Government to set up 1,521 primary schools

Government to set up 1,521 primary schools

From Our Correspondent

JORHAT, April 18: The Government of Assam has planned to set up 1521 primary schools comprising 27 districts of the state. The Assam Sarba Siksha Abhijan Mission has released the required funds for construction of the said school buildings in March 2010 and the construction process of the schools have been started from this month, said Assam SSA Mission director LS Changsan to The Sentinel.

Changsan also said that, presently the villages which lack primary schools have been providing elementary education by Education Guaranteed Scheme (EGS) centres of the SSA Mission to ensure education in the age group of 6 to 14. The EGS centres in the said villages will also be upgraded to primary schools under the project of the government , she added. She further said that, the government has also conceived a plan to upgrade as many as 3500 EGS centres in the state in the days ahead.

According to the official report of the Education Department, over 1500 revenue villages of Assam have been lacking primary schools on date. For want of a of primary school construction project by the government for a long time, children of these villages are deprived of elementary education across the state. But, after the enactment of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act in August 2009, the state government has taken up the matter seriously and decided to set up a number of primary schools accordingly.

Contributions of Bezbaruah recalled

Contributions of Bezbaruah recalled

From our correspondent

NAGAON April, 13: President of the Jajari Unit of Asom Sahitya Sabha Thagit Mahanta , addressing a meeting organized by the Nagaon Zila Sahitya Sabha recently at Raidengia, said that Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaruah is still relevant even after 136 years of his birth or 63 years of his death.

Mahanta further said that it is not at all possible to think about an Assamese society or its literature without taking into account the noble contributions of Sahityarathi. In his deliberation Mahanta further claimed that it is clear that Bezbaruah was the first to bring out the ideals of Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhabdeva and also Gopaldeva from the campus of the Namghars to the world outside.

Dr. Naren Kalita, president Nagaon Zila Sabha hoisted the Sabha flag in a largely attended gathering while Mahi Bora President, Saonai Saurab unit led the Smriti Tarpan.

Maoist attack feared in Tripura, security beefed up

Maoist attack feared in Tripura, security beefed up

AGARTALA, April 12: Security has been beefed up in Tripura following an alert issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in the wake of the Maoist attack at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh last week. Official sources here today said all the security forces in Tripura had been put on high alert while being asked to conduct search and frisking in city areas and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) was instructed to take the lead role in the counter-insurgency campaign. ‘’We have already intensified counter-insurgency operation with the announcement of election to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to be held on May 3 and MHA directives after the Chhattisgarh incident have asked us to be on alert,’’ police said.

They said Assam Rifles and CRPF personnel posted in Tripura were on an all-out offensive against militant groups which are a threat to the state’s peace and harmony. ‘’Though we do not apprehend much trouble this time during the ADC polls, but reports indicate that some groups are trying to sneak into the state from across the border. We are taking all necessary steps to ensure free and fair elections,’’ said a police official, adding the BSF had already been alerted to step up vigil along the border. (Agencies)

Of Rongali Bihu and its preservation

Of Rongali Bihu and its preservation

Staff Reporter

DIBRUGARH, April 11: With only a few days to go for the Rongali Bihu celebrations to begin, various organizations have geared their preparations to hold Bihu functions. There seems to be an undeclared competition among them to offer bigger prize money to Bihu Konwaris and husori teams.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the commercialization of the festival had invited criticism with voices of dissent growing louder. As against the tradition of celebrating the festival for the first seven days of the month of Bohag, the functions continue well beyond the month, sometimes till the month of June, though the first month of the Assamese year long gets over. These issues came under discussion during a programme organized by Lok Sanskriti Sangrakhyan Aru Samannay Parishad, Assam (LSSASPA) here yesterday.

Eminent critics and writers focused on how organizers of functions can play an active role in the preservation of the heritage and tradition of Rongali Bihu. The session was conducted by Dr Bhimkanta Barua of Dibrugarh University. Critic Prabir Dutta stated during the session that the measure of a Rongali Bihu function did not lie in the budget. Saying that Assamese culture was way past the stage of folk culture, he cautioned that all should remain rooted to their origin.

Myanmar nationals attend Manipur Health Mela

IMPHAL, April 8 – More than 700 Myanmar nationals were provided free treatment by Indian doctors at Behiang village in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on World Health Day which was observed across the State on Wednesday. Chief Medical Officer Dr Singkhojam Hauzel of Churachandpur district said, 10 civilian and 3 Assam Rifles doctors attended to around 1300 patients mostly from Myanmar during a district health society-sponsored two-day ‘Health Mela’ which concluded Wednesday.

“Most of them(Myanmar villagers) are happy as they are deprived of proper healthcare facilities in their country,” Dr Hauzel told The Assam Tribune over telephone from Churachandpur district headquarters, 65 km south of Imphal.

The Myanmar citizens from its border villages like Khenman, Chikha, Tonzang, etc., in Saigang division were allowed to cross the Indo-Myanmar international boundary after “relaxation on their movement along the border” to attend the free medical camp at a Primary Health Centre at Behiang, 125 km south of Imphal. “We examined them with necessary medical aid, besides giving free medicines,” Dr Hauzel said. Malnutrition and anaemia are the most common diseases among the patients in border areas as healthcare facilities are very poor.

The Indian Medical Association, State branch, Manipur Voluntary Health Association, Vision Foundation, Manipur and the Kangla Accupressure observed the day under the theme ‘Urban health matters’ with the campaign on ‘1000 Cities, 1000 Lives’ at their respective locations in Imphal while Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur volunteers organised a blood donation camp.

Manipur Health Minister Ph Parijat and president of IMA Dr Kh Palin were the chief guest and president of the function held at IMA hall in Imphal. Speaking at the function, Minister Parijat has expressed unhappiness over the lack of healthcare facilities due to lack of manpower in his department.

Vision Foundation, Manipur and the Kangla Accupressure observed World Health Day at Hotel Nirmala. GI surgeon Dr A Debdutta Sharma of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences called upon the concerned individuals to make comprehensive plans while taking any developmental projects in order to avoid health hazard in the State. He said media has an important role in spreading awareness of the health hazards due to the ongoing urbanization and development in the State.

President to inaugurate 2-day conference

GUWAHATI, April 8 – President Pratibha Devisingh Patil will formally inaugurate a two-day conference on ‘Access to Justice and Socio-Economic Development of North Eastern States’, organized by the North Eastern Region Committee for Access to Justice and Socio-Economic Development, DoNER, NALSA, IGNOU and Assam State Legal Services Authority at the Pragjyoti ITA Complex, Machkhowa, at 10-30 am on April 17.

Governor JB Patnaik will preside over the meeting where Justice Altamas Kabir of the Supreme Court of India and executive chairman, NALSA, Justice Mukundakam Sharma of the Supreme Court of India and chairman, Access to Justice & Socio-Economic Development Committee for North Eastern States, Acting Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Union Minister for DoNER BK Handique, Vice-Chancellor IGNOU, Prof VN Rajasekharan Pillai, chief coordinator Prof S Sivakumar, and other eminent persons will be present.

The two-day workshop on different subjects will follow the inauguration ceremony, where about 350 judicial officers and NGO activists from the NE States, including Sikkim, will participate.

Two workshops will be held simultaneously and will conclude in eight sessions. The topics for discussion in these sessions are: “Right to Education: A North Eastern Perspective”, “North-East and Media”, “Environment and sustainable Development”, “Drug Trafficking and AIDS-Measures to Control”, “Rights and Maintenance of Senior Citizens”, “Terrorism and Human Rights in North East”, “Human Trafficking for Child Labour and Prostitution, and “Domestic Violence and Gender Equality: North east Scenario.”

A host of dignitaries will grace the occasion, a press release said.

D Konwar to get Mother Teresa Award

PATNA, Apr 8 (PTI): Bihar Governor D Konwar has been selected for the prestigious Mother Teresa Lifetime Achievement Award for 2009-10, Rajbhavan sources said today.

Konwar would be honoured with the award at a function in Kolkata on April 10, they said.

The award is given to a person for his distinguished services in the fields of politics and social service.

Former US President Bill Clinton and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu were among the recipients of the award which started in 2000-01.

Endangered vultures may find breeding centre in Patna

PATNA, April 9 (IANS): Endangered vultures may soon find a new nesting place with plans to start a breeding centre for the birds at a biological park here known for its success with gharials, says the Patna Zoo director.

Patna-based Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park is likely to be selected by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) as a breeding centre for vultures, Patna Zoo director Abhay Kumar told IANS.

CZA member secretary B.S. Bonal, during his visit here Wednesday, has said the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park was a suitable place to start a breeding centre for vultures, according to Kumar.

"We will be happy to start a breeding centre for vultures here after the successful breeding of gharials and rhinos," Kumar told IANS.

A forest official said vultures have been spotted in the flood-prone Bihar districts of Bhagalpur, East Champaran, Supaul, Araria and Khagaria.

Haryana, West Bengal and Assam also have vulture breeding centres, but these are run by the Bombay Natural History Society with the help of Britain's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Until 1992, as many as nine species of vultures were found in India. The decline in the population of vultures during the decade 1997-2006 is reported to be as high as 98 percent.

According to experts, a drug used to treat animals killed the scavenging birds by the millions.

The Bihar government has decided to check the use of anti-inflammatory Diclofenac in the treatment of animals as the drug accumulates in the tissues of carcasses, which the vultures feed on, leading to their death.

In May 2006, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had asked all state drug controllers to phase out Diclofenac from veterinary use within three months.

The DCGI issued another circular in 2008 asking all state drug controllers to direct manufacturers of Diclofenac to label it "not for veterinary use".

Vultures were declared "critically endangered species" globally in 2000.

Child of Assam Accord has nothing Assamese in it...

Child of Assam Accord has nothing Assamese in it...

If the Assam Accord was a draft of deception, the ongoing gas cracker project near Dibrugarh is simply an addition to the trickery. With the announcement of the gas cracker project — Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) — the people of Assam were overtaken with a fond dream of employment, economic well-being and related affluence, but only to be disillusioned very soon. The dream of economic well-being was strong enough for Lepetkata villagers to part with their ancestral land and property. Ironically, the gas cracker project, even before becoming productive, has the local people’s dreams and aspirations lie completely shattered.

BSS plea for peaceful BTC poll

BSS plea for peaceful BTC poll

AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary today campaigned in support Bodoland People’s Progressive Front (BPPF) president Rabiram Narzary who is fighting the BTC poll from Salakati and Parbhotjhora BTC constituencies. Patowary addressed poll rallies at Kalipukhuri and Dotoma. Meanwhile, the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) today appealed to all pollical parties and the administration to ensure peaceful poll in the BTAD. BSS president Kameswar Brahma said that the people of the BTAD were apprehensive of violence during the BTC election slated for April 9. He sought intervention of the Governor and the Chief Minister in the recent violence in the BTAD.

RTI controversy rocks Tripura Education Department

RTI controversy rocks Tripura Education Department

Agartala, April 5: Within a week of issuing job offers to 4,712 graduate aspirants, the School Education Department of Tripura has been overwhelmed with applications seeking details of selection of the candidates under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

State Public Information Officer of the Department KD Das informed that as on date the RTI Cell of the Department has received 210 applications and several more were recorded at district level offices.

The job offers had sparked State-wide resentment because in most of the cases the beneficiaries had allegedly turned out to be CPI(M) cadres or relatives and family members of party leaders. The woes of the department were compounded by intervention in the form of a suo moto action by Chief Information Commissioner BK Chakraborty, asking the director of school education to take five-point measures for smooth receipt of applications and dissemination of information.

Much to be done for RTI awareness

Much to be done for RTI awareness

From our Staff Reporter

DIBRUGARH, April 4: The Right to Information (RTI) Act was promulgated almost five years back. However, the awareness about it or the provisions under it is lacking among the masses. This was the unanimous opinion of the panelists during a discussion on the Act organized on the occasion of the 15th biennial conference of Dibrugarh District Journalists Association by the Dibrugarh Press Club here from April 2.

The ADC and Public Information Officer at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here, Bandana Tamuli, said that the said legislation aims at creating transparency so that public can know what was going on in the various departments. She further said that the common people were yet to appreciate the Act. The ADC mentioned that she received applications seeking information that concerned other departments whereas these can be submitted to the heads, who were also the PIOs, of the concerned departments.

Artificial shortage of coins

Artificial shortage of coins

Staff Correspondent

Dibrugarh, April 3: Dibrugarh has been hit by an artificial scarcity of coins and low denomination currency notes which is resulting in exchange of heated arguments among customers and vendors of all kinds alomost everyday. The people here alleged that the current situation is due to utter negligence on part of the Dibrugarh district administration.

The people further alleged that the district administration was well aware of the growing shortage of coins but did not undertake any effective steps to control the situation. The scarcity has resulted in a number of shop keepers and traders in issuing or giving coupons and chocolates as change. This again results in heated arguments among the shopkeepers and the customers who said this was a common penomena.

Others who are benfitting from the shortage of coins are the Rickshaw pullers and Auto rickshaw drivers who do not return the exact change to the people. The local inhabitants have, therefore, demanded the Government Authority to take concrete and effective steps to solve the artificial coin crisis and shortage of currency notes be removed at the earliest.

Declaration of assets: Gogoi hesitates, but why?

Declaration of assets: Gogoi hesitates, but why?

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 2: Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily, during his stint as Assam in-charge of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), had given an assurance that all members of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s Cabinet would make their assets public. Six months after Moily’s assurance, Gogoi too gave the same assurance to the people of the State that his Cabinet colleagues would make their assets public. In February last, Gogoi opted to set March 10, 2010 as the deadline for the ministers to disclose their assets. Significantly, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had told the media that he would make his assets available online by March 7, but neither Sarma nor any of his Cabinet colleagues have disclosed their assets yet.