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.
24 Mar 2016 - 9:40am | AT News
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The Bangladeshi immigration is continuing unabated in the Northeast. In what was considered to be a problem primarily in Assam seems to be extending to the other states of Northeast as well. The latest to join Assam and Tripura in this problem is Arunachal Pradesh. It is ironic that a State which has the Inner line Permit in place for even Indians seems to be having problems with immigrants from Bangladesh who seem to be entering into the State from Assam. These immigrants have started working in various menial jobs and have even set up small shops in some cases. The heartening fact is that unlike Assam, Arunchal Pradesh has started taking concrete steps to deport the illegal migrants out...
Dibrugarh: In a significant step, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered that wages should be deducted for the month of June for Grade IV employees who went on a strike on June 8, 9 and 10 as they were dissatisfied with the fact that some of the staff was put on duty in different sections of the medical college. The announcement by Sarma for deduction of wages comes at a time when the employees have again gone on a strike since Tuesday after police arrested two Grade IV employees of the medical college in connection with the mysterious theft of a baby from the hospital on June 27. Sarma has indicated that similar or even more stringent action action may be taken for the...
Guwahati: The junior inter district football championship for the Santosh Lahkar Trophy will be organised at Kaliabor from July 15. 31 district teams are participating in the 14-day knock out meet. As is the norm, the inaugural match will give an opportunity for the hosts Kaliabor to display their talents as they take on Hojai.
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Encephalitis is a viral inflammation of the brain. While some infections are mild, with few if any specific symptoms, others can be deadly. Early symptoms often include headaches, fever, and nausea. If the disease progresses, the person may suffer seizures, paralysis, mental confusion, and coma. Often the disease is accompanied by viral meningitis. Mosquitoes carry some of the most dangerous types of encephalitis, including equine encephalitis, West Nile encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis. In other cases, encephalitis develops as a secondary complication of other viral diseases, including chickenpox, herpes, mumps, polio, and rubella. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the...
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In a surprise statement, ULFA has claimed that P C Ram is still alive and the decomposed body recovered earlier was not of Ram. Police and Army personnel are discussing the latest update and they have decided to send in the matter from the ground from where they have recovered the body for a DNA test. Meanwhile his son Parvin when contacted has expressed surprise over the developments. He has said that if his father is still alive as claimed by ULFA, they should allow him to telephonically talk with the family which would be a proof that he is actually alive. He also wanted to understand why the Police could not think of doing a DNA test before
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New Delhi: The Centre finetunes a slew of measures to ensure essential supply for the north eastern region following the damage of the Lumding-Badarpur railway network. Also immediate steps are there to restore the network. The Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday morning assessed the situation and issues instructions to the ministries of railways, food and public distribution, petroleum, road transport, home to ensure the supply of essential commodities in the region.Convened by the PMO, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, T K A Nair, Assam revenue minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman and key officials of the concerned ministries attended the meeting.The Assam Government informs that...
Guwahati: The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa on Sunday said the outfit was ready to hold peace talks with Indian Government to put an end the present impasse.'We have all along been willing to hold talks for a respectable solution to the problem. We once again reiterate that if the Indian Government comes up with any proposal for a respectable solution to the problem and it is routed through the People's Consultative Group (PCG), we are ready toconsider,' Rajkhowa said in a statement published in its fortnightly newsletter Swadhinata or Freedom.’ The lack of any political solution has resulted in the conflict in Assam turning...
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