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.
4 Sep 2012 - 2:53am | editor
In a bid to rein in the wanton voice of anger anf protest, the Assam government has also requested the individuals and organisations in the BTAD not to organise any procession and rallies for next...
7 Mar 2011 - 11:54am | Ritupallab Saikia
Golaghat Police today arrested a Home Gurad Jawan named Naren Gogoi for stealing a 9 MM Pistol. Naren Gogoi who has been working in Golaghat District Court’s Prosecuting Inspector’s...
29 Mar 2022 - 8:37pm | AT News
New Delhi: Assam and Meghalaya claimed to have settled an interstate border dispute in 6 places at a meeting of Chief Ministers with the Union's home minister in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The...
25 Jul 2012 - 1:46am | editor
A fresh orgy of violence erupted in Kokrajhar on Tuesday where the Rajdhani Express was attacked by some persons even as the entire train services to and from the Northeast was hit. Unidentified...
Noted sports organizer and senior Congress leader Phani Sarma breathed his last at his own residence at Bamunimaidam here at 7.15 a.m. today. He was 76.He was the treasurer of ruling Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and also involved with many other socio-cultural organizations of the State. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Assam Congress president Bhubaneswar Kalita deeply mourned the death of Sarma and said that the state had lost a dedicated sports organizer at his death. They also prayed to the almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed their deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Our correspondent from Guwahati: In a bid to unite all regional forces to recoup power at Dispur from Congress, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has determined to constitute a working group for unification. And they are all set to get a new president to clear the decks for the much-hyped reunification. This was decided by the party in its central executive committee meeting held at Mangaldoi on Sunday. Most of the members of the committee have come down heavily on party president Brindaban Goswami for his failure to coalesce the party with AGP (Progressive) led by former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. The party top guns came down heavily on Goswami for his lack of efficiency and asked...
1) Three Match One day series starting on Tuesday (27th of June 2007). 2) One-off one-day match against Pakistan July 3. 3) A full tour of England where India will take on the hosts in a three-match Test series and seven one-dayers starting July 19.
Belfast : India won a rain curtailed one day match against Ireland. Unbeaten half centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Sourav Ganguly helped India register a nine-wicket victory at the Civil Service Cricket Club here on Saturday. Chasing a target of 171 in 39 over set by the Irish team, India reached 172 runs for one wicket in 35 overs with Gambhir contributing an unbeaten 80 and Ganguly scoring 75 not out. Almost three hours of playing time was lost because of rains. Put into bat first Ireland made 193 but the target for India was revised to 171, according to the Duckworth-Lewis method. Piyush Chawla, was the main wicket taker for India with a haul of three wickets for just 29 runs in...
Sibasagar police has arrested four individual for alleged links with ULFA. Among them three individuals are from Sibasagar and one from Moran. The individuals have been arrested for assisting in collection and supplying huge amount of money to ULFA. The arrested individuals have been identified as Mr Pradeep from Nivedon Stores, Mr Radheshyam from Apsara Store and another all hailing from Sibasagar and Mr Bikash Agarwal from Moran. Ironically while on the one hand ULFA is threatening North Indians to leave Assam at the same time we find them also assisting the ULFA.
The first Mobile Banking facility in Assam was inaugurated in Diphu on 21st July,2007. LANGPI DEHANGI RURAL BANK which is mostly in Karimganj and North Cachar Hills District is introducing it in Assam. It was inaugurated by famous personalities like Dr. M.K. Nayak (Deputy general manager,SBI), Mr. B.K. Phukan (DIF, sectional officer), Mr. K.C. Behra, Mr. G.K. Sarmah and Mr. N.K. Hazarika. This is indeed good news for the people of Assam and should pave the way for many such initiatives.
Our Correspondent The overall flood situation in Assam improved on Saturday as the water level of the Brahmaputra, and its tributaries shows a receding trend but the brimful woes of those displaced are going on. According to latest informations, the mighty Brahmaputra is flowing below the danger level. The first wave this time displaced as many as 30,000 people ravaging properties worth Rs 2 crore ravaging a total land area of about 4,285 hectares, including nearly 1,150 hectares of farmland.The Government’s distribution of relief resources like rice and other essential commodities, besides medicine and healthcare facilities are continuing, say officials.Our Correspondent from...
Guwahati: In yet another ‘handiwork,’ ULFA explodes a powerful bomb in the busy Machkhowa areas on Saturday morning at around 7-30 which left four people dead and more than twenty injured.The blast that rocks again in the time of the grand Ambubachi mela atop Kamakhya and Asian Athletic Grand Prix at Sarusajai, took place in front of a mosque. All those four were killed on the spot.The bomb was placed beside a small tea stall at the daily fruit and vegetable market. Most of the vendors and visitors were not present in the morning when the bomb exploded.The injured people have been admitted to the nearby hospital for treatment by the people who rushed to the spot hearing the...
Guwahati: Union minister for development of the north eastern region Mani Shankar Aiyar says the Look East Policy can be successful only when the region links with South East Asia.Addressing a visiting delegation from Thailand on Friday in Agartala, Mr Aiyar says the South East Asia’s link with the north eastern region cannot come only through trade but through an integral business relationship.Disclosing that the Government pins hope on as many as 50 more airports in the North East within the next five years, the minister this will help the region boost trade with the South East Asia.According to Mr. Aiyar, some of the key areas of economic activity where Thailand has made its mark...
Guwahati: A powerful bomb that explodes in the city on Saturday morning leaves four people dead besides more than twenty injured.he explosion took place at Machkhowa and that too in front of a mosque at a daily vegetable market at around 7-30 am. All those killed in the explosion are pedestrians.Immediately after the explosion, top ranked police and civil administration officials arrived in the spot and investigation is going on.The injured were admitted to the nearby hospital.No one has so far been rounded up in the city. Details are awaited.
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