Lu Sa (Let's speak Apatani), which aims at documenting the language. Head to this blog for a peek at the effort.

Let's speak Apatani - A Blog by GT

With Tanii agun (Apatani) being considered 'Endangered Language' on the verge of becoming extinct due to fascination of the Tanii's towards National Language Hindi and the global language English, an immediate attention was needed to preserve, promote and document Tanii agun lest it become extinct. 

In this line, to preserve and promote Tanii agun a wonderful effort was/is being made by NPR and PB through their blog Let us save Tanii. Following suit, here is another wonderful blog by GT - Tanii Agun Lu Sa (Let's speak Apatani), which aims at documenting the language. Head to this blog for a peek at the effort.

Fire Mishap at Hapoli (Updated)

I just about finished my work at comp when power went out around 10.35 pm. So, I saved my work and shut down my computer and was preparing for bed when I suddenly heard siren... the ever so familiar sound at Ziro-Hapoli that make you jump out of the bed and out of the house to the streets. Thinking that some fire mishap has occured I rushed out only to find road empty. So, I enquired over mobile and learnt that fire mishap indeed had occured. 

According to the report obtained, the fire broke out at a house behind the main administrative building or the DC office at Hapoli. However, the fire was doused before it could break out to other houses in the vicinity. Unconfirmed report says that there was casualty which is yet to be confirmed. More updates on this later.

Update (14-09-2008):

"I had gone to sleep and was in deep slumber when the commotion outside woke me up. When I came out of my house, I was  shocked to see my neighbor’s house on fire and fellow neighbors trying to contain and douse the fire," said a resident adjacent to the house which caught fire last night. “I was quite afraid that the fire would spread to my residence or to other buildings in the vicinity but for the alert neighbor’s who was able to contain and douse the fire in time”.

The house belonged to one Nending Tama of Hija Village, who had leased his building to two families and a businessman who was using one of the rooms as go-down. The businessman reportedly suffered burn injuries and was rushed to the District Hospital. And the two families were reported safe. The incident occurred just behind the District Administration Office.

Considering the approach to the incident site (the only access to the site or the neighborhood being the lone narrow footpath), I wondered how would’ve fire firefighter’s from Fire Department would have helped to contain and douse the fire. I’m all the praise for the resident’s of that locality for acting promptly to contain and douse the fire thereby preventing spread of fire and causing damages to property and in turn saving themselves. Now, I feel it is high time we stop setting up structures haphazardly and ponder over the importance of proper planning of settlement areas if we want to prevent such mishaps in future.

It was also reported that taking advantage of commotion last night some miscreants looted one Electronic Shop, just opposite Post Office and debunked with DVD Players and VCD’s and DVD’s.

The shop (blue one) which was looted