Experts wants better trade tie up between NE and Southeast Asia

RATNADEEP CHOUDHURY

For proper harnessing of the much hyped 'look east' policy the Centre should give stress on opening of a road link between India's northeast and other Southeast Asian countries in order to boost trade and commerce. This proposal was made by experts across the Southeast Asian region who participated in a three-day international summit titled 'North East India - A gateway to Southeast Asia: Prospects for infrastructure development' in Agartala recently. The summit was jointly organised by the Institution of Engineers-India,Tripura Chapter and the Tripura government. Nearly 60 scientists, experts, technocrats, economists, administrators and policy makers from India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries participated in the meet.

The aim of the summit was to discuss the policy related issues mostly in terms of infrastructure development of Northeast region and on the possibilities of efficient trade and commerce links with the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. The summit also focused on the modalities of improving foreign investment in the Northeastern region. This summit acted as a common platform for experts of Northeast and rest of India to share their views with the experts of other Southeast Asian countries, thus making way to a fresh outlook on how the Centre should approach in order to improve the trade and commerce relations with the neighbouring countries. Various resolutions were taken in this regard. 'To establish faster and smooth connectivity, besides boosting trade and other economic activities, the trans-Asian highway must be used to connect northeast India with the Southeast Asian countries,' the summit said in a resolution.

The proposed 1,400 km-long trans-Asian highway is supposed to run from Moreh in Manipur and stretch up to Thailand at Mae Sot via the ancient city of Bagan in central Myanmar. This proposed trans-Asian highway actually existed long back. A major stretch of this highway was frequently used during the World War II. Now the road is not in use for decades and requires reconstruction. "We must not forget that northeast India used to be a busy hub of cultural and commercial activities some 2,000 years ago. After centuries of isolation and neglect, it is coming to life again as the principal gateway between India and two of the fastest growing regions of the world - Southeast Asia and East Asia," Lalit Mansingh, former Indian foreign secretary and former Indian ambassador to the US told reporters.

Experts felt that the need of the hour is to increase the volume of trade with Southeast Asia and keeping the geographical proximity of Northeast with Southeast Asia India should stress towards improving the communication infrastructure in NE region. "Asean (Association of South-East Asian Nations) and East Asia share a $500 billion market while India's current trading with Asean, Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan accounts for just $50 billion, almost a quarter pf India's total trade so the volume of trade should go up. If the northeast receives even five percent share of this enormous market, the face of the region would change" Mansigh added.

The other eminent experts including senior transport specialist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) H. Iwasaki and Sri Lankan representative D.L. Taldena stressed the need for encouraging free trade arrangement with Southeast Asia and physical connectivity into south China and other parts of Southeast Asia through Myanmar and Thailand, during the course of their deliberation at the summit.

Addressing the summit , Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar felt that the 'Look East policy' will go on to boost the region's economy.

Meanwhile is another significant development, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to invest Rs50, 000 crore in the northeast region in the 11th Five Year Plan in order to improve road connectivity in the region.

"NHAI would invest Rs50,000 crore in the 11th Five Year Plan for augmenting capacity of high density corridors which would result in provision of improved four lane national highway link to all state capitals. The trans-Asian highways to connect north-east with Southeast Asian countries should be given priority" NHAI Director General S K Nirmal told reporters here. Nirmal, also attended the summit.

Experts also recommended for developing connectivity between Chittagong port in Bangladesh and Haldia port in West Bengal apart recommendations on rail links in entire NE region.

The need of the hour is more such summits in the entire region which would lead to more recommendations for proper implementation of 'Look East' policy.

The Untold Story of Goddess Songruma

Ratnadeep Choudhury

Over the years the Bru community of Northeast, especially in Tripura, has been worshipping Mother Nature incarnated in their deity - Songruma. The ethnic tribes have their own rituals for offering their deities, Songruma hold no different and mystery on history of Goddess Songruma writ large.

The origin of the Bru tribe (locally called Reang) is a disputed issue among historians. The Bru have similar lifestyle like the other tribes of Northeast mostly of Mongoloid origin such as the Garo, Boro, Dimasa. It is largely believed that the tribe had its roots either in Tibet or Myanmar. According to historical references, the Bru kingdom stretched from the Chittagong hill tracts in Bangladesh to the Aarakan ranges in Myanmar and the Bru King was conferred the title of 'Fa'. It is also believed that the worship of Goddess Songruma popularized among the Bru tribal during the reign of Bru King Dangua Fa.

The myth behind the origin of Goddess Songruma states that once the Bru kingdom was hit by a drastic drought. There was no rain for moths together, crops died and the tribal community had no food to eat. People started dying. The Bru king was worried when suddenly one night the king dreamt an unusual dream. A girl came to his dream. She told that she is Goddess Songruma, the deity of peace and prosperity. She told the king that she was a deity of the Mog tribe but since the community has adopted Buddhism, they do not revere her any more. Her white stone images are lying beside the River Sankha. She asked the Bru king to bring her stone images from the river bed and establish a temple for her then only their sufferings would disappear. The next morning the Bru king himself went to the River Sankha and found the white stone images lying beside the river. That very night rain came and the Bru tribe found relief from their sufferings. The stone images were brought and temple was built and thus the Bru started performing Songruma Puja.


Later the Bru community took up the title of 'Reang' and the reign of the Reang ruler started but Songruma Puja went on to be apart of the Reangs or Bru tribe. Years went until the Reang rulers became very brutal. A few of the Reang youths revolted and can to Tripura to seek the help of the then Maharaja of erstwhile princely state of Tripura Gobinda Manikya. With the help of the Maharaja of Tripura, the rebels waged a war against the Reang ruler and defeated him. The Maharaja of Tripura conferred upon the rebels the honorary title of 'Rai Kanchan' thus the Rai Kanchan started ruling the Reang tribe but Songruma still remained their most revered deity.

The Reangs tribe then met with another tragedy that changed the way of their life. Invaders belonging to the Kuki and Lushai tribe invaded the Reang kingdom and plundered and ransacked Reang huts, killed the Reang tribal at will. While going, the invaders took away the stone images of Songruma with them. Since then the Reang community have been left with out the images of their deity.

Later the Maharaja of Tripura Ishan Chandra Manikya came to know about the divine glory of Goddess Songruma and collected the images of the deity from the Kuki warlord. He built a temple for the deity at Agartala near the Royal Palace and since then till the reign of Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya, Goddess Songruma has worshiped under the aegis of the Maharajas.

After the death of Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya, the princely state of Tripura joined the Indian union. While becoming a part of India, the princely state of Tripura signed an agreement with the then Indian government where a condition was laid that all the religious festival that were performed with the aegis of the Royal family would have to be borne by the Indian Government. Under mysterious circumstances Songruma puja did kept out of the treaty. The reasons for its exclusions have remained buried the anal of history. The Reangs still continue to perform Songruma Puja with great pomp in various stretches of Tripura but without the image of their most revered deity. Instead they have now resorted to use Bamboo sticks to signify the image of Goddess Songruma. Reang community has time and again approached the authorities to resotre the images of their deity but nobody heed to their plea.

Like Songruma Puja there are numerous religious festivals of the indigenous tribe of Northeast that lack luster much for the indifferent attitude of authorities to revive and respect the age old rituals.

'Red Revolution' in 'Red Bastion'

Ratnadeep Choudhury

For sometime now, a 'Red Revolution' of a different kind has been swamping the tiny northeastern state of Tripura- also known as the 'Red Bastion of Northeast' for the 15 years long Left rule in the state. This 'Red Revolution' is however non political. Is it a spree of voluntary blood donation camps held across the state which has turned into a revolution of some sort.

Various NGOs, Clubs and associations across the state have come forward in organizing blood donation camps as a routine affair. These days, in state capital Agartala on an average two blood donation camps are held. Whether a foundation day of a school or an annual conference of an association, voluntary blood donation camps have become an inevitable part of the programme schedule to mark the day. The so called 'Red Rovolution' has been spearheaded by non other then Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar , who during his second tenure as CM has left no stone un turned to encourage the people especially the youths to turn voluntary blood donation into a mass movement. "In yesteryears blood donation was a sporadic affair here but for the past five years it has rapidly turned in amass movement, even we can call it a social festival" a senior journalist opined.

Manik Sarkar merely did not restrict himself top inspiring speeches, he makes it a point to attend voluntary blood donation camps even in the remotest corner of the state. His government has issued a complete ban on professional blood donors; his government is now on the look out for collection of blood thorough voluntary blood donations to ensure supply of safe blood to the patients. "This mass movement of voluntary blood donation is something which will be a special feature of Manik Sarkar's reign as CM, but government must ensure that modern methods of blood preservation are inplace unless this movement would be futile" opined Anjan Sengupta, a social thinker.

After getting enormous response to the call of the Chief Minister for Voluntary blood donation the state government has taken new initiatives to encourage one lakh rural people as to increase blood collection from voluntary blood donors. This was informed by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar while speaking at a recently held voluntary blood donation camp at Agartala. Chief Minister has time and again urging the private nursing homes to open their won blood banks to meet the ever increasing demand in stead of depending on government supply.

Highly placed sources from the Health Directorate informed

this correspondent that the state´s blood requirement was 17,930 units blood in 2005 of which 12,596 units were collected through voluntary blood donations camps. The state governments aim to meet the total blood requirement through voluntary blood donors. "We are encouraging clubs, social bodies, security personnel and employees´ organizations to organize blood donation camps to achieve the target" CM Manik Sarkar said at a voluntary blood donation camp. While the presence of the CM at the camps is acting as morale boosters for the organizers it is also acting as a means of eradicating social barriers.

The requirement of blood in the state was 20,452 units in last year, of which 16,348 units were received by organizing voluntary blood donation camps during the period, official sources informed. Presently, out of total blood requirement, 80 percent is collected from blood donation camps; sources added.

The Chief Minister has entrusted the Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty to take necessary steps to collect cent percent blood through voluntary blood donation camps. The state government is also actively considering for setting up a well equipped central blood bank to meet the demand in future, given the fact that Tripura registers high rate of accidents (mostly road mishaps) each year. Besides, the state government has asked the private hospitals to have their own blood banks to meet the demand

With Chief Minister Manik Sarkar leading the way, Tripura is sure to lead the nation in voluntary blood donation and the 'Red Revolution' is here to continue no matter whether the state remains a 'Red Bastion' or not.

The 'porcupine man' of Northeast

By Ratnadeep Choudhury

People can go to any extent to bear out their dare-devil acts. One such valiant dare devil is Dilip Bharadwaj, a 51 years old Pharmacy shop owner from Silchar town in southern Assam who can pierce thousand of disposable syringe needle in his body.

Recently Bharadwaj stunned the people of Agartala where in a show he pierced more than 6,000 disposable needles into his body. The astonishing act has also earned him the title of 'porcupine man'.

"We were astonished how he could piece so many needles in his body." said Santanu Bhattacharjee, one of the spectators. Bharadwaj was invited to Agartala by a local club to attract crowds during recently held puja festival.

Talking to Northeast Sun, Bharadwaj said "I had been performing this act for past few years. I would like to break the world record for piercing most number of needles. I desperately want to make it to the Guinness Book of World record". The Indian record, according to Bharadwaj, is by a person from the southern India who had pierced 1,009 needles in his body.

Piercing the body with needles did not start as a hobby for Bharadwaj. It was rather family illness that got Bharadwaj to try piercing needles in his body. "My wife Niyati was severely ill and required to take an injection, but was she scared. To inspire her I pierced my body and it went on." Bharadwaj added. This soon turned out to be a passion for him. His son now helps him in his daring act. "I spike the needles all around my stomach and design it like a flower or an insect but I remain careful so that I do not hurt myself in the process" he told reporter after the show at Agartala.

Bharadwaj has proved that with sheer courage one can perform even the most daring of acts and people of Northeast are full of courage.

The small wonder from Northeast

Ratnadeep Choudhury

People have started calling her 'Small Wonder' in Orissa and in Cuttack, where she now resides, she is a household name. But Northeast has every reason to feel proud of her. She is Sulagna Bhattacharya, a tiny tot, who has parental roots in Northeastern state of Tripura.
This little champ has already established her name in the dancing circuit of the culturally pulsating costal state of Orissa, that too at a tender age of eleven. Sulagna is not only a profound Oddissi dancer, she is equally trained in Modern dance, much to the amusement of her mother Shomani Bhattacharya, already a commended dancer from Agartala and settled in Cuttack after her marriage with Sujit Bhattachayra, a businessmen.
Shomani had a long cherished dream to make a name for herself in the region, but family hassles came on her way and she had to discontinue her career in dancing. "Then I decided that I would try to curve my daughter into a good dancer," says an elated Shomani, now a proud mother.
Sulagna had her first stage recital at the age of four and drew the attention of the crowd on the very first day of her dancing career. Success was with her on every step. Now a student of Class seven, St. Joseph's Convent School, Sulagna is a 'busy kid'. Her schedules remain packed up with stage shows, TV programmes and commercial ad-films.
She performed more than fifty stage shows in different cities in India both in modern and Oddissi style. She came to limelight after winning a dance competition - Boom Boom Shaka Laka aired by ETV Oriya. Later she became a household name in Orissa when she won the 1 - 2 cha cha cha, yet another dance competition which set the enter Orissa rocking. She went on to win Oye-Oye, another dance event of Oriya channel of Doordarshan. She has also acted in numerous Oriya album and TV ads.
"We attribute her success to her Guru Raghunath Dutta, a Presidential award winner," her father Sujit Bhattacharya told The Northeast Today over phone. Sujit takes care of the fact that Sulagna's studies are in no way hampered.
"I gave her the initial lessons and then she went to Gururji, but I feel that in her initial days, the emphatic cultural atmosphere that she got in Northeast has played a pivotal role in molding her into a good dancer at a tender age," sayd Shomani.
Her fame in dancing also opened the door for Television world and this wonder kid again showed her excellence in her chosen field. She made her presence felt in her debut album Kunni Thakuro, directed by famous Oriya director Bobby Islam. That followed by Mitha Mitha Hasso.
This little girl of course had very little to say "I just want to perform as I am doing right now and I also want to perform at Agartala and in rest of Northeast."
She says: "I am proud of being from Northeast .I want to make my state (Orrissa) and my ancestral state (Tripura) proud as Zubeen Garg (who has made not only Assam proud, but the entire Northeast".

Taking the H.S at 69

By Ratnadeep Choudhury

There are numerous instances when elderly people in this world have gone on to achieve success in different field irrespective of their old age, just by virtue of their immense courage and sheer determination. The 69 years old Ramanimohan Paul of Agartala is one such man. At this age of spending leisure times, he has gone back to the book into order to pull off his dream of passing the Higher Secondary examination. Ramanimohan Paul, a retired government employee, is the oldest student appearing for Higher Secondary Examination this year under the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE).

Ramanimohan Paul has shown how a man can pursue with education even at an age when he finds himself mostly uptight with his cardiac disease. A father of two sons and one daughter, all of them well established as engineers, Paul has a well settled family. After his retirement from Government job, he felt that the best way to utilize his retired life would be to sit for the H.S Examinations, a long cherished dream that has eluded him till now. "It was in 1967 that I had last appeared in an Intermediate examination. The venue was prestigious Maharaja Bir Bikram College. But on the first day soon after the invigilator distributed the question papers, I suddenly decided not to continue with the examinations and left the hall", recalled Paul. He was then an employee with the Tripura Territorial Council, which is defunct long back. Later he worked with the PWD Department. He retired in 1996 from Public Health Engineering Department.

Once inside the examination hall, Paul appeared very serious and gave an impression that he indeed toiled hard to prepare himself before the examination. He seems unfazed about the fact that he is appearing the examinations in midst of a hunk of youngsters. "It was not easy for me. I took some time make up my mind. Last year also I filled up the form but ultimately did not go ahead with the plan. I was not totally convinced, but this year I m determined. I am not worried about the outcome, I feel education is for all at any age." pal said. In the examination hall, he remains very cool and serious in answering the questions. The subjects that he is appearing for are economics, political science and eco-geo apart from Bengali and English.
Paul started his educational career from Belonia Vidyapeeth in South Tripura district. He studied there from Class VI to Class IX and all the time he used stood to first in the class. This fact obviously confirms that he was undeniably a good student. Later, his family shifted to Agartala and he joined the government service, bringing an end to his educational career, but he did bid adieu. "After retirement I had enough time in hand but nothing to do. It was then I felt I should complete the unfinished task of having an HS certificate", Paul told the newsmen.

Cut to his home, his family members are elated with his endeavor at this old age. His wife, Leela Paul "age for education can never be a barrier. We are really very happy that despite his heart problem and diabetes he is determined to appear the exams this year. But I am a bit tensed about his health condition yet I am proud of my husband". His children Debabrata, Mousumi and Jayanta, all engineers by profession, take a deep sense of pride their father's effort. His family has been the greatest source for inspiration for this old man who feels education is the biggest asset of life. "My Wife and children and most importantly my grand children stood by me. They encouraged me and I am also grateful to school teacher Ratish Deb, for keeping my spirit up.", paul told nesun.

Paul's endeavour will undoubtedly be a morale booster for many old people like him. It seems that Ramanimohan Paul can be the brand ambassador of Northeast for adult literacy.

Northeast- East Asia old sea route to be restored

By Ratnadeep Choudhury

In order to increase trade relations between northeastern states and the Southeast Asian countries, New Delhi is contemplating on reopening old sea trade routes. Major plans have already been chalked out and New Delhi has already plunged its best foot forward to restore the Sittwe port in Myanmar, which earlier was used as an important sea port for trade with northeastern states. This was informed by Union Minister of state for Industries and Commerce Jairam Ramesh during a press conference at Agartala, during his recent visit to Tripura.
New Delhi has decided to invest Rs.4.5 billion for the infrastructure development of Myanmar's Sittwe port to connect northeastern states with East Asia. Earlier, New Delhi was keen to used the Chittagong port for building up trade relation between Northeastern states and neighbouring countries but off late Dhaka has gone cold on allowing India to use its resources for trans-country developmental project. The downbeat attitude of Bangladesh forced New Delhi to try other options, the restoration plans of Sittwe port being one of them. The Sittwe port, which was earlier known as Akyab, is planned to be connected with Mizoram through Kaladyn river. India's public sector organisation RITES is to rebuild the port, which is nearly 160 km away from Mizoram.
“ In accordance to Indo-Myanmar bilateral agreement, the work for this project would start next month and it would be completed within the next three years. Once completed, this project would bring a new lease of life in Northeast trade scenario,” Jairam Ramesh said.
Connecting the northeastern states with rest of southeast Asia could have been easier had the ports in Bangladesh were accessed, but New Delhi is now determined to do it without Bangladesh. “ Our message is clear. We wants to connect northeast with the South East Asian countries at any cost, even without Bangladesh,' Ramesh told while interacting with newsmen. He further added that after the Polls in Bangladesh are over and a new government takes charge there, New Delhi would again request Dhaka to allow India to use the port at Chittagong, Sherpur and Ashuganj. Ramesh also informed that New Delhi has decided to spend Rs.8.5 billion to develop 13 Land Customs Stations (LCSs) in the next three years to boost up trade with Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Of the 13 LCS, one is on the India-Pakistan border, four on the India-Nepal border, one on the India-Myanmar border and seven on the India-Bangladesh border, Agartala being one of these LCSs. “Agartala should be connected with Akhaura railway station in Bangladesh which is just 14 km away”, Ramesh opined.
The central government is also considering a plan to lay a sub-line to link the planned India-Myanmar gas pipeline for transporting natural gas. India is pushing the $3-billion pipeline plan to import gas from Myanmar through northeast. Centre is further going to promote private investment in Tripura and else where in Northeast. The Union Minister also hinted that the centre would soon announce its decision to extend the North-East Industrial Policy, which expires in March next year, with additional benefits and incentives

Zoom into the a rare historical enclave – Pilak

Nestled in the southern fringes of Tripura, Pilak bear out the close relation between Northeast and Aarakan Civilisation, our Correspondent Ratnadeep Choudhury reports from this sleepy village about the treasure remains of timeless history.

We took three hours brisk drive from Agartala to reach Pilak, a small cornered village near Jolaibari in South Tripura's Belonia subdivision. It is rahter a sleepy hamlet which quietly treasures ancient remains of Buddhist mythology, the place not only holds the key to Tripura's ancient history, but can act as a link of the similarity between civilization of northeast to many other parts of Southeast Asia, where Buddhism has thrived for decades. As one approaches pinak, the paddy field around gives a nostalgic feel, and when one lands at the site he is bound to be mesmerized by the archeological relics that the place holds. But Pilak has never been fortunate to make a name for itself, over the past few decades this archaeological site which gives conclusive proof of the peaceful existence of Hindu-Buddhist culture spanning over 8th to 12th century, has been left away from spotlight, reasons best known to Centre and state.
This place could have easily fling Tripura on top of the country's archaeological and tourist map. Pilak, made its presence felt in the seventies with the finds of archaeological objet d'art, antiques including sandstone images mostly of Lord Buddha. Other images were that of Mahisasur Mardini, Surya Dev, Avolokiteswar. The exquisite terracotta images of Lord Buddha inscribed at Pilak is worth a sight. Although it was in the seventies that the place got recognition, but experts have opined that this enchanting place drew the attention of historians and researchers in 1927 when Samarendra Debbarma, a scion of Tripura's royal Manikya Dynasty, gave detailed references to the glorious remains of the place in his book entitled Tripura Smriti. Experts also added that German scholar Dr H.B.Beshart who spoke highly of the wealth of archaeological matters contained underground later echoed Debbarma’s views about Pilak, which is said to have close connection to Myanmar and the Arakan Civilization. But the safeguarding of these ancient relics at Pilak only started in 1973 under the initiation of the then Chief Minister of Tripura Sukhamay Sengupta.
According to archeologist, Pilak was reffered as as 'pilakko' in a stone inscription at Mruhang, which was then the capital of the old Aarakan, along the Aarakan ranges of now what we know as Myanmar. He asserted on the basis of Mog folklore and tradition of oral history that in remote past there was close cultural link between 'pilakko' and Arakan via Chittaong hill-tracts of present Bangladesh. 'The sculptural and architectural remains of Pilak closely resemble those found in the Maynamoti-Paharpur area in Comilla district. What, however, has brought Pilak into limelight afresh is the excavation of a full-sized Buddhist stupa in the 'Shyamsundar tilla' area. Explaining the importance of the newly excavated site Mr Narayan Chandra Debnath, a senior conservation assistant of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said' this is a full-size Buddhist stupa built in 11th century on the pattern of architecture during the reign of palas of Bengal '. Mr Debnath who has been in charge of the Pilak site since 1999 said the stupa had been excavated under the supervision of ASI superintendent Mr P.Kumaran since January 1999 and completed in March this year. He pointed out that the stone image of meditating Buddha found in the sanctum sanctorum of the stupa had 'very close affinity to tribal features on the mouth'. He said that Pilak archaeological site was spread over three square kms of land west of Jolaibari market area in Belonia subdivision.' The sites are known as 'Shyamsundar tilla', 'Thakurani tilla', 'Sagar doba', 'Debdaru' 'Basudebbari' around Jolaibari market' Mr Debnath added. Regarding the preservation of the site and its potential as a tourist spot Mr Thaikhai Chowhdury said the ASI had taken over the site since 1999 and its treasure trove was now under protection according to the provisions of government of India's relevant Act of 1958. He asserted that the state government had plans to develop the site for Buddhist tourists of South East Asia and other places' and for this we have submitted a project of Rs 150 crores to centre '. The centre will seek financial assistance from the government of Japan, he added. The state government has already developed the site as a tourist spot by setting up a cafetaria and providing other facilities for visitors from outside. The place also lies in a strategic location near the trijunction of Tripura, Chittagong hill-tracts of Bangladesh and present Myanmar'. 'Pilak is a treasure house of history which is just waiting to be unearthed'.