Halloween party ideas 2015

[Photo: Pu Darsiemlien Ruolngul (extreme right) with his family in New Delhi]

INPUI patron and one of the early Hmars to join the government service, Pu Darsiemlien turns 60 today (July 31). Some of his close friends pay tribute to the 'man of the day' in their own ways. Pu ROHMINGLIEN PAKHUONGTE* writes:

Read his profile here

JNU campus le CGHC, Vasant Vihar chu an hlat naw bok a. Hostel-a vâi thlâi suong rim nghok vieu ta ding lem chun Vasant Vihar laia U Siem thlâisuong sa va fâk vak kha Tuikuk thlêm sam an hril ang el in, thlêm le fiel hran ngai loa inpeisa zing ka ni hlak hrim a. Bu fâk malama titi kotlâng hei dâk mol kha, bu bo khoma thlâkhla um khop a tling ta hrim hrim a. U Siem chanchin hi ropui le enton tlâk tak tak- ruol pawl a thiem zie, mi tiktlai a nina, hnam an voina le an pêk zo na, thrangpui ngaihai chunga a kut hlawk zie le dang dang hril ding um sienkhom choka sunga a private life ka lo hmu ve dân tlawmte, a kum 60 tling ka lawmpuina’n târlang lem lang.

Thlâisuong taima le thiem, bufa dinga mi fiel konga khom bengvâr le taima tak a nih. A uluk nuom deu hunah kêlsa hi a suong deu tei hlak niin ka hriet. Thlâisuong inthuomna bîk silfên, apron le lukhum vâr chen hmanga inthuom ruok chu a ni ngai nawh. Dân narânin a zân pyjama suit an bel si naw leh Meitei puon triel, insu deu rupin a hrêng hlakin ka hriet. Choka intêp deu takah hmebêl, kawi deu ngula ngir chila a hang vil vêl ta khan chu an hmui thra chau ni lovin hmu nuom um a tling a nih.

Khâng hun lai khan chu, thlâi suong malamin suor kila changal tui ni awm tak, palanga fîm eng deu kieu hang mai ruk ruk a ta. “Eheu, a recipe khom duoi hazâng an naw ding a nih” lungrilin a lo ti nghal a. Ûmthei bit thlawr baw hak hak angin noah hei sung a ta. Hmebêl sîn inri roka hongin hang chok let vut vut a ta. Chu zo chun no chu inrang taka banin hmebêlah an tlong ta ngei ding rawm son pal i ta. Ka hâ se! A suongtu baua sung tlong puot dinga buotsai a ni lem. U Siem thlâi suong hi uluk deu a nih. Inhnik naw ruol ding khom a lo ni naw hrim. “Thiempu chanpuol” a um ang bokin a suongtupa ngei khoma chanpuol a nei ve hlak a lo nih. Hmê hi a khâtin an hnik el thei nawh. A suongtu an um ngei ngei a trûl. A hmê le a suongtu hi an poimaw rêl leiin vil hne ve ve an trûl hlak hrim a nih.

U Siema thlâi suong châng chavai chîk taka lo thlîrtu ta ding chun hmu nuom ding a tam thei hrim. A sa suong thawk khat hmin phuol hunah, thlâisuong thiem quality dang- hme intem thiem nina hnesaw taka a hang show mol hlak kha; Priya cinema hall-a film en nêka thlang lem hiel khop a tling hlak! Hmebêl intlok bor bor sunga sa tlang pakhat, a kutpui le kutchal chaichea hmangin hne takin hei hmer dok ngei a ta. Khawte kohran upa sakramen kîl, a neng chena tlâk fai pap ngei tuma vânva dâk awra uoiin no a let khup angin, tang deu uokin satlang chu a bauah thun a ta. Machi, hmarcha le mosola an chawi tawk dân ngaichâng pum zingin hei thriel nok nok a ta. Chu lai zing chun a kuta âieng le hmarcha rawng inpol ber nuoi el chu U Reng choka parda duot lai ngeiah hei zût fai malam a ta. A tawi zawngin, U Reng hin ieng ang choka parda rong mawi khom khai sien, sawt riel lovin U Siem hme suong rong hin thlasik ang khêl lovin a triel mawi tho tho hlak a nih.

Chun, ngaita, chuong po po kâr laka chun bangru laia dumhmuom, Raja ngei chu, thingpuife khom lo ni tê rêng sien, nupa terek thingpui inlumna dinga thlâk hun tawk êr ding awma ngai chu a kutpha chungah hmet hlûm sok sok a ta. Fathiet pui ruol zet dinga puomin a hner karah a zep bok hlak. A hmuom dong hnung a peihawnna ruok chu a thlâisuong buoi laia a nghat remchângna tieng tieng kha ni deu takin ka hriet. U Siem hmuomdong ta hnung, truonga Raja inthal ruou hmu fûk châng chu inhuon hiel nuom a um hlak! Naupangin truong dungah inpal thlûkna’n hmang pal rawi an ta tiin lungrila inlauna chen khom a um rum rum hlak.

Ekhai, “Thu le hla’n ka puong sêng nawh” an lo ti ang el in U Siem thlâisuong thiem zie le hmu nuom um zie hi voikhat phûra hril zo el chi an nawh. Delhi ka suoksan hnungin, sûlhnung ngâi hun an her suok ve châng khoma inpawl malama U Siem thlâisuong tungngha ngêi kha lungrilah a thar rop hlak.

U Siem thlâi suongsa inhnik tak, hmu nuom um tak bok hi thrang le tharin an la hung chên zom pei theina dingin Pathien malsawmna dongin, ngal fîmin dam raw sen.

(*Note: Pu Rohminglien Pakhuongte is Vice-President of Partnership Mission Society and Secretary of the Hmar Christian Leaders’ Forum. –Ed)

[Just like me, Pu DR heart's rests wherever his wife is :) Read more to know Pu DR.... Inpui admin]

Hming:
Pu Darsiemlien Ruolngul
Pieng Ni le Kum: 31.07.1949
Pa Hming: Upa Vanlalau(L)
Nu Hming: Chawnglungthieng
Nuhmei nei kum: September, 1973
Nuhmei hming: Lalrengliani
Nuhmei pa hming: Rev. Zatanga
Nuhmei nu hming: Zaphiri
Naunei zat: 5

Piengna khuo: Muolvaiphei, Churachandpur
Unau zat (brother&sisters): Pasal 3, nuhmei 3, Kan rengin 6 kan nih
Schooling Class-X: Cl.X Vimala Raina High School, Churachandpur
College: Churachandpur College, St.Edmund’s College, Shillong
First Job: Asstt. Techer, Standard English School, Sielmat, 1974
Rambung sirhai: India ram puotieng la fe lo, India ram chu sir chip hne ve hle
Trong hmangthei hai: English, Hindi, Manipuri tlawmte leh Tribal trong ah, Hmar, Mizo,(Lusei) Thado, Vaiphei

Thilthaw inhoi i ti zawng tak (hobby): Lekha tiem le country hla ngaithlak
Mi i ngaisang zawng: Mani thaw na tiengtienga hlawtling tum tlat mi.
Hla dit tak: ‘A hmangainaah ka chawlin ka Pa’n a mi hriet’ KH no.248
Hme duzawng: Sizo -changal hme
Inhoi I tina hmun tak: kannu bula um

Guwahati, July 30: A ten-member delegation from Bangladesh will be air lifted from Guwahati to the proposed Tipaimukh dam site today in Manipur.

The team is to study the impact of the project on Bangladesh rivers.

Agencies report said, Abdur Razzak, the delegation leader and chairman of the parliamentary standing committee of the Bangladesh Water Resources Ministry, will impress upon the Indian authorities not to implement any project that will affect the rivers of Bangladesh through Barak valley.

It is not yet known how long the Bangladhesi MPs will stay at Ruonglevaisuo to have a comprehensive view of the dam site.

Sources in Hmarram area said that security forces have already reached Sipuikawn to ensure the safety of the visiting team.

The proposed Tipaimukh dam site is inhabited by the ethnic Hmar tribe, whose main rebel outfit- the Hmar Peopel's Convention(D) - had recently declared its sharp opposition to the project.

[Photo: An NDTV vidoe grab shows Rali Faihriem challenging the Indian army jawan at Haflong in Assam. Watch the video below ]

(This woman deserves a bravery award-INPUI)

An incident of alleged molestation in Assam's Halflong town would have passed unnoticed, but for a girl who decided to take on an entire group of army personnel.

Diganta Das, a stringer with NDTV, was sitting at a tea shop nearby and filmed the dramatic scene on his cellphone. The footage shows the girl beating up an army jawan who reportedly visited her garment shop and made lewd comments and even touched her.

Rali Faihriem owns a branded garment shop in the middle of Halflong town. Lancenaik Gurvinder Singh of the 8th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment visited the shop, in combat dress with arms, on Wednesday afternoon to buy innerwear. When the girl was showing him the stock available at her shop, the jawan allegedly made some advances. Rali then pulled him out of the shop and stoned him in front of everyone.

The Army has ordered an enquiry into the incident after Rali filed an FIR.

N C Hills has a very heavy army presence. About 70 companies of security personnel deployed across the district are engaged in counter insurgency operations. Conflict zones have always reported allegations of violence against women by the armed forces but it is rare for women to hit back.

Source: NDTV

MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT NEWS ISSUE DATED 01.08.09. Employment News issue dated 01.08.09 contains several attractive advertisements from some of the leading PSU/GOVT. Departments as below:-
  1. Airports Authority of India requires more than 430 Jr. Executives, Jr. Assistants, Manager etc.
  2. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited needs 180 Artisans and Draughtsmans.
  3. Uttaranchal Gramin Bank requires 53 Clerks-cum-Cashier (Office Assistant).
  4. Food Corporation of India requires Management Trainees, Assistants Grade-II and III, Typists etc.
  5. Armed Forces Medical Services invites applications for Grant of Short Service Commissioned (SSC) Officer.
  6. The Indian Air Force invites applications for Grant of Permanent/Short Service Commission in Technical Branches.
  7. High Court of Delhi, New Delhi invites applications for the posts of Sr. Judicial Translator, Judicial Translators.
  8. BEML Limited invites applications for the posts of Dy. General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Assistant Manager, Engineer etc.
  9. Union Public Service Commission declares the result of National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2009.
  10. Railway Recruitment Board, Allahabad declares the results of written examination held on 04.01.09 for the posts of Junior Clerk.
  11. Directorate of Distance Education, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra offers admission to various programmes such as B.A., B.Com, BCA, MCA, MBA etc.
  12. Employees State Insurance Corporation needs Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors.
  13. MSME Tool Room, Ahmedabad offers admission to Post Graduate Diploma, PG Certificate Course etc.
  14. Indian Institute of Spices Research invites applications for the posts of Subject Matter Specialist, Programme Assistant, Farm Manager etc.
  15. Railway Recruitment Board, Gorakhpur declares the results of On-Line Examination held on 29.06.09 and 30.06.09 for the posts of Section Engineers.
  16. U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences & Research invites applications for the posts of Professor, Associate Professor, Lecturer etc.
  17. Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu invites applications for the posts of Scientists, Technical Officer, Technical Assistant etc.
  18. Steel Authority of India Limited, Rourkela Steel Plant, Orissa invites applications for the posts of Radiological Technologists, Laboratory Technologist, Pharmacist etc.
Employment News issue dated 01.08.2009 contains advertisement for job vacancies of more than 92 Govt. Departments.

Book your copy of Employment News immediately with your local Book Seller.

[DH News Service]

PANAJI, July 29, 2009:
Christians are a mere 2.5 per cent of the country’s population. But, the Church in India suffers from a case of plenty, says Remy Denis, All India Catholic Union President.

Church authorities control funds equivalent to the Indian Navy’s annual budget. The Church is also the second largest employer after the government, he said.

Eduardo Faleiro, a former Union minister and Goa NRI Commissioner, is among the growing number of Catholics like Prof Denis, who support a law to govern Church properties and a far greater degree of transparency in the way the Church manages its earthly assets.

“The Church is not a symbol of power but service, and democratic laws must apply to it equally. All religions must be kept on the same footing,” Faleiro said at a conference called to debate the matter of bringing Church properties under state laws.

The laws that govern Church properties in Goa were enacted during the Portuguese regime. The same laws have long since been repealed in Portugal, Faleiro said.

Almost all other religions in India have laws enacted to administer their properties, K T Thomas, former Supreme Court judge, said. Hindu temples are governed by laws specifically enacted for each trust and their accounts are subject to judicial review. The Sikhs, one of the smallest religious groups in the country, have the Sikh Gurudwara Act. Muslim trust properties comes under the Wakf Act.

“I feel the opposition from the Christians is on account of a fear that a provision for judicial scrutiny is likely to expose the expenses and magnitude of wealth of the denomination,” Thomas said. The head of the Believers Church had recently acquired a huge plantation in Kerala for Rs 123 crore. This was apart from the vast assets already held by the denomination, he said. The Church in Kerala also runs its own media network.

Thomas said there was a misplaced apprehension that the Parliament, through legislation, would grab the properties of the churches. No such law could be passed by Parliament or State legislatures, he said. All religious denominations have the right to own and acquire properties, establish and maintain religious institutions. “But, in matters of administration of your properties you have to abide by the law,” he said.

Source: Deccan Herald

[INPUI EXCLUSIVE]

The controversial Tipaimukh (Ruonglevaisuo) dam issue, has evoked many reactions for and against it. GABRIEL CHUNGA of Teddim Road (Churachandpur) writes in favour of the mega-hydel project, only if the governments of India and Manipur are ready to "hear the voices" of the local people.

[Photo: The indegenous Hmar tribe would be the most affected by the proposed Tipaimukh (Ruonglevaisuo) dam]

The long delayed and much-debated Tipaimukh H.E. Project is now to executed by a Joint Venture(JV) of NHPC Ltd.(69%), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVNL) (26%) and Govt. of Manipur(5%) without budgetary support of the Central Govt. A directive of the Ministry of Power has already been issued to that effect. The JV partners have been enthusiastic to take up the mega project. It is learnt that the Chief Secretary of Manipur has reviewed the developments in a meeting held at Imphal on 24.07.2009. Meanwhile, a Parliamentary Delegation accompanied by experts from Bangladesh is visiting the project in the last week of July 2009 on a fact-finding mission. There has been large-scale protest in Bangladesh against the project.

Myself, being one pro-development & educated citizen hailing from a going-to-be-buzzing town known politically as Churachandpur, South of Manipur (in India), have been eagerly keeping good track of this so-called Tipaimukh Project (‘a mega hydel project of 1500MW capacity, wow!’) in my home district (forgotten-for always) and was, rather dreaming of the developmental benefits that would be bestowed to my land (optimistic!). I started hearing as a child that NEEPCO is going to build a ‘big dam’ at Tipaimukh, and my father was always apprehensive about it.

Today, I could decipher it more clearer, and I saw some pros and some anti(s) for the dam. I stood with the former, for I made a study on it and understood that it is preferable to ‘lose some to gain some with huge interest in the long run’. But today, I got a jolt, a shock to my innate being, with this sudden and abrupt news of ‘Joint venture thing’ with its entities derived from beyond the uncared geography of the northeast India. The power that may be, I am fixated now to think, are playing games with our life in the name of development. In other words, I started seeing an unknown snobby pot-bellied businessman with a fat briefcase devouring my ‘land-still-in-oblivion’, having his way, minting his dough, without considering the legible rights and basic needs of the sons of my soil. His dramatic smile was a contemptuous smirk to our helplessness with meticulous precision. Oh, it sucks! Anyway, whose line is it anyway to decide this way to put us in such uncertainty?

Going by the developments for execution of the project, the following points of importance are brought out for appraisal of the concerned and redressal by the appropriate authorities before the problems precipitate. It is needless to assert that large nos. of NGOs, public forums and social organisations concerned with environment, ecology and humankind are sceptical about the much-debated project.

The specific points brought out herein below give a detail in-road to the ‘state of affairs’ concerning the project.

1. It is understood that early this year the Govt. of India had decided to form a Joint Venture with NEEPCO as the leading partner holding 51% or more share in a meeting held in the Ministry of Power attended by the Secretary(Power), NEEPCO, NTPC, NHPC, SJVNL and Govt. of Manipur. However, in a surprising subsequent development, NHPC, now, is entrusted suddenly with the leading role with 69% share, and the rest with SJVNL. NEEPCO, not figuring anymore! What a jolt, Tipaimukh Project a game of dices?

2. It can be recalled that NEEPCO alongwith Govt. of Manipur conducted Public hearings and processed for environmental clearance. The MOEF has since cleared the project from environmental angle as per the statutory notifications and submissions by NEEPCO. So, change in the executing authority apparently requires re-holding of Public hearings, for it was a hearing of the public with NEEPCO, not NHPC, etc. In public hearings several understandings, policies and commitments are made. With NEEPCO, it is an understanding with NEEPCO, not NHPC. Therefore, NHPC has to go for their Public hearing to publicise their policies towards how best they are trying to develop the public with this project. NEEPCO has done that, people understood and accepted.

3. The modality of forming JV under NHPC leadership is yet to be finalised. The interest of the public would remain uncertain till the issues are deliberated upon and sorted out in entrusting specific responsibilities on the JV partners. Public interest cannot be bestowed on assumptions and presumptions. The project can turn out to be a ‘Casino-lotto-like’ business instead of Socio-economic developmental project. Therefore, the questionable developments and appropriate timely necessary actions desirable from the legal and logical angles have been –
i) To stop all developmental activities pertaining to Tipaimukh HEP till holding of fresh Public hearings by the new executing agencies and subsequent statutory clearances.
ii) The new agencies, being a separate authority will need to have Public hearing on fresh terms & conditions.
iii) A State Govt. has the say in selection of the executing agency. The Legislative Assembly of Manipur, in 2003 resolved that the project would be executed by NEEPCO. Accordingly, the project was entrusted to NEEPCO and a formal MOU was signed between Govt.of Manipur and NEEPCO to that effect. A gazette notification was made. Will not the instant case be a gross violation of the set norms, if decisions like this are to really be accepted without the resolution of a full assembly of the government?
iv) The statutory formalities including notification under Sec. 18(a) of Electricity Act were fulfilled, as per prevalent norms, for execution of Tipaimukh H.E. Project by NEEPCO. No comments if constitutional acts are not law and not binding!
v) The scope of appointment of unemployed local people in Tipaimukh H.E. Project, expected to be over 3000 nos. i.e., 2 nos. per megawatt,is likely to be lost as NHPC, the lead partner in the JV is a ‘National Organisation’ having different policy of Recruitment which is not binding to appoint local people only. NEEPCO has already fine-tuned its recruitment policy for this project by an understanding arrived at with the public concerned.
vi) NHPC has failed to execute the Loktak Downstream Project as per terms for over the last 10 yrs. On failing in all fronts NHPC has now managed to rope-in Govt. of Manipur by way of entering into Joint Venture so that their failure and responsibilities are shared and covered. Too many cooks spoil the broth!
vii) NHPC will get scope to off-load their already huge surplus manpower from their different projects to Tipaimukh H.E. Project; thereby drastically upsetting the employment opportunity of the local people. This cannot be allowed by depriving the unemployed local people the scopes of employment, which otherwise, would have been unquestionably be granted with executors from the NE region like NEEPCO.

Under such a situation the public has the right to know and be apprised of the detail background atleast on the following issues –
i) The detail background of deciding on execution of the project including decisions / resolutions taken at the Govt. levels at different times.
ii) The statutory norms / regulations for deciding the executing agencies for such projects.
iii) The details of the decision points in the Ministry of Power in finalising the executing agencies in respect of the projects in the other states more particularly in the N.E. States.

Having said much, if I am to opt ‘dam or no dam’ I would honestly welcome the project, but on one, and only one condition. The project can be executed by anyone who is ready to hear the voices, see to the desires, honours the rights and preserved the values of the public concerned, no matter profit or loss for the executor.

Support for NEEPCO
Desirably, NEEPCO should continue the execution as it is a regional entity having already associated with the local people since long. Effected masses should be comfortable in all matters. This, I very well understood, is one of the PM’s Special package for Socio-economic development of most neglected and backward areas/region, and that promisingly without dearth of funds. So why worry? Let’s shun wealth-making business, and start with ‘a little Act of Random Kindness (ARK).

SHILLONG, July 27, 2009: The Hmar Peoples Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) has said that the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project is a war imposed on the indigenous Hmar people and other communities who share the river.

HPC-D “northern command” leader Lalthutlung Hmar told Newmai News Network that power-hungry governments and dam builders in India are being driven by capitalist interests. In their blind pursuit for profit and securing energy in distant foreign lands, they are poised to cross into indigenous peoples’ territory to dam the two life-giving rivers, Tuiruong and Tuivai, the group said.

“They don’t have the approval and consent of the people in whose land the dam is proposed. We are closely watching their every move. Hmar Peoples Convention Democratic shall never tolerate and allow their efforts to bear any fruit,” he said. The HPC-D leader said the rivers that nurse and feed ‘our honored generations before shall continue to flow for all the generations to come.’

“We cannot allow the rivers to be disturbed. We are obligated to see that no outsiders, their forces and might will dam, destroy or disturb the natural flow of the rivers of life. Whoever steps in shall do so at their own risk. They shall pay for their own action,” he added sternly.

The HPC-D leader also said that Tuiruong and Tuivai rivers are central to the existence and survival of the indigenous Hmar people, who are fragmented by five state boundaries – Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya.

“Although the divisive state boundaries made our people politically insignificant in their respective State, the rivers weaved our people together through thick and thin. We shall never sacrifice them; never in the name of development; never in any elusive name. Our rich culture, tradition, history, language and memory flow in these rivers,” he said The HPC-D leader said it won’t “bow before any foreign interests to become mere fodder when our human quest is also to live and progress like equal human being.”

He said the rivers did not flow to be dammed and “our land and forest did not stand to be submerged; our people did not live to be uprooted and displaced”. There can be no compensation for the loss and cost to be paid by the people,” the Hmar outfit leader said.

The HPC-D pledged that it will fight to the end to see that the continuity and survival of these resources are not cornered. “We shall not allow the inheritor of these resources, the Hmar people, to be murdered by the same rivers that has given them life through the ages,” he said.

The outfit has appealed to the visiting parliamentary delegates from Bangladesh to steadfastly share the people’s concern to save river Tuiruong and Tuivai for all purposes. “Work together for collective good; to save the rivers from irreparable damage and public calamity,” he added.

The “northern command” leader of the outfit further said that HPC (D) was responsible for destroying NEEPCO’s drilling machine in the year 2008. “We hope everyone read our message loud and clear. We shall ever be committed to resist the destructive forces that go against the will of our people. Let this be a warning to all the other actors who are eyeing to intervene and injure our land and resources,” he said.

Advising to “stop all your vain efforts,” the outfit said it will not allow anyone to become “profit makers, share-holders and beneficiaries at the cost of our blood, land and rivers.”

“Let the governments and dam builders hear if they have ears; let them reason with their clear conscience before they initiate the structure of mass destruction. Let them not push us against the limit. If, today, they don’t retreat, HPC (D) shall be proud to become a sacrifice to take our own course of action. We shall fight this war. None can stop us, for God is with us,” Lalthutlung Hmar added.

Source: Morung Express

Tarik ni 15 August thla kum 2008 khan Hmar Students’ Association thuoitu thar ding hai member haiin thlang le ruotin a um a, hi a hnuoia hai hi thuoitu thar dingin member tinin lungruol takin thlang an nih. (Tuta term hi Aug 15, 2009 chen a nih)

OFFICE BEARERS 2008 - 2009


Designation Hming/Chanchintawi


President Tv. Rama Khobung Hmar Tv. Rama Khobung
Secretary Tv. Solomon Joute Hmar Tv. Solomon Hmar
Vice President Tv. Nelvin Randolph Amos Hmar Tv. Randolph Amaw
Asst Secretary Tv. Japheth Darngawn Hmar Tv. Japheth Darngawn
Finance Secretary Tv. Joseph Songate
Treasurer Nk Lily Hrangkhawl Hmar Nk Lily Hmar
Education Secy Tv. John Ringsan Hmar Tv. John Ringsan
Info. & Pub. Secy Tv. Ruoltinkung Puruolte Hmar Tv. Ruoltinkung Puruolte
Sports and Cultural Secy. Tv James Joute Hmar Tv. James Joute



COMMITTEE MEMBERS (2008-2009)


Tv. B. Zairemthang
Tv. Barnaba Infimate
Tv. Jeffrey D Tusing
Nk Jessica Joute
Nk. Elsa Lungtau
Nk Nancy Pudaite
Nk Jessy Laldinmawi Amaw

ADVISORS (2008-2009)


Rev. Jonathan Pudaite
Pastor Lalsandam
Pu Lalkhomoi Tusing
Pu Robert L Sungte
Pi Nancy Morton

Source: HSA, Bangalore

Office bearers of Mumbai Hmar Welfare Association, 2009-10:

Chairman: Darzakhum Songate
Vice Chairman: Marc Lalrohlan
Secretary: Stephan C. Hmar
Assistant Secretary: John K. Dulian
Finance Secretary: Lalthakhum Khawbung
Treasurer: Emanuelle Zarzokim Songate
Secretary Information: James Daihmingthang Pudaite
Secretary Games & Sports: Joseph Lalpiengrem Joute
Secretary Social & Culture: Elizabeth Khawbung

[Source: Tahelka, Vol 6, Issue 30, Dated Aug 01, 2009]

Anti-dam activists in Bangladesh and India have come together to protest against the Tipaimukh dam in Manipur, reports TERESA REHMAN

IN MANIPUR’S HMAR dialect, the name for Tipaimukh is ‘Ruonglevaisuo’, meaning ‘the confluence of two rivers’. The two-decade-long struggle against the proposed 1,500 MW Tipaimukh dam project, to be located 500 metres downstream of the confluence of the rivers Trivia and Barak, in Manipur’s Churachandpur district has brought about another union – that of anti-dam activists of India and Bangladesh. Activists from both countries, who are regularly in touch through emails and meetings held in Bangladesh, are extremely sceptical of the visit made to the controversial crossborder site by a 10-member Bangla deshi delegation of lawmakers and water resources experts in July this year.

According to activists, this first-time visit to the dam site by a Bangladesh team could become a turning point. If construed as a green signal for the dam from the Bangladesh side, it could overturn the long-drawn people’s movement against the dam. Activists from both countries came together at the National Tipaimukh Dam Conference (NTDC) organised in Bangladesh this year by an environmental NGO called the Angikar Bangladesh Foundation and are now planning a concerted effort to fight the 163 metre high dam.

“Ecology doesn’t observe national boundaries. Pakistan and India haven't abrogated the 1960 Indus Treaty despite three wars,” says Darryl D’Monte, Presi - dent, International Federation of Envi - ronmental Journalists. Commending activists who are planning to form a joint co-ordinating committee to oppose the Tipaimukh project, D’Monte says, “It makes great sense for environmentalists to join hands across borders — something that politicians seem incapable of doing, because they always see opposing, rather than common, interests”.

Ramananda Wangkheirakpam, a coordinator of the Manipur-based Citizen's Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) told TEHELKA that activists’ main worry is that the two countries may come to a hurried water-and-powersharing pact, without taking into account the real issues: reduced water flow in the Barak river, destruction of wetlands and farmlands, increased seismicity and destruction of tribal territories in Manipur.

“We would like to meet the team from Bangladesh and apprise them of what is happening to other rivers in the Northeast,” says Wangkheirakpam. Identified as India's ‘future powerhouse’, the Northeast is the site of 168 proposed large dams, with a cumulative capacity of 63,328 MW.

Activists in Bangladesh draw lessons from the disastrous effect of the Farakka Barrage, built in 1974. Bangladeshi activist Habib Siddiqui refers to the November 1999 Report made by the South Asian Network on Dams, River and People to the World Commission on Dams, which has details about the massive damage the Barrage caused in Malda upstream and Murshidabad downstream.

Siddiqui feels that while the initiative to send a delegation is encouraging, it would have better if it included some technical experts as well as members of the opposition party, the BNP. Siddiqui told TEHELKA, “If this dam is constructed, Bangladesh's ecology, agriculture and environment will be severely affected. It must be resisted.”

Meanwhile, the project has changed hands yet again. On July 15, the Centre replaced power giant North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) with the National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) as the implementing agency. The project will now be a joint venture between NHPC (69 per cent), the Shimla-based Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (26 per cent) and the Manipur Government (5 per cent). Earlier with the Brahmaputra Board, the project was awarded to NEEPCO in January 2003.

The proposed mega-dam will be the largest hydroelectric project in Eastern India. The project will have a 6 X 250 MW powerhouse. It will take at least 12 years to complete and will submerge 309 sq. km of land. Its consequences have alarmed anti-dam activists. Wangkheirakpam is firm, “We want the project scrapped.”

Activist mohammad Hilaluddin of Angikar thinks that the Bangladesh delegation’s visit highlights the complexity of Bangladesh-India relations. “In April 2009, the Indian foreign secretary visited Bangladesh, which was then reeling from the BDR mutiny and pushed the contentious issue of the Tipaimukh dam construction upon the newly-elected government,” he says. The dam-building madness prevailing in the policy-making centres of China and India, says Hilaluddin, must be replaced by collective efforts to prevent a water war.

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

[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.”

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

[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!

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.

NEW DELHI, July 21, 2009: Four-time world champion woman boxer M C Mary Kom is all set to get the country's highest sporting honour -- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna -- after getting the award selection committee's unanimous vote.

"The committee has unanimously voted for Mary Kom and the recommendation has been sent to the Sports Ministry which will ratify it soon," a top official told on condition of anonymity.

The official said the name of Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh was also discussed but the committee ultimately decided on Mary Kom.

"Vijender and wrestling's Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar did come up for discussion but Mary Kom got the vote ultimately," the official revealed.

The 25-year-old mother of two from Manipur has won medals at all the five world championships held so far, including an unprecedented fourth successive gold in the event's last edition in China last year.

Apart from Mary Kom, another woman Indian boxer from Manipur L Sarita Devi (52kg), who was a silver medallist at last year's World Championships has been picked for the Arjuna award for 2008, the official revealed.

"Besides, assistant national boxing coach Jaidev Bisht, who accompanied the team to Beijing Olympics has been selected for the Dronacharya award," he said.

Source: Zee News

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