Friday, September 24, 2010

President Patil lauds Mizoram University

Aizawl (Mizoram), Sep 24 (ANI): In her convocation address to the Mizoram University here today President Pratibha Patil lauded the University for its high traditions, and said she was glad to know that the university was free from the menace of ragging.

"It is encouraging that older students welcome the new students and help them settle down.

This is also a tribute to the Mizo moral code of Tlawmngaihna which imposes an obligation on all member of society to be hospitable, kind, unselfish and helpful to others," she said.

During the convocation, President Patil awarded gold medals to 27 post graduate and graduate students.

Patil also asked the boys of the varsity to work towards increasing their numbers in the medals tally.

"I see more girls than boys being awarded medals, although it is a good thing but boys should not lag behind," said President Patil.

"One, it should be remembered that a successful life is largely a matter of discipline. But this discipline, in order to be of value, must be largely self-discipline. Second, the development of concentration helps in focusing the mind on the tasks before you. Third, time management helps you manage your tasks effectively by prioritising tasks and completing them as per schedule," she added, while emphasizing on three qualities that should be imbibed by students.

President Patil also asked the Mizoram University to be prepared for challenges emerging from globalisation of economy.

"Educational institutions to be relevant, must take into account the national scenario and global developments to structure a curriculum that caters to the opportunities and challenges that are likely to be faced by students," she said.

President Patil further said the Indian economy is getting integrated with the global economy through the process of globalisation.

"This throws the challenge of being globally competitive. Higher education must, therefore, develop analytical, relative and scientific capability of their students. Universities are institutions for public good and public welfare and have a role in fulfilling national and social responsibilities," said President Patil.

"Education without community participation is incomplete in today's world. I am happy to know that research based on requirement is being conducted here. Students must interact with local communities and understand their problems," she added.

On the occasion, President Patil exhorted that students take up research in bamboo flowering called 'Muatam' and 'Jhum' cultivation, which have caused setbacks to agriculture in the state.

"It is also important that the University creates certain awareness of the adverse impact of climate change and encourages people to adopt energy efficient and eco-friendly measures," she said.

Mizoram Governor and Chancellor of the University Lt Gen (retired) M M Lakhera, who was present on the occasion, said the state needs a boost in medical education.

"About 37 seats are sprinkled across the secondary level medical colleges across the country for Mizo students. I hope that a medical college will start soon in the university," said Lakhera. (ANI)
READ MORE - President Patil lauds Mizoram University

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Text reading system in Mizo language

CDAC has an ongoing project 'Text reading system in Mizo language' this system will help in the development of Mizo Text reading System for visually challenged people of Mizoram.

A scanned Mizo-document will be fed to the Mizo-OCR system integrated with the Mizo Text-to-Speech Synthesis system for generating corresponding Voice output in Mizo language.

Text reading system in Mizo language

Duration: 18 Months (Start Date: June 2010, Completion Date: November 2011)
Objective and brief description:
Mizo is the most developed tribal language of the North-East India and is taught in many schools and colleges. Mizo alphabets were made by British Christian Missionaries who came to Mizoram in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. During that time, Mizos were not having any kind of text writing system. So, when British came, they felt that it was necessary to make alphabet system for the people of Mizoram and the alphabets were prepared based on the pronunciation of Mizo language. Before making alphabet system for Mizo people, extensive comparisons were carried out to make a choice between Indian scripts like Hindi, Bengali etc and Roman scripts, which is used by English. Then the missionaries opined that Roman Script was most convenient for the people of Mizoram.
Over the past few years there is a growing need in the Mizo community for a system which can read out Mizo text document for Mizo Blind people. Such text reading system will consist of an Optical Character Recognition in Mizo language and a Mizo TTS (Text –To-Speech) system.
Major objectives of the project are:
Development of Mizo Text reading System for visually challenged people of Mizoram. A scanned Mizo-document will be fed to the Mizo-OCR system integrated with the Mizo Text-to-Speech Synthesis system for generating corresponding Voice output in Mizo language

more from CDAC here http://www.cdacindia.com/html/north-east/ongoing_proj/mizo.aspx
READ MORE - Text reading system in Mizo language

Monday, September 13, 2010

Landslide kills a woman in Mizoram

Aizawl, Sept 13 (PTI) A 30-year-old woman was killed at Tuikual locality here today after a landslide buried her alive near a traditional water source.

The unmarried woman was fetching water with her friend when the landslide hit her as she could not walk fast due to problem in walking.

Her friend managed to avoid the landslide.With this, more than 10 people had died in Mizoram this year due landslides following monsoon downpour.
READ MORE - Landslide kills a woman in Mizoram

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Mizoram Anthurium festival 2010 Inaugurated

Aizawl, Sep 11 : Mizoram governor MM Lakhera today inaugurated the two-day long Anthurium Festival at Reiek Tourist Resort.

Anthurium is a popular flower and the festival on the flora has been organised by state tourism department to woo tourists.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor emphasized the need of promoting art, craft and handloom products to attract more tourists from within the country and abroad.

He stated that the State experienced boost in agriculture, horticulture and floriculture products during the last few years and that Mizoram produce one of the best quality anthurium flowers in the country.

The Governor said that the immense potential possessed by the State needs to be propagated and promoted internationally.

Vice Chairman, State Planning Board Lalkhama who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour also spoke on the occasion.

Mizoram Tourism Department that organises this festival, highlighted that the purpose of this festival showcasing the rich Mizo customs and traditions is to draw more inflow of tourists to the State.

The Department in fact earned as much as Rs. 123 lakhs during the past year and the State received 58, 314 tourists including 675 from abroad. At present, the Department has 42 units, 352 rooms and 759 beds.
READ MORE - Mizoram Anthurium festival 2010 Inaugurated

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

MoU to supply bamboo for incense sticks

MYSORE: The city-based NR Group has signed an MoU with Mizoram Bamboo Development Agency (MBDA) to supply bamboo for making of incense sticks.

The MBDA is promoting bamboo, a major untapped resource in the Northeastern state, as an ecological product. This initiative will promote economic development. The MBDA will propagate this initiative in Mizoram and identify people to be trained by the company in making bamboo sticks.

Mizoram government's secretary R L Rinawma said the state has the highest number of bamboo species in the country and they have launched ambitious programmes to develop the industry in a phased manner. "Presently, the government is concentrating on producing insense sticks from bamboo. The government is pleased to tie up with the NR Group and is confident of revolutionizing the rural economy," he added.

Chairman of NR group, R Guru, said the company hopes to reach out to a significant number of families in the state to support their livelihood.

The company will share its expertise in training people of Mizoram on producing high quality bamboo sticks. Experts from the Group will conduct workshops and training programmes and demonstrate the techniques to local people identified by the MBDA, said a press release.
READ MORE - MoU to supply bamboo for incense sticks

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Mizoram Chief Minister warmly welcomed by Mizo Society of America

Aizawl: Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla and his wife Pi Lal Riliani were warmly welcomed on 4th September in Washington DC by the leaders of the Mizo Society of America, besides the Head of Councellor and the Head of Chancery of the Indian Embassy in Washington DC.

The Chief Minister and his wife were invited by the Mizo Society of America as a part of the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Society.

He met the representatives of the Mizo communities in America on the 5th September and also met Mr Ashok Chavan, an NRI where they discussed ideas on improving the infrastructure, health and power sectors of the state.

On 6th September, the Chief Minister and his wife took part in the function held to commemorate the 25th Mizo Day by the Mizo Society of America.

The Chief Minister, on 7th September held meetings with the Mr. P. Chatterjee, the Executive Director for India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, World Bank and with Mr. Xianzhu, Vice President for South Asian Region, World Bank.
READ MORE - Mizoram Chief Minister warmly welcomed by Mizo Society of America

Mizo student drowns in JU pond

Kolkata: A student from Mizoram drowned in a pond at Jadvapur University on early Tuesday morning. Jorangthara (22) was in the city to meet his friend Pujan Narjinari — a student of electrical engineering at JU who stayed at the university’s main hostel.

According to the eyewitnesses, Jorangthara was standing alongwith Narjinari by the side of the pond when he slipped and fell into the water. The students raised alarm and tried unsuccessfully to trace him. After the police were informed, divers fished out his body.

The pond, which is located in the main campus, is deep and there have been instances when people have drowned in the pond. A case of unnatural death has been lodged at Jadavpur Police station.

The incident has raised question about the security at the hostel as Jorangthara had put up at the hostel on Monday night without seeking permission. “ We have a rule that anyone staying overnight will have to take permission from hostel superintendent.

In this case, the hostel superintendent was completely unaware about the youth’s presence in the hostel,” said Pradip Kumar Ghosh, Registrar, JU.
READ MORE - Mizo student drowns in JU pond