15 Miners Trapped Inside Coal Mine in Meghalaya

By SUSHANTA TALUKDAR

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  Coal mining in most parts of Meghalaya is done in an indiscriminate and unscientific manner of manual extraction and is popularly known as rat-hole mining as the miners crawl inside a long tunnel and use basic implements to burrow and extract coal. This photograph shows a miner inside a typical rat hole mine. Photo: Rajkamal Goswami, ATREE.
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  An surface picture of a coal mine in Meghalaya. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

Fifteen miners are trapped inside a rat-hole coal mine near Nangalbibra area of South Garo Hills district in Meghalaya since Friday afternoon after water from an adjacent abandoned mine gushed in when the miners accidentally hit on the wall of the abandoned mine.

Meghalaya Director General of Police N. Ramachandran told The Hindu that there was very little hope of any survivor.

“There were total 30 miners working in the rat-hole mine. Fifteen managed to come out while 15 others got trapped inside. It is suspected that the miners accidentally punctured the wall of a flooded abandoned mine and huge quantity of water gushed inside the mine in which they were working.

For the last two days the district authorities have been trying to pump out the water. The mine operator did not inform either the police or the district authorities. We have registered a case under Section 304 (a) for negligent action and arrested the main operator of the mine,” he said.

Unscientific mining

Coal mining in most part of Meghalaya is done in an indiscriminate and unscientific manner of manual extraction and is popularly known as rat-hole mining as the miners crawl inside a long tunnel and use handy implements to burrow in and extract coal.

South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner in-charge R.P. Marak said a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident while efforts were on to rescue the trapped miners. The district authorities have also requisitioned the services of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue operations.

The 1st Battalion NDRF has sent two rescue teams which are expected to reach the site on Wednesday night. The DGP said that the mine was located in a remote location and condition of the road leading to the site is also bad. The coal mines are located at Rongsa Awe village, about 10 km from Nangalbibra.

These rat-hole mines are privately owned. In Meghalaya, land and resources are privately owned by local tribal communities and the State government has little control over it.

A $760k Can of Pepsi

Can of Pepsi costs Ronaldinho $760k

Ronaldinho sits a press conference with the wrong drink.

For soccer legend Ronaldinho, the sweet sensation of Pepsi soothing his burning throat after a tough training session has hurt his bank balance.

The former Coca-Cola ambassador shot himself in the foot when he rocked up to a press conference today sipping on a can of Pepsi - the arch nemesis of Coke in the fizzy drink world.

Safe to say the big wigs at Coke's headquarters in Atlanta weren't happy when they realised Pepsi was getting the advertising they paid for.

They quickly pulled the plug on the endorsement deal and now the Brazilian's pockets are $760,000 lighter.

But perhaps it's just karma working its full circle. Pop star Britney Spears was caught on camera a few years back guzzling a can of Coke even though Pepsi was paying the bills. She too got canned.

This is just the latest blow for Ronaldinho who hasn't been able to find consistent form on the field since leaving AC Milan two years ago.

Just last month, the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year ended his time with soccer club Flamengo and moved to Atletico Mineiro.
According to newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo, the 32-year-old was more interested in hosting crazy parties and often turned up late to training.

But Coca Cola marketing chief Marcelo Pontes said it was just a matter of time before Ronaldinho was given the flick.

``The fact that the player has appeared with a can of Pepsi was the straw that broke the camel's back,'' Pontes told O Estado de Sao Paulo.

Mizo Students Demand Apology On 'Stray Dogs' Remark

Aizawl, Jul 11 : Taking a strong exception to the stray-dogs-for-Mizoram remark made by Punjab MLA Ajit Singh Mofar, Mizo Zirlai Pawl, apex students' body of Mizoram, has demanded apology from the Congress legislator.

Reacting to Mofar's statement in the Punjab state assembly that "stray dogs would be more useful" in Mizoram, Nagaland or China,' the MZP said that stray dogs would not be of any use in Mizoram.

The MZP also made it clear that though there are some people in Mizoram who eat dog meat, the meats are of well-fed and healthy dogs certified by veterinarians. "We would like to bring to your notice that no one here eats the meat of stray dogs," said the MZP representation, faxed to the MLA today.

Therefore, describing Mizoram as a dumping ground for unwanted stray dogs was derogatory and uncalled-for, the letter said.

Terming Mofar's remark as "discriminatory" and "racist" which hurt the sentiments of the Mizos, the MZP demanded the MLA apologise to the people of Mizoram as early as possible.

The MZP further advised Mofar, being a public leader, never to hurt the sentiments of others, particularly as a region, as such a remark will jeopardises the national integrity of India.

ILP Issue To Be Discussed By Manipur Cabinet

Imphal, Jul 11 : The Manipur Cabinet is likely to discuss the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system tomorrow.

A mass movement is going on in Manipur demanding introduction of ILP as the population of indigenous settlers of the state is threatened to be swallowed by immigrants. Sources said the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has objected to reintroduction of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur. Ministry officials informed that the ILP is a Central Act and the state government can not take a decision on the matter.

The Congress Legislature Party also discussed the matter last evening presided by Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh. Sit-in protests were held today in different parts of the state by students bodies, NGOs and Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies (FRIENDS).

Kakchingtabam Birahari Sharma, who started a fast-to-death on July 6 and now in hospital, has reportedly refused to take any life-support system, sources said, adding his health is deteriorating.

FRIENDS said according to the 2001 census report, the influx from other parts of the country and neighbouring countries have reached seven lakh which is equivalent to the population of the majority Meitei community.

It surpasses population of the indigenous tribal population.

If the 2011 census is known the numbers of outsiders may have surpassed the numbers of original settlers, FRIENDS further said. There is massive influx of people from other states, neighbouring countries into Manipur.

A protestor said the situation is different in the northeast as the original settlers in Tripura have become a minority community without any say in political affairs in their own home. Likewise, continual influx of people has threatened the settlers of Manipur, pointed out by the federation.

In other northeastern states except Manipur and Assam, there is restriction on entry and settlement of outsiders.

Assam Floods: Unhappy Human Rights Panel Demands Report

By Simantik Dowerah

The year’s first wave of devastating flood exposed the woeful lack of preparedness of Assam’s Water Resources Department to protect the state from a disaster which has become an annual feature. The loss to life and property has been so high that it drew national attention, prompting the Assam Human Rights Commission to take a landmark decision to take suo motu action.
“The newspapers have come out with reports how crores of rupees were spent in the name of flood control measures in the state. But the result is there for all to see. People and animals are swept away, crops are damaged, houses are ravaged, it is complete devastation,” Assam Human Rights Commission member Jyoti Prasad Chaliha told Firstpost from Guwahati over phone.

Flood affected. Reuters

A division bench of the commission comprising chairperson Justice Aftab Hussain Saikia and Chaliha has ordered the state government to form a high-level committee to enquire and submit a report in 12 weeks to the commission on the amount of money spent and nature of work done for flood control between 2005-06 and 2011-12.
“The three-member committee must be headed by an additional chief secretary rank officer, with one additional director general of police rank official and a technical expert from IIT or any engineering college in Assam as members. We want senior officers to do the enquiry. We do not want it to be done by junior officers who may be easily manageable,” Chaliha said.
The commission was baffled by the fact that despite huge funds from different state and Central government agencies the state Water Resources Department perenially complains about shortage of funds.
“Crores of rupees are released by the state and Central governments in the name of flood control. Where does this money go? The department does not use it during the dry season and starts working late April or May. This results in very little time for implementation of corrective and protective measures before the monsoon set in,” he said. The monsoon enters Assam by June.
“It is quite obvious that the patchy work stands no chance before the flood fury and is obviously swept away by the strong currents,” Chaliha said.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the state Water Resources Department, the member said, “We want to stop the corruption that is going on in the department. The loot of such astronomical amount has led to massive violation of human rights.” The panel was also unhappy with the tenure of officers in the department.
“As per government norms, officers should not stay for more than three years at one location. However, there are many instances where they have stayed for over five to seven years at one place. In fact, when they are transferred by the Election Commission during polls they manage to return within two or three months,” Chaliha said.
“This gives the unscrupulous lot to evolve a system to loot public money,” he said.
“People are saying that the Rs 500 crore relief announced by the prime minister recently is insufficient. Let me tell you Rs 500 crore is no less a figure if used properly,” the commission member said.
When asked about the action after the report is submitted, Chaliha said, “That will depend on what the report finds.”
Till date, Rs 33,000 crore has been spent for flood control since 1954 in Assam. So far in this wave of flood, 125 people have lost their lives.

Mizo CM Proposes Ghatowar Be Made Cabinet minister

Aizawl, Jul 10 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to include DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar for faster development of Northeast, official sources said here today.

The Chief Minister was meeting the Prime Minister in New Delhi today informing him of the needs of his state, and also thanking him for all the things that Mizoram has been receiving from his government. Highlighting the backwardness of Northeast India compared to the rest of the country, Lal Thanhawla suggested that the current DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar, who is from the Northeast, be made a Union cabinet minister to ensure faster development for the region.

He also proposed inclusion of the lone Lok Sabha MP from Mizoram C L Ruala, who he termed as a seasoned politician since the time of Mizo district council before 1972, as Union minister.

Lal Thanhawla informed the Prime Minister of the additional requirement of fund for resumption of the derailed repatriation of Bru refugees from Tripura, which the PM promised to look into.

Lal Thanhawla also gave a progress report on his government's flagship project the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), which, the official statement reported, impressed the Prime Minister. Mr Singh also okayed the Chief Minister's request to lay a foundation stone for the state's first sainik school in the latter part of the year.

Northeast Upset Over Stalled Talks With Bangladesh

By Iftikhar Gilani

New Delhi, Jul 10 : Prime minister Manmohan Singh’s failure to reciprocate Bangladesh’s “peace gestures” either by granting a concession on Teesta River water or operationalising the already signed land boundary agreement is frustrating the chief ministers of the north-eastern states.

The ministers are peeved at the UPA government’s inability and indecisiveness to table the Border Management Bill in the previous budget session of Parliament due to stiff opposition from the Trinamool and the BJP. “The delay is hampering the trans-border trade, contact and cooperation. Improvement in relations with Bangladesh is a real game-changer for the north east,” said Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma.

Government officials here admit that Hasina Wajid’s government in Dhaka has immensely contributed towards maintaining peace in the militancy-affected north-eastern states. She reversed the policy of her predecessors by ordering closure of several militancy training camps and even handed over some hardcore Assam militants to India.

Five Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram share a 2,429 mile-long border with Bangladesh.

Without naming them, chief minister Sangma told DNA, “Certain political parties were bent to ruin the prime minister’s look east vision and his carefully strategic initiative towards Dhaka.” He believes that his state, along with the entire north-east, were on the verge of making huge strides in development by the look-east policy.

The CPI (M) government in Tripura is also demanding greater economic engagement with Bangladesh. Sangma, who met prime minister Singh in Delhi recently, demanded improvement in internal waterways to Bangladesh to promote cross border investments. Further, he also asked for a transit route to Bangladesh’s Chittagong port, claiming it was the nearest port for all in the north-east.

Stressing on cooperation with the neighbouring country, the chief minister said improved relations had enabled us to move heavy machinery from Kolkata to Tripura through Bangladesh territory to set up the Palatan gas-based power plant.

Sangma is annoyed that while the BJP is making an issue of the India-Dhaka relations, it ignored its ally, Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal’s, underlining his state’s expansive interests in reconciliation with Pakistan.“I am desperately waiting for the day when people of both the Punjabis would freely move across the borders without visa restrictions,” Badal had said a few months ago while inaugurating facilities at Attari-Wagah border.

How I Made It: Mohammad Ismat

By Sonali Acharjee

Mohammad Ismat


You don't need tuition. Hard work and focus is enough, says Mohammad Ismat, CBSE, 12th Board, All-India Topper, 2012.

How it all began...

I come from the Thoubal district in Manipur and am the youngest of seven children. My father, Moulana Bashirur-Rahman is a primary school teacher. During my childhood he tried very hard to provide me a good education. But his monthly income rarely exceeded more than Rs.2000. That was obviously not enough to sustain the whole family and fund my education at private schools as well.

I initially studied at a local English medium government school till class six when I switched to a Kendriya Vidhyalaya. Again in class eighth I moved to Sainik School in Imphal where I scored 94.2 per cent in my class 10th exams.

I really wanted to move to a good school after this but money was a problem. That is when the director of Zenith Academy in Imphal stepped in. He was kind enough to accept me in the school and mentor me at a minimal fee. The intellecutal exposure, constant support and good friends I found at Zenith played a huge part in my success today.

Overcome challenges
I believe nothing is impossible. It does not matter how difficult a scenario is, with faith, dedication and hard work one can overcome all odds. My life as a young student was never easy. Financial difficulties was just one problem. My village also had erratic power supply. When I was studying for my board exams there were days when we got power for only two to three hours. I was forced to studying under streetlights. Problems were aplenty but I never gave up.

What kept me going were my three sources of inspiration - Prophet Mohammed, former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Albert Einstein. Whenever I felt low, I looked to them and how they lived their lives and found encouragement.

Sharp focus
I did not take private tuition nor was my family able to afford expensive reference books. Instead I gained knowledge from library books and whatever I was taught inside the classroom. I think that, by itself, is enough for someone to do well in their exams.

I feel the real key to my sucess was my ability to concentrate. I might have studied eight hours a day during my revision but prior to that I put in only four to five hours a day of pure concentrated effort. I would shut myself away from the rest of the world and loose myself in my books. I focused hard to understand every line I was reading and. That helped me retain a lot of what I studied. Concentrated studies for minimum hours a day can reap more benefits than hours and hours of work where your mind is distracted.

Another tip I can offer students is to never remain in doubt. If you don’t understand something, always ask for clarifications instead. If you are clear with all your concepts then the last few months of revision will be easier and serve more as a kind of reinforcement. This is something I have followed throughout, even when I studied in public schools where teachers did not always like to answer questions.

Think healthy
I am an early riser and always believe in starting my day with maximum energy. I don’t think you need to be on strict diets and exercise regimes to be healthy. I have never followed any, only eaten simple meals that my mother cooked at home, yet I have enjoyed relatively good stamina.

I think my health stems from peace and purity of mind. I keep my thoughts positive and happy. Good mental health does lead to good physical health.

Enjoy Success
When I scored 99 per cent in my Class 12 exams, I happily soaked up every second of it. I think one should enjoy happiness and sucess. At the same time remain grateful to God and those who have always stood by you.

Tips for success

• Work hard: There is no easy way out. Hard work is par for the course and always pays off.

• Concentrate: A few hours of focused study can reap far more benefits than several hours of distracted work.

• Fight for your dreams: Dream big and keep long term goals.Whenever you feel like giving up, remind yourself of these dreams.Tell yourself that your dreams are worth fighting a few battles for.

• Be happy: Keep your mind free of negative thoughts and always try to be happy.