“Detection of dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the circulating CD271 positive cells of patient suffering from latent tuberculosis”

Author and study design : Bikul Das, MBBS, PhD, Stanford University, California

Study Investigator in Assam : Dr Deepjyoti Kalita, MBBS, MD, Department of Microbiology, Guwahati Medical College

Study Investigator in Roing : Dr. Ista Pulu Gynecologist & Superintendent of District Hospital and Dr. J. Mitapo, Medical Officer, District Medical Hospital, Roing. Both of them are the Executive members of RIWATCH, Roing, Ar. Pr.

It was a giant step for RIWATCH to have association with Stanford University California. Dr. Bikul Das, who hails from Assam but now leading a 15 doctors team in Cancer Research is a leading research scientist in Stanford University, California. His research on the above subject has been one of the 10 top research projects selected by the Stanford University and funded by Bill Gates foundation.

For his research, he wanted to have a homogeneous community from a remote region which is highly affected with chronic bronchitis. Arunachal being 100% tribal population with 110 different communities is one of the best places for such researches. The RIWATCH campus and its’ Department of Himalayan Herbs and Ethnic Medicine provided the required platform and facilitation. He found RIWATCH campus is quite suitable to study “how the herbal and ethnic medicine help strengthen the Stem Cells so that they will not harbor the bronchitis cells”. We selected the “Idu-Mishmi” community which has only 14000 population.

It was a unique lab with latest equipments for research and study. The entire Medical department and doctors from the District Hospital curiously visited the lab. They highly appreciated the efforts of RIWATCH for providing them an opportunity to interact with world class medical professional. Dr. Bikul Das delivered a talk in front of the 20 Medical professionals of the area which was also attended by District Medical Officer and Superintendent of Police.

About 60 patients from four interior villages were screened. A young girl from Denlo Village, studying in class VI, who lost her parents and brother due to chronic bronchitis, was found suffering from the same for the last 5 years. Seeing the plight of hers, Dr. Bikul Das arranged for free medical services at GMC Guwahati and contributed Rs. 10,000/- for her medical treatment. The research lab also provided and employment of two Arunachali youths to work in the lab as lab assistant for the next six years.

Foundation stone for RIWATCH campus at Roing laid
Indigenous languages need to be documented: Governor

ITANAGAR, Nov 7: To have a better understanding of the richness of age-old cultural assets of any region or state, it is very important that we initiate comparative and cross cultural studies of ethnic societies and I trust, once established, this institute will be the flag bearer of such endeavours covering different countries, and also with that of India in general, and north east in particular, said Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh, while laying the foundation stone of the proposed campus of Research Institute of World’s ancient traditions Cultures & Heritage at Iduli Village, near Roing in Lower Dibang Valley today. Noting that the institute will be providing professional guidance and facilitate research works, Gen Singh pointed student exchange programme will definitely help in enriching the quality efforts of the objective behind establishment of the institution.

MP Mukut Mithi, local MLA Laeta Umbrey, Deputy Commissioner Y W Ringu and SP Tojo Karga along with district heads of department were present on the occasion along with public and RIWATCH members.

Terming the establishment as historical step, the Governor expressed his hope that under the leadership of prominent academicians of the state, well wishers and enthusiastic research scholars, it will excel in its endeavours.

The Governor, who always advocates for preservation of indigenous dialect said, you have a huge canvas to work on and languages should be another area we need to do a lot. As I always said, to preserve our heritage, our mother tongue plays a strong role. As most of the tribes do not have written scripts, the indigenous language of each tribe needs to be documented. We need to collect and analyze information that can be used to draft a manuscript about the Tribe, including primary resources and oral histories.
 Make videotape of the tribal elders pronouncing vocabulary words for the dictionary and sets of conversations. Through your work the concerned tribe can gain knowledge of their Tribe’s history and ancestry, which I found very important in this part of the country, he stressed.

Another very wide subject is the studies on the Himalayan herbs and ethnic medicines. The age-old practices in this field by the indigenous people are very effective, authentic and organic. No contamination and no side-effect, Gen Singh said.

Recalling his earlier stint as Army Officer in the area, the Governor, who always is concerned about the environment and who have seen greenery at its heights some 27-28 years ago, appealed to the people of Roing, especially my Goan Burahs and Panchayat leaders for the preservation of the forests, the flora and fauna.  The day, this pristine nature is lost, we will also lose our identity and we cannot allow this to happen, he pointed. Governor also educated the villagers on organic farming and on sanitation.

Congratulating the RIWATCH society, Roing and the International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS), USA for the important initiative, he felt it will have immense impact in the carrying forwards of our treasured age-old tradition, culture and heritage, the Governor appreciated Rajya Sabha MP Mukut Mithi, MLAs Laeta Umbrey and Jamin Tayeng for their political leadership and Dr. Zoram Begi, Director Higher and Technical Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Somu Linggi and Shri Vijay Swami for their personal contributions in realizing the necessity for such an institution at the present location in the State.

The Governor also congratulated villagers of Iduli village led by Dature Miuli for their far-slightness of and their concern on the preservation of the tradition, culture and heritage. On behalf of all the likeminded people of the State, Nation and the world, I would like to convey our highest appreciation to Dature Miuli for donating such a vast and beautiful land free of cost to the society. Your name will always be written in golden letters for such a benevolent step, Gen Singh stated.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President of International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS), USA and representing the organization, Janardan Bhatt said, the institute aims to bring different ethenic groups and learn about them so that they do not wipe out due to on-slot of modern civilization. Bhatt, who is visiting Arunachal Pradesh for the first time said, people are losing their origin culture and this project has been established to counter it and expressed his hope that it come up with World repute.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries to the proposed campus, RIWATCH Executive Director Vijay Swami gave a brief on the background of the organization and its objectives. He informed that RIWATCH is an Affiliated unit of International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS), Pennsylvania, USA. The basic objective of RIWATCH is to cater to the needs of research scholars in studying different ethnic groups of North east India and initiate comparative and cross cultural studies of various ethnic groups of different countries with that of India in general and north east India in particular.  It will also facilitate young scholars from North east India to have opportunities of cross cultural studies in foreign countries and vice versa.  This will ultimately result in Scholar Exchange Programmes with different higher educational institutions of the world. Swami added Dature Miuli of Iduli Village has donated 10 hectors of land, free of cost for the proposed campus. RIWATCH member and social worker Sumo Linggi also spoke on the occasion.

Chairman, RIWATCH, Dr. Zoram Begi, Director Higher and Technical Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, who could not attend the programme in his message said, it is a unique initiative in cultural research to provide a platform for inter-cultural; studies for the scholars from the north east and to link them up with similar academic research centres from all over the world. He also expressed his confident that the institute will be making a path-breaking contribution to the educational environment of the NE region.

In his message, Advisor, RIWATCH, Swami Vishwatmananda, secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Itanagar said, it is a good fortune for entire Arunachalee society that the instate is being set up with the active patronage of ICCS, US and several intellectuals and spirited public leaders of Dibang Valley. And it is further befitting that a great friend of Arunachali people, Gen JJ Singh, the Governor is laying the foundation stone of the capus, he pointed.

Earlier, on his arrival to the district headquarter, he was received at the helipad by the MP Mukut Mithi, local MLA Laeta Umbrey, Deputy Commissioner Y W Ringu and SP Tojo Karga along with district heads of department and general public. A traditional reception by the cultural troupes and Guard Honour by the APP was accorded to the Governor.  PRO to Governor

I congratulate the RIWATCH society, Roing and the International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA for such an important initiative, which will have immense impact in the carrying forwards of our treasured age-old tradition, culture and heritage. My appreciation goes to political leadership of the area, our Rajya Sabha MP Shir Mukut Mithi ji, our MLAs Shri Laeta Umbrey and Shri Jamin Tayeng. I also would like to place on record my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Zoram Begi, Director Higher and Technical Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Somu Linggi and Shri Vijay Swami for their personal contributions in realizing the necessity for such an institution at the present location in the State.

I congratulate the far-slightness of villagers of Iduli village led by Shri Dature Miuli and their concern on the preservation of our tradition, culture and heritage. On behalf of all the likeminded people of the State, Nation and the world, I would like to convey our highest appreciation to Shri Miuli for donating such a vast and beautiful land free of cost to the society. Your name will always be written in golden letters for such a benevolent step.
Friends, to have a better understanding of the richness of age-old cultural assets of any region or state, it is very important that we initiate comparative and cross cultural studies of ethnic societies. And I trust, once established, this institute will be the flag bearer of such endeavours covering different countries, and also with that of India in general, and north east in particular.

I am happy to note that it will be providing professional guidance and facilitate research works. Student exchange programme will definitely help in enriching the quality efforts of the objective behind establishment of the institution. I am sure, under the leadership of prominent academicians of the state, well wishers and enthusiastic research scholars, it will excel in its endeavours.

Well, you have a huge canvas to work on. Languages should be another area we need to do a lot. As I always said, to preserve our heritage, our mother tongue plays a strong role. As most of the tribes do not have written scripts, the indigenous language of each tribe needs to be documented. We need to collect and analyze information that can be used to draft a manuscript about the Tribe, including primary resources and oral histories. It will be exciting. Make videotape of the tribal elders pronouncing vocabulary words for the dictionary and sets of conversations. Through your work the concerned tribe can gain knowledge of their Tribe’s history and ancestry, which I found very important in this part of the country.

Another very wide subject is the studies on the Himalayan herbs and ethnic medicines. The age-old practices in this field by the indigenous people are very effective, authentic and organic. No contamination and no side- effect. I, myself have sent a pack of ‘Mishmi Teetha’ to the President of India.
Mishmi Teeta is a temperate herb, also known as Coptis Teeta, Golden thread and Mameer. The roots have alternative and stimulant properties. It is useful in cancer, dyspepsia and skin diseases. Propagation is mainly by seeds. The tribes of Arunachal Pradesh use medicines from this herb for all kinds of diseases.
Friends, it is never too late to start. There is an urgent need for documentation of such traditional knowledge, or else it will be lost for ever. I hope, this institute will not allow this to happen. We have ‘the will to work’ of our young scholars and officials and also the much needed political will, here with us. I am confident, we will rise to the expectations of the people and the scholastic community.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to appeal to the beloved people of Roing, especially my Goan Burahs and Panchayat leaders for the preservation of the forests, the flora and fauna. The day, this pristine nature is lost, we will also lose our identity and we cannot allow this to happen.
Before I conclude, I once again thank the RIWATCH society, Roing for inviting me and giving me the privilege to lay the foundation stone and also to all those who worked behind the scene in facilitating my visit here; the district administration and the people of Roing.
Thank you very much. Jai Hind. Jai Arunachal.”

Governor of Arunachal Pradesh General JJ Singh, PVSM, AVSM,VSM (RETD),
on the occasion of laying foundation stone of RIWATH at iduli village on 07 Nov, 2009