G plus volume 1 issue 3 by G Plus

VOL 1 | ISSUE 3 | OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

`10 ges 24 Pa

POWER TARIFF HIKE

Freida Pinto

Catching Up, Pg 24

Stripping for Mars

PG O2

How to save a broken marriage?

Unfair and insensitive increase in proposed power tariff irks common man.

PG 10

Chic for wo

PG 15

PG O4

Can Guwahati combat illegal adoption?

TEA CAUGHT IN A LEAF STORM PG O7

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GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Lead story

POWER TARIFF HIKE

Unfair and insensitive increase in proposed power tariff irks common man. G PLUS FEATURE

he entire state of Assam is now waiting to hear the formal announcement of the hike in power tariff proposed by the Assam Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APDCL). Though, in its last public hearing held at the Sarusajai stadium, the Assam electricity regulatory commission (AERC) had withheld the decision of a new hike in power tariff, it had made its intention clear that eventually, the common public would have to accept the new tariff. A lot of repercussions regarding the issue of power tariff hike has been ongoing on behalf of the various organisations and individuals as soon as the APDCL submitted a tariff revision proposal to the AERC. The public is demanding not to impose any hike on the power tariff at any cost against the present scenario of poor power supply to the households and business establishments.

Pros and cons Every year, the APDCL, like its successor the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB), has been hiking the power tariff in the name of high cost of production, low supply of power from outside the state and other factors. But, there are various other aspects which have been hindering the performance of APDCL, which in turn, has been creating severe power crisis and forcing the consumers to live in the dark even after paying huge amounts of tariff for their supply of electricity. According to the allegations made by the CLPF (Consumer legal protection forum), there is huge discrimination going on in collecting power tariff between the common consumers and the State government, which must be stopped immediately. “The Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) and its successors serve monthly energy consumption bills to over 25 lakh non-state government consumers. But, why should the state government connections, throughout the

APDCL serves monthly energy consumption bills to 25 lakh non-government consumers Collection of revenues by APDCL per month

`225 crore

Total monthly expenditure by APDCL per month

`300 crore Losses incurred by APDCL per month

`75 crore

state, be exempted from this lawful practice and in an unfair way, be content by accepting a lump–sum amount without caring for the actual power consumption by the government connections? The ASEB and its successors are serving its masters at the cost of the general consumer by accepting fixed monthly amounts against unmeasured consumption of power by the government throughout the State,” the chief coordinator of CLPF and secretary of the Federation of North Eastern Consumer Organisations (FNECO) Ajoy Hazarika said. The CLPF further said that in the last few years, for various infrastructure expansions as well as new electrical equipment and gadgets, the government consumption have shot up many times over. “Contrary to the provision of Electricity Act, 2003, ASEB and its successors are accepting a fixed amount of electricity charges centrally from the State Government year after year. This lump–sum amount ridiculously includes both ‘fixed charges’ as well as ‘energy charges’ which is substantially low. Even now, various departments and organizations of state government have dues of approximately Rs 58.27 crore in the name of power tariff,” Hazarika said. J N Khataniar, a consultant engineer, who has been opposing the hike in power tariff and who has almost singlehandedly been fighting for the rights of the consumers, too raised concern over the violation of the provision of Electricity Act, 2003. “As per the 64 (3) clause of Electricity Act, 2003, the commission shall settle the petition of a tariff order within 120 days from receipt of an application and after considering all the suggestions and objections received from the public. But, the earlier petition for tariff proposal (2010-13) was settled within 465 days instead of 120 days. The current tariff proposal for 2013-16 was submitted by the power companies on 1st of February of this year. But, even after 7 months, the matter has not been solved yet,” Khataniar said.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Lead story

Khataniar, who was present at the two-day long public hearing meeting held on the issue of power tariff hike on last September, also questioned the concerned authority in regards to mismanagement. “In the month of August this year, the power minister himself had stated that only 11 lakh households of the state had power connectivity in the year 2010 and during the last three years, 16 lakh new households have been provided with electricity supply. But, only 18% of the tariffs from the newly connected 16 lakh households have been realised, while 82% of the revenue has not been collected for some reason or other,” Khataniar stated. While lashing out at the APDCL for such gross mismanagement, Khataniar had raised concern over the very existence of APDCL. “For this type of gross mismanagement on the part of APDCL, are we, the regular payers of electricity charges, responsible to compensate the loss incurred by the power companies?” he questioned. Calculating the loss incurred by APDCL, the consultant engineer said that the power distribution company had collected revenues of Rs 225 crores against a total monthly expenditure of Rs 300 crore, resulting in a gap of Rs 75 crore per month and annual loss of Rs 900 crore. “After fixing different electricity charges for different categories, how can a lump sum amount of Rs 6 crores of monthly electricity every month be realised against all government organisations spread all over the state without proper billing and metering for years? If the government establishments are paying Rs 6 crore against their consumption of electricity, the remaining amount of Rs 219 crore (out of Rs 225 crore) are being collected from the normal consumers. It is total injustice meted out to to the common consumers,” Mr J.N. Khataniar expressed vehemently.

Propositions There is no doubt that it is high time for the government to chalk out a clear strategy to mitigate the power crisis of the state without imposing further load on the shoulders of the common consumers. In a bid to provide uninterrupted power supply to the consumers of the state, the concerned sections of the society have provided some of the suggestions to the APDCL. Asking the government to measure the actual connected load of all the government establishments, Khataniar said, “A correct picture of actual connected load of all government establishments, as on date, based on spot verification and a statement of power tariff already recovered from the government establishments should be made public. Even, the concerned authority does not know the connected load of the government establishments” Among the suggestions given by Khataniar, he proposed that reviving the power scenario of the state, billing the government establishments as the common consumers are and to collect and recover the corrected revenue from all the government establishments following the norms of AERC would be a step forward. “If the APDCL follows the guidelines provided by AERC in terms of collecting power tariff, the commercial and other unknown losses shall be reduced drastically. All the three power companies will become profit-oriented organisations and could even possibly think of reducing the present tariff rates. I am hopeful that the newly appointed chairman of AERC will consider my suggestions and bring good news to the lakhs of consumers of the state,” Khatoniar appealed. Moreover, the Asom Bidyut Grahak Adhikar Suraksha Mancha had recently submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister opposing any hike in power tariff. The Mancha also demanded a CBI inquiry into the corruption in power sector companies and punish to those responsible for such incidents. It also demanded reconstitution of the Electricity Board for management of the power utilities and swift implementation of power projects to reduce the power deficit in the State. The Mancha also called upon the Chief Minister to prohibit use of franchisees of other private contractors in collection of electricity bill and also came out against any privatisation of the power sector. The members of KMSS (Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti) have also opposed further hike in power tariff and asked the government to provide subsidy to the power sector. In one of its first issues, G PLUS had published a feature on the proposed power hike wherein it had asked an official about the reasons behind the hike. Obviously, they cited higher cost of production and general increase in rates as the factors. But then, if the above arguments are to be believed, then it is high time, the authorities brought in some semblance of normalisation and standardisation into the whole process. The common public can be taxed no longer and with impending elections, the decision to hike might not be a favourable move.

Losses incurred by APDCL per annum

`900 crore A lump-sum of `6 crore per month is collected from all the government organisations across the state against consumption of higher value

`219 crore

So, remaining (out of 225 crore) is collected from the general consumers

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

G-View

Can Guwahati combat illegal adoption? Rahul Chanda

Homeless children preparing for a prayer meet at Matri Mandir

Adoptive parents are expected to prepare all the relevant documents and provide the following information

ith the number of childless parents increasing due to various factors in Guwahati, people are looking to attain parenthood by other means. Although there are various medical and scientific methods, which helps people successfully attain pregnancy, people have now also started to accept and opt to adopt children from orphanages or government registered agencies. On the contrary, there is also an increase in the rate of abandoned children and illegal adoption as well. The illegal adoption racket is big but because of the lack of evidence, it is difficult for the administration or the NGOs to curb the nuisances, which happen for various money making reasons. Recently, I visited the Guwahati Railway Station for a story and saw some small kids begging but then quite a few of them had rolled pieces of cloth in their hands – sniffing adhesives. Suddenly, they started fighting among each other and one boy unsheathed a stainless blade and started threatening his companions. When I enquired, one of them said, “Whatever money we earn, he snatches it away and then threatens us.”After warning

Married couple/Single parent Financially stable the boy with the blade about the cops, he threw away the blade he said, “I stay near the railway station and I am an orphan. We are a group of kids staying with an uncle who asks for money every evening. As I am the eldest, I have to hand over the money that we earn to him. I know it is not good but then even they will waste the money on buying adhesives. There are many children living here who don’t have parents and live with someone for survival.” The slums, not only in Guwahati but entire India, accommodate many orphans or children who are abused and exploited to earn money. If the children are girls then they are even pushed into prostitution or other sex rackets when they turn adults. But why can’t all the children, rich or poor, orphaned

or not, cannot receive the initial education which they rightfully deserve? In spite of many parents being childless, why can’t illegal adoption be curbed from the society?

Illegal adoption

Adoption fraud also known as illegal adoption happens when a person or institute attempts to either illegally adopt a child or illegally give up a child for adoption. Common ways in which this is done include dishonesty and bribes. According to District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Malabika Kalita, the awareness level among the people here is very low about adoption and the administration is trying their best to make the people aware about the consequences through State Adop-

Health condition Composite age of the prospective adoptive parents which should not be more than 90 years Adoption is only through legal procedure Recent photograph of the couple Income certificate Statement of properties Recommendation letters from reputed and known person Proof of marriage

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

G-View

tion Agencies. She said, “Yes, there is a rise in the number of illegal adoptions in Guwahati but it is difficult to trace them. There are rackets involved very systematically and the cases are hardly reported. So, there is a need for people to be aware.” Children Welfare Committee (CWC) Chairman (Kamrup Metro) Fr. Lukose Cheruvalel said, “Illegal adoption is a matter of concern and there are many ill consequences of such adoptions for the child. In Assam, it mainly happens in the rural and tribal areas. Because of low awareness level, couples do adopt children illegally. In the process, some people even sell the children for them to be used as child labours or other evil practises like prostitution, when the children turns adult.” He further added that if a child is adopted legally than he/she is entitled to some rights and duties, whereas in illegal adoption the child is not entitled to any rights or duties. He said, “In case a child is adopted illegally and the couples get separated a few days after that, then it is possible for the father to disclaim the child and not bear his/ her future expenses. But in legal adoption this is not possible as the adopted parents are considered to be the biological ones and have to be responsible, similarly the child also has to fulfil his/her duties when the parents grow old.”

Legal adoption

The CWC is the body responsible for giving the certificate to a child who is ready for adoption. The orphans, abandoned and surrendered children can be adopted from government registered agencies that follow all the guidelines. The children are adopted before the CWC. The surrendered children can be adopted after two months as that is the period within which the biological parents can claim the child. After two months the CWC issues the certificate which says that the child is ready for adoption. In the case of abandoned children, the administration conducts investigations and tries to trace the parents as abandoning a child is an offence under IPC. The information is provided through media and if till two months no one claims the child, then the kid is ready to be adopted. According to the DCPO, there are three registered agencies in Guwahati who work for legal adoption and have successfully given shelter to many homeless children -

Matri Mandir Missionaries of Charity Shishu Greh

According to the DCPO, there are three registered agencies in Guwahati who work for legal adoption and have successfully given shelter to many homeless children -

Matri Mandir Missionaries of Charity Shishu Greh

A homeless child sniffing adhesive near Guwahati Railway Station

The agencies

Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA) Matri Mandir’s Managing Trustee B.P. Saraf said, “At present we have 21 children out of which 4 children are specially abled. 50 candidates have already applied but our task board scrutinises the applicants and the professional social workers do a home study to find out if the applicants are eligible enough to adopt a child.” He further added that there is a process through which the applicants have to go through to adopt a child. They have to send the monthly report of the child at least for five years. He also expressed his concern over the increase in the rate of illegal adoption, which should be tackled carefully to save the future of many children. He said, “We have all the facilities where children can stay comfortably. We also have a cradle outside the gate were people can leave their child instead of throwing them into dustbins or elsewhere.” Missionaries of Charity’s Adoption in-charge, Sister Marine Jose said, “People surrender or abandon their children because of various reasons. Firstly, in India there is a big difference between a girl and a boy, which is one reason. Pregnant unmarried girls too a considered socially unacceptable. Poverty also plays a role and so there are many reasons which compel the parents to surrender or abandon their kids.” Shishu Greh co-ordinater Anamika Das said, “Illegal adoption does happen in Guwahati and it is an open truth now. It is just that the people are not traceable.

The awareness level is very low. In the year 2008 we built a cradle outside our agency and till date we received three kids abandoned there. So, people hardly know about the agency and leave the children in dustbins and elsewhere ruthlessly.” She further added that according to Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), there are some guidelines, which all the registered agencies have to follow. There is a registration fee of Rupees one thousand for the applicant, Rupees five thousand for home study and follow up, and a maximum of forty thousand for Child Care Corpus Fund.

Incidence and rate of crimes committed against children in Assam during 2012 Incidence

Percentage contribution to the country

Children population (in lakhs)

Rate of total cognizable crimes

392

1.03

114.11

3.44

Incidence (I), rate (R) and percentage contribution (P) to all India by crimes committed against children during 2012 in Assam Children Infanticide population (Sec. 315 IPC) (in lakhs) I R P 114.11 0 0.00 0.00

Kidnapping & Abduction (Sec.363-369,371373 IPC) I R P 68 0.60 0.37

Murder (Sec. 302 IPC) I R P 15 0.13 0.94

Foeticide (Sec.315,316 IPC)

I 0

R P 0.00 0.00

Rape (Sec. 376 IPC) I R 156 1.37

Exposure And Abandonment (Sec.317 IPC)

I 0

R 0.00

P 0.00

P 1.83

Procuration Of Minor Girl (Sec.366A IPC)

I 122

R 1.07

P 15.08 Source: NCRB

The crime rate does indicate that crime against children exists in Guwahati and Assam as a whole, and the need of the hour is to collectively work and provide a better future to them. But how exactly can illegal adoption be completely barred? What can be done to ensure that the children do not waste their childhood sniffing adhesives and begging all around the Guwahati Railway Station? How can the racket of child selling and buying be traced and the perpetrators prosecuted?

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

City

VOX POP DRY DAY DURING

FESTIVAL SEASON

Yes, it was a festival of joy

W P

erhaps declaring a dry day is a way of showing respect to the sensitivity of the festivals. With growing alcohol related issues, particularly seen during the festive time, the authorities take extra precaution to deal with the situation. Amidst the joyous ambience of Durga Puja, it was seen that some people tends to cross the limit every time with their over-the-top Puja excitement fever and irritating others. The district administration arranges preparatory meetings to ensure safe and peaceful celebration of Durga Puja in the state capital every time but has it been result oriented? However, the decision to declare a dry day might br a wise choice to tackle irresponsible drinking, but at same time, the administration should also concentrate on controlling bootlegging which has increased, incurring revenue loss to the government.

Sanjoy Kumar Sarma, Government Employee

Declaring dry day during the festivals is not an ideal solution but only a step towards it because people who drink would anyway try to get hold of it. Since during puja, there is a huge gathering of people in almost all the areas in and around the pandals, the administration takes this extra caution by declaring dry day to avoid any unwanted circumstances. The step has been effective in a way because during this puja and during the last Holi, alcohol related issues like bike accidents and others have comparatively reduced to a certain extent. Also, during the festive time the wine shops and bar managements should take measures to see that they are not selling alcohol to anyone who looks suspicious and below 21 years of age.

Abhijit Saikia, Businessman

Obviously the decision to declare a dry day during the puja has been a fruitful step because the troubles and nuisances created by a few bunch of people has lessened a lot. Such step has also helped in reducing accidents. The crime rates especially cases related to thefts have also decreased to a satisfactory level. Alcohol consumption tends to corrupt the mind and this is where dry day has helped since most of the people could not have access to alcohol. Dry day during Dashami is also necessary because it reduces the probability of people with drinking habits from drowning while taking part in idol immersion rituals. In terms of revenue, the government would definitely have to bear some losses for two days but a step like dry day is for the welfare of the society as a whole.

Manoranjan Majumder, Marketing Professional

Those who are occasional drinkers, for them perhaps it would not be an issue as they would enjoy the actual essence of Puja with their friends and family but those who are alcoholic, it would be a hard time for them. Last year, following the incident of G.S. Road, when the order was issued to temporarily shut down the bars and wine shops located approximately within the 500 metres range of schools and other educational institutes, the authorities were able to contain much of the alcohol related incidents. But again when the order was lifted more of cases, particularly like drunk driving, came to limelight. So, dry days can be a type of solution during the festive occasions but for normal days, precautionary measures have to be kept in hand all the time to keep a check on the problem.

hoa! What an extended weekend it was for the festive crazy Guwahatians! Pandal hopping till late, eating out, meeting long lost friends, visiting temples. In short, Sharadiya Utsav 2013 kick started the festive carnival and Guwahatians left no stone unturned in welcoming the Gods. A comfortable temperature and a clear sky added to the joy of the festival. The sacred Kamakhya temple saw a huge turnout during all days of the Navratra. Many social clubs and organisations in the city arranged Padyatras to the temple where people thronged in large numbers to get soaked in divinity. The excitement was maddening; the zeal of the devotees was never ending. Foreigners and people from entire India were seen making beelines inside the temple to offer their prayers. Some devotees enjoyed singing devotional songs, while others joined in clapping in full spirit. Heads held high in pride and hearts carrying a sense of achievement and eyes depicting a beautiful tale in itself - a tale of faith, hope and aspirations. Adorned with heavy lights and pleasing beats of dhaks, Guwahati saw heavy rush till late night at the Puja Pandals across the city. The decorations of the idols of Goddess Durga and her children, the elegantly dazzling mandaps, and the approach roads to the Puja venues weaved the success story of their hard working makers. Various themes were stunningly presented through brainy illumination and décor that ranged from mythology to the ever challenging rural life and the current happenings attracting media focus. Various puja organizers organised cultural shows in the evening, featuring Naam Kirtans and Aartis to singing and dance competitions among school-goers . Festive season is so much about foods and beverages. Phuchkas, chaat and Jalebi stalls were the highlights of each evening. Fancy bazar couldn’t seem more lively as the famous street food near Shani mandir had the food lovers craving for more. Be it, the “Kachchi Dabeli” ( a new snack from Gujrat, as they say) or the Evergreen “Pav bhaji “, or the “ Sindhi ka Chilla” , the food crazy Guwahatians were on a roll. “Puja gives us a break from daily homemade food and we try to savour the dishes served across the various eateries in these four days”, a school goer quoted excitingly. Not only that, Kulfi, Chuski and Masala Cold Drinks had everyone’s taste buds chilling. “During festive season , over hundreds of Kulfi Plates are sold from my counter every day. It is a testing time for our hard work and patience,“ a Kulfiwala at Fancy Bazar remarked. Yes! Their hard work seemed to have paid off. Even the traffic woes could not dampen the festive spirit and the dwellers could be seen everywhere. But while people were busy soaking in the festive madness, our traffic police gave their days and nights to the city and were always on the lookout. Managing traffic Jams, drunkards and felons is not easy and our policemen did a commendable job! Yes, the wait would pinch us every day. Living in hope and finding peace can be quite tiring. But hey ! Durga Puja ’14 is just 350 Days away, Guwahatians. Live. Breathe. Dream. Enjoy.

Gautam Das, Student

Some people were still consuming alcohol during Navami and Dashami despite knowing the fact that dry day was in effect. Maybe, the number was low then the last time but still, few people somehow managed to get hold of it and for that they even went to the extent of going to the neighbouring state and buying it from there. But again by looking at the records in terms of accident and crime related cases during a festive occasion, it can be surely said that the administration’s decision to declare dry day has been fruitful as it has brought about some positive changes. So, to make dry day more effective during Puja, it has to be implemented for more then two days then only perhaps we will be able to justify the true essence of Puja.

CITIZEN JOURNALIST Anuj Bajaj (CA)

YOU CAN BE A CITIZEN JOURNALIST TOO. Just mail us your story at editor@g-plus.in

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Business

TEA CAUGHT IN A LEAF STORM

SHAMBHAVI

he legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika sang, “Ek Kali do patiya, najuk najuk ungliya.” The quality of the fine tea collection, the secret of the famed Assam tea, is immortalised by the singing maestro in his song. But the Tea board of India wants you to believe otherwise and has dashed a circular where it has stated three leaves and a bud constitutes fine tea leaf and is an acceptable quality. The bought leaf factories (BLF) and small tea growers (STGs) are confused following the Tea Board’s directive of minimum quality standard of green leaf accepted from small tea growers (STGs). In Assam, all these years, planters use to take 2 leaves and a bud as fine quality.

A Tea Board circular dated 06/08/2013 stipulated that minimum quality standard of green leaf accepted from small growers will include fine shoots consisting 2-3 leaves and a bud and very soft banjis (minimum 65 percent by weight), soft banjis (not more than 30 percent by weight) and coarse leaf (not more than 5 percent by weight). Tea planters argued that to follow this exercise, one needs to do fine leaf counting. Though there are different methods for leaf quality assessment but the “ballometric count” has been widely used in Assam. The ballometric count is a system of measurement where balls are used to measure the leaf. But in South India, 3 leaf and a bud is regarded as fine during fine

leaf counting. Following objections from different quarters, the circular has been kept in abeyance until December and will be implemented from January next year. North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) chairman, Bidyananda Barkakoty said, “I have sought clarification in this regard from the Tea Board and Tea Research Association (TRA). The Tea Board had organised a workshop at Golaghat in Assam last month on how to count fine leaf.” He added that surprisingly, the TRA’s Tocklai Experimental Station officer/scientist who was the resource person of the workshop, took 3 leaves and a bud as fine, while demonstrating how to count fine leaf. Manufacturers were shocked to see the new method

of counting fine leaf because all throughout these 100 years, Tocklai were teaching to regard 2 leaves and a bud as fine. The growers present in the workshop felt that they have been cheated by the manufacturers. “This issue of fine leaf counting method should be resolved or there is a fear of conflict between the growers and manufacturers. We need to standardise green leaf counting. With the advancement of technology, we think a small sensor based machine can be easily developed to count fine leaf percentage.” The NETA chairman informed that Tea Board Chairman, M.G.V.K. Bhanu has assured him of conducting a study in this regard.

Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturer’s Association (ABLTMA), stated that circulars of the Tea Board issued, imposed the responsibility of quality control on the shoulders of BLF alone when the quality of tea is directly linked with the quality of green leaf supplied by growers. All Assam Small Tea Growers’ Association (AASTGA) General Secretary, Karuna Mahanta said, “It is not possible to maintain same quality throughout the year as leaf output is different in different seasons. We have asked Tocklai to do a study in this regard.” Around 35% of total teas of Assam are produced by BLFs. Small growers contribute 30% of 1150 million kgs (mkgs) of national tea production annually.

Society

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

THE UNCONVENTIONAL

‘SUPER WOMEN’ WEFA is not just another association. It is a statement.

GARGEE BARUAH

es, there is a lot to do when it comes to sealing the loopholes in a society. While most of us crib about the everbreeding societal plagues and problems, there are the unsung heroines who go beyond the mere talking. Sometimes, inspiring icons may not be all glamour but what they do while they live stays for long. Women Engineers’ Forum of Assam, a registered voluntary organization of retired/ working women engineers of Assam (WEFA) is one such entity. Their main aim is to provide awareness to and, work for the promotion and expansion of technical and vocational education for women mainly in the backward and remote areas of Assam.

WEFA

G-Plus therefore, catches a glimpse of the Women Engineers’ Forum of Assam which is an example of a group of women who are contributing to the society through their dedication. “There are so many courses today that are available and one needs only a minimum qualification to apply. Such opportunities can be availed by girls, women from a poorer economic background as well. But, the sad fact is there is little awareness among people from remote areas since they do not know how to go about availing the opportunities”, says Labanya Padmapati Baruah, says senior member and Treasurer of WEFA to G-Plus. Also, by interacting with the women engineers personally and learning that these women have done their engineer-

ing some so many years ago, the girl students realise that they too, can pursue technical studies which was otherwise beyond their imagination, according to Mrs. Labanya.

Contribution to the society

This year WEFA provided 20 solar lamps to the boys and girls of the economically backward families so that they could pursue their studies unhindered, in Sattar village, located around 10 kilometres away from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. “In spite of its proximity to the Guwahati City, it is deprived of basic amenities like good roads, electricity and adequate educational and medical facilities,” said Indira Das, Secretary of WEFA. The association also conducted an awareness programme on Tech-

nical and Vocational education in Chandrapur High School. This included the imparting of useful information regarding benefits of studying Science and Technical education and illustrated procedures to get into different degree, diploma and certificate courses. Also, a financial assistance of Rs. 3000 and Rs. 2000 was provided to two students based on their meritorious performances and the financial standings of their guardians, at a later date. On 5th of June, WEFA celebrated World Environment Day by organising a plantation drive programme. They planted saplings of flowers and fruits at the premises of Kasturba Gandhi Ashram, Ulubari, Guwahati. The forum has carried out such programmes in other areas of As-

sam such as providing 20 solar lamps to the students of Maloukhat High School who were deprived of electricity facilities at home in a village in Jorhat, conducting awareness programme for technical and vocational courses for girls in Mayong High School. They also intend to extend their support to different regions of Northeast as a whole. Last year, WEFA had organised awareness programmes in the Dispur Govt. Higher Secondary School and Rani High School on technical education for girl students. “In both the schools, deliberations were made on importance of technical education, its benefits and how it helps in self- employment and enable girls to establish them professionally in the modern world. The details of different technical education systems prevailing in the states such as Degree, Diploma and ITI courses in engineering and scope for employment etc. and the procedure of enrolment, the expenditures required, the different sources of availing finances were informed,” Miss Das said The forum has been contributing for quite some years now by engaging itself in extending support to social issues such as providing flood relief, distribution of onetime scholarships each to meritorious students who are deprived of any financial assistance.

Deconstructing the Super-woman image

That which appeals to the eye attracts us and this stands true for children the most. It is therefore, important to nurture the young minds from an early stage so that they can shape themselves ac-

cording to their understanding of the world around. The typical image of the Super-woman quotient may be that of an hourglass figure clad in tights and high boots with a dashing look, but that is just a social construct for the profits of the booming Capitalist economy. Super-women are not necessarily Wonder Woman, Cat Woman or even Power- puff Girls, but may be the one with a girl-next-door appearance. While women continue to be stabbed under the pressures of patriarchy and juggle so many battles at a time, they fight back undefeated. Society is a paradox and therefore, the privileged ones need to realise that their responsibility lies in sharing their gifts with the lesser and the underprivileged in order to build a better society. Someone once rightly said that a candle does not lose its light when it lights up another candle, indeed, the brightness is enhanced!

Objectives are:

The Objectives of the “Forum”

To bring all the Women Engineers of the state of Assam under one platform and to promote and encourage friendly relation among all the members of the Forum. To work for identification and upliftment of the Women Engineers of the state. To work for empowerment of women and promotion of peace, unity in the society and to maintain the social and cultural heritage of the nation. To bring awareness of Technical and Vocational education among women and encourage deserving underprivileged women in different ways and by imparting need based vocational training. To initiate and promote comprehensive socio-economic and welfare program in general and, introduction and upgradation of the ecology and environment in particular. To develop linkages with various Governmental and Non- Governmental agencies including international/foreign agencies to channelize the above programme.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Space

GEOPATHIC STRESS T

What Lies beneath?

PRATIK DHAR

he term Geopathic comes from the Latin term ‘Geo,’ which means earth and ‘pathic’ meaning stress and so lines of this energy are often termed as Geopathic Stress lines. In a more descriptive way, the Earth consists of an electromagnetic field, which is at an estimated frequency of 7.8 Hz known as the Schumann Resonances and this field gets distorted when it passes through underground streams, various mineral deposits and other obstacles resulting in changing frequencies to levels that are harmful to humans. Other factors like man-made fault lines caused due to nuclear testing and construction works or the naturally created fault lines that tend to harm the land can also create possibilities for earth’s electromagnetic forces to get distorted, leading to the appearance of Geopathic Stress lines. Also, Electro-pathological energy created by today’s technology can also contribute towards the creation of geopathic stress in the form of high and low frequency energy emitted from the telecommunication towers, electricity pylons, radio towers, radars and transformers.

TYPES OF GEOPATHIC STRESS

Geopathic stress may become prominent from both natural and man-made activities like excavation and mining. The day to day disturbances of the earth’s magnetic field with such activities produces variations in geomagnetic activity, which is again related to widespread effects on human health and behaviour. Types of geopathic stress may include geological faults, geomagnetic lines and water courses Apart from these, the two of the most common are the Hartmann lines forming a grid that follow the lines of longitude and latitude patterns and which are roughly 6 feet aside and the Curry Grid that moves along the equator extending into both the northern and southern hemispheres. The area where underground water and these two grids amalgamate, the electromagnetic energy they produce interplay and creates even more harmful conditions for living beings.

HEALTH CONCERNS

Most of the health concerns associated with geopathic stress are not sound and reliable, the reason being there is presently no scientific equipment to appropriately measure these fields. Like other forms of extra low frequency electromagnetic fields, the mechanism by which

geopathic stress may cause harm is still not well perceived. Also symptoms may include continuous fatigue, problems related to sleeping, mental disharmony and behavioural disorders. The geopathic stress can also lead to infertility and lack of immunity as understood but it has not been scientifically validated or proven.

DETECTION OF GEOPATHIC STRESS

Some of them can be easily detected while others are difficult to find. There are two types of machines which can detect the geopathic stress and these are those which can detect the presence of the stress among people and on the ground but the reality is that, it may still be very difficult to detect even with the most sophisticated and innovative scientific equipment. Devices which measure the electrical resistance of acupuncture points can detect its effects in people and the devices are known as Electro Dermal Screening devices. Some of it may be detected by geo-magnetometers which can measure local magnetic fields, however they may not detect all types of geopathic stress. Kinesiologists, dowsers and water diviners can also detect geopathic stress. This is an efficient method since as much as different dowsers may tune into different frequencies of radiation and so bring in with different outcomes but this however can still prove

AFFECTED BY GEOPATHIC STRESS

Geopathic stress may have serious effects on both people and buildings. The following pointers being few of the symptoms that are considered to be caused by the stress on people• Having illness which does not get cured in spite of the medications and treatment. • Serious illness such as cancer or multiple sclerosis. • Being weary and not feeling fresh in the mornings because Geopathic stress affect people in bed as the body’s resistance drops down from the normal range during sleep. • Living in a house or a property with perhaps no liking towards it. • To feel better only when away from home. Geopathic stress also affect houses, with the particular symptoms being• • • • •

Increase of mould in the house. Lichen or moss growing on some particular areas of the house. Rising issues related to ants, wasps or bees. The presence of cracks in walls, roads and other concrete dominant areas. The previous occupants of the house were also ill.

to be an extremely useful and needful method for finding geopathic stress, particularly when there is a dearth of easily available and accurate meters.

Symptoms experienced when sleeping in a Geopathically stressed room

Either insomnia or excessively heavy sleep, constant dreaming, feeling weary and tired, waking up with head ache or back pain, cold feet and legs particularly when in bed, asthma and respiratory problems in night, feeling lethargic in daytime, mood swings, depression, children wetting beds, continuous crying of infants and children, infertility, miscarriage, no effect of medicines, prolonged illness are some of the prime geopathic stress symptoms.

IT’S TREATMENT

Shifting away does not necessarily mean to move out of the house. Most people who are affected by geopathic stress become its victim when they are sleeping because the bed is usually the only place in the

house where people spend maximum hours of every day without moving. So, the body’s resistance to geopathic stress decreases eventually when we are asleep. Therefore, the natural and most effective way of dealing with geopathic stress is to move one’s bed. There are also ways of neutralising geopathic stress. The two main ways of doing this can be the one which is by using devices or machines to tackle the issue and the other by means of dowsing.

Other possible Effects of Geopathic Stress may include Marital Disharmony Inefficient or Poor Workmanship Loss in Business Hostile relations Premature Death and many more

Life

ith the increase in the number of broken marriages in Guwahati in recent days, couple’s whose marriage is on the rocks, typically seek advice from friends, family and marriage counsellors. There are various reasons which lead to an unsuccessful marriage but combating the reasons is also a challenging task to make it successful. Nobody wants a bad marriage or getting split after tying the knot, but situation compels the couple to move apart which can be solved if certain things are dealt with sensitively.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

How to save a broken marriage?

G PLUS FEATURE

Misleads

A city based lady who doesn’t want to be named said, “I have a six-year-old daughter and I am a divorcee.” Enquiring did she ever try to save the marriage, she said, “I tried many times. I consulted a lawyer, my parents, and friends and discussed all the conflicting issues openly. It was a love marriage, so people were blaming me for my choice. Finally we decided to get separated legally. Now I stay with my parents and feel that once the conflict starts than it’s difficult to resolve.” Much of the advice people get about their marriage problems is wrong. It sounds good. It makes sense. But, the problem is, it usually doesn’t work. Reconciling a broken marriage is tricky. The process is not intuitive. You really have to be careful that the advice you’re following has proved to achieve the outcome you’re looking for.

Proper leads

Just because you and your partner have problems, even seemingly major ones, doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. If you still love your partner and believe that your relationship is worth saving then use some secrets on how to save a broken marriage and get back to loving again, says a city based lawyer, Zahir Ali.

Get back in touch

You’re not the same person that your partner fell in love with and you’re fooling yourself if you say you are. It’s natural for us to change as our marriage progresses and this is because of everything from getting comfortable and complacent to a different lifestyle and responsibilities. Showing your partner more of the person that they fell in love with will go a long way in getting them to want you back as much as you want them.

Take responsibility for your actions

There is nothing more infuriating than a spouse who refuses to acknowledge they’re part in a conflict. Think about how you have contributed to the problems in your marriage, apologise for them and explain how you intend to rectify them.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

The reality is that most of us weren’t given the right tools or know-how to deal with issues that affect marriages. Talk to someone who has happily been married for a long time or even to your priest or a marriage counsellor about your situation and ask for help on how to save a broken marriage from someone who knows how to guide you and not who creates more nuisances.

Take advantage of all of the tools available to you

Just like taking the time to seek out and read articles like this one or hitting the self-

Woo them

Sometimes all a person needs is to be made to feel special and shown some love and attention. A lack of attention is usually to blame for marriage problems, including infidelity and resentment. Express your love through letters and romantic gestures without expecting something in return or putting pressure on them to come back to you. Just show them love and let them come to you when they’re ready.

Know when it’s time to let go

If you have exhausted all of the resources and tips available to you on how to save a broken marriage, including professional help through counselling, then it may be time to accept that the marriage really is over. There is a peace of mind that comes from knowing that you did everything in your power to save the marriage. Use that to help you move on. help section of the bookstore; turning to resources created by relationship experts can give you everything you need to save your marriage. Resources like this article are easily available online so they’re easy to access and known to work.

Listen

It’s so simple yet the one thing that most people don’t do when dealing with their partners! Listen to your partner, even if they’re saying things that are hard to hear. Not being listened to and feeling like you’re not being heard makes it impossible to work on your problems and come to any sort of solution. In a lot of cases a willingness to really listen is all that’s needed.

ELLA DIABLO absolutely no substance but have managed to wow women with sheer charm and gift of the gab. Try just that and in all likeliness, it should work, but if it doesn’t then don’t lose hope. You have a full life ahead of you and there is no dearth of single women either, so cast your net in rivers which have unhitched fish.

Rebuild the trust

In learning how to save a broken marriage, rebuilding the trust that’s been lost is crucial no matter what the reason was for the loss of trust in the first place. Your partner needs to feel like they can trust you with their heart again, so don’t tell them; show them that they can trust you. It may take time, but if you’re consistent in showing them you can be trusted, it’ll come.

Have a change of scenery

Working on your marriage in the same place that you’ve been having problems can make it hard for your spouse to see that things can be different/better. Try to arrange a getaway whether to a cottage or even just a hotel to work on your marriage. Arrange for separate sleeping quarters to alleviate the pressure to have sex and focus on having a neutral place to talk freely about your relationship and any chance for a future together.

Write your partner a letter

If communication has broken down, then write down what you’re feeling and what you want your partner to know and give it to them. Sometimes writing things down helps to put them into perspective and it’s the best way to share your feelings uninterrupted.

I answer all your questions on life, love and sex

I am a 15-year-old boy. I am in love with a girl from my school and she probably knows it. But she has a boyfriend and I am not at all sure if she loves me. My classmates tease me saying that I could never have her as she is way out of my league. Should I try proposing? Or should I just forget about it as it is a lost cause? -Sumit Baby what does “out of your league” mean. You already sound so overtly pessimistic without even giving it a shot. No offence, but trust me no girl would ever want to date a guy who is so unsure of his own capabilities. Look around, you will find enough and more examples of men with

I am madly in love with my girlfriend and could do anything for her. However, because of financial problems at the moment, I cannot marry her. I want to try anything I can to make this situation better, like going to Tirupati and get my head tonsured. My girlfriend thinks it is a futile effort and I am being superstitious. But I believe it will improve my finances. How do I convince her? I don’t want to regret not trying this later. -Rajeev Of course, you should go to Tirupati and get your head tonsured right away. Even if it does not better your financial condition, it will surely save your shampoo and dyeing expenses. And after you are done with the superstition bit, do put your fertile imagination to rest and try doing something more serious for a change like looking for a decent job for instance. Otherwise in no time I’d be flooded with your mails seeking advice on “how to get over being dumped”.

If you have any queries for ELLA DIABLO, mail it to diablo@g-plus.in

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Career

GAMING TO GLORY

PRATIK DHAR

game developer has to develop games where the concept of visual art is given emphasis. While a team of designers, producers, artists and developers are involved in process of designing and developing the game, the work of the artists and developers are to carry out or to work on all the detailed definitions of a game. With the recent exponential growth in the mobile market particularly in the android and windows platform along with the computer games and online gaming, the career in game developing ensures for a bright future.

DURATION

Years Degree Programme

Educational

Bachelor of Science in Animation Game Design and Development is a three year graduate programme and focuses on the art and design of computer games and animation where the students will have to learn about the specific needs required for the field. While the Master of Science in Game Design and Development is a two year post graduate programme that enhances knowledge on game design and development along with programming.

Must be 10+2 passed or any other equivalent qualification Shall have to appear for the screening test

Some of the study related subjects for the undergraduate level Computer Fundamentals Digital Art Computer Programming Game Design 3-D Modelling Graphic Design VFX and many more

These are few of the subjects from the entire course and these may vary from institute to institute.

Some of the study related subjects for the post-graduate level Fundamentals of CGI Applications of CGI High level Games Programming Multimedia Communications Digital Audio and many more

These are few of the subjects from the entire course and these may vary from institute to institute.

PQQ

DURATION

Similarly there is the entrance examination to appear for

Years Master Degree Programme

ELIGIBILITY (Post Graduate Level)

ELIGIBILITY (Graduate Level)

Must be 10+2 passed or any other equivalent qualification from a recognised Board with atleast 60% marks. Shall have to appear for the entrance examination conducted by some colleges, institutions and universities for admission to the degree course.

Must be a B.Sc. passed or an equivalent qualification holder

Must be a B.Sc. passed or an equivalent qualification holder in relevant subjects with minimum 60% marks. Similarly there is the entrance examination conducted by some reputed colleges, institutions and universities for admission to the post degree course as well.

Benefits of the Course Course will be beneficial for those who want to explore the world of art and drawing. It will be helpful in developing technical skills. A candidate can use art as a mean for communication and will be able to learn the nuances of game elements. The course will be also helpful to provide with the opportunity to build confidence, analyse various situations and work accordingly. Moreover, it is a highly lucrative field and the industry is in its initial phase so making a career in game developing and entering the domain in present time would fetch fruitful results.

Employment Areas Design Studio Gaming Companies Media Houses Production Houses Institutions and Colleges and many more

Job Types Games Designer Level Designer Tools programmer 2D and 3D Animators

Work and Payment

Game Modeller

Talking about the salary, it is fairly low for starters because still the Indian gaming industry has not matured or reached the full developed stage yet. With more experience in the field, one can expect considerable hikes in pay. After three or four years, when one becomes a senior game artist or developer, the person is entitled to get paid a respectable amount as salary in a month. It is only after spending seven to eight years in the respective field, one qualifies to reach the level of art director or senior art director at which the salaries are much higher.

Should have an artistic bent of mind.

Game Tester Concept Artist Illustrator Freelance Game Developer and many more

Some of the Top Institutes Global Institute of Gaming and Animation, Chennai Brainz Institute of Design Studies, Ahmadabad Academy of Animation and Gaming, NCR and Bangalore Picasso Animation College, Delhi Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and other selected states Zee Institute of Creative Art, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Guwahati and other selected states

High concentration needed for working very hard as one might have to spend long time in front of the computer screen. Must be acquainted with the fast developing and evolving technology of recent times. Must have a strong sense of logic and the ability to do research. Must have the ability to work in a team as the game developing projects are highly team centric. Game designers also need to have a thorough knowledge regarding the workings of various game consoles for high end and high definition games.

Word Of the Week

pugnacious (pug·na·cious) Adjective

inclined to quarrel or fight readily; quarrelsome; belligerent; combative.

Origin

1635–45

Related forms

pug·na·cious·ly, adverb un·pug·na·cious·ness, noun un·pug·na·cious·ly, adverb un·pug·na·cious, adjective

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Health According to age, a disruptive behaviour disorder may be exhibited in one of the following forms: INFANCY AND TODDLERHOOD. • Oppositionalism, • temper tantrums, and • breath holding spells • Lying

Dr. Kapil Das Medical & Health Officer

hildren and teens can seem irritable or even hostile when they are tired or are not feeling well. They may argue with parents or disobey them. Young children may lie because they are too young to understand the difference between the truth and a lie and sometimes they lie to get themselves out of trouble. While this is normal, when they act this way all the time or when this behaviour gets them into trouble all the time at home, at school or with other kids in the neighbourhood, they may have what we call a disruptive behaviour disorder.

MANAGEMENT

In toddlers Oppositionalism, temper tantrums and breath holding spells are common during the first few years of life and parental response is very important. Caregivers should respond without punitive anger to avoid risk of reinforcing the defiance. Parents should attempt to avert angry responses by giving the child choices. Once the child has begun a tantrum, turning away briefly is the only effective measure to be taken. Parents are often particularly concerned about breath holding spells. Some children hold their breath until they lose consciousness, sometimes leading to a seizure. Parents should ignore breath holding once it has started. Without sufficient reinforcement, breath holding most often disappears. In most toddlers, this is not a voluntary act of ‘defiance.’ If behavioural measures such as time-outs fail, physicians will assess how the parents handle anger. It is therefore of prime importance that parents model the anger control that they wish their children to exhibit. Lying is often used by 2 to 4 year olds. By observing the reactions of parents and caregivers, preschoolers learn about expectations for honesty in communication. Lying is also a form of fantasy for children, who describe things as they wish them to be rather than as they are.

CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE.

In school-aged children, when lying becomes a frequent way of managing conflict and anxiety, intervention is required. Initially, the parents should confront the child to communicate a clear message of what is acceptable, with sensitivity and support because children and adolescents may react to their shame and embarrassment with angry denial and acting out. If the situation cannot be resolved at home, then professional intervention is advised.

ATTENTION! Your child needs it.

CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE. • Lying • Steal • Truancy and run-away behavior • Fire setting • Aggression • Conduct disorder • Oppositional-defiant disorder • Passive-aggressive behaviors.

Truancy and run-away behaviour • younger chidrens threatens to run away out of frustration • middle age group: escaping abuse and neglect within the home • teens: substance abuse, intimate partner violence & other risk-taking behaviors. • disorganisation in the home

Causes: In toodlers • Struggle for autonomy and independence • Frustration and anger • Lying in toddlers is a way of playing with language.

Fire setting • out of curiosity • Latent hostility secondary to deprivation within disorganized and neglectful families. • In adolescence, fire setting is a sign of delinquency; again, traumatic experiences, often associated with family conflict

In childhood and adolescence Lying • to cover up things • those with low self esteem • poor adult modelling • method of rebellion Stealing • response to internal loss • those are emotionally deprived

weapon while fighting, armed robbery, physical cruelty to others, and repeated attempts to run away from home. A pattern of such behaviours that has existed for at least 6 months warrants the diagnosis of conduct disorder. Between one third and half of the patients treated at adolescent psychiatric clinics exhibit symptoms of conduct disorder.

Nobody’s perfect and all children will have bouts of bad behaviour. They may have temper tantrums, or talk back to their parents or teachers. When things start to get out of hand, however, it may be a clue that something in the child or teen’s life needs attention. Stealing: It is important for parents to help the child undo the theft by returning the stolen articles or by rendering their equivalent either in money that the child can earn or in services. When stealing is part of a pattern of conduct problems, referral to a child psychiatrist is recommended. Both problematic peer influence and lack of parental supervision may exacerbate stealing and other conduct problems. Truancy and run-away behaviour: Approximately half of school refusal incidents result from child and adolescent behavioural problems and the other half of incidents is related to mood and anxiety symptoms. Fire setting: Fire setting always requires intervention by the parents and generally also by mental health professionals. A combination of family therapy, alliance-building individual therapy, parent management training, and community involvement is often necessary to effect a reasonable change. The recidivistic

young fire setter is very difficult to manage. Many adult arsonists were childhood fire setters. Aggression is a serious symptom and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in childhood. Children who are callous and not empathetic and who are frequently aggressive require mental health intervention. A boy with a high level of aggressive behaviour at 3–6 yr of age has a high probability of carrying this behaviour into adolescence, especially without effective family-focused intervention. Children exposed to aggression on television or in play show more aggressive behaviour compared with children who are not. Parental anger and aggressive or harsh punishment model behaviour may be imitated when children are physically or psychologically hurt. Conduct disorder is a distinct clinical entity manifested by several different antisocial behaviours: stealing, lying, fire setting, truancy, property destruction (vandalism), cruelty to animals, rape, use of a

• Expression of anger or revenge for real or impaired frustration by the parents. • Manipulate and attempts to control interactions with parents • Learned from adults e.g. outwitting tax laws , exceeding speed limits...

Oppositional-defiant disorder is defined by less severe behaviour than conduct disorder: loss of temper, continuous argument with authority, defiance of rules, continual blaming of others, angry and resentful affect, spiteful and vindictive behaviour, and frequent use of obscene language. Some children may show symptoms of all three disruptive behaviour disorders (ADHD, oppositional-defiant disorder, and conduct disorder). Inconsistent parenting practices and overly punitive disciplinary measures have been associated with conduct disorder in children. Parents of children with conduct disorder are less accepting of their children and show them less warmth and support compared with parents of unaffected children. However, only approximately one third of children with conduct disorder go on to have antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. Adult criminality is predicted by an early age of onset of conduct disorders. In many children, oppositional behavior may appear in the form of passive-aggressive behaviors. Prevalence rate is 16–22% . Children with passive-aggressive behavior express hostility indirectly as procrastination, stubbornness, or resistance. such children do not listen to parents and do not respond to repeated requests. Academic underachievement is common. Children may unconsciously

Aggression • for fulfilling demands • as reaction to physical pain • hereditary • environmental factors: family unemployment , discord , criminality , psychiatric disorders, birth to teenage or unmarried mothers .Boys are universally more aggressive than girls due to difficult temperament.

adopt passive-aggressive strategies for a variety of motives: to gain independence while maintaining dependence, to counter underlying low self-esteem, to maintain control and autonomy when threatened by anxiety, and to get revenge.

TREATMENT.

Group therapy has shown some promise in treating adolescents with behavioral difficulties; anger management therapy has demonstrated some positive results with younger children. Training in problem-solving skills involves modeling, role-playing, and practicing to help children deal more successfully with interpersonal relationships; Effective results have been obtained with parent management training, in which parents are trained directly to promote prosocial behaviors within the home and to place reasonable limits on unwanted, destructive behaviors. Compliance and age-appropriate assertiveness and independence are then promoted and rewarded. Multisystemic therapy, an in-home treatment involving the identified patient, parents, siblings, and peers as well as school, neighborhood, and other environmental forces, has been shown to be effective with aggressive children and adolescents who have conduct disorder. Pharmacotherapy There are no medications specifically intended for the treatment of antisocial behaviors. Lithium, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants such as valproate, clonidine may diminish aggressive acting out in selected individuals, although these medications may also have significant side effects. Some children present with such severe behavioral problems that residential treatment or psychiatric hospitalization is necessary for a successful outcome.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Classifieds

JOBS

TO LET

PROPERTY

Industrial Shed on Rent at Sonapur. For details Contact: 9706089000

Booking open for comfortable n luxury flat at last gate, beltola. For Details

Position open for Digital Marketing Executive. Must have understanding of Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation and other web applications. Qualification no bar. Experience must. Contact 9706007487 immediately.

Commercial Space available on rent at G.S.Road near Down Town Hospital. For details Contact - 9864015168

1.5 Katha Miadipatta land at Lokhra Hillside with boundary walls(3 sides)

Brand Servicing Executives for a leading Advertising Agency based out of Guwahati. Candidates having experience in advertising, media, mass communication with great communication skills may apply. Contact 8486002313 or send your CV to namita.das@insightbrandcom.com

For all your commercial/ Residential/ Warehousing/ Industrial Real Estate requirements in North East India,

Vacancy for a Female Assistant at a showroom in Six Mile. Applicants need to have computer knowledge and prior experience at a showroom dealing in ladies garments/ items. CONTACT: 099540 11444

Office space available on rent at Six Mile(G.S Road).

Contact - 9706042727, 9864094414 Available 400 sq. ft. furnished office space on 5th floor, G.S.Tower, Chatribari.

Contact : 8011055100

Available for rent approx. 800 sq. ft. Godown space in Chattribari, partly tinshed with good height. Contact: 98641 59713 Lease/Rent for factory/ godown, 40,000 sq.ft. and 50,000 sq.ft. in same premises at Industrial Area.

Contact : 9706093377

Warehouse available

Contact - 84862 79695, 9435044575 Contact Vijay Bagri 98641-59713

Contact Aspire Realtors, +918720909000 RENT

New Building at Chatribari. Completion time 1 year. Ground Floor 1500 sq.ft. can be taken in part - 400, 300 and 250 sq.ft. First Floor 3000 sq.ft. for banks/ corporates etc. CONTACT 8011055100

Contact: 98641 06687 OTHERS

Brand new 3BHK flat at Subham Heights, Kahilipara Road, near Ganeshguri available for immediate rent. Contact 9706000999.

PUJA OFFER

For sale/ purchase of any type of land.

Contact Gopal Das 98590 73263 OFFICE SPACE REQUIRED An established business organisation is looking for a furnished office space on GS Road on long term lease. Minimum 2000 sqft. Maximum 3500 sq.ft. Contact immediately on 9706089034.

call 9854429974 for details.

VEHICLES

Theme studio brings wide range of baby birth announcement trays n boxes, wedding trays, envelopes n theme party decor. For details

SALE/ PURCHASE

Position open for 5 nos. young dynamic graduates for an upcoming retail chain in Guwahati for Direct Sales assignments. Candidates must be fluent in English, Assamese and Hindi (spoken) and must have ability to persuade. Salary would be the best in industry. Freshers as well as experienced candidates may send their latest profile to pinki3232@gmail.com or

Tata DI 207. Running Condition. Make 1999 model for immediate sale.

at Brahmaputra Industrial Park (Amingaon) Guwahati 30000 sq ft with guard room and quarter.

Contact- 9707026095.

Vacancy for an Accountant in a commercial house. Applicants need to have computer knowledge along with experience in ST/ IT returns filing. CONTACT: 098640 71704

contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9864050056, 9706089039

Calm n Cozy, Loreal professional ladies n kids salon, Straightening + haircut @ Rs 2499 Haircut + Hair spa + Face clean up @ Rs 999 Hair spa @ Rs 499 Address - Gani building, 1st floor, near rly gate no 4, MS road, Machkhowa

Ph - 7896618507, 9864802203

Book your classifieds For bookings, contact +91 84860 02303, +91 84860 02304,+91361 2737737 or email us at : info@insightbrandcom.com

* Booking will be accepted subject to availability of space ** Open for jobs, rental and buy/sale of property

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Product

HEAD TO HEAD T

he Dio has always been a class act, extremely tough to beat. Many scooters have tried but most have been beaten. The Ray, however, comes across as a genuine competitor to the good old Honda. Price and performance are two areas where the Dio still has a marginal advantage over the Ray, but if you consider the specific group that Yamaha is targeting with the Ray, this Yamaha comes across as a better product. As many would argue, the Ray may very well pass as a unisex scooter. If that happens, we have a clear winner here, as the Dio, with its better power, matching looks, quality and lower price has an edge. However, if someone from the fairer sex has to choose between the two, we would still recommend the Ray for its friendlier demeanour, shorter seat height and nimble handling.

YAMAHA RAY

HONDA DIO i10

113 cc

109 cc

Power

7.1 PS

8.11 PS

Torque

8.1 Nm

8.66 Nm

Ground Clearance

128 mm

Engine

Tank Capacity

0-60 km Price

160 mm

`47,155*

`47,630* *Ex showroom

1. POWERFUL

Although equipped with a smaller engine, the Honda is considerably powerful and hence faster as compared to the Yamaha Ray in a straight line.

2. STYLING

Both scooters share the same design priciples. However the Ray looks a notch better and more streamlined when compared to the new Honda Dio.

Chic for Two

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

{{

Fashion

“Just because you’re showcasing a baby bump doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish.”

PRERNA THARD

f you’re new to dressing for two, the world of maternity clothes might be somewhat of a mystery. You can easily adapt a new style to your changing body by donning preferably larger sizes of your favourite pieces. And, while there are a couple of tricks to being fashionably pregnant, there are no rules of dressing – focus on individual style and timelessness. Several brands – W, Mothercare, Mom & Me etc. have special maternity wear lines for urban would-be mothers. And they are being readily picked. It’s no longer about oversized clothes but specially styled ones.

We bring to you options to have a stylish nine months ahead!

2 1

Maternity Jeans

The Layered Look

Feminine Shirts

Invest in a couple of great quality maternity jeans, preferably in dark hues, so they help conceal your new “roundy” figure. They are the best and will get a lot of wear – even after you have delivered.

Pregnant women tend to feel warmer all the time so opt for good absorption garments. Cotton is your best bet in terms of fabric. When the weather starts to cool, layering is a great option. Just don a pair of black maternity leggings, a trendy yet comfy t-shirt, a super soft cardigan and, depending on the season, boots or gladiator sandals and you`ll look like the poster girl for pregnancy.

If business casual is your work attire, then invest in a couple of dark pants, feminine tops(ruffles, floral prints) and figure hugging empire sheath dresses. Comfort is the key! Don’t wear anything that puts pressure on your growing belly for the sake of fashion.

TIP

Don’t over shop and stay away from shapeless over-sized clothes. Don’t worry too much in terms of how you look; your baby is making you look beautiful. So go ahead and embrace that bump!!

Stylish Dresses

Experiment with your looks – in the summer, one can don cool kaftans, jersey dresses, sun dresses and maxi dresses (beware not to trip over your dress, turn-up the hemlines and you are good to go) and come winter, wear stretchy knit dresses, wrap dresses or slouchy sweaters with tights.

Trade High Heels for Trendy, Sturdy Flats

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize

Flats are your best friends. From ballerina flats to juicy jelly bellies to embellished, one can go all out. As you progress in to the later stages of pregnancy, your feet will swell up so go up half a shoe size.

–5

This is the best time to use accessories to glam up your look. Scarves are a great way to add that zing factor to your attire or wear chandelier earrings to draw attention to that already glowing face or carry a delicious bag.

Don’t Forget Your Hair, Nails and Feet

It is essential to continue to feel good about how you look. Take the time to get a flattering haircut, a manicure, or a pedicure, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel about your changing body.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Review

Cast: George Clooney, Sandra Bullock

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Danny Denzongpa, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shiv Pandit

oss is one of the most poorlydirected, pathetically-written and uninteresting expenditures of two and half hours. The story is too convoluted to explain but it’s about a thug called Boss who takes contracts for killing. It is easy to guess from the promos that Akshay Kumar in and as Boss can do practically anything from smashing an army of thugs effortlessly to jumping off a two storey building like a seasoned stunt expert and from balancing on a tilted SUV to inviting a Bollywood starlet to his private party. The film is a remake of the Malayalam movie Pokkiri Raja and seems to have been rushed into production, the second south remakes like Rowdy Rathore which made box office platinum. It is a very dull and mediocre cinematic piece posing as masala entertainment. Boss is a mindless, illogical masala film that entertains in parts, especially with its flaky one-liners. But it is a clichéd story, with the characters painted either black or white without a hint of grey. D’Souza the Director of the film tries too hard to make the drama emotional by hastily shoving in a couple of melodramatic sequences. While on the plus side, the film gives Akshay a free hand to indulge in what he has been doing for almost the last two decades that is relentless action. The so called plot is that Danny Denzongpa, the Big Boss a transporter don takes a temperamental teenage lad Surya under his shadow when the latter saves him from a murderous attack. The teenager has a dark history as he had acquired the bad reputation of bashing up people at the slightest provocation and even killed his schoolmate. Surya’s morally upright father, Mithun Chakraborty disowns him. Fifteen years later the boy grows into the skull-crushing, bone-breaking donwho takes on contracts to kill people, though only the bad guys. Surya is the last man standing and can beat the guts off thousands of men with solid punches and high-flying kicks. Not too far away, in the city of Delhi, a young man Shiv, Shiv Pandit who falls in love with Ankita, Aditi Rao Hydari, the sister of a ruthlessly cynical cop, Ronit Roy. Boss is contracted to kill Shiv, but learns that the lad is his long-lost younger brother. What follows is a campy action fest that goes on and on until a high-blown action climax that will leave you exhausted and bore. Boss expects you to laugh in the face of amazing stupidity. But at the end if you really need some past time doses then it is the kind of film where you can just leave your brains behind and go for it.

t is outstanding from a technical perspective with controlled acting and a precise tone. But also at the same time, it does not have much of a story line. It is slow, lack the tempo and even the subplots. It is attractive yet disturbing, detailed yet massive and specific yet highly relatable. Director Alfonso Cuaron’s film Gravity tells the story of survival between astronauts Ryan Stone played by Sandra Bullock and Matt Kowalski played by George Clooney after their spaceship is destroyed by debris from a missile. It is a survival tale set in space. Gravity begins with an exceptionally brilliant and bright shot that seems to last forever. What starts off as a tiny spot in the darkness slowly grows and glows. Gravity isn’t simply a box of tricks though at the centre of the swirl are two extraordinarily human performances, without which this would have simply been a spectacular technical showreel. Bullock is revelatory. Her transformation from nervousness to single-minded determination is always kept believable because she maintains an edge of humanity that has been established by her conversations with Clooney and sometimes herself. Initially, Clooney is Clooney, laconically witty to the fore, but these become important as the film progresses. On the performance front, Sandra Bullock is composed and controlled. She expresses herself more with her breathing and voice modulation and subtle facial expressions. George Clooney provides some entertainment for those short of attention with his jostling around and cheesy one-liners. The story, written by director Cuaron and his son Jonas, may seem conventional but it is the technical expertise that will confuse you continuously. The outstanding direction and visuals are apparent in the 13-minute continuous opening scene where the camera perfectly zooms in and out and rotates at various angles to give you a mind-boggling cinematic experience. The director of photography, Emmanuel Lubezki frames the shots with astonishing clarity seamlessly collaborating with the computer generated images created by Tim Webber. The only way to truly experience Gravity is to watch it in 3D version. Gravity comes with no build-up. For a film that wears technical wizardry, its aesthetic is strangely unaware to its subject and its composition. Overall, Gravity is nothing more than just a visually exciting suspense drama.

NOW

SHOWING Anuradha Cineplex Apsara Cinema Fun Cinemas

Cinemax

Boss

Shahid

Daily at 11.00 AM, 2.00, 5.00, 8.00 PM Daily at 11.00 AM, 2.00, 5.00, 8.00 PM Daily at 10.00 AM, 3.00, 5.40, 8.30 PM (S1) Daily at 9.15 PM, 12.15, 6.00 PM (S2) Daily at 3.30 & 8.45 PM

Escape Plan

Gravity

Daily at 12.40 PM (S1) Daily at 3.15 & 9.00 PM

(S2) Daily at 12.45 PM

(S2) Daily at 10.30 Am & 6.30 PM

UP COMING

Upcoming Assamese feature film Durjon is going to hit the theatres next week. The promos have been doing the rounds online for quite some time now and initial response was not over the top. However the theatrical trailer looks more promising and the music too sounds different. The story takes a look at the life of a man who people generally perceive as ‘bad’ and his trials and tribulations. The film stars Utpal Das, Ananya Parashar, Dr Gunin Basumatari, Pakeeza Begum, Kangki Bordoloi, Rina Bora, Kinjal Basumatari and Mahendra Das. It is directed by Moupran Sharma. The director feels that this is a film with characters which will relate to everyone and is expecting it to be a new direction in films. Well, we can only hope and wait with eagerness.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Events

Assamese celeb Zerifa Wahid & Pawan Agarwal of Lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, Guwahati

TV Actor Siddharth Shukla

Bollywood star Sana Saeed

Reminiscing Durga Puja & Navratri Singer and actor Chang

Nayantara Puja Winner, Best LIGHTING Award

NEXT DATE

VENUE

EVENT

19th Oct

Silver Streax

Bollywood Binge

19th Oct

Ozone

Alchemy prjkt Featuring Zensystem

19th Oct

Terra Mayaa

Bollywood Mania

21 - 22 Oct

Hotel Millenium

Boutiques of Indian Wedding and Lifestyle

22nd Oct

Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok

CII Seminar

22nd Oct

Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship

Unconventional L

25th Oct

Vivafit

Aerobics Class

Photos: Anuj Bajaj

Athgaon Puja Winner, Best IDOL Award Geetanagar Puja Winner, Best PUJA OVERALL Award

7 DAYS

WANT YOUR EVENT TO BE FEATURED ON THIS PAGE? Just mail us at info@g-plus.in

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Web Watch

Indian brothers beat Google to street view

ho needs Google Street View! Even as the global search major struggles with Indian authorities to get permissions to take images of Indian city streets, a small Mumbai-based mapping company has done all that Google had planned, and perhaps more, for the top 54 Indian

cities. Genesys International, founded in 1995 by brothers Sohel and Sajid Malik, have captured numerous images of almost every street in these cities, and stitched the images together to create 360-degree panoramic views of the streets, almost exactly the way Google has done in many other parts of the world. The company launched the service under the brand Wonobo (wonobo.com). The site suffered from latency and there were many complaints online about the slow download speed. But the company said the speed will improve in a day or so as they get everything in place. So how come they were able to do something that Google has not been able to yet in India? Sajid Malik said that one advantage Genesys had was in having worked with the government for many years for their mapping services. For street view, the government including the Defence Ministry and the Survey of India, threw a lot of regulations at us. We painstakingly fulfilled their requirements, including not taking pictures in sensitive areas, he added. The company has so far been in the services business, creating map content for others such as Navteq (provider of electronic navigable maps), Nokia and Bing, and was involved recently in creating digital maps of Dubai, Mecca and Medina. Wonobo street view is being launched initially for 12 cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jaipur, Costal Goa, Kolkata, Agra and Pune. The remaining will be launched over the following weeks.

Shopping Online?

Watch out for fake goods

efore you click on the ‘buy’ button on a great online deal, make sure the product is genuine, because it turns out that fakes and grey market imports of reputed brands are flourishing in India’s booming online retail market. Brands such as Lacoste, Puma, Benetton, Canon and Nikon have initiated moves ranging from taking legal actions and warning customers to negotiating with top retail portals to deal with the menace. Besides the loss of potential sales for marketers, online listing of fake and refurbished products impacts their brand equity as well as the overall credibility of online retail industry. “While there is certain proportion of loss of sales due to such fraudulent listing, it also jeopardises the brand name that matters to us,” Rajesh Jain, director & CEO at Lacoste India, says. Lacoste does not sell its wares online at all, but fakes of its polo T-shirt is available anywhere between Rs 600 and Rs 1,200 online against the original ones priced about Rs 3,000 a piece in the stores. To ensure that fakes are not sold through its platform, Indiatimes Shopping has forged direct relationships with almost all known brands in the country and every product that has risk of fakes comes with a certificate of authentication from the brand, Malik says. Some other big online shopping sites such as Flipkart, Myntra and Snapdeal, too, say they have started extensive screening of products sold as well as sellers using their platform, to ensure they are not illegal.

Forget duck lips, now sparrow face is the new preferred pout among self-loving stars

Internet at bottom of ocean to detect tsunamis

nternet goes underwater! Scientists are developing a system of sensors to conquer the internet’s final frontier - the deep sea. A deep-sea internet network will improve the detection of tsunamis, monitor pollution and conduct surveillance. “A submerged wireless network will give us an unprecedented ability to collect and analyse data from our oceans in real time,” said Tommaso Melodia, associate professor of electrical engineering at the University at Buffalo and the project’s lead researcher. “Making this information available to anyone with a smartphone or computer, especially when a tsunami or other type of disaster occurs, could help save lives,” said Melodia.

Tata Sky launches TV streaming app for mobiles

irect-to-home television operator Tata Sky today launched a new application that allows watching live television programmes on mobile phones as the company looks to popularise its brand further. Named ‘Everywhere TV’, the company said it will charge `60 per month from its existing customers who can initially watch over 50 channels on their mobile phones.

CHECK OUT A panaromic world proudly created by people

www.360cities.net For amazing 360 degree panaromic views of famous cities. Including some of Northeast India.

uck lips - the exaggerated pout favoured by celebrities including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - has had its heyday. Now, a brand new bird-inspired pout is making its way to countless selfies. Nicknamed ‘Sparrow Face’, the expression is already a hit in Japan, where, according to BuzzFeed, a TV show explained that it is done by opening your eyes wide and puckering your lips ‘like you’re a baby bird waiting’ to be fed. Cara Delevingne, Kendall Jenner, Ashley Tisdale and Lindsay Lohan all seem to be avid fans of the pout, as evidenced in their recent Instagram and Twitter selfies.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Food

THE

BIRYANI BRIGADE Happiness is biryani for a foodie!

GARGee BARuah

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

This festive season all one can do is not avoid hogging over the platter. Following the celebrations of Durga Puja, we had Eid coming, and then follows a set of festivities queued up to claim and brag their importance. Celebrate the joy of diving into the delicious and diverse cuisines this festive season and to keep your mouth watering, eyes rolling and tongues clicking, G PLUS serves you a plate (page) full of biryani.

ROYALTY

“

HUNGRY KYA?

“

You might want to stop thinking and start eating for a moment. G Plus lists down some of the eating joints in Guwahati which can satisfy your restless biryani cravings.

Mughal Garden - near B. Barooah College,

Biryani is said to have originated in the Mughal kitchen. The word ‘biryani’ originated from the Persian word ‘beryā(n)’ which means ‘roasted before cooking’. There are different styles of biryani such as Hyderabadi biryani, Lucknowi ‘Awadhi’ biryani, Sindhi biryani, Bombay biryani, Karachi beef biryani etc. It is made with rice (usually ‘basmati’), spices, vegetables and chicken, mutton, beef or egg etc.

Teetooz- opposite Assam Petrol Pump, G.S Road, Ulubari

CELEBRATE WITH BIRYANI

Mughlai Kolkata - Babi Market, near bus stand, Ganeshguri

When it’s time for Eid celebrations, how can biryani be neglected! There’s every reason to celebrate biryani since the flavour of it is enhanced by the festival of Eid. And, that’s not all because the festivity stretches till Diwali. So, if you want to put the chef’s hat on and be the star among the guests, this is the best time to dive into some culinary experience.

Baghdad- near Rajdhani Masjid, Hatigaon Biryani Centre - opposite Sonaram Market, A.T Road, Maligaon

The Dhaba - opposite Sohum, Christian Basti Hotel Dynasty - SS Road , Lakhtokia

Teetooz serves veg biryani, chicken biryani, mutton biryani, egg biryani and Teetooz special biryani. Biryani Centre at Maligaon serves Hyderabadi Chicken/Mutton Biryani as well. Baghdad at Hatigaon is a popular destination for biryani lovers and they serve beef biryani too along with Hyderabadi (Mutton/ Chicken/ Beef/ Egg) biryani. They have a home delivery system as well. Mughlai Garden near B.Barooah College is another restaurant which serves beef biryani. Chicken, egg and mutton biryani is available in all the above mentioned restaurants including The Dhaba and Mughlai Kolkata.

WHAT ABOUT THE FITNESS FREAKS?

When the angel with the halo is around why worry? Those into a healthy diet, who helplessly avoid heeding to the urges of the mortal soul and would pounce upon that platter if only fitness could be an easy access, just chill!

Method

1. In a mixing bowl, stir together the garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and yogurt with some pepper and ¼ tsp salt. Tip in the chicken pieces and stir to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for about 1 hr or longer if you have time. Warm the milk to tepid, stir in the saffron and set aside. 2. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Slice each onion in half lengthways, reserve half and cut the other half into thin slices. Pour 1½ tbsp of the oil onto a baking tray, scatter over the sliced onion, toss to coat, then spread out in a thin, even layer. Roast for 40-45 mins, stirring halfway, until golden. 3. When the chicken has marinated, thinly slice the reserved onion. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large sauté or frying pan. Fry the onion for 4-5 mins until golden. Stir in the chicken, a spoonful at a time, frying until it is no longer opaque, before adding the next spoonful (this helps to prevent the yogurt from curdling). Once the last of the chicken has been added, stirfry for a further 5 mins until everything looks juicy. Scrape any sticky bits off the bottom of the pan, stir in the chilli powder, then pour in 100ml water, cover and simmer on a low heat for 15 mins. Remove and set aside.

WHAT IS THE LUCKNOW ‘AWADHI’ BIRYANI The rice and the meat are cooked separately. Then, it is layered and baked. The meat is at first, seared in ghee and then, cooked in water. Different aromatic spices are used while being cooked till it is brought to soften. The meat broth is separated from the meat. Then, the rice is fried slightly in ghee and then, cooked in the meat broth. After that, the cooked meat and the cooked rice are layered in a handi and some sweet flavours are added. The handi is then, sealed and cooked over low heat. And finally, the cooked meat, rice and the meat broth is ready!

4. Cook the rice while the chicken simmers. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large sauté pan, then drop in the cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves and cumin seeds. Fry briefly until their aroma is released. Tip in the rice and fry for 1 min, stirring constantly. Stir in the stock and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about 8 mins or until all the stock has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and leave with the lid on for a few mins, so the rice can fluff up. Stir the garam masala into the remaining 1½ tsp oil and set aside. When the onions are roasted, remove and reduce oven to 180C/160C fan/gas. 5. Spoon half the chicken and its juices into an ovenproof dish, about 25 x 18 x 6cm, then scatter over a third of the roasted onions. Remove the whole spices from the rice, then layer half of the rice over the chicken and onions. Drizzle over the spiced oil. Spoon over the rest of the chicken and a third more onions. Top with the remaining rice and drizzle over the saffron-infused milk. Scatter over the rest of the onions, cover tightly with foil and heat through in the oven for about 25 mins. Serve scattered with the mint and coriander.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Your weekly dose of HOROSCOPE ARIES Hard to know how the great pioneers of the modern world felt after they accomplished something great, but on Monday you have an inkling. And your recent successes are only going to beget even more success, but not necessarily overnight. Tuesday and Wednesday, for example, you find yourself in an unlikely slump — the problem is simply, once you’ve accomplished something great, where do you go from there? Overseas, maybe? Is a trip in order? Do something this weekend that will enable you to meet strangers — if such strangers are of another culture, all the better.

TAURUS Nothing makes sense on Monday. Everyone’s acting completely absurd. There’s a strong chance no one means anything by it, and trying to decipher motives behind the madness will only drive you into further confusion. So, relax. Take everything with a grain of salt. If it really starts to bug you, find a good friend (someone steady and normal-seeming) to vent to, but chances are by the end of the week you’ll see that none of it had anything to do with you anyway. Friday or Saturday, you are on the verge of making a purchase when you decide to shop around a bit more. Wise move.

GEMINI Strong as your opinions are, you’re smart enough to be receptive to new ideas. A new idea comes your way on Monday and totally flattens you — in a terrific way. It changes everything. It’s not every day that this happens, and it won’t happen again for a while. Tuesday and Wednesday have nothing new to offer you (career worries are on your mind), and Thursday is spent in the company of people very familiar to you (good friends, maybe some coworkers). This weekend, take the initiative in a group situation and everyone will be thrilled to follow your lead.

CANCER If you were running the lemonade stand all by yourself, you could set all the prices; but you’re in this thing with someone else, and maintaining this relationship is just as important as making money. Tuesday and Wednesday you and you-know-who are more in tune with one another, and this may be a result of your willingness to be chill. Try to be chill on Thursday and Friday too — they will be hectic days and you’ll feel like hurrying, but that will only rattle you. Responding in emotional ways on Saturday won’t solve much. Practice poise this week.

LEO It’s wonderful to be loyal, but there’s a difference between being loyal and being clingy — and it’s a crucial difference on Monday. Be inventive about your solutions to the problems at hand. If there are any financial dealings at issue on Tuesday or Wednesday, it’s best to table them for the time being. Thursday through Saturday you should be bold about placing yourself in the path of people who know more than you do, and then do your best impression of a sponge. Contrary to what they always say about ignorance and bliss, you love to learn. You also love an opportunity to be an expert — this comes Sunday.

VIRGO It’s far more generous of you to offer what you would do if you were in you-know-who’s shoes than to offer a critique of said shoes — anyone can be a critic. Also, what you say is just as important as how you say it. The details of this person’s situation are certainly more complicated than you realize, and coming on too strong will only diminish your position from where you can dispense advice (and it is certainly a position you enjoy). As for dispensations of other kinds, money is tight at the end of the week, so don’t go driving down the highway throwing dollar bills out the window.

JUST FOR LAUGHs Husband calls his wife.... Husband, “Hi Honey, I was driving to Susan’s place along the coast road and had a sudden puncture. The car skidded and rolled over. Only a small tree kept me from sliding over a cliff and falling 500 feet. I managed to crawl out of the car only one second before the tree snapped and the car fell over the cliff. “I am now in hospital with a broken arm, several broken ribs, a shattered kneecap and severe concussion.” Wife, “Who is Susan?” Murphy asked Paddy how he got his black eye. “You’d never believe it,” said Paddy, “but I got it in church.”

TIMEPASS

LIBRA Enough with the standard fare, you need something fresh and new. Monday’s fun will come from an unlikely source — an acquaintance you haven’t invested much time in, a band you’ve never heard before, a book you’ve always meant to read. Tuesday and Wednesday have you maxed out and with little time for experimental pursuits, but Thursday and Friday offer plenty of social time — that means plenty of time to scoot a chair up to someone you barely know and do something about that. Romance and flirtation also figure strongly on Thursday and Friday — and Saturday, too — and Sunday is pure magic

SCORPIO A radical change is on the horizon in your home life. You shouldn’t regard this the same way you’d regard a storm on the horizon: Change is good, and this change will be great. Meanwhile, on Tuesday and Wednesday, your love life is great — for whatever reason (perhaps you’re in charge of designing the outings) you are drawing heavily on your imagination these days. You haven’t felt so engaged in a while. Thursday and Friday find you avoiding conflict and staying fit, and Saturday is a fine time to start something. A project? A band? A nonprofit? Sunday is about you and you-know-who.

SAGITTARIUS Connections come easily to you on Monday — you’re able to finish the sentences of perfect strangers. This says something about your chemistry with these people, but it is also an indication of alertness on your part. Some of this alertness will be obscured on Tuesday and Wednesday by the metaphorical turn your thoughts take — the simplest anecdotes seem to have fable-like significance to you — but on Thursday through Saturday, you aren’t thinking abstractly at all. You’re doing somersaults down slopes and throwing snowballs at someone with whom you’re smitten. Sunday is quiet by comparison.

CAPRICORN

SUDOKU

Your routine’s starting to blend and blur and become sort of dull to you, but this is a routine that’s treated you pretty well, all things considered. Monday sees you considering a change in style — a different approach to the same game. This is wise. Tuesday and Wednesday find you flexing your creativity in more overtly inspired ways, and Thursday you draw on a resourceful solution to a family problem. Friday and Saturday, you’ll continue to ponder the family situation, but an adventure on Sunday returns you happily to your personal priorities (your love life, for instance).

AQUARIUS It’s amazing when you notice — when you can really see — the effect you have on other people. You can see it on Monday, and this evidence of your inspiration in turn inspires you to go on being inspiring. You are part of a happy loop of good feeling. It makes sense that you may deliriously slip into a sort of mystical realm on Tuesday and Wednesday, what with all the vaunted impressions you have of yourself and the people around you. Thursday through Saturday are likewise marked by advanced ideas, thrilling discoveries and interpersonal electricity. Sunday, check up on a relative.

PISCES The pressure of everyone else’s problems weighs on you on Monday. Yes, it’s good of you to spend so much time concocting solutions for quandaries that have little to do with you, but some days you need to give yourself a break. To whatever extent possible, try to make all your problem-solving efforts on Tuesday and Wednesday related to your own problems — and if you lack problems, well, hooray! Go to the movies! Unwind! Thursday through Saturday will wind you up again. They will puzzle you. Then again, you love puzzles. Sunday is about softness, poetry, a tasty dinner, stuff like that.

He said he had been sitting behind a fat lady and when they all stood for a hymn he noticed her dress was creased into the cheeks of her bum. “All I did was lean forward and pull it out and she turned round and hit me,” said Paddy. It was a week later and Shamus was surprised to see Paddy had another black eye. “I got it in church,” he began to explain. He said he found himself behind the same fat woman and when they stood for the hymn her dress was once again creased into the cheeks of her bum. “My little nephew reached forward and pulled it out. But I know she didn’t like that, so I leaned over and tucked it back!”

Solutions (Last Issue)

Fun

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Travel

Grades in Rafting

Packed to the Rafters Gplus feature

f you are an adventure enthusiast and have rafting on your mind, India is one of the world’s best places for riding on the wild waters of untamed rivers or white water rafting as it is called. The mighty rivers flowing down from the heights of the Himalayas provide excellent options for rafting.

level. Walls of mountains rise to hundreds of feet on both sides. The rafting route ends as the river merges with the Indus. The route passes through some very rough terrains and remote places in Ladakh. The river is rated as grade IV. Best time to go is July to August as the river freezes during winters.

We bring to you 5 best River Rafting options in India:

River Indus on Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir

The Ganga at Rishikesh is one of the world’s best rivers to raft. A 16 km stretch from Shivpuri to Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh, rapids range from grade 1 to grade 4. This stretch, rich with whirlpools and rapids, has seen the likes of Brad Pitt come for a rafting adventure. There are as many as 13 rapids with curious names like Return To Sender, Roller Coaster, Three Blind Mice, Double Trouble, Tee Off & Golf Course. An excellent combination of chilled and beautiful white sand river beaches against the scenic Kumaon Mountains, the best season to go there is from September to June.

Amidst deep gorges, towering snow-capped peaks, hilltop monasteries, hillside villages, Ladakh offers a range of rafting options on the Indus and its major tributaries. The rafting season begins in the months of June upto late August on the river Indus when the water levels are high. Tamer (graded an average of 2-3) in comparison to the more rugged water flow of the river in Nepal, rafting is more commonly done from Spitok to the Indus-Zanskar confluence at Nimmu, and from Nimmu to the ancient temple complex at Alchi. The more challenging route lies between Alchi and Khalsi, which takes in the kilometre long series of rapids at Nurla.

Zanskar, Ladakh

Bhagirathi river

Rishikesh

Rafting is held between Padum and Zimo regions in the Zanskar river gorge at the height of 12000 feet of the sea

Through gorges, charming villages and white sandy beaches, the Bhagirathi offers 150 kms of pure white water rafting thrill. The raft run downs the lower Bhagirathi gorge and is graded between levels 3 and 4. Rapids like “Elephant rock”, “The Chute”, “Sharp S”, “Confluence rapids” are encountered till Bhagirathi’s confluence with the Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganga. Further ahead are the best rapids of the Ganga, ‘Daniel Dip’ and ‘The Wall’. The best season for a rafting adventure falls between October and mid-May.

Brahmaputra River Rafting Expedition

The Brahmaputra river, both mystifying and ferocious, finds its way down the Tibet region by cutting Greater Himalayas

and then enters Arunachal Pradesh from where the expedition initiates. A week long run in the river of Brahmaputra takes the rafters through remote hill sides with a few tribal settlements in thick rainforests. The expedition starts from Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh on the Subansari river, the primary tributary of the Brahmaputra, and ends after 180 kms of rafting at Pasighat. The trip also gives an excellent exposure to remarkable sceneries and unparalleled locations making this river’s white water rafting amongst premier expedition in India.The rafting is rated at Level 4 and the best rafting season for Brahmaputra is November to March.

The six grades of difficulty in white water rafting. They range from simple to very dangerous and potential death or serious injuries. Grade 1: Flat water, little current. (Skill Level: Very Basic) Grade 2: Bubbling current, small rapids, some rough water, maybe some rocks. (Skill level: basic paddling skill) Grade 3: Technical & exciting, needs trained guide, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. (Skill level: experienced paddling skills) Grade 4: Big rapids, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop. (Skill level: white water experience) Grade 5: Large waves, large volume, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop. (Skill level: advanced white water experience) Grade 6: These rapids are considered to be so dangerous as to be effectively unnavigable on a reliably safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial white water, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all rafting equipment.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

G-Talk

Does Meghalaya require Inner Line Permit? Kyrmenlang Uriah

Social Activist

Ajay Pal Singh Businessman

POINT

COUNTERPOINT

here is a huge outcry from various non-governmental organisations in Meghalaya to initiate the process of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state for people from other regions and countries to visit Meghalaya. The government may be against the demand but personally speaking, I as a social activist and journalist back the demand and find it legitimate. Illegal immigration is a matter of concern not only in Meghalaya, but also in all the states of Northeast. If you take an example of states like Assam and Tripura, there are many migrants from other states and countries like Bangladesh. Similarly, in Meghalaya too, without a mechanism like ILP, it is tough to check illegal migration. According to the provisional data of 2011 census, the state has a total population of 29,64,007, which is an increase of 6,45,185 from the 2001 census. A decade ago, Meghalayaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population stood at 23,18,822. The state also recorded a highest decadal growth (27.82 percent) among all the North eastern states. The government feels it is an outdated scheme to introduce and it was started by the British. But, if you take the example of states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, the mechanism like ILP has helped the states curb the problem of illegal immigration. In Meghalaya, there are many people from different states and countries, who are illegally registered in the voters list and even have epic cards. This has been possible because there is no stringent law to check illegal immigration and even political parties take advantage of the migrants during election. Many NGOs in Meghalaya from time to time, have caught hold of many illegal migrants and handed them over to the police. As Meghalaya has a border with a country like Bangladesh and because some borders are very porous, the Bangladeshi migrants can easily enter Meghalaya, and with the help of some agents who are well connected with some babus and bureaucrats in the government, easily procure documents like pan cards and epic cards and claim to be a citizen of India. With the demand of introducing ILP in the state, many people feel that Meghalaya will lose in the tourism sector for which it is popular. I personally feel, there will not be any problem for the tourists to visit Meghalaya and in fact it will be easy for the local people to identify who is a tourist, and who is not. States like Arunachal Pradesh also have ILP, but the tourism does not get affected because of that. The ILP will be a useful for the government to curb illegal immigration, which the state is in need of.

The government may be against the demand but personally speaking, I as a social activist and journalist back the demand and find it legitimate.â&#x20AC;?

was born and brought up in Shillong and now I am running a business here. I might not be from this place by the origin of my parents, but I feel that I am very much from this region. There are organisations and bodies demanding ILP (Inner Line Permit), a permit for the outsiders to enter the state. If it is for curbing illegal migration of outsiders than firstly it should be clearly ref lected which outsiders are we talking about? Meghalaya already has certain stringent rules, which does not allow people to get epic cards easily. There is also a rule, which does not allow outsiders to buy any land here. But, as we are already settled here with our business and other work, enforcing such mechanism like ILP will put unnecessary pressure on the people working here from other states. As Meghalaya is a part of India and once it used to be a part of Assam, everyone staying here is Indian. If curbing illegal migration from other countries like Bangladesh is considered than ILP might be useful but the passport and visa system is already taking care of it. There are people in the other states like Assam who visit Meghalaya every day for various business purposes, same goes for the Shillongites here who travel outside Meghalaya very often to earn their survival. So, the mechanism like ILP will erect some unnecessary walls which will slow down the business process and lead to slow economic development of the state. Tourism will also be largely affected as Shillong is known as the Scotland of the East for its beauty and a huge number of people throng the city to enjoy the nature. ILP will add up to the pain and the tourists might choose a different location instead of coming to Meghalaya. Since the last few days, Meghalaya has been witnessing bandhs, strikes, picketing, violence and other stirs from the pro-ILP groups which is again hampering the everyday business leading to loss of revenue incurred not only by the business people but also the government. So, I think even the agitation should be of a kind where the everyday work is not affected. Many non-tribal people are targeted and have been asked to leave the state, some shops have been set ablaze and people are scared even to go to their work places. The ILP scheme may be helpful but at present, it is just a nightmare for the people from other states living here. I do not back the scheme and urge that the law should be reworked and made more stringent, so that illegal migration from different countries cannot happen. But it should be done in a peaceful manner.

There are people in the other states like Assam who visit Meghalaya every day for various business purposes, same goes for the Shillongites here who travel outside Meghalaya very often to earn their survival.

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Citypedia

printing houseS

G Plus will keep on publishing such relevant and useful information in this page in the coming issues. Compiled by Rangman Das

Cont...

Kamrup Offset & Publishers Solapara Road Paltan Bazaar Guwahati – 781008 Phone No – 0361-2519916, 2912080

Karmasansthan

A T Road, Nursery Guwahati – 781009 Phone No – 0361-2519118

Mahamaya Associates

Behind New Castle Hotel Machkhowa Guwahati – 781009 Phone No – 98590-90773

Martin Printers

Lokhora Road Kahilipara, Guwahati – 781008 Phone No – 0361-2479044

Matri Offset Press

Navanita Printers

Rajgarh Road Guwahati – 781003 Phone No – 0361-2451911

NECT

Zoo Narengi Road Tiniali, Guwahati – 781024 Phone No – 98640-58752, 94010-84671

NEEDS

Hedayetpur Guwahati – 781003 Phone No – 0361-2662741

Near NCP Office Hedayetpur, Guwahati – 781003 Phone No – 94350-13497

Behind Punjab National Bank Ganeshguri Guwahati – 781005 Phone No – 0361-2202940, 97079-20945

Labanya Press

Media Publication Group

New Sagar Printers

Kiran Printers

F C Road, Uzan Bazaar Guwahati – 781001 Phone No – 0361-2544111

Lai Lechai Press

Rajgarh Road Guwahati – 781003 Phone No – 0361-2453694

Mega Prints

Solapara Road Opp Capital Travels Guwahati – 781008 Phone No – 0361-2631487

Tiptop Gali Lakhtokia Guwahati – 781001 Phone No – 0361-2651194, 2638740

N G Printers

Byelane – 8, West Lachitnagar Guwahati – 781007 Phone No – 0361-2545493, 2455981

Meridian Offset

Nilachal Graphics

M Screen

Minion Offset Press

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Laser Creations

Paltanbazaar Guwahati – 781008 Phone No – 0361-2547184

Maa Manasha Printers

Zoo Road Tiniali Guwahati – 781003 Phone No – 98646-06404, 98640-40289

Maa Printers

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Mahalaxmi Printers

HPB Road, Paltanbazar Guwahati – 781008 Phone No – 0361-2609319, 2632106

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Minus Printer

S C Goswami Road Panbazar, Guwahati – 781001 Phone No – 0361-2474692, 2600824

M M Graphics

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M M Printers

P P Road, Rehabari Guwahati – 781008 Phone No – 0361-2631467

Godhulibazar, Azara Guwahati – 781017 Phone No – 0361-2841347, 2842733 Gate No -3, Maligaon Guwahati – 781011 Phone No – 99540-12397, 98640-71079

North East Printers

Lalmati, Gandhibasti Guwahati – 781003 Phone No – 0361-2663803

North Eastern Offset Printers

Opp. Saheb Tila, Zoo Road Tiniali Guwahati – 781024 Phone No – 98640-95856

Oracle Printers

Industrial Estate, Bamunimaidam Guwahati – 781021 Phone No – 94351-10465

Papyrus Printers & Publishers Anandanagar, Adabari Tiniali Guwahati – 781012 Phone No – 0361-2571269

Partake

Printswell Associates

PB Enterprise

Printworth

Soman Marketing Complex Ganeshguri Guwahati – 781005 Phone No – 0361-2349692 R P Road, Ganeshguri Guwahati – 781006 Phone No – 0361-2269441, 98640-21077

P J Printers

Maligaon Chariali Guwahati – 781011 Phone No – 0361-2573018

Popular Advertising

Rajgarh Road Guwahati – 781007 Phone No – 94350-47240, 97078-12419

Pradhan Offset

Bharalumukh Guwahati – 781009 Phone No – 0361-2637041, 99540-17575

Pragya

Panbazaar Guwahati – 781001 Phone No – 98640-45086

Prasenjit Enterprises

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Print Art

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Printech

G S Road, Bhangagarh Guwahati – 781005 Phone No – 0361-2529844, 2455730

Prints Media Offset

Tiptop Gali, Lakhtokia Guwahati – 781001 Phone No – 98640-94019

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Purbajyoti Offset

S J Road, Athgaon Guwahati – 781001 Phone No – 0361-2546287

Purbanchal Printers

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Purabi Silk Screen Printing Rajgarh Road, Bhangagarh Guwahati – 781007 Phone No – 0361-2451362

R B Printers

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R C Printing & Advertising

Zoo Road Tiniali Guwahati – 781024 Phone No – 0361-2591140

Roy Printers

Danish Road, Panbazaar Guwahati – 781001 Phone No – 0361-2605067

Royal Enterprise

Bara Bazaar, Pandu Guwahati – 781012 Phone No – 0361-2679040

Rumi Jumi Enterprise

G S Road, Sixth Mile Guwahati – 781022 Phone No – 0361-2332787

GPLUS OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2013

Catching up

Headlining acts! Freida Pinto WHO’S SHE?

Freida Selena Pinto was born on October 18 in the year 1984 and is an Indian actress and model.

SO WHAT?

Pinto rose to prominence playing the role of ‘Latika’ in the 2008 British Indian drama film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’,that marked her debut. She won the ‘Breakthrough Performance Award’ at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Her work was also nominated at various award ceremonies such as British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) and MTV Movie Awards.

NOW WHAT?

Bruno Mars latest song ‘Gorilla’, is surely attracting plenty of viewers, as now Freida Pinto strips down during the clip. The song features her as a stripper who dances for Bruno on stage. Apart from the impressive moves on stage, Freida also gets hot and heavy with Bruno, outside of the club in the backseat of a car.

Hugh Jackman WHO’S HE?

Hugh Michael Jackman was born on October 12 in 1968 and is an Australian actor and producer with a strong presence in Hollywood.

SO WHAT?

Jackman has won international recognition for his roles in major films, notably as superhero, period, and romance characters.

NOW WHAT?

Now Hugh Jackman has been chosen as the brand ambassador of Indian mobile handset brand Micromax. His association with Micromax will start with its new smartphone Canvas Turbo, which will be launched in India soon. Hugh Jackman became popular in India after the X-Men series and has a lot of followers in India.

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Kim Kardashian Admits She Wants To Pose Nude

and send it to 56677

Kim Kardashian recently said that the first thing she wants to do is pose nude for Playboy. While expressing about her feeling to her sister, Kim Kardashian said that she just wants to walk down the street fully naked, soon after she regains her old figure after giving birth to her baby. She also desires to be the sexy hot mom.

Dallas high school teacher posed nude on Playboy website

The restaurant where the staff is exclusively twins Twin Stars is a new restaurant located in the Russian capital with crew members being twin brothers and sisters. The owner of the restaurant Alexei Khodorkovsky claimed it is one of a kind, as there’s an identical copy of every staff member. But he also admitted that it had been really difficult to find desired number of twins that could actually work at the bistro.

What did I just hear? A young Chinese couple are facing criminal punishment for “selling” their daughter and using part of the proceeds to buy an Apple iPhone. Shanghai prosecutors have brought a case against the couple for human trafficking after they illegally put their third child up for adoption through online postings and accepted money for the baby.

pick of the week In a major boost for India and other countries seeking details on suspected black money stashed in Swiss banks, Switzerland has agreed to exchange of information and mutual administrative assistance in tax matters with overseas authorities. According to latest official figures released by Swiss National Bank, Indians in Swiss banks held about Rs. 9,000 crore (2.18 billion Swiss francs) at the end of 2012. The overall amount held in Swiss banks by entities from across the world is estimated at around Rs. 90 lakh crore.

A Dallas teacher has created a buzz around the high school where she teaches Spanish when the students discovered that she posed nude online as Playboy’s ‘Coed of the Month’ in February 2011. Cristy Nicole Deweese now 21 had apparently posed nude for the illustrious men’s magazine when she was 18. Though she was not employed by the Dallas Independent School District at that time but the latest outbreak of the news has created a wave of anxiety among the parents.

Kamur of the week Post-Puja hangover: The holidays are over but the government offices still seem to be in a festive hangover, with most of them witness to little or no attendance. Even the schools and colleges are still closed and as soon as they reopen, the pressure of exams will start haunting the kids. People seem to be enjoying an extended run of holidays!

Printed & Published by Sunit Jain on behalf of Insight Brandcom Pvt. Ltd. and Printed at Arkashish Publications (P) Ltd., Katahbari, Garchuk, Guwahati and Published at H/No. 34, K. C. Choudhury Road, Chatribari, Guwahati - 781008, Editor: Koushik Hazarika. Email: info@g-plus.in