Mizo Temples’ ‘Sunday Service’ A Hit

By Rahul Karmakar

Aizawl, Dec 2 : Inspired by the church, Hindu temples in Mizoram now conduct similar ‘Sunday service’ for various deities. Community leaders say it is a case of ‘doing what the Romans do in Rome’ and adapting to a more convenient way of connecting with the gods and goddesses.

Priest Bishnu Prasad Subedi delivering his Sunday sermon in Aizawl’s Thuampui Om Temple. (Pratap Chhetri/ HT photo)

Christians account for 87% of Mizoram’s 1.1 million people. Hindus are less than 4%, behind the Buddhists (8%).

Churches are thus all-pervading while only 12 temples exist in this north-eastern state, half of them in capital Aizawl.

Christianity arrived in Mizoram with the British conquest. A number of Gorkha soldiers and Bengali clerks settled in the area.

“Our forefathers came on a mission to rescue Mary Winchester, daughter of a British tea planter abducted by a Mizo tribal chieftain in 1871. They stayed behind to reside on plots allotted by the British and built most of the temples in the 1870s,” MB Thapa, chairman of Central Gorkha Mandir Sanchalan Samiti, said.

“I grew up in Delhi knowing Monday is for Shiva, Tuesday for Hanuman and so on. Here, we invoke the deities from 8:30-10am every Sunday,” Bishnu Prasad Subedi, priest at the Om Temple in Aizawl’s Thuampui area, said.

Subedi’s schedule and that of his counterparts in other temples includes heading the ‘Sunday service’, delivering sermons and chanting prayers from a standardised ‘book of psalms’. Simultaneously, community elders conduct theology classes designed for children.

“What is the harm in imbibing the good things from other religions? Besides, switching from weekdays to Sundays has helped us keep social contact and share our joys and sorrows at a common place,” Om Temple committee member Pratap Chhetri said.

The temples adhere to a strict code of cleanliness and offer hygienically packed prasad that every household in a locality supplies by rotation.

The contents of the pack — a piece of fresh fruit, dry fruits and a dollop of ghee-cooked halwa — are almost always the same.

source: Hindustan Times

VVPAT Performance Not Satisfactory in Mizoram Polls

Aizawl, Dec 2 : The performance of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system used in the recently held Mizoram assembly election was not satisfactory, as 10 per cent of the machines malfunctioned, state Chief Electoral Officer Ashwani Kumar said here today.

The VVPAT is a machine attached to EVMs which allows voters to check if their votes are cast the way they wished.

For the first time in the country in Assembly polls, VVPAT was used in Mizoram on November 25 when 21 VVPATs out of 217 used in the polling were found defective.

"Twenty one defective VVPATs among 217 is very high in percentage. The matter was reported to the Election Commission," Kumar told a press conference.

The EC has invited officials of the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), which manufactured the machines, for a discussion on the matter on December three at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi, he said.

The defective VVPATs were taken to the ECIL headquarters by a technician sent by the Corporation.

EVMs with VVPAT system were used in 10 assembly constituencies within Aizawl city limits where 217 VVPATs were used in the polls. Altogether 300 sets had been sent to the state.

Officials from the ECIL and trained personnel were present in the polling stations where VVPATs were used.

VVPAT was first experimented in an assembly bypoll in Nagaland in September.

Hornbill Festival Gets Off To A Colourful Start

Kohima, Dec 2 : Ten-day Hornbill Festival – festival of festivals – got off to a vibrant opening ceremony at Naga Heritage village, Kisama here. The inaugural function witnessed various special items and presentation from various tribes and organizations.

Day one of Hornbill Festival also witnessed around 224 international tourists and 149 domestic tourists besides thousands of local visitors.

More visitors are expected to witness the North East Cultural Day on day two to be held at the Main Gallery.

In the evening, a concert “a tribute” to 50 years of statehood would be held where popular and audience pulling stars of state including Methaneilie Jiitakhrie, Zowe Madrigal and band from Delhi Mixed generation would perform at Solidarity Park at 5 p.m.

Rio opens exhibition cum competition

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the exhibition cum competition of flowers, fruits and vegetables December 1 at Hortiscape, Naga Heritage village, Kisama.

Rio congratulated the horticulture department for adding another success story through the exhibition cum competition of flowers, fruits and vegetables.

He said flowers symbolised good spirit and character and urged the department to set targets and produce for commercial purpose so that the state can earn revenue through export, stated a DIPR report.

Stalls have been set up by different associations, self help groups and floral companies from within and outside the state showcasing varieties of flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Prizes were given out for different categories in the flower section such as Orchid, Cactic and Succulents, Perennials, Bulbs and Tubers, Bonsai etc and in the fruits section prizes were given out in categories like Carrot/Raddish, Peas/Beans, Ginger, Naga Chilli, Mushroom etc.

Nagaland observes archive week

The 14th Annual Archive Week, organized by the department of art and culture, is being observed at the Heritage village Kisama.

To create awareness on the importance of archive treasures, the department has set up a stall to draw attention on the importance of archives as the state’s documentary heritage and to stress the role of archival institutions in restructuring future development.

According to a DIPR report, the documents displayed in the exhibition have been chosen from both official records and private papers.

The Nagaland State Archive is displaying some rare documents relating to attainment of Nagaland Statehood and other documents such as newspaper clippings from 1960-68, Gordon P Means collection, maps, rare books, private letters of some important Naga personalities etc.  A 10% discount is also offered on departmental publications.

Hornbill Art Festival

Hornbill Art Festival, sponsored by Nagaland government department of Art and Culture in collaboration with Rattle and Hum society & XL Nagaland, opened up exhibition-cum-sale of painting of photos at the WW-II museum site Naga Heritage village, Kisama.

Art and Culture department along with Dreamcather has setup a stall showcasing various types of paintings by Naga Artists. Photos are also being exhibited by some local photographers. Price of the paintings ranges from 2000 to as high as 3 lakhs. Painting demonstration and competition are also being held at the site.

India 'ready to let China keep Aksai Chin' if neighbour country drops claim to Arunachal Pradesh

By Saurabh Shukla

The boundary talks are currently in the second leg of a three-stage process. The first stage was to establish guiding principles, and the second to reach a consensus on a framework for the boundary

The bhai-bhai days may soon be reborn in bye-bye avatar along the India-China border.

Foreign ministry documents on border negotiations accessed by Mail Today reveal that India has signalled its readiness to let its Aksai Chin region remain in Chinese hands in exchange for recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.
In other words, India is willing to give up its claims to Aksai Chin if China does the same for Arunachal.

China continues to push for territorial concessions in Arunachal Pradesh, which it has been eyeing for a long time, before moving forward on the long-standing border issue between the two countries.

Publicly, India has been holding to its stated position that there can't be any territorial concessions. But behind the closed doors of the negotiating room, India has told China that it "may not be averse to status quo position".

Simply put, it means that for China to give up its claim on the 90,000 sq km inside Arunachal, including Tawang, India could agree to give up 38,000 km sq of Jammu and Kashmir. That piece of land, called Aksai Chin in the Ladakh sector, has been in dispute since Pakistan annexed it and then illegally handed 5,180 sq km over to China in 1963.

Bargaining point

This contentious formula is not the stated position of New Delhi, but it is being considered a bargaining point, officials privy to the discussions have told Mail Today.

Any such proposal can only be implemented if a new government in New Delhi has enormous political will, because there is an unanimous resolution of the Indian Parliament of 1962 that India will ensure that it gets back all territory illegally occupied by China.

Several documents based on the notes made by Indian officials suggest that even after 16 rounds of boundary negotiations, the talks are effectively deadlocked. China insists it needs substantial concessions on Arunachal Pradesh and the entire disputed Eastern sector before a framework or a formula to resolve disputes in all sectors can be agreed to.

The boundary talks are currently in the second leg of a three-stage process. Both sides signed an agreement on political parameters in 2005, and are now negotiating a framework to resolve disputes in all sectors.

First stage

The first stage was to establish guiding principles, the second included evolving a consensus on a framework for the boundary, and the last step comprised carrying out its delineation and demarcation. This final stage involves delineating the border in maps and on the ground.

The 16th round of boundary negotiations earlier this year between National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and Chinese Special Interlocutor Yang Jeichi, a former Chinese foreign minister, also ended on a disappointing note, with India contesting the Chinese assertion that the boundary was never demarcated.
Menon has been a tough negotiator, responding strongly to Chinese suggestions of concessions and rejecting its maximalist approach.

The Indian side also says that both sides should, in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual understanding, make meaningful and mutually acceptable adjustments to their respective positions on the boundary question so as to arrive at a package settlement.

The Big Deal

A consensus is building where India and China may agree to territorial concessions. It means that for China to give up its claim on the 90,000 sq km inside Arunachal Pradesh, including Tawang, India could agree to give up 38,000 sq km of Jammu and Kashmir.

That piece of land, called Aksai Chin in the Ladakh sector, has been in dispute since Pakistan annexed it and then illegally handed 5,180 sqkm over to China in 1963.

Mizoram's first re-poll successful with almost 79% turn-out under strict vigil from officials, watchdog

By ADAM HALLIDAY


Re-poll after polling officer was found instructing voters to "press the third button" on election day. (IE Photo)

Aizawl, Nov 29 : The first re-poll in Mizoram's electoral history completed successfully Thursday at the Republic 1 polling station within the Aizawl South 1 assembly constituency, with 869 of the 1104 registered voters turning up to exercise their franchise (turnout 78.71 percent).

Joint CEO H Lalengmawia was present with other officials on the ground to oversee the process while election watchdog Mizoram People's Forum volunteers enforced strict conduct rules, even barring people from shaking hands in the polling area or using cellphones.

The ECI had ordered a re-poll at this particular polling station after a polling officer, Vicky Lalnunthara, was arrested on poll day for instructing voters to "press the third button" on the EVM, a slot allotted to Congress candidate Vanlalvena. An analysis later in the day had also found discrepancies in the number of votes, entries in form 17A and number of voter slips collected.

Besides respective party workers, party leaders including Congress CM Lal Thanhawla, MNF President Zoramthanga and several MLA candidates from different parties were also in the vicinity on Thursday as polling went underway.

Meanwhile, Aizawl DEO Dr Franklin Laltinkhuma and election officials opened the strong room at Pachhunga University College on Thursday morning to re-check an EVM after the presiding officer of Sihphir, within the Aizawl East 1 constituency, confessed Wednesday that he had forgotten to erase the mock-poll entries and proceeded with normal voting. The discrepancy is being sorted using records of the VVPAT but final instructions from the ECI is expected.

Action is likely to be taken soon against the presiding officers of both Republic 1 and Sihphir polling stations, officials said.

Meet Mizoram-Based Band 'Boomarang'

By Kasmin Fernandes

This four-piece 'junk' (jazz, funk and punk) Mizoram-based band thrives on politically charged lyrics and reggae-esque numbers that mash various genres. Boomarang comprises Atea on vocals, Boom on guitars, Joshua on bass and Rsa on drums.

On their a-ha moment: The band was formed in 2005, when Boom jammed with the other members to come up with a few covers of American rap metal act Rage Against The Machine. The name is a deliberate misspelling of 'boomerang', and represents a statement or action that backfires.

"The word 'Boomarang' flashed across our minds a day before our first concert. The next year, we entered a national rock contest in Kohima, Nagaland, and came in third, so it turned out to be lucky for us," says Boom. Their a-ha moment happened a year later, when they won a major rock festival. "That really brought Boomarang focus and attention from fans and people who matter," adds Rsa.

On their brand of music: Boomarang's sound is a little bit of everything. The style varies from song to song; funk to reggae, blues to metal and a little pinch of jazz in some songs ("because all of us love jazz," says Boom). The band often nicknames their music, JUNK. "It's a genre of music where you play whatever the hell you want!" says Joshua.

On their influences: Bands like Rage against the Machine, Tool, Incubus and Led Zeppelin have been a major influence for the band mates, and have been instrumental in shaping Boomarang's music.

On their way forward: "Promoting our band up there in Mizoram is very tough," confesses Boom. Fortunately, they were recently signed on by a major label and are ready to release a studio album. Irrespective of how their future pans out, the members want Boomarang to evolve. "We don't want to stick around doing the same thing," asserts Atea, adding, "We just want to give new music to people."

Barak Valley Corridor Used For Drug Trafficking To Myanmar, China

Silchar, Nov 29 : The inspector general of BSF Mizoram and the Cachar Frontier, AC Thapliyal, said drug traffickers in the sub-continent have settled on the Barak Valley area of Assam as a corridor for trafficking of illegal substances to Myanmar and China.

Addressing mediapersons here on Sunday on the 49th BSF Day celebrations here, Thapliyal said with increase in the activities of traffickers, the BSF has also tightened its vigil across the valley and the border with Bangladesh and Myanmar. The increased monitoring has helped the force confiscate drugs worth Rs 450 crore till now this year. He said the amount is huge when compared to the drug hauls in previous years. In 2010, for instance, drugs worth Rs 43 lakh were confiscated.

The BSF IG also said that an international drug trafficking network has been operating in this part of the northeast and that the BSF, which is working in tandem with other law-enforcing agencies, is out to curb their activities.

"We have stepped up efforts to curb the menace and our success rate in containing drug trafficking is high. The big jump in the value and quantum of confiscated drugs meant for trafficking to Myanmar and China clearly reflects our success. We are hopeful that the menace will be completely stopped with the sealing of the international border with Bangladesh," said Thapliyal.

He said barring some disputed areas, fencing along the 124-km India-Bangladesh border in Assam's Barak Valley is almost complete. Now, work for setting up floodlights is being carried out by the CPWD; this would help BSF personnel maintain easy vigil during night hours. The IG said the floodlighting programme is equipped with generator sets for uninterrupted supply of power during power cuts.

Missing in Mizoram

Deep Mandal, who has gone missing in Mizoram

Aizawl, Nov 29 : A 25-year-old telecom network professional from Calcutta on assignment in Mizoram has been missing for almost a week, leading his family and employers to fear he has been kidnapped.

Deep Mandal, a resident of Shyampukur in north Calcutta, last spoke to a family member on the afternoon of November 22 and said he was at an installation 160km from the capital town of Aizawl.

Mizoram police said on Thursday that a militant outfit might have kidnapped Deep last Saturday while he was returning to Aizawl from Tuipuibari forest, where the Noida-based firm he works for has installed mobile phone towers for a telecom company.

“He and two others missing along with him are possibly being held hostage inside Bangladesh and we have learnt they are unharmed. There has been no demand for ransom so far, but we suspect the hand of the National Liberation Front of Tripura in this incident,” Rodingliana Chawngthu, the superintendent of police of Mamit district, told Metro.

The SP had led a police team to the site where the hired Maruti 800 (MZ08-1308) bringing Deep to Aizawl was found abandoned along with a pick-up truck trailing it.

The two missing drivers have been identified as Sanglianthanga and Lalzamliana. “The kidnapping apparently occurred between 7.30 and 8am on Saturday. We have launched a search for the trio,” the SP said.

Back home in Calcutta, Deep’s cousin Arnab Mandal has lodged a complaint with Shyampukur police station about the suspected kidnapping. His office has filed an FIR with West Phaileng police station in Mizoram.

“Deep had joined the private firm headquartered in Noida five months ago and this was his first official trip outside Bengal,” Arnab said. “He had left home on November 6 for Guwahati en route to Mizoram. We would speak over phone every day but his cell phone has been switched off since our last conversation on November 22.

Vijay Yadav, the company’s project manager in the Northeast, said no militant outfit had yet contacted his office for ransom. “We have been working in the Northeast for the past eight years and this is the first time such an incident involving our company has occurred,” he said.

Mizoram is the tiniest and supposedly the “most peaceful” state of the Northeast despite eight kidnapping cases being registered in 2012 along with 46 official complaints about extortion. This information is available on Mizoram police’s website.

The Young Mizo Association, the most influential youth organisation in Mizoram, and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl, which is the local name for the Mizo Students’ Association, have offered to send search teams to the site from where Deep is said to have been kidnapped.

Deep is the son of a pathology lab employee and did his BSc in Bankura before shifting to his aunt’s place in Shyampukur for a course in network technology.

“Deep is a hardworking boy and was so excited about his first outstation assignment. He vividly described to me over phone the natural beauty of the stretch from Guwahati to Aizawl,” Arnab, a software engineer, said.

Two Calcutta engineers, Debjit Sinha, 25, and his uncle Abhijit Sinha, 55, had been kidnapped in Manipur last August. They were freed after four days in captivity.