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.
20 Feb 2018 - 7:36am | AT News
JAGIROAD: Trouble awaits Rockybul Hussain after the Morigaon police booked the Samoguri legislator for allegedly amassing properties beyond his known source of income. The police have registered a...
22 Mar 2014 - 12:45pm | Hantigiri Narzary
Three people are believed to have been killed in the name of witch-hunting in Kokrajhar.The incident took place on Thursday in Mongoljhar where the three people including a woman have been remaining...
12 Feb 2017 - 9:22pm | AT News
Two Assamese musical compact discs were released at Guwahati Press Club on Sunday in separate meetings. The first one titled Shradhanjali Kanon, created by artiste Arun Das was, was inaugurated by...
27 Mar 2015 - 10:16am | AT News
The All-Assam Students Union is changing its faces with Dipanka Nath and Lurin Gogoi. The formal announcement is expected on Friday. Nath will replace its president Sankar Prasad Roy will Lurin Gogoi...
Assam Times recommends its contributors/citizen journalists the following resources:
BBC News Styleguide
Avoid clichés and improve your journalism with this PDF version of the BBC News Styleguide. The Guide gives practical suggestions on many aspects of journalism style, including abbreviations, clichés, reported speech - and how to avoid irritating your editor. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsstyleguide
The BBC Editorial Guidelines
The BBC Editorial Guidelines outline the standards the BBC expects of all BBC content on TV, radio and online.
They are designed for everyone who makes content for the BBC, to help them deal with difficult editorial...
In a bizarre incident on the new year’s day, a woman and her two children were hacked to death allegedly by her teenaged stepson on Tuesday in Koliabar of Nagaon district. Identified as Mohamad Ali hacked to death his step mother a sharp weapon after an argument at Kunduli village. He then attacked her minor daughter and son killing them on the spot. According to the neighbour, Mohamad and his step mother would often fight after his father married her and shifted to another house following the death of his mother. The deceased have been identified as Phulbano Khatun, Nazia Khatun and Rabiul Hussain. Ali was absconding.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said that Maoists is a big menace and that measures are on to tackle it. Talking to reporters in Guwahati, Gogoi said that militancy was on the wane but Maoists are causing a big problem. He said that the matter had been taken up with the Centre which was convinced of the seriousness of the threat.
A Mass Jogging program was held on December 31, 2012 under the auspices of Assam Jogging Association (AJA) to welcome the New Year 2013. Mahadeb Deka noted body builder of international fame has flagged off the march at 6-45 AM from Janata Bhawan Play Ground, Dispur, Guwahati. The m march return from Zoo Road Tiniali and completed 7 kilometer round. A meeting was held after the Mass Jogging at the Janata Bhawan Play ground which was presided over by the President of the Association Geetartha Pathak.The Association felicitated Mahdeb Deka. Deka appealed to the younger generation to be fit by doing physical exercise and jogging. Deka also asked them not to resort to the extravaganza in the...
A 24 year old youth had a narrow escape when his vehicle caught fire at Demow in Sivasagar district on Monday.The incident took place early in the morning when his dumper touched a high voltage electric wire. The driver managed to escape death but he was injured. He was rushed to the hospital.
A free fealth check-up and awareness camp was held December 30 at Parijat Academy, Pamohi, Guwahati. A team of about ten doctors comprising Dr Amiya Kumar Sarma, Heart Specialist and CMO of Guwahati Refinery Hospital, Dr Khaklary, Adnl Medical Officer of Guwahati Refinery and about ten Paramedical staff attended the camp. The camp helped the local people by providing free treatment of blood sugar (diabetes), gaestro problems, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases etc. Free dlood sugar tests, blood pressure measurement, etc. of the patients were done along with free medicines to the patients. Around hundred people attended the camp.The camp was organised by People’s Friend Foundation in...
Assam is gearing up to bid goodbye to 2012 and to welcome 2013. Guwahati wears a fresh look to dazzle in the evening. But bars and hotels in the city will have to close the functions by 12.30 AM on New Year's eve. On the other hand, the bars, hotels and restaurants must have special permission to stay open after 10 PM on Monday. Meanwhile, the Kamrup (Metro) district administration has made installation of close circuit television cameras in bars, pubs, discotheques, clubs and all the celebration venues a must for the New Year. The CCTVs must be installed at the gates, galleries and main halls of hotels, bars and restaurants where functions will be held and liquor served.
Police picked up a tea garden worker in connection with the Konapathar case where the owner of the tea estate and his wife were charred to death. DGP JN Chaudhury, who visited Tinsukia on Sunday said that a few more accused would be picked up within a day or two. According to information, nine workers have been accused and eight others would be arrested. The identity of the apprehended suspect has not been divulged so that the process is not hampered.
Amid mounting protest over repeated rapes and molestations, protestors
in Guwahati on Sunday vowed to put the government under pressure to
change the laws to punish the rapists and molesters.
SUCI, Aam Aadmi Party, Marwari Yuva Manch activists staged protests in
different parts of the city since Sunday morning. The activists
demanded the Centre take urgent steps to amend the laws of the country
to curb atrocities on women.
Members of the AAP took out a candlelight procession on the banks of
Dighalipukhuri in the heart of the city in the evening. AAP leaders
said that all pending rape cases in the courts should be tried in
fast-track courts and a special session of Parliament...
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