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 veteran sports journalist of Assam and the founder president of Guwahati Press Club (GPC), Pulin Das will attend the Guest of the Month programme of GPC on December 30. The programme will begin at 1 pm in the GPC auditorium.Prior to it, the nonagenarian personality will be felicitated by the press club. Mr Das has maintained his health and plays lawn tennis regularly. Nava Thakuria, Secy, GPC
Assam Association, Delhi has celebrated Eid Milan on 23rd December at Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan. Eid has been celebrated by the Association since its inception on regular basis. The function was started with the welcome address by the president Gr Cpt (retd) A C Barua. Holy Koran was recited by a young member of the Association. Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, who served as Medical Counsel of Indian Embassy in Holy city of Mecca for many years shared his experience as a ‘Haji’ and as an spectator of this annual ritual, where millions from all over the world congregate to visit the holiest of holy places of Islam. Mr. Tassaduque Hussain, a ‘haji’ himself spoke about the...
Finally Assam gets to flaunt its very own Open University. The very first open university of the state – Krishna Kanta Handique Open University (KKHOU) which was set up last year opened its doors for students recently as it started its academic activities with a Bachelor’s Preparatory Programme (BPP).KKHOU is an answer to the prayers of those student’s who have been unable to continue with their studies owing to various reasons. Though Assam has been flooded by other Universities providing rather claiming to provide distance learning courses but these universities are of questionable repute as they are plagued by recognition issues. Moreover, the exams are not held...
The people of Nagaland have witnessed the humble beginning of the Hornbill Festival in 2001 in Kohima Local ground, the venue of which has been changed to Kisama now. The festival has been named after the Hornbill a bird (Dhanesh Chiriya) which is abundantly referred to in Naga customs and traditions. But this bird which signifies the Naga identity is almost extinct due to mindless killing and lack of thick forest -- their breeding place. The Naga cultural troupes today use paper feathers and wooden Hornbill in cultural festivals since there is no living Hornbill easily traceable in Nagaland. If a Hornbill sanctuary is developed in the outskirts of Kisama along with all other colorful...
Oil India Limited dethroned defending champion Assam State Electricity Board in the Assam Club Championship at Bokakhat on 23rd DEC with a 4-1 victory in a rematch of last year's final. Looking to avenge the defeat at the hands of the ASEB in the previous final, the OIL team played smart football and dominated the game throughout.The OIL think tank chose the 1-4-5-1 formation to the ASEB's 1-4-4-2 pattern and it proved to be a winning strategy. OIL took the lead with captain Birjab Mushahary's winger off a corner as early as in the sixth minute. Durga Boro scored the second goal three minutes later. After missing several scoring opportunities, ASEB bounced back in the 39th...
Santipur police, in Karbi Anglong, recovered the bodies of two youth — one Prasanta Nath of Naharjan Nathgaon, Bokakhat and another unidentified — from the Upper Rangsali Hansegaon. Police also recovered one AK-47 rifle cartridge and 15 rifle cartridges from the spot. KOUSHIK HAZARIKA
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Election Commission of India (ECI) which allowed the inclusion of Chakma and Hajong refugees' names in the electoral roll.After a tour by AAPSU delegation in the Chakma-Hajong inhabited Assembly constituencies at Doimukh, Chowkham, Bordumsa-Diyum and Miaoto area they have found out this crucial information. The PIL was filed with the Itanagar bench of Gauhati High Court. In a statement issued by the organisation they alleged that a few leaders in those area were playing with the fundamental rights of the indigenous population.
The movement for Gorkhaland is gaining momentum not only in the hills but also among the Indian Nepali masses from all over the residing in Delhi who protested against the sixth schedule and for a separate state for the gorkhas comprising Darjeeling and dooars.The newly formed Gorkha Janmukti morcha (GJMM) with its firebrand leader, president of GJMM - Mr Bimal Gurung is spearheading the gorkhaland cause. According to senior leader, general secretary of GJMM Mr Roshan Giri creation of state is the only solution and not sixth schedule and it would fulfill the long standing demand of not only Darjilingites but also the rest of Indian gorkhas. The hills opposition parties, GJMM, ABGL, CPRM,...
An MP from Bihar has reached the Supreme Court seeking probe into the alleged link of Assam’s health minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma with ULFA.In a PIL, the minister named Sukhdeo Paswan further alleges Dr Sarma’s involvement in the ULFA’s attack on the Biharis.He alleged that several criminal cases with a TADA case was pending against him which is why is using his political influence get ride of the laws.Another serious charge against Mr Sarma, according to Mr Paswan, is an extortion case of over Rs 90 lakh on behalf of ULFA. He said this is why he was allegedly booked under the TADA on January 12, 1991 at the Pan Bazar Police Station.Filed by counsel C D Singh on behalf...
Muslim people celebrated Eid-ul-zuha across the north eastern region on Friday with much religious favour and solemnity. Reports of huge congregations for community namaj are pouring in from different parts of the region. This follows the officering of sacrifice of animals. Known as the feast of the sacrifice in Islam, Eid Ul Zuha is celebrated on the tenth day of Zul-Hijja, which is the last month of the lunar Islamic calendar, and also marks the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage. The festival of sacrifice, also known as the Greater Eid, is the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar after Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan. Muslims in large...
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