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 talks on ST status for six communication in New Delhi with P R Kyndiah has proved to be a meaningless one as baring a few dark horses, the leaders of all the six communication boycotting it on Tuesday.The Ahomes were represented by Daya Krishna Gogoi, Naba Phukan and Ajoy Borgohain while the Koch Rajbanshis were represented by Congress leader Dr Durlabha Chamua.Meanwhile, All Assam Tai Ahom Students Association has claimed that the Tai Ahom Council which participated in the talks with Union tribal development minister P R Kyndiah in New Delhi has no base in the state. Two of its leaders are servicemen while the remaining one is a worker of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.All Assam...
The dying fishes floating on the water besides the Kamrup Deputy Commissioner’s office in the river Brahmaputra is touching off a seismic wave of reaction in several quarters across the state.It’s a picture that is more than described. Fishes in large numbers are languishing in dying agony. All they became visible from early in the morning on Tuesday. As the news spread like wildfire people in large number start gatecrahing the bank of the river Brahmaputra to see the dying fishes in the river water beside the Kamrup Deputy Commissioner’s Office. All they found it strange to see the fishes floating on the river water. But nobody was there to find out the reason behind this...
Both NSCN factions in Nagaland are in talk to regroup for restoration of peace in the state. Talking to a private TV channel on Monday over telephone, NSCN Khaplang home minister Wanting Naga said the top guns of both the faction recently met at New Land in Dimapur to discuss the regrouping bid. He further said it will help restore permanent peace in the north eastern state adding that the incidents of violence is decreasing after the meeting. He however, denied the emergence of new militant outfit in the state.
The government bid to pacify the six striking communities for ST status is likely to go in vain as they are all set to boycott the meeting with Kyndiah slated for Tuesday in the capital.All the six communities have already announced their boycott decision saying it will not serve the purpose. But the government is trying its best to make the bid a successful one in the run up to the panchayat polls.According to information, the officials of the Chief Minister’s office, top official of the WPTBC department, one leading MLA from Upper Assam are in constant touch with the agitating leaders of the six communities.WT message were issued and Assam House and Assam Bhawan in Delhi were...
Four people injured while the CRPF jawans was firing at the non Rabha people in Goalpara's Krishnai area while they were picketing at around 10-45 in the morning. Tension still prevails in the areas. Top ranked police and civil officials are rushing the spot. Details are awaited.
The HSLC/AHM (Regular/Private) examination, 2008 and compartmental examination 2007 will begin from February 15. The theory papers will get over on March 5. The practical examination will be conducted at the selected centres/venues, informed the Board of Secondary Education, Assam.
The first Guwahati Home Fair 2007, organized by the Assam Real Estate and Infrastructure Developers Association (AREIDA), will be under way from December 24 next at the State Veterinary College ground at Khanapara in the city. The event is being managed by Epitome Communications. AREIDA, the apex body of the builders and promoters of real estate in Assam, has conceptualized the Home fair, the first of its kind in this part of the country, for the entire gamut of people engaged in the booming real estate business in the Northeast.The fair is aimed at three different groups of people – who already own a house but is looking for a makeover, who wants to purchase a flat, and who wants to...
Three people were killed in two separate incidents in the city on Monday in Survey and Lakhi Mandir areas respectively.According to information, a speeding truck hit an auto rickshaw in the Survey area at around in the morning, leaving Ibo Pishak Singh dead. The driver of the auto rickshaw with Sanathan Tati, who was also inside the three-wheeler. In another incident, a moving truck skideded off a motorcycle borne youth in Lakhi Mandir area at around 12:30 am. The decasaed has been identified as Gyanendra Kalita.
Two policemen died and five others injured when the militants of Jewel faction of Dima Halam Daoga attacked the 17th company of the 8th APBN in NC Hills' Phaiding areas at around 4-15 in the morning on Tuesday. The militant group operating in the hills district has already claimed the responsibility of the attack. Update: About 30 to 40 members of the DHD Group, popularly known as the Black Widow Group indiscriminately attacked on the 17 No. Platoon camp of 8th Assam Police Battalion engaged for the protection of the Indian Construction Company working for the making of VIIth tunnel of the newly constructed in Fiding under Maibong Police Station, 80 KM away from Halflong, NC Hills...
Its a significant development in Assam politics inn the run up to the panchayat polls. The All Assam Muslim Council (AAMC) has withdrawn its support from the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) alleging that the leadership has been running the party in a most autocratic style.The council is among the 13 organizations which formed a common platform — the Coordination Committee of the Minority Organizations (CCMO) — as the launching pad to float the AUDF just before the last Assembly elections in the State.AAMC general secretary Omar Rashid alleged that the AUDF leadership had not only neglected the council leaders but also conspired to destabilize the organization of the council.
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