MAUTAAM

July 30, 2009: In the first week of July 2009, the Chairman of the Chin State Peace and Development Council issued an order to all Township Peace and Development Councils of Chin State, forbidding them to receive any foreign assistance, a local from Falam Town of Chin State told Khonumthung News recently.

Chairman of Chin State Peace and Development Council Col. Hung Ngai issued the order asking people not to receive any foreign assistance or relief.

Tactical Commander (No.) cum Chairman of Chin State Peace and Development Council Col. Hung Ngai issued the order asking people not to receive any foreign assistance or relief for the public through the Chairmen of TPDC.

He added, “The order said that those who receive foreign assistance are the ones, who oppose the government and the details of names, addresses of the receivers shall be scrutinized and informed to the office.”

It has been learnt that the Chin people have been suffering from shortage of food due to Mautam Famine and people in the region are worried the order will stop all assistance, as they survive on foreign aid.

“We are totally dependent on foreign aid. We cannot understand the current order, which has been issued. Under the circumstances, if we do not get aid, we have nothing to eat. If they stop the foreign aid we shall not survive,” said a local from Hmunpikawn Village of Falam Township.

Similarly, a local from Tonzang Township also said, “We cannot die of starvation; we have to receive the assistance continuously.”

The Chin people have been suffering from Bamboo Famine since 2006 and they are surviving with foreign assistance, which they receive from across the border.

The bamboo famine happens once in 50 years and lasts for 5 years, according to precedent and scarcity of food in Chin State is a widespread phenomenon in the region. – Khonumthung News

July 30, 2009: Crops in Chin State have been completely destroyed by grasshoppers.

S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, July 22 2009: Despite the hue and cry over PDS supplies ever since signs of Mautam made its appearance in the district, Churachandpur District Students Union (CDSU) said it was deeply annoyed by the complications that the agents have to face in lifting PDS rice from the FCI godown at Sangaiprou.

Accompanying local agents while lifting the district quota of rice yesterday, the student leaders said, they were dejected over the restrictions imposed by various groups despite the hardship that the masses had bumped upon in recent times.

“What is the purpose of a Government if it can not ensure proper delivery of food items to the people who needed most? We do not want to get ourselves involved in essential items from the FCI godown and the rhetoric there on, but what option do we have if the Government fails”, CDSU President K Doukhum asked.

The student leaders personally went to the godown today so as to ensure that no interference from any quarter hampers the lifting efforts.

Besides, security escorts accompanied them as earlier attempts by the agents always landed in uninvited dilemmas.

Today’s attempt to lift PDS rice, according to the accompanying student leaders was partially delayed as coolies and other officials made a sudden and hasty retreat, but the police and student leaders managed to influence a resumption of normal activities.

They, at the end of the day managed to oversee that 2500 quintals of rice were lifted for the district, but not without a stringent security escort.

Except for Sangaikot, Henglep and Saikot, the rice lifted today were meant for July quotas.

It was June quotas for the three.

Source:The Sangai Express 

DHNS

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The most prominent features of the exhibition are the exquisite cane furniture, accessories and apparel, ranging from baskets, lamps and even jewellery

The balmy weather outside perfectly complemented the setting of handicraft exhibition from the North East. Being held at Ganapathi Seva Samiti, 5th block, Koramangala, this exhibition transports one to the raw and untouched flavour of North East. The exhibition features an array of crafts and material like bamboo crafts, handloom weaving, wood carving, embroidery, jewellery, equipment made of serpentinate stone, baskets, handmade flowers made of palm leaves, shola wood, coral leaves etc. The most prominent features of the exhibition are the exquisite cane furniture, accessories and apparel, ranging from baskets, lamps, even jewellery. Says the craftsman, who has come specially from Nagaland, “The fine quality bamboo cutlery which also happens to be eco-friendly are completely washable and reusable.” The exhibition also features award-winning artisans from the seven sister states namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim. For many artisans, it’s the first time they are showcasing their crafts outside their state. “These items are purely handmade, without any use of machines. I am very happy that people are admiring my products and buying them as well. This is the first time I have participated and I am getting such an overwhelming response from the people. It makes you feel proud to have been doing something that is being appreciated by so many people,” said a craftswoman, who is exhibiting handmade flowers made of palm leaves, shola wood, coral leaves, hollbell flower and many such natural flowers. These flowers look no less real to an untrained eye. The exhibition is certainly a delight for those looking to decorate their interiors. It has everything from exquisite furniture, to bronze Buddha artifacts to chic upholstery in cotton and silk including cushion covers, bolster covers and carpets. For the fashion-conscious, there are edgy and earthy fashion accessories, quilted jhola style bags, cane and jute bags, cane jewellery and chic collection of stoles and shawls, eco-friendly as well as promoting traditional crafts. The exhibition is on till August 2.

Source:Deccanherald

AIZAWL: More than 500 pigs have died of swine fever locally known as ‘vawk pulhri’ in parts of Mizoram during the past fortnight, triggering

panic of swine flu among locals.

“The H1N1 or swine flu virus has not yet been detected in the state. The swine fever first identified in 1980 had killed a large number of pigs,” Director of State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, Dr C Sangnghina told PTI here here today.

He said the swine fever, which has broken out among pigs in the Lunglei, Saiha and Kolasib districts, is suspected to have been spread by piglets procured from neighbouring Myanmar by NGOs.

They were given to the victims of Mautam famine during last year, the official said.

“We cannot effectively fight the disease as our order for supply of 60,000 units of swine fever vaccines, placed last year could not be provided by the company which manufactures the vaccine,” Sangnghina said.

Meanwhile, a ban on import of pigs and piglets from neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh, with which Mizoram shares 722-km-long international border, continues to be in force.

SOURCE: TOI

By S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, Jul 9: Hailing the successful distribution of the magnanimous Mautaam relief by the Government in association with Churachandpur-based Civil Societies, ZEPADA in a statement issued to the press extended its heartfelt gratitude to the people who have immensely contributed towards famine relief.
The statement issued by secretary, I&PR of the agen-cy made special mention of the National Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Aff-airs, GoI, who conducted On the spot survey, officials from the Ministry of DoNER, Ministers/MLAs of the District and the then MP Outer Manipur, Mani Cheranamei for the contri-bution they made.
It also expressed grati-tude to the Government of Manipur, particularly the Dept. of Relief & Disaster Management for painsta-kingly pursing the matter at different levels of the government, the District Administration and concerned Departments for readily taking up the issue and judiciously distributing the relief materials. All BDO/SDOs of the district and their staffs for the sacrificial activities performed all through the processes, the different Civil Societies including MHJU and other media fraternity of the State, CDSU, COMFA & its donors, MZI & ZAA, HYA, KKL, YMA (Manipur), ZYA, Aid Zomi Japan, etc who have generously con-tributed towards Mautaam Famine relief and to the Churches and individuals who have in their own capacity took the initiative in contributing their bit in fighting the mammoth task of combating Mautaam Famine.
It is our immense plea-sure to note that the Mautaam Relief Fund is an exceptional case as the entire sanctioned amount reached the District and was subsequently distributed to the affected people without undue interference from all corners, at all level in its implementation, it said and noted the remarkable united efforts of the Gover-nment/District Adminis- tration and Churachandpur District civil societies in distributing Mautaam Relief. Such successful Mautaam Relief distribution could be repli-cated while implementing any other centrally spon-sored scheme, it added.
With the Relief material distribution ending with a happy note for now, ZEPADA also calls for an urgent renewed impetus to the existing PDS system, and urged upon the government to take immediate steps to include all landless tribals living in the hilly areas of the State under BPL category so that adequate PDS items is available for distribution among the hungry public. At present, only 40% of the people were entitled to the benefits provided under PDS.

SOURCE: TSE

8 July 2009: The Chin Famine Aid Live Concert (also known as Mautam concert) will be staged in three European countries from July 11, 2009 to help Chin people in western Burma who are affected by famine.

Suntinpar & Dawthleiniang for Chin Famine Aid Live Concert

The live concert is to be organized by Chin communities in Europe and performances will be held in Denmark, Norway and Germany. The singers are Sung Tin Par, Dawt Hlei Hniang, Cung Lian Thawng and Solomon Menrihai, who are very popular in Burma.  They will raise money to help Chin people reeling under famine.

The first show will be in Denmark on July 11 and 12, after which it will be in Norway on July 20 and 26. In Germany it will be held on August 1, 2009.

The natural phenomena of bamboo flowering happens once in 50 years and is called ‘Mautam‘ in the local language. It leads to rats eating the bamboo flowers and multiplying. The rats in turn eat crops resulting in famine. Chin people have been facing the effects of the phenomena since 2006 and are living through famine conditions. No one knows how long the effect will last therefore, Chin people are fleeing to neighbouring countries every day.

Chin people are supported not only by Chin communities abroad but also helped by NGOs around the world. However, help is not very effective because of lack of good communication and transportation. In addition such benevolence is not taken kindly to by the Burmese military junta.

The regime continues to ignore any crisis in the country, especially in Chin state. In Chin state, therefore, 85 percent of the population is in debt while trying to earn their livelihood as reported by the World Food Program.

The first Mautam Concert was held in 2008 and February 2009 in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia by a combination of Burmese singers and Mizoram state singers from India for aiding Chin people

SOURCE: KHONUMTHUNG

A beisa 2006 kim a kipan Mautaam or Zusa hangin Zomi (Chin)te teenna mun
Chin State(Zogam) , Mizoram(India) leh Bangladesh gam sung khua 200 kimah
Zomi 100000 in gilkialna lianpi kithuak hi. Hih Mautaam kialpi or Zusa gal
hangin leitungbup in Zomite (Chin) hong lim theih san mahmah laitak ahi hi.
A diakdiak in Zogam Mautaam kialpi hangin gentheih /gilkialte huhna ding
Chin Human Right Organization( CHRO)te makaihna tawh sumbul zonna a 1 veina
(Chin-Zomi Famine Live Aid Concert)pen a beisa 2008 sungin
Malaysia,Singapore, Thailand gamte banah Australia ah kinei in, Zogam
(Kawlgam) pan lasa siam Tg. Sangpi, Lia Zamnu, Sung Tin Par, leh India gam
pan Mi Mi leh SPi te kisam in sumzonna nasiatak kinei hi. Hih Zogam kialpi
tungtang ah huhna pen gam tuamtuam pan kumpite, kipawlna (NGO) leh Zomi
kipawlna tuamtuam pan kipia kawikawi khin cih thu kiza hi.

Pasian thukimpihna leh CHRO te veiina mah tawh Europe gam sung
Norway,Germany leh Denmark gamte ah a (2) veina Zogam kialpi sum bul zonna
(Chin Famine Live Aid Concert) anuai a hun leh nite ah kinei leuleu ding cih
kiza hi. Zogam mah pan lasa siam Sung Tin Par,Dawt Hlei Hniang,Cung Lian
Thawng leh Solomon te kisam a, tu laitak Germany leh Denmark ah a tawlngak
laitak uh ahi hi. Zomi(Tedim) sung pan lasa dingin Pa Thawn Kham zong kisam
a, passport zekaina hang in hong kihel thei lo sawnsawn ahih manin i
lungnuam het lo hi. Europe gamah Denmark ah Zomi vekpi 800 kim kipha
a,Germany ah 150 leh Norway ah 1000 bang ki om hi.

Chin Famine Live Aid Concert hungeelna a nuai a bangin kinei ding cih
thukiza hi.
(1) July 10-12,2009 sung Denmark
(2) July 20,2009 Stavanger City,Norway
(3) July 26,2009 Oslo City, Norway
(4) Aug 1,2009 Germany

Pasian in thupha hong piak ciangin ei bek ading leh kepcip ding a hong piak
hi lo hi. Khristian nuntakna pen ei a ding hi loin, midangte a ding nuntakna
ahi hi. Zomi laizomte gilkial dangtaak in a kikona uh i bil kha in zaza bek
loin, hih zawh zahzah tawh mapang khawm ding Pasian deihna ahi hi. Topa
pasian in Zomite thupha pia ta hen.

Minam lai lam tawh thukizakna,

Tongsan Reporter