Would we see Pradeep Thakur Issue finding logical end anytime soon?

The so called "Pradeep Thakur imbroglio" has given, so far three "Bandhs" to the residents' of Twin Capital City of Naharlagun and Itanagar; and going by the developments in this issue, the solution seems nowhere near the horizon. Atleast not until, NES and ANSU are ready to accept solution other than their laid down demands which are:

1. Immediate arrest of Pradeep Thakur


2. Unconditional apology from Pradeep Thakur


3. Revealation of Source of deregatory remark


4. Detailed call records of his two phone numbers.

Source-The Arunachal Times dated Sep 2, 2011

So far, the Times of India Group has pulled down the content that offended the Nyishi Community of the State and had given an apology on the issue on 26^th of May, 2011. Further, the journalist in question, one Pradeep Thakur is supposedly on anticipatory bail over the issue and has tendered his unconditional apology; the video footage of which is available online on social networking sites like Facebook etc. For wider circulation, the tendered video apology is embedded herewith, if it helps mitigate the issue.

However, all this effort by Times of India group and the State Government who went ahead and brought the video footage of apology of Pradeep Thakur did not help to resolve the issue once and for all. Apparently, may be because so far the source of remark has not been divulged or the details of call records has not been given.

But the question is, would all these "Bandh Calls' be enough to make the ToI Group or one Pradeep Thakur to divulge the source of remark? What if ToI group declines to reveal the source of remark? What if they invoke "Reporter's Privilege"? In that case, are there any alternatives to bring the issue to the logical end other than accept the fact that ToI has pulled down the content and has apologized and Pradeep Thakur has issued a video apology? I guess not. Or are there any?

By dragging the issue, the remark over which the NES and the ANSU started the fight for their community, would be re-quoted again and again while reporting about the issue, thereby defeating the sole purpose of fighting for the issue. Further, the people, who initially empathized with the Nyishi Community over the derogatory remark by one Pradeep Thakur may start believing that the whole issue is not about remark on Nyishi Community but entirely political, as is being discussed in some pockets.

While the issue may not come to logical end soon, (not until NES and ANSU accept the solution other than their demands) it would surely make the reporter, who was a non-entity prior to May 4^th, 2011, (In)famous; let that "derogatory remark" alive forever and subject the resident's of Twin Capital City of Naharlagun and Itanagar to further hardships as they are being subjected to for 48 hrs since 0500 hrs of 5^th of September, 2011.

Nyokum Celebration

Come February 26, 2011, Nyokum festival was celebrated across the state by Nyishi community in a big way. This reporter had set his focus on Mega Nyokum Celebration at Yazali and that of a village level Nyokum celebration at Talo village. They were contrasting yet impressive in their own different ways.

At Yazali the Nyokum celebration was indeed a mega event. The Hon'ble MLA of the area Mr. Likha Saaya was involved body and soul in making it big. Tagged as hi-fi Saaya, he ensured that the event was hi-fi, be it the list of VVIPs attended in the event to the arrangement of Bollywood singers and actors to entertain public. The celebration site was delight to watch-long Nyishi house having a hearth each for all Anchal ssegments of Ziro-II area in a single roof, beautifully constructed food stalls and a grand stage. It appeared like beautifully conceived amusement park. He sent a clear message to the world that he a youthful leader with new ideas and lot of energy.The event was costly but it worth when one intends to showcase culture and tradition of a community.

At Talo, the celebration was simple and participation was complete. Here also youth energy was palpable. This reporter was told that during the late 1990's and early 2000, the Nyokum was not celebrated in the village for some years. Reason: about 90% of the population in the village got converted to Christianity. In year 2008 a group of young people just out from college did the soul searching on their root. They felt necessity of celebration of Nyokum to get reconnected to their root. They formed a team, and started campaining for the celebration of Nyokum and delinking religion from indigenous culture. Thanks to the effort of the Briyani Team, Nyokum celebration was re-instated in the village and has never looked backed ever since.

Rambling on recent events of Arunachal

Government takes INR 300 crore loan to pay its' employees arrear

On March 11, Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, in a harried press conference at his official residence, announced with much fanfare that in order to keep his promise to it's employee to pay the balance 15th month arrears by March 2010; the Arunachal Pradesh Government has taken an interest free loan of Rs. 300 crore from Center payable in 20 years.

Well, may be with that move the government was able to provide a 'band-aid' solution to keep it's employees' happy but how do the government plan to pay the monthly salary of 80,000 odd employees in future when it says it does not have it's own resources? Also how do the government plan to repay the interest free loan amount of Rs. 300 Crores? Doesn't government creating liabilities for us? Should we always look upto the Centre with 'begging bowls' instead of thinking ways to create our own resources?

Anti-Dam equals Anti-Arunachal

During the same press conference, Chief Minister dubbed those protesting against dams in Arunachal as an anti-Arunachal. Oh my! with that statement Mr. Khandu stirred the 'hornet's nest'. Plethora of condemnation poured in right from ACR to those protesting against dams against his statement terming - his statement tries to curb the 'freedom of expression and freedom of right to live' and asked him to withdraw the statement. Of which the CM responded by saying that he was 'misquoted'. He assured that he is against any forceful displacement of population to materialize coming up of hydro-projects. Besides, Mr. Khandu stated that majority of the awarded hydro-power projects are RoR (Run-of the-River) scheme projects with no or negligible submergence.

There comes my question, though the same has been put forward by Bamang Tago, ACR Chairman as well. Well CM Sir, would you care to quantify how much submergence is called submergence or is negligible submergence or no submergence at all?

Considering the general layout of any hydro-electric power plant, I assume the hydropower plant requires a pondage for availability of water for generation and for creation of head. So, does RoR scheme Hydro Projects does not require pondage (in other words dams)?

While we are on the topic of dams in Arunachal, let me put some more words on it. Right from small to mega hydro projects, the state government has so far awarded about 100 projects to developers' with around 34000 MW of installed capacity. I wonder if such huge amount of hydro-potential needs to be tapped right now. The government says that it will earn revenue for state from sell of this power. But the question is, whom the state government envisage to sell this power to when it is said that owing to constraint in laying of transmission line in the 'chicken-neck corridor', there is constraint of evacuation of power to other beneficiary states out of North-East. It is said that the present capacity to evacuate power from the existing transmission line is only about 6000 MW. So, is it wise on our Governments part to award hydro-projects right and left without thinking of how to evacuate it? Why don't the government consider tapering tapping of hydro power potential of the state? Atleast it would give some time till the transmission utility company PGCIL overcome the present constraint of evacuating only about 6000 MW of power. And by the time may be people would also understand the merit and demerit of having hydro-power plants better.

AAPSU demands renaming of RGU to Arunachal University

On 18th, AAPSU staged dharna infront of Assembly demanding renaming of Rajiv Gandhi University back to Arunachal University. Though, I too agree that we should have our university named indigenously but, the question is where were the students' body when Arunachal University was re-christened Rajiv Gandhi University in the first place? Had they protested then and there, this situation would not have arrived. On the lighter note, would the government be bold enough to disgrace Gandhi dynasty by scrapping the Gandhi name from University when it has just got sanctioned loan amount of Rs. 300 Crore to pay to it's employees'?

NES demands creation of Department of Nyishi affairs in line of Department of Tirap and Changlang with annual budgetary allocation of Rs. 100 Crores.

I respect the concern of 'Elites' towards socio-economic development of their community and surely the government should look into the matter to develop the rural areas. But then wouldn't this demand sow seed for division of state on the basis of different communities of the state on the ground of development or non-development of their areas? What I feel is, it is not the quantum of amount sanctioned for particular area development but it is how the amount is utilized by the implementing agencies, which is much of siphoned off before it reaches to actual beneficiary. What do you say?

NES denies issuing press statement supporting candidature of Rijiju

This had to come.

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

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

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

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

(Source: Arunachal Times)

The reason being:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Source: Arunachal Times)

Arunachal feature film 'Oyaa' bags DDK Awards

After the Arunachalee feature film 'Sonam', it's turn of yet another Arunachalee feature film to make waves and win an award.

'Oyaa'- a Nyishi feature film based on Pill Topu's novel 'Oyaa' about the plight of typical village women in Nyishi community has bagged 4 awards in the best film, best cinematography, best sound and best editing categories of DDK National Awards which was awarded at an award function held at Jalandhar yesterday.

Produced by Arun Um Sakat and directed by Abhijit Das, a former student from FTII (Film and Television Institute of India), 'Oyaa' has been recommended by the Jury for International Film Festival.

“It is a great feeling. This is the first film from Arunachal, which bagged national awards in four categories. The whole unit is thrilled as the jury has recommended the film for the international film festival,” he said.

“The film speaks of the socio-cultural life of Nyishi tribesmen living in a nondescript village in Arunachal Pradesh and revolves around the life of a woman. It is the first such venture to capture Nyishi family life on celluloid. And our hard work has paid off,” Abhijit Das, the director, said from Guwahati.

(Source: The Telegraph)

The film stars Bengia Neye Likha as 'Oyaa' and Joram Papa as 'Podu' who had no formal training in acting.

NYOKUM YULLO 2009: Essence of Ethnicity

Dates : 24, 25 & 26^th February

Venue : Itanagar

Nyokum Yullo 2009 will bring to light the terrific world of an innocuous tribe called Nyishi (a major tribe of Arunachal Pradesh) dwelling on the incredible valleys of East Kameng, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare and some plain clusters of Lakhimpur and Sonitpur District of Assam. Inclusively, they are the largest ethnic bevies of Arunachal Pradesh. They belong to the Tibeto-Mongoloid stock. The simplicity and humbleness of the tribe append grace to the mesmerizing meadows of their inhabitations that are sanctified with abundant natural elegance and magnificence.

The Nyokum Yullo ’09 will divulge the complex cultures and treasured traditions of Nyishis’ worldwide. Amazingly, th persistent endeavor to conserve the mesmerizing culture, cuisines, ornaments, dresses, dances and folklores of the colorful Nyishi Tribe is yielding gradual fruition and Nyokum’09 is the result of those assiduous efforts of believing in the fact that

culture and tradition is worth the hardship and handworks. It is the joyous moments of commemorating the by gone eras of the Nyishi Tribe. Nyokum’09 is like a fresh breeze of fragrant airs that reminds the lively community of their ancient roots and offers the moments to be proud of who they are. It symbolizes the dawning of a new era, an era of reliving the moments that their ancestors were so proud of.

The contemporary influences, the modern mindsets and the busy schedules of modern life coerces to ignore or forget about the cultural heritages but the magic of Nyokum is so powerful that it binds the Nyishi fraternity together to revel the moments of pride and pleasures as well highlight the ancient heritages they are so proud of. The throngs of beautiful damsels in glistening Kochik (women traditional wear), the ferocious faces with soften hearts wearing colorful Pari/Pomo aaje ( men's traditonal wear), customary Bopia(traditonal head gear) and traditional swords dangling on the waist will hypnotize the awestruck visitors.

Nyokum being a pre-harvest sowing festival is celebrated for harvest prosperity, communal harmony, community integrations and global peace as well it also marks the advent of the Nyishi New Year. The three delectation days of the ethnic carnival offers a glance of the Nyishi Communities, divulging their ancient cultures, rituals, dances, etc. The chanting of Mantras, the mesmerizing ‘Buya’ and ‘Rikham Pada’ dances, the amusing ‘Dir-Son-BO’, the hammering by Pipa-Nekho, the preparation of Yugii (altar), the ceremonial procession Khome or Tori and the traditional animal sacrifices are the moments that will remain forever in the memories of the bedazzled onlookers. The exchange of Chimpu (packed lunch) and the trances of Opo (rice beer) served in Didu are simply superlative, likewise the Nyishi tribe is simply incredible and famous for their simplicity and gracious hospitalities.

Apart from the frenzy of the mindboggling ancient rituals, in the three fascinating days along

with the pristine precinct, dramatic mountains and serpentine roads, the visitors can enjoy personal moments, boating in the quite environment of the Gekar Sinyi/Sinyik(lake)that offers quite moments, away from the maddening crowds. Re-visit history by meandering on the ruins of historic Itafort built in 1360 AD, amble on the by lanes of the zoological park enjoying

the sight of Bengal felines, impassive crocks, greedy vultures, mischievous monkeys, beautiful birds, wonderful peacocks, etc., tread across the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary that nestle some of the rare wildlife species along with varieties of birds and orchids and to comprehend the tribes and culture of the entire state take a tour of Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum and when exhausted of ambling, boating and driving, conclude the eventful day by riding upon the Toy Train watching the radiant sun fading gradually.

Words cannot illustrate the beauty of the place and reflect the emotion of being a part of the Nyokum’09. Be a part of it to comprehend the charisma of the festival and to believe the beauty of the region. Explore the beautiful thing god has created and experience the powerful magic of Nyokum Yullo 2009.

For further details contact : Chukhu Mama – +919856839238 email- mchukhu@gmail.com

or

Log into Amazing Arunachal site.

Text by Tom Simai & Photos by Arif Siddiqui

NYOKUM YULLO 2009: Essence of Ethnicity

Dates : 24, 25 & 26^th February

Venue : Itanagar

Nyokum Yullo 2009 will bring to light the terrific world of an innocuous tribe called Nyishi (a major tribe of Arunachal Pradesh) dwelling on the incredible valleys of East Kameng, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare and some plain clusters of Lakhimpur and Sonitpur District of Assam. Inclusively, they are the largest ethnic bevies of Arunachal Pradesh. They belong to the Tibeto-Mongoloid stock. The simplicity and humbleness of the tribe append grace to the mesmerizing meadows of their inhabitations that are sanctified with abundant natural elegance and magnificence.

The Nyokum Yullo ’09 will divulge the complex cultures and treasured traditions of Nyishis’ worldwide. Amazingly, th persistent endeavor to conserve the mesmerizing culture, cuisines, ornaments, dresses, dances and folklores of the colorful Nyishi Tribe is yielding gradual fruition and Nyokum’09 is the result of those assiduous efforts of believing in the fact that

culture and tradition is worth the hardship and handworks. It is the joyous moments of commemorating the by gone eras of the Nyishi Tribe. Nyokum’09 is like a fresh breeze of fragrant airs that reminds the lively community of their ancient roots and offers the moments to be proud of who they are. It symbolizes the dawning of a new era, an era of reliving the moments that their ancestors were so proud of.

The contemporary influences, the modern mindsets and the busy schedules of modern life coerces to ignore or forget about the cultural heritages but the magic of Nyokum is so powerful that it binds the Nyishi fraternity together to revel the moments of pride and pleasures as well highlight the ancient heritages they are so proud of. The throngs of beautiful damsels in glistening Kochik (women traditional wear), the ferocious faces with soften hearts wearing colorful Pari/Pomo aaje ( men's traditonal wear), customary Bopia(traditonal head gear) and traditional swords dangling on the waist will hypnotize the awestruck visitors.

Nyokum being a pre-harvest sowing festival is celebrated for harvest prosperity, communal harmony, community integrations and global peace as well it also marks the advent of the Nyishi New Year. The three delectation days of the ethnic carnival offers a glance of the Nyishi Communities, divulging their ancient cultures, rituals, dances, etc. The chanting of Mantras, the mesmerizing ‘Buya’ and ‘Rikham Pada’ dances, the amusing ‘Dir-Son-BO’, the hammering by Pipa-Nekho, the preparation of Yugii (altar), the ceremonial procession Khome or Tori and the traditional animal sacrifices are the moments that will remain forever in the memories of the bedazzled onlookers. The exchange of Chimpu (packed lunch) and the trances of Opo (rice beer) served in Didu are simply superlative, likewise the Nyishi tribe is simply incredible and famous for their simplicity and gracious hospitalities.

Apart from the frenzy of the mindboggling ancient rituals, in the three fascinating days along

with the pristine precinct, dramatic mountains and serpentine roads, the visitors can enjoy personal moments, boating in the quite environment of the Gekar Sinyi/Sinyik(lake)that offers quite moments, away from the maddening crowds. Re-visit history by meandering on the ruins of historic Itafort built in 1360 AD, amble on the by lanes of the zoological park enjoying

the sight of Bengal felines, impassive crocks, greedy vultures, mischievous monkeys, beautiful birds, wonderful peacocks, etc., tread across the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary that nestle some of the rare wildlife species along with varieties of birds and orchids and to comprehend the tribes and culture of the entire state take a tour of Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum and when exhausted of ambling, boating and driving, conclude the eventful day by riding upon the Toy Train watching the radiant sun fading gradually.

Words cannot illustrate the beauty of the place and reflect the emotion of being a part of the Nyokum’09. Be a part of it to comprehend the charisma of the festival and to believe the beauty of the region. Explore the beautiful thing god has created and experience the powerful magic of Nyokum Yullo 2009.

For further details contact : Chukhu Mama – +919856839238 email- mchukhu@gmail.com

or

Log into Amazing Arunachal site.

Text by Tom Simai & Photos by Arif Siddiqui

A summary of the international conference on “Origins and Migrations Among Tibeto-Burman Speakers of the Extended Eastern Himalaya”

-by Rebecca Gnuechtel

From the 23rd to the 25th May 2008 some 30 scholars gathered in Berlin, Germany for an international conference on “Origins and Migrations Among Tibeto-Burman Speakers of the Extended Eastern Himalaya”, which was organized by Prof. Toni Huber of the Humboldt University, Institute for Asian and African Studies and Prof. Stuart Blackburn of SOAS, London University. The scholars covered areas such as eastern Nepal, Yunnan Province in Southwest China, Burma, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Particularly for those international scholars working on Arunachal it was the most amazing setting of having the few people working on this remote area gathered in one place. Many met each other for the first time in person.

Prof. Stuart Blackburn from the University of London delivered a lecture on Apatani Ideas and Idioms of Origins. He pointed out that their thinking on origin is dominated by concepts of genealogy and cosmogony rather than geography saying that: “Apatanis really do not think of themselves primarily as migrants from another place but rather as descendents of a particular ancestor [Abo Tani].” The central concept in doing so however is that of the process of differentiation from formlessness to the formation of the natural as well as the social world.

Professor Toni Huber from Humboldt University in Berlin spoke about his fieldwork data on “Micro-Migrations and Our Understanding of Origins: A Case Study from the Upper Subansiri Region of the Eastern Himalaya”. “How do people actually move?” Toni Huber tries to give some answer to this question for a particular area of the Upper Subansiri River valley and a particular time, the 20th century. What he shows by means of historical records and personal interviews of a large number of local people is that whenever people move for reasons such as conflicts or bamboo flowering they also interact with the people they come in contact with and even take wives from there. Adding to that some clans are explicitly exogamous and marry outside their own community. Consequently there is a high mix of people. However he also shows something else very interesting. Those movements are not just downwards along the rivers but also upwards depending on the particular cause for migrations as well as the direction from which the jeopardy comes. Consequently the very widespread belief of a unidirectional migration from Tibet to the South might prove to be much more complicated.

Further, Dr. Alex Aisher from the University of Sussex, England spoke about “Migration Narratives and the Environmental History of the Nyishi Tribe in Arunachal Pradesh” and Mark Post from La Trobe University, Australia gave a presentation on “The Language, Culture, Environment and Origins of Proto-Tani Speakers”. From the Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh Dr. Sarit Chaudhuri delivered a lecture on “Oral Narratives of Origin and Migration and Construction of Identities by the Tibeto-Burman Tribes of a Frontier state of India”. Kerstin Grothmann from Humboldt University reported about her recent fieldwork as did Atsuko Ibata a Japanese student from Delhi University, both are working on societies in central Arunachal Pradesh.



The author is MA student, Department of Anthropology at Heidelberg University, Germany

A summary of the international conference on “Origins and Migrations Among Tibeto-Burman Speakers of the Extended Eastern Himalaya”

-by Rebecca Gnuechtel

From the 23rd to the 25th May 2008 some 30 scholars gathered in Berlin, Germany for an international conference on “Origins and Migrations Among Tibeto-Burman Speakers of the Extended Eastern Himalaya”, which was organized by Prof. Toni Huber of the Humboldt University, Institute for Asian and African Studies and Prof. Stuart Blackburn of SOAS, London University. The scholars covered areas such as eastern Nepal, Yunnan Province in Southwest China, Burma, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Particularly for those international scholars working on Arunachal it was the most amazing setting of having the few people working on this remote area gathered in one place. Many met each other for the first time in person.

Prof. Stuart Blackburn from the University of London delivered a lecture on Apatani Ideas and Idioms of Origins. He pointed out that their thinking on origin is dominated by concepts of genealogy and cosmogony rather than geography saying that: “Apatanis really do not think of themselves primarily as migrants from another place but rather as descendents of a particular ancestor [Abo Tani].” The central concept in doing so however is that of the process of differentiation from formlessness to the formation of the natural as well as the social world.

Professor Toni Huber from Humboldt University in Berlin spoke about his fieldwork data on “Micro-Migrations and Our Understanding of Origins: A Case Study from the Upper Subansiri Region of the Eastern Himalaya”. “How do people actually move?” Toni Huber tries to give some answer to this question for a particular area of the Upper Subansiri River valley and a particular time, the 20th century. What he shows by means of historical records and personal interviews of a large number of local people is that whenever people move for reasons such as conflicts or bamboo flowering they also interact with the people they come in contact with and even take wives from there. Adding to that some clans are explicitly exogamous and marry outside their own community. Consequently there is a high mix of people. However he also shows something else very interesting. Those movements are not just downwards along the rivers but also upwards depending on the particular cause for migrations as well as the direction from which the jeopardy comes. Consequently the very widespread belief of a unidirectional migration from Tibet to the South might prove to be much more complicated.

Further, Dr. Alex Aisher from the University of Sussex, England spoke about “Migration Narratives and the Environmental History of the Nyishi Tribe in Arunachal Pradesh” and Mark Post from La Trobe University, Australia gave a presentation on “The Language, Culture, Environment and Origins of Proto-Tani Speakers”. From the Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh Dr. Sarit Chaudhuri delivered a lecture on “Oral Narratives of Origin and Migration and Construction of Identities by the Tibeto-Burman Tribes of a Frontier state of India”. Kerstin Grothmann from Humboldt University reported about her recent fieldwork as did Atsuko Ibata a Japanese student from Delhi University, both are working on societies in central Arunachal Pradesh.



The author is MA student, Department of Anthropology at Heidelberg University, Germany

Nyishi Day Celebration

To commemorate their three decade long struggle, initiated by NYA (Nyishi Youth Association) as early as 1978, for change of nomenclature from ‘Dafla’ to ‘Nyishi’, which bore fruit in the form of passing of bill in the parliament on 19^th of March, 2008, the Nyishi community is celebrating ‘Nyishi Day’ at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar today.

Arunachal Diary wishes Nyishi brethrens a Happy Nyishi Day.

Nyishi Day Celebration

To commemorate their three decade long struggle, initiated by NYA (Nyishi Youth Association) as early as 1978, for change of nomenclature from ‘Dafla’ to ‘Nyishi’, which bore fruit in the form of passing of bill in the parliament on 19^th of March, 2008, the Nyishi community is celebrating ‘Nyishi Day’ at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar today.

Arunachal Diary wishes Nyishi brethrens a Happy Nyishi Day.

Nyishi's to get its right nomenclature soon

The long felt demand of the Nyishi’s for nomenclature change, which had created quite a stir sometimes back, may finally see the light of the day. The Union Cabinet has approved to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 with Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2008 which would be tabled during the coming budget session.

“A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, gave its approval for the introduction of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2008. The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told media persons that the modified list of ST’s in Arunachal Pradesh would satisfy the aspirations of the “Nyishi” community regarding removal of the term Dafla and insertion of Nyishi in the list of STs in Arunachal Pradesh.”

-The Arunachal Times

Despite having been termed as 'anti-Nyishi' by ANSU and removal from his post for a while, CS Tabom Bam was quite instrumental in pursuing the cause of Nyishi for nomenclature change. Now that a Bill to amend the constitution has been approved to be tabled during the coming budget session, I hope the dual between the CS and various Nyishi organizations viz., ANSU, NES, ANYA and NFC would end and there wouldn't be any stand by these organizations to remove the CS. Or would there be?

(My earlier posts on CS-ANSU imbroglio-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5).

Nyishi's to get its right nomenclature soon

The long felt demand of the Nyishi’s for nomenclature change, which had created quite a stir sometimes back, may finally see the light of the day. The Union Cabinet has approved to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 with Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2008 which would be tabled during the coming budget session.

“A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, gave its approval for the introduction of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2008. The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told media persons that the modified list of ST’s in Arunachal Pradesh would satisfy the aspirations of the “Nyishi” community regarding removal of the term Dafla and insertion of Nyishi in the list of STs in Arunachal Pradesh.”

-The Arunachal Times

Despite having been termed as 'anti-Nyishi' by ANSU and removal from his post for a while, CS Tabom Bam was quite instrumental in pursuing the cause of Nyishi for nomenclature change. Now that a Bill to amend the constitution has been approved to be tabled during the coming budget session, I hope the dual between the CS and various Nyishi organizations viz., ANSU, NES, ANYA and NFC would end and there wouldn't be any stand by these organizations to remove the CS. Or would there be?

(My earlier posts on CS-ANSU imbroglio-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5).

Was CS victim of power struggle between various Nyishi Organisations?

Was the entire ANSU-CS fracas over Chief Secretary's alleged 'anti-Nyishi' stand was actually what it was made out to be or was CS made a 'sacrificial lamb' in the way of legitimizing which Nyishi organization is the true representative of entire Nyishi community? Well, going by the developments of 'anti-Nyishi' stand of CS, as an onlooker, later seems the case if you look at the issue from another perspective.

The entire legitimization issue of Nyishi organization and the rift between various organizations viz., Nyishi Elite Society (NES), All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU), Nyishi Federal Council (NFC) and All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) started with Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and it’s youth wing All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) disbanding other Nyishi organization’s viz., Nyishi Federal Council (NFC) and All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) terming these organizations as fake and that they (NES & ANSU) and they alone are the only true representative of Nyishi Community as they have been given social sanction. They also notified the government that henceforth all the developmental activities pertaining to Nyishi community be routed through them for approval prior to approval by the government. It made me wonder then and there, can any organization act and decide on behalf of entire community that too without assessing the ground reality prevailing in the far flung areas where their brethren lives. How many of them knows about the ground situations in the places like Radum, Tali, Chayang-Tajo, Sarli, Hebang, Luba etc., to name a few? I bet, a very few only. It’s true that older folks and youngsters do follow whatever these so-called educated elites of the society says, out of respect to them, but does that mean they have got the peoples’ sanction to act on behalf of them? I would say, NO! They have to prove themselves.

Steering back to the topic, the opportunity to prove that they are the true torchbearers of the community came in the form of Chief Secretary's inclusion of nomenclature change from 'Galong' to 'Galo' in the agenda of nomenclature change from 'Dafla' to 'Nyishi'; and ANSU taking this opportunity, made a major issue out of a non-issue even after withdrawal of agenda by Chief Secretary and forced the government to remove the Chief Secretary. A fact finding team headed by RWD and RD Minister Chowna Mein was constituted, who gave Chief Secretary a clean chit and the Chief Secretary was reinstated to his post. NES and ANSU kept mum.

In the bid to prove their pro-community stance, taking this opportunity of NES and ANSU’s silence over Chief Secretary’s reinstatement, NFC and it’s youth wing ANYA started alleging that NES, ANSU and Tabom Bam had entered into a ‘secret-arrangement’ to let Bam continue in his post-of which they had 'concrete evidence' and demanded resignation of presidents of NES and ANSU for their anti community stance. They demanded the government not to allow Bam continue in his post and if allowed threatened to launch a series of agitation. Also, they announced to take up ‘case-wise issue’ to unmask the individuals and agencies involved in corrupt practices.

“The NFC said it would take up ‘case-wise issue’ against public servants, agencies and individuals with disproportionate assets beyond their known sources of income, while the meeting also agreed to draw the state government’s attention to the Nyishi technocrats and bureaucrats who were confining their entire service period in and around the Capital Complex through ‘manipulations’, saying such dubious acts were detrimental to the smooth functioning of the government machinery.”

-Aunachal Front dated 20^th November, 2007

Though, I laud the declaration by NFC and ANYA that they would raise 'case-wise issue' against corrupt public servants, agencies and individuals, which is good not only for Nyishi community but for entire Arunachal as a whole (atleast in that way some rot in the system would be cleaned), I've my apprehension that they wouldn't stick to what they have declared as soon as they too get social sanction like NES and ANSU ;). Only time will tell.

Now, it seems as if the entire differences between NES, ANSU, NFC and ANYA has been solved. After joint meeting between representatives of these organizations and Nyishi leaders they came out with a joint statement that they are dropping the proposed stir (Capital Bandh today). Good for Tabom Bam, Nyishi community and for general populace (they wouldn't be grind in their power struggle, now). The question now is, would these organizations act together without trying to prove who calls the shot, for benefit of the community? Let's wait and watch.

This entire episode has left me wondering though, if the stand taken by Chief Secretary was 'anti-Nyishi' at all and the fact finding teams report all made up, why NFC and ANYA backed down from proposed stir? What was the 'secret-arrangement' reached between NES, ANSU and CS of which they claimed that they have 'concrete evidence' or was it just a gimmick to prove who calls the shot with Tabom Bam being made the victim of this power struggle?

Related readings:
CS proceeds on a long leave.....
ANSU-CS imbroglio
Rise of Hooliganism
Would the Nyishi's get their right nomenclature?

Was CS victim of power struggle between various Nyishi Organisations?

Was the entire ANSU-CS fracas over Chief Secretary's alleged 'anti-Nyishi' stand was actually what it was made out to be or was CS made a 'sacrificial lamb' in the way of legitimizing which Nyishi organization is the true representative of entire Nyishi community? Well, going by the developments of 'anti-Nyishi' stand of CS, as an onlooker, later seems the case if you look at the issue from another perspective.

The entire legitimization issue of Nyishi organization and the rift between various organizations viz., Nyishi Elite Society (NES), All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU), Nyishi Federal Council (NFC) and All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) started with Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and it’s youth wing All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) disbanding other Nyishi organization’s viz., Nyishi Federal Council (NFC) and All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) terming these organizations as fake and that they (NES & ANSU) and they alone are the only true representative of Nyishi Community as they have been given social sanction. They also notified the government that henceforth all the developmental activities pertaining to Nyishi community be routed through them for approval prior to approval by the government. It made me wonder then and there, can any organization act and decide on behalf of entire community that too without assessing the ground reality prevailing in the far flung areas where their brethren lives. How many of them knows about the ground situations in the places like Radum, Tali, Chayang-Tajo, Sarli, Hebang, Luba etc., to name a few? I bet, a very few only. It’s true that older folks and youngsters do follow whatever these so-called educated elites of the society says, out of respect to them, but does that mean they have got the peoples’ sanction to act on behalf of them? I would say, NO! They have to prove themselves.

Steering back to the topic, the opportunity to prove that they are the true torchbearers of the community came in the form of Chief Secretary's inclusion of nomenclature change from 'Galong' to 'Galo' in the agenda of nomenclature change from 'Dafla' to 'Nyishi'; and ANSU taking this opportunity, made a major issue out of a non-issue even after withdrawal of agenda by Chief Secretary and forced the government to remove the Chief Secretary. A fact finding team headed by RWD and RD Minister Chowna Mein was constituted, who gave Chief Secretary a clean chit and the Chief Secretary was reinstated to his post. NES and ANSU kept mum.

In the bid to prove their pro-community stance, taking this opportunity of NES and ANSU’s silence over Chief Secretary’s reinstatement, NFC and it’s youth wing ANYA started alleging that NES, ANSU and Tabom Bam had entered into a ‘secret-arrangement’ to let Bam continue in his post-of which they had 'concrete evidence' and demanded resignation of presidents of NES and ANSU for their anti community stance. They demanded the government not to allow Bam continue in his post and if allowed threatened to launch a series of agitation. Also, they announced to take up ‘case-wise issue’ to unmask the individuals and agencies involved in corrupt practices.

“The NFC said it would take up ‘case-wise issue’ against public servants, agencies and individuals with disproportionate assets beyond their known sources of income, while the meeting also agreed to draw the state government’s attention to the Nyishi technocrats and bureaucrats who were confining their entire service period in and around the Capital Complex through ‘manipulations’, saying such dubious acts were detrimental to the smooth functioning of the government machinery.”

-Aunachal Front dated 20^th November, 2007

Though, I laud the declaration by NFC and ANYA that they would raise 'case-wise issue' against corrupt public servants, agencies and individuals, which is good not only for Nyishi community but for entire Arunachal as a whole (atleast in that way some rot in the system would be cleaned), I've my apprehension that they wouldn't stick to what they have declared as soon as they too get social sanction like NES and ANSU ;). Only time will tell.

Now, it seems as if the entire differences between NES, ANSU, NFC and ANYA has been solved. After joint meeting between representatives of these organizations and Nyishi leaders they came out with a joint statement that they are dropping the proposed stir (Capital Bandh today). Good for Tabom Bam, Nyishi community and for general populace (they wouldn't be grind in their power struggle, now). The question now is, would these organizations act together without trying to prove who calls the shot, for benefit of the community? Let's wait and watch.

This entire episode has left me wondering though, if the stand taken by Chief Secretary was 'anti-Nyishi' at all and the fact finding teams report all made up, why NFC and ANYA backed down from proposed stir? What was the 'secret-arrangement' reached between NES, ANSU and CS of which they claimed that they have 'concrete evidence' or was it just a gimmick to prove who calls the shot with Tabom Bam being made the victim of this power struggle?

Related readings:
CS proceeds on a long leave.....
ANSU-CS imbroglio
Rise of Hooliganism
Would the Nyishi's get their right nomenclature?

Would the Nyishi’s get their right nomenclature?

Since the last three decades, Nyishi’s of Arunachal has been putting in their efforts to change its nomenclature from Dafla to Nyishi, and has been demanding scrapping of the term Dafla from the constitution and replace it with Nyishi. And finally, it seems that their long felt demand would see the light of the day. A 2-member Central Team headed by Union Tribal Affairs Secretary G.B. Mukherjee and Joint Director Dr. N.K. Ghatak had toured the state from 20th-23rd of September and interacted with the people to take stock of the demand, peoples view on changing of nomenclature and the administration issues that may arise due to this nomenclature change.

Why Nyishi’s want nomenclature change from Dafla to Nyishi?

It is believed that the term Dafla is derogatory, used for 'wild man' or 'barbaric' and the Nyishi's detested it. The Nyishi’s have never associated themselves with this term Dafla- a term given by the Ahom rulers whose origin and real meaning is not known; but always called themselves Nyishi­- which is a generic term derived from two words Nyi or Nyia and Shing or Ashing meaning ‘Hunam Being’ or ‘People dwelling at highland regions’. However, this nomenclature has been passed down from Ahom rulers to the Britisher’s to the Indian's. Though lately, from the evidence garnered from various sources, the Nyishi intellectuals believes that the term Dafla may not be derogatory, after all. In fact, they seem to believe that it might have been derived from Nyishi term 'te-dofalak'- meaning 'to be an up there my residence' (loosely translated)

"It is said, during the time of meets, the plains people[stranger] asked the Nyishi, what is your name? So, the person responded, assuming asking his residential location and quickly replied; 'te-dofalak' meaning 'to be an up there my residence' [place]. Taking cue of onomatopoeic sound, the Nyishi was identified with the name dofalak which later on got corrupted into dafala, and during the British period further altered to an anglicized phonetic spelling form dafla."

Yet, the true meaning and origin of the term has to be ascertained but nevertheless, since the Nyishi's have never associated themselves with the term Dafla and has called themselves Nyishi from time immemorial, they have been demanding scrapping of term Dafla- which has an imperialistic tinge and replacing it with Nyishi.

Would the Nyishi's get their right nomenclature?

Going by the reactions of the visiting central team, it may very well be presumed that the Nyishi's may finally get their due and the term Dafla would be scrapped and Nyishi replaced instead. However, the Central team declined to comment anything on it yet, though.

"I'll not make any statement now, you will know later"-G.B. Mukherjee, Union Tribal Affairs Secretary.

But it is hoped that outcome would be positive.

Would the Nyishi’s get their right nomenclature?

Since the last three decades, Nyishi’s of Arunachal has been putting in their efforts to change its nomenclature from Dafla to Nyishi, and has been demanding scrapping of the term Dafla from the constitution and replace it with Nyishi. And finally, it seems that their long felt demand would see the light of the day. A 2-member Central Team headed by Union Tribal Affairs Secretary G.B. Mukherjee and Joint Director Dr. N.K. Ghatak had toured the state from 20th-23rd of September and interacted with the people to take stock of the demand, peoples view on changing of nomenclature and the administration issues that may arise due to this nomenclature change.

Why Nyishi’s want nomenclature change from Dafla to Nyishi?

It is believed that the term Dafla is derogatory, used for 'wild man' or 'barbaric' and the Nyishi's detested it. The Nyishi’s have never associated themselves with this term Dafla- a term given by the Ahom rulers whose origin and real meaning is not known; but always called themselves Nyishi­- which is a generic term derived from two words Nyi or Nyia and Shing or Ashing meaning ‘Hunam Being’ or ‘People dwelling at highland regions’. However, this nomenclature has been passed down from Ahom rulers to the Britisher’s to the Indian's. Though lately, from the evidence garnered from various sources, the Nyishi intellectuals believes that the term Dafla may not be derogatory, after all. In fact, they seem to believe that it might have been derived from Nyishi term 'te-dofalak'- meaning 'to be an up there my residence' (loosely translated)

"It is said, during the time of meets, the plains people[stranger] asked the Nyishi, what is your name? So, the person responded, assuming asking his residential location and quickly replied; 'te-dofalak' meaning 'to be an up there my residence' [place]. Taking cue of onomatopoeic sound, the Nyishi was identified with the name dofalak which later on got corrupted into dafala, and during the British period further altered to an anglicized phonetic spelling form dafla."

Yet, the true meaning and origin of the term has to be ascertained but nevertheless, since the Nyishi's have never associated themselves with the term Dafla and has called themselves Nyishi from time immemorial, they have been demanding scrapping of term Dafla- which has an imperialistic tinge and replacing it with Nyishi.

Would the Nyishi's get their right nomenclature?

Going by the reactions of the visiting central team, it may very well be presumed that the Nyishi's may finally get their due and the term Dafla would be scrapped and Nyishi replaced instead. However, the Central team declined to comment anything on it yet, though.

"I'll not make any statement now, you will know later"-G.B. Mukherjee, Union Tribal Affairs Secretary.

But it is hoped that outcome would be positive.

Tadar Taniang passes away

A veteran Nyishi leader, Tadar Taniang, who was shifted to GNRC, Guwahati following a stroke on August 23^rd, passed away on September 8^th.

A teacher turned politician, he contested his first election as a Congress candidate from Nyapin Constituency during the year 1980.

He was Zila Parishad member from Nyapin from 1980-84 and was the president of Lower Subansiri District Congress Committee from 1985-90. He was minister of PHED, agriculture, civil supplies and legal metrology from the year 1989-1999 and had contested the 2005 Parliamentary Elections from Arunachal West constituency.

His sudden demise has created a void in the political scenario of the state that would take time to be filled and his contribution towards the society would be remembered by all.

Tadar Taniang passes away

A veteran Nyishi leader, Tadar Taniang, who was shifted to GNRC, Guwahati following a stroke on August 23^rd, passed away on September 8^th.

A teacher turned politician, he contested his first election as a Congress candidate from Nyapin Constituency during the year 1980.

He was Zila Parishad member from Nyapin from 1980-84 and was the president of Lower Subansiri District Congress Committee from 1985-90. He was minister of PHED, agriculture, civil supplies and legal metrology from the year 1989-1999 and had contested the 2005 Parliamentary Elections from Arunachal West constituency.

His sudden demise has created a void in the political scenario of the state that would take time to be filled and his contribution towards the society would be remembered by all.

Around Sixty Years ago

Well, here is another video by Prof. Christoph Von Furer Heimendorf uploaded at You Tube by Dr. Joram Beda . Enjoy.