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 move to accord ST status for six communities hits a major hurdle in the face of a statewide agitation by the tribal bodies.Speaking to Assamtimes, the All Assam Tribal Sangha (AATS) leaders here say they will oppose the move tooth and nail apprehending that it could jeopardise their existing rights they have been enjoying till today. “Its a gameplane in the time of panchayat polls which will force us to come out to the streets,” they say.On Thursday addressing the media people, the Association general secretary Aditya Khakhlari said they would not sit idle if the government further proceeds with this move which can hit their interest. The leaders of the All Assam Tribal...
Jiban, an Assamese magazine, requests your kind help in choosing 10 persons of the year 2007, who belong to Assam (of Assam, may or may not live in Assam or India). They may be from any field from politics to sports to science to culture to business to anything. (Age no bar). You may suggest upto 10 names. Your suggestions are most welcome latest by December 10. (Kindly note that suggestions will be treated as suggestions, and not votes. More mails for a person wont imply that he/she would get more weightage.)Please email to: jiban.magazine@yahoo.comSuresh Ranjan GodukaEditor, Jiban, GuwahatiPh. 0361-2462817, 09954192884
he Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) staged a demonstration on Wednesday in the capital demanding ST status for Adivasis, Ahome, Koch, Morans and Mataks. The regional party further demanded immediate dismissal of the Tarun Gogoi government for his failure to control the mob violence in Beltola on November 24.
An all party delegation will be leaving for New Delhi on December 9 to press the demand for ensuring ST status to the Adivasis, Morans, Mataks, Koches, Chutias and Ahomes.The decision was taken at an all party meeting convened to discuss the issue in Dispur on Monday. The meeting further decided to call on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, home minister Shivraj Patil, tribal development minister P Rkyndiah.The delegation will once again submit the Assembly resolution passed in 2005 for scheduliong these six communities.
A full circle political blamegame centring around the Beltola violence is being hijacked to New Delhi to get more colour.The political leaders hailing from Jharkhand have already reached the capital saying the Adivasi people are besetted with a plethora of problems and that the ruling clique, mostly the Congress party is responsible for these state of affairs.And the state leaders? They are not laging behind. Former Chief Minister and the lone legislator from the Pragatisheel Asom Gana Parishad Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is camping here.Not only that, the MLA from Kaliabor, being indicted in the secret killing cases by the K N Saikia Commission, has called on President Pratibha Patil and...
Govt postpones Constabulary interviews The recruitment test and interview for the post of AD Constable in Darrang district for candidates bearing Roll no. 5001 to 5200 will be held on December 5 at 3rd APTF Ground, Khajuabil.The physical efficiency test and interview of AB constable at Police Reserve, Tezpur from Roll no. 4001 to 4250 will be held on December 3.The interview for women AB Constable from Roll no. 501 to 665 will be held on December 4.
The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) says the Beltola violence is a managed one and was done to divide the Assamese.In its latest edition of its mouthpiece Freedom, the proscribed outfit says the rush of political leaders from outside makes it a clear that the protesters were made a scapegoat.To make the violence more effective, bandhs have also been called in Jharkhand, it says.The ULFA accuses a section political leaders of trying to disrupt the protestors on the day of violence in Beltola.
Assam Day, also known as the Syukapha Day, is being observed on Sunday with a series of programmes across the state.Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is schedule give away the Sukapha Award to noted citizen and journalist Padma Borkotoky at a function at the Rabindra Bhawan in the evening.Organised by the department of cultural affairs, minister for cultural affairs Gautom Bora and prominent historian Dr Jogen Phukan will attend the function.
The Union Human Resource Development Minister Mr. Arjun Singh laid the foundation stone for the seventh Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Shillong today. The institute named after the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, will be the first IIM in the north-eastern region. It will start functioning from next academic year from a temporary campus in Shillong city with 60 students for Post Graduate diploma in Business Management in the first year. Subsequently, it will be expanded to 120 seats in the third year and 180 in the sixth year. It will also provide specialized courses to meet the specific need of the region. Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony, Mr. Arjan Singh that...
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