Indefinite Eco-Blockade Against Nagaland

Activists of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) staging a demonstration while covered their faces with black cloth, at Santi Udayan, Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati on Saturday, in protest against the atrocities perpetrate by the Nagaland Police personnel on AASU activists at Pholongoni in Golaghat district of Assam on Wednesday. (Photo/Ujjal Deb)

Dimapur, Sep 19 : It is now the turn for the students in Assam. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has enforced an economic blockade on two roads, including National Highway 39, leading to Nagaland from Saturday in protest against Wednesday’s incident of assault on students in Golaghat district of Assam by the Nagaland Police. However, there is no clarity on the number of days to enforce the blockade.

The AASU as well as various other organizations in Assam had taken strong note of this incident and demanded the Nagaland Government immediately take action against the guilty cops. However, as action was not taken even after three days, the AASU resorted to the economic blockade on Saturday.

“We have nothing against Nagaland or its people. We had demanded action against the guilty Naga policemen. How on earth they got the courage to beat our students on our own soil,” AASU president Sankar Prasad Roy told Newmai News Network today.

“We will not tolerate such action and give befitting reply to them,” he said.

The AASU warned that the blockade would be enforced for an indefinite period if those guilty were not punished. “If action is not taken, the results will be dangerous,” Roy warned. A probe into the incident has been already ordered by the Assam Government.

General Secretary of the powerful AASU, Taban Kumar Gogoi, speaking over phone from Guwahati Saturday evening told the Morung Express that the blockade began from 3:00 pm today. AASU activists have blocked three crucial roads in Golaghat and Jorhat districts, linking Nagaland, Gogoi said.

The blockade was affected on Nagaland bound commercial vehicles on the Mariani-Mokokchung road under Jorhat, Merapani-Wokha road and the all important NH-39 linking Dimapur, a major stretch of which falls under Golaghat district.

The AASU general secretary though added that private vehicles and those carrying essential medical supplies will be allowed to ply. Gogoi further said that private vehicles carrying commercial goods will also not be allowed to cross into Nagaland.

Gogoi asserted that the AASU has no ill will against the people of Nagaland rather they are making their displeasure known, over the apathetic attitude of the authorities of both Assam and Nagaland, towards the September 15 incident.

“We’ve given enough time to both governments (Assam and Nagaland) but they did not listen”. Until and unless the erring Naga policemen are brought to justice, AASU will be forced to continue with the blockade, Gogoi aired.

The blockade comes in the backdrop of the Nagaland Home Minister issuing a statement three days after the incident.

Sources from police headquarters said that a full report will be expected only after ten days.  

via Newmai News Network

Read full history - Indefinite Eco-Blockade Against Nagaland

Indefinite Eco-Blockade Against Nagaland

Activists of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) staging a demonstration while covered their faces with black cloth, at Santi Udayan, Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati on Saturday, in protest against the atrocities perpetrate by the Nagaland Police personnel on AASU activists at Pholongoni in Golaghat district of Assam on Wednesday. (Photo/Ujjal Deb)

Dimapur, Sep 19 : It is now the turn for the students in Assam. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has enforced an economic blockade on two roads, including National Highway 39, leading to Nagaland from Saturday in protest against Wednesday’s incident of assault on students in Golaghat district of Assam by the Nagaland Police. However, there is no clarity on the number of days to enforce the blockade.

The AASU as well as various other organizations in Assam had taken strong note of this incident and demanded the Nagaland Government immediately take action against the guilty cops. However, as action was not taken even after three days, the AASU resorted to the economic blockade on Saturday.

“We have nothing against Nagaland or its people. We had demanded action against the guilty Naga policemen. How on earth they got the courage to beat our students on our own soil,” AASU president Sankar Prasad Roy told Newmai News Network today.

“We will not tolerate such action and give befitting reply to them,” he said.

The AASU warned that the blockade would be enforced for an indefinite period if those guilty were not punished. “If action is not taken, the results will be dangerous,” Roy warned. A probe into the incident has been already ordered by the Assam Government.

General Secretary of the powerful AASU, Taban Kumar Gogoi, speaking over phone from Guwahati Saturday evening told the Morung Express that the blockade began from 3:00 pm today. AASU activists have blocked three crucial roads in Golaghat and Jorhat districts, linking Nagaland, Gogoi said.

The blockade was affected on Nagaland bound commercial vehicles on the Mariani-Mokokchung road under Jorhat, Merapani-Wokha road and the all important NH-39 linking Dimapur, a major stretch of which falls under Golaghat district.

The AASU general secretary though added that private vehicles and those carrying essential medical supplies will be allowed to ply. Gogoi further said that private vehicles carrying commercial goods will also not be allowed to cross into Nagaland.

Gogoi asserted that the AASU has no ill will against the people of Nagaland rather they are making their displeasure known, over the apathetic attitude of the authorities of both Assam and Nagaland, towards the September 15 incident.

“We’ve given enough time to both governments (Assam and Nagaland) but they did not listen”. Until and unless the erring Naga policemen are brought to justice, AASU will be forced to continue with the blockade, Gogoi aired.

The blockade comes in the backdrop of the Nagaland Home Minister issuing a statement three days after the incident.

Sources from police headquarters said that a full report will be expected only after ten days.  

via Newmai News Network

Read full history - Indefinite Eco-Blockade Against Nagaland

Naga Students Condemn Police Action on AASU

Kohima, Sep 17 : An apex Naga students' body today expressed serious concern over the action of Nagaland police personnel on demonstrators of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) in Golaghat district of the neighboring state.

Outrightly condemning the police brutality, Naga Students' Federation (NSF) asserted that such attitude towards the peaceful demonstrators was totally "an act of disrespect".

"The federation, therefore, invokes the conscious of the authority concerned and the police personnel to restrain from such unwanted situation especially towards our neighbouring state in order to avoid creating any misunderstanding as we are living in peaceful co-existence," a statement issued by NSF said.

While extending its solidarity to the injured protesters and support towards the demand of the AASU, the NSF also urged upon the Nagaland government to seriously examine the incident and take up necessary action.

Twenty people were injured, some of them seriously, when IRB personnel of Nagaland police passing through Golaghat district unleashed baton charge on demonstrators who blocked the NH-39 on Wednesday demanding improvement of a link road near Rangajan Tinali.

Read full history - Naga Students Condemn Police Action on AASU

Naga Students Condemn Police Action on AASU

Kohima, Sep 17 : An apex Naga students' body today expressed serious concern over the action of Nagaland police personnel on demonstrators of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) in Golaghat district of the neighboring state.

Outrightly condemning the police brutality, Naga Students' Federation (NSF) asserted that such attitude towards the peaceful demonstrators was totally "an act of disrespect".

"The federation, therefore, invokes the conscious of the authority concerned and the police personnel to restrain from such unwanted situation especially towards our neighbouring state in order to avoid creating any misunderstanding as we are living in peaceful co-existence," a statement issued by NSF said.

While extending its solidarity to the injured protesters and support towards the demand of the AASU, the NSF also urged upon the Nagaland government to seriously examine the incident and take up necessary action.

Twenty people were injured, some of them seriously, when IRB personnel of Nagaland police passing through Golaghat district unleashed baton charge on demonstrators who blocked the NH-39 on Wednesday demanding improvement of a link road near Rangajan Tinali.

Read full history - Naga Students Condemn Police Action on AASU

New System to Monitor Seismic Activity in Northeast

Agartala, Sep 17 : An ambitious project to modernize the seismic monitoring system in India's northeast -- said to be the sixth most quake-prone belt in the world -- has been taken up by the union ministry of earth sciences (MoES), officials said here Friday.

"A VSAT-based real time seismic monitoring network (RTSMN) over the northeast consisting of two central receiving stations (CRS) -- one in Shillong and the other in New Delhi -- is under commissioning," meteorological department director Dilip Saha told IANS.

He said the RTSMN would be a satellite based system and it would have 21 stations across eight northeastern states. Approximately Rs.25 lakh would be spent on each station for commissioning the equipment and developing necessary infrastructure.

The RTSMN stations are Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Silchar, Jorhat and Lekhapani in Assam, Yupia, Tawang, Pashighat and Zero in Arunachal Pradesh, Tura and Shillong in Meghalaya, Mokokchung and Kohima in Nagaland, Agartala and Belonia in Tripura, Aizawl and Saiha in Mizoram, Imphal in Manipur and Tadong in Sikkim.

"After commissioning of the RTSMN, more accurate seismic activities relating to earthquake would be known," Saha stated.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) earlier notified that the mountainous northeast comprising eight states could experience a devastating earthquake as the region is considered by seismologists to be the sixth worst quake-prone belt in the world.

Assam experienced a massive tremor measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale Aug 15, 1950, that claimed some 1,500 lives. The worst quake, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, was felt in the region in 1897. It killed 1,600 people.

Read full history - New System to Monitor Seismic Activity in Northeast

New System to Monitor Seismic Activity in Northeast

Agartala, Sep 17 : An ambitious project to modernize the seismic monitoring system in India's northeast -- said to be the sixth most quake-prone belt in the world -- has been taken up by the union ministry of earth sciences (MoES), officials said here Friday.

"A VSAT-based real time seismic monitoring network (RTSMN) over the northeast consisting of two central receiving stations (CRS) -- one in Shillong and the other in New Delhi -- is under commissioning," meteorological department director Dilip Saha told IANS.

He said the RTSMN would be a satellite based system and it would have 21 stations across eight northeastern states. Approximately Rs.25 lakh would be spent on each station for commissioning the equipment and developing necessary infrastructure.

The RTSMN stations are Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Silchar, Jorhat and Lekhapani in Assam, Yupia, Tawang, Pashighat and Zero in Arunachal Pradesh, Tura and Shillong in Meghalaya, Mokokchung and Kohima in Nagaland, Agartala and Belonia in Tripura, Aizawl and Saiha in Mizoram, Imphal in Manipur and Tadong in Sikkim.

"After commissioning of the RTSMN, more accurate seismic activities relating to earthquake would be known," Saha stated.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) earlier notified that the mountainous northeast comprising eight states could experience a devastating earthquake as the region is considered by seismologists to be the sixth worst quake-prone belt in the world.

Assam experienced a massive tremor measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale Aug 15, 1950, that claimed some 1,500 lives. The worst quake, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, was felt in the region in 1897. It killed 1,600 people.

Read full history - New System to Monitor Seismic Activity in Northeast

Northeast Activists Appeal China and India to Stop Constructing Dams

Itanagar, Sep 14 : Various organizations in the Northeast have appealed to both China and India to stop all existing and proposed dam construction activities on Siang River, which is known as Yarlung and Tsangpo in China and Brahmaputra in Assam.

In a joint letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, at least 50 organizations, including the Arunachal Citizens' Right (ACR), have expressed fear that the communities surviving on the river's ecosystem might get destroyed by the politics of water and energy.

China is not only building a series of dams but also diverting water in the upper reaches of the Siang river in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), they claimed.

It would result in massive reduction of water flow that would have irreparable and devastating impact on the ecosystems and the way of life in Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and in the lower reaches of Bangladesh, they said.

"We also fear that India's effort to build many dams, including the ones in Lohit and Subansiri rivers, is a way to preempt any Chinese dam upstream using the highly illogical view of stopping dams in upstream by building dams in the lower portion of the river," they said.

The activists have urged both the countries to refrain from building any dams on the river.

"This will help build peace and trust between the two countries. Building dams on Siang or in Yarlung and Tsangpo will therefore be considered as seeking conflict," the organisations added.

Read full history - Northeast Activists Appeal China and India to Stop Constructing Dams

Northeast Activists Appeal China and India to Stop Constructing Dams

Itanagar, Sep 14 : Various organizations in the Northeast have appealed to both China and India to stop all existing and proposed dam construction activities on Siang River, which is known as Yarlung and Tsangpo in China and Brahmaputra in Assam.

In a joint letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, at least 50 organizations, including the Arunachal Citizens' Right (ACR), have expressed fear that the communities surviving on the river's ecosystem might get destroyed by the politics of water and energy.

China is not only building a series of dams but also diverting water in the upper reaches of the Siang river in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), they claimed.

It would result in massive reduction of water flow that would have irreparable and devastating impact on the ecosystems and the way of life in Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and in the lower reaches of Bangladesh, they said.

"We also fear that India's effort to build many dams, including the ones in Lohit and Subansiri rivers, is a way to preempt any Chinese dam upstream using the highly illogical view of stopping dams in upstream by building dams in the lower portion of the river," they said.

The activists have urged both the countries to refrain from building any dams on the river.

"This will help build peace and trust between the two countries. Building dams on Siang or in Yarlung and Tsangpo will therefore be considered as seeking conflict," the organisations added.

Read full history - Northeast Activists Appeal China and India to Stop Constructing Dams

Some Martyrs From Northeast Ignored by History Books: Handique

New Delhi, Sep 14 : Some martyrs from the northeast who had participated in the freedom struggle against the the British had not found their rightful place in history books and historical writings and this should be corrected, a central minister from the region said Tuesday.
There was considerable resentment against this in the northeast,

Minister for Development of the North East Region (DoNER) Bijoy Krishna Handique said while delivering the keynote address on “History as a window - Understanding North East,” at the Jamia Millia Islamia.

“There should be some recognition of these unsung heroes…The ways of history cannot be corrected but the inadequacy of historical writing can be corrected,” Handique said.

He said the northeast was a “complex region” and made “more complex by lack of understanding of issues”.

The minister said there was need to understand the psyche of the people and respect their sentiments of giving recognition to freedom fighters from the region.

He said the challenge of multi-cultuarlism was not unique to the northeast but it should be studied to understand issues concerning the region and devise a strategy for the future.

Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalthanhawla said that the successful Mizo accord can serve as a model peace process for other parts of the country.

The accord was signed in 1986 between the central government and Mizo Nataional Front (MNF). Lalthanhawla had quit as chief minister following the accord to pave way for an interim government headed by MNF leader Laldenga. He had been in and out of office since then and again became the chief minister since Dec 2008.

Lalthanhawla said a spirit of give and take, a willing bureaucracy and total involvement of civil society can make peace accords succeed.

He said the peace process in Mizoram was simpler as there were no multiple ethnic groups in the state.

“Peace, development and governance are closely related. Imbalance in one disturbs the other,” he said, adding that if the mindset of people can be changed, half the battle for peace was won.

Lalthanhawla said the northeast was “least visited and most misunderstood area” of the country, adding there was “a huge communication gap between mainland India and the region” more due to a mental block than geographical factors.

Pointing out that the northeast had a vibrant tradition of local self-government, Lalthanhawla said the region needed more schemes like the national rural employment guarantee scheme to empower the rural masses.

DoNER secretary Jayati Chandra said that bright minds from the northeast who had honed their skills outside the region should also look at the option of returning.

She said that while the government’s per head contribution in the northeast was greater than in any other part of the country, there was virtually no private investment.

She also said that more students from the region should opt for technical courses.

Jamia Millia Islamia vice chanellor Najeeb Jung said that the northeast should be better understood in the rest of the country.

“That is a concern for Jamia. That’s why a centre for northeast studies has been started to focus on the region,” he said.

The vice chancellor said the university was keen that more students from the northeast avail of its courses.

Sanjoy Hazarika of the university’s centre for northeast studies said that development in the region had shown unique flexibility. He said India’s Look East policy should be routed through the northeastern states.

Read full history - Some Martyrs From Northeast Ignored by History Books: Handique

Some Martyrs From Northeast Ignored by History Books: Handique

New Delhi, Sep 14 : Some martyrs from the northeast who had participated in the freedom struggle against the the British had not found their rightful place in history books and historical writings and this should be corrected, a central minister from the region said Tuesday.
There was considerable resentment against this in the northeast,

Minister for Development of the North East Region (DoNER) Bijoy Krishna Handique said while delivering the keynote address on “History as a window - Understanding North East,” at the Jamia Millia Islamia.

“There should be some recognition of these unsung heroes…The ways of history cannot be corrected but the inadequacy of historical writing can be corrected,” Handique said.

He said the northeast was a “complex region” and made “more complex by lack of understanding of issues”.

The minister said there was need to understand the psyche of the people and respect their sentiments of giving recognition to freedom fighters from the region.

He said the challenge of multi-cultuarlism was not unique to the northeast but it should be studied to understand issues concerning the region and devise a strategy for the future.

Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalthanhawla said that the successful Mizo accord can serve as a model peace process for other parts of the country.

The accord was signed in 1986 between the central government and Mizo Nataional Front (MNF). Lalthanhawla had quit as chief minister following the accord to pave way for an interim government headed by MNF leader Laldenga. He had been in and out of office since then and again became the chief minister since Dec 2008.

Lalthanhawla said a spirit of give and take, a willing bureaucracy and total involvement of civil society can make peace accords succeed.

He said the peace process in Mizoram was simpler as there were no multiple ethnic groups in the state.

“Peace, development and governance are closely related. Imbalance in one disturbs the other,” he said, adding that if the mindset of people can be changed, half the battle for peace was won.

Lalthanhawla said the northeast was “least visited and most misunderstood area” of the country, adding there was “a huge communication gap between mainland India and the region” more due to a mental block than geographical factors.

Pointing out that the northeast had a vibrant tradition of local self-government, Lalthanhawla said the region needed more schemes like the national rural employment guarantee scheme to empower the rural masses.

DoNER secretary Jayati Chandra said that bright minds from the northeast who had honed their skills outside the region should also look at the option of returning.

She said that while the government’s per head contribution in the northeast was greater than in any other part of the country, there was virtually no private investment.

She also said that more students from the region should opt for technical courses.

Jamia Millia Islamia vice chanellor Najeeb Jung said that the northeast should be better understood in the rest of the country.

“That is a concern for Jamia. That’s why a centre for northeast studies has been started to focus on the region,” he said.

The vice chancellor said the university was keen that more students from the northeast avail of its courses.

Sanjoy Hazarika of the university’s centre for northeast studies said that development in the region had shown unique flexibility. He said India’s Look East policy should be routed through the northeastern states.

Read full history - Some Martyrs From Northeast Ignored by History Books: Handique

NEEPCO to Upgrade 3 ITI’s in Northeast India

Agartala, Sep 14 : The North Eastern Electric Power Corp (NEEPCO) will take up three more industrial training institutes (ITIs) under the centre’s ‘adopt an ITI’ scheme to meet the growing demand for skilled manpower in the region, officials said here Tuesday.

The state-owned corporation will adopt one ITI each in Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura.

NEEPCO last year had adopted two ITIs- one at Halflong in southern Assam and another at Dirang valley of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Under the ‘adopt an ITI’ scheme, a public sector organisation becomes a partner and upgrades an ITI by developing its infrastructure, redesigning the curriculum in consultation with the concerned state government.

‘The main objective of the scheme is to meet the demands of skilled manpower in the developmental projects in the northeastern region,’ a NEEPCO official told IANS.

Read full history - NEEPCO to Upgrade 3 ITI’s in Northeast India

NEEPCO to Upgrade 3 ITI’s in Northeast India

Agartala, Sep 14 : The North Eastern Electric Power Corp (NEEPCO) will take up three more industrial training institutes (ITIs) under the centre’s ‘adopt an ITI’ scheme to meet the growing demand for skilled manpower in the region, officials said here Tuesday.

The state-owned corporation will adopt one ITI each in Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura.

NEEPCO last year had adopted two ITIs- one at Halflong in southern Assam and another at Dirang valley of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Under the ‘adopt an ITI’ scheme, a public sector organisation becomes a partner and upgrades an ITI by developing its infrastructure, redesigning the curriculum in consultation with the concerned state government.

‘The main objective of the scheme is to meet the demands of skilled manpower in the developmental projects in the northeastern region,’ a NEEPCO official told IANS.

Read full history - NEEPCO to Upgrade 3 ITI’s in Northeast India

Call to Develop Infrastructure Along China Border

By R Dutta Choudhury

Guwahati, Sep 14 : Though the decision of the Government of India to deploy two additional battalions of the Army to improve vigil along the border with China is a positive development, there is urgent need for developing the infrastructure along the international border to deal with any eventuality, said former GOC of the 4 Corps of the Army, Lt Gen (Retd) DB Shekhatkar.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, Lt Gen Shekhatkar, who is well versed with the ground situation along the border with China in Arunachal Pradesh, said that the Government of India should have initiated steps to boost security measures along the border long back.

He said that though the Government of India is trying to maintain cordial relation with China, the lessons learnt from the 1962 war should never be forgotten and India should always be ready to face any eventuality.

Lt Gen Shekhatkar said that said that for years, the need for increasing the strength of the Army was felt and only now the Government has decided to deploy two additional divisions. He said that the decision to create a battalion of Arunachal Scouts is also a positive development and hoped that the personnel of the battalion would play a vital role in guarding the country’s borders. He said that there should be at least two more battalions of the Arunachal Scouts to deal with the situation.

The former Army officer pointed out that the Ladakh Scouts are doing a commendable job for years and hoped that the Arunachal Scouts would be able to emulate the achievements of the Ladakh scouts. He pointed out that the personnel of the Arunachal Scouts would be well versed with the ground situation and the stake of the local youths in guarding the frontier would be much higher than anyone coming from other parts of the country. Moreover, the creation of the battalion would provide employment opportunities to the local youths, which is also a positive development, he added.

However, Lt Gen Shekhatkar expressed the view that India is still lagging behind China in infrastructure development along the border and only increasing force deployment would not help in case of any eventuality. He said that priority must be given on construction of new roads leading to the international border to facilitate movement of men and machinery whenever required and there must be multiple entry points to the forward posts along the border. At this moment, only one road connects Tawang near the border with China and if that road is blocked, India would have a tough time, he pointed out.

Read full history - Call to Develop Infrastructure Along China Border

Call to Develop Infrastructure Along China Border

By R Dutta Choudhury

Guwahati, Sep 14 : Though the decision of the Government of India to deploy two additional battalions of the Army to improve vigil along the border with China is a positive development, there is urgent need for developing the infrastructure along the international border to deal with any eventuality, said former GOC of the 4 Corps of the Army, Lt Gen (Retd) DB Shekhatkar.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, Lt Gen Shekhatkar, who is well versed with the ground situation along the border with China in Arunachal Pradesh, said that the Government of India should have initiated steps to boost security measures along the border long back.

He said that though the Government of India is trying to maintain cordial relation with China, the lessons learnt from the 1962 war should never be forgotten and India should always be ready to face any eventuality.

Lt Gen Shekhatkar said that said that for years, the need for increasing the strength of the Army was felt and only now the Government has decided to deploy two additional divisions. He said that the decision to create a battalion of Arunachal Scouts is also a positive development and hoped that the personnel of the battalion would play a vital role in guarding the country’s borders. He said that there should be at least two more battalions of the Arunachal Scouts to deal with the situation.

The former Army officer pointed out that the Ladakh Scouts are doing a commendable job for years and hoped that the Arunachal Scouts would be able to emulate the achievements of the Ladakh scouts. He pointed out that the personnel of the Arunachal Scouts would be well versed with the ground situation and the stake of the local youths in guarding the frontier would be much higher than anyone coming from other parts of the country. Moreover, the creation of the battalion would provide employment opportunities to the local youths, which is also a positive development, he added.

However, Lt Gen Shekhatkar expressed the view that India is still lagging behind China in infrastructure development along the border and only increasing force deployment would not help in case of any eventuality. He said that priority must be given on construction of new roads leading to the international border to facilitate movement of men and machinery whenever required and there must be multiple entry points to the forward posts along the border. At this moment, only one road connects Tawang near the border with China and if that road is blocked, India would have a tough time, he pointed out.

Read full history - Call to Develop Infrastructure Along China Border

Something New From The Northeast in Bangalore

By Mandakini Dev Sharma

Bangalore, Sep 13 : After the onslaught of various regional cuisines such as Bengali and Rajasthani, Bangalore’s foodies now also have food from the North Eastern states of India to try out.

The ANTS store, Indiranagar, is working on a project called ‘Positive stories from the North East’ in an effort to raise awareness about the region in the city.

The store recently held a Manipur Food Festival focusing on the cuisine of Meities, a major Manipuri tribe. ANTS has organised similar evenings around Mizo and Naga food in the past.

“The Manipur Food Festival was organised by a few Manipuris in Bangalore — mainly working professionals and students,” says Devakishore Soraisam, a business management graduate from Christ College who was involved with the event, which was the brainchild of Trichao Thomas of ANTS.

Most cuisines from the North East are unique and very exotic and the same is true for Meitei food. The crowd savoured Manipuri dishes like Shingju, Paknum, Chagem Pomba, Bamboo Shoots, Eromba and Shareng Thongba.

“I loved the eromba, a very common dish which the Meitai prepare from fish, brinjal, potato, bamboo shoot, and chillis,” says Paonam Mahesh Chandra Singh, a Manipuri student.

Naga food is also making inroads in the city — and it’s not just Naga students making a beeline for the newly opened Naga Kitchen in Kamanahalli.

“The menu is very customer-friendly and we expect Bangalore’s foodies to try out North Eastern food,” says Mustaque Ahmed, owner of The Naga Kitchen, Bangalore who expects dishes such as smoked pork chili, smoked chicken fry, fried fish, Naga fried rice and pork Naga curry to do well.

Read full history - Something New From The Northeast in Bangalore

Something New From The Northeast in Bangalore

By Mandakini Dev Sharma

Bangalore, Sep 13 : After the onslaught of various regional cuisines such as Bengali and Rajasthani, Bangalore’s foodies now also have food from the North Eastern states of India to try out.

The ANTS store, Indiranagar, is working on a project called ‘Positive stories from the North East’ in an effort to raise awareness about the region in the city.

The store recently held a Manipur Food Festival focusing on the cuisine of Meities, a major Manipuri tribe. ANTS has organised similar evenings around Mizo and Naga food in the past.

“The Manipur Food Festival was organised by a few Manipuris in Bangalore — mainly working professionals and students,” says Devakishore Soraisam, a business management graduate from Christ College who was involved with the event, which was the brainchild of Trichao Thomas of ANTS.

Most cuisines from the North East are unique and very exotic and the same is true for Meitei food. The crowd savoured Manipuri dishes like Shingju, Paknum, Chagem Pomba, Bamboo Shoots, Eromba and Shareng Thongba.

“I loved the eromba, a very common dish which the Meitai prepare from fish, brinjal, potato, bamboo shoot, and chillis,” says Paonam Mahesh Chandra Singh, a Manipuri student.

Naga food is also making inroads in the city — and it’s not just Naga students making a beeline for the newly opened Naga Kitchen in Kamanahalli.

“The menu is very customer-friendly and we expect Bangalore’s foodies to try out North Eastern food,” says Mustaque Ahmed, owner of The Naga Kitchen, Bangalore who expects dishes such as smoked pork chili, smoked chicken fry, fried fish, Naga fried rice and pork Naga curry to do well.

Read full history - Something New From The Northeast in Bangalore

Women's Group in Northeast India Gets Global Funding

By Shalini Kathuria Narang

The Global Fund for Women, an international organization committed to defending women's rights globally, has awarded a first grant of $12,000 to the North East Network, which works in India's seven northeastern states.

The GFW funding will help the organization to expand a home-based weaving livelihood project running for several years with 90 tribal Chizami women in Nagaland. Through training on skills enhancement, costing, production planning, quality control, and group management, NEN aims to increase the earnings for women, professionalize weavers in a democratic system of working together, and increase the weavers' awareness of their social and economic rights.

Two women began the North East Network in 1995 after participating in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Besides New Delhi, the NEN has offices in India's conflict-ridden states of Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland.

"We aim to bring gendered understanding of human rights violations in the region in the context of conflict, livelihood, and/or health," said Monisha Behal, chairperson, NEN. "One of our activities is to use the (United Nations') Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women … to influence the State machinery to fulfill its obligations to women. In Meghalaya, we work with the state enforcement authorities on issues of gender and perspectives change especially on violence against women. Its success has influenced NEN Assam, started this year, to do the same."

In Nagaland, she continued, "NEN has addressed ecological conservation through wildlife education. Through the GFW, it is marketing finished traditional Naga weaves in India. NEN has also strengthened biodiversity and conservation measures by helping gauge the value of local plants and herbs and reviving grains like millets in farms."

In Assam too, Behal said, "the cooperation between women's and youth groups, village councils and state agencies is visible. We have also trained several organizations on the Right to Information Act."

By participating in international conventions, including UN meetings regarding Security Resolution 1325, NEN works to highlight the human rights issues facing the women living in the conflict zones of northeast India. It was the first organization in the northeast to create a map of support services available to women in distress.

The group also promotes State accountability by encouraging citizens to use the Right to Information Act, especially regarding land issues, ration allowances and appropriate wage labour.

The group has built partnerships between women's groups and state agencies, including police and medical personnel. It also focuses on building a multi-sector, gender-sensitive approach to violence against women, especially Meghalaya. A community in Meghalaya has donated land for NEN to build a resource centre.

North East Network can be contacted below:

North-East Network
J.N. Barooah Lane, Jorpukhuri,
Guwahati 781001, Assam
Tel/fax: 91 361 2631582/ 2603833.
email: assamnen@yahoo.co.uk

Read full history - Women's Group in Northeast India Gets Global Funding

Women's Group in Northeast India Gets Global Funding

By Shalini Kathuria Narang

The Global Fund for Women, an international organization committed to defending women's rights globally, has awarded a first grant of $12,000 to the North East Network, which works in India's seven northeastern states.

The GFW funding will help the organization to expand a home-based weaving livelihood project running for several years with 90 tribal Chizami women in Nagaland. Through training on skills enhancement, costing, production planning, quality control, and group management, NEN aims to increase the earnings for women, professionalize weavers in a democratic system of working together, and increase the weavers' awareness of their social and economic rights.

Two women began the North East Network in 1995 after participating in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Besides New Delhi, the NEN has offices in India's conflict-ridden states of Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland.

"We aim to bring gendered understanding of human rights violations in the region in the context of conflict, livelihood, and/or health," said Monisha Behal, chairperson, NEN. "One of our activities is to use the (United Nations') Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women … to influence the State machinery to fulfill its obligations to women. In Meghalaya, we work with the state enforcement authorities on issues of gender and perspectives change especially on violence against women. Its success has influenced NEN Assam, started this year, to do the same."

In Nagaland, she continued, "NEN has addressed ecological conservation through wildlife education. Through the GFW, it is marketing finished traditional Naga weaves in India. NEN has also strengthened biodiversity and conservation measures by helping gauge the value of local plants and herbs and reviving grains like millets in farms."

In Assam too, Behal said, "the cooperation between women's and youth groups, village councils and state agencies is visible. We have also trained several organizations on the Right to Information Act."

By participating in international conventions, including UN meetings regarding Security Resolution 1325, NEN works to highlight the human rights issues facing the women living in the conflict zones of northeast India. It was the first organization in the northeast to create a map of support services available to women in distress.

The group also promotes State accountability by encouraging citizens to use the Right to Information Act, especially regarding land issues, ration allowances and appropriate wage labour.

The group has built partnerships between women's groups and state agencies, including police and medical personnel. It also focuses on building a multi-sector, gender-sensitive approach to violence against women, especially Meghalaya. A community in Meghalaya has donated land for NEN to build a resource centre.

North East Network can be contacted below:

North-East Network
J.N. Barooah Lane, Jorpukhuri,
Guwahati 781001, Assam
Tel/fax: 91 361 2631582/ 2603833.
email: assamnen@yahoo.co.uk

Read full history - Women's Group in Northeast India Gets Global Funding

14 Youths From Northeast to Climb Nepal Peak

Imphal, Sep 7 : Fourteen youths from the Northeastern region, including four girls, will scale the Nepal Peak as a precursor to the Mt Everest expedition planned next year.

The pre-Everest Nepal Peak Expedition of the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) was flagged off by N Biren Singh, Minister, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Maj Gen DS Hooda, GOC 57 Mtn Div, Chief Patron of Manipur Mountaineering Institute, yesterday.

The expedition, led by L Surjit Singh, president MMTA, will try to summit the Nepal Peak (7168m) from the Sikkim approach on September 25.

The 14 member contingent, which includes four ladies, has been drawn from different states of the region. The expedition has been organized under the aegis of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and sponsored by the North Eastern Council.

Surjit Singh, team leader, said the expedition is a precursor to the Everest Expedition being planned next year. He urged the state government and other adventure lovers to support the forthcoming Everest Expedition.

Minister of YAS N Biren Singh, while wishing the team great success, thanked the Indian Army for the assistance and support towards sports and youth programmes.

Read full history - 14 Youths From Northeast to Climb Nepal Peak

14 Youths From Northeast to Climb Nepal Peak

Imphal, Sep 7 : Fourteen youths from the Northeastern region, including four girls, will scale the Nepal Peak as a precursor to the Mt Everest expedition planned next year.

The pre-Everest Nepal Peak Expedition of the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) was flagged off by N Biren Singh, Minister, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Maj Gen DS Hooda, GOC 57 Mtn Div, Chief Patron of Manipur Mountaineering Institute, yesterday.

The expedition, led by L Surjit Singh, president MMTA, will try to summit the Nepal Peak (7168m) from the Sikkim approach on September 25.

The 14 member contingent, which includes four ladies, has been drawn from different states of the region. The expedition has been organized under the aegis of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and sponsored by the North Eastern Council.

Surjit Singh, team leader, said the expedition is a precursor to the Everest Expedition being planned next year. He urged the state government and other adventure lovers to support the forthcoming Everest Expedition.

Minister of YAS N Biren Singh, while wishing the team great success, thanked the Indian Army for the assistance and support towards sports and youth programmes.

Read full history - 14 Youths From Northeast to Climb Nepal Peak