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.
The Assam government is all out to thwart the bandh calls and strikes across the state for the time being. In an emergency message on Monday,the government has asked the district administrations to ensure attendance of all employees during bandhs and strikes. The absence would be considered as unauthorised leave.
Sensation prevails in Guwahati when a post graduate student was found dead on Monday. Identified as Pritam Das, the body was found at the No 1 hostel in Bhangagarh at 6.30 in the evening. Police called it a suicide case. According to sources, the 25 year old who hailed from Tinsukia district has been hailing from depression for the last 3 days. It is learnt that he mired in depression after his laptop went mission where he stored some incriminating materials which was sent in MMS to some of his friends.He also invited wrath from his girlfriend who stays in Delhi.
In a bid to rein in the wanton voice of anger anf protest, the Assam government has also requested the individuals and organisations in the BTAD not to organise any procession and rallies for next one month in the BTAD area keeping in view the sensitivity of the issue. The government made the appeal as the rallies and processions might aggravate tension in the affected areas.
With normalcy back in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts, the government starts the process for rehabilitation of the displaced people in the three violence-hit districts. Thousands of people are keen to leave the refugee camps. Relief and rehabilitation of the displaced people of the three violence hit districts has started. However, about another 2,45,831 inmates of the relief camps are still living in over 200 such camps in these three districts. The process of verification of land documents of the inmates of the relief camps are underway started in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts.
Life in the BTAD areas is limping back to normalcy. There is no report of any fresh violence during the last six days. But security forces have been maintaining a close vigil. There are close to 40 companies of central paramilitary forces in the three districts now. The deployment of security forces would remain in the BTAD areas. The day curfew have been lifted and only night curfew prevails now in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts.
The Sports Minister Sri Ajit Sing inaugurated the 8th edition of C E M's Cup Invitational Prize Money Football Tournament at NL Daulagupu sport complex on Monday in presence of the Chief Executive Member, Dima Hasao Autonomous Council and others. The inaugural match was played in between Fiangpui Youth Club and Kholkuol Club.
Football teams from within the district of Dima Hasao and outside the district as well as teams from outside the state have confirmed their participation in the tournament. The outstation teams which have confirmed their participation so far are Blood Mouth, Hailakandi, Morning Star, Diphu, KA, DCC Lumding, FC Bethlem, Mizoram, Dimapur XI, Nagaland, Borok FC, Tripura...
The Assam government steps up crackdown against a section of financial institutions who have duped lakhs of people in the name of saving schemes. The Reserve Bank of India has already sent circler to the state to help the government rein in these financial firms.
The first one special train left Guwahati for Bangalore carrying 250 people from the north east on Saturday. The train left for Bangalore at 2.35 in the afternoon after it was seen off by ministers Nilamoni Sen Deka and Rockybul Hussain at the Guwahati railway station. The passengers train has 14 sleeper class coaches.
Over 50,000 people took out a huge rally in Sivasagar on Saturday demanding immediate expulsion of illegal migrants. Organized by 26 organizations, the rally demanded steps to detect and drive away the religious extremists who have been trying to disrupt the unity, peace and the rich communal harmony of Assam. Students from the colleges, schools and the public of Sivasagar came out and joined the rally willingly to make it a success.
An English book of verse titled ‘Great Songs’ was released on Aug 26 in the Guwahati Press Club by eminent educationist Dr Kishori Mohan Pathak, formerly Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University. The full title of the book is ‘Great Songs — English Rendering of Srimanta Sankardeva’s Bargît’. As the name indicates, it is translation of 35 Bargîts composed originally by Srimanta Sankaradeva. Sankari scholar Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti has translated the Bargîts into contemporary English. The book has been written to give readers across the world a glimpse into the philosophy of Mohapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Bargît is one of the main...
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