Defence Minister Rajnath Singh last week made an important acknowledgment by terming the people living in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh as ‘ strategic assets’. Although from the geo-political and defence points of view there can be no doubt about this fact, the argument which is sure to arise and can never be evaded is about the stark underdevelopment plaguing these regions for an incalculable period of time. In this context it’s worth recalling last week’s news about Indian Army conducting a medical camp at Taksing, a remote and tiny hamlet in the western margins of Upper Subansiri district bordering China, which has laid open certain ‘hard facts’. Taksing is not just an isolated case and in reality, the representative story of majority of border area locations in the state. Now there are lofty dreams of making Arunachal as a land bridge for South-East Asia where trade, jobs, tourism and economic opportunities will galore. This goal will always be welcomed heartily since it was an effort that should have been undertaken at least two decades earlier. Now, at this juncture, throwing aside the jargons of economics and relying entirely on logic and common sense, it must be said that the above heavyweight macro plans can only be realistically attained if the micro level necessities of the state in general and border pockets in particular are paid immediate attention.

It will always cause mental discomfort if one learns about the ‘state of existence’ of the marginalised people of these border fringes, even compelling to come to the conclusion that it’s really nothing but mockery of development. To take Taksing for example, the place has got no medical setup for its people and the nearest health centre which only delivers basic services (better to forget about emergency facilities) is a solid 125 km away at Nacho and Indian Army’s makeshift health camps are the only rays of hope. As this has been the normal state of affairs for decades and as very little had been done to reverse this unsettling picture, it must now be taken note by the people officially designated to take care of this particular and all such similar distressing tales. Connectivity, health, education, water, electricity, ration and all other basics necessary for sustenance of human life with dignity must feature higher in the priority listing. Without these, the larger socio-economic goals may turn out to be ‘miscarriages’.

Border area people of Arunachal and their fierce patriotism are real assets for the nation which had been proved true on endless occasions, Indo-China war being the most bright example. And their patriotism haven’t depreciated an inch even after such prolonged hardships. If it isn’t the time to efface their deprivations, when will it be?

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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