Mizoram CM greets Mizos on Peace Day

Aizawl, Jun 30 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today extended his greetings to the Mizos on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the historic Mizo Peace Accord.

The Mizoram Accord was signed on June 30, 1986 between then outlawed Mizo National Front, led by Laldenga and the Union Government, ending one of the bloodiest insurgencies in the country.

In his message, the Chief Minister said his government gives top priority to the law and order situation so that the people of Mizoram can march forward to catch up with the rest of the country. Stating that his government remains committed towards promoting the welfare of the poor, Mr Lal Thanhawla said, the flagship New Land Use Policy that aims to uplift the poor is being launched.

''Under the NREGS and JNNURM, the government has been providing employment to the poor,'' he stated.

To generate more power, the government has vigorously pursued big projects like the 210 MW Tuivai Hydel project, 60MW Tuirial Hydel project and 460MW Kolodyne hydel project while smaller projects like 3MW Maicham II small hydel project and 12 MW Serlui B hydel project have been completed, the Chief Minister said.

Mizoram is one of the most peaceful states in India and the accord signed by MNF rebel leader Pu Laldenga with the Centre is often taken as a model for peace settlements in the trouble-torn northeastern states.

In the field of education, the government had taken major steps to impart quality education from primary to college level and to overtake Kerala in literacy. ''Mizoram has been declared the second best performing state in Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan,'' he added. Sources said that the Mizo National Front party is gearing up to mark the occasion at the party headquarters Hnam Run in Aizawl. ''Several cultural activities and awareness campaigns will be held here and in party units across the state,'' MNF official said.

Among many others, the Mizoram government had taken major initiatives to explore the huge sports potential in Mizoram, the Chief Minister said.

The opposition Mizo National Front will separately observe Remna Ni or Peace Accord Day at its general headquarters office Hnam Run where party president and former Chief Minister Zoramthanga will address the party members.

The 'Remna Ni' (Peace Accord Day) is a landmark occasion for the people of Mizoram as they feel that it signalled renewal of hope for peace, progress and real development for Mizoram.

The political disturbances started during the tribulation of the bamboo flowering (Mautam) famine which left a deep scar on 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 the India Union.

The Mizo hills were immediately declared a 'disturbed area' and security forces were inducted to maintain law and order.

The disturbances lasted for two decades during which the land had to weather many storms apart from lagging behind in the field of development.

Now 24 years down the line, the Mizo Peace Accord stands out as the most durable symbol of peace and progress, earning Mizoram a sobriquet of Island of Peace in the trouble-torn Northeast India.

Mizoram Governor Flagged-Off Olympic Day Run

Aizawl: The Mizoram Governor Lt. Gen (Rtd) M.M.Lakhera, PVSM, AVSM, VSM flagged-off the Olympic Day Run from the A.R.Ground at 6:30 A.M. this morning. The Olympic Day Run was organised by Mizoram Olympic Association and 1695 athletes from 19 Sports Associations participated in this event. The Olympic Day Run covered a distance of around 2 kilometres from the A.R.Ground to Government Higher Secondary School Field, Mc Donald Hill where Pu Zodintluanga, Sports & Youth Services Minister and Senior Vice-President Mizoram Olympic Association distributed prizes to the participants.

In his flag-off speech, the Governor emphatically said that sport has been promoting friendship and brotherhood among people of different cultures, and encouraged the mizo youth to nurture and develop their sporting talents to make a mark in the National and International arenas.

At the Olympic Day Run closing function, Minister Pu Zodintluanga said that apart from its playful nature, Sports also aimed at rebuilding social life in a better way and it is high time we put our heart and soul into everything we do to succeed. He also encouraged the sports personalities present there by saying that if they put more sincere effort to any sporting discipline they are in, they have a great chance to make a name in the world.

The Minister also felicitated the winners of the 16th Asian Games Youth Across Asia Essay & Art Competition held on Mat 10, 2010. He also distributed prizes to various Sports Associations participating in the Olympic Day Run today. The top three participating Associations are :

1. Mizoram Amateur Taekwondo Associations - 335 members
2. Mizoram Judo Association - 302 members
3. Mizoram Athletics Association - 117 members

In 1987, in an effort to encourage all National Olympic Committees to commemorate and celebrate Olympic Day, the IOC Sport for All Commission launched the Olympic Day Run concept with the objective of promoting the practice of participation in sport by men, women and children from all corners of the world and all walks of life, regardless of athletic ability. The first Olympic Day Run was held in 1987, over a distance of 10km, with 45 participating NOCs. In 2006, there were 161 NOCs promoting Olympic Day Run to their countrymen.

The Olympic Day Run is usually held during June 17-24 by NOCs, with 1.5 KM Olympic Day Fun Run, 5 KM, and 10 KM running activities.

In Mizoram, the Olympic Day Run has been organised annually since 2006.

AMSU delegation visits Mizoram

IMPHAL, June 23 : A delegation of the AMSU visited the office of the MZP (Mizoram students body) to apprise of the present situation in Manipur that has risen out of the unwarranted blockade of both the National Highways, NH-39 & NH-53, which are the life-lines of Manipur.

In a release, the AMSU said the whole population of the state were kept at ransom for more than two months by the economic blockade which was against any form of humanitarianism. The AMSU feels that the suspension of the blockade is not sufficient as res-imposition of the same looms large.

The AMSU remains indebted to MZP for their effort in organizing a press conference where AMSU could clarify many intricate issues revolving around the current blockade, the release said adding the students body is willing to host a direct talk with the NSF and AMSU under the aegis of the NESO as proposed by the MZP.

The AMSU also alleged that the central government has not been doing much to diffuse the situation and this intervention has been a little too late as the damage had already been done. The AMSU accused central government of igniting the unwanted issues due to which it resulted in such an ugly situation.

Mizoram to hike petrol and diesel price

Aizawl, June 23 : A Cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Lal Thanhawla in Aizawl yesterday decided to hike the price of petrol and diesel by 0.50 paisa per litre, and approved ‘The Mizoram Energy Conservation Fund Rules, 2010”, “Amendment of Mizoram Air & Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Rules and decided to raise duty allowance of Mizoram Home Guard Volunteers.

Stating the reason for hiking petrol and diesel price, the chief minister said that as the state government had spent Rs. 4046 lakhs for buying rice so in order to stabilise the financial condition of the state it had to hike the prices of petrol and diesel.

Mizoram also have very less rice quota unlike previous months. The state government had to buy rice through economic cost from the centre monthly incurring a loss of Rs. 1190 per quintal. This is the fact that while Mizoram buys rice from outside at Rs. 2137 per quintal, the state government had sold rice at Rs. 950 per quintal. As per statistic from Agriculture department, Mizoram had 29,646 metric tons of rice during 2006-2007, 15,688 metric tons during 2007-08 and 68,917 metric tons during 2008-09.

On the other fronts, the Cabinet meeting gave nod to a one-time relaxation for one year in the recruitment rules for selection of Science, Mathematics and English subject teachers and also decided to relocate Sainik School and its related matters from the Home Department to the School Education Department. The Cabinet meeting also approved in principle the Sixth Pay Commission Report, and agreed to implement it at the earliest, after making necessary revisions as per the suggestions of the Employees’ Federation. The Cabinet meeting then approved in principle to implement the “Scheme of Revision of Pay of Teachers and Equivalent Cadres in Universities & Colleges on the Recommendation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission”, and re-arrangement of various posts among different Departments in the Secretariat.

A decision on proposed New Land Usable Policy (NLUP) Grant-in-aid Rules, 2010 (Grant-in-aid to Executing Agencies and Individual from NLUP Board and Grant-in-aid to NLUP Board from the Government) has been postponed for reconsideration in future meetings.

R.Lalzirliana inaugurates HSS lecturers training

Aizawl: Home Minister R.Lalzirliana,here today graced an inaugural function for 'Training of HSS Lecturers on Scheme of Examination & Question Setting Technique' held at MBSE's Conference Hall as a Chief Guest.

Addressing the trainees, Home Minister highlighted that development and security of a country deeply depended upon the quality of education prevailed therein. It was a high time for each and every lecturer to have self introspection in order to gauge whether parents have absolute faith in them to look after their wards. Minister wondered why enrolment at private schools was always higher than that of government schools in spite of their exorbitant rate of admission and monthly fees. This pro-private schools- attitude deeply ingrained in the minds of parents today itself is a clarion call for teachers/lecturers to have self introspections and find out what went wrong in its entirety. Minister exhorted trainees to measure up to their great sobriquet 'Builder of the Nation' by giving their hearts and souls to their teaching job.


Minister further stressed that making a man humane and good citizen, rather than academic excellence alone is the ultimate aim of education, and urged the trainees to keep these facts in mind always. "In order to set standard and comprehensive questions teachers need to know their text books, syllabi and courses thoroughly, otherwise irrelevant and half-baked questions not only put culprit teachers ashamed but also tarnished the image of their schools and became a sore thumb to Board," added the Minister.

Director MBSE,Laldawngliana presided over the inaugural function which was also attended by Director(Acd) MBSE, R.Vanramchhunga, some MBSE officers . and 75 Lectures from 8 Districts.

Mizoram Minister Chakma inaugurates training on school safety

Aizawl: Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Shri Nihar Kanti Chakma inaugurated today a 'Training on School Safety" at Central YMA Hall.

The Minister addressed the participants and said that Mizoram is fortunate for not coming across grave disasters, yet it is very necessary to be prepared in advance. Disaster Management committees were set up at state, district, block and village levels and trainings had been conducted every year. The Minister expressed that school safety training is very essential to ensure the safety of students in case of possible natural calamities. He inaugurated the training with wishes of success to the teachers attending the training.

The inaugural function was presided over by Rohmingliana Secretary, DM & R. Dominic Lalhmangaiha State Project Officer, GoI - UNDP DRR Program gave the keynote address and Dr. Lalrokima Chenkual Head Faculty, DMC, ATI explained the objectives of the Course. The training is to be held on 16 - 18 June, 2010.

1,000 Mizo families shun census fearing devil’s wrath

The fear of the Beast or the Devil in the Christian-dominated state of Mizoram has caused almost 1,000 families to refuse to enroll their names in the National Population Register (NPR) taken up along with the Census 2011 in Aizawl from May 15.


The dread stems from Chapter 13 Verse 17 of the Book of Revelations in the Bible which says, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the Beast or the number of his name.”

The problem has stemmed from the Unique Identification Authority of India stipulating that no one could buy or sell property without the Unique ID card. According to adherents of the belief, since buying or selling of property made one a follower of the Beast, one having the UID card, which authorised property transactions, automatically made one a follower of the Devil.

Those refusing to be enumerated belong to the Mizoram Presbyterian Church and the Baptist Church of Mizoram.

Champhai District Magistrate Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said when he summoned Lalzawna the leader and high priest of a sect, he was told that his religious belief would not permit him to register his name and he was ready to face any punishment. Serchhip Deputy Commissioner said that adherents of the belief claimed they had the religious freedom to disobey the government and were not afraid of punitive action.

“They are not afraid of being prosecuted for their beliefs as they are more afraid of being identified with the Devil,” one enumerator said.

The Presbyterian Church Synod, the highest decision making body of the largest Church in the state on June 13 issued a message to all members asking them to cooperate with census officials as it was the duty of every citizen to do so. 

  Trouble with numbers 

Reports of district magistrates state that 939 families have refused to registered in the NPR

In Aizawl district, 483 families have refused to register in the census, including 132 from Aizawl city and 158 families in Champhai

In Serchhip district, 135 families refused to be enumerated

Over 130 families from Lawngtlai and 33 families from Kolasib district have refused register themselves in the 2011 Census

Impressive Progress of Integrated Watershed Management Programme in Mizoram

The Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) in Mizoram has been impressive with the coverage extending over 433803 hectares of land. Out of the 52 sanctioned projects spread over eight districts 51 projects are operational at present. During the current financial year 2010-11 Rs. 4.41 crore has been released as Central share so far. During 2009-10 a total of Rs. 5.057 crore were released for the sanctioned projects16 projects were under which a total of 62435 ha of land was covered. Since 1995-96 Centre has released Rs.155.45 crore under the scheme..

The main objectives of the IWMP are to restore the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and water. The outcomes are prevention of soil run-off, regeneration of natural vegetation, rain water harvesting and recharging of the ground water table. This enables multi-cropping and the introduction of diverse agro-based activities, which help to provide sustainable livelihoods to the people residing in the watershed area. In addition, the Scheme of Technology Development, Extension and Training (TDET) is also being implemented to promote development of cost effective and proven technologies to support watershed management.

DoNER Ministry Approves Sainik School in Mizoram

The Ministry of Development of North East Region (DoNER) has approved in principle, the construction of a Sainik School at a total cost of Rs. 82.89 crores at Chhingchhip in Serchhip district of Mizoram. The Minister of Mines & DoNER, Shri Bijoy Krishna Handique conveyed this to the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lalthanhawla, in a meeting in New Delhi yesterday. Shri Lalthanhawla expressed satisfaction and said that the approving of the Sainik School was timely and in line with the recent development plans for the education sector in Mizoram. The project was retained under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) of the Ministry of DoNER during the Financial Year 2010-11.

Shri Handique said that the Ministry of Defence has conveyed its willingness to start the Sainik School upon completion of the construction of buildings. The Chief Minister of Mizoram hoped that the construction of buildings would be completed by 2014.

One day consultation on mental health

Aizawl: Mr. Lal Thanzara, Parliamentary Secretary has innaugurated 'One day Consultation & Two days Workshop on Mental Health( Depression and Suicide) at I&PR Conference Hall, today. Noted Psychiatrists, NGO's and Church leaders participated in this consultation which is jointly organised by Volunteers for Community Mental Health(VOLCOMH), Mizoram and SAARTHAK, New Delhi.

Parliamentary Secretary pointed out that much emphasis being given on spiritual and physical health while mental health is being neglected at one's own peril. He lamented at the loss of many youths with a prospect of bright future due to suicide acts. That lack of awareness on mental health and apathy towards mental illness were the main causes of increasing suicide acts in Mizoram, he stated. He had also lauded the commendable efforts of VOLCOMH and vital contributions made by sympathetic people in News papers even as he conveyed government's assurance and co-operation on such kind of goodwill missions and noble acts.



Dr.John M Ralte has also equated the importance of Body, Mind and Soul by saying that there can be no soul and body that is healthy with a mind that is unhealthy and sick. He explained that out of 100 people with unsound minds 10% are mentally ill while the rest are people suffering from mental problems.In his views, it was foolish of people with mental problems to avoid Psychiatrist when he/she had no problem of visiting a Physician when physically sick.

'Suicide and Depression' were the main theme of this consultation in which Dr.C.Lalhrekima, Dr.John M. Ralte and their colleagues of noted Psychiatrists in the city were the panel of experts. The consultation which kicked off today will be followed by seminar on the same topic at Central YMA Hall, Aizawl, tomorrow. People suffering from mentally related problems are welcomed to approach VOLCOMH at their Counseling Center and Drop-in-Centre at Central YMA Building,MG Road, Aizawl.