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.
7 Aug 2008 - 11:03pm | editor
Sport persons protesting against barring of Manipur weight lifter L. Monika from participating in Beijing Olympic on charge doping by Indian sport authorities, in Imphal on 07-08-08. PHOTO: UB PHOTOS.
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The Bihu team from Raha police station at the inter district police station open bihu competition at Nagaon police reserve playground has bagged first prize.
The competition was organised on the...
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A daring case of buglery just at stone's throw away distance from Tangla Police Station has raised eyebrows of locals. Reportedly on Sunday night taking advantage of absence of the proprietor Mina...
12 Feb 2008 - 9:05am | editor
The hydro functioning technology of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has been behind the pollution at Galekey which causes more concern among the people of the area: The people in the area have...
The Gauhati High Court has asked senior Congress leader and minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman to appear before the court on December 11 charging him with violating the court order regarding the reinstatement of two lecturers in Barkhetri in Nalbari district.The governing body of the college headed by Dr Barman refused to comply with the order of the court and that of the Director, and did not allow them to join as lecturers and permitted Lokman Ali to continue as Principal.The two lecturers approached the Court by filing a contempt case against Dr Bhumidhar Barman and Md Lokman Ali. In pursuance of the court order, the Director conducted a fact-finding inquiry and directed the college authority...
MLA Jiten Gogoi of Bokakhat, whose name appeared in the Justice KN Saikia Commission report pertaining to the 'secret killings', has expressed serious concern and said he would move even the Supreme Court to clear his name from the report.Expressing his grave resentment over his name being associated with the issue, Gogoi alleged that Justice Saikia never met him even for once during the enquiry.Terming his indictment as intentional, he spoke about his determination to take the matter to the court and to institute a defamation suit.Gogoi also apprised newsmen gathered at the Bokakhat Circuit House premises that when secret killings took place, he was neither an ULFA or SULFA man....
A string of group clash that leaves twelve people dead, as many as one hundred people injured has forced the authority to clamp curfew in the city on Saturday. The condition of thirty is reported to be critical.The violence began as soon as the Advasi people in large numbers were holding a rally demanding Scheduled Tribe status for the community.The Adivasi protesters damaged as many as 150 vehicles while these were plying in the Beltola areas. Moreover, some of them vandalized some shops and markets in the area.The angry people in general retaliated by attack and the clash left 5 people to death.The city police sprung into action and dispersed the Adivasi people from the protest rally site...
Assam is holding its first ever International Tea Convention at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Sarusajai. As many as 33 delegates from across the world are attending the grand event. The praise on the quality of Assam is pouring on. The convention is talking about modern technology to uplift the tea industry. The inauguration ceremony on Thursday was attended by Uinion commerce minister Jairam Ramesh, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, his industry minister Pradyut Bordoloi and Tea Board of India Director.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi called on Union minister of shipping, road transport and highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu here on Tuesday and discussed the issues relating to road development in the state.According to information, Mr Baalu directed NHAI to take up repair work from Khanapura to Jorabat and Jorabat to Nagaon on top priority and requested the Mr Gogoi to expedite the work relating to the acquisition of land, cutting of trees and shifting of utilities for the progress on East-West corridor.He proposed diversion of about 90 km on the stretches of NH 37, which has to be 4-laned by NHAI to avoid Kaziranga National Park and offered in alternative route on NH-52 between Tezpur and...
A Violin Recital progam by Sunita Bhuyan will be held on 24th November, 2007 Saturday (7 pm) at Carter Road Promenade, Bandra, Mumbai. Its an open air free entry program. You are welcome to get your friends and family. For details of the festival you can check: www.celebratebandra.net or call Ms Bhuyan at 9821614829.Celebrate Bandra Festival 2007 is all about turning the spotlight on one of Mumbai's oldest and definitely her most happening suburb. Whether you want a taste of Bandra's heritage, her talent or the fantastic food on offer, the festival will leave you satiated yet begging for more.It's no exaggeration that Celebrate Bandra Festival has now established itself as the...
Normal life in central Assam is partially disrupted following the 48 hour bandh call by three Tiwa students bodies from Monday morning..The roads are wearing a desert look from early in the morning. Thin attendance are there in the schools, colleges along with other government and private institutions.The government is beefing up security arrangement to ensure normalcy during the bandh period Nagaon and Morigaon districts. However, no reports of any untoward incident has been reported so far.The student bodies are striking in protest against the government move to hold panchayat polls in the areas falling under the Tiwa Autonomous District Councils.They are preparing for a three hour long...
he north eastern students vow to stop illegal infiltration from across the border in the region.They will care not even an iota to go to any extent to check it.This is more or less of what the speakers at the North East Students’ Organisation meeting said in Itanagar on Saturday.Addressing the session, the chairman of the region’s students body came down heavily on the Centre and the Assam government saying both the governments have been downplaying the serious issue.Our agitation will continue so far as the problem confronts, said Dr Bhattacharjee.NESO advisor A Shirmey apprehended said if the influx further goes unabated the indigenous citizens will become beggars in the own...
Legendary football player of Northeast, Gilbertson Sangma will attend the Guest of the Month programme of Guwahati Press Club on November 20 (Tuesday). The programme will begin at 12 Noon. Mr Sangma is supposed to recall his experiences of his days as a member of Assam police football team particularly during the Bordoli Trophy tournament.
Stunned by the High Court directives on the secret killing reports, Dispur is holding talks with legal experts to tide over the Catch-22 situation and to ensure a hassle-free proceeding for Thursday’s Assembly session.According to information, the Assam government finds it difficult to table the Justice K N Saikia Commission report on the floor of the House along with the Justice J N Sarma Commission report which was rejected by the Tarun Gogoi government in its previous regime.“If an acceptable legal option fails to come up on Wednesday evening, the government will not be able to table the report on secret killings during the Mahanta regime. Submission of the Justice J N Sarma...
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