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Dolphins vanishing in Brahmaputra

The Brahmaputra and its adjoining floodplains lakes hold hundreds of species of macro-invertebrate, herpeto and avian fauna and the most fascinating fauna of the mighty river is the endangered Ganges dolphin (Platanista gangetica). “Their numbers are dwindling sharply in the upper stretches. The Ganges dolphin is the hardest hit among the aquatic fauna”. This was observed by Prof SP Biswas, Head of Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University. The erratic nature of water discharge, high rates of erosion, siltation and habitat destruction are having negative impacts on commercial fishery and on the mega-faunas like giant cat fishes, feather-back, mahseer and turtles.

Oinam Bembem Devi receives Arjuna Award

Oinam Bembem Devi was named the winner of the prestigious Arjuna Award, the country’s Highest Sport Award. She became the second Indian woman footballer to win after Shanti Mullick who won in 1983. She hopes that this award will help remove the mental block and inspire all girls in the society to take up the sport.” Bembem made her international debut in 1995 and bowed out high after winning the SAF Games Gold Medal in Shillong in February 2015. She is also associated with All India Football Federation (AIFF) for spreading awareness about women’s football in India and is actively involved as a scout and Brand Ambassador for FIFA Live Your Goals, India.

Suspension of Goddess Durga idol immersion on Muharram in Mamta ’s West Bengal

This year, the immersion of Goddess Durga idol and Muharram - the Muslim day of mourning are set for a head on collision. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a large meeting with Durga Puja organisers, leaders of the Muslim community and other religions. She told that Durga idol immersions, set for September 30 after the four-day Puja festival would be allowed only till 6 pm on that day and would resume on October 2, after Muharram because processions or tazias to mark Muharram on October 1 would begin the previous evening. The announcement immediately triggered virulent reaction on social media and accusations of minority appeasement against Ms Banerjee. On this Justice Dipankar Dutta said that it would be “dangerous to mix politics with religion” that could pit “one community against another”.

Yoga Instructor of Nagaland

A week after the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) asked all Naga Christian residents to refrain from practicing yoga, Orentsani Kikon, a yoga instructor from Nagaland has changed the perception of Yoga being a Hindu philosophy when she won 3rd position in the 22nd National Yoga competition held in Sarupathar Assam. She owned a fitness studio and perhaps the first and only yoga instructor in Nagaland with a belief that practicing yoga helps in both mental and physical fitness. Kikon dedicate herself for fitness and yoga, she keen on promoting a positive message to the people. When many are considering this art-form as a Hindu philosophy, she is trying to change the perception by imparting this art as a way to live a healthy lifestyle and there is no harm to practice and adopt this exercise as it will benefit the people as a whole.

New cadre policy for IAS, IPS allocation; Northeast Indian states included in new zones

The government has finalized a new policy for allocation of cadre to officers of all three Indian services – Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS). Under the new policy, the Centre has decided to divide all 26 existing cadres into five zones and candidates will have to mention their preferred choices in descending order when appearing for the civil services examination. However, candidates will be allotted home states on the basis of merit, preference and vacancy. The new policy will seek to ensure that officers from Bihar, for instance, will get to work in Southern and North- Eastern states, which may not be their preferred cadres. The new policy would help in upholding the rationale behind the all India services which is to be implemented from this year.

Northeast India has 63,000 people living with HIV; Manipur leading as per NACO

Out of the total 21.17 lakh people living with HIV in the country, the Northeastern Region has around 63,000 people living with HIV. This is according to the data presented by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) during the North East Regional Review meeting which was held at the Shillong State Convention Centre. As per the data of NACO, around 6.54 percent out of the 21.17 lakh people belong to the age group of below 15 years even as the HIV infections among female is around 40.5 percent. Three North Eastern States has the highest estimated adult HIV prevalence with Manipur which has the highest HIV prevalence of 1.15 percent followed by Mizoram and Nagaland at 0.80 percent and 0.78 percent.

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Energizing Northeast Conference

The Indian Chambers of commerce (ICC) organised a conference on “energizing North East” in Shillong to share an ideas of producing its own energy. The conference which was held at the State Convention Centre, Shillong was attended by both Minister of Power from Meghalaya and Nagaland Mr. Comingone Ymbon and Mr. Kipili Sanngtam in the presence of Mr.Pankaj Kumar the Secretary Bureau of Energy Efficiency of the Government of India.

With the theme ‘Power for all’: Availability, Accesssibility and Affordability in the NE Region, the conference was graced by other eminent person from the energy department like Mr.Sougata Sen GM ONGC Tripura Asset, Mr. D. S. Yadav Executive Director, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., Mr. W. Synrem Economic Advisor, NEC and many other more.

Speaking at the conference Mr.Pankaj Kumar said that “there is sufficient of energy in our country produced by all sources but the main problem is providing the energy to each and every home.” The reason is because there is weak mechanism in transporting the energy. While many of the delegates mat not agree with him as one unanimous clearly said that “I think the central government have a fix policy by giving northeast step-motherly treatment”, perhaps they want us to only buy energy from them.

The second half session begin with a theme “Renewable Energy; Hydro power Energy Efficiency and Associated Infrastructure in which experts from various Energy department shared out their ideas on sustaining the above theme. Those resource people were Mr. Yeptho DGM, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd, Dr. Atanu Banerjee Assistant professor NIIT, Meghalaya, Mr Tapan Mishra VP Suzlon Energy Ltd. Mr. Dilip Sarma Sr. Consultant NETC and Ms. Arneet Kaur Originator, Statkraft Market Private Ltd.

There is a massive thrust to expedite projects in the North East to overcome power shortages and increase prosperity. Investment of £980 million has been earmarked for upgrading power systems in the North Eastern States. The panellist during the conference has urged both Government of India and NEC to provide more funds to Northeast region in order to make more micro power project in the region. Tripura and Sikkim are the only states that are self sufficient and are capable in energizing them self while the rest need to buy energy from outside northeast.

The difficulties on land acquisition and skill man power were the main topic discussed during the Question and answers session. The panellist also urged the government officials to encourage both the public and government to implement solar energy in their rooftop as to be self sufficient. Meanwhile around 1700 plus 150 youth will be trained by the energy department. The conference also emphasizes on using renewable resources for clean and sustainable environment such as solar, wind and hydro power. Northeast states being blessed with abundant and tropical environment are capable of producing their own energy sources.

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Transfer of Villages

The Commissioner  and Secretary of the Government of Meghalaya, Community & Rural Development has issued a notification regarding the transfer  of 3 villages of Selsella C&RD Block to Demdema C&RD Block and 10 Villages under Demdema Block to Selsella C&RD Block respectively. 

The transferred villages of Selsella C&RD Block to Demdema C&RD Block are Nolbari, Old Bhaitbari and Khowajori (Gajbari). The transferred villages under Demdema Block to Selsella C&RD Block are Batabari, Chirakowa, Koikuri, Tarapara, Goalgaon, Boldamgre, Jotchugre, Peradanga, Nekikona and Morasuti. 

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Awareness programme on RTI

With the objective to empower the citizens and promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, The Awareness workshop on Right to Information was held at DRDA Conference Hall, West Garo Hills today in the presence of P B O Warjri, and Chief Information Commissioner of Meghalaya.

In his power point presentation Mr. Warjri highlighted the importance of Right to Information and its functions and implementation in the State of Meghalaya. He stated that the basic objective of the Right to Information is and make our democracy work for the people in real sense. He further informed that a citizen has the right to seek information from public authority and obtain information in any form. He also talk about the exemptions and disclosure under Section 8 and 9 and Schedule II of RTI Act which enumerates the categories of information exempted from disclosure and the names of the Intelligence and Security which are exempted from the purview of the Act. Other speaker on ‘awareness on RTI’ were Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Pravin Bakshi, Mr. Habul Das, Department of Mathematics, Don Bosco College, Tura and Mr. Confirm Challam, Student of Tura Polytechnic, Additional Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, A V D Shira, Tura Municipal Board, D N Sangma, Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division, L Ch Marak, Extra Assistant Commissioners, Shelley Ch Momin, Rezia Ch Sangma and Heads of all departments of the district, Principals, teachers and students. Song and dances were also presented during the function by students of different schools of the town.

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BSNL Prepaid Offer

In a series of offering customer friendly schemes for the benefit of customers The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will offer its costumer a new Voice and Data Centric Plan of Rs. 429 for unlimited voice and 1 GB data per day for 90 days under prepaid mobile services. This plan will gives Free voice (Local/STD) on any network and 90 GB data @ 1 GB per day for 90 days. 

According to Shri K.K. Saxena, CGM BSNL is committed to provide affordable and efficient services to all segments of BSNL loyal mobile customers. He also added that BSNL offer the best prices to the customers considering the present trend of Indian telecom industry and this newly launch initiative is the most competitive plan in present market scenario.

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Pencak Silat rekindling

Olympic Dreams of Asian Martial Art Sportspersons

Sunzu Bachaspatimayum

There’s renewed hope amongst martial arts based sportspersons of Manipur that finally their passion, dedication and hard work would pay off in fulfilling the Olympic dream. This wind of change comes with the global recognition of the newest contact sports that originated from Indonesia – Pencak Silat.

Unlike many other physical sports like Wushu and Kickboxing, Pencak Silat, which will feature in 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, is recognized by the Asian Olympic Council and is likely to feature in future Olympic games.

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TRIPLE TALAQ

Donboklang Wanniang

Triple talaq allows any Muslim man to legally divorce his wife by stating the word “talaq” thrice. The man did not need to cite any cause for the divorce and the wife need not be present at the time of assertion. For a long time it has been a subject of controversy and debates within the country, raising the issues of justice, gender equality, human rights and secularism. India has the world’s second-largest Muslim population. The issue has also cause a debate on the need for a uniform civil code in India.

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Valley-Dwellers The worst victims of Assam’s flood

Jahidul Islam Khan

Every Indian is aware of the destructive and regretful condition of the people of char areas or the areas of the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys. These remorsed conditions occurred mainly in Assam due to the flood and erosion created mainly by the mighty Brahmaputra. It destroys the minimum standard living conditions of the char or valley areas.