UAE-Israel Ties: Bonding Or Betrayal?

Appreciations poured in from all over the world when the UAE and Israel leaving aside their decade old differences finally decided to normalize their diplomatic relations. The US-brokered attempt to normalize the ties, promises for a formal peace between both the countries, which have never been at war. Accordingly, an agreement was established which would initiate full bilateral ties between both the countries, including the opening of embassies, direct flights and many more. This Agreement further states that Israel will back off from the annexation of the Palestinian lands in the West Bank. Nevertheless, the new found friendship did not go down well with the Palestinians who have been in conflict with Israel for a long time. While the bonding between the two countries is set to flourish, the Palestinian leadership has described the move as a betrayal. Mumeninaz Zaman explores more.

Custodial Deaths In Tripura : Time To Worry

On June 24, this year the opposition party of Tripura, CPI-M demanded a judicial inquiry into the four custodial deaths which happened over a period of the last eight months in the state. This is not the first time that opposition parties in the state have raised such a demand. In January this year, both CPI (M) and Congress had demanded a judicial probe into the custodial death of a 38-year-old undertrial, who was found hanging in West Agartala Police Station. Unfortunately, Tripura has made it to the media headlines for incidents like custodial death in the state. Northeast Today writes

In Search Of Covid Vaccine

Smallpox is believed to be the first infected disease in the earliest agrarian habitats on our earth. The devastating disease affected all races and regions of the world killing 3 out of every 10 people who were infected. Description of smallpox was reflected in ancient Sanskrit literature (300 BC) and believed to have originated from India or Egypt during 3000 BC. The first vaccine (Smallpox) was discovered in 1798 by English doctor Edward Jenner. However, Louis Pasteur is remembered for his remarkable breakthrough (first laboratory vaccine, 1879) for discoveries of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation and pasteurization.

NAGA PEACE ACCORD AND THE KUKIS: A HOLISTIC SOLUTION IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD

The Naga peace talks, after going past the October 31, 2019 deadline set by the Government, has recently witnessed renewed efforts to clinch the final deal on the accord signed between the Naga rebels and GOI on 3rd August 2018. Amid talks of finalising the agreement, the NSCN IM in a scathing attack to the interlocutor Mr. N Ravi, had released a Press Statement, accusing N. Ravi, who is also the Governor of Nagaland, of branding the Naga issue as just a ‘law and order' issue, among others.

EIA NOT WELCOMED IN MEGHALAYA

The Northeastern state of Meghalaya has been a very sensitive state when it comes to environmental issues and conflicts. The state covers an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometers and is the wettest region of India, recording an average of 12,000 mm (470 in) of rain a year. Moreover, about 70% of the state is covered by forest, which can be termed as a unique location. The Meghalaya subtropical forests and ecoregion encompasses the state; its mountain forests are distinct from the lowland tropical forests to the north and south. The forests are notable for their biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants. Unfortunately, despite having such a rich environmental background, Meghalaya has faced some of the biggest environmental and ecological challenges including deforestation and climate change in the recent past. Northeast Today writes

FOLLOW YOUR HEART!

Did you know that September 29 is recognised as the World Heart Day and taking the opportunity of the occasion, I decided to share some facts on Heart-health this month. My paramount intention in writing this is not to dive deep into the elements of cardiovascular health but to bring into light some basic awareness about it.

EIA 2020 AND NORTHEAST INDIA

Over the past few months the unexplored paradise has faced some grave environmental consequences. Floods, landslides, earthquakes has been an annual affair, adding to its woes is the Baghjan oil well blowout and then the pandemic. At a time when the region was facing various crisis amid crisis, came the Government’s decision regarding the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 2020. There is no denying the fact that with the advent of the industrial revolution, the need for economic development has touched every sphere of life. Eventually, the economic priorities have engulfed the need for conservation, thereby affecting lives, livelihood and the environment. Northeast Today writes

EIA ACT AND REALITY

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important process for evaluating the likely environmental impact of a proposed project. It is a process whereby people’s views are taken into consideration for granting final approval to any developmental project or activity. It is, basically, a decision-making tool to decide whether the project should be approved or not. According to the government, the new notification of EIA Act 2020 is being brought in order to make the process more transparent and expedient by the implementation of an online system, further delegation, rationalization and standardization of the process. However, the environmentalist said that the draft will further dilute the EIA process.

Cultures and indigenous beliefs of Koch tribe

The Koch language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family, which is surrounded with a linguistic diversity. Koch tribe has eight sub-tribes they are Harigaya or Songa, Tintikiya, Wanang, Banai or Dasgaya, Chapra, Satparia, Sankar and Kocha. Each sub tribe has their own dialect. But there are a lot of similarity found among them. The Koch people are one of the ancient tribe of India. They are mentioned in Rig Veda, Purana's, Yogni tantras and also in the great epic, Mahabharata.

ARUNACHAL STEPS UP TO PROTECT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

The ruling government in Arunachal Pradesh recently came under the scanner when the Mon Autonomous Region Demand Committee (MARDC) reiterated its clarion call for the Mon Autonomous Region. Various civil society organizations and students' association were vocal against the demand, which, according to them would impact other communities and initiate division among the tribes of the state. The state government led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu has been widely criticized for its alignment towards a particular community and the resignation of the CM was also demanded. However, the state government in consultation with various groups is now vouching for the implementation of Sixth Schedule in the state, following which the state Assembly on August 27, passed a resolution to include the frontier state in the Sixth Schedule of Constitution and amend Article 371 (H) to protect the rights of its indigenous population. From the recent development, it can be assumed that the state is in the process of decentralization of power and empowering various tribes and communities in the state. Northeast Today reports

Embankments : Boon Or Curse?

Because of the enormity of losses and sufferings caused by flood and erosion over a period of last few decades, both these problems are considered the most crucial problems affecting the state of Assam, particularly in the Brahmaputra Valley.

Working On Strategies To Revive The Economy

Battling the Covid pandemic amidst major landslides and heavy rainfall, the ruling Sikkim state government of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), which is led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, is working on strategies to revive the economy and to get the state back on the track at the earliest.

Who Will Hear The Misery Of The Working Classes?

On 9th of November, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi banned the then prevailing five hundred and one thousand notes and thus announced demonetization.

WHY THE IDEA OF RESERVATION WITHIN RESERVATION FOR NORTH- EASTERN STs MAKES SENSE!

The just declared UPSC 2019 results have seen a particular ST community outside the North-Eastern region grabbing nearly 40% of the total ST seats reserved.

PILATES FOR FITNESS

We have a lot of options these days for staying fit.

NEPAL SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO SUPERPOWERS

Nepal and India have shared a unique bond as neighbouring countries. Both the countries have an open border, allowing for free flow of goods, services, technology and people. However, the emerging territorial, political and diplomatic disputes have strained the relation. On the other hand, Nepal's flourishing relation with China has troubled India after both the superpowers recently engaged in a rift in Galwan Valley, Ladakh. With domestic political conflicts, within the country, Nepal seems to be sandwiched between the two Asian giants.

EXPLORING WAYS TO ATTRACT TOURIST

As the Government of India has announced the Phase 3 of the Unlock process in India- all the states are working towards opening up and thereby reviving the economy in their respective states. Arunachal Pradesh, which has a strong tourism-based economy is exploring ways to attract tourist to the state.

INDIA-BANGLADESH WATERWAYS TO BOOST TRIPURA'S ECONOMY

In a historic move the Tripura Government on July 23 received the first consignment of goods under the India-Bangladesh Coastal Agreement 2018. This initiative was launched under the Agreement on the use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for the movement of India’s transit cargo through Bangladesh. Even though it will boost the economy of both the countries, the opening of the sea trade routes would immensely benefit Tripura and other North-Eastern states. Northeast Today writes.

DEHING PATKAI AMAZON OF THE EAST

TWO SIDES OF THE STORY

Books Among the Ruins

”A room without books is like a body without a soul.” - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Let's Talk About Mental Health

Mental health has become the talk of the day especially on social media platforms, right after the demise of the actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

The Killing of Jayanta Bora: Present is a reminder of the past

Extra judicial killing is not new in Northeast India.

SOCIAL MEDIA; A DOUBLEEDGED SWORD IN OUR HANDS!

The ban on the likes of TikTok notwithstanding, social media is only expected to grow bigger in the future. Post lockdown, Social Media has emerged as the only platform where one can feel the presence of people around them as well as those far away, through images, notes of thoughts, and videos. T S Haokip writes.

INDIA-CHINA SKIRMISH: FISTFIGHTS TO ‘DIGITAL STRIKE'

The long-standing dispute in the Himalayan region between the two nuclear enabled countries has seen many a scuffle since the 1962, Sino-India war. The recent face-off at Galwan Valley resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers, however, the casualty on the Chinese side cannot be confirmed. While China is known for its territory grabbing techniques, India sent out a clear signal to the Red Dragon by conducting a ‘Digital Strike’ that it won’t tolerate any encroachment on its territory. Mumeninaz Zaman delves deeper into the exchange of tit for tat between India and China.

WANT OF POLICE REFORMATION IN INDIA

After the tragic incident at Minneapolis of United States of America, on May 25 where one AfroAmerican person named George Floyd was killed as a result of police atrocity in custody has globally raised many questions regarding police accountability.

‘ANTHROPOCENTRISM' OVER ‘ECOCENTRISM' AT BAGHJAN

The origin of the feral horses of Dibru Saikhowa National Park (DSNP) dates back to the 1940s when Assam was a major base for the allied forces in the SouthAsian theatre of World War II.

WORKING YOUR MIND !!!

The COVID-19 situation has given a rising toll to emotional problems for various reasons- loss of jobs; shutdown of businesses, financial deterioration, reduction in physical activities, etc.

ONE YEAR OF PEMA 2.0 : Rising in the land of the Rising Sun

At the onset of the completion of one year of the second term of Pema Khandu led government in Arunachal Pradesh, a plethora of schemes and programmes were launched. While on one hand, the government has tactfully implemented the Inner Line Permit in the state in the wake of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), it has also faced the wrath of COVID-19. Northeast Today delves deeper into the year passed by to bring forth the rising of the Khandu government in the Land of the Rising Sun.

THE INTERPLAY OF FOOD, IDENTITY AND RACISM IN 'AXONE'

The arrival of Kharkhonger's Axone on Netflix is aptly timed when the country is witnessing a new breed of racism towards the people of North East India.

BAGHJAN OIL WELL CRISIS FROM DAMAGING THE ECOSYSTEM TO FAILURE IN CONTROLLING THE DAMAGE

Well number 5 of Baghjan Oil Field in Tinsukia District of Assam, has been in the news for quite some time. The blowout of the oil well followed by an inferno has threatened the ecosystem and its endangered species, left many homeless and claimed two lives. From creating a grave consequence for the environment and human habitat in the nearby areas of the oil field to the technical lapses on the part of Oil India Limited (OIL), the incident has left many questions unanswered. Mumeninaz Zaman looks back at the entire episode of the Baghjan oil well crisis.