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Journalism of Courage
Time and again,we hear a cry of anguish from Arunachal Pradesh,transmitted to New Delhi via a minister from the state,sometimes even the chief minister. The latest has been from Arunachals finance and planning minister,Kalikho Pul,who has cautioned the Union government against a Kargil-like situation in the state. The ostensible reason is the persistent fear of Chinas claims over Arunachal,with the minister saying the Chinese marked territory on rocks inside the state. Rapid Chinese infrastructure development across the border on the
Tibetan plateau has sharpened Arunachals picture of deprivation. The Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region DoNER has brought Central attention to the Northeast; but despite the government working to develop the region,the Northeast has always needed so much work,and in earnest,that Delhi has had a tough job keeping up. It certainly has been no match for China in developing border infrastructure largely a failure of its political will.
As for Arunachal again,the home ministry has wisely relaxed some of the protected area regime to encourage tourism,and the Centre is now set to launch a programme promoting youth activities,to which the prime minister has given his consent.
Arunachal,underdeveloped as it is,also has a lot to give. The hydel projects,which the environment ministry had carelessly called for a moratorium on,are necessary not only for the states prosperity and integration but also for the development of the entire Northeast. In the end,the concern is less about China than Indias capacity to develop its own border regions. In Arunachal,the Union government must keep in mind the larger geopolitical and humanitarian picture.
