Reliance Natural Resources Ltd contract terminated for Mizoram

Aizawl, Dec 20 : The contract with the Reliance Natural Resources Ltd (RNRL) for exploration of hydrocarbon deposits in southern parts of Mizoram has been terminated, Director of the state Geology and Mineral Resources H Lallenmawia today said.

The Director General of Hydro and Carbon, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, terminated the contractual agreement with the RNRL due to a number of reasons, Lallenmawia said.

The main reason being failure to initiate any work by the NAFTGAZ (Ukraine), one of the three partners of the RNRL, assigned to explore south Mizoram for hydrocarbon deposits, he said.

"The company, which was awarded the contract in 2007, was yet to begin drilling and prepare estimates," sources in the Geology and Mineral Resources said, adding that the work would soon be globally re-tendered.

Mizoram is estimated to have 100 billion cubic deposits of gas.

Other firms like the ONGC and the OIL have taken up the exploration in earnest in different parts of the state, the sources said.

The OIL had done drilling in Keifang and Maubuang in Aizawl district and Thenzawl in Serchhip district while the ONGC had already discovered gas in Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib district's Meidum area, the sources added.

Mizoram CM Allocates Portfolios To Parliament Secretaries

Aizawl, Dec 20 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on Thursday allocated portfolios to the Parliamentary Secretaries who were sworn-in by him yesterday.

KS Thanga would assist H Rohluna who was allocated School Education, Industries and Trade and Commerce, while Lt Col Z S Zuala was would assist Finance Minister Lalsawta who also holds Taxation and Law and Judicial portfolios.

H Zothangliana would assist Higher and Technical Education Minister R Romawia who also holds portfolios like Land Revenue and Settlement, Art and Culture and Parliamentary Affairs, while Joseph Lalhimpuia would help R Lalzirliana in Home, Rural Development, Agriculture and Excise and Narcotics portfolios.

T T Zothansanga would assist Horticulture Minister P C Lalthanliana who also holds Social Welfare and Local Administration departments and K Lalrinthanga would assist Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister John Rotluangliana who also holds other portfolios like Printing and Stationery, Transport and Tourism.

Hmingdailova Khiangte would assist Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Minister Zodintluanga who also holds Sports and Youth Services and Public Health Engineering department.

Meanwhile, R L Pianmawia was appointed as the Government Deputy Chief Whip today. He also held the post in the previous government.

Christmas Spirit Grips Hills

Shillong Turns Festive

ANDREW W. LYNGDOH

Children sing at a prayer meeting in Shillong on Thursday. Picture by UB Photos Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful — Norman Vincent Peale Shillong, Dec 20 : Dipping mercury, chock-a-block roads, festive shoppers and an array of decorative lights across the streets are some of the prominent features in Meghalaya in the run-up to the festival of peace, joy, hope and love — Christmas. Liberated momentarily from the agitation by pro-ILP pressure groups but bracing for the bandh call by rebels, the spirit of merry-making appears to be gripping this hill state notwithstanding the rapid drop in temperature. In the capital city, and even at Tura, the nerve centre of the Garo hills region, people are busy preparing for Christmas with carols, get-togethers, prayer service, and feeding and clothing underprivileged children each passing day. People in Garo hills are particularly enthusiastic during Christmas. One could hear carol-singing late into the night with the advent of Yuletide. At the recently concluded Ahaia festival in Tura, a Christmas carol singing competition was a part of the itinerary. Another significant aspect in the run-up to December 25 is the benevolence of people who came forward to offer a taste of the festive season to streetchildren. Soon after the culmination of the Assembly polls in February, Meghalaya was plunged into a cycle of crises with the ILP agitation dominating the headlines. However, with no fresh agitation until next year barring a bandh on Monday, people are now willing to welcome Christmas with pomp and gaiety, and above all, with peace, joy and hope. This festive season is epitomised by music. The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum has come forward to organise the Shillong Choir Festival, where renowned groups from the Northeast will sing at the State Central Library here on Monday to ring in the joyful season. The Shillong Chamber Choir, which recently performed at Rashtrapati Bhavan, will be heading the evening musical show. Other groups include Serenity Choir, KERYGMA Choir, Mizo Presbyterian Choir and Ameu Useu and the choir. The last is a renowned group from Nagaland while Serenity and KERYGMA are from Meghalaya. To add to the gaiety, the forum will also put up a 17-foot Christmas tree, forum general secretary Ian Khongmen said. “The Shillong Choir Festival is an effort to enrich and promote some positive effect in the city in this season of peace, joy, hope, brotherhood and reconciliation,” Khongmen said, adding that the forum plans to make the festival an annual affair.

Court issues Production warrant against Irom Sharmila

A Delhi court Thursday issued a production warrant against 'Iron lady' Irom Sharmila to appear January 30, next year in a case of attempted suicide during her fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar here in 2006.

Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain issued the production warrant after Sharmila failed to appear before the court. Earlier, the court had issued summons Oct 30 against her after Sharmila's counsel failed to turn up.

The testimony of the prosecution witness in the case is being recorded at present.

Sharmila is being detained in the security ward of a hospital in Imphal, Manipur.

She has been on a fast for about 12 years, demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

On March 4, the court had framed charges against 40-year-old Sharmila, popularly known as 'Iron lady', for attempting to commit suicide and put her on trial after she refused to plead guilty.

Sharmila was present in the court in March and had denied that she attempted suicide while fasting at Jantar Mantar here in 2006.

The court had earlier told her that the maximum punishment in the case was a few months to a year, and since she had been in custody for more than six years, if she pleads guilty, the case would be settled.

But Sharmila refused to accept the charges against her.

Sharmila told the court that she has been protesting for the last 12 years in the "most non-violent way, like Mahatma Gandhi".

She said that she is fasting for the people of Manipur, as they are being neglected by the government, and requested the court not to ask her to appear in court because of her medical condition.

Mizoram CM gets 'threatening' SMS, lodges FIR

By Adam Halliday
Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla has lodged an FIR after receiving 'threatening' SMSes 

Police have questioned a prominent Aizawl-based educationist for allegedly sending Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla an "offensive" and "threatening" SMS soon after the Congress came back to power in the just-concluded Assembly polls.

The SMS alleged that the Congress had swept the polls due to "EVM rigging" and "misuse" of the election machinery. It also contained a veiled threat of lives being at risk, the actual 'Mizo' word addressed to the CM. The sender identified himself as "phantom".

Sent before the formation of government in the state, Lal Thanhawla is said to have taken "serious offence" and immediately lodged an FIR at the Aizawl Police Station.

Police have registered a case and questioned Chhawnthuama, the owner of a well-known residential school in Aizawl's Durtlang neighborhood. Although the SIM card used for sending the message was not a usual one, investigators said a handset has been traced from him. The educationist has however not been charged formally.

The scheme that won Congress Mizoram

What does the scheme seek to achieve?
The basic aim is to stop traditional slash-and-burn cultivation by providing an alternative, mainly through financial and logistical support. It has, however, come to encompass a wider objective by providing start-up funds of Rs 1 lakh each (promised in installments both in cash and kind) to families of farmers, small businessmen or small industrialists.

How does it work?
Beneficiaries can choose from any of 53 trades ranging from growing specific crops to setting up a shop, rearing animals or building small manufacturing units. Funds are allocated by the department under whose purview the trade falls. It is the beneficiaries, not government employees, who choose the trade from a list identified for their geographical areas. Also, it is a board, not bureaucrats, who look after disbursement of funds. The installments are in either cash or kind. For example, if a beneficiary wants to raise cows, she is given money to build a shelter, then provided cows and then money for feed. The government calls NLUP one of the first direct transfer schemes as funds go directly into bank accounts, and sometimes through cheques.

Who stand to benefit?
Any family without a member holding a government job is eligible. The government roped in civil society organisations to identify potential beneficiary families and also keep out those already well-off and earning from nongovernmental sources. In reality, however, many such people are beneficiaries.

What is the scheme's reach?
Till date, 1.2 lakh families have been given NLUP funds through four phases, although apart from a few trades in the non-agricultural sector, the vast majority have only just received part of the funds with instalments still pending. Given Mizoram's population is 11 lakh, these 1.2 lakh families would make up a large chunk of the population.

Who funds it?
The government calls NLUP a convergence scheme for which Rs 2,800 crore was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs at a special meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, and says more than Rs 2,500 crore of that is footed by the Centre as part of centrally sponsored schemes. The opposition says it is merely funded by money available to the state no matter which party is in power. In the run-up to the elections, all opposition parties promised to continue NLUP on coming to power.

When did the scheme begin?
It had been conceived as far back as in 1984 by the Mizoram People's Conference. Successive governments have since built upon it under various names, such as Garden Colony (Grow more food) under the MPC, NLUP under Congress, Jhum Control under Laldenga's Mizo National Front government, again NLUP under Congress, then Mizoram Intodelhna (self-sufficiency) Project or MIP under Zoramthanga's government and, once again, NLUP after the Congress's return in 2008. What the current regime has done is widen the list of possible trades, extend the reach and oversee the scheme's progress at various stages.

What remains to be done?
An unfinished component, apart from pending instalments, is marketing. Collection centres for farm produce remain to be set up, although private players have shown an interest in being part from regulated markets. Some officials are keen to set up processing units for fruit products that rot easily or are difficult to transport.

Does all of Mizoram welcome the scheme?
There has been some criticism. One allegation is that the Congress does not disburse funds unless beneficiaries first join the party; the Congress denies discrimination. Also, some church denominations have said the scheme "makes people lazy" and that many misuse the money.

How to Catch a Really, Really Big Fish

It's called the arapaima, or pirarucu. It lives in the Amazon River. It's enormous

In the heart of Brazil lies a lusciously green nature reserve where men in canoes club supersize fish with wooden bats, then lug them back to their homes to eat and trade.
It’s all part of arapaima fishing season, the few months when Amazonian communities in the Mamiraua nature reserve devote their lives to hunting arapaima, the world’s largest scaled freshwater fish. The fish, known locally as pirarucu, has the face of a piranha and the body of a torpedo.
Catching the arapaima, whose extra-tough scales are nearly impenetrable, isn’t easy. In the early morning, men push out their canoes to harpoon and pluck the fish from the river. Later in the day, women clean and freeze the fish to be sold when fishing season—which lasts from July to November—comes to an end.
Below, photos from this year’s arapaima hunting season:

(Reuters/Bruno Kelly)

Men survey their most recent catch. The average size of an arapaima, whose scales are gray with red tips, is 6 feet 7 inches long.

(Reuters/Bruno Kelly)

In order to catch this supersize swimmer, the fishermen first club the fish until they’re unconscious. Here, one man knocks an unlucky fish with a wooden bat.

(Reuters/Bruno Kelly)

Next, the fishermen harpoon the fish to pull them into their canoes.

(Reuters/Bruno Kelly)

The men drag their catch from their canoes onto the shore. Each fish weighs an average of 132 pounds, but can grow to 308 pounds.

(Reuters/Bruno Kelly)

The men rest the day’s catch on the shore.

(Reuters/Bruno Kelly)

The fishermen carry the fish around their necks as they head back to their communities, where women wait to clean the arapaima.

(Reuters/Bruno Kelly)

Women remove the insides of the fish, then freeze them. The fish are sold frozen or salted and dried.

(Reuters/Bruno Kelly)

An up-close look at the scales red-outlined reveals just how tough the arapaima’s outer skin is. Reminiscent of plywood, the crisscrossed scales grow in multiple layers, like a natural sheet of chain mail.

Check out more photos of arapaima hunting season here.

In Mizoram portfolio allotment, CM and kin get headstrong depts with enlarged future roles

Mizoram CM Lalthanhawla

As Mizoram moves towards more infrastructure projects in part due to India's Look-East Policy, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and his younger brother Lal Thanzara, who has been made a Minister of State this term, have taken the technical department portfolios manned by powerful government engineers. Another crucial portfolio, Public Health Engineer, is in the hands of the CM's daughter-in-law's brother, Cabinet Minister Zodintluanga. While the CM retains both the Public Works Department and the Power and Electricity (P&E) Department, his brother Lal Thanzara (who was earlier Parliamentary Secretary for the Finance and Planning portfolios) will assist the CM in handling the PWD and P&E departments.

These three technical departments are considered the state government's main revenue sources in the absence of a strong industrial sector, laggard state PSUs with nil profits in five years and an under-developed agricultural sector.

Consequently, the engineers who man them have grown powerful over time, the government even acceding this year to their demand for a secretary-level post in the face of a vocal and sustained opposition from central-service officers such as IAS, IPS and IFS officers posted in the state.
With ongoing and planned infrastructure projects such as an ambitious multi-modal transport project linking the land-locked state to a sea-port via Myanmar, a pioneering railway line that will cut through the hill-state from north to south, several hydro-power projects and ongoing natural gas reserves exploration (and increasing urbanization that is likely to see an enlarged PHE role), these technical departments are expected to play a major role in Mizoram's near future.

The portfolio allotment by the five time Congress CM has also seen several changes from the previous government.

The school as well as higher education portfolios -- both usual flash-points not just because of their reach but strong lobbying from powerful students' and teachers' unions -- changing hands in spite of the former Education Minister Lalsawta still in the present Cabinet. He has however been given Finance after the former Finance Minister H Liansailova lost the polls.

As with finance, the health portfolio has meanwhile also been given a new head; MoS Lal Thanzara has been allotted independent charge of the health portfolio (his predecessor and controversy-dogged Cabinet Minister Lalrinliana Sailo has been dropped from the Council of Ministers entirely). The portfolio has been in controversy after controversy for at least a decade, first due to alleged corruption that saw the non-fruition of several planned infrastructure as well as the siphoning off of funds, as well as alleged involvement of top officials in the illegal trafficking of pseudoephedrine to Myanmar.

The controlled drug, more than 20 million tablets of which have been seized by anti-narcotics agencies in the last two years alone, is widely used to manufacture methamphetamine, a narcotic drug more addictive than opium and it's products like heroin.

The Education Department's mishandling of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan funds to purchase school uniforms for 1.85 lakh children is currently under an investigation, ordered by the Gauhati High Court last month.  

Ministry Looks To Japanese Funds For Highway Projects in Northeast

New Delhi, Dec 18 : The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is trying to tie up Japanese funds for projects in the North-East that had difficulty in attracting private sector investment in the past, said officials aware of the development.

These projects include highway stretches in states such as Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam and Meghalaya - in some cases they lie close to the Myanmar and Bangladesh border - as well as bridge projects over the Brahmaputra in Assam.

The ministry will seek assistance from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan's official financial assistance arm, for the projects.

"We have had discussions with the Japanese government and they have shown interest in the proposal. We have narrowed down projects and would ask the Department of Economic Affairs to include this in the JICA Rolling Plan. JICA can assist with the preparation of the detailed project reports (DPRs)," said a road ministry official familiar with the issue.

Another ministry official confirmed the development, saying foreign funding is necessary since domestic investment has not been forthcoming so far.

At present, the JICA is conducting a study in consultation with the highways ministry to identify specific cooperation areas on developing connectivity, including highways in the North-East. JICA has begun gathering data on transport infrastructure development for regional connectivity in and around South Asia since August 2013 to assess the current situation and chart out a plan for regional cooperation in the inland transport sector in South Asia.

"The rapid economic growth in South Asia, reforms in Myanmar and various development movements in South East Asia, including establishment of ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, have generated strong momentum for enhancing the regional connectivity through development of cross border infrastructure, both within and between countries in South Asia and South-East Asia.

"Considering the above, especially in the Indian context, there's no doubt that the North-East is the most crucial region in terms of connectivity across borders to countries like Myanmar and further on. Among other things, the study team intends to identify requirements for transport infrastructure in the North Eastern region of India," said Shinya Ejima, JICA's chief representative in India.

"JICA's study would be aligned with India's Look-East policy as well as along the lines of a broader cooperation among South Asian nations and Japan," he added. The highways ministry is also working with the Asian Development Bank (ABD) to develop and expand India's road network.from the North-East into Myanmar.

Russian cultural festival comes to Manipur

The week-long festival, which includes, music, dance and Russian film screenings, is being organised by the RCSC Kolkata and the Manipur Film Development Corporation.

The Gorky Sadan is looking to spread Russian culture to India's northeast. Source: RCSC Kolkata

A week-long Russian cultural festival featuring dance, music, theatre, film shows, literary event and lectures is being held in Imphal, the capital of the northeast Indian state of Manipur. The festival will “go a long way in strengthening the age old cultural relation of friendship and cooperation between India and Russia,” Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told the Imphal Free Press.


The festival titled ‘Culture for Friendship and Co-operation’ is being jointly organized by the Manipur Film Development Corporation Limited and Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC), Kolkata. The festival also ushers in the launch of Russian-language lessons in the state. Russian will be taught at the Slope Land Public School, Khongjom, a remarkable first of the northeastern part of India.

Irina Bashkirova, the Russian Consul General in Kolkata told the Imphal Free Press that Russia and India have a good relationship since many decades and that the relationship was based on mutual respect. “The friendship we established is cherished till now,” Bashkrova said.

The festival commenced with the screening of two Russian short films ‘Sochi Da’ and ‘Poems on Ice,’ followed by ‘Nangna Kappa Pakchade,’ a Manipuri short film.

The state of Manipur, which borders Myanmar in the east, is referred to as the ‘Switzerland of India’ on account of its unspoilt natural beauty. It is also famous for its Rasa-Leela, one of the major Indian classical dance forms. An insurgency has plagued Manipur since the mid-1960s, but India’s plans to connect the region with Southeast Asia are expected to bring about great development to the state.

The RCSC Kolkata, which is known as Gorky Sadan, is looking to spread Russian culture in the seven north-eastern states of India. The centre was established in 1974 and remains one of the most important foreign cultural centres in India’s large eastern metropolis, formerly called Calcutta.

Narendra Modi’s personality cult is now available to download on your smartphone

By Leo Mirani

The many faces of Narendra Modi.Zatun Game Studio

Last week, Abhinav Chokhavatia, a 32-year-old app developer from India, released his company’s latest offering, “Modified.” Built for Android devices, the app is a game that allows users to dress up Narendra Modi, the leader of the opposition and the man most likely to become India’s next prime minister, in a variety of guises.

Chokhavatia’s 18-person company, Zatun, is based in Ahmedabad, the biggest city in the state of Gujarat, of which Modi is presently the chief minister, and he was worried at first about a backlash from the politician’s supporters. ”We had this idea way back in June. But we were not too keen on going ahead and developing [it] because someone somewhere might go crazy and do something,” Chokhavatia says. But then he noticed how many other apps featuring Modi there already were.

Narendra Modi is something of an oddity in India politics. In a country with a Westminster-style parliamentary system, he has attained almost presidential levels of popularity, driving votes for his party on the basis of personality and a fiery oration. As the Economist notes in its latest issue (paywall), in a country where politicians routinely pay citizens to attend political rallies, Modi charges an entrance fee. He is also popular among the educated and the young; Modi is the most-popular Indian politician on Twitter, with some 3 million followers. The prime minister has fewer than 1 million. Modi even has a nickname: NaMo. 

There’s an app—or a dozen—for that

A search for Modi on the Google Play store produces a dozen games and apps featuring the politician.Google Play

There are already at least a dozen games featuring Modi’s name and likeness on Google Play, the store for Android phones. (The first result on a search for the presumed Congress candidate, Rahul Gandhi, is called “Narendra Modi vs Rahul Gandhi”.) Modi Run ”is an action game where politician Modi Runs through all the states and wins over the election to become Prime Minister of India.” It has been installed on between 500,000 and 1 million devices. Narendra Modi: Game, which has been installed between 50,000 and 100,000 times, promises, “in this journey you will get information about Narendra Modi’s development in every field.” Temple Lost Running Modi 2 Run, visible in the top-right-hand corner of the above image but which has vanished since this piece was written, combined the twin Hindu obsessions of Modi and the Ayodhya temple, which has simmered at the heart of India’s religious differences since 1992. Indeed, it is not just games. A group of businessmen claim to be producing a Modi-branded phone called “Smart Namo.” Supporters routinely don Modi masks for both political and cultural events.

To many, these are signs of a personality cult. But those involved in building the cult don’t believe that is the case. “We’re just giving people a fun game to play. We don’t think it is hurting or adding to his image,” Chokhavatia says. Similar games existed for film stars, he says, so he figured, why not make one featuring a politician? Strangely enough, he doesn’t plan to make an app featuring any other politicians.

Portfolios Distributed in Mizoram

Aizawl, Dec 17 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today allotted portfolios to his council of ministers who were sworn-in on Saturday.

The chief minister retained Political and Cabinet, Vigilance, General Administration Department, Secretariat Administration Department, Department of Personal and Administrative Reforms, Information and Public Relations, PWD, Power and Electricity and District Council Affairs.

R. Lalzirliana retained Home and Rural Development and was also allocated Agriculture and Excise and Narcotics, Lalsawta got Finance.

Lalsawta was also allocated Finance, Planning and Programme Implementation, Taxation and Law and Judicial departments.

Former speaker R. Romawia was allocated Higher and Technical Education, Art and Culture, Land Revenue and Settlement and Parliamentary Affairs.

H. Rohluna was given School Education, Industries (including Geology and Mineral Resources) and Trade and Commerce.

Zodintluanga retained his earlier portfolios -- Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation and Sports and Youth Services while he also got Public Health Engineering which was earlier held by S. Hiato, who was defeated.

P.C. Lalthanliana, earlier a Minister of State was elevated to the Cabinet and got Horticulture, Local Administration and Social Welfare.

Former Deputy Speaker John Rotluangliana got Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport and Tourism.

Among the Ministers of state - Lal Thanzara was allocated Health, Minor Irrigation and Information and Communication Technology while he would assist the Chief Minister in PWD and Power portfolios.

Lalrinmawia Ralte was allocated Environment and Forests, Cooperation, Labour, Employment and Industrial Training and Soil and Water Conservation.

C. Ngunlianchunga got A.H. And Veterinary, Disaster Management and Printing and Stationery, while Dr. B.D. Chakma got Sericulture and Fisheries.

In the new ministry, former ministers - J.H. Rothuama, P.C. Zoramsangliana, Lalrinliana Sailo and Nihar Kanti Chakma were not included.

Thanhawla To Undertake Consultations on Lifting Liquor Prohibition

Aizawl, Dec 16 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today said the new government would undertake wide consultations on the issue of lifting prohibition which is in force in the state since 1997.

In a press conference at the Raj Bhavan after the swearing-in ceremony, Thanhawla said the decision on prohibition would be taken with a lot of prayers and after consulting all sections of society.

He said the future of Bru people lodged in six relief camps in Tripura would be given serious consideration by the new government.

"We will try our best to end the stalemate and ensure that all the bonafide residents of Mizoram return," he said.

The government would make efforts to delete the names of those who refused to be repatriated.

The chief minister said that the portfolios of the newly inducted ministers would be allocated soon.

3/4 of Mizoram MLAs are Crorepatis

Aizawl, Dec 16 : Of the 40 newly-elected MLAs, 30 are crorepatis with former Mizo National Front minister K Sangthuama topping the MLAs rich list with assets worth more than Rs 25 crore.

The MNF MLA elected from Aizawl West-I constituency has movable assets worth Rs 59,35,022 crore and immovable assets valued at Rs 24,98,50,000 crore, and does not have permanent account number (PAN).

He is followed by chief minister Lal Thanhawla, who has declared movable assets worth Rs 1,75,45,981 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 7,40,00,000 crore. R Lalzirliana, of Congress, who has declared movable assets Rs 64,15,000 crore and immovable assets valued at Rs 5,84,00,000 crore, is the third richest MLAs.

Only two MLAs in the top ten - K Sangthuama and Lalruatkima - belong to the Mizo National Front, the rest being ruling Congress MLAs. The other MLAs in the top ten are: John Rotluangliana (Rs 6,44,11,000 crore), C Ngunlianchunga (Rs 5,92,09,873 crore), Hmingdailova Khiangte (Rs 5,60,55,613 crore), Hiphei (Rs 4,18,70,000 crore), P C Zoram Sangliana (Rs 3,85,68,562 crore), Lalruatkima (Rs 3,36,72,689 crore) and R Romawia (Rs 3,36,48,170 crore).

Five of them - K Sangthuama, R Lalzirliana, C Ngunlianchunga, Hmingdailova Khiangte, Hiphei - do not have PAN card. R Vanlalvena, of the Congress, who got elected from Aizawl South-I, is the poorest candidate with Rs 8,03,247 worth movable assets and immovable assets valued at Rs 21,00,000. As many as 26 of the 40 MLAs are re-elected.

The average wealth of these 26 re-elected MLAs are Rs 2.61 crore, which is a 254 percent (or Rs 1.87 crore) increase from their assets declared before the 2008 elections, according to an analysis of Mizoram Election Watch and Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR).

During the last five years, chief minister Lal Thanhawla recorded the highest increase of wealth, from Rs 2.22 crore in 2008 to Rs 19.15 crores in 2013.

However, it was pointed out that the five-time chief minister did not declare his four vehicles and LIC policy worth Rs 4 lakhs in his 2008 affidavit. None of the 40 MLAs has criminal case.

Mizoram’s Patriarchal Politics

By PATRICIA MUKHIM

















People wait at a polling station to cast their votes during the elections in Aizawl. (PTI) It’s been nearly two decades that fiery debates on gender equity and political participation of women have done the rounds of colleges and universities in this region. Seminars and workshops on the theme happen with predictable frequency. But none of the seven states of the region have a state policy for women. That is why all policies crafted by governments are gender neutral or gender blind, instead of being gender nuanced. A gender sensitive policy might have been able to address the practical and strategic needs of women and enabled them to overcome the entrenched gender prejudices that are so visible and palpable in patriarchal societies.

From the results of the recent Mizoram polls we can safely conclude that all the literature produced and the discussions and seminars organised on the theme of gender equity and political participation of women have had no impact at all. This is yet another election in Mizoram where not a single woman candidate was elected. The Congress,which claims to be more woman-friendly and even feigned to pass the 33 per cent reservation for women’s bill in Assemblies and Parliament is interestingly very quiet about fielding more women candidates to the Mizoram Assembly. The Congress put up only one woman candidate out of 40. The Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA) and the BJP fielded one and three women respectively. Even the former chairperson of the Mizoram Public Service Commission, B. Sangkhumi, who contested as an Independent, failed to win the seat.

Not that the scenario has changed much in the rest of the country! However, considering that the Congress, the BJP and even the Aam Aadmi Party have women spokespersons who can wax eloquent about the party’s wins or losses and engage on several other issues on TV on a daily basis, women in Mizoram are more seen than heard. So what does this tell us about the status of women in Mizoram? Has education changed anything at all? What are the reasons behind the patriarchal biases? Yet it is not as if women are indifferent to politics. Mizoram is the only state from among the four others that went to the polls this time where women outnumbered men at the polling booths. Out of a total electorate of 690,860, women voters outnumbered men by 9,806. It, therefore, means that women themselves are active practitioners of the patriarchal roles that have conditioned them for centuries.

Women slighted

A book authored by Lalneihzovi of Mizoram University on Changing status of women in North East India gives an interesting dimension of the position of Mizo women. A chapter by Lianzela in the same book talks about the aphorisms in Mizo society that devalue women. Some of these sayings are: “A woman’s opinion is no opinion at all; crabs and women don’t have any religion; a wife and a rotten fence can always be changed; a woman’s wisdom does not cross the other side of the village well; a barking dog and a woman who yells should not be paid attention to.”

With such derogatory notions forming their worldview since childhood, it is but natural that women would lag behind. Above all, Mizo women do not inherit any property. Lianzela says that in early times, women were not even allowed to face the altar/pulpit from where the preacher preaches. They were instructed to face the side because it was felt that their looks were devilish and deceptive and could distract the preacher. Lianzela claims that the status of women changed with the coming of Christianity. But that is a claim that can be contested. The first woman MBBS doctor from Mizoram, Dr Lalengi, graduated only in 1964; the first woman MSc in 1961 and the first woman MCom in 1970. Interestingly, although Christianity in Mizoram is about 200 years old, the first woman to get a Bachelor’s degree in Divinity (BD) did so only in 1977. Another got her masters in theology only in 1985. These statistics tell us how difficult it is for women to claim their space within the Church.

Private domain

Mizoram has not seen any woman legislator in the last two decades. In the recent Assembly elections, of the 142 candidates fielded, there were only six women aspirants of which not a single one was elected.

Tlangthanmawii, the state Mahila Congress president, and Lalmalsawmi of the MNF were both defeated. Even the women candidates put up by the BJP were badly defeated, having secured the minimum number of votes. What is ironic is that even the former president of the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or Mizo Women’s Federation, B. Sangkhumi, was defeated. Ever since Mizoram became a Union Territory in 1973 and a full-fledged state in 1987, there have been only three women legislators. Among them, Lalhimpuii Hmar of the MNF was a minister in the government led by the late Laldenga in 1987. Although the Women’s Welfare Front which has grassroots presence and is constituted by women members of village councils across the state has been actively spearheading the campaign for women candidates before the Assembly polls, they could not ensure even a single win.

Sociologist Subhankar Goswami is quoted as saying, “The Mizo society in pre-modern times was based on what is known as an extreme patriarchy. This created ‘private’ and ‘public’ domains, where women were confined to the private sphere that further relegated their status in the social and religious life. Women, therefore, had no opportunities to go beyond the scope of the ‘domestic sphere’ and it was only men who controlled and dominated the entire ‘public sphere’. They were not supposed to have any independent religious loyalty, but were required to follow the religion of their husbands.”

In a statement that could well be self-contradictory, Goswami says, “Christianity, of course, is the harbinger of modernity as well as women’s liberation in Mizoram. The Christian missionaries are regarded as a symbol of modernisation that led to gradual changes in the conservative attitudes of men towards women.”

Wrong mindset

Lalneihzovi, a Mizo scholar, while looking at reasons why women have failed to make it to the state Assembly, says that people still look at men as natural leaders and the notion that women are not capable of holding responsible positions is still very strong in the minds of people. However, in the 2006 election to the village council, as many as 33 women candidates were elected, out of the 556 seats. Could this be the game changer starting at the grassroots? This remains to be seen but the fact of the matter is that while patriarchy is sought to be dismantled brick by brick in the larger Indian society, it seems to be a tall order in this tribal state which otherwise has all the makings of a modern, progressive state. At least it does to the casual onlooker.

But that is precisely the problem. While women dominate the economic space (Mizo women are visible in the marketplace), the legislature seems like a distant dream for them. So where does the fault lie? What is the game-changer here? Mizoram is termed as a Christian state but perhaps the Church has not done enough to empower women. Maybe this is where the problem lies since the influence of the Church is overwhelming. But does the Church believe in women’s empowerment?

(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)

Tawang, W Siang record season's first snowfall

Itanagar, Dec 16 : Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh has recorded the season's first snowfall since last Wednesday, bringing cheer to local residents as well as tourists.

With the temperature plummeting below zero degree celsius, moderate snowfall was also recorded at Sella Pass, located at an altitude of 13,721 feet from the sea level, on the Tawang-Bomdila road, official sources informed on Saturday.

The district which borders China, received a few inches of snowfall in the past three days. The snowfall in Tawang town is comparatively less than in the adjoining areas of the district, sources said. People preferred to remain indoors due to sharp dip in temperature, sources said.

According to locals, snowfall on or before Torgya, a three-day monastic festival celebrated in the renowned Tawang monastery in January, is considered a good omen.

Tourists and locals took to the streets, celebrating the first snowfall of the season and clicking photographs. Snowfall has also been recorded at the mountains of Mechukha Valley in West Siang district since the last couple of days.

The entire valley is reeling under a cold wave, sources added.

How to UNSHRINK clothes

How To Unshrink Clothes After the Laundromat Turns Them Into Teensy Doll Clothes

“That’s an adorable dress -- your daughter must be very stylish.”

By Sable Yong

 

I’ve come a long way since mom used to separate my lights and darks and dress me in matching separates most likely made of rayon or Lycra. In fact, I’m been pretty damn good at taking care of my personal effects, clothes being the highest maintenance probably.

 

I mean, you’ve got to look at the tag, and then interpret those weird hieroglyphic-looking symbols about how to wash a garment. What does triangle mean? Why is X on the triangle?? Now the triangle looks like an ocean wave is running through it -- where is the consistency, people who make clothing labels! 

 

I learned from the best as far as keeping it flossy goes (thanks Mom), so imagine my dismay upon laundering a vintage dress I won on eBay that was described as “probably polyester or acrylic,” only to discover it was at least 2 sizes smaller after drying. Bad on my part for absentmindedly throwing it in the dryer after a cold wash thinking, “This has probably been washed and dried tons of times; it is from the past, after all…”

 

Well guess what, eBay username I can’t remember -- this shit was most definitely not all synthetic. There had to be some wool in there somewhere, because it shrank so much that when I pulled it out of the dryer heap to fold it, the lady at the Laundromat folding next to me was like “That’s an adorable dress -- your daughter must be very stylish” which, OK thanks.

 

I asked my best friend, The Internet, what I should do. She is always so helpful! And also the first one to tell me I have some sort of cancer if I search any symptoms I have when I’m feeling under the weather. Get a grip, The Internet -- it was just a baby flu (not to be confused with adolescent or mature flu).

 

So I tried this method that every housewife who has uttered the words, “My lord, they just grow like weeds, don’t they!” swears by. All you need is either baby shampoo or hair conditioner. Some say baby shampoo works better, but others say that there’s no difference. The idea is that both formulas loosen the fibers of a garment and also make it soft and silky and manageable.

 

Oh wait, I’m just reading the back of the conditioner bottle.

 

So yeah. You pretty much just chuck the shrunken garment, whatever it may be, into a bucket or your bathroom sink if you don’t own a bucket (it’s 2013, do people still have buckets?), fill with lukewarm water and enough baby shamps or hair conditioner to turn it into a luxurious bubble bath. Now, massage! Yeah, treat that babified item of clothing to some first class bubbles!

 

Don’t you hate sitting in a rapidly-cooling tub as your bubbles disperse even faster?

 

OK. Bathtime is over. Unstop your sink/empty your bucket and gently wring your garment of most of the water. If you have a towel around -- and duh, of course you probably own at least one towel -- lay it out on a table and put the wet garment on top. Now roll! And then squeeze it like a tube of Go-Gurt. This is the best way to squeeze water out of clothes without wringing it out of shape. Because you’re about to do that next! 

 

Alternatively, this is a great space-saving way to pack clothes

Once you unroll your wet burrito, start to stretch the garment into what you remember to be it’s original shape. If you’re a real masochist you can don the damp thing on your body and shape it that way via air-dry. And walk around your house feeling all icky with only the hopes and dreams of sartorial salvation to keep you squelching forth. 

 

Sooo I’m kind of into stripes, you guys.

After my dress was fully dry and fragrant with the lovely scent of my Moroccan Oil conditioner (I got it in bulk from a friend who works for the company, so this is kind of as close as I get to poppin’ bottles, you know?) I tried to zip it up and managed to get it all the way up to my neck without feeling like I was going to dislocate my shoulder. Success!

 

It’s still a hair tighter than before I washed it but I’m so glad I can actually wear it again because I only got one wear out of that thing before it got shrink-rayed. I know, I know, it’s kind of gross to buy vintage clothes and just wear it without washing first because WHO KNOWS WHERE IT’S BEEN but I have no excuse, only impatience. And this adorable children’s’ dress apparently. 

 

“Here’s to you, ‘Vintage 60s Op Art SPACE AGE Circle Cut Out Pocket Mod Mini Dress Twiggy S

source: xojane.com

I became a Bitcoin Man-Whore

Pornography has always driven the rise of new technology, and Bitcoin is no different, says Jeremy Wilson.

By Jeremy Wilson

Friday, 13 December 2013

The digital currency Bitcoin has been generating a lot of column inches in recent weeks, on the back of the virtual cash’s market value recently shooting past $1,000. This sudden increase has led to much head scratching in the media as learned tech journalists give their earnest thoughts on the cause of the boom in value.
Is Bitcoin the new interplanetary currency that will bring the millennia-old, state-controlled, economic system to its knees? Or is it the over-hyped product of unwashed basement dwellers?
As a lowly non-tech journalist myself, I try not to speculate too much on such important matters, but I think I might have stumbled upon the true reason for Bitcoin’s meteoric rise: porn.
There’s been a proliferation of websites gaining traction of late, where amateur porn wannabes can post explicit images in return for Bitcoin. The whole enterprise makes perfect sense: porn aficionados can satisfy their urges without leaving a credit card trail and hard up graduates can get themselves in on some Bitcoin action.
In fact, it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss out on. With the Christmas season approaching and being a little light on cash, I decided to try out stripping for Bitcoin. After doing some research, I came across a subreddit called /r/GuysGoneBitcoin, an elite group of males who post saucy pictures online in the hope of soliciting Bitcoin tips. There was only one thing to do: sign up and watch the digital currency roll in.
Not being the most tech savvy of people I decided to follow the /r/GuysGoneBitcoin sign-up recommendations to the letter. First up I needed something called a Bitcoin wallet. I paid a visit to blockchain.info, clicked “Start A New Wallet”, entered a password and with that, had entrusted a random website with the safekeeping of my future Bitcoin fortune.

Next I needed to make paying me easy for the online punters. I paid a visit to payb.tc a Bitcoin address shortener and before I knew it, I had nabbed the hot domain payc.tc/HornyHack – my new hotline for those wishing to rain cash on me.

And with that I was done, it was time to make my first post:
Hot and horny writer looking to make some extra cash, will strip for Bitcoin tips

I waited a couple of hours, but nothing. Not a single fraction of a Bitcoin was funnelled my way.
Clearly the first picture wasn’t tantalising enough, I needed to try again – if my next post didn’t work, nothing else would.

Sexy guy needs cash. Will make a custom dirty video for all Bitcoin tippers!

After a sleepless night glued to my computer, my Bitcoin wallet is still bare. Maybe this Bitcoin thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

source:kernelmag.com

The aura of militancy seems to be wearing off in the Northeast

By Rahul Karmakar

Guwahati, Dec 16 : Mizoram’s mandate 2013 appears to have restated a reality — the romanticism associated with rebels in the Northeast is wearing off.

The second successive poll rout of the Mizo National Front (MNF), though partially attributed to a Congress pro-poor scheme, has indicated that the ‘hangover’ of 1966 might not be working on a young, outward-bound Mizoram.

A group of famine relief workers-turned-rebel outfit, the MNF fought a war of liberation against the Indian armed forces since 1966. It transformed into a political party after inking a truce with New Delhi in 1986.

Lal Thanhawla, who headed the first Congress government in 1984, stepped aside for MNF supremo Laldenga, who became chief minister in 1986. Later, Laldenga’s lieutenant Zoramthanga helmed the MNF government from 1998 to 2008.

The MNF’s loss in the 2008 polls was attributed to anti-incumbency. But the defeat of Zoramthanga in two seats — of other senior party leaders with an ex-rebel tag — was not lost on many. Zoramthanga changed his constituency this time for a change of fortune but a Congress newcomer beat him comfortably.

What also did not work for the party was its ‘Mizo nationalism’ plank, a throwback to the militancy days when ‘India’ was viewed as colonial power and national parties such as Congress labelled ‘vaipawl’, meaning organisation of outsiders.

“The past no longer seems to be working for the MNF, though it has a chance of coming back if the Congress falters. The MNF will have to reinvent and repackage itself as a party of a progressive state and even go for a leadership change, preferably with younger people with fresh ideas,” Lallianchunga, assistant professor of Mizoram University’s political science department, said.

The profiles of three of the MNF’s five winners this time are indicative of the changing mindset. Lalrinawma, Lalruatkima and K Beichhua were minors when the MNF was past its prime as a militant outfit by 1972.

Two months before the Mizoram polls, people in Nagaland confronted the rebels for extortion in the name of ‘revolutionary taxes’. Such defiance against the armed cadres of six Naga groups was unthinkable earlier.

The two major Naga outfits on ceasefire mode — the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland — allegedly influence politics in the state and control the party or coalition that heads the government there.

The story is similar elsewhere in the Northeast, whether or not rebel groups evolved into political parties. The United Liberation Front of Asom is virtually a spent force, living in the past as far back as 1826, when the British annexed Assam.

In Tripura, the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT) has gone nowhere with its credo of taking the state back to its pre-1947 status of tribal rule. Headed by former guerrilla chief Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, the INPT won six of the 20 seats across Tripura’s tribal belt in its first assembly elections in 2003. In 2008, Hrangkhawl was the party’s lone winner but he too bit the dust in 2013.

Likewise, some leaders of the disbanded Dima Halam Daogah were rejected by voters in Assam’s North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council polls earlier this year.

The only political entity that is dominated by ex-rebels and which seems to have stemmed the tide is the Bodoland People’s Party. An ally of the ruling Congress in Assam, it has been lording over the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) since its creation in 2003.

But the BTC’s story has been that of fratricide — those in power have allegedly retained their arms to wage period wars against rival political and militant groups — and communal violence, the kind that saw 108 people, most of them migrant Muslims, being killed last year.

Even Before swearing-in, government pushing forward with continuing halted flagship scheme

By Adam Halliday

Lal Thanhawla had promised during campaign season that the NLUP, halted by the ECI due to complaints by opposition parties, would be continued immediately.

Aizawl, Dec 13 : With the Congress set to form a government for the second consecutive term, the Mizoram government is wasting no time in continuing it's flagship beneficiary scheme beginning with a high-level meeting on Friday to decide on land-use conversion and teams scheduled to visit sites earmarked for infrastructure projects. The NLUP implementing board is scheduled to have a meeting headed by Chief Secretary on Friday, a day before state Congress president Lal Thanhawla is set to be sworn in as CM for the fifth time.

Lal Thanhawla had promised during campaign season that the NLUP, halted by the ECI due to complaints by opposition parties, would be continued immediately after the elections were over. He had already told officials to continue the scheme as soon as possible even before counting day and results of the elections were known.

The high-level Friday meeting has been called, among others, to discuss the conversion of agricultural plots for industrial use at Kawnpui town, where two processing units for ginger and turmeric are being planned. Mizoram's new land law requires a case-by-case clearance for such land-use conversion.

With Mizoram's economy largely agrarian, the New Land Use Policy is a scheme under which families with no member as government employee are given money in installments through direct transfers to their bank accounts, which they use to enhance their livelihoods by using this to fund any of several trades they choose.

These optional trades include the production of several crops, small industries or even small private businesses.

While much of the money has already been disbursed, albeit installments still pending, the main thrust of the policy now is the marketing of the produce that has begun to accumulate or started from the labour already done by beneficiaries since the scheme began it's cash distribution component in 2010, and under which 1.2 lakh families have been covered.

The ginger and turmeric processing units mentioned earlier are also meant to convert the raw produce into readily marketable produce. Besides the two units mentioned, three teams are to visit various places within two weeks from now to survey locations for the setting up of collection centres of farm produce.

Retired Wing Commander Lalnghinglova, chairman of the NLUP Implementing Board's marketing cell, said the marketing component of the scheme is the main part of work left now that much of the funds have already been dispersed or are soon to be disbursed.

"We have no problem with buyers for these produce. There are various parties from Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati who are already roped in after they evinced interest. It is getting these produce to the market that is the main task ahead, said Lalnghinglova.

He added most of the processing units will be for easily perishable items, while regulated markets would be built at various points to sell others. The collection centres would facilitate the movement from farms to intermediate locations, and then to these markets.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi orders probe into Assam killings

Guwahati, Dec 13 :  Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday ordered an inquiry into an alleged staged shootout in Chirang district, where residents said police and army personnel killed two students claiming they were Bodo insurgents.

Mr Gogoi asked state Additional Chief Secretary V.B. Pyarelal to carry out the inquiry and submit the report within 30 days.

The incident took place early on Wednesday at Raijungbari village in Runikhata, about 200 km from Assam's main city Guwahati.

Police and army personnel killed two youths and injured another. They said the two slain youths were cadres of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by I.K. Songbijit.

One AK-46 rifle, one grenade and 15 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from their possession. Police said the injured youth was a linkman of the outfit.

Residents, however, said the three boys were from the same family and that they were innocent. The slain youths - Jiri Narzary and Pranjit Narzary - were students of Class 7 and 10 while the injured Nikedin Narzary is a student of Class 6 in a local school.

Residents on Wednesday came out on the streets to protest the killings, attacked the Runikhata police station and also set fire to some motorcycles.

This forced police to resort to a baton charge and fire blank rounds to disperse the crowd. The Chirang deputy commissioner also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

With A Loud Boom

By ALLAN MOSES RODRICKS

The Hindu Coming Home With their debut album. Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Junk Rock band Boomarang talk about their dreams, music and making it big in the music scene

Some dreams are meant to come true and for Junk Rock band Boomarang, the dream of making it big came true recently. The Mizoram-based four-member band was recently selected by Universal Music for the Contra Bands Project and given a platform to spread their music to the world.

Preceded by their first single ‘Stellar’, the video of which premiered on VH1, Boomarang’s debut album, Home is scheduled to be released later this month supported by a multi-city tour across the country. The band was in the city recently to perform at the Hard Rock Café.

Comprising Atea on vocals, Boom on the guitars, Joshua on the bass and RS on the drums, the four-piece band has its roots in good old rock music infused with jazz, funk and punk with a hint of reggae.

“This is a dream come true for us. Everyone needs good Rock ‘N Roll everywhere and we are here to deliver just that,” says Atea before getting on stage for the gig.

Though relatively new on the mainstream music scene, Boomarang is no stranger to laurels, having won several national awards in addition to performing at international festivals.

They have played alongside international acts such as Korn, Lamb of God, Aurora Jane, Fire house, Tribal Tech, Enslaved, Intron out and Scott Kinsey Band. Besides this, they were also named ‘Top Ten Bands to watch out for’ by the Rolling Stone magazine in India.

Bangalore is not a new for Boomarang. “We have played several times in all the major music venues across the city. The music scene is pretty good in Bangalore,” says Atea.

Excited about their debut album, Atea gives a sneak peek into its collection. “Boomarang has been around for a while. We started in 2005 and the songs in the album have been around with us ever since we started. The album is more about our journey. It doesn’t specifically have a theme. These are songs that have our ideas, dreams and beliefs translated into music. The songs in Home are also mean to inspire people to find a new meaning in life, to serve some purpose in this lifetime and always know that when it all ends, we can finally go Home.”

The band, which started with a humble union from different bands in 2005 and doing covers of Rage Against the Machine, has now become an enterprising symbol of the new genre Boomarang loves to promote. “We don’t like to stick to one particular genre. Though its good old rock we play on stage, we like to call it ‘Junk’ so we can play whatever we want,” shares Atea.

Drawing inspiration from Rage Against the Machine, Incubus, Jimmy Hendrix and Led Zeppelin among others, Boomarang has become comfortable doing their own songs which have a niche following already.

“When we started playing, we sounded a lot like Rage Against the Machine. Over the years, we’ve played and travelled a lot and developed some sort of originality infusing our own signature into our sounds,” Atea explains.

All their songs are purpose-driven, he says. “Boomarang makes songs that are simple but are meant to be heard and enjoyed.” On future plans, Atea says the deal with Universal was the best thing that ever happened to them. “This is what we have been waiting for. We were good and successful but never really made it anywhere. This is the perfect platform for us to go places we have only dreamt about. It’s a new beginning for us and we are looking forward to where Universal takes us.” To upcoming bands , Atea says dreams do not come true overnight. “It’s a rough journey and nothing happens instantly. You need to work hard and believe in what you do. There are a lot of troubles and sacrifices. I even quit my government job to play with the band. But that is the beauty of what we do. We are passionate about our music and believe in it. ,” he says.

Lal Thanhawla to be sworn in as Mizoram CM for fifth time on Saturday

By Adam Halliday
The Chief Minister had won from Serchhip and Hrangturzo constituencies.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla was on Wednesday unanimously elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party. Following this decision, Lal Thanhawla will be anointed the Chief Minister of the state for the fifth time.

The swearing-in ceremony is slated to be held on Saturday. The Congress veteran, who has been president since the party's inception in the state, said his cabinet members and parliamentary secretaries would be made known on the same day.

Although the swearing-in was initially planned to for an earlier date, it became inconvenient because the final result for the Lawngtlai East seat will only be available on Thursday. An EVM malfunction on counting day has made a re-poll necessary in one station, scheduled for Wednesday. The Congress candidate was leading on last count.

When asked if former finance minister H Liansailova, who lost in the Assembly elections, would be the party's candidate during bypolls to either of the two seats Lal Thanhawla has won, he said, "I think he will be a good choice."

After H Liansailova's defeat was known on counting day, Lal Thanhawla had said, "My happiness [over the Congress win] cannot be complete."

The Chief Minister had won from Serchhip and Hrangturzo constituencies.

The Congress had won 33 seats in the Mizoram Assembly elections, counting of which was done on December 9.

Lal Thanhawla elected CLP leader in Mizoram

The Congress Legislature Party in Mizoram unanimously elected Lal Thanhawla as its leader at a meeting held here on Wednesday.

As the party's chief ministerial candidate, Lal Thanhawla is likely to call on the state governor on Thursday to stake claim to form the next government.

The oath taking ceremony is expected to be held on Saturday.

Lal Thanhawla is all set to be chief minister of Mizoram for a fifth term.

He won a seat in the Mizoram State Assembly from both Serchhip and Hrangturzo.

He was elected to the assembly for a record ninth time since 1978.

The Congress won a two-third majority in the Mizoram Assembly polls, winning 33 of 39 seats.

No Woman Legislator in Mizoram for 20 Years

Aizawl, Dec 12 : No woman candidate was elected to the Mizoram Assembly even though it is the only State in India where women voters have outnumbered men, officials said here on Tuesday.

There has been no woman legislator in Mizoram for the whole of the past two decades. In the November 25 Assembly elections, among the 142 candidates in the field, female aspirants were only six – nominated by various political parties. The results of the polls were declared on Monday.

The Congress and the main Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) fielded one woman candidate each, while three women contested on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. One woman joined the fray as an Independent candidate.

Tlangthanmawii, who is also the State Congress women wing president, and Lalmalsawmi of the MNF, were defeated by male candidates of rival political parties.

The BJP’s three female candidates got very few votes, while the lone female Independent aspirant B Sangkhumi, former president of the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or Mizo women federation, also suffered defeat.

“No woman was elected to the State Assembly this time,” Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer Ashwini Kumar said.

“The Congress and MNF’s female nominees were fielded against heavy weight candidates while the other parties who fielded female candidates have little political base in the State. Therefore, no women could get elected to the State Assembly,” the CEO said.

Mizoram is the only State in India where in a total population of 1,091,014, female voters outnumbered men by 9,806 in the total electorate of 690,860.

Since Mizoram became a Union Territory in 1973 and a full-fledged State in 1987, there have been only three female legislators – Thanmawii (1978), K Thansiamii (1979) and Lalhimpuii Hmar (1987). Among them, Lalhimpuii Hmar of the MNF was a Minister in the government led by the late Laldenga in 1987.

The Women Welfare Front, constituted by woman members of village councils across the State, has been actively spearheading the campaign for female candidates before the Assembly polls.

“We made all-out efforts so that we see as many female candidates as possible in the November 25 Assembly elections. We requested political parties to nominate as many women candidates as possible. We made appeal to the female voters to vote for the women contestants,” Women Welfare Front secretary Darhmingthangi said.

“As much as we need women in our domestic affairs, we need them in the legislative system too,” she added. “The Mizo society in pre-modern times was based on what is known as an extreme patriarchal society. This created ‘private’ and ‘public’ domain, where women were confined to the private sphere that further relegated their status in the social and religious life,” sociologist Subhankar Goswami said.

“Women, therefore, had no opportunities to go beyond the scope of the ‘domestic sphere’ and it was only men who controlled and dominated the entire ‘public sphere’. They were not supposed to have any independent religious loyalty, but were required to follow the religion of their husbands.”