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.
Security forces are spreading tentacles to nab the ULFA militants who are unleashing terror in Sivasagar town with a powerful blast that killed one person on Monday evening.
Ten others have been injured in the blast who were rushed to the hospital. The injured have been identified as Krishna Sahu, Prakash Yadav, Arun Dey, Hari Sahu, Sadhu Khan.
The blast took place amid a simmering war of words between ULFA’s anti-talk faction and superintendent of police.
The controversy erupted on Sunday when body of a local youth was found in Sonari. Police claimed it a handiwork of ULFA. ULFA’s anti-talk faction on Monday held SP Akhilesh Singh responsible for the incident.
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Fellow Citizens of Bharatvarsha and Friends, Hari Om.
You might think this opening statement a pompous beginning to this evening’s proceedings, but as we go along I will endeavour to explain how this is one of the most illuminating ways to address one’s people and how that light shone in Assam over 500 years ago and its effulgence burns to this day in the hearts and minds of every Assamese.
It is this spirit of enlightenment that we would like to present and radiate not just here, but throughout India, and to every corner of the globe where human and sincerely secular values have a meaning.
In all my life, this is perhaps my proudest moment. At a time when Assam burns...
One person was killed and ten others have been seriously injured when ULFA militants exploded a powerful bomb in Sivasagar town on Monday only to make their presence felt.
The explosion took place with a huge sound at around 9 in the evening near the Central Market. The bomb was believed to have been planted at a motor cycle which exploded when the spot was teeming with people. Security forces arrived in the spot. One person died on the spot. The injured have been rushed to the Sarma Nursing Home and some of these people have been rushed to the Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh. On the other hand, security forces have cordoned off the entire area in the town launching an operation to...
Krishna Kanta Handique Open University is gearing up for introduction of post graduate courses in a number of subjects from 2012-13 academic session. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Monday, open varsity’s vice chancellor Srinath Baruah said that these new courses include sociology and linguistic on semester system. According to him, the open varsity would impart training to the newly recruited teachers.
Hundreds of Assam Youth Congress and National Students Union of India activists hit the streets in Guwahati on Monday demanding immediate deportation of Bangladeshi immigrants. The protesters said that they wont rest until and unless the immigrants are flushed out. They further alleged that BJP was trying to divide the people in the name of religion and ethnicity. APYC president Piyush Hazarika said that BJP and BJYM were trying to extract political mileage from the immigrants issue.
The opposition Asom Gana Parishad on Monday alleged that FDI in retail would leave lakhs of youths unemployed in Assam. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, party president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta feared that FDI in retail would completely destroy local outlets where lakhs of youths are engage. He said that it would be a shocking chapter in a state like Assam where there is hardly anything to be called industrialization.
The overall flood situation remains unchanged. Toll has gone upto 9 where over ten lakh people rendered homeless in 16 districts. The water level of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries are still rising. Three children drowned in a boat mishap at Makum near Sadiya in Tinsukia district last night while NDRF rescued 42 others. Two others died each in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts and one each in Sibsagar and Nalbari on Sunday. The worst affected districts are Baksa, Barpeta, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup (rural and metro), Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sibsagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia.
Asom Gana Parishad on Monday strongly criticized Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his Japan trip at a time when the state is reeling under devastating flood waves. Talking to reporters in Guwahati, party president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said that Gogoi is making a habit to stay abroad in the time of crisis. He further demanded more central funds for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit people.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday ordered deployment of helicopters and mechanised boats to step up rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit areas.
Gogoi in his telephonic conversation from Tokyo asked revenue minister Prithibi Majhi, water resources minister Rajib Lochan Pegu and Chief Secretary Naba Kumar Das to efficiently deal with the rescue and relief operations. He further ordered adequate food materials be supplied to the affected areas.
The Electronic Media Forum Assam (EMFA) has announced the third EMFA awards to be held in the second half of January 2013 in the city. The exclusive media forum for the television journalists and non-journalist employees has also invited entries for the 3rd EMFA Media Awards 2012.
Addressing the reporters in Guwahati Press club today morning the EMFA has also informed that the entries for the annual awards should be telecast between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2012 through the television channels and those must reach the office of EMFA (c/o Guwahati Press Club, Ambari, Guwahati-781001) by January 7, 2013. The awards will be given in 16 categories comprising on specific reporting,...
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