Mizoram lies in the southernmost outpost of North Eastern India, the land of the Blue Mountains. Evergreen ranges of Mizoram hills boasts of blooming exotic flora and dense bamboo jungles. Gushing rivers and sparkling waterfalls criss-cross these hills and its plunging gorges. The Phawngpui or ‘The Blue Mountain’ is one of the highest peaks.
Do you know why Mizo houses are built on stilts?
Once upon a time, a heavenly creature swallowed the moon and the whole earth was plunged into darkness. Chaos reigned. Goddess Khuazingnu was worried about the future of creation. To protect them, she put a couple from each human clan and representatives of each species of animals into a pit and sealed it with a huge rock called the Chhinlung.
Some generations later, the goddess opened the mouth of the pit. Droves of humans emerged and she closed the Chhinlung for she reasoned there were enough people on earth. Among the people who emerged was a powerful man named Thlanrawkpa. He was named king and to celebrate he planned to host a feast, later to be known as the Thlanrawkpa Khuangchawi.
He, however, forgot to invite his father-in-law, Sabereka, who was furious and caused thunderstorms that washed away all the earth of the village, leaving behind only rock. The legendary rain is said to be why a traditional Mizo house is built on stilts, to avoid such calamities.
Source: Paper titled Myth & The Mizo World View, presented by Lalnunziri Chhangte at the International Seminar on History of Religions.
Dead body warms up, burial delayed
AIZAWL, Dec 22 – A 24-year-old man was buried here yesterday even as he was declared dead on the early morning of Thursday due to the fact that his body remained warm and the relatives were afraid that he might be buried alive.
Lalrinchhana was declared dead at 4.15 am on Thursday due to brain haemorrhage and was scheduled to be buried at 2 pm the same day. Relatives of the deceased person said that the body began to become warm again after the rigor mortis was over and was not buried that day.
The time of burial was again fixed at 12 noon yesterday, but the warmth in the body compelled the bereaved family to abandon the plan again even as doctors confirmed again that he was clinically dead. However, his body was finally buried at Zarkawt cemetery today attended by many people.
Lalrinchhana was declared dead at 4.15 am on Thursday due to brain haemorrhage and was scheduled to be buried at 2 pm the same day. Relatives of the deceased person said that the body began to become warm again after the rigor mortis was over and was not buried that day.
The time of burial was again fixed at 12 noon yesterday, but the warmth in the body compelled the bereaved family to abandon the plan again even as doctors confirmed again that he was clinically dead. However, his body was finally buried at Zarkawt cemetery today attended by many people.
119 die in Malaria attack this year in Mizoram
Aizawl, Dec 17 (PTI) An estimated 119 people died in Malaria outbreak in Mizoram between January and October this year as the disease turned out to be the biggest killer, state health department officials said today.
The increase in number of deaths is due to the fact that malaria patients approached the hospitals and health centres too late, they said.
Those who died were without any medical treatment for at least four days or more and the average hospitalisation period was just two and half days, the officials said.
State vector-borne diseases control sources said that out of 1,51,631 blood samples tested, 8,426 people were found to be infected with the mosquito-borne disease.
The increase in number of deaths is due to the fact that malaria patients approached the hospitals and health centres too late, they said.
Those who died were without any medical treatment for at least four days or more and the average hospitalisation period was just two and half days, the officials said.
State vector-borne diseases control sources said that out of 1,51,631 blood samples tested, 8,426 people were found to be infected with the mosquito-borne disease.
Violence against women shameful act: Mizo CM
AIZAWL, Dec 12 – “Violence against the fair sex is a shameful act no matter how advanced we may be,” said Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla here on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a ‘Fortnightly Campaign on Violence Against Women cum North East Regional Level Consultation on Gender Violence’ organised jointly by Association of Theologically Trained Women of India, Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan Core Committee and Centre for Peace and Development.
Lal Thanhawla rued that though the people in our country have gained vast knowledge in all fronts but we have miserably failed to preventviolence against women especially in the mainstream India where numerous cases have been registered.
“Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had rightly called that among violence in human beings, violence against women is extremely a shameful act. Even Amnesty International also protests and condems violence against women,” said Lal Thanhawla.
Urging journalists to be careful while reporting such cases, the Chief Minister asked them not to cross ethics of journalism. He claimed that incidents ofviolence on women is much less in Mizoram as compared to other States. This is because Mizos share one language, one religion and above that caste and dowry problems are absent.
A participant at the programme lamented that there are laws to prevent violence against women, there are police pertsonnel to keep a check on these events and there are seminars and symposiums to analyse the matter and make recommendations. However, on ground level nothing seems to be working.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a ‘Fortnightly Campaign on Violence Against Women cum North East Regional Level Consultation on Gender Violence’ organised jointly by Association of Theologically Trained Women of India, Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan Core Committee and Centre for Peace and Development.
Lal Thanhawla rued that though the people in our country have gained vast knowledge in all fronts but we have miserably failed to preventviolence against women especially in the mainstream India where numerous cases have been registered.
“Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had rightly called that among violence in human beings, violence against women is extremely a shameful act. Even Amnesty International also protests and condems violence against women,” said Lal Thanhawla.
Urging journalists to be careful while reporting such cases, the Chief Minister asked them not to cross ethics of journalism. He claimed that incidents ofviolence on women is much less in Mizoram as compared to other States. This is because Mizos share one language, one religion and above that caste and dowry problems are absent.
A participant at the programme lamented that there are laws to prevent violence against women, there are police pertsonnel to keep a check on these events and there are seminars and symposiums to analyse the matter and make recommendations. However, on ground level nothing seems to be working.
Lal Thanhawla govt completes one year
Aizawl, Dec 11 : The Congress government in Mizoram led by Lal Thanhawla today completed one year as the chief minister announced that his government has the courage to make the dreams of the people come true.
At a dinner function held at the Chief Minister's official residence, Lal Thanhawla said larger state annual plan outlay would be utilised to implement the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), the flagship programme of his government to uplift the poor and revive the state economy.
NLUP would replace jhum cultivation in the state and lead the rural people towards permanent and more productive system, of farming, he said.
The chief minister, who also holds Power portfolio, said his government has revived the 60-MW Tuirial Hydro Power Project, abandoned by the Mizo National Front (MNF) government and had also begun the construction of 460-MW Kolodyne Hydel Project which is being implemented by NTPC
At a dinner function held at the Chief Minister's official residence, Lal Thanhawla said larger state annual plan outlay would be utilised to implement the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), the flagship programme of his government to uplift the poor and revive the state economy.
NLUP would replace jhum cultivation in the state and lead the rural people towards permanent and more productive system, of farming, he said.
The chief minister, who also holds Power portfolio, said his government has revived the 60-MW Tuirial Hydro Power Project, abandoned by the Mizo National Front (MNF) government and had also begun the construction of 460-MW Kolodyne Hydel Project which is being implemented by NTPC
Centre cautions Mizo Govt on Bru issue
NEW DELHI, Dec 11 – Reports of attack on Brus (Reangs) in Mizoram has led the Ministry of Home Affairs to caution the State Government to take steps to contain violence and restore normalcy.
Mizoram Government has been advised separately to instil confidence among the Bru families living in Mizoram and to persuade those families who have fled to Tripura to return, said Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ramachandran.
The Centre, however, denied reports of Bru families fleeing to Tripura. Tension escalated after a Mizo youth was shot dead on November 13 by suspected Bru militants on Mizoram-Tripura. Some Bru huts were also burnt in Mizoram.
Mizoram Government has been advised separately to instil confidence among the Bru families living in Mizoram and to persuade those families who have fled to Tripura to return, said Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ramachandran.
The Centre, however, denied reports of Bru families fleeing to Tripura. Tension escalated after a Mizo youth was shot dead on November 13 by suspected Bru militants on Mizoram-Tripura. Some Bru huts were also burnt in Mizoram.
1 convicted of Dhaula Kuan rape
New Delhi: Justice, though partially, has finally been done to a 20-year-old Mizoram girl who was abducted and raped by four men in a moving vehicle in 2005.
A Delhi court on Tuesday found Ajit Singh Katiyar, a taxi driver, guilty of abducting and raping the DU student. The Delhi police could arrest only one of the four accused; the remaining three have been declared offenders. The quantum of punishment will be announced on December 10.
The incident at Dhaula Kuan early on May 8, 2005, had shaken the Capital. The girl and her friend were returning after buying eateries when she was abducted. The girl was raped for hours before being dumped near a gurudwara. This was one of the first incidents of young girls being abducted and raped in moving vehicles. Delhi registered over 600 such cases in 2005.
The Delhi police nabbed Katiyar almost five days after the incident. The victim identified him during an identification parade in Tihar Jail.Katiyar's lawyer Manoj Sharma said he will challenge the judgment in high court.
A Delhi court on Tuesday found Ajit Singh Katiyar, a taxi driver, guilty of abducting and raping the DU student. The Delhi police could arrest only one of the four accused; the remaining three have been declared offenders. The quantum of punishment will be announced on December 10.
The incident at Dhaula Kuan early on May 8, 2005, had shaken the Capital. The girl and her friend were returning after buying eateries when she was abducted. The girl was raped for hours before being dumped near a gurudwara. This was one of the first incidents of young girls being abducted and raped in moving vehicles. Delhi registered over 600 such cases in 2005.
The Delhi police nabbed Katiyar almost five days after the incident. The victim identified him during an identification parade in Tihar Jail.Katiyar's lawyer Manoj Sharma said he will challenge the judgment in high court.
Mizoram to implement sixth pay panel recommendations
Aizawl, Dec 3 (PTI) The Mizoram government has decided to implement the recommendations of the sixth pay commission, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said today.
Lal Thanhawla, who also holds the finance portfolio, said that the recommendations will be implemented with retrospective effect from January one, 2006.
"In order to sort out possible anomalies in groupings of state government employees, a high level committee, headed by Minister H Liansailova, has been constituted," he told a press conference.
C Lasawta, state finance commissioner, who accompanied the chief minister in the press conference, said there will be an additional expenditure of Rs 151 crore for meeting the arrears and another additional expenditure of Rs 68.7 crore during the current fiscal.
Lal Thanhawla, who also holds the finance portfolio, said that the recommendations will be implemented with retrospective effect from January one, 2006.
"In order to sort out possible anomalies in groupings of state government employees, a high level committee, headed by Minister H Liansailova, has been constituted," he told a press conference.
C Lasawta, state finance commissioner, who accompanied the chief minister in the press conference, said there will be an additional expenditure of Rs 151 crore for meeting the arrears and another additional expenditure of Rs 68.7 crore during the current fiscal.
Koramangala: The commercial hub
Bangalore: Not a well-known name till the late 70s, Koramangala and HSR Layout which was close to Adugodi village, has now transformed into a huge residential and commercial hub, housing a large number of IT firms.
Just three kilometres from Koramangala, is the well-designed HSR layout. Divided into seven sectors, HSR Layout (officially called Kengal Hanumanthaiah Layout) is self-sustained with its shopping malls, parks and infrastructure. A favourite among techies, Koramangala has everything, from shopping complexes to the best hospitals and educational institutions. "I chose to live in Koramangala because it is centrally located. We have easy access to the best hospitals like St John's, Hosmat, Manipal, and even Narayana Hrudayalaya is not far off," says HT Sangliana, former member of Parliament.
Besides, he adds, reputed educational institutions are also close by. The major ones being the Christ institution, Jyothi Nivas College and St John's Medical College. "There are so many eateries. The Koramangala Club which is one of the best clubs in Bangalore, is also here. It is self-contained, with parks, an indoor stadium and a whole lot of other facilities for the residents," says Sangliana. Even passport office is close by. All these things make Koramangala the best locality to live in.
However, Arjun Award winning athlete Ashwini Nachappa feels commercialisation has reduced the lung space in the area. "It was a lovely residential area when I came here in 1992. It had a lot of open space and greenery. Now, there is no space to even park vehicles in front of our houses. Things have changed drastically," she says.
"Though there are pro-active resident welfare associations (RWAs), the best shopping complexes, hospitals and educational institutions, my concern is that it is losing green space. In the next five years, it will become more commercialised like the rest of Bangalore. The RWAs have to take up these issues," Aswhini adds.
But South Indian actress Nettoo, a resident of Koramangala, thinks that though traffic is heavy in front of malls like Forum and Oasis, the bylanes in Koramangala make way for smooth movement of traffic. "What makes Koramangala more likable are the bylanes.
The different blocks and BDA complexes provide for easy movement of traffic," she says.
She points out that the mix of culture makes the area unique. "The place is not only for youngsters. Many senior citizens have also made Koramangala their home. We have everything here so youngsters needn't go to Commercial Street or MG Road to have fun. I have been residing here for the last five to six years. But it is sad that there aren't many Kannadigas," says Neettoo.
Just three kilometres from Koramangala, is the well-designed HSR layout. Divided into seven sectors, HSR Layout (officially called Kengal Hanumanthaiah Layout) is self-sustained with its shopping malls, parks and infrastructure. A favourite among techies, Koramangala has everything, from shopping complexes to the best hospitals and educational institutions. "I chose to live in Koramangala because it is centrally located. We have easy access to the best hospitals like St John's, Hosmat, Manipal, and even Narayana Hrudayalaya is not far off," says HT Sangliana, former member of Parliament.
Besides, he adds, reputed educational institutions are also close by. The major ones being the Christ institution, Jyothi Nivas College and St John's Medical College. "There are so many eateries. The Koramangala Club which is one of the best clubs in Bangalore, is also here. It is self-contained, with parks, an indoor stadium and a whole lot of other facilities for the residents," says Sangliana. Even passport office is close by. All these things make Koramangala the best locality to live in.
However, Arjun Award winning athlete Ashwini Nachappa feels commercialisation has reduced the lung space in the area. "It was a lovely residential area when I came here in 1992. It had a lot of open space and greenery. Now, there is no space to even park vehicles in front of our houses. Things have changed drastically," she says.
"Though there are pro-active resident welfare associations (RWAs), the best shopping complexes, hospitals and educational institutions, my concern is that it is losing green space. In the next five years, it will become more commercialised like the rest of Bangalore. The RWAs have to take up these issues," Aswhini adds.
But South Indian actress Nettoo, a resident of Koramangala, thinks that though traffic is heavy in front of malls like Forum and Oasis, the bylanes in Koramangala make way for smooth movement of traffic. "What makes Koramangala more likable are the bylanes.
The different blocks and BDA complexes provide for easy movement of traffic," she says.
She points out that the mix of culture makes the area unique. "The place is not only for youngsters. Many senior citizens have also made Koramangala their home. We have everything here so youngsters needn't go to Commercial Street or MG Road to have fun. I have been residing here for the last five to six years. But it is sad that there aren't many Kannadigas," says Neettoo.
Wheel jam caps hill bandh
Police post in Manipur village, strike hits hills & rebels arrested
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, Nov. 27: A 24-hour bandh called by the Peoples Democratic Alliance, a political party, paralysed normal life in the five hill districts of Manipur.
The bandh, which began at midnight last night, was called in protest against the deployment of India Reserve Battalion personnel, police commandos and members of the village volunteer force in the hill districts of Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Churachandpur and Senapati.
“The bandh was total and peaceful in all the five hill districts. The support was overwhelming,” Gaidon Kamei, the spokesman for the Alliance, said after visiting some of the districts.
He said the intention of the government to deploy the state forces was to crush regional aspirations of the tribal people, which could not be accepted.
The other demands of the hill-based party include the amendment to the Village Authority Act, 1956, a separate land law for the hills, clear reservation policy for the hills and implementation of the National Tribal Policy, 2006.
Kamei said the hills needed separate laws for protection of land, forest and economic rights of the inhabitants.
He said the village authority act was outdated and because of it there was chaos in tribal society.
Shops and business houses also remained closed in the headquarters of the five hill districts.
The bandh, however, did not affect academic activities and examinations in schools were held uninterrupted.
Coinciding with the hill bandh, a 24-hour chakka bandh was called by the Senapati District Students Association along the Imphal-Dimapur national highway since midnight last night in protest against the state government’s failure to repair the road.
The chakka bandh disrupted supply of essential commodities and vehicular movement, with trucks and passenger buses remaining off the highway.
The Imphal-Dimapur national highway is the main supply route to Manipur.
This is not the first time the student body imposed bandhs along the route. A 20-day economic blockade was observed in November last year over the same demand.
The association had also staged a five-day roadblock along the highway in November 2007.
“We had suspended our agitation after PWD K. Ranjit Singh promised us that the road would be repaired. But nothing came of the assurances,” Psokrehrii Khrasi, the president of the student body, said.
He said Union home secretary G.K. Pillai, during his visit to Senapati district in August this year, had promised to sanction funds for the road repair. However, the promise is yet to be fulfilled.
The student body has also demanded the opening of a fire station and a State Bank of India branch along the national highway at Tadubi in Senapati district.
Top
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, Nov. 27: A 24-hour bandh called by the Peoples Democratic Alliance, a political party, paralysed normal life in the five hill districts of Manipur.
The bandh, which began at midnight last night, was called in protest against the deployment of India Reserve Battalion personnel, police commandos and members of the village volunteer force in the hill districts of Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Churachandpur and Senapati.
“The bandh was total and peaceful in all the five hill districts. The support was overwhelming,” Gaidon Kamei, the spokesman for the Alliance, said after visiting some of the districts.
He said the intention of the government to deploy the state forces was to crush regional aspirations of the tribal people, which could not be accepted.
The other demands of the hill-based party include the amendment to the Village Authority Act, 1956, a separate land law for the hills, clear reservation policy for the hills and implementation of the National Tribal Policy, 2006.
Kamei said the hills needed separate laws for protection of land, forest and economic rights of the inhabitants.
He said the village authority act was outdated and because of it there was chaos in tribal society.
Shops and business houses also remained closed in the headquarters of the five hill districts.
The bandh, however, did not affect academic activities and examinations in schools were held uninterrupted.
Coinciding with the hill bandh, a 24-hour chakka bandh was called by the Senapati District Students Association along the Imphal-Dimapur national highway since midnight last night in protest against the state government’s failure to repair the road.
The chakka bandh disrupted supply of essential commodities and vehicular movement, with trucks and passenger buses remaining off the highway.
The Imphal-Dimapur national highway is the main supply route to Manipur.
This is not the first time the student body imposed bandhs along the route. A 20-day economic blockade was observed in November last year over the same demand.
The association had also staged a five-day roadblock along the highway in November 2007.
“We had suspended our agitation after PWD K. Ranjit Singh promised us that the road would be repaired. But nothing came of the assurances,” Psokrehrii Khrasi, the president of the student body, said.
He said Union home secretary G.K. Pillai, during his visit to Senapati district in August this year, had promised to sanction funds for the road repair. However, the promise is yet to be fulfilled.
The student body has also demanded the opening of a fire station and a State Bank of India branch along the national highway at Tadubi in Senapati district.
Top
BSF opens fire at smugglers on border
GUWAHATI, Nov 27 – Firing by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed along the border with Bangladesh continued for the second successive day, as the troops had to open fire to prevent anti-national elements from crossing over with smuggled goods. Meanwhile, BSF seized smuggled goods worth more than Rs 40 lakh within the last 24 hours in the Assam-Meghalaya frontier.
BSF sources said that the troops seized 155 cattle heads, country boats, liquor and other contraband items in different parts of Dhubri, West Khasi Hills and Garo hills areas along the international border in the last 24 hours. The value of the seized items is estimated to the tune of around Rs 31 lakh.
Sources said that the BSF men deployed in the Salapara BOP in Dhubri district last night opened fire in self-defence on a group of smugglers. Sources revealed that the troops saw movement of smugglers in the area and when challenged, the smugglers attacked the BSF men with sharp weapons forcing the security men to open fire. The smugglers managed to escape under the cover of darkness but the BSF men managed to seize cattle worth Rs 10.80 lakh.
In another incident in the same area, BSF arrested one Sanwar Hussain of South Salmara and recovered cattle worth Rs 40,000 from him.
BSF sources said that the troops seized 155 cattle heads, country boats, liquor and other contraband items in different parts of Dhubri, West Khasi Hills and Garo hills areas along the international border in the last 24 hours. The value of the seized items is estimated to the tune of around Rs 31 lakh.
Sources said that the BSF men deployed in the Salapara BOP in Dhubri district last night opened fire in self-defence on a group of smugglers. Sources revealed that the troops saw movement of smugglers in the area and when challenged, the smugglers attacked the BSF men with sharp weapons forcing the security men to open fire. The smugglers managed to escape under the cover of darkness but the BSF men managed to seize cattle worth Rs 10.80 lakh.
In another incident in the same area, BSF arrested one Sanwar Hussain of South Salmara and recovered cattle worth Rs 40,000 from him.
Mizoram Govt to take back Bru refugees
AGARTALA, Nov 26 – The Mizoram Government has finally assured to take back uprooted Reang refugees sheltered in relief camps in North Tripura’s Kanchanpur subdivision within next two months. The assurance came at a meeting on Wednesday at Kanchanpur SDM Office where BDO of Zwalnuam block in Mamit district, T Robert and SDM Kanchanpur DK Chakma were present. At the meeting, the hardships faced by refugees were discussed threadbare.
Interestingly, no representative from refugees attended the meeting. No decision was taken in the meeting to provide ration money to the newly uprooted Reang families.
The BDO has assured all the Bru people living an uprooted life in Tripura will be returned to Mizoram within the next two months. The assurance has but brought somewhat relief among therefugees leading in pitiable living condition and ration facilities.
Most of the big guns of the refugee camps are presently in Delhi with their demands of rehabilitation in Mizoram.
The Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum (MBDPF) has already held the Mizoram Government responsible for the deplorable plight of the Bru people. “They (Mizoram Government) have failed to protect the interest of the minority Bru tribesmen even after a series of ethnic strife since November 9,” said Evlish Chorkhy, president of therefugees’ body.
It may be noted that about 8000 Bru tribesmen were uprooted from Mizoram following ethnic violence after killing of a Mizo youth and taken shelter at Damcherra in Kanchanpur subdivision.
Mizoram government disburses Rs20 lakh for Bru relief
Aizawl: Mizoram government has distributed Rs20.55 lakh and other relief materials to the 385 Bru families displaced by the recent outbreak of communal wave in the western part of the state, official sources said here today.
Relief materials included 1,155 silpouline for construction of temporary shelters, 770 blankets, 158.72 quintals of rice, 7.70 quintals of dal, 36 bags of clothes and 70 numbers of large utensils.
"Some of them who had fled to neighbouring Tripura have also received the relief materials and returned to their new habitations," an official said.
Around 500 Brus belonging to about 100 families fled to Tripura due to the recent spurt of communal tension triggered by the murder of a Mizo youth by Bru militants on November 13, they said.
Earlier the three major churches donated more than Rs6 lakh and relief materials to the state-level relief coordination committee, drawing flak from NGOs of the border district Mamit.
Relief materials included 1,155 silpouline for construction of temporary shelters, 770 blankets, 158.72 quintals of rice, 7.70 quintals of dal, 36 bags of clothes and 70 numbers of large utensils.
"Some of them who had fled to neighbouring Tripura have also received the relief materials and returned to their new habitations," an official said.
Around 500 Brus belonging to about 100 families fled to Tripura due to the recent spurt of communal tension triggered by the murder of a Mizo youth by Bru militants on November 13, they said.
Earlier the three major churches donated more than Rs6 lakh and relief materials to the state-level relief coordination committee, drawing flak from NGOs of the border district Mamit.
Mizo body receives 641 child abuse complaints in 4 yrs
Aizawl: A total of 641 complaints on child abuse have been received by Mizoram's Child Welfare Committee since its formation on September 22, 2005, CWC Chairman Lalengruali Sailo said Thursday.
"The highest is sexual abuse against children and we have identified 127 child sexual abuse during the past four years," Sailo said on the sidelines of a programme on the occasion of World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.
Out of the 127 cases, reported in over four years, a high 107 were incidents of sexual abuse by adults, she said.
CWC, working in coordination with the administration and human rights' bodies, has registered 22 cases of physical abuse and two cases of using child labour while there were 18 cases of sexual abuse perpetrated by minors.
CWC Secretary Zodinpuii said a high incidence of child sexual abuse, was by older relatives of the victim like uncles, step-fathers and people close to the family.
She felt there could be more cases of abuse as many parents and victims dare not approach the CWC for fear of stigmatisation of the victims.
On the day the Aizawl-based NGO Centre for Peace and Development organised a procession.
"The highest is sexual abuse against children and we have identified 127 child sexual abuse during the past four years," Sailo said on the sidelines of a programme on the occasion of World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.
Out of the 127 cases, reported in over four years, a high 107 were incidents of sexual abuse by adults, she said.
CWC, working in coordination with the administration and human rights' bodies, has registered 22 cases of physical abuse and two cases of using child labour while there were 18 cases of sexual abuse perpetrated by minors.
CWC Secretary Zodinpuii said a high incidence of child sexual abuse, was by older relatives of the victim like uncles, step-fathers and people close to the family.
She felt there could be more cases of abuse as many parents and victims dare not approach the CWC for fear of stigmatisation of the victims.
On the day the Aizawl-based NGO Centre for Peace and Development organised a procession.
Bru repatriation preparations almost complete: Minister
Aizawl, Oct 26 : Preparations for repatriation of Bru refugees, from six relief camps in neighbouring North Tripura district, are almost complete, Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana informed the state legislature today.
Replying to a question from Lalrobiaka of the ruling Congress, Lalzirliana said that the road map for repatriation process had been submitted to the Union Home Ministry in which proposals for resettlement of the Brus, construction of health centres and educational institutions and others were included.
"We hope that the preparation can soon be concluded after centre provides financial assistance for the proposed expenditure of Rs 25.86 crore for implementation of the repatriation road map," he said.
He said that the Brus, once repatriated would be settled in different districts where they were living before migrating to Tripura during the last part of 1997 and that they should not be concentrated in one assembly constituency.
Replying to a question from Lalrobiaka of the ruling Congress, Lalzirliana said that the road map for repatriation process had been submitted to the Union Home Ministry in which proposals for resettlement of the Brus, construction of health centres and educational institutions and others were included.
"We hope that the preparation can soon be concluded after centre provides financial assistance for the proposed expenditure of Rs 25.86 crore for implementation of the repatriation road map," he said.
He said that the Brus, once repatriated would be settled in different districts where they were living before migrating to Tripura during the last part of 1997 and that they should not be concentrated in one assembly constituency.
Mizoram to set up new power project, implement 6th Pay Commission
Aizawl, Oct 24
With a rise in demand for electricity, the Mizoram government has signed an agreement with the state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to set up a 460 MW power project at Lawngtlai in southern Mizoram.
"Since the demand has risen from 65 MW to 100 MW during peak hours, power source needs to be increased and the government has signed an agreement with NTPC to set up a 460 MW power project at Lawngtlai in southern Mizoram," Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said.
The power project, to be installed at a cost of Rs.30 billion, would be commissioned by 2013.
The government is also working to renew the Tuirial Hydel project and Tuivai project, Lal Thanhawla said, adding that some small power projects would also be taken up under Public-Private Partnership.
The chief minister told the state assembly that the government would implement the Sixth Pay Commission for its 90,000 employees.
Lal Thanhawla said that the cabinet's decision is being awaited and the government is keen to implement the 6th Pay Commission recommendation as soon as possible, a senior finance department official told newsmen.
Lal Thanhawla, who also holds the finance portfolio, told the house that while the government was ready to implement the recommendations for its regular employees, the welfare of the casual and contingent workers of the government was not overlooked and it was recommended that their wages be increased.
He also said the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), a flagship programme of the government, was aimed at achieving sustainable development for the rural poor and several improvements had to be incorporated in the policy to ensure its utmost success.
The chief minister said education reform and improving the healthcare system were other priority areas of his government.
With a rise in demand for electricity, the Mizoram government has signed an agreement with the state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to set up a 460 MW power project at Lawngtlai in southern Mizoram.
"Since the demand has risen from 65 MW to 100 MW during peak hours, power source needs to be increased and the government has signed an agreement with NTPC to set up a 460 MW power project at Lawngtlai in southern Mizoram," Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said.
The power project, to be installed at a cost of Rs.30 billion, would be commissioned by 2013.
The government is also working to renew the Tuirial Hydel project and Tuivai project, Lal Thanhawla said, adding that some small power projects would also be taken up under Public-Private Partnership.
The chief minister told the state assembly that the government would implement the Sixth Pay Commission for its 90,000 employees.
Lal Thanhawla said that the cabinet's decision is being awaited and the government is keen to implement the 6th Pay Commission recommendation as soon as possible, a senior finance department official told newsmen.
Lal Thanhawla, who also holds the finance portfolio, told the house that while the government was ready to implement the recommendations for its regular employees, the welfare of the casual and contingent workers of the government was not overlooked and it was recommended that their wages be increased.
He also said the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), a flagship programme of the government, was aimed at achieving sustainable development for the rural poor and several improvements had to be incorporated in the policy to ensure its utmost success.
The chief minister said education reform and improving the healthcare system were other priority areas of his government.
Mizoram government urged to curb influx of foreigners
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Young Mizo Association (YMA), a social organisation in India’s North-eastern state of Mizoram has urged the state government to strictly curb influx of foreigners from neighbouring countries, including Burma.
The YMA, an influential youth organization into social activities in Mizoram state, in its 64th General Conference held in Darlawn in Aizawl, discussed threadbare the issue of foreigners. It called on the state government to fully implement the law dealing with foreigners staying in the state, the meeting resolution posted on the YMA website said.
“The conference is still on and they urged the government to take action on not only foreigners but also people coming in from neighbouring states in India,” a Burmese living in Aizawl told Mizzima.
The YMA in its resolution said its Central Executive Committee (CEC) is willing to help the government, if called on to do so.
The YMA central office in Aizawl could not be contacted on Thursday for comment.
Meanwhile, the YMA is also conducting a survey, bordering on a census, on the population of Burmese nationals, including ethnic Chin living in Mizoram, which shares a 404-kilometer border with contiguous Chin State in western Burma.
The survey, launched in June, is complete in about 173 out of 772 YMA branches across the state and has listed 6375 Burmese so far, according to a local online news group, The Zozam Times.
While various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) estimate the number of Burmese living in Mizoram to be somewhere between 50,000 to 60,000, there has so far been no extensive census.
While the motive behind the survey is still not clear, Burmese living in the state believe that it could be a move to identify the Burmese from among the locals.
“By tracking the exact location and number of people, the Mizo community can easily identify and target the Burmese in Mizoram, whenever they want to crack down on foreigners,” a Burmese living in Aizawl said.
Burmese nationals constitute the majority of migrants in Mizoram, which shares borders with Burma and also shares state borders with other North-eastern states of Assam, Manipur and Tripura. The state is also home to a number of Bangladeshis.
Some Burmese are of the opinion that the survey could be the YMA’s reaction to a report released earlier this year by the New York-based Human Rights Watch.
The HRW, in its report titled “We are like forgotten people”, spoke at length about Chin ethnics suffering under military rule, forcing them to flee from their homes to Mizoram. It also said the Chin’s further endure hostile treatment by their host, particularly mentioning the YMA as an organisation that is hostile towards Chins.
The YMA, however, denied the report saying it does not reflect the true situation and taints the image of Mizo’s. The YMA said, the Mizo community has supported the Burmese, particularly the Chin people and allowed them to stay in their state.
The YMA also held a meeting with over 23 Chin organizations based in Mizoram and accused the Chin leaders of providing false information to the HRW and demanded that they refute the report.
The YMA, an influential youth organization into social activities in Mizoram state, in its 64th General Conference held in Darlawn in Aizawl, discussed threadbare the issue of foreigners. It called on the state government to fully implement the law dealing with foreigners staying in the state, the meeting resolution posted on the YMA website said.
“The conference is still on and they urged the government to take action on not only foreigners but also people coming in from neighbouring states in India,” a Burmese living in Aizawl told Mizzima.
The YMA in its resolution said its Central Executive Committee (CEC) is willing to help the government, if called on to do so.
The YMA central office in Aizawl could not be contacted on Thursday for comment.
Meanwhile, the YMA is also conducting a survey, bordering on a census, on the population of Burmese nationals, including ethnic Chin living in Mizoram, which shares a 404-kilometer border with contiguous Chin State in western Burma.
The survey, launched in June, is complete in about 173 out of 772 YMA branches across the state and has listed 6375 Burmese so far, according to a local online news group, The Zozam Times.
While various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) estimate the number of Burmese living in Mizoram to be somewhere between 50,000 to 60,000, there has so far been no extensive census.
While the motive behind the survey is still not clear, Burmese living in the state believe that it could be a move to identify the Burmese from among the locals.
“By tracking the exact location and number of people, the Mizo community can easily identify and target the Burmese in Mizoram, whenever they want to crack down on foreigners,” a Burmese living in Aizawl said.
Burmese nationals constitute the majority of migrants in Mizoram, which shares borders with Burma and also shares state borders with other North-eastern states of Assam, Manipur and Tripura. The state is also home to a number of Bangladeshis.
Some Burmese are of the opinion that the survey could be the YMA’s reaction to a report released earlier this year by the New York-based Human Rights Watch.
The HRW, in its report titled “We are like forgotten people”, spoke at length about Chin ethnics suffering under military rule, forcing them to flee from their homes to Mizoram. It also said the Chin’s further endure hostile treatment by their host, particularly mentioning the YMA as an organisation that is hostile towards Chins.
The YMA, however, denied the report saying it does not reflect the true situation and taints the image of Mizo’s. The YMA said, the Mizo community has supported the Burmese, particularly the Chin people and allowed them to stay in their state.
The YMA also held a meeting with over 23 Chin organizations based in Mizoram and accused the Chin leaders of providing false information to the HRW and demanded that they refute the report.
Mizo house ratifies 109th Constitution amendment
Mizoram legislative assembly unanimously ratified the 109th amendment of the Constitution last evening after a brief deliberation.
The constitutional amendment, already passed by both Houses of the Parliament, seeks to extend the special concessions given to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Anglo Indians for another ten years.
The constitutional amendment, already passed by both Houses of the Parliament, seeks to extend the special concessions given to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Anglo Indians for another ten years.
Are Lai people a clan of Mizo tribe?
Lately, some enthusiasts have invaded Wikipedia once again. They have referred all Kuki-Chin-Mizo people in Myanmar (Burma) and India as clans of Mizo tribe.
Now, the new entry for Lai people at Wikipedia says,
The source of such claims are from one Mizo author – B. Lalthangliana, who wrote a book titled History and Culture of Mizo in India, Burma and Bangladesh. Published in 2001.
Scholars like Dr Lian Hmung Sakhong, Ph.D (from Sweden) however do not classify our people like B. Lalthangliana did.
Dr Sakhong, a Chin scholar in his book ‘In Search of Chin Identity’ classified Kuki-Chin-Mizo people under six different groups. And Lais are grouped under Laimi, and Lusei/Duhlian/Lushai speaking people are under Mizo group, the other four are Zomi, Asho, Cho and Khuami. The classification seems to be based on the language affinity and intelligibility.
As per our understanding, a clan is a group of people united by kinship and descent, which is defined by actual or perceived descent from a common ancestor. And an example for clans will be Sailo, Khiangte, Chhangte, Fanai, Sakhong, Baite, Haokip, Shwepang, Hlychho, Chinzah or Cinzah, Hlawnchhing or Hlawnching, Hauzel, etc.
Sailo, a clan name of Mizo is not equal to Lai people. It is equal only to Chinzah, a clan among Lai people. Sailo is also equal to Hlychho, Fachhai, etc, the clans among Mara people. So does with Haokip, Baite and others from Thado (Kuki) people.
Lais have many clans. Likewise, there are many clans among Maras, Senthangs, Asho, and other Kuki-Chin-Mizo people.
Lais, Maras, Senthangs, Zotung, Zyphe, Thado, Simte, Paite, Siyin, Mizo, Zomi, Khuami, etc are definitely a group of people. We cannot call them as Clans. It is very surprising to that the volunteers are Wikipedia are exclusively quoting from one scholar, whose view is definitely a questionable one.
Will Lais accept Lai as one of the clans of Mizo? I could not imagine. If it is described as a sub-tribe or sub-group of Mizo, perhaps, there are more chance.
Some web enthusiasts have started to invade Wikipedia again. They have edited few pages, but they have not finished. Perhaps, they will edit more pages containing the groupings within Kuki-Chin-Mizo people in the coming days.
We all know Wikipedia is not always reliable, but some have often used the free online encyclopedia as a tool to express their views not respecting the views of others that are common and generally acceptable to most people.
Source: http://samaw.com/are-lai-people-a-clan-of-mizo-tribe/1716
Pure Salon & Spa Koramangla, Bangalore
Led by veteran hair stylist Pure Salon & Spa offers various services from the simple hair cut and styling for women, men, kids, and brides, to vibrant hair colours, conditioning treatments, and Brazilian blowouts. Located at the heart of Koramangla, Bangalore, the salon has been around since 2015, providing professional hair treatments in a relaxed ambience. This is definitely one of our favourite hair salons in Bangalore.
Now, the new entry for Lai people at Wikipedia says,
The Lai people are one of the biggest clans of the Mizo tribe, native to Chin State of Myanmar, and Mizoram state in Northeast India, mostly concentrated in the area of Lai Autonomous District Council, and speaking the Mizo language along with their own dialects. Lusei people called them Pawih, Pawi or Pawihte.What is more surprising is the population and how happy Lais are to call themselves as Mizo,
Source: Wikipedia
Total population is around 1,700,000 in 1991. Lai people are one of the clans who are happy to be a Mizo, rather than calling in their own clan/tribal names.And also, a look at Asho Chin people says:
Source: Wikipedia
Asho people, one of the eleven clans of Mizo tribe are native to Arakan plains, plains of Irrawady and Minbu.Is clan the best way to describe those of us who speak different language than Mizo (Duhlian/Lusei), the most common language among us? And is Mizo a tribe? Then what could be the name of our nation?
Unlike other Mizo clans, many of them are Buddhist.
Source: Wikipedia
The source of such claims are from one Mizo author – B. Lalthangliana, who wrote a book titled History and Culture of Mizo in India, Burma and Bangladesh. Published in 2001.
Scholars like Dr Lian Hmung Sakhong, Ph.D (from Sweden) however do not classify our people like B. Lalthangliana did.
Dr Sakhong, a Chin scholar in his book ‘In Search of Chin Identity’ classified Kuki-Chin-Mizo people under six different groups. And Lais are grouped under Laimi, and Lusei/Duhlian/Lushai speaking people are under Mizo group, the other four are Zomi, Asho, Cho and Khuami. The classification seems to be based on the language affinity and intelligibility.
As per our understanding, a clan is a group of people united by kinship and descent, which is defined by actual or perceived descent from a common ancestor. And an example for clans will be Sailo, Khiangte, Chhangte, Fanai, Sakhong, Baite, Haokip, Shwepang, Hlychho, Chinzah or Cinzah, Hlawnchhing or Hlawnching, Hauzel, etc.
Sailo, a clan name of Mizo is not equal to Lai people. It is equal only to Chinzah, a clan among Lai people. Sailo is also equal to Hlychho, Fachhai, etc, the clans among Mara people. So does with Haokip, Baite and others from Thado (Kuki) people.
Lais have many clans. Likewise, there are many clans among Maras, Senthangs, Asho, and other Kuki-Chin-Mizo people.
Lais, Maras, Senthangs, Zotung, Zyphe, Thado, Simte, Paite, Siyin, Mizo, Zomi, Khuami, etc are definitely a group of people. We cannot call them as Clans. It is very surprising to that the volunteers are Wikipedia are exclusively quoting from one scholar, whose view is definitely a questionable one.
Will Lais accept Lai as one of the clans of Mizo? I could not imagine. If it is described as a sub-tribe or sub-group of Mizo, perhaps, there are more chance.
Some web enthusiasts have started to invade Wikipedia again. They have edited few pages, but they have not finished. Perhaps, they will edit more pages containing the groupings within Kuki-Chin-Mizo people in the coming days.
We all know Wikipedia is not always reliable, but some have often used the free online encyclopedia as a tool to express their views not respecting the views of others that are common and generally acceptable to most people.
Source: http://samaw.com/are-lai-people-a-clan-of-mizo-tribe/1716
Pure Salon & Spa Koramangla, Bangalore
Led by veteran hair stylist Pure Salon & Spa offers various services from the simple hair cut and styling for women, men, kids, and brides, to vibrant hair colours, conditioning treatments, and Brazilian blowouts. Located at the heart of Koramangla, Bangalore, the salon has been around since 2015, providing professional hair treatments in a relaxed ambience. This is definitely one of our favourite hair salons in Bangalore.
Centre has released over Rs. 550 crore for development of minority districts
Patna: For schemes under the Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) the Central Government has released Rs 555.45 crore so far. MsDP, a part of the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for minority welfare, was launched for development of 90 Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs). Under the scheme 72 minority concentration districts of the country have been covered till date.
These 72 districts fall in 15 States/UT viz. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Bihar, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar Island, Orissa, Mizoram, Kerala, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra.
An amount of Rs. 555.45 crore has been released till date for the welfare of these districts under the scheme. The year wise status of implementation of Multi -sectoral Development Program during the 11th Five Year Plan is mentioned below:
*Upto 30th September,2009. The program aims at improving the socio-economic parameters of basic amenities for improving the quality of life of the people and reducing imbalances in the MCDs during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period.
It would include absolutely critical infrastructure linkages like connecting roads, basic health infrastructure, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres, skill development.
Besides, marketing facilities required for improving living conditions and economic opportunities and catalysing the growth process would also be eligible for inclusion in the plan
The main focus of this program is on rural and semi-rural areas of the identified 90 minority concentration districts and will be implemented by the Panchayati Raj institutions, scheduled area councils and other such local representative bodies.
An amount of Rs. 2750 Crore has been allocated by the Planning Commission for Multi-sectoral Development Programme for Minority Concentration Districts for the 11th Five year plan.
List of Minority Concentration Districts
These 72 districts fall in 15 States/UT viz. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Bihar, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar Island, Orissa, Mizoram, Kerala, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra.
An amount of Rs. 555.45 crore has been released till date for the welfare of these districts under the scheme. The year wise status of implementation of Multi -sectoral Development Program during the 11th Five Year Plan is mentioned below:
| Year | Target(for 11th Five Year Plan) | Achievements | Amount(Rs. in crore) |
| 2007-08(The Programme was not launched) | NA | NA | NA |
| 2008-09 | 90 MCDs | 47 MCDs | 270.85 |
| 2009-10* | 90 MCDs | 25 MCDs | 284.60 |
| Total | | 72 MCDs | 555.45 |
It would include absolutely critical infrastructure linkages like connecting roads, basic health infrastructure, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres, skill development.
Besides, marketing facilities required for improving living conditions and economic opportunities and catalysing the growth process would also be eligible for inclusion in the plan
The main focus of this program is on rural and semi-rural areas of the identified 90 minority concentration districts and will be implemented by the Panchayati Raj institutions, scheduled area councils and other such local representative bodies.
An amount of Rs. 2750 Crore has been allocated by the Planning Commission for Multi-sectoral Development Programme for Minority Concentration Districts for the 11th Five year plan.
List of Minority Concentration Districts
| Sl.No. | State | District |
| 1 | Arunachal Pradesh | East Kameng |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Lower Subansiri |
| 3 | Arunachal Pradesh | Changlang |
| 4 | Arunachal Pradesh | Tirap |
| 5 | Assam | Kokrajhar |
| 6 | Assam | Dhubri |
| 7 | Assam | Goalpara |
| 8 | Assam | Bongaigaon |
| 9 | Assam | Barpeta |
| 10 | Assam | Darrang |
| 11 | Assam | Marigaon |
| 12 | Assam | Nagaon |
| 13 | Assam | Cachar |
| 14 | Assam | Karimganj |
| 15 | Assam | Hailakandi |
| 16 | Assam | Kamrup |
| 17 | Bihar | Araria |
| 18 | Bihar | Kishanganj |
| 19 | Bihar | Purnia |
| 20 | Bihar | Katihar |
| 21 | Bihar | Sitamarhi |
| 22 | Bihar | Pashchim Champaran |
| 23 | Bihar | Darbhanga |
| 24 | Jharkhand | Sahibganj |
| 25 | Jharkhand | Pakaur |
| 26 | Maharashtra | Parbhani |
| 27 | Manipur | Thoubal |
| 28 | Meghalaya | West Garo Hills |
| 29 | Orissa | Gajapati |
| 30 | Uttar Pradesh | Bulandshahar |
| 31 | Uttar Pradesh | Budaun |
| 32 | Uttar Pradesh | Barabanki |
| 33 | Uttar Pradesh | Kheri |
| 34 | Uttar Pradesh | Shahjahanpur |
| 35 | Uttar Pradesh | Moradabad |
| 36 | Uttar Pradesh | Rampur |
| 37 | Uttar Pradesh | Jyotiba Phule Nagar |
| 38 | Uttar Pradesh | Bareilly |
| 39 | Uttar Pradesh | Pilibhit |
| 40 | Uttar Pradesh | Bahraich |
| 41 | Uttar Pradesh | Shrawasti |
| 42 | Uttar Pradesh | Balrampur |
| 43 | Uttar Pradesh | Siddharthnagar |
| 44 | Uttar Pradesh | Bijnor |
| 45 | West Bengal | Uttar Dinajpur |
| 46 | West Bengal | Dakshin Dinajpur |
| 47 | West Bengal | Maldah |
| 48 | West Bengal | Murshidabad |
| 49 | West Bengal | Birbhum |
| 50 | West Bengal | Nadia |
| 51 | West Bengal | South 24-Parganas |
| 52 | West Bengal | Barddhaman |
| 53 | West Bengal | Koch Bihar |
| 54 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Nicobar |
| 55 | Arunachal Pradesh | Tawang |
| 56 | Arunachal Pradesh | West Kameng |
| 57 | Arunachal Pradesh | Papum Pare |
| 58 | Assam | North Cachar Hills |
| 59 | Delhi | North East |
| 60 | Haryana | Gurgaon |
| 61 | Haryana | Sirsa |
| 62 | Jammu & Kashmir | Leh (Ladakh) |
| 63 | Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| 64 | Jharkhand | Gumla |
| 65 | Karnataka | Gulbarga |
| 66 | Karnataka | Bidar |
| 67 | Kerala | Wayanad |
| 68 | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
| 69 | Maharashtra | Buldana |
| 70 | Maharashtra | Washim |
| 71 | Maharashtra | Hingoli |
| 72 | Manipur | Senapati |
| 73 | Manipur | Tamenglong |
| 74 | Manipur | Churachandpur |
| 75 | Manipur | Ukhrul |
| 76 | Manipur | Chandel |
| 77 | Mizoram | Lawngtlai |
| 78 | Mizoram | Mamit |
| 79 | Sikkim | North |
| 80 | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| 81 | Uttar Pradesh | Saharanpur |
| 82 | Uttar Pradesh | Muzaffarnagar |
| 83 | Uttar Pradesh | Meerut |
| 84 | Uttar Pradesh | Baghpat |
| 85 | Uttar Pradesh | Ghaziabad |
| 86 | Uttaranchal | Udham Singh Nagar |
| 87 | Uttaranchal | Hardwar |
| 88 | West Bengal | Haora |
| 89 | West Bengal | North 24Parganas |
| 90 | West Bengal | Kolkata |
Mizoram: Adult Learners’ Week concludes
The highly appreciated ‘Adult Learner’s Week’ with the Theme ‘Women Literacy Programme’ was recently successfully concluded at Archives Hall, Babutlang amidst the presence of people from different strata of Mizo society. The Week had also been observed at all district headquarters in the state. J. Hmingthanmawia, Additional Deputy Commissioner (DC) & Chairman, sub- committee on observance of Adult Learners’ Week Aizawl in his keynote address to the assembled said that Adult Education, formerly known as ‘Social Education’ had been started by the foreign missionaries in Mizoram since 1894. The term ‘Social Education’ was changed and substituted by ‘Adult Education’ since October 2, 1978.
It is not surprising that when the ‘National Adult Education Programme’ was launched by the Central Government in 1978, Adult Education in Mizoram received a new impetus. Simultaneously, a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) of three Rural Functional Literacy Projects were implemented. In order to facilitate vocational Training for Adult Learners, vocational schools had been started in Aizawl in August 1984. According to Adult Education Assistant Director B. Lungmuana, Indian President Pratibha Patil in a Joint Parliamentary Session held recently had declared 2009-14 as the years for Women Literacy Programme under Adult Literacy Policy in India. He said that as per the 2001 census the recorded illiterate people in Mizoram are Male 9.3% (35, 828 people) and Female 13.3 % (47,566 people), totaling up to 11.2 % as a whole.
It is not surprising that when the ‘National Adult Education Programme’ was launched by the Central Government in 1978, Adult Education in Mizoram received a new impetus. Simultaneously, a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) of three Rural Functional Literacy Projects were implemented. In order to facilitate vocational Training for Adult Learners, vocational schools had been started in Aizawl in August 1984. According to Adult Education Assistant Director B. Lungmuana, Indian President Pratibha Patil in a Joint Parliamentary Session held recently had declared 2009-14 as the years for Women Literacy Programme under Adult Literacy Policy in India. He said that as per the 2001 census the recorded illiterate people in Mizoram are Male 9.3% (35, 828 people) and Female 13.3 % (47,566 people), totaling up to 11.2 % as a whole.
Cabinet grants Rs 4 bn to Mizoram for roads construction
The ministry of rural development granted Rs 4 billion to Mizoram for construction of rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
The sum is the second installment of Phase-V of grants in aid to the Mizoram Rural Roads Development Agency (MRRDA).
MRRDA is the state level autonomous agency for implementation of works under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the state.
Pradah Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme to provide road connectivity in the rural areas of the country.
PMGSY envisages connectivity to all habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in the rural areas and about 250 persons and above in respect of the hill states, tribal areas and desert areas through good and all weather roads.
The sum is the second installment of Phase-V of grants in aid to the Mizoram Rural Roads Development Agency (MRRDA).
MRRDA is the state level autonomous agency for implementation of works under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the state.
Pradah Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme to provide road connectivity in the rural areas of the country.
PMGSY envisages connectivity to all habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in the rural areas and about 250 persons and above in respect of the hill states, tribal areas and desert areas through good and all weather roads.
Catholic Church calls upon Christians to give birth to more children
New Delhi Worried about the community’s dwindling population, church leaders in the Indian states of Kerala and Mizoram are encouraging Christians to give birth to more children.
In Kerala, the Catholic Church has initiated several measures in church-run hospitals, including medical interventions such as the reversal of tubectomies for women and providing treatment to infertile couples.
“The church will extend support to women who want to undergo recanalisation or reversal of tubectomy. A recanalisation surgery in other hospitals costs around 50,000 rupees. In our church-run non-profit hospitals we can bring down the cost to 10,000 rupees,” said Father Jose Kottayil, the secretary to the council from Kochi.
While parishes across Kerala have been asked to conduct sessions with smaller Christian families to encourage them to have more children, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council’s Commission for Family has also promised to provide an education allowance to the fourth child in a family – indirectly asking each Christian family to have at least four children.
According to the 1991 census, Christians accounted for 19.5 per cent of Kerala’s 29.09 million population. When the 2001 census revealed that the state’s population had increased to 31.84 million, or a 9.42 per cent increase, the percentage of Christians had actually dropped to 19 per cent. In response, in 2004, church leaders decided to begin their campaign for larger Christian families.
“According to the latest government statistics, the fertility rate [children per family] among Kerala’s Christians is 1.5, the lowest among all [religious] communities in the state. It’s leading to the fall of the state’s Christian population and it concerns us,” said Fr Kottayil.
The Catholic clergy’s concerns run counter to those of the Indian state. Beginning in the 1950s, health officials began promoting smaller families and attempted to popularise slogans such as “Ham do, hamare do” (“We two, our two”, in Hindi), urging couples not to have more than two children.
In the Christian-dominated north-eastern state of Mizoram, where a church campaign for larger families began last year, the executive secretary of the Mizoram Synod, Zosangliana Colney, said children are the “continuation of God’s creations” and “human beings have no authority to control that process”.
As the country’s population has grown to over 1.2 billion, experts predict that by 2050 it will reach 1.53 billion and overtake China as the world’s most populous nation. India’s national fertility rate, according to latest figures released by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, stands at 2.8.
The same 2007 chart shows Kerala’s fertility rate at 1.9, among the lowest in the country, and the Christian fertility rate in Kerala at 1.5, the lowest among all religious communities in the state.
Christian leaders say that while Hindus and Muslims, the two larger communities in Kerala, are growing, the shrinking Christian population has reason to feel threatened.
“Kerala has seen a higher rate of fall in its Christian population, possibly because of increasing education among [Christian] women and growing unemployment among adults.
“But, on the other hand, the populations of other religious communities have been growing in the state, further making the Christians shrink in the society, and it is a matter of grave concern in a country where violence against Christians has been rising every year,” said John Dayal, the secretary of the All India Christian Council and national convenor of the United Christian Forum for Human Rights in Delhi.
Church leaders also blame western influence for Christian families becoming smaller in Kerala.
Noting that abortions were taking place among the state’s Christians, Fr Kottayil said that “loose Catholic doctrines” emanating from the West were leading Keralite Catholics to assume the non-Catholic belief that contraception and abortion are a matter of personal choice for couples and outside the purview of their religion.
“But we are against contraception and abortion: the birth of a child is originally a decision by God. A couple can only help His decision be executed, as partners in the process,” said Fr Kottayil.
“Many [Christian] couples are opting for only one child. For normal growth of their child at least another sibling is needed in the family – we are passing this message to those single-child parents. This one-child policy is the root of our crisis,” he said.
Health experts say that India can no longer sustain large families and it must immediately bring down the population growth rate to zero.
“People’s economic situation is not improved by having more children. It places them under greater financial pressure and exposes them to malnutrition and disease and they do not have the money for education and clothes,” Vivek Baid, the president of India’s Mission for Population Control, told London’s Observer newspaper last month.
Fr Kottayil, however, argued that in India the “unequal distribution of wealth” is the main hurdle for overall development.
Mr Colney said: “[Children] are God’s blessing on human beings. We know that if God wants to continue His creations, He surely will balance life on earth”.
In Kerala, the Catholic Church has initiated several measures in church-run hospitals, including medical interventions such as the reversal of tubectomies for women and providing treatment to infertile couples.
“The church will extend support to women who want to undergo recanalisation or reversal of tubectomy. A recanalisation surgery in other hospitals costs around 50,000 rupees. In our church-run non-profit hospitals we can bring down the cost to 10,000 rupees,” said Father Jose Kottayil, the secretary to the council from Kochi.
While parishes across Kerala have been asked to conduct sessions with smaller Christian families to encourage them to have more children, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council’s Commission for Family has also promised to provide an education allowance to the fourth child in a family – indirectly asking each Christian family to have at least four children.
According to the 1991 census, Christians accounted for 19.5 per cent of Kerala’s 29.09 million population. When the 2001 census revealed that the state’s population had increased to 31.84 million, or a 9.42 per cent increase, the percentage of Christians had actually dropped to 19 per cent. In response, in 2004, church leaders decided to begin their campaign for larger Christian families.
“According to the latest government statistics, the fertility rate [children per family] among Kerala’s Christians is 1.5, the lowest among all [religious] communities in the state. It’s leading to the fall of the state’s Christian population and it concerns us,” said Fr Kottayil.
The Catholic clergy’s concerns run counter to those of the Indian state. Beginning in the 1950s, health officials began promoting smaller families and attempted to popularise slogans such as “Ham do, hamare do” (“We two, our two”, in Hindi), urging couples not to have more than two children.
In the Christian-dominated north-eastern state of Mizoram, where a church campaign for larger families began last year, the executive secretary of the Mizoram Synod, Zosangliana Colney, said children are the “continuation of God’s creations” and “human beings have no authority to control that process”.
As the country’s population has grown to over 1.2 billion, experts predict that by 2050 it will reach 1.53 billion and overtake China as the world’s most populous nation. India’s national fertility rate, according to latest figures released by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, stands at 2.8.
The same 2007 chart shows Kerala’s fertility rate at 1.9, among the lowest in the country, and the Christian fertility rate in Kerala at 1.5, the lowest among all religious communities in the state.
Christian leaders say that while Hindus and Muslims, the two larger communities in Kerala, are growing, the shrinking Christian population has reason to feel threatened.
“Kerala has seen a higher rate of fall in its Christian population, possibly because of increasing education among [Christian] women and growing unemployment among adults.
“But, on the other hand, the populations of other religious communities have been growing in the state, further making the Christians shrink in the society, and it is a matter of grave concern in a country where violence against Christians has been rising every year,” said John Dayal, the secretary of the All India Christian Council and national convenor of the United Christian Forum for Human Rights in Delhi.
Church leaders also blame western influence for Christian families becoming smaller in Kerala.
Noting that abortions were taking place among the state’s Christians, Fr Kottayil said that “loose Catholic doctrines” emanating from the West were leading Keralite Catholics to assume the non-Catholic belief that contraception and abortion are a matter of personal choice for couples and outside the purview of their religion.
“But we are against contraception and abortion: the birth of a child is originally a decision by God. A couple can only help His decision be executed, as partners in the process,” said Fr Kottayil.
“Many [Christian] couples are opting for only one child. For normal growth of their child at least another sibling is needed in the family – we are passing this message to those single-child parents. This one-child policy is the root of our crisis,” he said.
Health experts say that India can no longer sustain large families and it must immediately bring down the population growth rate to zero.
“People’s economic situation is not improved by having more children. It places them under greater financial pressure and exposes them to malnutrition and disease and they do not have the money for education and clothes,” Vivek Baid, the president of India’s Mission for Population Control, told London’s Observer newspaper last month.
Fr Kottayil, however, argued that in India the “unequal distribution of wealth” is the main hurdle for overall development.
Mr Colney said: “[Children] are God’s blessing on human beings. We know that if God wants to continue His creations, He surely will balance life on earth”.
Gan Sabra, a special home for HIV/AIDS orphans in Mizoram
Located at Zonuam village on the outskirts of the Mizoram’s capital Aizawl, ‘Gan Sabra’ is a special home for orphans affected with HIV or AIDS.
“That they may have life, life in its fullness”, is the motto of ‘Gan Sabra’, the first and only transitional children’s home in Mizoram. It spreads joy in the lives of children and motivates them to lead their lives to the fullest.
Gan Sabra aims to provide a special home where children affected with HIV/AIDS can have a good time away from social stigmas.
Gan Sabra aims to provide a special home where children affected with HIV/AIDS can have a good time away from social stigmas.
Lucy Maruati, who is the moving force behind the home, believes that there is life beyond HIV-AIDS and every child has a right to cherish childhood in a world full of love.
“’Gan Sabra’ means ‘Garden of Cactus’ in Hebrew. The cactus survives in the desert and so also our children who are infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. For them it is a bit like desert because of the discrimination, stigma and different problems that they face. But they will survive. We are trying to provide them a family atmosphere in this home. That is what they need,” said Lucy Maruati, the founder of Gan Sabra.
There are presently 33 children at the home, the youngest of them is just one-and-a-half-year-old and the senior-most being of 16 years of age.
Lucy Maruati decided to open such a home after she adopted a girl child left abandoned by her parents.
Since its inception in 2006, ‘Gan Sabra’ has been helping the HIV / AIDS infected children to lead a normal life through education, healthcare and most of all love.
Today most of the children attend schools and get excellent results. Initially they encountered problems at schools due to opposition of guardians. However, with the help of various counselling programmes, parents started to accept the HIV positive children.
“I lost my parents due to AIDS and I am also HIV positive. Now I live here and this is my family. I go to school and love studying,” sai Puii (name changed), one of the AIDS patients.
Besides taking care of these children, the Gan Sabra also undertakes advocacy and arranges awareness workshops and campaigns on prevention of AIDS on a regular basis.
Tribals arrested with fake currency
Agartala, Aug 18 : Four tribals have been arrested by security forces from Naisinghpara in Kanchanpur sub-division of North Tripura district, bordering west Mizoram, with fake Indian currency.
The police today said that acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Assam Rifles and Tripura police raided the Naisinghpara camp of displaced Reangs, about 27 km from Kanchanpur police station, yesterday.
The joint team arrested four tribals with fake Indian currency of Rs 14,000 In denomination of Rs five hundred and a mobile set.
About 35,000 Reangs, who were displaced during several ethnic clashes with Mizos from western Mizoram since 1997, are now sheltered in six evacuee camps including the Naisinghpara.
The police said a racket on fake currency is active in the border areas of Tripura and Mizoram.
The police today said that acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Assam Rifles and Tripura police raided the Naisinghpara camp of displaced Reangs, about 27 km from Kanchanpur police station, yesterday.
The joint team arrested four tribals with fake Indian currency of Rs 14,000 In denomination of Rs five hundred and a mobile set.
About 35,000 Reangs, who were displaced during several ethnic clashes with Mizos from western Mizoram since 1997, are now sheltered in six evacuee camps including the Naisinghpara.
The police said a racket on fake currency is active in the border areas of Tripura and Mizoram.
Assam to raise new battalions as 2nd line of defence on border
The Assam government would raise two new battalions of the state police to be used as the “second line of defence” with the Border Security Force (BSF) for deployment along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announced this while hoisting the national flag here on Saturday.
“We have already got the go-ahead from the Centre for raising the two battalions as a second line of defence in addition to the BSF in order to increase vigil along the Indo-Bangla border,” Gogoi said.
He also said that while his government was duty-bound to implement the various provisions of the Assam Accord (signed way back in 1985), he was also contemplating a legislation to prevent foreigners from acquiring land in the state.
“The government has also taken a decision to set up two detention camps on the Indo-Bangladesh border for those persons identified as Bangladeshi infiltrators so that they can be deported back to Bangladesh,” the Chief Minister said.
“Our government has already strengthened 91 km of barbed wire fence along the Indo-Bangladesh border in the past eight years. Work is on to complete the remaining portion of the border fence,” Gogoi said. The state government is also updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in order to identify Bangladeshi infiltrators, he added.
“We have already got the go-ahead from the Centre for raising the two battalions as a second line of defence in addition to the BSF in order to increase vigil along the Indo-Bangla border,” Gogoi said.
He also said that while his government was duty-bound to implement the various provisions of the Assam Accord (signed way back in 1985), he was also contemplating a legislation to prevent foreigners from acquiring land in the state.
“The government has also taken a decision to set up two detention camps on the Indo-Bangladesh border for those persons identified as Bangladeshi infiltrators so that they can be deported back to Bangladesh,” the Chief Minister said.
“Our government has already strengthened 91 km of barbed wire fence along the Indo-Bangladesh border in the past eight years. Work is on to complete the remaining portion of the border fence,” Gogoi said. The state government is also updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in order to identify Bangladeshi infiltrators, he added.
Mizoram CM promises terror-free state
He said "militants and would leave no stone unturned to usher in a responsive and corruption-free administration.
In his Independence Day address after unfurling the tricolour at the Assam Rifles ground here, Thanhawla said: "There will be no leniency on anti-social elements such as armed militants, unlicensed arms holders and illicit arms dealers who pose threat to the peace and tranquility of our state".
He also said that besides the establishment of a Vigilance Commission, the state Anti-Corruption Bureau is being strengthened and would be headed by an Inspector General grade of police officer.
Poverty alleviation of the people living both in rural and urban areas would be given top priority, the chief minister said, adding that the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) would soon be launched throughout the state for the purpose.
The NLUP has in its package, more rural harvest and urban self-employments, marketing of products and rural and urban housing for the poor, he said.
He added that efforts were being made to establish a separate High Court in Mizoram.
The Union Ministry of Food Processing had sanctioned Rs 60 crore and Rs 15 crore for setting up of a Mega Food Park and an Abattoir respectively, he stated.
In his Independence Day address after unfurling the tricolour at the Assam Rifles ground here, Thanhawla said: "There will be no leniency on anti-social elements such as armed militants, unlicensed arms holders and illicit arms dealers who pose threat to the peace and tranquility of our state".
He also said that besides the establishment of a Vigilance Commission, the state Anti-Corruption Bureau is being strengthened and would be headed by an Inspector General grade of police officer.
Poverty alleviation of the people living both in rural and urban areas would be given top priority, the chief minister said, adding that the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) would soon be launched throughout the state for the purpose.
The NLUP has in its package, more rural harvest and urban self-employments, marketing of products and rural and urban housing for the poor, he said.
He added that efforts were being made to establish a separate High Court in Mizoram.
The Union Ministry of Food Processing had sanctioned Rs 60 crore and Rs 15 crore for setting up of a Mega Food Park and an Abattoir respectively, he stated.
CRPF constable suspected of swine-flu quarantined
Aizawl, Aug 15 : A CRPF constable posted at Mizoram's lone Lengpui Airport near here was quarantined at a hospital on being suspected of swine-flu infection, officials said today.
Blood and swab tests have been sent to National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, from where the results are expected to come by tomorrow, Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma, nodal officer for prevention of swine flu, told PTI over phone from the airport.
"Awareness of the swine flu is very high in the state and samples taken from two Mizos, who volunteered, were also sent to Kolkata for tests," he said adding no swine flu case has been detected in the state so far.
The state government has prepared a ten-bedded room at the Falkawn Hospital where suspected swine flu patients are being quarantined.
A doctor and two nurses have been posted at Lengpui Airport to screen suspected swine flu passengers, he said.
Blood and swab tests have been sent to National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, from where the results are expected to come by tomorrow, Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma, nodal officer for prevention of swine flu, told PTI over phone from the airport.
"Awareness of the swine flu is very high in the state and samples taken from two Mizos, who volunteered, were also sent to Kolkata for tests," he said adding no swine flu case has been detected in the state so far.
The state government has prepared a ten-bedded room at the Falkawn Hospital where suspected swine flu patients are being quarantined.
A doctor and two nurses have been posted at Lengpui Airport to screen suspected swine flu passengers, he said.
Death of pigs in Mizoram prompts Cachar, Hailakandi to take steps
Aizawl, Aug 13 : In the backdrop of reports death of a number of pigs in neighbouring Mizoram, the district administrations of Cachar and Hailakandi have taken a slew of precautionary measures.
While Cachar district administration has imposed a ban on import of pigs from Mizoram, Hailakandi district administration has been contemplating on sealing its border with Mizoram. As a precautionary step, a quarantine ward has been opened at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.
Meanwhile, a report of bodies of at least ten pigs being noticed at Dholeswari river at Katakhal in Hailakandi has panicked people in the district. Mehdi Hasan, Range officer of Kukicherra, has reportedly confirmed the report and brought the matter into the notice of Deputy Commissioner Tapan Chanda Goswami.
Dhaleswari flows from Mizoram. Goswami has asked Hasan to submit a written report on the matter. He said that he would take up the matter with his counterparts in the neighbouring State.
Cachar district Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer Bijan Bihari Chakraborty said there are at least 60,000 pigs in the district, mostly in piggeries in Lakhipur and Rajabazar. So far no abnormality has been detected, he said.
While Cachar district administration has imposed a ban on import of pigs from Mizoram, Hailakandi district administration has been contemplating on sealing its border with Mizoram. As a precautionary step, a quarantine ward has been opened at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.
Meanwhile, a report of bodies of at least ten pigs being noticed at Dholeswari river at Katakhal in Hailakandi has panicked people in the district. Mehdi Hasan, Range officer of Kukicherra, has reportedly confirmed the report and brought the matter into the notice of Deputy Commissioner Tapan Chanda Goswami.
Dhaleswari flows from Mizoram. Goswami has asked Hasan to submit a written report on the matter. He said that he would take up the matter with his counterparts in the neighbouring State.
Cachar district Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer Bijan Bihari Chakraborty said there are at least 60,000 pigs in the district, mostly in piggeries in Lakhipur and Rajabazar. So far no abnormality has been detected, he said.
Huge cache of arms recovered in Aizawl
Aizawl, July 31 (PTI) A huge cache of arms, including eight US-made M-16 rifles and one .9 mm Beretta pistol, were seized from a house rented by a Myanmarese national at Saron Veng locality here, police said today.
"The weapons were brought here from Myanmar and were suspected to have been ordered by Dimasa rebels of the neighbouring Assam's North Cachar Hills," a senior police officer told PTI.
Besides this, 14 bullets, one telescope and 12 sets of Chinese-made walkie talkies were also recovered yesterday.
Investigations have been launched to arrest the arms smugglers as the Myanmarese national Lalnempuii is residing in her native Tahan village in Myanmar since May, the official said.
"The weapons were brought here from Myanmar and were suspected to have been ordered by Dimasa rebels of the neighbouring Assam's North Cachar Hills," a senior police officer told PTI.
Besides this, 14 bullets, one telescope and 12 sets of Chinese-made walkie talkies were also recovered yesterday.
Investigations have been launched to arrest the arms smugglers as the Myanmarese national Lalnempuii is residing in her native Tahan village in Myanmar since May, the official said.
Mizoram's largest church decries gay ruling, says homosexuals only 0.3%
Some were for it and few others were against it, but for the largest Church in northeast state of Mizoram there is no discomfiture in its stance against the recent gay ruling.
The Mizoram Presbyterian Church has strongly opposed the HC ruling that de-criminalised gay sex among consenting adults and called on Law Minister Veerappa Moily to review the judgement that overturned a 149-year-old colonial law.
"Homosexuality is against all religious ethics and the culture of Indian society. We feel that the Indian society is safeguarded by the IPC Section 377 from unnatural and anti-social behaviour. Hence we are of the opinion that there is no need of legalising homosexuality in our country," the Church wrote to Union Government.
It pointed that homosexuality was fundamentally against the family structure and legalising it will destroy the fundamental nature of family unit of life.
It continued: "Homosexuality is against the natural order of God’s purpose in creating both sexes. Anything that goes against the natural order does not last over time and will have negative impact on the lives of the people and society."
"The society has the right to consider the ethical and moral aspects in an individual’s life. We are of the strong opinion that legality should never challenge ethical and moral standard of the society. It is on this basis that the Church finds this judgement unacceptable."
What's more, homosexuals comprise only 0.3 per cent of the population, so the right of rest 99.7 per cent to lead a decent and moral life must not be ignored.
Therefore, it pleaded the law minister to "seek a thoughtful review of the verdict and retain a good standard of social ethical values in our country, known for upholding its traditional values for centuries."
Earlier, there were reports indicating that the Christian-dominated state of Mizoram might disregard the Delhi High Court's gay ruling and rather stick with an 100-year-old British law that rigidly criminalises homosexuality.
The British law formulated in 1909 by superintendent of then Lushai Hills HWG Cole strictly opposes homosexuality and also punishes chiefs who fail to "report all cases of unnatural offences".
Mizo church leaders also support the 1909 order that was framed with Christianity in mind.
Reverend Zosangliana Colney, executive secretary of the Mizoram Synod, says the British order was strongly supported by the church as "homosexuality is directly against the ethics of Christianity and the Bible."
Meanwhile, the National Council of Churches in India - an ecumenical forum of the Protestant and Orthodox Churches - after its Chennai symposium on homosexuality Tuesday, told Christian Today that it would soon release an official statement that would present the unequivocal view of the Church on the issue.
The Mizoram Presbyterian Church has strongly opposed the HC ruling that de-criminalised gay sex among consenting adults and called on Law Minister Veerappa Moily to review the judgement that overturned a 149-year-old colonial law.
"Homosexuality is against all religious ethics and the culture of Indian society. We feel that the Indian society is safeguarded by the IPC Section 377 from unnatural and anti-social behaviour. Hence we are of the opinion that there is no need of legalising homosexuality in our country," the Church wrote to Union Government.
It pointed that homosexuality was fundamentally against the family structure and legalising it will destroy the fundamental nature of family unit of life.
It continued: "Homosexuality is against the natural order of God’s purpose in creating both sexes. Anything that goes against the natural order does not last over time and will have negative impact on the lives of the people and society."
"The society has the right to consider the ethical and moral aspects in an individual’s life. We are of the strong opinion that legality should never challenge ethical and moral standard of the society. It is on this basis that the Church finds this judgement unacceptable."
What's more, homosexuals comprise only 0.3 per cent of the population, so the right of rest 99.7 per cent to lead a decent and moral life must not be ignored.
Therefore, it pleaded the law minister to "seek a thoughtful review of the verdict and retain a good standard of social ethical values in our country, known for upholding its traditional values for centuries."
Earlier, there were reports indicating that the Christian-dominated state of Mizoram might disregard the Delhi High Court's gay ruling and rather stick with an 100-year-old British law that rigidly criminalises homosexuality.
The British law formulated in 1909 by superintendent of then Lushai Hills HWG Cole strictly opposes homosexuality and also punishes chiefs who fail to "report all cases of unnatural offences".
Mizo church leaders also support the 1909 order that was framed with Christianity in mind.
Reverend Zosangliana Colney, executive secretary of the Mizoram Synod, says the British order was strongly supported by the church as "homosexuality is directly against the ethics of Christianity and the Bible."
Meanwhile, the National Council of Churches in India - an ecumenical forum of the Protestant and Orthodox Churches - after its Chennai symposium on homosexuality Tuesday, told Christian Today that it would soon release an official statement that would present the unequivocal view of the Church on the issue.
Mizo Govt not to tolerate obstacles to development: CM
Aizawl, Jul. 17 Noting that 20 years if insurgency had crippled development, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today said no disruptive element would be allowed to act as an impediment to growth.
"Unless we take up infrastructure development in earnest we will remain backward as 20 years of insurgency had obstructed us to undertake developmental works while the rest of India was moving forward," he said on the event of the 'home coming' of 64 militants of Sinlung People's Liberation Army (SPLA) here.
The militants gave in to authorities along with their arms and ammunition.
Mentioning some of the infrastructural projects in the state, Thanhawla said that the government is going ahead with the Multi Modal Transport Project linking the state with Sittwe port in Myanmar and construction of railroad up to Sairang, about 30 km from Aizawl city.
"Unless we take up infrastructure development in earnest we will remain backward as 20 years of insurgency had obstructed us to undertake developmental works while the rest of India was moving forward," he said on the event of the 'home coming' of 64 militants of Sinlung People's Liberation Army (SPLA) here.
The militants gave in to authorities along with their arms and ammunition.
Mentioning some of the infrastructural projects in the state, Thanhawla said that the government is going ahead with the Multi Modal Transport Project linking the state with Sittwe port in Myanmar and construction of railroad up to Sairang, about 30 km from Aizawl city.
Mizo leaders
Imphal, July 9 : Mizo People Convention, an apex body of the Mizos in the State is planning a tour of Mizoram to meet political party leaders and other philanthropic organizations to strengthen its policies and discuss the various challenges it often faces, reports our Churachandpur correspondent.
The MPC, according to F Lalnunmawia, Secretary I&P does not indulge in arms culture, neither support nor against any other communities and non-political body with no political agenda; striving for the integrity of different communities in Manipur.
The MPC, according to F Lalnunmawia, Secretary I&P does not indulge in arms culture, neither support nor against any other communities and non-political body with no political agenda; striving for the integrity of different communities in Manipur.
Traditional Music Festival
North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur leh Mizoram sorkara Art & Culture Department te tangkawpin nimin khan vanapa Hall, Aizawl-ah ‘Traditional Music Festival’ buatsaih a ni a. FEstival-ah hian Mizoram bakah hmarchhak state pathum dang - Manipur, Assam leh Meghalaya-te an tel a, Mizoram ARt & Culture tangkawpin July ni 29-ah ‘Choral Festival’, Augugst 1 & 20th-ah ‘Costume Exhibition cum sale’, Mizoram Inter-Collegiate Cultural Meet te, November thlaah ‘Art Camp’ leh February 2010-ah Poets Meet buatsaih an tum a ni. Nimina Traditional Music Festival-ah hian Meghalaya, Manipur atangin zai leh lam chi hrang hrang entir a ni a, Mizoram atangin Bungkawn Cultural Club leh Hnahlan Cultural Club ten Mizo hnam lam leh zai an entir bawk a ni. (Courtesy Vanglaini)
Mizoram celebrates 23 years of peace and progress
Aizawl | Tuesday, Jun 30
Mizoram, which stands out as a land of peace amid an ocean of insurgency will maintain the priceless peace at all costs, state Home Minister R Lalzirliana said here today.
Speaking at an observation of Remna Ni or Peace Day that marked the historic Mizo Peace Accord signed on June 30, 1986, at Congress Bhavan here today, Lalzirliana said, ''The peace we have been enjoying for the last 23 years had been earned with toil and blood and it is priceless. The Congress government will spare no efforts to preserve the hard-earned peace.'' ''The government will not allow any part of Mizoram to be used by underground elements as safe haven or even for a temporary shelter.
There will be no leniency on anti-social elements such as armed militants, unlicensed arm holders and gun runners,'' he said.
''As peace is pre-requisite for all forms of development, there is no room for insurgency in Mizoram. We will not allow any Mizo youth to take up arms, neither we will allow armed militant from the neighbouring states and countries to use Mizoram even as a route,'' he said.
On this day, the home minister said, the people of Mizoram remembered the sacrifice made by then Congress Chief Minister of Mizoram Lal Thanhawla who sacrificed his chief ministerial seat to end the 20-year-long insurgency and usher in permanent peace in this northeastern state.
''There could not be peace without surrendering something. Had Lal Thanhawla refused to step down from his seat, there could not be peace we are enjoying today,'' Lalzirliana said.
The Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), who had signed the Peace Accord under the leadership of the legendary Laldenga with the Rajiv Gandhi government 23 years back, also organised a separate function at its headquarters office here in observation of the Peace Day.
Addressing a huge gathering of party workers, MNF chief Zoramthanga said the Mizo Accord was neither the satisfaction of the Indian government nor the MNF, but a compromise between both the parties.
However, the former chief minister added the Mizo Accord went on to be one of the most successful peace agreements not only in the country, but in the whole world. ''We have seen a number of peace accords which the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi signed with insurgent groups in the country, but none of them has been as successful as the Mizo Accord,'' he said. ''Ours is a time-tested peace accord,'' he added.
''As those who have never been in the dark cannot appreciate the value of being in the light, the new generations who had not witnessed the Mizoram disturbances cannot appreciate the peace. ''It is a must for each and every one of us to preserve this peace,'' Zoramthanga said.
The political disturbances started during the tribulation of the bamboo flowering (Mautam) famine which left a deep scar in the minds of some Mizos and was interlinked with a secessionist movement that was to follow.
A voluntary organisation Mizo National Famine Front (MNFF) took up arms on February 28, 1966 in a bid to achieve its goal to separate the state from India.
Mizoram was immediately declared a 'disturbed area' and security forces were inducted to maintain law and order.
Mizoram, which stands out as a land of peace amid an ocean of insurgency will maintain the priceless peace at all costs, state Home Minister R Lalzirliana said here today.
Speaking at an observation of Remna Ni or Peace Day that marked the historic Mizo Peace Accord signed on June 30, 1986, at Congress Bhavan here today, Lalzirliana said, ''The peace we have been enjoying for the last 23 years had been earned with toil and blood and it is priceless. The Congress government will spare no efforts to preserve the hard-earned peace.'' ''The government will not allow any part of Mizoram to be used by underground elements as safe haven or even for a temporary shelter.
There will be no leniency on anti-social elements such as armed militants, unlicensed arm holders and gun runners,'' he said.
''As peace is pre-requisite for all forms of development, there is no room for insurgency in Mizoram. We will not allow any Mizo youth to take up arms, neither we will allow armed militant from the neighbouring states and countries to use Mizoram even as a route,'' he said.
On this day, the home minister said, the people of Mizoram remembered the sacrifice made by then Congress Chief Minister of Mizoram Lal Thanhawla who sacrificed his chief ministerial seat to end the 20-year-long insurgency and usher in permanent peace in this northeastern state.
''There could not be peace without surrendering something. Had Lal Thanhawla refused to step down from his seat, there could not be peace we are enjoying today,'' Lalzirliana said.
The Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), who had signed the Peace Accord under the leadership of the legendary Laldenga with the Rajiv Gandhi government 23 years back, also organised a separate function at its headquarters office here in observation of the Peace Day.
Addressing a huge gathering of party workers, MNF chief Zoramthanga said the Mizo Accord was neither the satisfaction of the Indian government nor the MNF, but a compromise between both the parties.
However, the former chief minister added the Mizo Accord went on to be one of the most successful peace agreements not only in the country, but in the whole world. ''We have seen a number of peace accords which the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi signed with insurgent groups in the country, but none of them has been as successful as the Mizo Accord,'' he said. ''Ours is a time-tested peace accord,'' he added.
''As those who have never been in the dark cannot appreciate the value of being in the light, the new generations who had not witnessed the Mizoram disturbances cannot appreciate the peace. ''It is a must for each and every one of us to preserve this peace,'' Zoramthanga said.
The political disturbances started during the tribulation of the bamboo flowering (Mautam) famine which left a deep scar in the minds of some Mizos and was interlinked with a secessionist movement that was to follow.
A voluntary organisation Mizo National Famine Front (MNFF) took up arms on February 28, 1966 in a bid to achieve its goal to separate the state from India.
Mizoram was immediately declared a 'disturbed area' and security forces were inducted to maintain law and order.
Mizoram CM denies calling Indians racist
NEW DELHI: Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla has denied saying that Indians were racist or that he was a “victim of racism”. The CM was quoted extensively in the media as saying in Singapore that Indians too were racist. He reportedly cited his own example, saying he was asked by people if he was Nepali because of his physical features.
On Friday, the Mizoram government issued a strongly worded denial which said the chief minister was “not correctly appreciated”. “What he had stated was that India is a multi-racial country and there could occasionally be some misunderstanding based on physical features of individuals from particular regions of the country. He did not even distantly suggest or hint that the people of India were racist and that he was a victim of racism,” the Mizoram government said.
Others present at the conference and who had heard the Mizoram chief minister speak said Lalthanhawla did not refer to racism at all, but took a light-hearted look at the “distance” between the northeast and the rest of India.
On Friday, the Mizoram government issued a strongly worded denial which said the chief minister was “not correctly appreciated”. “What he had stated was that India is a multi-racial country and there could occasionally be some misunderstanding based on physical features of individuals from particular regions of the country. He did not even distantly suggest or hint that the people of India were racist and that he was a victim of racism,” the Mizoram government said.
Others present at the conference and who had heard the Mizoram chief minister speak said Lalthanhawla did not refer to racism at all, but took a light-hearted look at the “distance” between the northeast and the rest of India.
Mizoram Chief Minister: I am told “you do not look like an Indian!”
P. S. Suryanarayana
SINGAPORE: An awareness deficit among Indians about their northeastern region and its current economic constraints were brought into focus by Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla at an international conference here on Thursday.
Highlighted in particular was the lack of awareness about the racial composition of India.
Mr. Thanhawla was addressing a networking session on the “business of water in India.” The event was jointly organised by the City-State’s public utility agency, called PUB, and the Singapore-based India Business Forum of the Confederation of Indian Industry. The overarching event was the Singapore International Water Week.
Emphasising the identity of the northeastern States as an integral region of India, Mr. Thanhawla said: “Even after [my] landing here, many people ask me: ‘You do not look like an Indian!’ Even in my own country, wherever I go to, Delhi or down south, while I say ‘I am from Mizoram,’ [I am asked] where is Mizoram. I tell them that this is in their own country. And, I ask many people, who claim themselves to be national leaders: ‘Why do you not accept that our great country is populated by at least three major races of the world?’”
In reply to this question, he cited the Dravidians in the south, the Aryans in the north, and the people belonging to the Mongoloid stock in the eastern, mainly northeastern region, besides the aborigines in various parts.
The northeastern region “is far away from mainland-India,” the two being linked by the so-called “chicken neck” bordering West Bengal.
SINGAPORE: An awareness deficit among Indians about their northeastern region and its current economic constraints were brought into focus by Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla at an international conference here on Thursday.
Highlighted in particular was the lack of awareness about the racial composition of India.
Mr. Thanhawla was addressing a networking session on the “business of water in India.” The event was jointly organised by the City-State’s public utility agency, called PUB, and the Singapore-based India Business Forum of the Confederation of Indian Industry. The overarching event was the Singapore International Water Week.
Emphasising the identity of the northeastern States as an integral region of India, Mr. Thanhawla said: “Even after [my] landing here, many people ask me: ‘You do not look like an Indian!’ Even in my own country, wherever I go to, Delhi or down south, while I say ‘I am from Mizoram,’ [I am asked] where is Mizoram. I tell them that this is in their own country. And, I ask many people, who claim themselves to be national leaders: ‘Why do you not accept that our great country is populated by at least three major races of the world?’”
In reply to this question, he cited the Dravidians in the south, the Aryans in the north, and the people belonging to the Mongoloid stock in the eastern, mainly northeastern region, besides the aborigines in various parts.
The northeastern region “is far away from mainland-India,” the two being linked by the so-called “chicken neck” bordering West Bengal.
Mizo push for Barak railway plan
SILCHAR: A powerful social organization from Mizoram has extended support to a convention proposed to be held in Silchar, Assam on Sunday demanding immediate implementation of the much-delayed Lumding-Silchar broad gauge project.
Young Mizo Association (YMA) members will also take part in the agitations to be chalked out by the Silchar-based Citizens' Forum during the meet. YMA expressed concern over the "inordinate delay" in implementing the broad gauge project, as the 221-km rail link is considered the lifeline for southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and parts of Manipur.
Sources said this is for the first time a Mizo organization joined hands with its Barak Valley counterpart for the cause of the rail project.
Young Mizo Association (YMA) members will also take part in the agitations to be chalked out by the Silchar-based Citizens' Forum during the meet. YMA expressed concern over the "inordinate delay" in implementing the broad gauge project, as the 221-km rail link is considered the lifeline for southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and parts of Manipur.
Sources said this is for the first time a Mizo organization joined hands with its Barak Valley counterpart for the cause of the rail project.
'Notorious' gunrunner not Mizoram resident
Aizawl, Jun 20 : Intelligence sources today clarified that a 'Mizo notorious gunrunner' was not a permanent resident of Mizoram but a Myanmarese migrant.
The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday released a sketch of John Mizo alias Shambhu Pradhan, who allegedly supplied arms to the Dima Halam Daogah(Jewel) and other insurgent groups in the North East.
''We know this man very well. He is a Myanmarese national.
Notorious drug and arm smugglers are mainly from Myanmar and pose as Mizoram residents giving a bad name to our state,'' an intelligence officer here said.
According to sources John Mizo generally operates from areas bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.
''His arrest will be crucial to cracking the entire network of arms supply to the NE militants,'' a source said.
John’s role in supplying arms to the militants came to light with the arrest of two DHD(J) cadres. Sources said Rs 1 crore recovered from them was to be paid to John in return of his supplied arms. The sketch was prepared based on the description given by the arrested ultras.
The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday released a sketch of John Mizo alias Shambhu Pradhan, who allegedly supplied arms to the Dima Halam Daogah(Jewel) and other insurgent groups in the North East.
''We know this man very well. He is a Myanmarese national.
Notorious drug and arm smugglers are mainly from Myanmar and pose as Mizoram residents giving a bad name to our state,'' an intelligence officer here said.
According to sources John Mizo generally operates from areas bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.
''His arrest will be crucial to cracking the entire network of arms supply to the NE militants,'' a source said.
John’s role in supplying arms to the militants came to light with the arrest of two DHD(J) cadres. Sources said Rs 1 crore recovered from them was to be paid to John in return of his supplied arms. The sketch was prepared based on the description given by the arrested ultras.
Maoists take over part of India's West Bengal state
New Delhi - A Maoist-backed organization of local tribal people has virtually taken over Lalgarh, an area of India's eastern West Bengal
state, and set fire to police camps and offices of the ruling party, news reports said Tuesday.
Hundreds of supporters of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA) set fire to police camps in the villages of Salboni, Rangarh and Dharampur in the early hours of Monday, the Indian Express newspaper reported.
They also demolished offices of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), a leading partner in West Bengal's ruling leftist coalition.
The locals were accompanied by armed cadres of the CPI-M, which is spearheading the rebellion in the area.
Lalgarh town and adjoining villages in West Midnapore district have seen widespread unrest by local tribes since November when the Maoists supported the formation of the PCPA to organize protests against alleged police atrocities.
Barely 200 kilometres north-west of the state capital Kolkata, Lalgarh has been a virtual no-go area for the local administration since late 2008 and the media has largely been barred.
On Monday, the media was allowed in and television channels showed drumming, dancing villagers celebrating.
PCPA leaders were quoted as saying that they were not responsible for the arson or demolitions but that it was a spontaneous expression of anger.
Most local officeholders of the CPI-M as well as police fled the area before the attacks took place.
At least three CPI-M cadres were killed during the violence and two more were missing, PTI news agency reported.
Three police posts were ransacked and set on fire along with a local office of the CPI-M.
Television channels filmed PCPA members demolishing a new two-storey house belonging to a local CPI-M leader on Monday.
After the demolition, a leader of the Communist Party of India-Maoist, identified as Bikash, gave a press briefing with his back to the camera and an AK-47 rifle slung across his shoulder.
'The ground here is already ready and waiting for us. A child is about to be born and we are playing the role of the nurse who will deliver it,' he said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya called a meeting of top officials to discuss future action in Lalgarh.
Bhattacharya narrowly escaped a landmine blast triggered by the Maoists when he was passing through the area in November 2008, following which, locals allege, the police atrocities increased with illegal detentions and torture.
Maoist guerrillas who operate in 13 Indian states say they are fighting for the rights of the landless, poor and tribal people.
They usually target security personnel and government installations.
According to unofficial estimates, at least 400 people, including rebels, have been killed in Maoist violence since January 2009.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the Maoist insurgency as one of the gravest internal security threats facing India.
Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/southasia/news/article_1483883.php/Maoists_take_over_part_of_Indias_West_Bengal_state_#ixzz0ImThYBNX&B
state, and set fire to police camps and offices of the ruling party, news reports said Tuesday.
Hundreds of supporters of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA) set fire to police camps in the villages of Salboni, Rangarh and Dharampur in the early hours of Monday, the Indian Express newspaper reported.
They also demolished offices of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), a leading partner in West Bengal's ruling leftist coalition.
The locals were accompanied by armed cadres of the CPI-M, which is spearheading the rebellion in the area.
Lalgarh town and adjoining villages in West Midnapore district have seen widespread unrest by local tribes since November when the Maoists supported the formation of the PCPA to organize protests against alleged police atrocities.
Barely 200 kilometres north-west of the state capital Kolkata, Lalgarh has been a virtual no-go area for the local administration since late 2008 and the media has largely been barred.
On Monday, the media was allowed in and television channels showed drumming, dancing villagers celebrating.
PCPA leaders were quoted as saying that they were not responsible for the arson or demolitions but that it was a spontaneous expression of anger.
Most local officeholders of the CPI-M as well as police fled the area before the attacks took place.
At least three CPI-M cadres were killed during the violence and two more were missing, PTI news agency reported.
Three police posts were ransacked and set on fire along with a local office of the CPI-M.
Television channels filmed PCPA members demolishing a new two-storey house belonging to a local CPI-M leader on Monday.
After the demolition, a leader of the Communist Party of India-Maoist, identified as Bikash, gave a press briefing with his back to the camera and an AK-47 rifle slung across his shoulder.
'The ground here is already ready and waiting for us. A child is about to be born and we are playing the role of the nurse who will deliver it,' he said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya called a meeting of top officials to discuss future action in Lalgarh.
Bhattacharya narrowly escaped a landmine blast triggered by the Maoists when he was passing through the area in November 2008, following which, locals allege, the police atrocities increased with illegal detentions and torture.
Maoist guerrillas who operate in 13 Indian states say they are fighting for the rights of the landless, poor and tribal people.
They usually target security personnel and government installations.
According to unofficial estimates, at least 400 people, including rebels, have been killed in Maoist violence since January 2009.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the Maoist insurgency as one of the gravest internal security threats facing India.
Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/southasia/news/article_1483883.php/Maoists_take_over_part_of_Indias_West_Bengal_state_#ixzz0ImThYBNX&B
Aizawl Theological College inaugurates M.Th in History of Christianity
By Babu thomas
Aizawl Theological College (ATC) will now offer Master of Theology (M.Th) in History of Christianity as its latest post-graduate course.
A special function to inaugurate the opening of the new course was held at ATC Sandy's Hall on Friday 12 June.
The function was led by Rev. Dr. Lalhmangaiha, Senior Executive Secretary of Mizoram Presbyterian Church. ATC Principal Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad thanked the invited guests, while Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod Moderator Rev. H. Lalchhanhima announced the opening of the new course.
With the induction of new M.Th (Christian History) course, ATC now offers four fields of study at Master's level including Theology, Missiology and New Testament.
After this function was held, a book written by Dr. O.L. Snaitang, History of Christianity Head of Department, “Historical Methodology & Historiography” was also presented and discussed. Dr. Snaitang is one of the leading Church history in India, he is currently serving as President of Church History Association of India (CHAI).
Currently, there are 22 M.Th students including the three new students in the History of Christianity course.
Aizawl Theological College is one of the leading Theological colleges in India. It is affiliated to Serampore college; the Senate of Serampore is a deemed university based in Serampore, near Kolkata city in West Bengal state. Serampore college was founded by an English Baptist Missionary to India and the father of modern mission - William Carey, and his friends Joshua Marshman and William Ward in 1818.
Aizawl Theological College (ATC) will now offer Master of Theology (M.Th) in History of Christianity as its latest post-graduate course.
A special function to inaugurate the opening of the new course was held at ATC Sandy's Hall on Friday 12 June.
The function was led by Rev. Dr. Lalhmangaiha, Senior Executive Secretary of Mizoram Presbyterian Church. ATC Principal Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad thanked the invited guests, while Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod Moderator Rev. H. Lalchhanhima announced the opening of the new course.
With the induction of new M.Th (Christian History) course, ATC now offers four fields of study at Master's level including Theology, Missiology and New Testament.
After this function was held, a book written by Dr. O.L. Snaitang, History of Christianity Head of Department, “Historical Methodology & Historiography” was also presented and discussed. Dr. Snaitang is one of the leading Church history in India, he is currently serving as President of Church History Association of India (CHAI).
Currently, there are 22 M.Th students including the three new students in the History of Christianity course.
Aizawl Theological College is one of the leading Theological colleges in India. It is affiliated to Serampore college; the Senate of Serampore is a deemed university based in Serampore, near Kolkata city in West Bengal state. Serampore college was founded by an English Baptist Missionary to India and the father of modern mission - William Carey, and his friends Joshua Marshman and William Ward in 1818.
Mizoram bans import of pigs from Myanmar
AIZAWL: Amid a sort of paranoia of of swine flu, which is spreading to many countries, Mizoram has banned import of pigs from the neighbouring Myanmar.
Sales of pork, arguably the undisputed champion on the Mizo menu, have dropped drastically. "Ever since as the news of swine flu started getting prominence in newspapers and television channels, sales of pork has suffered. We have to sell beef instead of pork now," a pork seller from Chhinga veng locality said.
Normally on Saturdays, women carrying baskets queue up at meat shops for a grand Sunday breakfast. But such queues have now shifted to beef counters.
Owners of Beef, mutton and chicken shops seem to be revelling at pork sellers' loss. "Niow luck is now on our side. Bird flu virtually ruined our business. But now our business has looked up," said a chicken seller called.
State animal husbandry and veterinary department director C Sangnghina said, "No case of swine flu has so far been detected here. We are alert and on the job. Our rapid action team is keeping a strict vigil along the 722-km international border with Myanmar and Bangladesh and also boundaries with Assam, Manipur and Tripura.
Sales of pork, arguably the undisputed champion on the Mizo menu, have dropped drastically. "Ever since as the news of swine flu started getting prominence in newspapers and television channels, sales of pork has suffered. We have to sell beef instead of pork now," a pork seller from Chhinga veng locality said.
Normally on Saturdays, women carrying baskets queue up at meat shops for a grand Sunday breakfast. But such queues have now shifted to beef counters.
Owners of Beef, mutton and chicken shops seem to be revelling at pork sellers' loss. "Niow luck is now on our side. Bird flu virtually ruined our business. But now our business has looked up," said a chicken seller called.
State animal husbandry and veterinary department director C Sangnghina said, "No case of swine flu has so far been detected here. We are alert and on the job. Our rapid action team is keeping a strict vigil along the 722-km international border with Myanmar and Bangladesh and also boundaries with Assam, Manipur and Tripura.
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