ARUNACHAL has reason to feel proud. Moji Riba, probably the first filmmaker from the state, has been chosen to screen two of his films in four venues in London, including the British Museum, later this month. Both the films are based on different aspects of tribal life. Prayers for New Gods is an exploration of the indigenous religions of the tribal people, who have developed a set of animistic beliefs and practices. The second film, Between God and Me portrays the relevance of the nyibo (priest) — the intermediary between the living and spirit world.Monkey Trouble at Tezpur Air BaseAT the Tezpur Indian Air Force (IAF) station, residents are having a difficult time keeping out monkeys. Even barbed wire fences are failing to stop the monkeys, which are reported to have strayed out of the fast-depleting Goroimari reserve forest near the Assam-Arunachal border. The only option is to keep all doors and windows closed. Thankfully, the monkeys have not got anywhere near the advanced fighter planes so far.Hope Blooms as Flowers Replace GunsGUNS and roses — it may seem like an unlikely mix but that is what seems to be happening in Nagaland. Even as the government negotiates with the underground outfit, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), for a peaceful settlement to the decades-old separatist struggle, a silent movement is on to wean the youth away from guns — towards flowers. And spearheading the move is Abou Khruomo, a student of Bachelor of Business Administration from Kohima, who has projected floriculture as a an economically viable option to the state’s increasing number of educated unemployed youths.Now, a Dress Code for Manipuri GirlsIT has nothing to do with fashion. Girl students of colleges in Imphal are opting for the traditional Manipuri dress — the expensive, hand-woven phanek — following an order issued by the KYKL, an outlawed group. While the girls may not be happy with the new dress code, college authorities are reportedly pleased as they have seeking this for a long time now.
