North East Report

Suicide rememdy is kali puja in Tripura

2008-05-07T02:44:00.000-07:00

When human intervention seems to be of no avail, turn to the supernatural, feel the villagers of Shantinagar.

The abnormally high suicide rates in Tripura have prompted a special puja at the village, under Teliamura subdivision of West Tripura, tomorrow night. The village, situated in the foothills of the Atharomura range, is populated by 500 farmers and small traders, and has witnessed 16 cases of suicide over the past year.

The villagers contacted a sorcerer, Kashinath Koch, from the nearby Koch colony, to perform Kali Puja and other rituals at midnight tomorrow. “We are organising the puja because nothing else is there to do. The priest surveyed the village and its environs on April 28 and assured us that evil supernatural forces have cast a spell on the village.

The forces can be neutralised by organising the puja,” said Upendra Sarkar, panchayat chief of Shantinagar. Funds amounting to Rs 20,000 have been raised for the puja, of which the priest will take Rs 15,000. The rest of the funds will be used for the rituals.

Shantinagar had witnessed 15 suicides earlier. The villagers were finally spurred into action on April 21, when 36-year-old Jibon Ghosh, a shopkeeper who was fairly well off, committed suicide by hanging in his shop in the afternoon.

Maoists seeking support from North East Indian

2008-04-20T02:49:00.000-07:00

This is a headache for Indian intelligence and security agencies. They are worried over the efforts of Maoist rebels to set up bases in the already restive northeast, which has now overtaken Jammu and Kashmir in militancy-related violence.

Security experts are analyzing the possible ramifications of the move. Following inputs from the Intelligence Bureau, the Interior Ministry sounded a red alert to the region's seven states directing them to put their police and central paramilitary forces on high alert, said a top IB official, who declined to be named.

The official said agencies are worried because the presence of Maoist rebels would further complicate the situation in the region, already under the grip of a severe armed conflict.

Intelligence inputs sent to the federal Interior Ministry suggest Maoist rebels have supported the issue of scheduled tribe status in Assam that would grant the state's residents greater access to educational and employment opportunities. Assam's tribal communities have demanded the status.

Intelligence inputs suggest Maoists have targeted two comparatively weak separatist outfits, the All Adivasi (tribal) National Liberation Army and Adivasi Viper Militant Force. The inputs say Maoists have already established contacts with these two organizations, which are active in the districts of Assam bordering Bhutan. These two groups have launched a massive recruitment drive in various parts of Assam and other northeastern states.

Ajai Sahani, executive director of Institute of Conflict Management, a nongovernmental think tank, said: "Armed Maoist guerrillas have prepared a detailed action plan for the future, which is aimed at a geographical spread. The plan includes ... the following:

"Coordinate the people's war with the ongoing armed struggles of the various oppressed nationalities in Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and other parts of the northeast. Build a broad united front of all secular forces and persecuted religious minorities such as Muslims, Christians and Sikhs."

The strife-torn region is dominated by Christian and ethnic minorities.

Maoist rebels operate in 13 Indian states and are trying to set up a Maoist republic in the country.

Security agencies say they are keeping a close watch on the activities of the AALNA and its associate group. Communications of leaders and top activists of these two groups have been put under surveillance in a bid to intercept possible communications with the Maoists.

A report on internal security states: " The security situation in the northeastern region would further deteriorate if Maoist rebels succeed in getting their foothold in the militancy-marred region."

Maoists are also eager to enter the northeast as it is part of their long-cherished dream of establishing a Red Corridor from Andhra Pradesh state to Nepal.

The documents of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) reflect a comprehensive strategy -- military, political, economic, cultural and psychological -- harnessed through the party, the People's Army, and the United Front.

India's security establishment has conceded that the Maoist threat is the country's single-biggest internal security challenge. But the threat is still viewed restrictively as it affects only a few states.

"Statistics of incidents never give a real picture of the ground. Whatever is visible is only the mere tip of the iceberg. Unless caution is exercised, volcanoes can erupt," said O.P. Rathore, director general of police of Maoist-hit state of Chhattisgarh.

Japan agreed to invest Rs 346 crore for promoting bamboo cultivation in Tripura

2008-04-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

A new group of young artisans from Tripura with an idea to support self employment have set up their handicraft workshop at Sidhai village under the banner of Bamboo Enterprises United (BENU). The speciality of the group is that it has taken the initiative to showcase furniture made of ‘kanakaich’ (a variety of bamboo), which till recently was useless except for making police batons and now is in high demand not only in the domestic market but also abroad.

“One not succeed in getting a job after a good academic background. We here have set up nine Self Help Groups (SHGs) under one banner. The government of India’s Development of Handicraft Commission (DHC) gave this Common Facility Centre (CFC) building and also arranged training,” said Susanta Biswas, manager.

In the 2007, a team member had even participated at the five-day London Handicrafts Exhibition in Birmingham. With the demand for handmade eco-friendly products catching up, the artisans are gradually honing themselves up for that. “We make a variety of specially designed furniture with good finishing for our products has increased in the local and outside market. Now, I earn between rupees 80 to 100 daily,” said Bikash, a worker.

The BENU is on date not only involved in a massive project in the state, but also encouraging rural artisans and entrepreneurs to take up bamboo based works as a vocation. Recently, the Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) seeing the success of such units like BENU has agreed to invest Rs 346 crore for promoting bamboo cultivation.

In Tripura, the ‘muli’ and ‘barak’ varieties of bamboo have been used for handicrafts, fencing, roofing, making clubs wielded by policemen and incense sticks. In India, durable products are in high demand in Goa, Hydrabad and Bangalore besides Delhi. Furniture is also being exported to UK, Germany and France.

Life of Chidaogre tribe

2008-03-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

Far away from the hustle and bustle of a modern city f Shillong, Chidaogre village in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, located about 25 km from Tura is one such destination. The people of this tribal village have their own legends to tell, which will mesmerise any visitors to this ancient and rare location.

This small hamlet is located at the foothills of Rangira peak, home to exotic variety of flora and fauna. It has a population of 47 households.

Food is life. The Garo delicacies are hot. The mouth watering foods comprises of meat with lots of chillies. The main dish is called the Kappa, mainly made out of chicken, beef, fishes and pork. The Garo cuisine is varied, but chillies though remain the main item in most cuisines.

Fishes cooked in fire inside Bamboo called Brenga taste delicious. This dish can make your taste bud crazy about the item. Definitely, you would like to learn how it is being prepared. It is mostly prepared from local fishes found in the nearby streams and rivers of Garo Hills.

Nakam or the dry fishes is part of their diet. It is served with the food at lunch or dinner. Without Nakam, the food table in Garo village is incomplete.

The tribal in north east are known for their perfection in brew preparation. This is used as a refreshing drink and is intricated with their colourful life and culture. You can taste all this food and sit for a relaxed evening with Garo music and engage in dance after getting high on Bittchi and Dikka. These are made out of rice and fruits.

If you would like to go deep down into their culture, make a Garo friend, and go along with him to the village. The villagers has their own legend to tell about their customs and traditions. Where do you get this first hand information from? Most of the traditional are in its oral form.

With modernisation and advent of christianity, almost 95 per cent of the Garo tribes are now converted. It has therefore become rare to find the unconverted Garos or the Songsareks. Chidoagre is one such village, where we find these humble, hospitable and colourful people.

These people have their own form of religion, culture and tradition. However, the unique tradition of the Songsareks is fast diminishing. The villagers of here are yet to be converted.

Marson Momin and Zingon Momin are two such people, who are aware of the fact that their culture and traditional beliefs is disappearing and in a few decades from now, their rich cultural tradition will only be read in books.

Scholars and researchers are engaged in preserving the tradition of the Songsareks, Chidaogre is an example of their initiative. Zingon Momin says "People (Sahib’s) very often visit our village and spend the whole day with us engaging themselves in enjoying dikka (rice beer) and merry making."

It is an exemplary village in Garo Hills, where the Songsareks life style is evident. The people live in Songsarek architect bamboo houses. The bachelor’s house ’Nokpante’, the ceremonial structure ’Amua’, the statue build in memory of the departed one ’Kima’ and what more do we need to know about these people.

All are evident. Anyone who visits this village will be thrilled to learn and experience their stories and at the end of the visit will say, "We’ll come again soon."

Source: MERINEWS

Foreign NGO in Mizoram

2008-03-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

Several charitable institutions, moved by the distress of Mizo villagers in the aftermath of the crop loss, will mobilise food relief for them.

The flowering of the bamboo plants in Mizoram is a queer ecological phenomenon that takes place every 48 years. The drove of rats, which feed on the fruits of the bamboo plants during this season, attain a sudden increase in their power of libido. As a result, they tend to give birth to more litters of their progeny, which rampage in the agriculture pastures, thus giving rise to crop failures.

Already two such overseas relief agencies are in Mizoram to render food supply to the villagers, who are now reeling under the famine. .

According to official reports from Aizawl, the Salvation Army, an evangelical body, has decided to set up 10 fair-deal centres in the remote areas of the state. The members of a Canadian NGO, Canada Norlyn Audio Vision Service, are already in the state scouting for the ravaged habitats there to distribute packaged food among the famine victims.

Stuart Roger Spani, a director of this NGO, who has arrived with four other volunteers, said their food relief articles, would be brought from Montreal and Ottawa.

Mike Cafful, a field operation specialist from the London headquarters of the Salvation Army, is already in the state to oversee the charity drive. He said the relief food materials would be distributed at half the price of their prevailing market rates.

Food and civil supplies minister Sangthuma said such foreign and national relief NGOs are welcome in his state in times of crisis. Mizoram Governor M.M. Lakhera also expressed his concern at the food crisis looming large in the state in the wake of the mautam.

He said the Centre had reduced the rice quota of the FCI from its earlier monthly level of 6,810 tonnes to 5,000 tonnes at present, even as 90 per cent of the state’s rice harvest was lost last year because of this rat rampage.

He said the state government has decided to release Rs 12.93 crore from the state’s calamity relief fund. The Mizoram government has also taken the decision to hike the weekly ration quota of rice from 2kg to 3kg in view of the crop loss.

Chief secretary Haukum Hauzel said the Mizo National Front government has also decided to distribute rice among the distressed families on credit, which would later be realised through manual labour in the government-sponsored infrastructure projects under the national employment assurance schemes.

Source: TELEGRAPH

North East, Is it Indian or some other countries?

2008-03-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

The endearing name Ghaspani (grass and water) was given by the by the British to a foothills village in Naga Hills which connects railhead at Dimapur with the administrative centre at Kohima in the Angami Naga tract.

The British masters, the Assamese, Bengali and Naga guides and their ponies rested at Ghaspani, collected fodder, water and rations before starting the arduous climb along the Zubza valley to Bara Basti Kohima.

A garrison qasba, Ghaspani still gives one a nostalgic feeling of the march of an alien civilisation to the heartland of the Naga people. You may like to spend a night at Dimapur, look up the relics of Hidimbapura and take a car to Ghaspani before entering the gates of Kohima.

I can accompany you to the lovely town, though there are chances that you would be stopped at a couple of places by army pickets and pickets manned by uniformed and armed soldiers of the NSCN (I-M), in spite of the uneasy ceasefire. I do not intend to take you on an arduous tour of the misty Naga Hills, but would recommend climbing the snow laden Japfu peak in winters.

The famous Valley of Flower of the East “Dzukou Valley” is no less attractive than the Himalayan Valley of Flower in Uttarakhand. The added charm is over 142 varieties of orchids in the state that can rival imported orchids from Thailand, if properly exploited and marketed. Naga orchids have not been exploited the way Sikkim has done it. At Dzukou, you shouldn’t miss the multi-coloured largest Indian Rhododendrons. I have not seen such a lush growth of Rhododendrons anywhere else in the Himalayan heights.

Please accompany me to the rural areas to witness the Hornbill Dance and enchanting Naga dances like Serkrayi, Tulani, Tokhu Emong etc, which are as vigorous and enchanting as mainland Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Kathak are. The villagers do not dance to order. You have to please and often tease the belles and lads to don their colourful gear and dance like vibrant animals prancing at the Intaki sanctuary on Myanmar border or at the Fakim sanctuary.

But though most of them are enchantingly beautiful, I would not advocate making advances to any Naga belle. The urban women are globally oriented, and the rural beauties are as mysterious as the mountain mists around them.

Here, I must confess a hidden dream. Had I not been married to my most beautiful wife and not been expecting my second son, by the time we reached Nagaland, I would have preferred a scintillating Chakesang beauty as my life partner. But some dreams better remain in the realm of fantasy.

With no offence to other tribal belles, I noticed a mysterious Pacific touch in the Chakesang people. You have to believe me or accompany me to Pfutsero or nearby Chizami and Cheswezumi. I have often wondered where the belles borrowed the natural rouge hue on their cheeks!

Since Nagaland is itself a vibrant paradise I would not stress on visiting any particular tribal area- the Angami, Chakesang, Ao, Sema etc territories. However, you must accompany me to Sampure on the Myanmar border along the course of Dhansiri River, and witness the mysteries of the snowclad Saramati Hills. Bang on Myanmar border, the beautiful peak invites many climbers. However, you would require special permission to visit the border areas as there are chances of your getting caught in crossfire-of the NSCN factions and Indian army.

Your visit to the Naga Hills would remain incomplete if you did not step into the interiors of a traditional village home. Away from the concrete jungles of Kohima and Mokokchung, I would like to lead you to Wakching village in Mon Naga territory.

Don’t be afraid, there is a motorable road from Nagainimara in Asom to the dirt road-head leading to the hill-top village. A peculiar high profile frontage may greet you, adorned with bleached Mithun horns and human skulls. The Mons and Konyaks were little late in abandoning the headhunting practice. Some gaonburas (village elders) still take pride in showing their forefather’s collection of human skulls from neighbouring tribal villages.

The central fireplace (wood fired) keeps the entire house warm. You are welcome to the first chamber only, where you are cordially seated and served madhu and ruhi. The inner chambers are reserved for family use. One advice; never finish your glass. Your hostess would keep on pouring slightly smelly intoxicants into it, just like the Japanese Geisha does as soon her guest finishes sipping his tea.

Sip slowly and enjoy the smoked dried meat and cocktail of vegetables and pork boiled in wild ginger. The innocent grin on rural Naga faces would transcend you beyond the contorted stone buildings at Kohima and the inscrutable eyes of its people.

Do not be carried away by the sneering Indian remark that the Nagas eat everything that move in the air and on the earth. I have had the pleasure of tasting roasted or fried bee-larva, raw grasshopper, lizards and of course cat, dog, monkey (no offence to Lord Hanuman worshippers) and other animal meat.

Do not shriek. You might have seen such fried and roasted winged and crawling animals hawked in the roadside vends in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries in South East Asia. After all, meat is meat, whether it is crab or cobra meat (with apology to vegetarians).

Oh, yes. If you are an honoured guest, the villagers might even slaughter a Mithun (Yak-Bull family) for you. Mithun was, once upon a time, like the Aryan Cow, a symbol of prosperity and authority.

I would not request you examine the diarchic rule headed by the elected government and grassroots level administration controlled by the machineries of the NSCN Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions.

These are complicated issues that fox even the seasoned mandarins in Delhi and state politicians and officers, who pay taxes both to the state exchequer and the coffers of Isak, Muivah and Khaplang.

Your enchanting journey is fraught with certain palpable dangers. The Khaplang and Isak-Muivah factions of the NSCN rule the countryside from their fortified and deadly armed camps. The ceasefire agreement does not stop additional arms flow through Bangladesh and the expansion of NSCN territorial influence in neighbouring Manipur, Assam and other tribal pockets in Nagaland.

The Naga tract is conveniently divided between the Indian Army, Underground armed insurgents and some semblance of state administration. Delhi suffers from perpetual amnesia and occasionally wakes up to resume peace talks and declares a ceasefire. What else can you do with a part of “outer India?”

Constitutionally, geophysically and geopolitically these are parts of India. But our minds have not met; our cultures and mutual feelings have not been exchanged. We live like isolated islands in a sea of undefined and vague constitutional oneness. This illusion is both real and unreal.

The dominant Isak-Muivah faction, like the ULFA of Asom, is the father figure of all insurgent groups in the North East, numbering about 114, including nearly a dozen Muslim rebel outfits. The NSCN firepower is increasing by the day and their influence has started taking a Pan-Naga character. The dream of Nagalim- a greater Nagaland comprising Assam, Manipur Naga inhabited areas is considered as a fait accompli.

Behind the veil of the misty hills, a severe fission is in progress. Deft political handling with strict army vigil and corruption free administration are the keys to cooling down the fission process. But a corruption free India is as illusory as the gates to heaven or hell, whichever you prefer to enter.

It is the mainland Indians who must take initiative in drawing these “remote peoples” nearer to their homes and hearts. The North East of India is not only in the northeast of India’s geophysical and geopolitical map. It is, in fact, in the remotest corner of East by North East of our national consciousness. Most us take it for granted that it exists, because the printed map says so.

In reality, it does not exist in our map of mind.

Source: SULEKHA

Adventure tourism in Sikkim

2008-02-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

Sikkim is fast emerging as a destination for adventure tourism. Steps to promote it in a big way has ensured employment to many people here. Buddhist monks protest disruption of prayers at Bodhgaya during President's visitSikkim is fast emerging as a destination for adventure tourism. And, the State government's support to promote it in a big way has ensured employment to many people here.

Nesting in the foothills of Himalaya's Sikkim presents a huge potential for adventure tourism, as the River Teesta provides one of the best rafting experiences to the rafters here.And, realizing river rafting's latent potential in the State, Sikkim government with the help of Central government's tourism department has organized a 15 days river-rafting training programme, to generate new source of employment in the state.

Miking A. Lepcha, Trainer, said: "Because our surrounding is filled with flowers and birds, one of our main aims is to include biodiversity eco tourism in our profession."Pem Tshering Lepcha, a river-rafting trainee, said: "I want to do take it up as a profession, which would solve our unemployment problem. This rafting training is very good."

Sikkim doesn't only have one of the best river rafting tracks, it is also the land of third highest peak in the world Mt. Kanchenjunga. The untapped hills are best for promotion of trekking and mountaineering. The State government has carried out a week-long mountaineering training program, giving priorities to the weaker sections of the society.Kazi Sherpa, an instructor with the Sikkim Mountaineering Association, said: "This is the first such course organized by the department of tourism with the technical help of Sikkim mountaineering association. During this course they will learn about how to climb the mountains, fixing the ropes, the variety of food required in mountaineering and other basic techniques."

Amit Taamang, a trainee, said: "We are getting lots of things to learn. This camp is of 15 days. In 15 days, we are going to be taught rock climbing and mountaineering."When, the nature is itself giving so much to one, there is no need of looking for other's help. Sikkim, realizing this fact has started to train its young ones both in the field of river rafting and rock-cum-mountaineering.

Source: The Morung Express

Oscar breaking North East India's Peace

2008-02-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

Delhi’s pointsman in the Naga talks, Oscar Fernandez, today said unification of all warring Naga groups was imperative to take the “stalled peace process” forward.

Fernandez, who is in Shillong, to campaign for the party in the forthcoming elections, said disunity among the various Naga factions was the main hurdle in the peace process and that only “unification” would lead to an early solution.

“If all the underground factions join hands, it will be the easiest method to find a solution to the Naga problem,” he said. His statement is likely to give a new dimension to the ongoing controversy in the state over the unification efforts by a breakaway faction of the Isak-Muivah group.

A few members of the NSCN (I-M), led by its former home minister (klo kilonser), Azheto Chophy, recently broke away to form the NSCN (Unification) to try and bring unity among the Naga militant groups. The NSCN (I-M) leadership, however, has questioned the manner the nascent outfit was trying to push the unity agenda and declared a “state of emergency”.

Contradicting national security adviser M.K. Narayanan’s view that the peace process in Nagaland has slowed down, Fernandez said the talks are on the right tracks. “Peace talks are on the right track and we are now dealing with the technical aspects of the talks to arrive at a viable solution.”

He added that a technical committee, comprising government officials and NSCN (I-M) members, has been constituted to arrive at an acceptable formula. “Both sides are working on the technical aspects and we hope that the matter will be discussed in the next meeting to be announced shortly.”

The Congress leader, however, avoided speaking on the manifesto released by the party in Nagaland seeking integration of all Naga inhabited areas, saying he was yet to see the manifesto.

“I have not seen the manifesto and during my trip to Nagaland, I will find out the content of the manifesto.” Asked further on the party’s stand on the matter, Fernandez said, “It is a sensitive issue. If you have a copy of the manifesto, I am eager to see that”. On the spurt of violence in Nagaland, Fernandez said the government was taking steps to check violence.

Source: The telegraph

Ray of Hope for Mizoram Sex Worker

2007-09-27T04:17:00.000-07:00

For scores of women sex workers in the Christian-majority state of Mizoram, a church supported night shelter run here has turned out to be their only ray of hope.

"The night shelter is aimed at helping sex workers return at night to a secure home. Most women who took to prostitution were driven out of their homes," said Major Lalngaihawmi, who is in charge of the Salvation Army-run home.

The Mizoram AIDS Control Society helps the Salvation Army - an integral part of the church working towards the advancement of religious, educational and other charitable missions - in running the shelter.

"Our home is open at night for any woman, especially for the displaced and those who do not have proper shelter to sleep. They can stay at the home as long as they want for free," Lalngaihawmi said.

An average of 10 women come to the night shelter daily, besides seeking help for starting a new life. Some are willing to return to their own homes.

"This home is more than a counselling centre. We not only try to make these women come to the mainstream of life, but also do reconciliation work with their families to accept them once again," Lalngaihawmi said.

"We never criticise or look down on any woman, nor do we turn away those who have faced the courts and numerous humiliations. We genuinely try to help them return to a normal life," the Salvation Army official said.

During the day, the home acts as a drop-in centre for sex workers.

"We have three peer educators who provide information and spread awareness about implications of drug addiction and sex-related diseases," senior home in-charge Lalnunmawii said.

A 35-year-old mother of two who lived in the home is now a reformed woman.

"This shelter and the counselling made me get rid of my horrible night life. Now I am looking forward to starting a small business in my village," said the woman who did not want to be named.

According to various estimates, there are over 1,000 commercial women sex workers in Mizoram, including around 300 in Aizwal, a majority of them divorcees and drug addicts.

177 villages in Mizoram ravages by rodents

2007-09-27T03:46:00.000-07:00

Thousands of rats have destroyed rice fields in Mizoram, fuelling fears of a famine in the region. "At least 177 villages have been ravaged by armies of rats in the state this year. About 70 villages that bore the brunt have nothing left to harvest now," according to Mizoram Agriculture Minister H. Rammawi.

At least 65 villages have lost half the harvest while 42 villages have experienced low intensity destruction.

Mizoram, with about one million people, is dependent on agriculture. Rice and vegetables are the dominant crops.

"In a single night the rodents can clip the ears from every rice stalk in a field," said James Lalsiamliana, plant protection officer of the state's agriculture department and head of the rodent control cell.

Reports of rats destroying farmlands follows vast forests of bamboo bursting into flower in many parts of the state. When bamboo flowering takes place, the rat population shoots up, leading to an invasion of granaries and paddy fields.

The Mizoram government has warned that a famine is going to hit the mountainous state.

The phenomenon of bamboo flowering occurs every 48 years.

According to tribal legends, when bamboo flowers, famine, death and destruction follow. Behind the superstition probably lies some truth as blooming bamboo does trigger a rodent invasion that feeds on stored food.

"There is an alarming increase in rat population that has devoured not only paddy but also maize and other crops. During last year's harvest when bamboo flowering began in the eastern part of the state, more than 60 villages lost their entire crop," Lalsiamliana said.

In 1958-59, a famine in Mizoram resulted in the death of at least 100 people, besides causing heavy loss to human property and crops. The famine, locally known as Mautam, broke out after bamboo flowering.

Historical accounts say Mizoram recorded a similar famine in 1862 and again in 1911 following similar bamboo flowerings.

"The state will now have to arrange financial support for these areas," said Lalsiamliana. The agriculture department has projected a minimal 80 percent crop destruction out of the total projected harvest across Mizoram this year.

UNAIDS programme in North East India

2007-09-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

The United Nations AIDS programme along with other UN agencies and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has come up with a new HIV prevention programme for four North Eastern states.

The five-year UN Joint Project on HIV, financed by Australian AIDS programme (AusAID), will be implemented in the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

The 10.50 million dollar programme will be formally launched in New Delhi on October 12.

UNDP Representative Annirudha Brahmachari told senior officials of Nagaland government that the new programme aims at involving various government departments and NGOs through multi-sectoral approach.

As HIV/AIDS is no more a health issue in the high prevalence states, the on-going efforts of prevention, care, treatment and support mechanism must involve all stakeholders, including the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the new programme envisages.

Mainstreaming of prevention programme is key to succes of containing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the North Eastern states. Although the main objective is to contain the spread of the killer disease and creating infrastructure for infected and affected persons, the programme will be state specific as per the ground realities in each state, Brahmachari explained.

For Nagaland, the programme will be youth friendly prevention initiatives while in Manipur and Mizoram, the strategy is harm reduction.

Land of Latex: Tripura

2007-09-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

Natural rubber is stretching far and wide in India. After dominating the Kerala landscape, now it is spreading roots in Tripura.

According to Rubber Board officials, Tripura is well poised to emerge as the next natural rubber capital of India after Kerala.

Anticipating this, the Rubber Board has of late stepped up its activities in a big way in Tripura, which is well suited for rubber cultivation. The Rubber Board has identified 1 lakh hectares as potential area under rubber in the state, of which roughly 31 per cent has already come under cultivation.

It is increasingly being felt that only by increasing rubber production in Tripura and Assam, can the country’s growing natural rubber demand be met without resorting to imports.

A major project with Central Government funding in Tripura is a Rs 7-crore Rubber Park at Bodjungnagar industrial estate.

According to Rubber Board officials, even though severe winter can inhibit the growth of some rubber clones, some areas in Tripura were highly suitable for rubber. The board has a large pilot farm at Taranagar area of Tripura.

The Regional Research Station (RRS) of the Rubber Board was set up in 1979 with the mandate to develop high yielding rubber clones, suitable to the state’s agro-climatic conditions, through classical blending and selection, mother tree selection and clone evaluation.

One of the key responsibilities of the RRS was to determine the ability of natural rubber to restore the degraded eco-systems, especially the ‘jhummed’ lands in Tripura.

It was also mandated to develop location-specific farming technology for producing quality planting materials, crop husbandry including soil and nutrient management practices, disease protection protocols, rubber-based integrated sustainable farming, harvesting techniques and primary processing of latex into marketable forms of rubber.

Meghalaya ready to market roses and strawberries globally

2007-09-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

Meghalaya, known globally for its turmeric that contains the highest curcumin content, is now eyeing Japan for marketing its Dutch cut roses and Bhutan, Nepal and West Asia for its organic strawberries.

The Dewlieh Horticulture Farm, set up under the horticulture initiative of the Meghalaya government here in Ri Bhoi district, has drawn up plans for focussed efforts to capture these foreign markets apart from those in eastern India.

Project leader (Rose and Strawberry), Horticulture Initiative, B.K. Sohliya, said the north-east’s first Centre of Excellence for Rose, located in the farm, produced 20 lakh rose stems annually. The different varieties of roses produced in the farm included Cherry Lady, Iceberg, Golden Gate, Corvette, Tropical Amazaon, Grand Gala, First Red and Circus.

On Teacher’s Day and this year the 40000 rose stem from the farm were sold in Meghalaya. The department planned to increase rose production to 200 lakh stems in the next three years. Meghalaya was also the third largest producer of strawberries in the country after Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana.

The State now produced about 200 tonne of Sweet Charlie, Camarosa and Chandler varieties of strawberry every season. The department planned to increase the area under strawberry cultivation from the existing 21 hectares to 35 hectares by March 2008. Mr. Sohliya said the strawberries grown in Meghalaya could be easily marketed in West Aasia through Sylhet in Bangladesh.

There were twice a week flights to Dubai from Sylhet, which was only 150 km from the farm and could be reached through the Dawki Land Custom station along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border.

Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh visited the farm on Tuesday. He urged the Horticulture Department to avail itself of the various transport subsidies announced by the Ministry of Commerce for marketing horticultural crops grown in north-eastern States.

On Monday, Mr. Ramesh said the Ministry of Commerce handed over to the Meghalaya government a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Spices Board with ITC Limited for setting up a spices farm in the State with provisions for buyback, packaging and valued addition, for final comment from the State government.

The Spices Board will provide Rs.10. crore for setting up this farm.

Meghalaya is also the second largest producer of ginger and produces 46,590 tonnes annually.

Festival of the Apatanis: MOROM

2007-09-26T04:07:00.000-07:00

Unlike the ‘Dree’, the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh who resides in the Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, celebrates many religious festivals throughout the year. The ‘Morom’ festival is also one of them which is celebrated with much joy and gaiety in the first two months of the year i.e., January-February. This particular festival is celebrated by the ‘Apatanis’ to welcome the advent of the spring season, similarly as the spring is welcomed in the rest of India in the form of ‘Basant Panchami’. Initially, the celebration of the ‘Morom’ festival was started by the villagers of Bela, Hari and Hang, where the rites and rituals were started of the months of December / January (Kume), but the villagers of the ‘Haja Duta’ do not commence the rites and rituals, until the first day of the months February / March (Kuye). The first day of the ‘Morom’ festival is counted as ‘Morom’ ‘Polo’ (Moon) as soon as the first moon is seen. Aged and elderly people of the village tells the young of clan and the whole village that as the ‘Morom’ ‘Polo’ is seen, that is the right time to celebrate the ‘Morom’ festival. However, according to the Apatani tradition, ‘Morom’ is generally performed in this month only.

People are thrilled, excited and are filled with enthusiasm to welcome the spring season. However, this is considered to be an individual celebration in which only the clan members can participate. But, if someone wants to join the celebration and to celebrate it on a large and grand scale, they should consult their family members and must go to the ‘Nyibu’ priest to express his desire. However, there is no obligation for anyone to celebrate this in any particular year but depends entirely on personal inclination.

About Morom :

The ‘Morom’ festival can be divided into three types viz. i) Runth, ii) Takum Padu and iii) Ronshar. ‘Runth’ in other words (Rungti or Gyamo Pido) is quite a big occasion and is performed on a grand and befitting manner. In this ‘Runth’, the whole of the Apatani Valley participated in one way or other. All sorts of animals, fowls etc. viz. mithun, pigs, goats etc. are sacrificed and the meat is distributed in all the villages of the Apatani plateau. On the contrary, ‘Takum Padu’ is a more complicated ritual which involves only the clan or group of clans. ‘Rungshar’, on the other hand, is performed and celebrated on a very small scale, where only one or two mithuns are sacrificed. In all these. ‘Morom-Mudd’, the master of the occasion proposes the celebrations that he wishes to perform and the priest advises him accordingly. However, the ‘Padu-Lodu’ is celebrated and done before the actual ritual of the ‘Morom’ begins. After this, the priest consults the omens, by chanting hymns and holding an egg in his hand, he invokes the ‘Uyu’. As indicated by omens, he then decides the date to start the activities connected to the celebration. Collecting of fire-wood is considered to be the first work of the celebration. Then the host of the celebration informs everyone in the village or clan about the cutting of bamboos in his garden. Subsequently, one person from each family in the village clan goes to the spot where the fire-wood is to be cut. This action continues for the whole day.

Old and elderly people cut the fire-wood and the youth and children collect the pieces at a particular place. Women of the clan and the relatives and kinsmen of the host from other villages bring cooked rice, apong and meat to feed the workers. Sufficient amount of fire-wood is collected and assembled to last for the whole celebrations. This occasion is known as ‘Yashum Padi’. Even the priest goes to the bamboo garden, where the fire-wood is cut and chants hymns, while the villagers are at work. After the cutting of the fire-wood is over, the villagers are find by the host of the rituals / celebrations and in the evening they go back to the respective houses. Then the priest comes to the host houses in the village and offer prayers to bless them and for their welfare and well-being. After taking food, drink etc. the priest goes back to his own residence for that particular night.

It is always seen that, from that day onwards the host of the celebration is always busy collecting rice-beer (Apong), meat, endi chadar rice, money, fire-wood etc. All the clan members of the host, kinsmen and of course, the neighbours provides all possible aid to the host. Sometimes, they even work throughout the day and the night in the hosts house to make necessary arrangements. Renovation and repairing of the house i.e., “Semla-Mudu” is done with the help of neighbours, relatives and clan members etc. When everything is ready and kept in proper order, the priest is then informed. Then, the priest informs the host the ‘Shikha Lulido’ has to be performed on a fixed date. Generally, in the wee hours of the morning or at cock’s crow or even earlier. However, for “Runth Mudd” the rituals and rites are performed by more than one priest, but, if the “Runshar Mudd” is performed, then only one priest is more than sufficient. The priest wears a traditional religious dress and comes to the hosts house. Then, he sets up a stick at the front of the hosts house which is known as ‘Shikhra’ and starts chanting hymns to worship the ‘Uyu’ to save the people from miseries and to safeguard the welfare of the society. After this, the priest rests for sometime and is offered ‘Apong’ by the host. The priest then performs ‘Shikha Lulida’ on the Verandah (corridor) of the house and comes to the lapang to perform ‘Subu Hido’. Elderly and old people in the village sits on the lapang to witness the performance of ‘Subu hido’ where a mithun is tied up for sacrificial purpose and then the priest starts chanting hymns. Then, the host’s wife comes and performs the ‘Subu-Supundo’. While, the priest performs the ‘Subu hido’ (the lapang on the public platform), the villagers prepares the ‘Sikha Pado’ (altar) where the mithun is to be sacrificed near the ‘Shikhra’. Throughout the day, people are busy in worshipping and for making necessary arrangements. On the other hand, women are busy preparing food and looking after the guests.

Then in the evening, ‘Shikha Botinto’ is performed. The mithun is brought by a ‘mura’ (a person of lower status) from the ‘Apong’ to the ‘Subu-Shikha’ and tied up. Then, the lady of the house stands with ‘Liya’ (cane basket) ‘Linya’ (lao) with ‘attang’ (rice powder) ‘apong’ (beer) to perform ‘Subu-Supundo’. After this, the Nyibu performs and chants hymns to the deities to accept the offerings and to safeguard the welfare of the society. Then, a strong man stands with a Yayu sword to slaughter the ‘mithun’ which is known as “Su-ta-to”. Then the host’s lady is directed to perform ‘Subu-Supundo’. In this, rituals, the lady puts ‘apong’ and ‘attang’ on the head of the mithun with her right hand. The mithun is then slaughtered and several blows of the sword are given to its body till its dead. Thus, the ‘Morom’ festival continues after this rites and rituals also, till the sixteenth day of the celebration, which is other words is known as ‘Midi-Lindo’.

Conclusion :

It is believed that Apatani society was created with a small population, which was not that large as it is today. Destruction and natural calamities have done the toll. According to the myth, ‘mipor’ and ‘hape’ the sons of ‘Doni’ and ‘Libo’ respectively were prominent and important personalities of that time. It happened once that ‘Mipoo’ fell ill seriously and everybody was perturbed and nervous not knowing what was to be done to cure him. Finally, ‘Pahin-Kedo’ (omen) was taken by ‘Nyibu Abra’. He said that ‘Mipor’ was suffering from the displeasure of bad spirits. He also said that ‘Mipor’ can’t be cured until the worship of the ‘Uyu’ was done and also suggest that the ‘Uyu’ should be worshipped in the month of ‘Morom-Polo’ only. The gifts required to worship ‘Donyi’ were long wide leaves of the trees named ‘Hee-zee’, Tali Pessa (Pine) and the plants ‘Tazar’ and ‘Taki’ should be collected from the jungle. After collecting all these items, long ropes were made to tie up the mithun and other animals near the ‘Lapang’. In other to please ‘Danyei’, the ‘Nyibu’ directs the people to bring the branches of the ‘Kra tree’ for making ‘Shekha’ (altar) and shaved bamboo tassels for decorations. After all the arrangements, performance of the rituals were done as advised by the priest.

The name of the priest for these occasions is ‘Morom Mudd’ and since then the Apatani people have celebrated ‘Morom’ every year to make their society prosperous and strong.

Vows to continue struggle for Independence from India

2007-09-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

Irengbam Chouren, chairman of the proscribed Revolutionary People`s Front, RPF, has categorically rejected the possibility of any other solution to the ongoing armed struggle in Manipur other than the end of Indian rule, whether it is of its own volition or not.

In a message issued on the occasion of the 29th raising day of the RPF`s armed wing the People`s Liberation Army, Chouren stated that the revolutionary struggle will not end unless the present regime departs of its own will or is forced to depart.

It is not possible for revolutionaries to bring a solution with India other than this, he stated. If India wants peace in Manipur as well as a long-lasting relationship, they should bring the colonial regime to a close, he stated.

Chouren also observed that India has so far refused to recognise and admit that Manipur had been an independent contry that was forcibly annexed to her fold, but rather using democracy as an effective weapon to draw the people of Manipur in the election process in an attempt to show that Manipur is a part of India.

He however maintained that Indian democracy and elections is not real democracy or elections. Real democracy can be there only when Manipur becomes an independent country, he stated.

In this context, he also said that those wielding power in Manipur at present are there as representatives of the Indian State and must bear total responsibility for various inhuman atrocities suffered by the people of Manipur at the hand of the security forces.

On the plank of development, which he maintained is being used as enticement to strengthen Indian rule, Chouren said it is impossible to believe that India, with forty percent of the world`s poor can make Manipur fully developed with her money. The little amount of money that is being sanctioned to Manipur presently is also due to revolutionary activities, he said.

He urged the public to shed the outdated idea of Manipur not being able to survive without depending on India, and shape the future of Manipur through development activities through our own efforts.

He further noted that while India`s pronouncement is for peaceful negotiation with the revolutionaries through dialogue, it adopts violence in action, apparently on the presumption that the revolutionary movement in Manipur can be finished off easily through armed might. This is however fallacious, he mainitained, pointing out that there is no sign of fall in the number of revolutionaries despite the increase in the number of those arrested or martyred.

He also stated that the RPF does not take those of its members who have retired to live a civilian life to have discarded the revolutionary struggle. Rather, it is taking a long term perspective by giving arms training to maximum numbers of youth to prepare them for an imminent war, he stated.

Chouren also stated that the RPF has been built as with the character of a true revolutionary party. The fact of building the party without any division into factions shows ideal discipline and mutual trust among cadres. The RPF has now become one of the unassailable revolutionary parties of Manipur, he said.

Regarding unity among the revolutionary organisations, Chouren said it is the party`s desire that various revolutionary parties come under one platform. However, as seen from past experience, it cannot be taken for granted that revolutionary work can be undertaken once a few parties with the same vision come together. It is necessary to explore a path for revolutionary parties even with different ideologies and visions for undertaking revolutionary work together.

This is however not easy in the present different state of affairs prevailing within the revolutionary organisations, he admitted, noting that effort first needs to be taken up bring unity to various factions of some revolutionary organisations.

Expressing the RPF`s stance, he said assistance or encouragement from other parties will not be enough to bring long-lasting unity, unless they come to agreement of their own will. Such organisations beset with factionalism should be allowed to search the parth for their unification on their own, in the process learning to discharge their duties responsibly.

He said there is no question of RPF recognising or working jointly at present with various factions, as this will only cause more bitterness.

He also urged the public to stop helping different factions, rather to put more pressure so that factions come together. Otherwise no end to factionalism, he remarked.

The RPF chief also called for urgent introspection among the revolutionary organisations of the direction of revolution works in the light of the whope people of the work undertaking a new united movement against terrorism. If the issue is not taken seriously, they may fall prey to Indian propaganda to portray the independence movement as terrorist activitiy, thereby lossing support of the international community. In this connection, he appealed to all organisations to desist from using terrorist tactics.

On the covert understanding in the name of negotiations between the Indian Army and rebel groups of various communities, he said this is aimed at causing destablisation by driving a wedge between various communities. Warning that the inevitable result of this is a communal war, he appealed to the revolutionary organisations to come together and work unitedly for Manipur with new ideology and vision instead of reposing faith in India.

While urging the media in Manipur to work in an unbiased manner, Chouren also appealed to all sections not to intimidate or inconvenience the media by interfering unnecessarily with media freedom.

Expressing concern over ever depleting forest and receding hill cover, he also urged the public to take responsible steps to protect the environment, particularly intervene in areas where the Manipur governemnt departments have failed.

He also the need for inculcating a sense of patriotism and dedication to the motherland among the children by educating them in Manipur itself, for which good schools, right academic envornment, as well as new and relevant methods of teaching, are required. It would be a disaster for the future of Manipur to send students indiscriminately outside state for their studies, he said, and observing that instead of dragging the schools with their young and budding students into ever increasing strikes and bandhs, it would be more rewarding to raise and discuss specific issues in the classroom.

Chouren further said no one can be isolated from the revolutionary struggle, and all must prepare to take their part so that the struggle is not put in danger.

Non Violent Resistance For The Teesta In Sikkim

2007-09-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

The Sikkim government’s plans to expedite a major plumbing exercise — involving 26 large hydroelectric projects in the ecologically and culturally sensitive Teesta river basin — is meeting with resistance. Protestors have joined together in an organisation called the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT); they have been on satyagraha against these plans since June 20. The ongoing protests are focused on projects proposed in North Sikkim, particularly in Dzongu, the holy land and exclusive reserve of the Lepcha tribe. The satyagraha has been characterised by a prominent youth presence; another important feature was the support lent by the state’s Buddhist monks, who have been offering prayers to protect the satyagrahis and the sacred landscape threatened with desecration.

While Sikkim has seen dam-related protests before, there have never been any on this scale. The 1990s saw the construction of the 60MW Rangit project, clearances for the 510MW Teesta V project (currently under construction) and the scrapping of the Rathong Chu project following protests about its impact on a sacred landscape. But in the last three years, the state government has signed MOUs for no less than 26 large hydroelectric projects in the state.

On December 12, 2006, ACT met Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. They demanded the scrapping of the projects in Dzongu, and sought a review of the other projects in Sikkim. Based on an assurance from the CM that these issues would be looked into, they called off a proposed rally in Gangtok. But ACT’s concerns were not addressed and in the months preceding the satyagraha, the state government started land acquisition procedures for the 1200MW Teesta III and the 280MW Panan projects, both of which involve construction work inside Dzongu. This was the last straw and ACT started its satyagraha on June 20, with 34-year-old Dawa Lepcha and 20- year-old Tenzing Lepcha on an indefinite fast, while others supported them with a relay hunger strike.

The arguments used to justify these large projects in Sikkim are: exploitation of the state’s perennial water system to produce power for the nation; economic benefits to the state through power export; employment generation and low displacement of local communities. However, several unique features of the state — its ecological and geological fragility, its indigenous communities, their cultural and spiritual association with the river system and the landscape — pose a challenge to these ambitious plans.

The erstwhile kings of Sikkim had accorded special legal protection to Dzongu and North Sikkim, further reinforced after the merger with India through constitutional protection of old laws and traditions. “The spurt of large hydel projects in Sikkim is in direct contradiction of the constitutional and legal protection given to us. The simultaneous construction of so many projects is going to involve an influx of a huge number of outside labour for a long period of time. These demographic changes are going to have a serious socio cultural impact, particularly in North Sikkim. We want the seven proposed projects in Dzongu scrapped and others in Sikkim reviewed,” says Dawa Lepcha of ACT.

The ministry of Environment & Forests (MOEF), while granting environmental clearance to the 510MW Teesta V project in 1999 asked for a detailed ‘carrying capacity’ study of the entire Teesta river basin. The clearance letter states: “No other project in Sikkim will be considered for environmental clearance till the carrying capacity study is completed.”

Pemzang Tenzing, a civil engineer and ACT member, says: “We were hopeful that this process would enable a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative impact of the many proposed hydel projects and a serious options assessment for ecologically and culturally sensitive development in Sikkim. But even as the study is being finalised, the MOEF has already granted environmental clearance to at least six hydel projects in Sikkim since 2004 in violation of its own condition.” At least two of these — the 1,200 MW Teesta III and the 280 MW Panan — are on the border of the Khangchendzonga National Park. A large part of the first is, in fact, inside the biosphere reserve and the second involves carrying out ancillary works inside the national park in violation of Supreme Court orders.

Tenzing adds, “Even as per official figures, the projects involve diverting up to 85-90 percent of the river flow in the lean season through long tunnels before the water is dropped downstream. Not only will this destroy the riverine ecology but a cascade of projects will mean the Teesta is in full flow only in brief stretches between the two hydel projects. That is why we are saying that the Teesta is being converted into an underground river.”

There have been repeated appeals from the state government to withdraw the satyagraha and at least six rounds of talks were held between the government and ACT, but none led to a conclusive breakthrough. After a personal appeal from the CM, Dawa and Tenzing withdrew their indefinite fast on August 21 after 63 days, but the satyagraha continues with the relay hunger strike by other members.

On September 6, the government informed ACT that a seven-member review committee is being set up to “examine various issues related to implementation of hydel projects in Dzongu area of North Sikkim” and that until the submission of a report by the committee within 100 days all activities related to five projects in Dzongu would be stopped with immediate effect. The government has conveniently left out two major projects directly impacting Dzongu — TeestaIII & Teesta IV. While it has chosen to leave out Teesta III where land acquisition procedures have been on, four of the five projects it claims to stop work on are yet to get necessary clearances to start work. On September 10, ACT rejected this proposition and renewed the demand for scrapping all hydel projects in Dzongu.

During this entire period there has been tremendous support to the satyagrahis from around the country and the world. The Lepchas in the Darjeeling hills have also lent their support to the cause, with a road blockade of NH31A as well as ongoing relay hunger strikes in Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Opposition parties have also taken up the issue, but this has been conveniently used by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front government to dismiss the entire protest as being “politically motivated”. In a speech on Independence Day, the CM made personal attacks on several individuals associated with the protests, including respected Buddhist monk Sonam Paljor Denjongpa. The attack was condemned even by those who support the hydel projects.

Sikkim’s Information and Public Relations secretary MG Kiran says: “We do not yet know what their (ACT’s) problem is. These are benign projects and we can handle them well.” It is ironic that just a few months ago, the state Chief Secretary admitted to an environmental governance crisis in the 510MW Teesta V project in an affidavit to the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee. The affidavit says the power company has “grossly violated the terms, conditions and guidelines” of the MOEF and dumped excavated material “into the river Teesta obstructing its free flow causing thereby huge damage to the forest and environment.”

Indian Army prepared to defend border with China

2007-09-24T00:03:00.001-07:00

The Indian Army is fully prepared to defend its borders along China and would ensure that a situation like that of the 1962 was not repeated in the event of any military engagement with that country, Chief of Army Staff, Gen J J Singh has said.

"I can assure you that a 1962-like situation will not be repeated. We are fully prepared to defend our borders," Singh said during a media interaction at Fort William, the Army's Eastern Command headquarters.

Necessary infrastructure was being developed in Arunachal Pradesh which borders China. Roads have been built upto Walong and would be constructed right upto Dichu located along the border, he said.

Asked about reports of incursions by the Chinese into the the Fish Tail-II area between Dichu and Madan Ridge in Arunachal Pradesh, he said the matter had been amicably settled at the local level.

"There is no cause for concern about Madan Ridge. Flag meetings are held at the local level and the issue has been settled without tension," Singh said.

Both India and China were handling the boundary issue with maturity, he said, adding, "the National Security Agency on our side and its Chinese counterpart have taken the right approach in settling the boundary issue.

Pointing out that a Sino-Indian joint military excercise was slated next month, he said it would help the two countries learn from each other's experiences.