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.
Assam Congress mires in a mysterious incident much to the embarrassment of APCC president Bhubneswar Kalita and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. APCC secretary Rajesh has been absconding with Rs.1 crore in cash he allegedly received meant for to party high command in Delhi. According to sources, Joshi and his family vanished from Guwahati after he received the money at Nakashtra Hotel in Guwahati. He received the amount one Tarh Koyu, a contractor in Arunachal Pradesh who brought the money on behalf of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki. The deal was struck on September 7. Koyu was sent to Guwahati to transfer the money to AICC. But under some mysterious circumstance, the money reached Joshi. The money...
For the first time the dangerous dengue strikes the state with altogether 13 cases. The cases reported mostly from Guwahati and its surrounding areas. Nine cases were reported from Kamrup (metro) district and one from Kamrup (rural) district on Friday. Three other cases have been reported from International Hospitals in Guwahati. NVBDCP sources said that over 10 cases have been reported so far forcing the department to start fogging and awareness programme in the affected areas. The disease is caused by the biting of aedes mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water.
The overall flood scene remains unchanged on Saturday. Fresh rains wreaked havoc in the form of flood inundating several villages in Dhemaji, Lakhmpur, Jorhat, Nagaon, Kamrup, Barpeta and Nagaon districts. Although there was no report of loss of life. District administrations rescued many affected people to higher ground. An alert has been sounded in Majuli, Jorhat, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sivasagar. The government has announced measures to provide relief to the affected people and instructed the deputy commissioners of districts accordingly.
ULFA militants exploded yet another grenade in Sivasagar district of Assam on Friday to make their presence felt.The blast took place at Sonari near petrol pump at around 10-40 at night. There is, however, no report of any casualty. Police officials have rushed to the spot.
Surging waters of the Brahmaputra have again threaten to ravage the Kaziranga National Park and Dibru Saikhowa National Park in Tinsukia.
Another worst hit area is the river island Majuli in Jorhat were submerged and it was also cut off from the mainland due to stoppage of ferry services.
Security forces are fanning the along the Assam-Mizoram inter state border in Cachar district following tension flare up from Friday. Efforts were on to initiate talks with Deputy Commissioner of Kolasib district in Mizoram and a letter had already been sent to him in this regard. Notably, several organisations took out a protest march on Thursday demanding immediate solution of the long-standing boundary dispute between Assam and Mizoram.The organisations - All Barak Youth and Students Association, Dalit Sena, several local clubs among others, alleged that a few days back the pillar between Assam-Mizoram border was destroyed by unidentified miscreants.
The Assam government keeps kept the air force on standby in view of the flash floods that renders lakhs of people homeless. Kamrup, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur districts have been submerged by the surging waters of the rivers. At least 25 villages in Kamrup district were affected due to floods.
Authorities have sounded alert was in most of the affected districts as the Brahmaputra river is flowing above danger level at some points - particularly in Dibrugarh and Jorhat districts and showing a rising trend at many places. Two youth - students of Doomdooma College in Tinsukia district were also drowned on Thursday as they w
Flood waves are back to wreak havoc. The situation has turned from bad to worse.Over ten lakh people have been affected in seven districts killing two youths in Tinsukia district and renders lakhs of people homeless. The government has also pressed into service the National Disaster Response Force to expedite relief and rescue.
The third special train for Bangalore left Guwahati on Thursday carrying altogether 1264 people back to the southern city. Amid tight security, the train left the Guwahati Railway station at 11 in the morning with the passengers, mostly, who left Bangalore at the height of rumours of attack on north east people. Earlier, two the Assam government arranged two special trains to carry hundreds of passengers back Bangalore who were willing to resume work or study.
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