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.
One more rhinoceros was killed by poachers in the Kaziranga National Park on Saturday.
The poaching took place at Sohola camp in Agoratoli just before the forest guards engaged in a gun battle with poachers who later managed to escape.
An encounter followed with the poachers exchanging bullets with the guards but none from the security forces was injured. When the forest personnel searched around, they found the carcass of a rhino with its horn removed. A 303 rifle with ammunition belonging to the poachers was recovered from the area.
Army killed an United Democratic Liberation Front militant caught another in Karimganj district on Saturday.
Acting on a tip off, army conducted an operation near Munaphichherra area in the district bordering Mizoram where Mantu Reang was killed and One Bidhu Ram Reang was held.
Army recovered one 0.22 rifle, one hand made pistol, ammunition and 3 mobile sets from their possession. Six of them escaped. They were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Shekhar Deb, a businessman of Cheragi, on September 2.
Unity Education Foundation (UEF) met Labor & Employment Minister Prithibi Majhi recently to press for the modernization of Employment Exchanges in both the rural and urban reaches of Assam. In a memorandum to Majhi, UEF drew his attention to the burgeoning problem of unemployment in the state which it held responsible for anti-social behaviour, increasing insurgency and terrorism in India's NorthEast; Assam in particular.
The proposal seeked online registration facilities for the issuance of employment registration, renewal, transfer and user-friendly digitized platforms in Employment Exchanges. It suggested networking with dedicated government and private websites to work as...
An Assamese Wikipedia Education Program is being organised at Gauhati University on October 14 by Center for Internet and Society (CIS) in collaboration with Department of Education, Gauhati University. As a part of this program, 15 PhD students will receive training in unicode typing and how to write articles on Assamese Wikipedia.This event is also open to the general public and invites participation from anyone who can write in Assamese.
For details, please contact: Noopur Raval - noopur@cis-india.org.
Handique Girls’ College, Guwahati has become the first college in the state to introduce Microbiology in the three year degree course from the academic session 2012. Dr. O.K. Medhi, Vice Chancellor, Gauhati University formally inaugurated this at an event held on September 29, 2012 at the college premises.
The meeting was presided over by Sri Dinesh Baroowa, President of the Governing Body and Ex Registrar of Gauhati University. In the welcome speech Dr. Indira Bardoloi, Principal of the College explained how the college had initiated the process of introduction of the subject. Vice Chancellor, Dr. Medhi inaugurated the subject and the Laboratory of the Department by lighting...
A strict college in Barpeta district expelled altogether 16 students from its hostel accusing them of ragging the new comers.
The incident took place at the Baushi Banikanta Kakati College where the college administration has dismissed three college staff. The hostel superintendent has also been suspended when the allegation was seriously taken up. Barpeta police have already registered a case in the incident. The parents of the victim students lodged the complaint but the hostel superintendent did not acted. According to police, they came to know about the incident through media reports.
Security has been beefed in Guwahati in the run-up to the Durga Puja next week.
Policemen are working at various levels and have carried out risk assessments. Additional forces have been sought to be deployed to deal with the anti-social elements. Raids on anti-social elements have been intensified.
The puja organizers and volunteers have been imparted training to deal with any untoward incident.
Vigorous operations have also been launched to tackle the problem of illicit liquor and organising committees have been asked to install CCTVs in pandals and take other security measures. Guwahati has over 500 puja committees organise this year.
The Northeast Frontier Railway restored rail services in Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur with the rest of the country on Thursday.
Trains started running normally withy additional security forces. The night trains were cancelled for an indefinite period after militants attacked the Agartala Express near Lower Haflong on October 5.
Centre’s peace interlocutor PC Halder met National Democratic Front of Bodoland chairman Ranjan Daimary at the in Guwahati Central Jail on Thursday and discussed the proposed peace process with the government.
The duo are believed have decided to strike a deal within this year. Notably, NDFB pro-talks faction and led by Gobinda Basumatary, earlier held several rounds of discussions with the state and central government representatives.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi turned 79. Gogoi, the third time chief minister celebrated his 78th birthday on Thursday at his official residence atop the Koinadhara hills in Guwahati.
His party leaders, cabinet colleagues, various parties and organizations wished him since morning on his birthday.
Gogoi, flanked by his wife Dolly, cut a huge cake in the presence of several well-wishers. He thanked God and the people of Assam for their blessings and good wishes.
Gogoi was born in Rangajan Tea Estate of Jorhat district.
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