Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) while responding to the
letter of the National Commission for Minorities
dated 24th August 2012 urged the Commission to clarify its position with respect to the
status of the Bodos as religious minorities considering that majority of
the Bodos follow their animist “Bathou” religion and Christianity.
A team of the National Commission for Minorities consisting of the Member
of the Planning Commission, Dr. Syeda Hameed, Advisor to the Planning
Commission Dr. G .B Panda, and Member of the NCM, Keki N. Daruwalla
visited Assam on 11-12 August 2012 and released “Report on Visit to
Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) and Dhubri District in Assam”.
ACHR in its report, “National Commission for Minorities: Communalising
Assam Riots?” had questioned the report of being biased against the Bodosand not respecting the NCM Act.The NCM in its reply to the ACHR stated that its report was not biased.On the inclusion of the Planning Commission member Sayeeda Hameed, the NCMstated that “the Planning Commission had a stake in the welfare of theCamps and the means that could be deployed to bring relief to the victims”.
While reiterating that ACHR had no objection to inclusion of any person,ACHR stated that “the direct role of the Planning Commission to bringrelief to the victims will raise questions of constitutionality given thefederal nature of the country. It is the Ministry of Home Affairs whichfunds to meet expenses for emergency situations, and also reimburses thecosts for maintenance of all the refugees (mainly Sri Lankan Tamilrefugees in Tamil Nadu) and internally displaced persons (Assam,Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir and Tripura) to the concerned State governments.”
“The assertion that the Planning Commission had a stake in the welfare ofthe Camps and the means that could be deployed to bring relief to thevictims is not convincing and begs answers.”- stated Mr Suhas Chakma,Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.ACHR lamented that member of the NCM from the North East Mr H T Sanglianawas not included in the team that visited Assam and further stated thatthe NCM responded to the cover letter to the Prime Minister and not thereport itself
Shillong 08 Octpber 2012:Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is awaiting Government of India, approval for Constitution of a Commission under Article 399 of the Constitution of India to examine the issues relating to the rights and safeguards of the traditional tribal governing institutions of Schedule Tribes in Schedule areas of India. This was stated by Shri. V. Kishore Chandra Deo, MP, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Govt of India, to Mr John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, when he called on the Union Minister in his official residence at 11.30 Am today (25th Sept, 2012) at 4,Janpath, New Delhi.
This meeting is a follow up to the earlier discussions when a delegation of tribal Chiefs from Meghalaya met Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, on June 7, 2012. The Chiefs had also called on UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, on June 9, 2012, who assured the Chiefs that the Govt. of India would look into all the issues relating to the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreements signed and accepted by the Government of India and the twenty Five Khasi States on August 17, 1948. The Chairman, Grand Council of Cheifs of Meghalaya recently received a mail from UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, informing them that she has also been referred the matter to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
During the meeting the Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, invited the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs to address the special gathering of the Chiefs in Shillong and to also witness the famous sacred Shad Pomblang festival, to which the Union Minister agreed to visit Shillong on 3rd November 2012.
Shillong, October 08:Shillong Chamber Choir to open Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 6,
The Shillong Chamber Choir will be singing in the opening episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 6, on Friday the 7th September 2012 at 8:30pm, SONY Television.
Mr. Amitabh Bachchan himself will be singing with choir on a medley of songs, which have been arranged by Mr. Neil Nongkynrih the founder and conductor of the SCC.
Mr. Bachchan on meeting the choir wrote in his blog “By far the most delightful moment of the day was meeting and seeing the Shillong Choir, a young group of boys and girls from the North East, performing some wonderful renditions of … ahah .. cannot disclose all that just yet, songs. It was pretty ‘goose bumps’ material ! Does anyone know why its called ‘goose bumps’ ??”.
Dated Shillong the 3rd October, 2012
The Deputy Commissioner also the District Election Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, P.S Dkhar with the Additional Deputy Commissioner also the Electoral Registration Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, S.S Syiemlieh on Monday handed over the Draft Electoral Rolls of the four Constituencies: Nartiang, Jowai, Raliang and Mokaiaw to the political Parties of the District in the presences of the Media in the Conference Room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Jowai.
Speaking to the Political Parties and the Media, the District Election Officer informed that any citizen of the District attaining the age of 18 years as on 01.01.2013 should be encourage to get themselves enrolled in the Electoral Rolls from 01.10.2012 to 31.10.2012
He also informed that any objection or any other relating to Draft rolls can be submitted to the Election Registration Officer (ERO), West Jaintia Hils, Jowai on or before 31.10.2012 and hearing will be done in the month of November and December. The Final list will be published by first week of January 2013.
Dated Shillong 08 October, 2012: People are living longer these days as compared to four or five decades
People are living longer these days as compared to four or five decades back and as such the numbers of older people are growing day by day. There are certain aspects of this trend that have overwhelming affect on the present society and there is a need to ensure certain degree of social benefits to the aged stated former Minister and a prominent senior citizen, Mariam D Shira while addressing the gathering at the celebration of International Day for Older Persons organised by the Social Welfare Deportment in collaboration with Information and Public Relations, Tura at Tura District Auditorium.
Speaking on government interventions for the aged and infirm Shira stated that the government of India has provided various schemes to aid older persons live with dignity and purpose. It is up to the people to decide whether to avail these benefits or not Shira said. Suggesting that the senior citizens of Tura get together in the near future to discuss various issues plaguing their generation she stated that it would also be a good opportunity to work on issues that needed government intervention. She also articulated the need for a shelter home or a recreational centre for senior citizens so that they may be able to spend time more meaningfully and also suggested that an NGO be formed to take up various forms of abuses against older persons, be it domestic, social and emotional or physical. She later felicitated the oldest male and female citizens of Tura, Derison A Sangma and Noleni M Momin respectively.
Elaborating on the objectives of the programme, District Social Welfare Officer, L M Sangma stated that the day was being celebrated as a day commemorating the older persons for their contributions in making a better society. Speaking at length on the National Policy on Older Persons Sangma said that it aimed at extending comprehensive support for financial security, healthcare, welfare and to provide protection against abuse and exploitation.
District Medical and Health Officer Dr C J M Sangma spoke on age related diseases and gave health tips on how to prevent certain types of age related ailments through proper nutrition and exercise.
During the programme a short film on Dementia was show Among others who spoke at the occasion were Administrator, Bethany Society, Col T Donald and President, Pensioners Association, Sanderson Sangma. (mipr)
