Menchuka or Mechuka: Any name would look as beautiful

Jarpum Gamlin

Published in The Sentinel ARUNACHAL

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet

-William Shakespeare

Last month, one of the young Turks in the current legislative assembly, Pasang Dorjee Sona, launched a website called www.menchuka.com on his personal initiative; slight controversy came up with respect to naming of the place as either Mechuka or Menchuka, as was reported in many dailies. By any other name, this place would remain as beautiful and as sweet.

Behold! that may not be correct in case of this non-descript small town which is clamoring for an identity as tourist hot-spot. Therefore, it is important to understand the origin of the word, Menchuka. People in the know of the historical background of the town clarify that word Menchuka is in ‘Kongpo language’ spoken by the Memba tribe. It comprises of three words: ‘Men’ means medicinal’ ‘Chu’ is water and ‘Kha’ ice’, literally speaking Menchuka means ice melted water with medicinal values. It is told that in olden days, people-sick and healthy alike - from Memba tribe used to indulge in ‘water therapy’ like spa of modern days: in the bath tub carved out of wood-log, snow melted water were filled with and then maintained at usable temperature through pouring in of ‘red-hot’ boulders at regular intervals.

‘Menchuka’, a small town of couple of thousand populations is hardly fifteen kilometers of aerial distance from the nearest Chinese post, along the international boundary of McMahon Line. Nature lovers and adventure tourists who have visited the breathe-taking valleys and meadows of Menchuka, perched at 13500 feet above the seal level, vouched that staying in the place itself is like attending a session of therapies…but reaching the place is a challenge.  

“Challenges are too many in a border town with poor connectivity. All the four administrative circles - Menchuka, Monigong, Tato and Pidi - in my constituency are on my radar but we have to start somewhere,” said Pasang Dorjee Sona. To make a beginning, Pasang Dorjee exuberates confidence that Menchuka is the future tourist destination. He seems to be well within the target in saying so since it has been widely reported that Union Ministry of Tourism has already sanctioned a Convention Centre. The State Tourism Ministry too has sanctioned construction of tourist lodges here.

Taking another less treaded and unconventional approach, Pasang Dorjee is leaving no stone unturned in promoting the place with the help of unorthodox bunch of passionate bikers. Come November, North East Riders Meet (NERM’10), 2010 shall be held in Menchuka. Nabam Jose, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Arunachal Bullet Club (ABC) shared that NERM’10 shall witness more than 300 lovers of Royal Enfield Motorcycle from across three continents - America, Europe and Asia. If not for logistical constraints, there were more than 600 bikers who wish to make it to Menchuka. As per information available this event shall kick off at Itanagar on November 7 and shall culminate at Menchuka on November 16. During the intervening period, bikers shall cover a distance of 600 kilometers in 4 days. It is apparent that Menchuka may have been shackled by communication; may have been frozen in time with the approach of administrators but hereon, Menchuka would no more be stashed away from rest of the world.

Efforts to promote tourism is a positive tactical game within the larger strategic design to herald change in this geo-strategically important towns which comprises of four major tribes of Arunachal - Membas, Bokars, Ramos and Pailibos - besides sizeable presence of Tagin, another major tribe in the state. Under the leadership of young legislature Pasang, another landmark initiative was taken up on Independence Day at Menchuka. For the first time in Arunachal Pradesh, Indian Army took part in the parade and display of arms and ammunitions along with civilians. That was historic. Perhaps for the first time, civilians were explained about the nitty-gritty of various weapons deployed by Indian Army. In a state where clash between civilians and men in uniform is trickling continually from every nook and corner, such refreshing initiative in a geo-strategic location would go a long way in confidence building measure and public relations.

If dictum holds true that morning shows the day, then Menchuka is bound to make a dramatic change in days to come; and for sure, boom time for tourism is on a launch pad. What one likes best is the approach adopted by the young and fresh legislator. Deviating from customary practices of law-makers, he is attempting to make changes happen, rather than waiting for it to happen. Rest of the legislators, who are almost always armed with detailed project reports (DPRs) and are seen around in planning department, can take a cue out of Pasang’s quiver of ideas. Legislators should make things happen, not wait for it!