HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Oct 18-24, 2014

Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Don't threaten us, India tells China on Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir integral parts of India: Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Oct 17: Nobody should "threaten or warn India," said Home Minister Rajnath Singh after China objected to reported plans by India to build a 2,000-km long road along the border in Arunachal Pradesh.

"India has grown in strength. Both sides should resolve the border issue through dialogue," said the Home Minister yesterday.  Reacting to reports of the new road, China asked Delhi on Wednesday not to "further complicate" the dispute over the border.

"China has already spread their network of roads and rail network near the border. Whatever we make on our territory should not be a concern of China," said an unnamed official in the Home Ministry's border management department to news agency Reuters.

He was quoted as saying that the ministry was seeking cabinet approval for the road in Arunachal Pradesh and had preliminary support from the Prime Minister's Office.

"Before the border problem is solved, we hope the Indian side will not take any action that could further complicate the relevant issue, so as to preserve the current situation of peace and stability in the border area," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

In September, the government eased environmental and other curbs on building roads and military facilities within 100 km of the border in Arunachal Pradesh to hasten the construction of some 6,000 km of roads.

India is concerned about China's development of airports and extensive road and railway networks in Tibet, which can give Beijing the ability to mobilize troops quickly along the border.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are "integral and inalienable" parts of India and this has been clearly conveyed to China.

"The fact that Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are integral and inalienable parts of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions, including at the highest level," Swaraj said in a letter to Congress MP Mullappally Ramachandran, who had voiced his concern over distribution of controversial maps by China to its military. The map showed Arunachal as part of China.

"China disputes the international boundary between India and China. In the eastern sector, China claims approximately 90,000 sq kms of Indian territory in the state of Arunachal Pradesh," Swaraj told Ramachandran in the letter.

PM Modi meets top military officers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with air force chief Arup Raha, navy chief DK Joshi,defense minister Arun Jaitley, and army chief Dalbir Singh Suhag, before attending the Combined Commanders Conference in New Delhi on Friday. (Pix:AP)

New Delhi, Oct 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met top military officers at the defence ministry War Room here on Friday, at a time when tension continues along the border with both China and Pakistan.

The Combined Commanders' Conference is the first meeting of the Prime Minister with all top commanders, including the three service chiefs, IANS reported.

The service chiefs are expected to give elaborate presentations to the PM on the security scenario.

Top sources in the defence ministry said the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and transgressions by China in the northeast will be in the focus during the conference.

Other issues like prepardeness of the forces and threat perceptions will also be discussed.

Burma media body oppose ban on Hakha Post

Yangon, Oct 17: The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has expressed serious concern over the ban on a local newspaper by the province government of Chin in western Burma (Myanmar) and urged the Union government in Naypyidaw to allow the regular publication of the Hakha Post Newspaper.

Burma News International (BNI), an umbrella body of various progressive Burmese media outlets, said in a recent statement that the authorities had decided to ban the regional biweekly Hakha Post, which was published from the capital of Chin province, which is adjacent to India’s Manipur and Mizoram States, Asian Correspondent reported.

“BNI has learnt that since 29th September the Chin State government has temporarily forbidden publication of the Chin (Lai) language newspaper the Hakha Post Newspaper,” said the statement adding that the  district authority called the editor of Hakha Post and informed him about the decision of Chin government (read State’s chief minister Hung Ngai).

The Hakha Post is one of over 20 local newspapers with limited circulations in the capital Hakha and the surrounding areas of the underdeveloped province of Burma. Sparsely settled, the mountainous province has a population of around half a million, most of them are Christian Chin ethnic nationals.

According to the Chin government the newspaper would not be allowed to publish until it obtains a legal publishing permit. BNI, while showing faith in the transition of Burma from a military dictatorship to a multiparty democracy, urged the highest authorities "to allow full access to journalists and give them freedoms and rights".

"There has been a lack of news reporting for many years, especially from ethnic regions. The government has a responsibility to ensure ethnic people receive news and information. Moreover the government must stop this sort of ban on free speech and ensure everyone has proper access to news", added the BNI statement.

Supporting the BNI initiative, the northeast India based media people’s forum  JFA also appealed to the Burma President Thein Sein to look into the matter asking the Chin government to withdraw the ban on the newspaper immediately.

“Banning a regional newspaper will not serve any purpose to the Burmese authorities except spreading a negative impression about the regime and the nation as a whole,” said a JFA statement issued by its president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria.

The JFA, which has been consistently supporting the progressive media activists of Burma, also appealed to the pro-democracy Burmese icon Aung San Suu Kyi to take personal initiative to resolve the matter.

The forum strongly argued that if the Southeast Asian nation has truly adopted democracy the people in power there must stop their unwelcome opposition to the media.

Bhutan King  & Queen visit Varanasi

Varanasi, Oct 17: Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck along with his wife Jetsun Pema offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and attended the famous Ganga aarti Dashashwamedh ghat, an official said in Varanasi.

The Bhutan royal also visited Sarnath, an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.

Autumn reunion for Hermonites in Thimphu

Thimphu, Oct 17: The Hermonites, alumni of Darjeeling’s Mt. Hermon School, from all over India, Nepal, Netherlands, Thailand and Australia arrived here last week for a three-day reunion during which they visited Paro and Punakha.

Members of the Bhutan Hermonites Association led by Home Secretary Tshering Dorji and Sonam Gyaltsen (Taki) organised the reunion. Dheera Sujan, who came all the way from the Netherlands, says she had a wonderful time and wants to come back again.

The reunion was followed by two reunions of the Hermonites in Gangtok and Kathmandu in Sept-Oct. While the 1969 batch of Hermonites are expected to meet in Darjeeling early next month the Kalimpong Hermonites are expected to celebrate the 5^th anniversary of their alumni body on Oct 31.

Calcutta Hermonites are coming in a big way to their alma mater in December. They have big plans for the school’s rejuvenation. This is likely to be followed up by the formation of the North East Hermonite Association (NEHA) in Imphal in January, 2015.

Bhutan royals grace Lawrence School celebrations

“This place is special to me as I met the queen for the first time here”

Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck gives awards to students during Founder’s Day celebration of Lawrence School at Sanawar on October 4. (Left)

Shimla, Oct 17: The three-day 167th Founder’s Day Celebrations of the Lawrence School Sanawar, founded in 1847, concluded on October 4 with the ceremony of trooping the school flag and an NCC Parade by the students. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the King of Bhutan and his wife Jetsun Pema who is an alumnus of the school were the chief guests on the occasion.

Lt General KJ Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command and his wife Anita Singh were the guests of honour.

Expressing gratitude and addressing the students, the King shared his moment of joy to visit his queen’s school. “This place is special to me as this is here, where I met the queen for the first time. I am thankful to this school for giving her a wonderful education,” aid Jigme Khesar.

He further added, “I am happy to be here in the school, it is an extraordinary establishment. Many Bhutanese students come to Indian Institutes to take quality education, only to return with economic development. India has contributed a lot by promoting education in Bhutan. It is a bedrock of the Indo-Bhutanese friendship.”

Lawrence School, Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh (Left)

Not only this, but the King also urged the students to safeguard their culture and spiritual heritage. “We must learn about the world we live in, we must invest the best in medicine and technology. But it is equally imperative to protect our values and cultural heritage,” he added.

The school headmaster Praveen Vasisht read out the school annual report which included the achievements of the school in the allied fields of academics, sports, cultural and extra-curricular activities. Besides healthy exchange programmes, the school also made its presence felt in Round Square activities and community service. The chief guest felicitated the staff and the students on the occasion and later took a round of the school with his wife, who had passed out from school in 2008.

As the old batch mates shared their cherished experiences and fond memories of school, celebrities like Pooja Bedi, former Bollywood actress and television talk show host along with Omar Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir representing the batch of 1989 were also present during the occasion. All the old Sanawarians, at the end planted saplings near the chapel in the memory of their departed batch mates.

Himachal apple growers doing good business

State’s revenue from apples is over Rs 3,500 cr per annum

Shimla, Oct 17: Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh have all the reasons to celebrate as apple business in the State has gone up by Rs. 1,000 crore this year, despite low production.

The local markets in Narkanda, Shimla, Dhali, Solan and Parwanoo in the State are particularly doing well, as the revenue generated has shot up to Rs. 4,500 crore from Rs. 3,500 crore last year.

Despite low apple production this year, the apple growers have no reason to complain due to the flourishing business. On an average, one box of apples costs about Rs. 1,000 but this year the price has been varying from Rs. 1,000 to 2,200 per box, ANI  reported.

"The economy of thousands of people here depends on the apple business, which generates over Rs 3,500 crore revenue for the people in the State. This year, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a good apple business, adding more to the economy of the state," said trader Ram Mohan.

The growth in apple business is benefiting the state each year. We have done a good business, although, there has been a comparatively low production. However, farmers have grown apples of different varieties such as Royal Delicious, Golden, and Grimy this year," said Mohinder Satan, vice chairman Himachal Pradesh APMC Fruit Market in Shimla.

Editorial

‘LOOK EAST’

Settle Issues First

India’s ‘Look East’ and South East Asia’s ‘Look West’ policy for economic rejuvenation of the region cannot fully be achieved if the problems and prospects of the tribals of the region, who have long been ignored by the mainstream, continue to be ignored. Between the corrupt politicians/bureaucrats and gun-wielding insurgent groups in this region the ordinary people, by and large, face a bleak future. This must come to an end fast.

Democracy is yet to fully return to Burma but New Delhi, even under the new dispensation, has failed to take the initiative in the Northeast. Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi consult the stakeholders in Sikkim when he and Chinese President Xi Jinping decided to open the Nathula route for pilgrims? Security ultimately depends on the trust and confidence of the people, not merely acquisition of territory as is the case in Sikkim. Much is also at stake in Nagaland where the Naga issue still remains unresolved even when the people, including the NSCM (IM) and the State Government, are keen on further talks to resolve the issue. Look within before you look anywhere – East or West – and solve the pending issues at an early date.

Informal talks on for Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet

The Dalai Lama (centre) shares a moment with Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi (right) as fellow laureate Jody Williams looks on.

The Dalai Lama has said informal talks are continuing with the Chinese about a possible return to his homeland of Tibet, if only for a visit, and he has cautiously praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as a realist.

The Dalai Lama, 79, sat down for a brief interview in his temple in the north Indian town of Dharamsala before a celebration of the 25th anniversary of his Nobel peace prize, after a month of media speculation of a thaw between the exiled leader and the Chinese government.

The two sides have sparred for years over the future of Tibet. The Dalai Lama argues for autonomy for the Himalayan region he fled in 1959, while the Chinese accuse him of being a separatist. Just this week, another gathering of Nobel winners was cancelled in South Africa after that country wouldn't give the Dalai Lama a visa, reportedly under pressure from China.

Meanwhile, the Chinese have continued to increase their control over the Tibetan region, with a new railway line opening last month that will give greater access to its rich natural resources. Foreign travel is still greatly restricted. And more than 130 people have self-immolated to protest the Dalai Lama's exile, and call for freedom for Tibet, since 2009, including two during Mr Xi's recent visit to New Delhi.

Despite the recent tensions, speculation about improved relations between China and the Dalai Lama have been fuelled by remarks given by a Chinese Communist Party undersecretary who said discussions on the spiritual leader's return to his homeland were underway. In September, a popular Chinese website briefly displayed an article that said the Dalai Lama might return for a visit to a Buddhist shrine and meet party leaders.

The Dalai Lama also contributed to the media hubbub, praising Mr Xi as more "realistic" and "open-minded" than his predecessors while Mr Xi was on a high-profile trip to India in September. On Thursday, the Dalai Lama again praised Mr Xi for having "courageously tackled" the problem of government corruption. But he voiced concern over China's imprisonment of dissidents.

"The thing to say is that he's approached these problems more realistically," than other leaders in the past, the Dalai Lama said of Mr Xi. The Chinese leader's past praise of the Buddhist faith has also given the Dalai Lama hope they could find common ground.

"This is something new for a Communist Party leader to say something about spirituality," the Dalai Lama noted. "We'll see. I have some optimistic views. Still too early to say."

Some Tibet experts have scoffed at reports about an improvement in the relationship between China and the Dalai Lama, noting that China's strategy has long been to wait until the Dalai Lama dies to resolve the Tibet issue - as well as that of the holy man's successor. The Dalai Lama has said that his successor should be chosen by the Tibetan people, a desire which, if not honoured by the Chinese government, could result in widespread unrest.

The Dalai Lama and Tibet's government-in-exile launched a high-profile campaign in June to promote his "Middle Way Approach", which advocates for greater autonomy for Tibet but not complete independence. But finding complete support in the fractious Tibetan community around the hilly Indian town of Dharamsala has been difficult, according to Lobsang Sangay, the prime minister of Tibet's government in exile. Most younger activists from the Tibetan Youth Congress and others continue to call for independence for Tibet. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Arunachal to provide inner line permit for Rajdhani passengers

Itanagar, Oct 17:  Arunachal Pradesh is planning to provide ILP (inner line permit) on arrival of the Rajdhani passengers and have proper online ILP service.

Clarifying the 'misunderstanding' on ILP issue for the Rajdhani passengers, state Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi in a statement said, "What we intend is to have proper online ILP service and provide on-arrival ILP, just like on-arrival visa facility.

The CS further said that persons having valid Rajdhani train ticket and proper proof of Indian domicile will be able to avail such facilities. Arunachal Pradesh is planning to provide ILP on arrival of the Rajdhani passengers and have proper online ILP service. Tourism Secretary Joram Beda is working out details in this regard, he added.

The Indian Railways is contemplating to introduce Rajdhani Express service between New Delhi and Naharlagun from November next.