MPA stakes claim to form govt in Meghalaya, Cong counters

SHILLONG: Shell-shocked at losing power even after winning a controversial trust vote in the Assembly, the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) on Sunday made a renewed effort to revive its lost power by sending a representation to Governor RS Mooshahary and staking claim to form the government.

The Donkupar Roy-led alliance maintained that the non-Congress combine still had the majority in the 60-member House. The MPA's move, however, was ridiculed by Congress, which claimed to have the support of 31 legislators. In its representation to the Governor, the MPA said it should be invited to form the government because it had proved its majority on the floor of the Assembly on March 17.

"We said that we are ready to take a floor test again," an MPA leader said outside the Raj Bhavan complex here.

The NCP-led coalition also handed over the Governor a list of 28 members, excluding United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator and Assembly Speaker Bindo M Lanong.

Interestingly, Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) MLA and former health minister Adviser Pariong, who was earlier suspended after he had resigned from the then Donkupar Roy-led government, also figured in the MPA's list of MLAs.

Raj Bhavan sources said the Governor was currently out of the state and he was yet to receive the MPA representation.

On the other hand, Congress spokesperson R C Laloo claimed that the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) had the majority in the Assembly, saying MPA should have 31 MLAs, not 28, to prove its majority.

"Not MPA, we (MUA) have 31 MLAs," he said. The legislator from Jaintia Hills said it was doubtful whether MPA had 28 legislators as NCP leader Purno A Sangma was not in Shillong.

The development comes even as the political turmoil in the state has flared into a legal hassle in New Delhi with MPA moving the Supreme Court
challenging the "illegal" imposition of President's Rule in the state.

While the Gauhati High Court had stayed the suspension of the five rebel MLAs by the Speaker, the apex court gave Lanong a "free-hand" to go ahead with the disqualification proceedings against the MLAs who had switched sides leading to the current political turmoil.

READ MORE - MPA stakes claim to form govt in Meghalaya, Cong counters

Sangma, others to lose post in Meghalaya

Shillong, March 30 : Over 100 persons with political affiliations, including NCP leader P A Sangma, who were in boards and corporations under the Meghalaya government, have lost their posts after they were de-notified in the wake of imposition of President's Rule.

“All political appointees to various boards and corporations under the government have been de-notified, and facilities extended to them withdrawn. This has been done to maintain impartiality and fair play,” a government official told PTI here today.

Besides NCP leader Mr PA Sangma, who was the chairman of the state Planning Board, former CM and United Democratic Party leader Mr JD Rymbai also lost his post as the Chairman of state economic development council.

Among others were 17 sitting MLAs, nineteen former legislators and persons with political affiliations, who were appointed as chairpersons or members of at least 25 different boards, councils, corporations and other agencies.

The chairman of a board is entitled to get perks and allowances of over Rs 30,000 along with a slew of other facilities.

All the appointments were made by the then ruling five-party MPA last year, in an apparent bid to pacify all the member partners of the coalition as well as to rehabilitate candidates who had lost the assembly elections to their rivals.

READ MORE - Sangma, others to lose post in Meghalaya

Human rights law network organised

ALLAHABAD: Human Rights Law Network organised a state level legal training workshop on the implementation of SC/ST Act and other related issues at the Nirala Sabhagar wherein over hundreds of advocates and activists from 15 districts participated.

Inaugurating the conference, noted dalit thinker Pancham Lal said that progressive laws have little effect if the mindset of the society does not change and a massive campaign to arouse the consciousness should be initiated. He lamented that even after 20 years of being promulgated, rate of conviction in the SC/ST Act remains dismally below five per cent.

Sunit Singh, social scientist of GB Pant Social Sciences Institute, while addressing the gathering on the fallout of implementation of national rural employment guarantee scheme stated that due to lack of social audit and effective monitoring, the corrupt bureaucrats in connivance with gram pradhans were making hay while the rural employed continued to live in pitiable conditions. Earlier, social activist and advocate of Allahabad High Court, KK Roy welcomed the delegates.

On the occasion, a two-day training workshop on dalit related laws passed a resolution to build a dalit advocates and activists network for effective implementation of legal provisions. Additional chief standing counsel of the state government Vipin Bihar was the chief guest on the occasion.

A resolution was also passed to make a representation to the state government for extending strict punishment to those police personnel who refuse to lodge First Information Report (FIR) and fail to submit the chargesheet within 30 days as specified in the SC/ST Act.

READ MORE - Human rights law network organised

Fake currencies worth Rs 1 lakh found from Reang refugees

Agartala , Mar 30  Fake currencies worth Rs one lakh were recovered from two inmates of Reang refugee camps of Kanchanpur sub-division in North Tripura district, police said today. 

The duo were apprehended with the counterfeit notes at tribal hamlet  Longtir near the camps yesterday when a group of  Assam  Rifles jawans, patrolling near the  Tripura-  Mizoram border stretch noticed them, police said, adding identities of the two are not yet known.    

A racket was active in dealing fake  Indian currencies in   Mizoram and circulating the money in Tripura's  North district through  Reang refugees, police said.    

More than 33,000 Reang refugees from neighbouring Mizoram, who had migrated from their ancestral homes since 1997 following ethnic clashes with the  Mizos there, were sheltered in six evacuee camps in   Kanchanpur sub-division.

READ MORE - Fake currencies worth Rs 1 lakh found from Reang refugees

Mizoram News Briefs 24th March

The Chief Minister, Mr. Lal Thanhawla said, the boundary between Mizoram and Assam as accepted by the Government of Mizoram is the boundary drawn by Governor General-in-Council in 1875. Intervening in the reply to a question asked by the MPC member,  Mr. Lalthansanga, the Chief Minister said, the first UT Government headed by Ch. Chhunga did not accept the boundary drawn by Assam Government in 1933 without the knowledge of the Mizos. Boundary Committee was subsequently constituted and the stand of the Government continues to be the boundary as drawn in 1875. Earlier, replying to the main question, the Revenue Minister, Mr. JH Rothuama informed the House that the boundary between Mizoram and Assam observed till date is 1933 boundary. He also said that the issue was taken up by Mr. Lal Thanhawla in 1994 while he was Chief Minister of the state. He however said, the issue was not discussed in the Chief Minister level of the two states.

Education Minister Mr. Lalsawta said, there is no plan for amalgamation of Higher Secondary Schools and Secondary Schools at present. He also said that the Government is intending to formulate Mizoram Education Policy. In reply to ZNP, Mr. K.Liantlinga, the Education Minister said, the Government is contemplating constitution of Education Reform Commission which will look into various issues and problems within Education Department.
———–

The Mizoram Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) bill-2009 moved by the Chief Minister, Mr.  Lal Thanhawla was  passed by the House  this afternoon.  Winding up the discussion on the Bill, the Chief Minister asserted that appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries was the practice in Central Government and in a number of State Governments till date. He also said that the Government has taken this decision after consideration of important roles to be played by them for the people which will entail certain amount of expenditure.
———-

Chief Minister Mr. Lal Thanhawla informed the House that there will be no discrimination in selection of NLUP beneficiaries. Replying to the question asked by MNF member, Mr. C. Ramhluna, the Chief Minister however clarified that selection will be done carefully to select the right person who is willing to implement the scheme. Referring to the lesson learnt in the past, the Chief Minister said, the Government will try to ensure selection of deserving persons who can utilize the assistance for its correct purpose. In reply to the main question, Rural Development Minister, Mr. R. Lalzirliana said, the Congress leaders never said that the quantum of assistance to be given to the beneficiaries under NLUP will be one lakh rupees. The Party leader rather said that the quantum will be not less than one lakh rupees depending on the trade selected by the beneficiary.
——–

Three Financial Committees of the House constituted recently was announced by the Speaker, Mr. R. Romawia. The Public Accounts Committee members are, Brig. T.  Sailo, Mr. B. Lalthlengliana and Mr. Lalduhoma, Mr. K. Lianzuala, Mr. C. Ramhluna, Mr. K. Lalrinthanga and Mr. TT Zothansanga. The Estimates Committee Members are Dr. R. Lalthangliana, Mr. Nirupam Chakma, Mr. K. Liantlinga, Mr. R.Lalrinawma, Mr. Lalrobiaka and Mr. Joseph Lalhimpuia and the Public Undertaking Committee members are Mr. PP Thawla, Lt. Col. ZS zuala, Mr.Hmingdailova Khiangte, Mr. R. Selthuama, Mr. RL Pianmawia and Mr.Lalthansanga.
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Hmunnghak Branch YMA constructed a dwelling house for an old and infirmed person, Siammawia. Engaging themselves in a voluntary social work yesterday and today construction of the thatched house was completed today. Other voluntary organization like MHIP, MUP and the Village Council also made contributions for construction of the house.
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A house of KT Zama of South Sabual was completely gutted by fire last night. According to telephonic information, there was no loss of life but the entire properties of the inmates were reduced to ashes. Volunteers from the village and the surrounding villages reconstructed a temporary shelter today by organizing voluntary social work. They also collected donations from other families in aid of the fire victim.
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The Assam Rifles celebrated its 174th Raising Day today. The day was celebrated by the 23 Sector Assam Rifles at its Hqrs. and in the Unit Hqrs. Senior officers of the Assam Rifles also laid wreath at the War Memorial in Treasury Square, Aizawl to pay homage to the riflemen who have laid their lives for the country. The 23 Sector Commander, Brig. Anil Pratap Rai led the officers in paying respect to the departed soul. The 10th Assam Rifles also held Special Sainik Sammelan at their Hqrs. which was addressed by the Commanding Officer, Col. Ajit Singh Walia. Set up way back in 1835 as Cachar Levy by Grange, the title of the force underwent several changes till it is known as the Assam Rifles. For the remarkable role played by the Force, the Assam Rifle has been known as ‘Friends of the Hill people’
——–

Today, the maximum temperature of Aizawl City was 30.4  degree Celsius and the minimum was 19.6 degree Celsius.

READ MORE - Mizoram News Briefs 24th March

It was 'murder' of democracy in Meghalaya, claims ousted CM

New Delhi, Mar 20 : Terming the imposition of President's rule in Meghalaya as "murder of democracy", ousted chief minister Donkupar Roy today accused Governor R S Moosahary of acting as a "stooge" of Congress party.

"It is nothing but murder of democracy in Meghalaya," Roy told PTI.

Claiming that the Centre's decision to impose President's rule in Meghalaya was "highly illegal" and "unconstitutional", Roy accused Moosahary of sending a "wrong" report to the Centre on the March 17 events in the Assembly when the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government won the trust vote.

"The Governor blatantly supported the Congress. He has become a stooge of Congress party," Roy, who is camping in New Delhi, said and vowed to fight against the "unethical and unwarranted" move of the Central government in the Supreme Court till they get justice.

"We will fight till the last to get justice," he said adding "I have full faith in the judiciary. It is the judiciary, which can save the country". MORE

READ MORE - It was 'murder' of democracy in Meghalaya, claims ousted CM

MSU-in thudik lo report-ah puh

Aizawl:Mizo Students’ Union chuan Kolasib district, Saihapui V-a Assam sawrkarin school a din nia an sawi school education department-in minister hnena report a pek danah thil dik tawk lo a awm nia sawiin, he school chungchangah hian Mizoram sawrkar chuan hma la vat se an duh.

MSU hian Saihapui ‘V’ a Assam sawrkar enkawl Donakhal school hi Feb. 20, 2009 khan a hmunah kalchilhin an enfiah tawh niin an sawi a. Helai hi ramri, ram inchuh lai niin Donakhal school-ah hian Bengali medium zir a ni a, Mizo zirtirtu, Vanlalnghaka a awm a, a ni hian Assam sawrkar atangin hlawh a la a, amah chauh hi zirtirtu awmin a pension tep tawh nghe nghe a ni, an ti. He school-ah hian hnamdang zirlai naupang 30 chuang an awm mek a ni, an ti bawk.
Hetihlai hian school education deptt. hotuten a hmuna kal SDEO report an tarlan danah chuan Donakhal school-ah hian zirtirtu 3/4 vel an awm a, an zingah hian Mizo pakhat a awm ve nia tarlangin, zirlai naupang 6/7 vel lek awmin, helai hmun hi Assam ramri chhunga ngaih thin a ni a, mahse tunah chuan school hi an rawn ngaihsak tha lo hle niin an sawi thung.
School education deptt. report-ah Assam sawrkarin he school hi enkawl tha vak tawh lo anga a tarlan lai hian a hmuna enfiahtu MSU chuan tunhnai mai khan a building pawh hi an rawn sa tha niin an sawi.
Department report dan chuan he khuaah hian SSA Mizoram-in school an din a, a khua naupangte pawh Mizoram enkawl primary school-ah hian an kal deuh vek a, Donakhal school hi tihtawp an duh hle thin a, mahse disputed area a nih anga engemaw hleka boruak sosang thut thei a nih avangin hma lak mai a rem thin lo niin a tarlang.
MSU chuan hemi chungchanga hma la tur hian home minister pawh an lo ngen tawh a, Saihapui V chu Mizoram chhung ngeia awm a nih dan te, electoral roll hluia awm mi 37 Assam sawrkar hnuaia awm tih loh chu Mizoram electoral roll-ah an hming a chuang vek tawh thu te, revenue pawh Mizoram sawrkarah chhungin ram pawh VC pass-na inpek chhuah a nih thu te an thlen a ni. (Courtesy Evening Post)

READ MORE - MSU-in thudik lo report-ah puh

Speaker stand irks governor

R.S. Mooshahary

Shillong, March 19 : Meghalaya Governor R.S. Mooshahary was apparently angered by Speaker Bindo Lanong’s refusal to adhere to Raj Bhavan’s list of dos and don’ts during the trial of strength, prompting him to take the drastic step of recommending President’s rule.

Congress leaders and sources in the Raj Bhavan said Mooshahary consulted legal experts and went through the video footage and written documents of the Assembly proceedings before taking the decision.

Soon after the MPA won the trial of strength with the Speaker’s casting vote, CLP leader D.D. Lapang met the governor with 31 MUA legislators yesterday.

“After the meeting, the governor was satisfied that we had the majority,” senior Congress legislator Charles Pyngrope told this correspondent.

He said the governor had sought the opinion of former Advocate-General Anil Sharma before sending his recommendation to the Centre.

On the eve of the trial of strength, the Speaker had sought the opinion of Advocate-General G.S. Massar on the four-point message of the governor asking the Speaker to record the proceedings of the trial of strength in video, conduct the voting with the use of ballot papers, maintain status quo and the rights of speech of the members till the confidence motion was disposed of by the House and not take up any other item during the trust vote.

Quoting Massar, he said during the trial of strength that Article 175(2) of the Constitution did not empower the governor to send a message in the form of directives to the House other than matters related to pending bills.

Of the four-point directive, he allowed only videography of the proceedings.

A Raj Bhavan source said the governor had taken exception to the Speaker’s stand in rejecting his other directives.

The governor also termed the Speaker’s ruling to suspend five legislators as unconstitutional.

Following the imposition of President’s rule, the usual blame game has started in the state.

NCP leader P.A. Sangma termed the development as surprising and blamed the Congress while Lapang accused the MPA for the crisis.

“It is unconstitutional and we are going to challenge it in the Supreme Court,” Sangma said, adding that he would leave for Delhi tomorrow to discuss the matter with lawyers.

BJP organising secretary Dipayan Chakraborty blamed the Congress for the crisis.

“President’s rule can be termed as life giving drops to the Congress,” Lanong, a UDP leader, said.

READ MORE - Speaker stand irks governor

Bush fires spark alert

Silchar, March 18 : The Mizoram government has placed its forest and environment department on alert following the death of four farmers in bush fires over the past week.

According to official sources, the state government has asked the department to mobilise volunteers from among peasants and other villagers to fight the sporadic outbreak of bush fires that swept across the remote areas of the state bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The principal chief conservator of forests in Mizoram, R.C. Thanga, today confirmed over phone from Aizawl that a thick pall of smoke had shrouded the sky for the last three days, almost obliterating the sun.

Thanga said over 100 bush fires were raging on the hill slopes in the rural areas of the state. He said jhum farmers ignited fire in the forests to destroy vast swathes of bushland to sow seeds of paddy, the staple food of the Mizos.The forest chief said the raging fire had killed four Mizo farmers during the past week.

They were caught in the flames fanned by strong winds sweeping across the jhum farms on the hills and dales near the villages.

Thanga said yesterday was the deadline for igniting the conflagration in the hills for facilitating rice cultivation.

The fire will take at least 10 more days to be doused.

Thanga confirmed that the villagers, with the help of forest staff, had started to clear shrubs and tiny bushes along the “fireline” earmarked by the village councils beyond which the fire was not allowed to spread.

According to reports reaching to this district headquarters town today, the villagers staying along the district’s border with Mizoram can see in the night fire burning in the hills of the adjacent state.

The sky in Cachar district is enveloped by a grey mantle ofsmoke emanating from Mizoram.

READ MORE - Bush fires spark alert

Kerala church Vs Mizoram church in politics

By Paritosh Chakma

Is it necessary to put religion aside from politics? Well, the Church in Kerala does not seem to think so. Recently, the powerful Latin Catholic Church in Kerala has reportedly sent a recommendation letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi urging her to consider Hybi Eden, president of Congress’ student wing National Students Union of India in the state, as party candidate for the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat.
The letter, written by the Varapuzha Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil, who is also president of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council, provides two other names whom he deems suitable. Incidentally, all the three including Hybi Eden belong to the Latin Church.

This re-ignites the debate whether politics should be separated from the religion and religious institutions. Surely by recommending specific names the Kerala church is being directly involved in the politics.

Or does it want a social change through politics by fielding better (read as clean and efficient) candidates like the Presbyterian Church of Mizoram?

In Mizoram, the Presbyterian Church formed an election watchdog called Mizoram Peoples Forum (MPF) ahead of the state assembly elections held on 2 December 2008 to bring political and electoral reforms in the state. The MPF, backed by many other mass-based organizations including the all-powerful Young Mizo Association, has urged the voters to vote for candidates having good track records, who are clean and efficient to address the concerns of the people. It rightly did not name any specific candidates to the political parties or canvassed for any candidate. Recommending or campaigning for particular candidates would have surely eroded the impartiality of the Church and its child, MPF. It would have been then seen as an act of impropriety and as direct involvement in political affairs. This is where the Church of Kerala fundamentally differs from the Church in Mizoram.

In Mizoram, the MPF campaigned, among others, against use of money by the political parties/candidates to buy votes, house to house campaigning which encouraged bribes and mass feasting. In the run up to the elections, the Church and MPF asked the political parties to desist from fielding corrupt candidates (including the ones with criminal records).

I know the MPF had little impacts in many constituencies, particularly in rural pockets but the motive to keep politics clean and progressive has been commendable. The diktat - if we can call it so - of the MPF had no legal implications but it in “no non-sense” term warned of action by taking up the matter with the Election Commission if adequate evidence of violation was found against any candidate.

[paritosh-chakma.]

READ MORE - Kerala church Vs Mizoram church in politics

Congress Announces Third List of 25 Candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Congress Announces Third List of 25 Candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2009

New Delhi, Mar 13 : The Congress on Thursday announced a list of 25 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections for seats falling in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland and Chandigarh.

New Delhi (ABC Live): The Congress on Thursday announced a list of 25 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections for seats falling in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland and Chandigarh.

 

The list includes as under:

 

1. Kamalnath (Union Minister for Commerce and Industries): Chhindwara(Madhya Pradesh)
2.  Jyotiraditya Scindia ((Minister of State, Communications): Guna(Madhya Pradesh)
3.  Pawan Kumar Bansal (Minister of State, Finance):Chandigarh
4.  Santosh Mohan Dev (Heavy Industries): Silchar(Assam)
5. B K Handique (Minister of State, Chemical and Fertilizer): Jorhat(Assam)
6. Kantilal Bhuria (Minister of State, Agriculture): Ratlam(Madhya Pradesh)
7. Ashok Singh: Gwalior(Madhya Pradesh)
8. MK Subba:Tezpur(Assam)
9.  P S Ghatwar:Dibrugarh(Assam)

Of the 25 seats for which candidates were declared, 12 are from Madhya Pradesh, 11 are from Assam and one each from Chandigarh and Nagaland.

READ MORE - Congress Announces Third List of 25 Candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Cultural exchange

Aizawl:Saiha Young Lai Association sub hqrs chuan nimin khan Mizoram chhimlam biala a vawikhatna atan Saiha-ah Cultural exchange a buatsaih a, MADC EM, i/c Revenue MH Tiaby-a’n a hmanpui.

He programme-ah hian YLA branch hrang hrang bakah MTP Hqrs, Saiha Group YMA leh Mizoram Gorkha Youth Assn ten hnam lam an entir a, Saiha-a Nehru Yuva Kendra chuan Youth Club 10 an thlanchhuah hnenah incentive cash award cheng 10,000 leh assn. dang 20 hnenah cheng 5000 \heuh an hlan.

READ MORE - Cultural exchange

BSF mulls new training institute

Silchar, March 13 : The BSF is scouting for a plot in Cachar to set up a centre that would train recruits in counter-insurgency and urban terrorism operations.

A top BSF source today said the Union home ministry has sanctioned a plan to set up a Subsidiary Training Centre that would offer lessons in weaponry, firing skills, explosives management, stress management, human rights and tactical operations.

The Cachar administration is helping the BSF identify the ideal location for the centre.

The district already has a similar training centre in Doyapur, about 12km from Silchar, where the CRPF train their jawans on ways to deal with militants.

The largest counter-insurgency training unit in Asia, the Counter-insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, is also located only 40km from Silchar, at Vairengte in north Mizoram.

The centre was set up in 1978 following a spurt in guerrilla operations in Nagaland and Mizoram.

It gradually came to be known as one of the best counter-insurgency schools, with soldiers from the US, the UK, France, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Egypt, Brazil and Mongolia trooping in regularly for training.

The BSF training school, once built, will be the third such institute in that zone.

Though the primary duty of the BSF is to guard the border, it has been drawn into counter-insurgency operations in militant-ridden areas like North Cachar Hills, necessitating training in guerrilla warfare.

Three battalions of the BSF now guard the border along the Barak valley.

Cachar has its share of one battalion, though a BSF source said another battalion may be deployed soon.

Robbery

Burglars broke into the official house of the chief judicial magistrate of Golaghat court, Rajib Goswami, and decamped with ornaments and other valuables. Goswami, was away from his house with his family, for a few days. The family returned home this morning and found the items missing.

READ MORE - BSF mulls new training institute

Crisis in NCP-led Meghalaya government

There is crisis in Meghalaya politics as MLAs withdraw support from the NCP-led alliance.

Will Purno Sangma manage to survive this round or will the Congress manage a coup before the elections?

In March 2008, one saw a happy family photograph of the members of the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance just after the swearing in ceremony.

And barely a year later, there is a crisis in the family.

Barely a week back an independent MLA Limingson Sangma crossed over from Cong led opposition to the ruling MPA. Four days later he crossed back.

This time bringing with him another MLA Ismail Marak reducing the strength of MPA to 31 in a 60 member assembly.

A day later another heavyweight Paul Lyndoh also resigned. But instead of joining the INC he preferred to sit in the opposition.

"Let's be frank if this number remains, it will be a very very serious situation. If it continues for long the state assembly may be dissolved. I don't want a President's rule to be imposed , I dont want the state to face another election," said Donkupar Roy, Chief Minister, Meghalaya.

Though there is no clarity on the situation yet, Congress is going all out to wrest power before the LS polls. MPA on the other hand struggling to survive.

"The present government under Dr Donkupar Roy has lost majority and the CM should gracefully step down. The formal claim will be made by us anytime soon," said D D Lapang, INC, Former CM.

READ MORE - Crisis in NCP-led Meghalaya government

Mission candidates learn first-hand in remote villages

MARIAMPUR, India, Mar 13 -- Three days in remote tribal villages was an eye-opening trip for seminarian Shoji Abraham and 260 others preparing to work as missioners in northeastern India.

Sisters visiting a family in a village under Mariampur Parish, on Feb. 26.

The 18-year old seminarian said he lived and did his priestly studies "safely within the four walls" of his St. Paul congregation until the cross-cultural experience, beginning on Feb. 26, opened a new world to him.

"Earlier, I did not understand much about the life of the people outside," he said after returning from the exposure program Guwahati archdiocese ran for young people in training to become priests and nuns.

Ranging in age from 17 to 25, and coming from the archdiocesan seminary and 11 Religious congregations, they went in groups to seven villages covered by Mariampur parish, which belongs to the archdiocese based in Guwahati, commercial capital of Assam state.

Abraham said the villagers, both Hindus and Baptists, welcomed the young Church workers to their homes. The visitors listened to parents and elders, organized games for children and visited the sick. Each village stay concluded with a social gathering.

The villagers' simplicity and hospitality touched Abraham, who said the program helped him "understand life" as well as improve his knowledge about village dwellers.

Most of the visitors did not understand the local Garo tribal language, but communicated "with smiles." Salesian Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati and Vicar General Father Varghese Kizhakevely joined some groups.

Father Kizhakevely said normal formation programs train the candidates to be "experts" in computer usage, music, teaching and other skills, but the clergy and Religious they produce often "fail to communicate Christ" to people. The recent village exposure program was the second the archdiocese has conducted.

"They [young people] seemed to be unaware of the reality of the people who they are called to serve," the vicar said.

Abraham recalled the archbishop's advice to go to people with "great love" and said the Church leader's presence had encouraged them. The archbishop has worked more than four decades in the region.

"Consider the village as precious. Go to a village with the desire of doing something good, like Jesus did," Abraham cited him as saying.

"This is a time to experience the life of an ordinary person in a village, to be convinced of what we are called to be in our missionary life," the seminarian continued to quote.

Blinda Marwein, in formation to join the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians congregation, said the program was an "eye-opener." She "benefited a lot" from the daily sharing of personal missionary experiences of resource persons.

The experience "lifted up my spirit to be a zealous missionary," she said, adding that the support and guidance of the archbishop and others showed "they are indeed great missioners in heart, in words and in deeds."

The Catholic Church reached the northeastern region, where tribal people form a large part of the population, only in the 19th century. The early missioners, based in Guwahati, spread the faith in the region, which now has 15 dioceses.

The seven states that form the region have about 38 million people. Christians among them number nearly 6.3 million and form more than 80 percent of the population in the three states of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland. The other four states are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.

The exposure program was an opportunity for the participants "to express their missionary zeal for the people," said Salesian Father Joseph Parippil, one of the trainers.

Capuchin Father Joseph Zacharias, another priest involved in the program, said one fruit was the interaction among members of various congregations.
The program helped them "come out of the shell of one's own way of learning, thinking and action," the priest said. Instead, they entered "an open space of cooperation, sharing and exposure to vulnerabilities and opportunities."

READ MORE - Mission candidates learn first-hand in remote villages

Mizoram News Briefs 12th April

The Governor, Lt. Gen. MM Lakhera who also is the President of Mizoram Rajya Sainik Board highlighted various assistance given to the ex-servicemen and their widows. Addressing Mizoram Rajya Sainik Board Meeting held in Raj Bhawan today, the Governor said, 1360 2nd World War Veteran and their widows have been assisted with 133 lakh rupees so far. He also highlighted the donations received in last year’s Armed Forces Flag day which amounted to over 92 thousand rupees. The Governor said, over 74 lakh rupees from Defence Minister’s Discretionary Fund have been spent for assisting ex-servicemen and the widows. The meeting was attended among other by the Chief Minister, Mr. Lal Thanhawla, the Vice President of the Board, the Home Minister, Mr. R. Lalzirliana and other members.

ZNP is yet to take a decision on fielding a consensus candidate with other Regional Parties in the forth coming Lok Sabha and Assembly bye elections in South Tuipui constituency. The Party Vice President, Mr. C. Vulluaia told ZONET Corr. this afternoon that today’s Executive Committee meeting was inconclusive as many members wanted to address the meeting. He also said that the Executive Committee meeting to be continued tomorrow will make final decision in this regard.
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Aibawk Group YMA underlined the need to keep Aizaw-Aibawk-Sialsuk highway free of building materials and vehicles parked on the road side. The Group YMA Conference held in North Lungleng also decided to take initiative to end unauthorized quarrying on the road side between Melthum and Hualngohmun. The Conference discussed the need to revive the traditional Mizo ethos and chivalry. The conference was presided over by the Group YMA President, Mr. Lianhmingthanga.
———

Peace Accord MNF Returnee Association (PAMRA) reconstructed the residential house of their member Mr. H. Lalthanga who resides in Luangmual Remnarun Tlang today on the occasion of their 7th Raising Day. Mr. Lalthanga is the oldest living member of the MNF returnees and over 50 members of the Association participated in the voluntary social work.
————

Lunglei and Champhai District which were covered in the second phase of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) are poised to create 100 days of employment for the rural people during the current financial year. In reply to ZONET Corr. the DRDA Project Director of Lunglei, Mr. Siamliana said, 90 days of employment have so far been created and work order for creation of another 10 days’ employment has been issued for the current month. In Champhai District, 80 days employment has been created so far for the rural people and work order for creation of 20 days more employment is being issued for the current month. Serchhip District, which is covered with the third phase has made notable progress and the target for creation of 65 days employment for the rural people is being achieved during this month.
———

Preparations are going on for the Budget Session of Mizoram Legislative Assembly which begins on the 17th of this month. Preparations of the budget to be presented on vote on account and the supplementary demand for grants for the current are in the final stage. Meanwhile the Assembly Secretariat has received 72 Starred questions, 18 unstarred questions and 16 proposals for private member’s resolutions. As already stated, the session will conclude on the 26th of this month.
———-

Six houses were completely gutted by fire in Puilo village this afternoon along with their properties. Luckily there was no human casualty or injury. This information was received by ZONET on phone from the village and the ill-fated houses benglonged to Zairema, Timothea, Hmingmawia, Remthanga and Biaktluanga. Anganwadi Centre of the village was also destroyed by the fire.  The fire originated from burning of  a new garden by Zaitluanga and Liana of the village. On learning the fire incident, a large number of youths from Kawlkulh village rushed to Puilo village to assist the people in extinguishing the fire. They continued to battle against the fire which have spread in a large area of the surrounding jungle.
——–

Health Minister, Mr. Lalrinliana Sailo said, Central Government has been convinced to continue the National Rural Health Mission in Mizoram which has been proposed to be discontinued for poor implementation in the past years. Addressing Party Workers meeting in Congress Bhawan today, the Minister said that the Centre has agreed to continue the Mission in Mizoram on the request of the Chief Minister, Mr. Lal Thanhawla. Referring to Falkawn Referral Hospital, the Health Minister said, the Centre has agreed to provide 50 cores of rupees for continuation of the remaining works to enable the State government to set up 500 bedded Referral Hospital-cum-a Medical College. Refuting allegations on Mizoram State Health Care Scheme which landed into trouble the Health Minister asserted that the problem had already started in October last year before the Assembly elections and the new government has cleared the pending bills to certain extend. He also said that  discontinuation of treatment on credit in Hospitals outside the state is mainly because of accumulation of uncleared bills and the new government has started clearing them.
———–

The people of Mizoram are ready to celebrate Chapchar Kut tomorrow by displaying cultural extravaganza. The main Kut celebration begins at 11 tomorrow morning in Aizawl Lammual and the Chief Minister Mr Lal Thawnhawla, Father of the Kut, is to address the function. This will be followed by display of mass Cheraw and Chawnglaizawn. Highlights of the programmes also include spectacular display of Mizo Cultural dances, social gathering and functions connected with their past beliefs, costume parade of the Mizos dating back to 17 Century and other entertainment programmes. Popular singers and rock groups including T. Melody of Myanmar are also expected to entertain the crowd. In the afternoon, the Kut will conclude with ‘Chhawnghnawh’ which means feeding of friends and dear ones with the most delicious food available.
——–

Chapchar Kut Art Festival 2009 was held in Vanapa Hall today as a prelude to Chapchar Kut. Addressing the function, Information Department Director, Mr. LR Sailo said, fine art is an indicator of the extent of progress and development of the society. He also said that such art work depicting the growing culture of the society is highlighted by the artists of the contemporary world. The function was also addressed by a renouned painter, Laltanpuia, Prof. Laltluangliana Khiangte and Mr. Thanseia.
————

In another function, the President of Mizoram Senior Citizen Association, Mr. H. Raltawna inaugurated Chapchar Kut Exhibition-cum-sale 2009. Addressing the function, he thanked Govenment Departments and other Organizations for their concerted effort to organized the festival. The Exhibition is sponsored by KVIC, MSACS and Horticulture Department.
———-

The Superintendent of Police, Traffic Mr. Lalbiakzama warned against road race by bikers within Aizawl city area. Addressing Ride Safe programme organized Honda Company Dealer, Khaia and Sons in Aizawl today the SP said, the violators of the rule will not go scot-free when they are caught. The SP also stressed the need for safe use of vehicles and two wheelers by following the traffic rules.
————–

In Mizoram Sub-Junior & Junior Taekwondo Championship which concluded today in SAI Special Area Games Centre in Mission Vengthlang, Champhai SSA team won the championship trophy in sub-junior category by winning 6 gold, 5 silver and 3 Bronze medals. In Junior category, SAI lifted the trophy by winning 6 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze medals. In this Taekwondo championship 312 players from 27 clubs in 7 Districts of the state participated.
———–

READ MORE - Mizoram News Briefs 12th April

Mizoram News Briefs

The Contractor of Greater Aizawl Water Supply Scheme Phase - II, Johnson Eastern Power (JEP) said, a ward of assurance is required to continue the remaining works in the Project. Talking to news persons in Aizawl last night, the representative of JEP, Mr. Phillip said, the contract agreement for construction of Greater Aizawl Water Supply Scheme Phase-II (GAWSS Phase-II) was signed in November, 1999 to execute single stage pumping scheme which can pump 18 million litres to Tuikhuahtlang per day. However the drawing and design already approved by PHE Department was increased by the government to 24 million litres capacity per day without making a fresh agreement. On the assurance given by the Government to revise the entire scheme JEP resurveyed and redesign the project to suit the fresh instruction and several materials including Pumping Sets were procured accordingly. While executing the work the Government instructed the contractor again to reduce the capacity of the pumping set to 12 million litres per day. The instruction also included exclusion of certain major works like construction of Intake structure, 11 KV Sub Station and Electric Motor driven pumps. Mr. Phillip said, according to the latest instruction, the project was completed and commission on 19th May, 2007 with 12 million litres capacity. Even after the lapse of six years, the term of contract was not revised by the Government and the contractor’s bill amounting to 77 crore is still held up till date. In reply to question, the Contractor said, he is unable to continue the work at this juncture for non payment of his bills. He also said that a lot of irregular things have piled up which cannot be divulged either by  the PHE Department officials. He also said, the next option left for him is to approach the Arbitrator Counsel in Delhi which may take a few years to settle the matter.

Mizo Association of Hyderabad asked the youths of Mizoram not to go to Hyderabad or any other city to work as Security Guard unless they have proper appointment order from the employer. In a press release, Mizo Association of Hyderabad said,  some Mizo youths who were sent to Hyderabad by some individual or Agency to work as Security Guard faced problem for non acceptance of the Firms or Company for which they were recruited leading them into trouble.
————-

A plot of land within AH & Veterinary Department complex in Republic Veng was surveyed this morning by officials for the site of Sports Stadium. The Health Minister, Mr. Lalrinliana Sailo and AH & Veterinary Minister, Mr. Nihan Kanti Chakma were also present on the spot. In a press release, Republic Veng Joint YMA expressed gratitude to the Government for inspection of the site for construction of Sports Stadium. It may be recalled that the site was earlier allotted for construction of a slaughter house.
———

Education Minister, Mr. Lalsawta said, the Government is taking initiative to introduce Education Reforms. Addressing a reception organized by Mission Vengthlang MUP Unit in Mission Vengthlang Hall today, the Minister said, the Government is taking various measures for improvement of education in the state and this is expected to yield the desired result through the cooperation of the people. Referring to taxation, the Minister who also takes the charge of Taxation Department said, honest payment of tax is expected to result in judicious spending. He also hoped that honest payment of tax will encourage the tax payer to observe the purpose for which their money is spent. The meeting was presided over by the MUP President, Mr. C. Lalthangliana.
———

MNF Party has decided to invite other Opposition Parties for formation of electoral alliance in the forth coming Lok Sabha and Assembly bye elections in South Tuipui District. This decision was made in the Party Executive Committee meeting held in Hnam Run today under the chairmanship of the President, Mr. Zoramthanga. The Executive Committee also authorized the Party Office Bearers to start contact of other Party leaders and the Party Office Bearers and Secretary will meet again next Thursday to monitor the progress. Replying to ZONET Corr. the Party General Secretary, Mr. R. Vanlalruata said, the Executive Committee has agreed to field a consensus candidate of the Regional Parties which will not necessarily be from the MNF Party.
———–

The frontline staff of Wildlife Wing of Environment and Forest Department were given a two day training on laying camera trap to capture the picture of wild animals moving in the forest. A training to this effect was given by Dr. Andre Pittet at the training centre in Dampa Tiger Reserve last week. The Chief Wildlife Warden, Mr. Lalramthanga and other officers also attended the training.
———–

Governor, Lt. General MM Lakhera inaugurated a seminar on  Dynamics of Culture, Society and Identity : Emerging Literature of the Northeast India in Aizawl today. In his inaugural speech, the Governor highlighted peculiar problems of Mizoram because of its remoteness which are not faced by other states of the country. Describing Mizoram as an island of peace, the Governor said, the whole of the Northeast region is not insurgent infested area. He also asked the visitors to carry the sweet memories of the state when they go back to their respective places. The seminar was presided over by Dean of School of Education and Humanities Professor RP Vedhera. Selected resource persons presented their papers in the seminar which was jointly organized by Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla and Mizoram University.
———

Chiahpuam money recovered by the Police has gone up to 24 crores 78  lakhs and 15 thousand rupees. Stating this in the press release the Police Investigation Team said, as many as 669 lakh, 15 thousand rupees have been recovered from the downlines of C. Lalmuanpuii. Besides this cash, 40 LSC, 35 Vehicles, 42 Account Books, 35 cheque books, 8 ATM cards and 19 Life Insurance Policy were also seized. A large amount of money and valuable articles were also seized from the downlines of ST Khama and Zomuanthanga.
———-

READ MORE - Mizoram News Briefs

Mizo Divorce: No Longer At A Wink

By Linda Chhakchhuak,

They were married in church before friends and family. They lived together for many years. He was a nobody before he married her, but with her support as a working woman he came up in life. He was her success story when he rose to become an elected politician. But with money and power in hand, he acquired a mistress. When she pleaded and protested, he uttered the Mizo man's traditional magic words of "Ka Ma Che" to free himself from her. She had to leave her home immediately taking nothing but her own clothes.

When this incident took place in the 1980s, there were many in Aizwal, Mizoram's capital, who raised their voice against the man's wrong-doing. But, unfortunately, that was the only thing that could be done for the woman (names have been withheld to protect the identity of the persons concerned). Everyone's hands were tied by the Mizo Customary Law.

This incident, sadly, reflects the low status of women in Mizo society. According to customary Mizo practices, which have the force of law in the tribal state, a man has to just utter the words "Ka Ma Che", or "I divorce you", to 'resolve' any domestic conflicts he has with his wife. There is nothing that can cushion a woman from this decree, whether she is economically independent, highly educated, from an elite family or from the disadvantaged, marginalised section. In fact, this has often held back many women from taking action against punishing situations at home. Over the years, thousands of Mizo women have suffered (and still do) the effects of this ignominy. If they dare to speak against their husbands, they are slapped with the instant divorce and have to forfeit their life's investments in their homes and their children, too, with no visiting rights available to them.

But things are set to change with the promulgation of the Mizoram Divorce Ordinance 2008 (MDO), which came into force in the state in October 2008. The Ordinance will become a law as soon as the State Assembly is in session. "This ruthless situation has finally come to an end," says B. Sangkhumi, former president of the Mizoram Hmeichhe Insuikhawm Pawl (MHIP), a federation of women that has branches across the state. "It did not come easily. Women have been fighting for decades, seeking to redress all the different kinds of gender discrimination in our highly patriarchal society."

Before gender became the major socio-political issue that it is today, Mizo women had already founded the Mizo Hmeichee Tangrual Pawl (MHTP) in 1946 with the sole objective of getting women gender justice. The MHIP came in next, riding on the wave of the radical new thinking across the globe, which made gender justice the politically correct agenda to pursue. The MHIP gained political access and recognition. From 1997 to 2001, the organisation worked to "review the customary law" and to create an awareness of the low status of women in Mizo society because of this. State-wide seminars and workshops were organised to spread the message. During these sessions innumerable stories of strife and sufferings from across the state were shared, which gave "women's issue" - frequently downgraded as the work of a few dissatisfied women - a social legitimacy. Ordinary women were speaking out!

The MHIP, and other women's organisations, including the Presbyterian Hmeichhe Kohran, the Young Women Christian Movement and various women's wings of the Baptist, Salvation Army and other churches, joined hands to give women's issues the prominence they deserved. The Social Welfare Department of the state government, noted for its strong support of women's organisations, came on board too.

While the review of the Mizo Customary Law as a whole is still a controversial issue, correcting the bias of Mizo marriage will definitely help women to safeguard themselves against economic destitution, say MHIP leaders. Under the MDO, a deserted wife has the legal right to file for divorce and get maintenance and also equal share in the property.

The deep gender imbalances are at the root of most of the social evils that plague Mizo society today. As marriage ties are easily broken, the number of broken families is very high. Left empty-handed, the women have to start from scratch. "Many moon shiners, sellers of illegal liquor and commercial sex workers are from the ranks of deserted wives who have to do something to earn a living for themselves and their children," says Sangkhumi. In many cases, psychologically broken women and their girl-children simply leave their homes and live on the road off their bodies.

According to C. Lalsawta, Social Welfare Commissioner of the state, the unusually high number of orphans will also go down with the MOD in place. He says that this would force parents to be more responsible towards their children. A statistic that never fails to raise anguish among social researchers is that 90 per cent of the children in the 27 orphanages across the state have both or at least one parent alive but have been abandoned because of poverty or their parents inability to care for them. Lalsawta blamed the fragile nature of marriage in Mizo society as the main reason for this abandonment. Many other children are dumped in their grandmothers' arms as the biological parents get on with their lives.

The MDO clearly gives a woman the right to file for divorce on any ground, be it adultery, conversion to another religion, incompatibility, cruelty or desertion among other reasons. All the causes recognised under the Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872 or any other marriage act that is in force in the country have also been taken into account. Despite calls by many women, including famed singer and author Lalsang zuali, for imposition of the Indian Christian Marriage Act (ICMA) 1872 in Mizoram, it could not be implemented. The state comes under Article 371G of the Constitution, which provides that any Act of Parliament would be inapplicable unless the state legislature vets it. However, the state has not done so till now. Mizo marriages were solemnised under the Mizo Christian Dan, a mixture of Western Christian practices and Mizo customs, which were mere rituals.

With the recent order to all state governments to compulsorily register all marriages and another ruling which defines a woman in a common law marriage as having the rights of a 'legally wedded wife', the MDO is a powerful instrument for bringing about gender justice in Mizoram, believes Lalrin Diki, a lecturer at a theological college in Mizoram.

Yet the struggle for justice and equality is far from over. Women's activist and Padmashree, Khawlkungi said recently, "Women need to free themselves from the various boundaries they have been placed into, whether it is in politics, economy or religion."

Womens Feature Service covers developmental, political, social and economic issues in India and around the globe. To get these articles for your publication, contact WFS at the www.wfsnews.org website.

READ MORE - Mizo Divorce: No Longer At A Wink

This English village is all yours for £22 million

London: Imagine settling down in your own village after retirement, spending time farming or watching a cricket match in your private stadium, and going for a stroll in the evening to buy necessary items from your personal shop.
Well, your imagination could turn into reality if you have some £22.5 million to spare, for an entire English village, complete with two blacksmiths, a shop and a cricket club, has been put up for sale for that amount.
2,000-acre estate Nestled in the rolling countryside of North Wessex Downs, the historic English village of Linkenholt with its 22 houses and cottages is part of a 2,000-acre estate which will go on the market later this month. Among the properties included for sale are a cricket pitch and pavilion, which doubles as the village hall, a large three-storey manor house, and a village shop, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported. Also included in the sale are two properties from which agricultural blacksmiths operate, farming land, and an educational activity centre for children.
The only property in the village not owned by the estate is its church, St. Peters, which dates back to the 12th century but was rebuilt in 1871. The estate is currently owned by a charitable trust, set up by Herbert Blagrave, a keen cricketer, racehorse owner and trainer, who died more than 20 years ago.
Tina Abbott, one of the 40 inhabitants in the village, has been living there for 39 years. “We understand that whoever buys the estate will get everything, lock stock and barrel. It has got to be someone who will run it like it’s now.”

READ MORE - This English village is all yours for £22 million

Girl killed in Uttar Pradesh over bowl of wheat

LUCKNOW - A 12-year-old girl accused of stealing a bowl of wheat was brutally killed by a couple in Uttar Pradesh, police said Monday.


The couple, Mahapeeri and Dheer Singh, allegedly killed Soni in Godhna village of Muzaffarnagar district, 350 km from here, after they found a bowl of wheat missing from their kitchen.

‘On the pretext of offering sweets to Soni, the couple residing in the same village Friday took her to their house where they thrashed the girl and banged her head repeatedly against the wall,’ police inspector Aman Singh told IANS on phone.

After beating the girl, the couple left her in the fields and escaped. Locals spotted Soni and rushed her to the hospital where she died Saturday morning.
‘Soni’s postmortem report reveals she died of head injuries,’ said Singh.
A case has been registered against the couple at the Purkaji police station by the girl’s father Rajbeer alias Godhu.
Mahapeeri and Dheer Singh are absconding.

READ MORE - Girl killed in Uttar Pradesh over bowl of wheat

Meghalaya village goes alcohol-free

Shillong, March 9 (PTI): A small village in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, which is a popular tourist hub, has imposed a ban on alcohol.

The Dorbar Shnong (village council) declared the picturesque Laitkynsew village a “no alcohol zone” and also announced penalty for violation.

Village chief Modi Basaiawmoit said the council decided to ban drinking and manufacturing of alcohol after it noticed social evils taking root from the consumption of liquor.

The council has prohibited carrying of alcohol into the village from outside and has asked volunteers to keep a close vigil, a villager said.

The women of the village have lent support to the campaign by volunteering to check any attempt to sell or produce alcohol. The village has 150 households and most of the villagers are farmers.

READ MORE - Meghalaya village goes alcohol-free

HCL Tech emerges lowest bidder for BSNL deal

ERP project may be implemented in 18 months.


Thomas K Thomas



New Delhi, March 9  IT major HCL Technologies has emerged as the lowest bidder with a quote of Rs 230 crore for the enterprise resource planning (ERP) project of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.
Other IT services companies including Infosys, Satyam and TCS had also expressed interest for the contract.
Infosys emerged as the second lowest bidder with a quote of over Rs 300 crore.
The entire project is likely to be awarded to HCL Technologies after BSNL validates the bid. BSNL had invited the bids in September 2008. HCL Technologies has partnered global major SAP for the project. SAP could not directly bid for the contract because BSNL had made it mandatory that only Indian companies are allowed to participate in the bidding process.
“Other telecom players have already deployed ERP solutions. Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular are using Oracle’s platform for ERP. The scope of the contract is for the design, planning, supply, installation, customisation, commissioning, training, operation and maintenance of Enterprise Resource Planning System on a turnkey basis. The project is likely to be implemented in 18 months after the selection of the IT firm.

READ MORE - HCL Tech emerges lowest bidder for BSNL deal

Stay in Oman, work in UAE to beat high rents

Dubai, Mar 9 : Frustrated by the high rents in the UAE, many expats and nationals are now living in the neighbouring Oman and working in the UAE in order to make both ends meet.

People working in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain are increasingly looking to reside in Buraimi, property agents say. As a result, rental prices in the city, which lies adjacent to Al Ain on the Omani side of the border, are going up and vacant homes are becoming scarce.

Of 10 Buraimi property agents visited last week, only two had apartments or villas available for rent. The agents said most homes had been rented to Emiratis, other GCC citizens and expatriates working in the UAE, a national daily reported.

''Look around when you drive and you will see as many Abu Dhabi licence plates on cars as you do Omani ones,'' said a real estate official in Buraimi. He expects the rents to remain 30 per cent higher on average than they were two years ago if the border remains open.

A newly built three-bedroom villa with living room, dining room, three bathrooms, a large kitchen and garden rents for Dh36,000 a year on average, according to real estate listings. A year ago it would have rented for less than Dh20,000. By comparison, a similar size villa in Al Ain rents for at least Dh80,000, and in Abu Dhabi the price would be at least Dh200,000.

Vani Bhagavath, of Oman Homes, said rents had risen by 25 per cent in the past year, ''a direct result of the high demand being put on the Buraimi real estate market by those coming from the UAE to live in Oman''.

The people do not seem to mind the long drive, an hour to Dubai and two hours to Abu Dhabi. Some even find it worthwhile to purchase, rather than rent, accommodation in Oman.

''I bought my five bedroom villa in Buraimi a little over five years ago for Dh180,000,'' said Saeed al Nuami, 32, an Emirati holding a government job in Abu Dhabi. ''A villa of the same size in Abu Dhabi or Dubai would cost me over Dh1.5 million to buy,'' he said.

READ MORE - Stay in Oman, work in UAE to beat high rents

Thundershowers for coastal TN from today

Vinson Kurian

Thiruvananthapuram, March 9 The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, has forecast isolated rain or thundershowers over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next 24 hours as a wave of summer showers pushes its way into the south peninsula.
The isolated to scattered showers would continue towards the weekend, the regional forecasting agency said in its outlook on Sunday.
The Climate Prediction Centre (CPC) of the US National Weather Services, too, is of the view that the emerging wet weather could last for almost a week until Saturday next (March 14).
Moisture being transported from the Bay of Bengal and adjoining East Indian Ocean is shown to linger over extreme south peninsula farther until Friday, March 20, according to initial conditions, the CPC said on Sunday.
This could trigger passing showers in the region.
TROUGH SHIFTS India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its update on Sunday that the trough of low pressure over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal had shifted to over southwest Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood, closer to Sri Lanka and the peninsular India coast. A cyclonic circulation has surfaced over south Tamil Nadu and adjoining Kerala.
This could be the system spearheading weather over Sri Lanka and the Tamil Nadu coast initially, before guiding it over to adjoining Kerala.
An IMD forecast said that rain or thundershowers are likely at isolated places over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, south Kerala and interior Tamil Nadu from Monday onwards.
On Saturday, the maximum temperature had fallen markedly at one or two places over south coastal Tamil Nadu, at many places over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, and at a few places over north Tamil Nadu.
This is being attributed to the cloud cover thrown up by the trough in the Bay and the cyclonic circulation.
MERCURY DOWN In the north, the maximum temperatures had come down from the summits scaled earlier last week and were above normal by a much reduced margin of 3-6 deg Celsius over northwest, central and adjoining east India. The minimum was above normal by 2-3 deg Celsius over parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
Current meteorological analysis suggested that a fall in temperatures by 1-2 deg Celsius is likely over northwest, west and central India over the next two days in the wake of the passing of a western disturbance. This is because the rear of the system makes for clear skies allowing cooler westerlies from across the border to penetrate the region.
FRESH WESTERLY But a fresh western disturbance had parked itself over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir.
As expected, the system has induced the formation of a trough dipping into north Arabian Sea and peninsular India.
A surprise beneficiary from the band of westerlies fanning moisture inland from the sea would be Madhya Pradesh, which would start receiving isolated rain or thundershowers from Monday/Tuesday.
Rain or snow is likely at a few places over Jammu and Kashmir during the next two days and isolated thereafter.
Rain or thundershowers have also been forecast at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarkhand, and further east over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya.

READ MORE - Thundershowers for coastal TN from today

More Job Cuts at Apple?

http://gawker.com/5165811/more-job-cuts-at...

Something's going on at Apple. Normally a leak-proof ship, the S.S. Steve Jobs has been taking on rumors of layoffs. The latest: Cuts in Mac hardware and software units, says a tipster:

There are layoffs at Apple today. Lots of security around. Looks like Mac hardware and pro applications folks are being impacted. Don't have any idea of numbers....but it seems like a lot.

A recent report of layoffs in Apple's sales force sparked some controversy, because corporations are supposed to file notice of mass layoffs in advance and Apple PR denied the layoffs. I absolutely believe they happened, despite bloggers who bought Apple's PR spin. It only makes sense in a weakening economy, when businesses are slashing purposes, to cut salespeople. And Apple spokespeople, who have made a foolish practice of uttering obvious lies in public about matters as serious as their CEO's health, are about as credible as, oh, say, a CNBC reporter these days. But let's look at the actual law.

READ MORE - More Job Cuts at Apple?

Eight injured in mishap in Churachandpur

Churachandpur, March 08 : Eight passengers of a Churachandpur bound Direct' bus were injured, at least one of them seriously after the mini-bus they were traveling crashed on a roadside tree and uproot near Ningthoukhong in Bishnupur sub-division.

One of the injured, said to be the most critical of them was taken to capital for treatment while two were admitted at the district hospital here.

The rest were discharge after administering first aid.

The mini-bus that directly ferry passengers from here to Imphal and vice-versa was owned by one Thangchinlian Simte of Simveng here.

READ MORE - Eight injured in mishap in Churachandpur

Pancake winner dies in all-you-can-eat contest

The winner of a pancake-eating contest dropped dead after gorging himself on 43 of the cream and banana stuffed desserts.

Boris Isayev, 48, from west Russia, collapsed to his knees and died on stage after stuffing himself with pancakes in a competition to mark the end of the region’s ‘Pancake Week’.
"He had really enjoyed the pancakes but then he started foaming at the mouth and went down like a sack of stones," one witness said.

 

"We have seen people fainting [during such contests] before," she added.
Onlookers tried to revive the man, but he died on the stage.
Witnesses apparently described Isayev as “the most active participant in the contest" adding that he "ate all the types of pancakes on offer and won fairly.”
The exact cause of death is not clear but doctors believe he choked after a piece of pancake got lodged in his throat.

READ MORE - Pancake winner dies in all-you-can-eat contest

The Mizo community in India’s North Eastern state of Mizoram should look at the recent Human Rights Watch report on Chin people’s suffering in military

ruled Burma from a human rights perspective, the HRW said on Friday.

Report not aimed at Chin, Mizo confusion: HRW


Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia researcher of the US-based Human Rights Watch said the report focuses on the persecutions suffered by the Chin people in Burma and the subsequent difficulties faced in fleeing their homeland and does not aim at creating a misunderstanding between the two communities – Chins and Mizos.

In an interview with Mizzima, Ganguly said Mizo as a community has been known to have provided support to the Chin people, who fled their homeland, but the Indian government - both the Mizoram state and central – fails to protect the rights of the Chin people.

“What we are saying is Chin people are suffering a lot in Burma, that’s why they come to Mizoram,” said Ganguly adding that the report was detailing how India, as a government, fails to look into the plight of Chin people and does not refer to any group community.

“We do not want any misunderstanding between the Chin and the Mizo as communities,” she added.
Ganguly’s comment came after the Young Mizo Association, an influential social organisation in Mizoram, on Tuesday held a meeting with at least 23 Chin organizations and accused Chin leaders of misinforming the HRW and asked them to refute the report.

http://www.mizzima.com/

READ MORE - The Mizo community in India’s North Eastern state of Mizoram should look at the recent Human Rights Watch report on Chin people’s suffering in military

CPL in Mizoram agrees to transform Raj Bhavan

Aizawl, Mar 2 : The Congress Legislature Party (CPL) in Mizoram has agreed to transform the proposed Raj Bhavan at the New Capital Complex here into the much-awaited Mizoram High Court building.

READ MORE - CPL in Mizoram agrees to transform Raj Bhavan

Nirmala Venkatesh criticises Govt. for sacking her over Mangalore pub probe

Bangalore, Mar 2 : Former National Commission for Women (NCW) member Nirmala Venkatesh, on Monday critisised the government for sacking her over the Mangalore pub attack probe.

Addressing a press conference here, Venkatesh defended her controversial report on the pub attacks, which had blamed the pub owners for not providing safety to women guests and recommended suspension of its license. "So many cases were investigated by the one-member committee.

I can take suo moto action. I have the quasi-judicial power and can take suo motu action as per the NCW Act," she said.

She also lashed out at the Union Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhary for saying she had no legal knowledge. Venkatesh was sacked on February 27 for failing to conduct an unbiased enquiry.

Her report on the attack was not accepted by the Commission due to several inadequacies. She was also criticised for going public with her findings before submitting it to the Government.

After rejecting the report, the Women and Child Development Ministry has ordered another inquiry into the Mangalore incident perpetrated by the Sri Ram Sene

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BDR men return to Indo-Bangla border posts

BDR men, who had remained elusive since Wednesday's mutiny in the force's headquarters in Dhaka, were seen returning to their posts on the Indo-Bangla border on Sunday.

BSF sources said BDR personnel were seen at Dawki Immigration Post and other export points in the international border in Assam and Meghalaya.

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) members who were absent from their workplaces without any leave or permission following the mutiny, were asked by the government on Saturday to report to BDR headquarters or the nearest sector headquarters or battalion headquarters or police stations within 24 hours.

Patrolling by armed BDR men was also observed at scattered places, although their presence was not as strong as it was before the mutiny.

BDR men were missing from Indo-Bangla border since the mutiny broke out in their headquarters. Normally they are present at the immigration posts and export points along the international border.

Normal trade activities continued undeterred along the trade points in the border and movement of traders to and fro Bangladesh was also unaffected, sources said.

The BSF, however, has not observed any unusual movement on the other side of the border.

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Dalit activists set Cong headquarters afire

Hyderabad, Mar 1 : At least four activists of Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS), a Dalit outfit, attacked the APCC headquarters in Hyderabad on Saturday and set fire to the ground floor offices and reception area. The incident happened even as UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was addressing a public meeting at Secunderabad Parade Grounds.

The MRPS activists entered the Congress headquarters, Gandhi Bhawan, by barging past security guards and special protection police and throwing kerosene and petrol on them. The activists first rushed into the office lobby and set fire to the furniture in the reception area, waiting rooms and chambers of Congress leaders. The activists themselves suffered severe burn injuries during the attack. It is not clear yet if they got burnt accidentally or tried self-immolation.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao said that an officer of the Special Protection Police posted at the Gandhi Bhavan, and two staffers also suffered burn injuries while trying to douse the fire and prevent the activists from reaching the upper floors. Those injured, including the MRPS activists, were rushed to Osmania general hospital for treatment.

The MRPS is fighting for classification of Scheduled Castes and is demanding the implementation of the Justice Usha Mehra Commission’s report which was submitted in May first week and suggested categorisation of the SC. The MRPS is demanding that reservations for scheduled castes on basis of A,B,C,D categories be implemented from the coming academic year. MRPS President Manda Krishna has accused the YSR Government of dragging its feet on the issue and is running a fight against the Congress Government.

On May 26 last year, MRPS activists stormed into the office of a Telugu daily, Andhra Jyoti, smashed the furniture and set the front office on fire. The outfit was peeved over a news item in the paper, which alleged that leaders of certain SCT organisations making demands for reservations were compromising with the Government.

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