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| Assam forest minister Pradyut Bordoloi interacts with the participants of a bicycle expedition, organised as part of the centenary celebrations of Kaziranga National Park, at Guwahati zoo recently. The expedition started from Guwahati and will finish at the park. Picture by UB Photos |
Can education cure the age-old disease of superstition? Not always. The proud state of Mizoram, which has the second highest literacy rate in India, is still haunted by superstition.
This startling fact came to light during a study conducted by Science Teachers? Association of Mizoram (STAM) recently.
?The people, not only in the villages but also in the urban areas, still believe in superstitions. We discovered many unscientific attitudes and customs prevalent among them like belief in ghosts, improper use of medicinal plants, archaic methods of cultivation and hunting. The problem is acute in the state?s southern parts,? STAM president Lalchandama said.
The president, who was actively involved in conducting the survey last year, said, ?We all know that modern medicines yield better results, but most of the Mizo villages still believe in taking herbal medicines for cure.?
During its tour, the STAM team was surprised to find that a 40-year-old doctor had prevented his wife from applying mehendi on her hair, fearing that she might deliver a redhead. In Mizoram, many marriages take place in September because the people believe that then their souls will go straight to pialral (heaven) after death. This is practised even in the urban areas of the state.
The STAM has formed a district-level co-ordination committee to create awareness among people about the scientific methods of living. As part of the drive, the co-ordination committee will organise a science rally in March. The committee will spend Rs 8 lakh in the entire campaign.
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| Jatin Bora |
From the stage to the silver screen to the small screen and then back to the stage. Popular actor Jatin Bora has straddled both media with equal ease, dishing out some memorable performances during his eventful career. Now, the veteran of nearly 35 films has decided to step behind the camera.
Film industry sources said Bora, the hero of hits like Bhabendranath Saikia?s Kalsandhya and Munin Baruah?s Hiya Diya Niya, is set to start work on his yet-to-be-named maiden directorial venture by June. Based on a story by Munin Baruah, the film?s music will be created by Zubeen Garg. Needless to say, Jatin Bora will also play the lead in the film, which will be shot in various locations in Upper and Lower Assam.
Though Bora had signed up for a leading mobile theatre group, Ashirbaad Theatre, for 2005-2006, industry sources said the actor has changed his decision in view of the crisis faced by the film industry in Assam.
Speaking of the film industry in the state and the bad times it is going through, recent figures released by a trade organisation show that no less than 33 halls have been closed down since militants imposed a ban on the screening of Hindi movies.
Amid the chanting of prayers and dance performances, a large number of people belonging to the Meghalaya?s indigenous faith participated in the annual pilgrimage to the Lum Sohpetbneng peak recently. The peak is the spiritual centre of the people of Khasi and Jaintia hills.
The ceremony began with prayers at the foot of the peak in the wee hours. The main rituals and religious rites at the sanctum sanctorum on the peak lasted till evening. Huge crowds from Ri Bhoi district, East and West Khasi Hills and Jaintia hills took part in the pilgrimage.
The pilgrims prayed for god?s blessings for a bountiful crop and also for the peace and prosperity of every family.
?It is not just about our well being. The pilgrimage is our way to show respect to the different elements of nature. Therefore, the mountains, nature?s tallest creations, are greatly revered by the Khasi and Jaintia people,? said Ester Rupa Sahujyrwah, resident of Ri Bhoi district.
Ten Mizoram MLAs were left twiddling their thumbs on Tuesday when a workshop they were supposed to attend was postponed without prior information. A sensitisation workshop on tobacco control for legislators was scheduled for 11 am at the information and public relations auditorium in Aizawl and 10 MLAs turned up on time. However, when they found that there were no signs of a workshop, the bewildered MLAs called up principal secretary Vanhela?s office. They were told that the workshop had been postponed because of a council of ministers? meeting.
Zodintluanga, a Congress legislator who was part of the group, said he was informed about the postponement only at 3.30 pm. The bewildered group, including Opposition leader Lalthanhawla, later learnt that the workshop had been rescheduled for February 15.
The country?s last frontier is slowly opening up to the outside world. Arunachal Pradesh, also described as Shangrila, may soon ease travel rules under the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Protected Area Permit (PAP). Since the time of its formation, the state has never allowed anybody, apart from the natives of the state, to cross its boundaries without a RAP and PAP.
However, the state government, keen to attract more tourists to the state, has appealed to the Centre for relaxation of the RAP and PAP and to extend the validity for such permits from 10 to 45 days. Union tourism secretary Uma Pillai, who attended the northeastern tourism directors, secretaries and commissioners? conference at Kaziranga recently, said the matter would be given top priority. Some of the best locales in the country are found in Arunachal Pradesh, but they still need exposure to the outside world. Besides natural beauty, the state also has an abundance of wildlife.
The natural beauty of the state was best captured in the Bollywood pot-boiler, Koyla, by Rakesh Roshan, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit.
