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.
Drawback lies with the administration when it fails to implement the country's law prepared by the House of Representatives. In that case the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have great responsibility to help the needy people getting justice and let them live a life with dignity. The NGOs have to play a major role in making a discrimination-free society. An example has been set up by a Guwahati-based NGO, namely Shishu Sarothi, by its Project Coordinator, Disability Law Unit-NE, Ms Anju Talukdar. The organization has successfully helped the persons with disabilities to get justice and their legal rights under the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995.One Nripendra...
We gather once again on 20th November this year to commemorate globally the 'Convention on the Rights of the Child' which was signed by the United Nations on this day in 1989 and sanctioned by several countries to provide basic rights to the children. In India Children's Day is celebrated on 14th November, the birth anniversary of Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first prime minister of free India and a great lover of children and roses alike. The sole purpose of setting aside this day was to promote the children's welfare and to protect them from harm . And yet millions of children worldwide work under slave like conditions ,searching for a childhood which does not exist for...
One ULFA cadre Hemo Gogoi @ Chintu Borgohain, resident of Majuli, Jorhat district, died in an encounter with Army 316 regiment. This incident took place at around 6:45 pm today at Ajanti Ghat, Sivasagar. Army recovered 2 Chinese grenades, some detonators, IED explosives, and some extortion notes.Mridul Burgohain, Demow
Factional fight between ULFA & NSCN(IM) at Tigit sub-division, Nagaland, 3 km away from Namtola , Sonari (Sivasagar district). One ULFA cadre Mridul Moran of Dumduma, Tinsukia and one civilian S N Kanyak died during the fight. Another ULFA cadre Santanu Maran of Kakopathar, Tinsukia is seriously injured.
A group of experts of M/s Srishti Consulting Service, appointed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the river island Majuli to formulate the presentation for onward submission to ICOMOS (International Council of Movements and Sites) for inscribing Majuli as World Heritage Site. Official sources here say the team has visited the Sattras in the nearby Natun Kamalabari, Auniati, Bengenaati, Samaguri, Dakhinpat, etc., areas along with tribal and non-tribal villages in Majuli to collect information on Sattras and on the way the Sattras have influenced and continue to influence on landscape patterns and the overall integration between people and nature in Majuli, traditional...
The Kamrup Magistrate (Metro) declares the schedule area, as mentioned below, as protected area with effect from November 5 with a view to regulate entry of unauthorised persons into the area.According to information, no person or group of persons, except the bonafide residents and public servants of Assam Civil Secretariat and other offices attached there with or without arms, ammunitions, explosives substances will be allowed to enter or stay in or pass over or loiter without prior permission from the District Magistrate, Kamrup (Metro), Superintendent of City Police or Secretary, Assam Legislative Assembly.The schedule area is East – from the point of the office of the Assam Tea...
The All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) calls for a 36-hour Dimaraji bandh from 5.00 am on Tiesday 5.00 pm on Wednesday 7 demanding steps to fulfil the demands of Dimasa community.In a statement issued here, the ADSU says the existence of the Dimasa people, one of the aboriginal tribes of the North-eastern States is at stake.Even after 60 years of independence, there has been no trace of development or change in the Dimasa society in any aspect. On theother hand, numerous problems are cropping up everyday.The Dimasas people have remained backward, neglected and have been deprived of all legitimate constitutional benefits. The rapid development of other higher and more intellectual...
Four people, including a congress leader were killed in lower Hallong in the NC Hills district today at around 1:30 pm. The ambush was carried out by Black Widow and Hmar militants. The four persons include Thmba Hmar and his two PSO's and his driver.
A meeting of the Grahak Suraksha Samiti (GSS), Bokakhat and Bokakhat Town Committee was held recently on the latter's premises. GSS was represented by Gopikanda Saikia and Jayanta Das, president and secretary of the organisation respectively.A number of problems faced by town dwellers of Bokakhat were brought to the notice of the chairman, Bokakhat town committee. GSS demanded measures to clear the daily garbage in the daily bazar, particularly of the fish and fowl market, repair of road connecting Bokakhat FRU, provision of street lights at several critically important locations, fixing up of rickshaw fares and provision of other basic amenities.The chairman assured to attend to and...
The Kaziranga National Park has been reopened for the visitors on 1st November. The world"s famous park, home to one-horned Rhinos, migratory birds and several endangered species will be kept open for the visitors till April next so that tourists can take a glimpse of them. The 430 square kilometer park located at Nagaon and the Golaght districts of Assam (in North East India) was declared world heritage site in 1985.Since then several foreign agencies have come forward to extend financial help to save the animals who are on the verge of extinction.It was opened for the tourists by DK Goswami, deputy commissioner of Golaghat at aroud 6-45 am for both Indian...
Comments
Pages
Add new comment