Aizawl, Aug 20 (PTI) Four Myanmarese insurgents belonging to the newly-formed Mara People's Army (MPA) were held in a village near Myanmar border in Mizoram's Saiha district.
The four, including MPA chief Thomas Chozah, were apprehended near Kawlchaw hamlet on Monday night, the police reports, which reached here today, said.
The apprehended persons reportedly told the interrogators that they formed the outfit to fight for the autonomy of the Mara community in Myanmar.
India church making major effort in country's struggle against HIV/AIDS
Although relatively small in size, the Church of North India is making a major effort to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the world's second-largest country, said two church leaders who recently visited the Presbyterian Center in Louisville.
"India is a vast country with a population of more than 1 billion, and many people in our rural areas have little knowledge of HIV/AIDS," said the Most Rev. Purely Lyngdoh, moderator of the CNI and bishop of the Diocese of North East India.
India has the third-highest number of reported cases of HIV/AIDS in the world, ranking behind South Africa and Nigeria.
The CNI's initiatives to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and educate people about prevention measures are consistent with the church's "holistic mission," Lyngdoh said. "Our health board is doing a tremendous outreach through the schools, and our congregations are also doing a great job."
The CNI, with a membership of 1.5 million, constitutes a tiny percentage of the population. However, its high-quality hospitals and schools have given the church substantial influence, said the Rt. Rev. Philip P. Marandi, the CNI's deputy moderator and bishop of the Diocese of Patna. The vast majority of the people served by the schools and hospitals are non-Christians.
"In the areas of education and health care, everybody acknowledges the contributions of the Christian churches," Marandi said. "They know that the churches care for the welfare of the whole country."
The HIV/AIDS awareness program teaches how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and how the disease can be avoided. Both abstinence and condom use are discussed. Christian schools and churches often join other organisations in sponsoring community rallies that draw thousands of people.
Frequently a celebrity is invited to address the crowd, and presentations often include the use of drama.
"It's a very powerful medium for the common people," Miranda said.
While there's still much work to be done, Lyngdoh said the program faces financial challenges.
"The AIDS awareness program is slowing down because of a lack of funds," he said. "For us to take the message to the grassroots level (the rural areas), we need more money."
"India is a vast country with a population of more than 1 billion, and many people in our rural areas have little knowledge of HIV/AIDS," said the Most Rev. Purely Lyngdoh, moderator of the CNI and bishop of the Diocese of North East India.
India has the third-highest number of reported cases of HIV/AIDS in the world, ranking behind South Africa and Nigeria.
The CNI's initiatives to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and educate people about prevention measures are consistent with the church's "holistic mission," Lyngdoh said. "Our health board is doing a tremendous outreach through the schools, and our congregations are also doing a great job."
The CNI, with a membership of 1.5 million, constitutes a tiny percentage of the population. However, its high-quality hospitals and schools have given the church substantial influence, said the Rt. Rev. Philip P. Marandi, the CNI's deputy moderator and bishop of the Diocese of Patna. The vast majority of the people served by the schools and hospitals are non-Christians.
"In the areas of education and health care, everybody acknowledges the contributions of the Christian churches," Marandi said. "They know that the churches care for the welfare of the whole country."
The HIV/AIDS awareness program teaches how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and how the disease can be avoided. Both abstinence and condom use are discussed. Christian schools and churches often join other organisations in sponsoring community rallies that draw thousands of people.
Frequently a celebrity is invited to address the crowd, and presentations often include the use of drama.
"It's a very powerful medium for the common people," Miranda said.
While there's still much work to be done, Lyngdoh said the program faces financial challenges.
"The AIDS awareness program is slowing down because of a lack of funds," he said. "For us to take the message to the grassroots level (the rural areas), we need more money."
Mizoram to get 100 mn USD loan from ADB
‘’It will also help the Government create fiscal space by taking steps to raise additional revenue from tax and non-tax sources, and improve debt management, including pre-payment of high cost loans,’’ he added.According to UNI report, Vanlalruata also made it clear that this structural adjustment loan was different from the recently sanctioned ADB loan of 200 million USD under the North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Programme (NERCCDIP) for five state capitals of North-east India.
Under the NERCCDIP, Mizorams capital Aizawl had been allocated Rs 330 crore, of which Rs 26 crore was expected in the first tranche to address water supply infrastructure. Under the Mizoram Public Resource Management Programme, revamping the state’s costly pension scheme will be another priority, while the programme will also seek to overhaul loss-making public sector enterprises, with downsizing or closure not excluded among the options.
Funds will also be allocated for a voluntary retirement scheme for under-qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools as part of the ongoing efforts to improve the education sector, the official added.
Masks sold out as flu scare grips Mizoram
AIZAWL, Aug 18 :Face masks are flying off drug store shelves in Aizawl as the State’s first two cases of swine flu were confirmed on Saturday.
Despite the health officials assurance that there was no need for commoners to wear preventive masks, people in large number thronged drug stores in Aizawl to buy the masks.
“People started buying face masks after reports of the outbreak of swine flu surfaced in Mizoram. We have run out of stock within two days,” said a shopkeeper at Emy Drug Store today.
The prices of face masks have also automatically gone up. “We ordered a few boxes of masks from Guwahati at the rate of Rs 5 per piece last week.
The prices have gone up now. As a result, we have to sell a mask at Rs 10,” the shopkeeper said.
Another shopkeeper said: “We ordered three boxes of masks a month back. We were not able to sell a single piece until two persons tested positive for swine flu. Then, they were sold within two days.” Meanwhile, the health department has sent a few more throat swab samples, including those of the victims relatives, to the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) in Kolkata.
“The results are expected tomorrow,” said Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma, a government spokesperson. The two victims, both CRPF personnel, were being quarantined at Falkawn Referral and their conditions were not critical, according to health officials.
Despite the health officials assurance that there was no need for commoners to wear preventive masks, people in large number thronged drug stores in Aizawl to buy the masks.
“People started buying face masks after reports of the outbreak of swine flu surfaced in Mizoram. We have run out of stock within two days,” said a shopkeeper at Emy Drug Store today.
The prices of face masks have also automatically gone up. “We ordered a few boxes of masks from Guwahati at the rate of Rs 5 per piece last week.
The prices have gone up now. As a result, we have to sell a mask at Rs 10,” the shopkeeper said.
Another shopkeeper said: “We ordered three boxes of masks a month back. We were not able to sell a single piece until two persons tested positive for swine flu. Then, they were sold within two days.” Meanwhile, the health department has sent a few more throat swab samples, including those of the victims relatives, to the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) in Kolkata.
“The results are expected tomorrow,” said Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma, a government spokesperson. The two victims, both CRPF personnel, were being quarantined at Falkawn Referral and their conditions were not critical, according to health officials.
Red Shield Division
Imphal, Aug 18 : To commemorate the gallant achievements of Red Shield Division and on the occasion of Independence Day celebration of the country, 57 Mountain Division GOC Shakti Gurung inaugurated a new War Memorial for the Division at Leimakhong.
All the officers, JCOs and ORs in station were present on the occasion.
A press release of PIB (DW) said that the memorial will go a long way in reminding everyone of the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers of the Division like Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who was awarded Param Vir Chakra during the war with Pakistan in 1971.Red Shield Division was raised on December 10, 1969, consequent upon the uprising in Mizo Hills under the command of Major General BF Gonsalvcs.
The Division had participated in Operation Cactus Lily during Indo-Pak conflict in 1971.Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka in 198&-90, Operation Vijay in 1999 and presently conducting Operation Hifazat in Manipur and Operation Rhino in South Assam, added the press release.
All the officers, JCOs and ORs in station were present on the occasion.
A press release of PIB (DW) said that the memorial will go a long way in reminding everyone of the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers of the Division like Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who was awarded Param Vir Chakra during the war with Pakistan in 1971.Red Shield Division was raised on December 10, 1969, consequent upon the uprising in Mizo Hills under the command of Major General BF Gonsalvcs.
The Division had participated in Operation Cactus Lily during Indo-Pak conflict in 1971.Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka in 198&-90, Operation Vijay in 1999 and presently conducting Operation Hifazat in Manipur and Operation Rhino in South Assam, added the press release.
Three Myanmarese arrested; explosives recovered in Mizoram
Aizawl, Aug 15 : Three Myanmarese nationals were arrested and explosives, including rocket launcher shells and gelatin sticks, were seized from them in separate cases in Mizoram, police said today.
Khentlang, 32 and Suanliankhai, 21, both from Subung village in Myanmar, were arrested from Champhai district's bordering village of Khawkawn yesterday for possessing 13 rocket launcher shells, district SP Lalbiakthanga Khiangte told PTI.
Another Myanmarese national, Lalrinmawia, 30, was arrested at New Market here and 206 gelatin sticks were recovered from his bag, he said.
Khentlang, 32 and Suanliankhai, 21, both from Subung village in Myanmar, were arrested from Champhai district's bordering village of Khawkawn yesterday for possessing 13 rocket launcher shells, district SP Lalbiakthanga Khiangte told PTI.
Another Myanmarese national, Lalrinmawia, 30, was arrested at New Market here and 206 gelatin sticks were recovered from his bag, he said.
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