The Guwahati based journalist and a regular contributor to 'Assam Times', Nava Thakuria has been awarded with the first media fellowship on refugee issues sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (C-NES). The Fellowship with the theme, 'The Chins of Myanmar: Refugee Life in a Distant Neighbour', with a focus on Protection and Durable Solutions for the Chin ethnic group from Western Myanmar, which lives in challenging conditions in the Northeast as well as in New Delhi starts from 1 March to 31 May.
The announcement was made by a Committee comprising Mr. Sanjoy Hazarika, C-NES Managing Trustee, journalist and editor, Ms. Pamela Philipose, Independent Journalist and Ms. Nayana Bose of the UNHCR on February 15 last. The awardee Mr Thakuria has written extensively on issues related to Burma (Myanmar). Thakuria is a regular contributor to many acclaimed newspaper and portals based in Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Dhaka, Hong Kong, Seoul, London and California and his special areas of interest include socio-political developments in Northeast India with Burma, Bhutan and Bangladesh
It may be mentioned that Mizoram, a Burma bordering Northeast Indian state gives shelter to nearly 40,000 Chin refugees. Those Burmese citizens fled their country to get rid of the atrocities of the present regime named State Peace and Development Council. Led by the Senior General Than Shwe, the SPDC is identified as one of the worst human rights violators in the globe.
The refugees started fleeing Burma after the 1988 uprising for restoration of democracy in the land of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Thousand of Burmese have already sacrificed their precious lives supporting the pro-democracy movement led by the Great Lady. Many of them left Burma to live an exile live in its neighbouring Thailand, India, Bangladesh and many other countries around the globe.
"The effort is to build capacity and better understanding among journalists interested in refugee issues, especially at the middle-level, but also to publish their findings and observations extensively in the Indian media," said Sanjoy Hazarika, Managing Trustee of C-NES. It is an opportunity for the journalist to look at issues relating to refugee movements into the country, the condition of refugees, the problems of mixed migration (refugee movements combined with economic/environmental international migrants).
Carol Batchelor, Chief of Mission, UNHCR India, while mentioning the fellowship to study the refugee issue said, "It is hoped that through this opportunity for an in-depth review of refugee issues, journalists will be strengthened in their efforts to inform public opinion." There are two other fellowships, applications for which are welcome, one on "The need for a refugee specific legislation in India" (to be announced in May 2008) and another on Sri Lankan refugees (to be announced in August 2008). The programme is aimed to research and write on the issue comprising the protection and durable solution of the refugee problem.
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The Upamonyu Hazarika commission set up to study the progress in the Indo-Bangla border fencing is on a visit to Dhubri on Sunday to take stock of the birb wire fencing work along the international...
Director general Police, Jayanto Narayan Choudhury wants to move out. But only after the panchayat election in January next. The former additional director of the Centre's Intelligence Bureau may return to the central government services. Choudhury is waiting for the state government to release him but sources said that chief minister Tarun Gogoi needs some time to find a new DGP before he approves Choudhury's release.
On the occasion of first death anniversary of Dr Bhupen Hazarika, a "Sradhanjali" progrm is being organized at Assam Bhawan, Vashi, New Mumbai on Saturday November 3 (6 to 9 PM). The program will have Naam Prasanga, Bargeet, Bhupendra Sangeet by Guest artists. All are invited. the event is being organised by The Assam Association, Mumbai and Shreemoyee Asomiya Mahila Samiti.
A minor boy was killed and five others have been injured when a power grenade exploded a crowded market in Udalguri on Monday. The incident took place when two motorcycle born militants lobbed a grenade as they drove through a busy market, killing the minor boy and wounding five other people. Top ranked police and civil officials rushed to the spot. No outfit has so far claim the responsibility for the attack.
An Airtel employee was injured when armed miscreants attacked him in Nagaon town on Monday. The shoot out took place near the the Nagaon headquarters police station when Amrit Das was preparing to the leave for his home. Suddenly gunmen who were hiding downstairs started pumping bullets at him leaving him seriously injured. Policemen rushed to the spot. But by then, the motorcycle born gunmen managed to escape.
There is report of simmering tension in Dhubri town when police sprang upon a group of protestors at a police station on Monday. Around 500 women of the IG Road area of Dhubri staged a peaceful dharna before the Dhubri police station this morning to protest against the detention of five youths late last night who had been picked up on the suspicion of being involved in the violence. Curfew was reimposed on Monday following the clash.
The government failure to check flood an erosion have reached the Supreme Court when the apex court on Monday asked Delhi and Dispur to respond to a plea that the failure of effective flood management in the state.Admitting a PIL filed by BJP leader Pradyut Bora, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir issued notice to the Arunachal Pradesh government as the petitioner claimed that being a upper riparian state, the neighbouring state has not done enough to combat flood.
The All Assam Students' Union on Monday demanded steps to complete the work on updating the National Register of Citizens before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, AASU Adviser Sammujjal Bhattacharjya said that the facts and figures in the recent white paper are nothing but a bunch of white lies. He said that a lot of facts and figures on illegal immigrants are not finding place. He said that various judgements of Supreme Court and High Court on the issue had also not been mentioned in the Paper.
he famed Manas National Park is all set to open for tourists from November 4. According to the park authorities, repairing works are on inside the park. The park remains closed for almost six months during the rainy season every year and reopens with the onset of winter.
Ranee Narah took over as Minister of State for Tribal Affairs on Monday a day after the Lakhimpur MP took oath. She has been a prominent face of the young brigade of Congress in the state. According to official statement, she was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 and re-elected to the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 and 15th Lok Sabha in 2009. Narah was the Member of Consultative Committee in the Ministries of Communications, Petroleum and Natural Gas. She was also member of various important committees like committees on Urban and Rural Development, Defence, Transport, Tourism and Culture. She was also the captain of Assam women's cricket team.
Chief minister Tarun Gogoi and his Manipur counterpart, Okram Ibobi Singh, are dead opposed to any move by the Centre to agree to NSCN (IM)'s demand for territorial integration of Naga- inhabited areas of Assam and Manipur with Nagaland.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Friday, Gogoi said that NSCN (IM) wants to carve out a greater Nagaland by including all Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunchal Pradesh to the present state of Nagaland. According to him, the Centre should have held consultation with Dispur before reaching such a pact.
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