Halloween party ideas 2015
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Monday, July 27, 2009 2
For years, after the ICI Central Choir music touched our hearts, we haven't had many good gospel choir. Take a look at the latest EFCI Saikot District Choir's music video and let us know your opinion.

Album: Saikot District Choir, EFCI

Hla: Siemtu Hrezing (We, at INPUI, love to hear this song over and over again. The tune is after 'When He Blessed My Soul' performed by the Gaither Vocal Band, Kim Hopper, TaRanda Greene and others at the their Rocky Mountain Homecoming concert. Their video is also given below for you. Enjoy!)

Hla: Harsatna Hmel Hmunah (This video is....similar... to....??? )



Note: The videos are not hosted by INPUI. Source: Lalremlien and TheHoppersFan on Youtube.com
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Saturday, July 25, 2009 1
[Inpui Feature with inputs from Style.Com]

London-based Jewelry designer and daughter of noted Hmar Mizo litterateur Pu L Keivom, Mawi Keivom talks about her neighbourhood Dalston in East London, which was recently dubbed “the Coolest Place in England” by both 'Vogue Italia' and 'The Guardian'.

“It’s a mixture of Turkish, Afro- Caribbean, Pakistani, Indian, as well as a healthy dose of fashionistas,” Mawi explains. “Dalston used to have cheap rents with big empty warehouses,” adds Keivom, “but now it’s on the cusp of becoming gentrified and trendy.” Well, that was bound to happen.

Mawi has a few suggestions for those of you who, like her, are sticking out the dog days on London’s East Side.

1. Dalston!

“Ridley Road Market is our pride and joy here. It’s East End barrow boy meets African high priestess, and there’s nothing I love to do more on a sunny afternoon than potter around here, checking out the African textiles, exotic meats, and other strange edibles. On a good day you saunter down and hear African beats, gospel music, reggae, and it’s easy to forget you are in London. Dalston also boasts the Rio Cinema, an independent movie house restored to its original Art Deco splendor, and the Prince George pub. The George is situated in a leafy backwater and the emphasis is on quality alcohol—good beers and ales and an extensive wine list. Christopher Kane and Gareth Pugh are two of the designers who live and work nearby that you’re likely to spot here. Great place to chill out over a pint.”

2. More Markets

“The Columbia Road Flower Market is a great place to see real East End culture, hear cockney accents, and see a world-famous market in full swing. All the plants and flowers here are a fraction of what you’d pay at your local florist, and the street is lined with interesting vintage stores, bric-a-brac, food stalls, and great eateries. Round off your day with a pint of beer at the Royal Oak and sample some English grub. Perfect! A great way to spend a lazy Saturday, meanwhile, is the Broadway Market. For coffee in the morning go to Climpsons, and the Cat and Mutton or the Dove for pint and pub food later. You can also sample a variety of gourmet food at the food stalls—anything from Ghanaian food to kosher food, freshly baked patisseries, marinated olives, and organic vegetables. (There are vintage stalls offering clothing at reasonable prices, as well.) You will not go home hungry.”

3. Cheap Eats

“Tayabs is a Pakistani restaurant in Whitechapel, East London. The food is absolutely amazing and it’s reasonably priced. They don’t serve alcohol, but you can bring your own. Their specialties are lamb chops and kebabs, but if you are vegetarian, there are plenty of other mouthwatering dishes. There is also an enormous glass counter filled with Indian sweets. Try the kulfi (Indian ice cream) or the rasmalai to cool down after the fiery curries. Be sure to book in advance, as the queues meander for miles. It’s an hour-long wait to get a seat if you are lucky. Alternatively, you can always find a seat at London Fields. During the weekends people from all over London congregate here to sunbathe, drink, and enjoy a BBQ. It’s the playground for the East London fashion set. The dress code is cool/quirky with bicycles being the favorite mode of transport. Pack a picnic and watch the fashionistas on parade.”
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Saturday, July 25, 2009 2
This song was one of the most popular Hmar songs in 2006-2007. Sang by Pu Lalthankung F Tusing and with direction from Tv Laltlansang Pulamte, it created quite a sensation in Churachandpur district of Manipur and elsewhere.


[Note: This video is only for promotional purpose of the music album]
A album: A THLAWNIN
A saktuhai: Pu Lalthankung F Tusing le Hmangaizo
Hla umzat: 10
Aman: Rs 150
A Rimawi remtu: Ramchullo
A Direktor: Laltlansang Pulamte
A Kum: 2006

There are 10 songs in this music video album, all of which are creatively composed and picturised. The songs are:
1. A Thlawnin
2. Saltha VR Buongpui
3. Hmangai nunnem
4. Suilung an leng vawng vawng
5. Tuonsin
6. Kanghling (in today's terminology this song is the 'hottest' of all)
7. Hlimlaini par angin vulnawk sien
8. Huivate
9. Kum kha le chen
10. Kan vai duthu rieng sam in

If you want a copy please contact Ruolngul Records, Tuithaphai or Pu Lalthankung Tusing himself. This album is a must have.
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Friday, July 24, 2009 1
Here is the General Studies syllabus for IAS/UPSC exams(New syllabus)

Preliminary Examination of Civil Services Exam

Section-A
General Studies
# General Science.
# Current events of national and international importance
# History of India and Indian National Movement
# Indian and World Geography
# Indian Polity and Economy
# General Mental Ability

Questions on General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of science including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person who has not made a special study of any particular scientific discipline. In current events, knowledge of significant national and international events will be tested. In History of India, emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects. Questions on the Indian National Movement will relate to the nature and character of the nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of Independence. In Geography, emphasis will be on Geography of India. Questions on the Geography of India will relate to physical, social and economic Geography of the country, including the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources. Questions on Indian Polity and Economy will test knowledge of the country’s political system and Constitution of India, Panchayati Raj, Social Systems and economic developments in India. On general mental ability, the candidates will be tested on reasoning and analytical abilities.

Main Examination of Civil Services Exam

The nature and standard of questions in these papers will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate's general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.

Paper-I

(a) History of Modern India and Indian Culture
The History of Modern India will cover history of the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the Freedom Movement and Social reforms. The part relating to Indian Culture will cover all aspects of Indian Culture from the ancient to modern times.

(b) Geogrphy of India
In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social geography of India.

(c) Indian Polity
This part will include questions on the Constitution of India, Political system and related matters.

(d) Current National issues and topics of social relevance
This part is intended to test the Candidate's awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in the present-day India, such as the following.

Demography & Human Resource & related issues. Behavioural & Social issues & Social Welfare problems, such as child labour, gender equality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of the society, drug abuse, public health etc.

Law enforcement issues, human rights, corruption in public life, communal harmony etc.

Internal Security and related issues.

Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

The role of national institutions, their relevance and need for change.

Paper-II

(a) India and the World
This part is intended to test candidate's awareness of India's relationship with the world in various spheres, such as the following:-

# Foreign Affairs
# External Security and related matters
# Nuclear Policy
# Indians abroad

(b) Indian Economy
In this part, questions will be on the planning and economic development in India, economic & trade issues, Foreign Trade, the role and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O. etc.

(c) International Affairs & Institutions
This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.

(d) Developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space
In this part, questions will test the candidate's awareness of the developments in the field of science & technology, communications and space and also basic ideas of computers.

(e) Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams
This part will include exercises to test the candidate's ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein.
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Here is a list of subjects for IAS/UPSC exams. The IAS Syllabus and other services like the IPS and Income Tax is the same, as it is a single exam conducted by UPSC and the syllabus is also set by the UPSC.

UPSC PLAN OF EXAMINATION:
The Civil Services Examination consists of two successive stages: (I) Civil Services Preliminary Examination; and (ii) Civil Services Main Exam(Written & Interview) for selection of candidates

Part A - UPSC Preliminary Examination - Optional Subjects
# General Studies Syllabus
# Essay
# Agriculture
# Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
# Botany
# Chemistry
# Civil Engineering
# Commerce
# Economics
# Electrical Engineering
# Geography
# Geology
# Indian History
# Law
# Mathematics
# Mechanical Engineering
# Medical Science
# Philosophy
# Physics
# Political Science
# Psychology
# Public Administration
# Sociology
# Statistics
# Zoology
Part B - UPSC Main Examination - Optional Subjects
# General Studies
# Essay
# English Qualifying
# Indian Languages
# Mathematics
# Agriculture
# Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
# Botany
# Chemistry
# Civil Engineering
# Commerce
# Economics
# Electrical Engineering
# Geography
# Geology
# Indian History
# Law
# Mathematics
# Management
# Mechanical Engineering
# Medical Science
# Philosophy
# Physics
# Political Science
# Psychology
# Public Administration
# Sociology
# Statistics
# Zoology
# Anthropology
# Arabic
# Assamese
# Bengali
# Bodo
# Chinese
# Dogri
# English
# French
# German
# Gujarati
# Hindi
# Kannada
# Kashmiri
# Konkani
# Maithili
# Malayalam
# Manipuri
# Marathi
# Nepali
# Oriya
# Pali
# Persian
# Punjabi
# Russian
# Sanskrit
# Santali
# Sindhi
# Tamil
# Telugu
# Urdu
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Friday, July 24, 2009
KOLKATA, July 23 (Agencies): NHPC is close to taking over the 1500 mw, Rs 9,000 crore Tipaimukh hydel project in Manipur from Neepco. It has also entered into talks with the Nepal government for taking up new hydel projects there. Confirming the developments, NHPC chairman and managing director S K Garg said: "The project Tipaimukh will now be developed jointly by NHPC, SJVL and the Manipur govt. This project's foundation stone was laid in 2006 but nothing else has happened since then. This forced the state government to hand it over to NHPC."

"The Manipur government has decided to hand over the project to NHPC. We will hold 69% stake in the company, while SJVL will be holding another 26%. The Manipur government, on the other hand, will hold 5% in the new JV," he added. The project is estimated to cost about Rs 9,000 crore and Neepco which had originally conceived the hydel plant has already invested about Rs 5-6 crore in preparing the detailed project report, which has since then been approved. Incidentally, NHPC has recently formed another 74:26 JV with the Manipur government for a 66 mw project. The JV has been named Loktak Downstream Project.
Interestingly, the hydel power company has firmed up investments of Rs 70,000 crore till 2020 to emerge a 20,000 mw power company. During the current Five Year Plan period, NHPC has firmed up plans of investing about Rs 21,000 crore in 11 projects totaling 4,622 mw. During the 12th Plan period, it will take up 16 new projects totalling 14,000 mw which will require a total investment of Rs 70,000 crore. However, completions of these 16 projects are likely to spill over to the 13th Plan period. "During the 12th Plan period, we will spend about Rs 30,000 crore of which 70% will be debt, while the rest will be in the form of equity."

"The Centre has allowed NHPC to divest a maximum of 24% stake. Next month, when the IPO hits the market, government's holding will come down to 86.3%. The rest of 10% will be done as and when we require additional funds for our projects," said Garg. In the meantime, NHPC has completed one DPR in Bhutan and two in Myanmar. "We have completed and submitted the Mangnetchu hydel project in Bhutan. In Myanmar, DPRs for the Tamanti Hydel project and the Suzaw hydel project are complete. The Myanmar government is ready to take up the project. It is now waiting the Indian government's clearance." These two projects may be taken up by NHPC alone or in JV with companies in Myanmar.

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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Employment News issue dated 25.07.09 contains several attractive advertisements from some of the leading PSU/GOVT. Departments as below:-

1. Border Security Force, Yelahanka, Bangalore requires 953 Constables (GD).
2. The New India Assurance Company Limited, Mumbai requires 360 Administrative Officers (Scale-I).
3. Eastern Railway requires 268 Act Apprentices for Liluah Workshop and 76 Howrah Division.
4. State Bank of India requires Civil/Electrical Engineers and Medical Officers.
5. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites applications for SRF, SRF (Extended) and RA.
6. Staff Selection Commission declares the final result of Data Entry Operator Examination, 2008.
7. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram invites applications for various posts.
8. The Indian Army invites applications from Law Graduate unmarried women for grant of Short Service Commission in the Indian Army for Judge Advocate General Dept.
9. Union Public Service Commission invites applications for various posts.
10. North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project for Upland Areas needs Natural Resource Management & Extension Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator, System Administration etc.
11. Central Railway invites applications against Scouts/Guide quota for the year 2009-10 in Group ‘D’ category.
12. Union Public Service Commission declares the results of Geologists Examination, 2008.
13. Vaccine and Infectious Disease Research Centre invites applications for the posts of Administrative Officer, Management Assistant, Vaccine Technologist etc.
14. Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya invites applications for various Faculties.
15. Railway Recruitment Board, Ajmer declares the result of written examination held on 01.02.09 for the posts of Assistant Loco Pilot.
16. Bharat Dynamic Limited invites applications for the posts of Dy. Manger (IMM), Junior Manager etc.

Employment News issue dated 25.07.2009 contains advertisement for job vacancies of more than 89 Govt. Departments.

Book your copy of Employment News immediately with your local Book Seller/vendor.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
By JITEN YUMNAM

Transboundary waters tussle and Tipaimukh dam:
The world is rife with conflicts over waters, especially over use and management of transboundary waters. Rivers with transboundary nature, Brahmaputra, Mekong, Barak etc are becoming subjects of controversy over the right to manage the waters. Some countries exercise power through military or economic means to weaker countries to justify control of transboundary waters. Conflicts emerge when countries upstream of a water resource use the water available to them to wield more power and when certain countries downstream use other forms of power such as military to get more water. Stronger countries use “exploitation potential”, both technical capacity and infrastructure to exploit water resources.

Two expressions of concerns, one Bangladesh’s opposition to Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project over Barak River in Manipur in India’s North East and the other, India’s objections to Chinese Government’s plan to dam and divert waters of Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River in Tibetan Plateau, elucidates potentials of conflicts over the use of transboundary waters and the need to explore feasible means to avoid conflicts. The critiques of Tipaimukh dam to be built in Manipur is moving beyond imposed frontiers, the traditional expression of concerns once confined limitedly in Manipur and parts of Bangladesh now resonates from afar. Never had Tipaimukh Dam been focus of international diplomacy, media attention, intelligentsia critics, environmentalist and those with high tentacles as in 2009. The Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh discussed the contentious issue at the recently concluded Non Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, July 2009 in Egypt. The issue has now moved from the confines of Manipur Assembly discussion to the British and Bangladesh parliamentary debates to the deliberations of several United Nations human rights forums.

The Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project is to be constructed 500 Meters downstream from the confluence of Barak and Tuivai Rivers in Manipur over Barak River with firm generation capacity of 401.25 MW. The main objective of the project is to generate 1500 MW hydropower and flood control on 2039 Sq. km. The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) was earlier slated to undertake the project with the Manipur Govt at 5% equity till it was replaced recently by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

The Government (Govt) of India had a tough time pursuing the Tipaimukh project in Manipur since 1970’s due to vigorous peoples’ opposition to the project and also in clearing out the armed insurgents who dominates the Tipaimukh dam site area. Manipur is afflicted with armed conflict as national liberation movement groups battle Indian armed forces operating under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for full secession of Manipur since 1949, the year Manipur was merged to India without peoples consent. The Tipaimukh project is also opposed by several national liberation groups terming it as India’s yet another sinister effort for hegemony and exploitation of the natural resources of Manipur.

Proposed Tipaimukh Dam: Concerns and Responses:
The Tipaimukh dam issue currently continues to dominate the domain of political, media, intellectual and civil society’s discourse in Bangladesh with a unilateral demand for revocation of India’s decision for the project. Massive rallies, protest meetings, strikes and other forms of protest against the dam continues to gain momentum in Bangladesh. The Tipaimukh Dam concern is not a recent phenomenon as the first international Conference on Tipaimukh Dam, held way back in December 2005 had resolved against the project. The peoples’ concerns in Bangladesh are based on their bitter experience of severe water shortage and multifaceted impacts after commissioning of Farakka Barrage over the Ganges River by India. Concerns raised include staggering environmental degradation, economic crisis and hydrological drought. The damming of Barak River, seriously limiting free flowing Surma and Kushyara rivers will disrupt agriculture, irrigation, drinking water supply, navigation etc and reduce recharge of ground water during lean season, affecting all dug wells and shallow tube wells. Bangladesh gets 7 to 8 percent of its total water from the Barak River. The Surma-Kushyara with its maze of numerous tributaries and distributaries support agriculture, irrigation navigation, drinking water supply, fisheries, wildlife in the entire Sylhet division and in peripheral areas of Dhaka division and industries like fertilizer, electricity, gas . The dam would also leave millions jobless with the drying up of the two rivers. Millions of people are dependent on hundreds of water bodies, fed by the Barak, in the Sylhet region for fishing, agriculture and allied activities. The Barak-Surma-Kushyara is an international river with Bangladesh as a lower riparian country having rights over any decision over River. “Construction of a dam at Tipaimukh would be a death-trap for Bangladesh, it rather involves the very existence of the lives of the 15 Crore people of the country,” Bangladesh National Party (BNP) vice president Hafizuddin Ahmed asserted.

In Manipur, where the dam is to be built, the concerns are diverse and premised on three aspect, first the direct physical aspect of displacement, loss of biodiversity, loss of economic activities of indigenous peoples, social and environmental impacts etc, the second being the procedural lapses, absence of holistic impact assessment and limitations of developmental and environmental regulations, weak enforcement mechanisms and lack of people oriented accountability norms and thirdly, unclear benefits of the project to the people of Manipur and nuances based on traumatic experiences from similar projects in Manipur such as NHPC’s 105 MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project (NHPC) which remains irresponsible and unaccountable for its devastation of Loktak wetlands ecosystem, submergence of vast tract of agricultural land, loss of species and failure to rehabilitate several thousands of affected peoples of Manipur even after nearly three decades of project commissioning in 1984. The NHPC further insisted on reaping more profits by filing Loktak project as Clean Development Mechanisms project for carbon credits under Kyoto Protocols of the United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change.

A large number of Zeliangrong and Hmar tribes will be displaced permanently and deprived of livelihood. Official figures states 1,461 Hmar families will be directly displaced due to the project. The dam will submerge 311 sq. km covering 90 villages with 1,310 families, including 27,242 hectares of forest and cultivable land and posing serious threat to the rich biodiversity, flora and fauna of the region. Social impact due to demographic changes due to migration of workers from outside Manipur has not been addressed. The site selected for Tipaimukh project is one of the most active in the entire world, recording at least two major earthquakes of 8+ in the Richter scale during the past 50 years. The dam is envisaged for construction in one of the most geologically unstable area and the dam axis falls on a ‘fault line’ potentially epicenters for major earthquakes.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Govt of Manipur and the NEEPCO was signed on 9 January 2003 even as the affected peoples both in the upstream and downstream of Barak River called for a wide consultation on Tipaimukh Dam based on provision of project information. Against peoples’ wishes, the power Minister of India, Sushil Kumar Shinde laid the foundation stone for Tipaimukh Dam on 15 December 2006. Of late, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of the Govt of India accords environmental clearance on 24 October 2008 despite peoples’ objection to Tipaimukh Dam during the projects’ five public hearings held from the year 2004 to 2008. The environmental clearance of MoEF is despite the fact that the downstream impact assessment of the project in Assam and Bangladesh is still pending. Notwithstanding serious lack of information, Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Environmental Impact assessment and management plans of the dam, the Govt of India floated international tenders inviting bids for construction of the project. Largely the Govt of India rely on militarization of dam site area and suppression of voices for fair decision making process and sustainable development to pursue construction of the dam.

The Indian Govt’s response to Bangladesh concerns has long been marked by a state of denial. Indeed, the Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakrabarty’s statement of absence of an international law that could prevent India from constructing the Tipaimukh Dam and that Bangladesh’s concerns are based on ignorance on 21 June 2009 at Dhaka provoked an intense resentment in Bangladesh even calling for his expulsion. Experts counter reacted his statement as totally erroneous in view of the status of the 1996 Indo-Bangladesh Ganges Water Treaty and the applicability of the 1997 UN Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses.

Bangladesh experts though agreeing that it is not yet binding as an “international treaty” law, opined there is every reason to argue that the Convention, being adopted by a vote of 103 - 3 in the UN General Assembly, is applicable as “evidence of international customary law” to Tipaimukh dam or any such project on shared rivers. The 1997 Convention put heavy emphasis on comprehensive cooperation for equitable utilization of any trans-boundary watercourse, no-harm to all the co-basin states, and adequate protection of the watercourse itself. Sensing a political crisis in South Asia over Tipaimukh Dam, the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, James F Moriarty urge the people and the government of Bangladesh to discuss with India to settle the Tipaimukh dam issue,” while speaking at a discussion on ‘Engaging South Asia: Obama’s South Asia Policy,’ held in Dhaka.

Dams over transboundary waters in South Asia and Challenges:
As Bangladesh engaged India to drop construction of Tipaimukh dam, India too is busy raising concerns with Chinese Govt’s efforts to dam and generate 40,000 Megawatt power from Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) in Tibet and to divert 200 billion cubic meters of waters to the Yellow River for easing water shortages in cities of Shaanxi, Beijing and Tianjin in Northern China. The dam and diversion plan is at the Tsangpo River’s big U-turn at 7,782-meter-high Namcha Barwa, the world’s deepest canyon before entering India. Shu Yinbiao, vice president of State Grid Corp. of China opined, “An initial study shows the river can accommodate hydropower stations with a total capacity of 70 gigawatts, or about 10 percent of the nation’s overall generating capacity”. The diversion of the waters is part of a China’s larger hydro-engineering project, the South-North water diversion scheme. The 2,906-km long Brahmaputra is one of Asia’s largest rivers that traverse its first stretch of 1,625 km in China’s Tibet region, the next 918 km in India and the remaining 363 km in Bangladesh before converging into the Bay of Bengal. The Tsangpo is now perhaps the only Transboundary Rivers yet to be dammed in China after dams are constructed over Mekong, Salween, Irrawady, Sutlej, Indus etc.

The water diversion project at the Great Bend will spell disaster for the Tibetan plateau and the lower riparian countries, India’s North East and Bangladesh. India is also facing a security dilemma over the Chinese control over the principal watershed of South and Southeast Asia in Tibet. India fears Chinese reported plans to use nuclear technology in the project will lead to environmental concerns in the Eastern Himalayas. Indian experts say the mega scheme could be disastrous for the 185 million people of India’s North East and Bangladesh. In Assam, 80 per cent of the population is involved in agriculture, depending on Brahmaputra for irrigation and the region’s regular earthquakes, that can hit 8.0 on the Richter scale, can destroy the proposed Chinese dam and cause devastating floods downstream.

India’s proposed Tipaimukh dam and China’s proposed dam over Yarlung Tsangpo bears much similarity in terms of scale of destruction, threats and challenges both in upstream and downstream portion of the rivers. In the latter scheme, both India and Bangladesh shares common challenges when China proceeded with diversion of Brahmaputra waters in its territory primarily due to shortage of water. Bangladesh exists because of its waters coming from the Mighty Rivers Ganges, Teesta, Brahmaputra, and Barak etc. India’s Farakka Dam over River Ganges burdens Bangladesh with an irreparable crisis of unfathomable magnitude.

India pursued a perfidious double game. While objecting China’s plan to dam Yarlung Tsangpo, India aggressively pursued mega dams construction spree in India’s North East, including gigantic dams over the same river Yarlung Tsangpo, called Siang (the Brahmaputra) in Arunachal Pradesh, notwithstanding concerns in India’s North East and Bangladesh. The Siang Upper HE Project is a massive 11000 MW project to be built over Siang River in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Middle and Lower Siang Hydel project with 750 mw and 1700 mw power generating capacity are other mega dams planned over the same river. The 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric project is another mega dam over River Subansiri, a main tributary of Brahmaputra River. Other dams over the tributaries of Brahmaputra includes the Ranganadi I and II (450 and 150 mw respectively), Kameng (600 mw), 3000 MW Dibang HE project etc. the construction of series of dams over Siang River and its tributaries will exacerbate the water crisis and related problems in Assam and Bangladesh.

India’s plan to construct more than 169 dams in India’s North East and connotation of the region as India’s Power house has been met with stiff opposition from the region. The Assam Govt strongly opposed proposed construction of mega dams on the Siang River and several other rivers in Arunachal Pradesh. “I am aware of Assam’s concerns over the dams and I feel there is no need to construct mega dams”, Governor of Assam, Shiv Charan Mathur said while addressing his first press conference. The Assam Govt set up a commission to study the environmental impact of mega dams in Arunachal Pradesh and other neighboring states on Brahmaputra valley region. “Large-scale diversion of water would adversely hit the state’s economy and could even lead to environmental problems and affecting the surface water table” according to Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi. Anti dam movement is increasing In Arunachal Pradesh where most of the dams are being planned. India use all means, mis-information, flouting of norms, manipulations, militarization, brute use of force and nepotism etc to push through dam projects.

India is proactive in addressing concerns with the Chinese Govt on the proposed dam over Tsangpo River, relaying its concern to Beijing in 2006. However, the Govt of Bangladesh needs be more proactive to the whole scheme to dam the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries in China and India, which will worsen water crisis in Bangladesh and Assam. Bangladesh faces a big challenge to confront the “exploitation potential” of both China and India over the use of transboundary waters. There is indeed, a primary urgency for Bangladesh and the people of India’s North East to explore all means to ensure China and India to adopt a multilateral, multiparty decision over transboundary water use with due and full respect of rights and participation of indigenous peoples depending on waters. All States indeed, should refrain from unilateral and contradictory decisions over transboundary waters disregarding downstream concerns and rights of indigenous peoples.

Towards multilateral and human rights based approach to manage transboundary waters
Diplomatic engagement between India and Bangladesh over proposed Tipaimukh Dam, latest being the Prime Ministers meet at NAM summit in Egypt and past experience of efforts to resolve water dispute between the two countries, such as the Indo-Bangla Ganges Water sharing treaty, 1996 and setting up of Teesta River Commission, 1997 etc, indicates possibility of the two countries converging towards establishing dialogues for resolution of differences. Intervention of the United States envoy to Bangladesh favoring a dialogue to settle the row further reinforces this possibility. Indeed, Bangladesh Prime Minister called for political unity with the opposition BNP to be able to “bargain better with India” over Tipaimukh Dam issue. However, the Statement of Mr. Razzak, proposed head of Bangladesh parliamentary team to visit Tipaimukh dam site, that the Tipaimukh dam is beneficial for Bangladesh, is premature given that Bangladesh Govt is still yet to take an official position on the dam and despite absence of comprehensive and multilateral impact assessment. The statement seriously negates and undermined the rationale and objectives of the visit to Tipaimukh dam site.

In transboundary waters such as Mekong River, Yarlung Tsangpo, Barak River etc, question looms large as to whether a single country or States solely decide over the use of the waters in exclusion of indigenous people who lives and depends on the waters over millennia and whose cultures, identity and traditions evolved with such relationships? The big question still remains, will the people of Manipur accept any compromise bargaining, if any and exclusively crafted between India and Bangladesh. Any bilateral Agreement between India and Bangladesh without the people of Manipur will be unacceptable. The people of Manipur have inalienable rights over the transboundary waters. International law has also evolved that Indigenous peoples have right to self determination over their land resources, need for recognizing their rights over their land and resources and having clear rights to define their develop priorities on how to use, manage their land and resources in accordance with the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples, 2007 and recommendations of the sessions of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at UN HQs, May 2009. Such approach can prevent all sufferings of indigenous peoples affected by Bangladesh’s Kaptai Dam in Chittagong Hills Tract, India’s Loktak Hydroelectric Project in Manipur or India’s Dumbur dam in Tripura etc.

The resolution of Tipaimukh dam seriously needs a multilateral, inclusive and human rights based approach to development and sensitivity to the concerns & established rights of all affected peoples. Bangladesh Govt’s announcement of sending an all-party parliamentary committee to visit Tipaimukh dam site in end July 2009 to review the dam’s impact will be a right step if the visit forms the basis for an inclusive process to conduct detailed impact assessment of the dam in upstream and downstream of the Barak River based on recommendations of World Commission on Dams, 2000 and other applicable Int’l law on transboundary waters, such as the UN Convention on the Law of Non Navigational Uses of International Watercourses of 1997. The visit can be a good grounding for a multilateral approach in addressing Tipaimukh Dam issues.

Bangladesh and the indigenous peoples of India’s North East needs be fully sensitive to the multitude of mega dam projects planned both by India and China in transboundary waters and tributaries and should strategize for a multi dimensional and multi party approach in the use and management of transboundary waters with due respect of rights of people in lower riparian areas and indigenous peoples dependent on such waters.

India should refrain from constructing Tipaimukh dam to avoid multidimensional conflicts and complications as the project is potentially rife for causing conflicts between states, between state and indigenous peoples and between indigenous peoples all over control and management of resources and definition of developmental priorities. As Manipur is already rife with movements for right to self determination, any forced construction of Tipaimukh dam with its multifaceted impacts will only legitimize their movement to defend their land and resources. The NEEPCO and the Govt of Manipur must revoke the Memorandum of Understanding on Tipaimukh dam project inked in 2003 and initiate a comprehensive process for a just decision making process.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
[By Pu DARSIEMLIEN RUOLNGUL, New Delhi]

(Noted Hmar Mizo litterateur Pu L. Keivom turns 70 on July 15, 2009 and many have wished him a long life. Among them is Pu Darsiemlien who reminisces the time he had spent with Pu Keivom. I would say this is an interesting and fun-filled piece on Pu Muong's bicycled life. Inpui Editor)

U Muong ka hriet tanna hi iengtik kum am a nih ka hriet chieng ta nawh a, kum 1960 chawhma tieng (early sixties) vel lai chu a ni ngei el. Khanglai khan kan khuo Muolvaiphei a hin a hung ngun ve khop el a. Kan khuo naupang ruol khan kan lo ngai ropui thei hle el.

Lekhathiem tak le hlaphuok thiem em em a ni thu hi kan hril ngun hle hlak. Ka u Lalzarlien Darngawn (ka papui naupa) leh an inpawl hlak leiin an in a khan a hung leng zing zing hlak a. Pathienni hin a hlaphuok an inchuk hlak a, zan inkhawmah hlapawl an sak bok hlak a, kan ngai nuom thei hlak ngei!

Chuong hun laia a hlasakpui hlakhai ka hang hriet thei chu ka u Darthanglien, ka pate Sub.V.L.Ringa (L) naunu, khanglai huna nunghak hmeltha le hlasakthiem hmingthanghai, rawl lien le infawn tha em em u Lalhruoi, u Khawtinsuok Pharmacist, u Tlanthang Pharmacist le u Lalzarlien hai an nih. An hlasakhai kha lo record inla tulai khom hin ei la ngainuom hle ka ring, thiem tak an nih.

Khang hunlai khan saikal (cycle) nei thei khom an la vang hle a, kan vengah khan saikal nei pahni pathum vel chauh kan um niin ka hriet. Chuong anga saikal naran khom a la tam bek naw lai khan u Muong hin saikal changkang deu el, motorbike ang handle nei, a gear khom thlak thei a hung chawi hlak a, chu saikala a chuong en ding ringot damin naupang kan tlan khawm hlak. Ama kan ngaisang bok, a cycle kan hmu nuom bok, u Darthanglien hai ina an hung leng chang dam hin a suok hun inchanin tuolah naupangruol kan thung thap hlak a, a a then lem chun bangawng a inthokin kan va bi vel hlak!

Kum 1962 October-a HSA conference Sielmata a um tumin ama Pu Muong ziek, Thangsiem le Sangi tienami chu Drama-in an inchang a, u Thangkhawl (Pi T.Kholly) leh a Starring-in an thanga, ama ngeiin perkhuong perha ‘Dawn ve la nuinhlui thamral hnung’ ti hla (ama phuok bok) a hang sak dam chu ngainuomum tak a nih. Hi drama an insuo tum hin W.Burrows hai nupain an hung tawiawm ve leiin u Lalzar (Pu L.B.Sinate) in an tonghai kha English in tongringnaah a hung hril ve pei a, khang dam kha a lo va ropuiin a lo va inhoi de aw!

U Muonga hlaphuokhai hi a hre tam pawl ka ni ve ka ringa, chuonglaia ka la hriet zuol deu pakhat chu Saikot High School ( or M.E ? ) farewell an hmangnaa an sak dinga a phuok a nih, an ti hlak ‘Lenruol kimten tuon hmun kan relna, sikul run zar hnuoiah……damtakin Mangtha’ kha inlar le sak hlaw tak a nih a.

Voikhat chu kan khuoah Churachandpur bieltu SDO sap a hung rieka, mipuiin programme kan neipuinaah hi hla hi thalaipawlin kan sak a, SDO pa khom khan mawi a ti ve hle ning a tih, lawmmanin Rs.100/- zet a mi pek a, a hnungah thalaipawl haiin hi Rs. 100/- hin ruoi ropui tak kan the nghe nghe anih.

A dang pakhat nawk, mi’n an hriet inlar bek naw, keiin ka dit bek bek chu ‘Aw I Mawi chuong Kan Lengna Hmartlangpui’ ti kha a nih. A thu a that el bakah a thluk khawm mawi ka ti em leiin perkhuong per ka’n hnik le invet chilh ve lai, kum 1970 vel khan AIR Imphalah Instrumental Music in kan khum nghe nghe a, a mawi khop el. Khang record/tape hai dam kha a bo vong ta chu a ni ding ana, ka’n pam ngei el.

U Muong artikul ka tiem hmasatakna nia ka hriet chu a thupui ka hriet ta nawh a, a mumanga OFFICE OF THE NEW SINLOONG a hmu thu a ziekna a nih. A thu fepui danhai lem chu ka hriet vong thei ta nawh a chu ka mitthlaah a la cham zing. Ka hang ngaituo kirin hi artikul ka tiem le hnam hmangaina tieng hla a phuokhai hin ka nunah sin nasataka thawin, hnam hmangaina le hnam tadinga thahnemngaina nasatak a mi lo pek ziehai ka hriet chieng deu deu chu tie.

Kum 1974 khan HSA General Hqtrs ah General Secretary ah thlang ka nih a, Inchuklai Nun Editor ka chel bok a. Chuonglai chun U Muongin tienami tawi (short story) le Essay a ziekhai, ka dit em em hlak le ka ngaisang deu deu hai chu cyclostyle-a her dok ka nuom a. Hienglai hin U Muong chu Nairobi, Kenya a a umlai a nih. Lekhahai thonin a tienami/Essay thenkhat hieng, Lalnunnem Ka Ngai Em Che, Hmangaina Ruongpuon, Beiseina Khamhrui (Essay) etc insuo ka nuomthu ka hril a, ama khomin a mi lo phal pek leiin ka’n suo a, a tiem anhoiin zor khom an tla hle.

Inchuklai Nun editor ka ni laia ka rawn tak hlak chu u Muong hi a ni a, ama’n a tul ang anga thurawnhai mi pein, ka thawsuolnaah mi zilin ka thawthat naah mi’n pakin a min fui hlak. Artikul ‘Nairobi Notebook’ ti a hung ziek hlak a, Inchuklai Nun khom a suk phuisui pha hle. Hi lei hin Inchuklai Nun ka enkol sung (1974-77) khan a hma a sawn hle in ka hriet, Editor ka ni hlim khan cyclostyle-a her dok, subscriber 400 chuong met chauh kha a nih a, a hnungin Printing Press-ah kan sut a, subscriber khom 1500 an chuong hiel bakah regular takin a suok a.

HSA ka thuoina chungchanga khom u Muong hi thurawn ka lakna tak a nih. Lekha khom kan inthon rawn in thurawn tha tak tak khom a mi pek hlak. HSA ka thuoi sung (1974-80 ) khan u Muong bakah hieng Rev. H.L.Sela, Pu Liensangvung, L.Rokung Upa H.L.Daka, J.C.Chongkholien hai hi an inah panin an thurawn ka lak zing zing hlak bok.

Protector of Emigrants sinthawa Mumbaia kum thum le a chenve vel ka um hnunga New Delhi tieng ka hung suok nawk laivel khan u Muong khom Male, Maldives-a inthokin an sungin an hung suok ve a, Delhiah umtlangin, makpa a ni-el khelah ruoltha le adviser takin ka hmang zom ta pei a. Delhi Thurawn regular deu taka a hung suok khan kei khom hun sawttak ka lo chawlsan ta hnung, artikul tawite te ka ziek tan ve nawk tah a.

Artikul zieka ngaidan dang dang hang thursuokna a hin u Muong le kan inlaichinna hi a saptong takin ‘love-hate relationship’ ang vang vangna neiin, a kar chun hang ‘inbakkei’ deu nok nok chang um hlak sien khom ama hi mi lungril lien tak le hrietthiemna hautak a ni ang bokin kei khom ka lungril a lo chin bek naw boka, kan inruolthatna le kan inngainatna sukbo nek hmanin sukpungin a suknghet lem a, hmatieng peia khom kan sunzom pei ka ring.

Ei Pi le Puhai lo ti hlak dan takin u Muong hi ngalfima dam dingin kan ditsakna insangtak kanu leh kan inhlan a nih.

U MUONG, HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY TO YOU, and many many happy returns of the Day!
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Today, July 21 will witness the longest full solar eclipse of the 21 century. The duration is expected to go beyond 6 minutes at Taregana village, Bihar which has been identified as the best spot to witness the celestial display.

For those of you in northeast India, you will be able to see the eclipse since 5.15 am and for the rest of India it will be visible at around 5.30 am or 5.45 am.

HOW TO WATCH ECLIPSE WITHOUT HARMING YOUR EYES
Courtesy: BBC (The No. 1 News Channel for Reliability)

Seeing a total eclipse is a fantastic experience. But without proper preparation it can also be very dangerous to the eyes.
*No pain does not mean no damage
*Viewing the partly eclipsed Sun without protective equipment will result in a retinal burn.

Depending on how long the retina is exposed to the Sun, this injury may cause permanent damage to vision.

There is no pain when the retina is being burned, and the resulting visual symptoms do not occur until at least several hours after the injury has occurred - by which time it is far too late.

How can you view the eclipse safely?
Totality rarely lasts longer than a couple of minutes, depending on your location on the eclipse path; and for most people, only a partial eclipse will be visible. Although the sky will become very dark, it will not be safe to look at the Sun without proper equipment and viewing techniques.

Indirect viewing
Most health professionals recommend the simple pinhole viewer. You can make this with a cardboard box or with two pieces of stiff card. Punch a tiny hole in one of the cards and, with your back to the Sun, hold the card up so that light falls through the hole, projecting an inverted image on to the other card. Do not look at the Sun through the pinhole.

Direct viewing
*Many eclipse watchers may want to view the totally or partly eclipsed Sun directly.
*Special eclipse viewers made of either aluminised polyester or a very dark polymer material are available but these cannot be guaranteed to be totally safe.

The filter material is usually mounted in a cardboard frame that can be worn on the head like eyeglasses, or held by hand in front of the eyes. Which design you use is a matter of personal preference, but viewers bearing the "CE" mark from Europe may be more safe. If you do choose to use a viewer, always follow the manufacturer's advice. A shade number 12, 13, or 14 welder's filter can also be used.

Don't use dangerous substitute filters

# Materials that should not be used as solar filters include: Sunglasses
# Photographic neutral density filters
# Smoked glass
# Polarizing filters
# Compact discs
# Floppy disk media
# Black colour film
# Any black and white film negatives bearing images.

Children's safety

The spectacle-shaped viewers may be too large to be worn securely by some children. While older children may wish to use eclipse viewers, very young children should only watch the eclipse on television, or with an indirect viewer. All children should be closely supervised while watching an eclipse.

A total eclipse is a beautiful sight to behold. Enjoy watching it safely.
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