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Guwahati ain’t no Bangkok

By AG | Published: January 18, 2008

Quite true to my apprehension, the government didn’t bothered to make the most out of the North East India Investment Summit at Guwahati.

The Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) today expressed resentment over the state government’s ”half-hearted” approach towards the recently held North East India Investment Summit 2008 at Guwahati, organised by the DoNER ministry.

Claiming that the summit was basically in continuation of the Bangkok summit held in October last year, the ACCI said that galaxy of ministers, MLAs and other officials from the state thronged the summit, but the same which was held at Guwahati was not represented by the state government.

”At least one secretary could have been deputed to represent the state in such an important function,” commented ACCI Vice-President Dominic Tadar in a communiqué here today. ”We are discouraged to see no representative from the state attended the summit, while other states were represented by their chief ministers and other ministers,”he added.


But then, why would Minister’s and MLA’s of the state be so keen to attend the summit? Guwahati ain’t no Bangkok, after all.

See also:
Was the Bangkok trip a Success Story or a Farce?

Posted in Arunachal Pradesh | 2 Comments

Ziro-Hapoli witnesses first Bandh of the year….and counting….

By AG | Published: January 17, 2008

Guess, how did the residents of Ziro-Hapoli township made their day yesterday?

With shops closed and vehicles off the road, some seized this opportunity to turn the road into a cricket pitch; some made the pavement- a gambling den, playing cards and simultaneously enjoying the warm sunlight in this chilly winter without a trace of worry of being run-over by vehicle or stumbled upon by the pedestrian and for some it was forced confinement at their homes.

Yes, the so-called moral police, social guardian and custodian of the society are back at what they does best-giving ‘Bandh’ call at a drop of hat. And yesterday people of Ziro-Hapoli Township witnessed the first Bandh Call of the year, thanks to Apatani Students’ Union (ASU). The reason-poor mobile network provided by the lone service provider BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited).

Ziro-Hapoli Township had been subjected to quite erratic mobile network this past month, with no network most of the time, which the BSNL reason- is due to damage done to OFC (Optical Fibre Cable) linking Itanagar Swtiching Centre to Ziro Exchange by road cutting work at Hoj-Doimukh road. And despite their assurance of linking Ziro exchange with Itanagar via satellite to improve the connectivity, they failed to link the exchange and switching centre at the time stipulated by the Students’ body leading to this ‘Bandh’. The consequences at the end of 12 Hr Ziro-Hapoli Bandh-vandalism by students’ body at BSNL office-cum exchange at Hapoli and at Old-Ziro.

Quite surprisingly, majority of the people (read BSNL mobile subscribers) felt that the students had done the right thing which made me wonder, what’s the connection? What’s the poor mobile network got to do with students’ affair? Wasn’t it the subscriber’s who would have been affected by this network problem? Or was the students’ mere puppets at the hands of ‘Cell-One’ and ‘Excel’ subscriber’s to raise their voice on their behalf? When would people stop pointing gun from other’s shoulder? And when would the students’ body stop being puppet to some people who use them for their own gain?

Another question that comes to mind is-would this vandalism lead to better mobile service at Ziro? I doubt, considering the technical or administrative hurdles that may lay ahead with the BSNL authorities at Ziro, to improve the service overnight. Hadn’t it been a better option had the subscriber’s lodged a complaint at Consumer Court and made BSNL pay heavy compensation for the loss incurred to them owing to disrupted mobile network? With thousands of subscriber’s, I guess, BSNL would have thought it a better proposition to improve the connectivity and maintaining it well rather than part with huge sum of money as a compensation.

Posted in My Hapoli | Leave a comment

Namdapha Eco-Cultural Festival-Through Arif’s Lens

By AG | Published: January 14, 2008

Arif mailed me these wonderful photos shot by him during Namdapha Eco-Cultural Festival. I’ve made a slide show out of it and embedding below. Enjoy.

Thanks Arif.

Find more of Arif’s photo here.

Posted in Namdapha Eco-Cultural Festival, Photography, Tourism | 4 Comments

PPWF EQUIPPED TO ENTICE: TAKO DABI TO INAUGURATE

By AG | Published: January 14, 2008

Tom Simai | Jairampur:

The final countdown of 2nd Pangsau Pass Winter Festival (PPWF) 2008 has commenced. Six more days (20th to 22nd January) and the spectacular PPWF 2008 will be officially unveiled for the whole world to glimpse the spectacular display of cultural carnival, traditional sports and indigenous delicacies. The ethnic extravaganza is geared up to enthrall the guests from across the globe. Its festive time as the New Years begins blended with ethnic amusement celebrating ethnic diversity. The dedication, determination and perspiration of the locals have created a magnificent stage for the ethnic cultures to hurtle the hurdles and triumph over the emotions. The concept of the PPWF is not to get contained within an area & favor a tribe, but it desires to spread its wings and fly beyond the horizons to disclose the mysteries of amazing AP.

Sri Tako Dabi, Minister for Water Resources Development and Parliamentary affairs has consented to grace the occasion as chief guest and will inaugurate the three days Winter Festival at Nampong starting on 20th January.


The decisive moment has arrived that the youths of Arunachal consider and defend sincerely their ancient heritage because it’s a marvelous endowment from the exodus era. Few years back who might have thought that the forgotten customs of the isolated tribal people dwelling far away from the maddening crowd would fascinate the urban masses to travel around the secluded countryside just to witness the indigenous dances, traditional dresses and taste a glass of U or Apong? It’s a moment of truth, a triumph of tribal heritage and a time to celebrate ethnicity. Disregard the craze of highlife, overlook being highly qualified, forget the appetite of urbanism but be proud and be grateful that somehow ethnicity still survive and thrives in this part of the world. So, be there to celebrate the moment of pride. Don’t be stunned or surprised of inheriting the primeval legacy but be pompous and proud that you are one of the tribes that still can cause ripples worldwide.

Unfortunately, AP is not renowned for its nightlife or fast life but it is famous for the lively tribes, the organic foods, the terrace cultivations, the incredible landscapes, the thatched bamboo houses, the unique dialects, the innocent smiles, affable natures etc. The PPWF 2008 is working on this track to promote or showcase the matchless characteristics of tribal peoples and the indigenous resources used for survival. The cultural carnival is sure enough to mesmerize with its colorful presentation.

As PPWF is synonyms to Eco-tourism thus the ADC Sri M.Roy, Jairampur, has decided to keep the entire area POLY FREE ZONE and in this regard he has prohibited the use of POLY BAGS within the Festival area. This will gradually be implemented in entire Sub Division very shortly. It is a huge step towards creating an unpolluted and greener environment.

Curious Children looking at the hoarding of festival: The Nampong and Jairampur are excited and inspired for the 2nd PPWF – Photo : Arif Siddiqui


Find more on Pangsau Pass Winter Festival here.

Posted in Arunachal Pradesh, Jairampur, Pangsau Pass Winter Festival, Tourism | Leave a comment