President calls for intensive research on bamboo flowering

AIZAWL - President Pratibha Patil Thursday called for intensive research into measures to deal with the bamboo flowering cycle, which usually heralds a growth in pests and loss of crops, leading to famine.

“Research should be undertaken to deal with ‘Mautam’ (famine), so that the next bamboo flowering cycle can be dealt with effectively. This would also help in bamboo cultivation and industry being developed on a sound basis,” Patil said at a civic reception programme here.

Mautam broke out in 1959 after the mountainous northeastern state of Mizoram witnessed the rare phenomenon of bamboo flowering and subsequent increase in rodent population that started emptying granaries and destroying paddy fields.

The famine in 1959 ultimately triggered the infamous terrorism by the militant outfit-turned political party Mizo National Front (MNF).

“The Peace Accord signed in 1986 between the centre and the MNF brought peace in the state. It was a historic moment when the new state was inaugurated on Feb 20, 1987 and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi participated in,” she said.

“I must congratulate the Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla for making a sacrifice which has enabled the peace accord to become a reality,” she added.

Earlier, a rousing ceremonial welcome was accorded to Patil after her arrival at the Lengpui airport near Aizawl. Governor Lt. Gen. (Rtd) M.M. Lakhera, Lal Thanhawla and Chief Secretary Van Hela Pachuau received the president at the airport.

The president would attend the sixth convocation of the Mizoram University as chief guest Friday.