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.
A day after the powerful blast, an eerie silence is prevailing in Paltanbazar even as the police have claimed a major breakthough into the incident. All shops and markets in the area are remaining closed although no organisation has given any call. Meanwhile, the police sources here say the attack was engineered by ULFA 709th battalion cadre Saranga Patowary who sneaked into the city three days back. Investigations are going on.
Minoti Khaund celebrated 50 years of her musical career as a violinist on the 29th of December 2007. It was a grand evening with a packed audience full of her friends, family and fellow musicians. The program had performances by Minoti's sister Pronoti Khaund on bhajans, her junior students and senior students on the violin, a vocal performance by well known writer Mitra Phukan (she is Minoti's sister-in-law ) and also a raag based song composed by Minoti herself by her nieces upcoming singer Anshumala and Sanjana. The grand finale was a duet by Minoti and daughter Sunita Bhuyan and a historic moment was created when they were joined by 8 year old Panchami Khaund, Minoti's grand daughter...
Altogether fourteen people have been injured while the suspected ULFA militants targeted a CRPF patrolling party with a powerful explosion in Paltanbazar area in the city at around 7-30 in the evening.Sources here say the ULFA’s 709 battalion top cadre Saranga Patowary is behind this attack. Patowary reportedly reached the city two days back.The explosion took place just a few meter away from the Paltanbazar police station. The injured people have been rushed to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital for treatment.City police superintendent has said ULFA is behind the blast which was targeted to a group of CRPF jawans. Health and family welfare minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the...
ULFA is stepping up its operation also in Upper Assam with blast in Sivasagar followed by an encounter with police. The incident took place at around 8 in the evening. No casualty has been reported but security has been beefed up throughout the district to avert further incident.
Altogether fifteen people have been injured while the suspected ULFA militants targeted a group of CRPF jawans with a powerful explosion in Paltanbazar area in the city at around 7-30 in the evening. The explosion took place just a few meter away from the Paltanbazar police station. The injured people have been rushed to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital for treatment. No militants outfit has yet to claim the responsibility but top ranked police and civil officials are there to oversee the rescue works. City police superintendent has said ULFA is behind the blast which was targeted to a group of CRPF jawans.The city buses in the area are asked to change their routes and a complete...
A grenade explosion in Lastgate area near Beltola has once again rocked the city just before a while. No casualty has been reported. Top ranked police and civil officials have arrived in the spot. All city buses on the route has been suspended. Details are awaited.
Four railway workers have been injured in Dibrugarh while suspectged ULFA militants lobbed powerful grenade at them on Saturday wee hours in Rongsai. According to information, suspected ULFa militants lobbed a grenade on a group of railway workers on Saturday wee hours while they were sleeping near their work site at Rongsal .Although no militant outfit has so far claimed the responsibility, ULFA is suspected to be behind the incident. While they are stepping up activities before the Republic Day
A two day North East India Investment Summit' is going on in the city’s Sarusajai Complex to woo the diaspora and seek investment in the state. Launched on Friday, an exhibition is also going on to showcase products from the mainly tribal entire northeastern states.Speaking to reporters officials hee say more than 70 such participants from all across the world are participating in the event and they are evincing keen interest in many areas including hill sector, education, upgradation of skills like IT, hydropower, housing and real estate.A non a non-resident Indian from Dubai said they are studying possibilities of a world class medical college besides investing in infrastructure...
One person died on the spot while a truck ran over him early morning on Saturday in Bagang are in Bihali. According to information, Dulan Baurik, a resident of Gohpur along with four others got down from the Itanagar boun bus at Borgang at around 3 am. A truck bearing No AS08A 1134 hit him after striking a bus. Dulan died on the spot and the driver was arrested by Bihali police.
The annual academic session of the North East India Geographical Society (NEIGS) will be held at Pandu College premises under the auspices of the Department of Geography of the college on February 9, with a day-long programme, stated a press release issued by NEIGS general secretary Bimal Kar.
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