Gplus VOLUME 02 ISSUE 32 by G Plus

CITY Mountaineer reach BACK HOME safely PG 08

Can Constipation cause a Heart Attack THE PIKU EFFECT

Ashley Benson

Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Date Actors

Page 24

PG 16

VOLUME 02 | ISSUE 32 MAY 16 - MAY 22 , 2015

PRICE `10

First ever

City

surgical institute set up in the city

NRC updating 30% process private PG

If anyone is born in India but his/her legacy information is not registered in the NRC database, will that person be considered an Indian? With the NRC updation process in place, many people from outside living in Guwahati are rushing towards their home town with confusion regarding who is eligible to update the legacy information and where it can be done. G Plus talks to the experts to know what exactly is the process to be known as an Indian. Contd. in page 02

school students

City

in full swing, FOR NOW

Suffer from

Obesity

ever revive?

Assamese VOX POP

Will Assam Flying Club

Who is an PG

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Lead Story

NRC updating process

in full swing, FOR NOW

Juthika Baruah

to identify the genuine citizens of India and it is a good step as the issue of illegal infiltrators has been a burning problem for the state for long. But it has also been seen that most people do not have the concept of what exactly is NRC. They heard about the NRC update, have seen advertisements but do not know what to do and what not. Biren Das, a resident of Bamunimaidam said, “I went to

the NSK to take my legacy data as I don’t know the process to find the required document. I don’t think we need such type of proof because we have been living here since our forefathers. The process is not bad but the indigenous people should not be harassed as many people like me don’t know what to do or many do not have the documents required to prove the genuineness of our claims.”

Check Legacy Data Yes

midst much hue and cry over the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), with a section of politicians and public alike crying themselves hoarse over the purported dangers inherent in the process of updating the document, the government is working round the clock to ensure that the process goes on smoothly, including the names of all genuine Indians. The NRC will help to identify illegal infiltrators which is a burning problem in the state and the process of enlisting the names of citizens will be based on electoral rolls up to 1971 and the 1951 NRC. Speaking to G Plus, Prateek Hajela, Commissioner and Secretary, Government of Assam and State Coordinator for NRC said, “The NRC will include the names of every Indian citizen based on the NRC 1951 electoral rolls up to midnight of 24th March 1971 and in their absence, the list of admissible documents of pre 1971 period. The difference between a voter ID card and the NRC is that the NRC will include names of citizens since their birth i.e. from age zero but to apply for a voter ID card, a citizen should be of 18 years of age.” He said that so far 25,65,046 people from NSKs while 36,46,770 people have downloaded online legacy data as on 7th May, 2015. All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) President Dipankar Kumar Nath said that the NRC is the right process to identify the illegal

The NRC will help to identify illegal infiltrators which is a burning problem in the state and the process of enlisting the names of citizens will be based on electoral rolls up to 1971 and the 1951 NRC. infiltrators and question should not arise on its ability to do justice to the Indian citizens. “The public should be conscious and they should cooperate with the government to update the NRC. They should take the legacy data and submit the application form along with the required documents,” said Nath. Nath also stated that the people whose legacy data have not been found should not fear being left out as the government has taken some steps for them to determine their citizenship, especially for those who have shifted from different places years back. The process will result in a positive outcome and that the indigenous people should not panic about the updating of the NRC. He also said that a section of people in the state should detest from sending out wrong and misleading information about the NRC for their petty political gains, adding that the entire process is far greater than any particular individual or organisation. Echoing similar views while dismissing allegations by political

and non-political organisations that the State Government is involved in a conspiracy to dilute the process of updating the NRC and many indigenous people have been dropped out from the list, Hajela said that the final list is not yet published and it will be published by November, 2015 only when all the Indian citizens will be identified. In Guwahati, 250 people have been deployed for updating the NRC in 78 NRC Sewa Kendras and there are three big kendras at Zoo Road, Bamunimaidam and New Guwahati. Hajela further informed that the application forms will be distributed from 15th May and the people will have to submit the form within 31st July and if they find any difficulty while submitting the documents or to find the legacy data, they can call at the helpline number 15107. G Plus also talked to a number of general public about their understanding of the NRC and this is what they had to say. Karishma Phukan, an employee of a private company said that NRC will help

If a person has legacy data the citizens would be required to furnish the unique legacy data code in the application form to support the claim inclusion in updated NRC.

No If someone’s name is not found in the computerized search, the person can still look up for such records in the published copies made available at the NRC Sewa Kendras.

After one receives the legacy data the next step will be 1. Distribution of Application Form 2. Receipt of Application Form 3. Verification 4. Publication of Draft NRC 5. Receipt and Disposal of Claims and Objections 6. Publication of Final NRC 7. NRC Process Flow Chart

Timelines Chart ACTIVITIES

START DATE

END DATE

Legacy Data Publication a. Publication of records at 100 NSKs

a.27th February, 2015

b. Publication of records at all remaining NSKs and online

b. 27th March, 2015

Distribution of Application Form

2nd week of May, 2015

May, 2015

Receipt of Application

2nd week of May, 2015

31st July, 2015

Field Verification

June, 2015

Publication of Draft NRC

31st October, 2015

Receipt & Disposal of Claims & Objections

1st November, 2015

Publication of Final NRC

31st January, 2016

January, 2016

juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

In The News

GHC quashes selection process of

Arya Vidyapeeth College principal Juthika Baruah

he Guwahati High Court has cancelled the selection procedure of the principal of Arya Vidyapeeth College citing many irregularities in the system. Following the order, the Directorate of Higher Education has instructed the college authorities to reinvestigate the procedure. An official of the college while speaking to G Plus said, “The selection of the principal was done through a conspiracy under the leadership of Girish Chandra Sarma, the president of the College Committee along with his fellow members in 2014. Sarma gave marks to the people who were not even present in the interview session for the post of the principal and selected Ganesh Choudhury through much transgression.” The official said that since 2013, there has been no permanent principal at the college and that the college is running with the principal in-charge for which it is facing many problems. “There are many cases filed against the college due to such mismanagement. There was also a case against the construction of the new building but later

the case was settled and the construction of the new building is now in progress. The construction started in 2009 but due to some problem, it has been stopped and now that the cases are withdrawn, the work is in progress,” the official added. The alleged corruption and fraud done by Sarma has kept the education department, students and concerned people anxious for the future of the college as it is a leading educational institute where students come from across the state to pursue higher education. Such incidents has left the students of the college with a bleak future with many questioning the selection process of the faculty members and students themselves if the principal is appointed through conspiracy. A student of the college, while talking to this reporter said that they came to pursue education at the college, believing it would give them a shot at a better future, but if the authority will involve itself in such conspiracies, it need not be guessed what the students will learn. She said that it is not just the academic education that leads to a better life but to train stu-

dents to be a good human beings is the responsibility of the teachers as well. “We respect the professors and believe in the management system, but if they fail to appreciate this respect, it will be difficult for the students to believe them in the future,” she said. Meanwhile, the president of the Students’ Union said that the students are facing problems in the hostel as well. “Crisis of water is a major problem which has not been solved since so many years. Years are passing by and new students are being admitted

but they have to face the same problem over and over again. Whenever we call the plumber, they do not respond and although we have informed about the problem to the authorities repeatedly, it has not been solved till date. Now that the new principal has joined, we are expecting some good results from her,” the president said. One of the students, Priya Talukdar said that the girls common room is not in a good condition and they cannot relax there due to the unhealthy environment. “I heard that a new girls’

common room is under construction which will be helpful for the students as we cannot roam here and there during the off periods. If there will be a common room then, the girls can at least spend their leisure hours there. The issue of selection of the principal has been a problem since more than a year and although we have a principal in-charge , until and unless a permanent principal is appointed, the problems cannot be solved,” said Priya. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

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G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

In The News

Will Assam Flying Club ever revive?

Rahul Chanda

Started in 1958 Defunct since 1992 Declared closed in 2010

here seems to be no end to the controversy surrounding the revival of the long defunct Assam Flying Club. Recently, a group of retired Flying Club employees accused the government and some present club members of various anomalies, without, however, offering any solid proof. Since 2013, a major initiative is being taken by the government and some members to revive the club, but with controversies revolving around the move, it remains questionable whether the grounded prestigious Assam Flying Club will ever be ble to spread its wings again. G Plus talks to all the parties to find out about the matter.

The allegations A group of retired employees of the Assam Flying Club ltd interacted with the media through a press conference on 13th May and said that some government officials and the quashed honorary secretary of the revived flying club are pocketing up all the fund in the name of reviving the Assam Flying Club. One of the speaker of the group, retired flight assistant Prabhat Doloi said, “In the year 2013 the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Assam invited applications from technically competent and interested persons for the post of Honorary Secretary and accordingly, BS Lahkar of College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE) was appointed for the post. I don’t know he is even class 10th passed or not but he is not technically competent for the post in any way. In 2014, Lahkar’s appointment was quashed by the court but he is still holding the post and has taken around `45 lakhs from the government in the name of reviving the club. He has even bought a new car with some of the money. He is in very good terms with Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Ajay Tiwari.” Doloi further said that Lahkar has taken all the Flying Club property to his own institute for personnel

Registrar of Co-operative society cancels registration use. Doloi said that Lahkar has also registered the Assam Flying Club under the Society’s Act which is illegal as it is already registered under Cooperative Society Act, 1950. According to Doloi, the flying club registered under Society’s Act by Lahkar is altogether a different flying club and is not the original one. Doloi slammed Tiwari too and said, “When we went to Ajay Tiwari’s office, he said get out of my office, you people are doing politics.” After the allegations were made, when the media asked Doloi for any proof about the siphoning of money by Lahkar, he, however, said he was acting on a hunch and acted confused about the allegations which he had just made. G Plus decided to talk to Lahkar further about the allegations and get his view on the matter.

The counter On the other hand, College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE) chief trustee BS Lahkar narrated his side of the story and confidently rubbished all the charges made by the other group against him. He said, “Assam Flying Club was defunct since 1992 because of the inefficiency of the employees and finally it was closed in 2010 by a government notification. The CAE had requested the government and the public to revive the club in 2008-09 and after a lot of persuasion, finally in 2013, the government decided to revive the club and I was appointed as the honorary secretary of Assam Flying Club. I was confident to revive it within two months but discovered that many cases were pending in the court.” He further said that he resigned from the post of honorary secretary on 3rd January 2014 as did the CM, from the post of president. But, in the general meeting of the Assam Flying Club, all the members decided that the chief minister will always remain the president of the club and for the time being, BS Lahkar is empowered to act as the honorary secretary. According to Lahkar, after its re-

Revived in October 2013 with formation of new committee Honorary Secretary and President resign on 3rd January 2014 citing various reasons Members decide to make the CM of the state, the de facto president and the CAE chief, the secretary by registering the club under Society’s Act Court quashes previous appointment on March 2015 saying government did not maintain minimal procedure Group of retired employees accuse the government and acting secretary of the revived club of anomalies and graft on 13th May 2015

Now what? vival in 2013, it was also discovered that the registrar of co-operative society had cancelled the registration of the Flying Club in 2010, hence, the new committee decided to re-register it under Society’s Act 1860, and in the bylaw of the registration which was prepared by experts, it was mentioned that the president of the flying club will always be the chief minister of the state and the secretary will always be from CAE. Regarding technical competency for the post, Lahkar said, “The court said that the government has not maintained the bare minimum selection proceedings before the appointment and hence the appointment was quashed but the court never said that I am not competent. I am very much competent for the post and I had applied with my qualifications and experiences.” He further said that the CAE has the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approval for maintenance which is approved world over. He also added that he is working day and night for the revival of the Flying club but there are certain people who are against the revival because once the flying club is revived and starts flying again, he will initiate investigation into the reasons of the closure of

the club and find out the anomalies of the past and the reasons for the club to become defunct. It needs mention here that before 2013, the Airport Authority of India had barred the entry of the Assam Flying Club members in the hangar of the club at LGBI airport, but, after 2013, the hangar was again occupied by the revived flying club. The official permission from the DGCA was also obtained and other flying clubs in the country like Bombay Flying Club, Delhi Flying Club etc are in touch with the acting secretary to provide all kind of help to revive the flying club. Regarding funds, Lahkar said that he received an amount of Rs 30 lakhs from the government for the revival process and he has utilised the money to purchase many aircraft parts and other items for the club. He also added that he can provide the utilisation calculation of the entire amount. Meanwhile, in 2013, Ajay Tiwari had said that the financial plan for the flying club is such that it should be self sufficient for the club. He then said, “There will a fee structure for the students and the members. The fliers also will have to pay an amount to the club.”

He had further added that there is a debt of `90 lakhs on the club including the hangar rent, electricity bill and salaries of some employees. On asking how much is required to revive the club, after excluding the liabilities, Tiwari had said, “Approximately `1 crore is required to revive the club.” He then added that, as the club is a private entity, they can always accept donation, so money is not a problem for the revamp. He had also said, “Now there are two aircrafts but some more can be acquired from various clubs like the Aero Club of India.” Lahkar, as the secretary, had received only `30 lakhs but there were also pending debts which the government paid and also pending salaries of employees since 1992 which describes the utilisation of funds sanctioned. But the question remains that how much exactly will be required to revive the club and will it be ever revived for the public. The government should also make its stand clear and clarify who is correct and also make sure that the club is revived at the earliest which can answer the questions raised by observers. rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

CCTNS to be operational for public soon

In The News

Software to speed case resolution, curb demands for bribe

Rahul Chanda

he Assam Police had envisaged revolutionising the policing system way back last year after the successful implementation of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) which was expected to start working efficiently by October 2014, but unfortunately, it was not open to the public till date. When G Plus checked the status, it was discovered that the process was delayed because of upgradation of the software. When will it exactly start working and how will it help? G Plus talks to the people responsible for its implementation.

The status Out of planned 466 locations across Assam, a total of 378 locations are fully operational and are online in CCTNS system. A total of 229 police stations are online and can generate online FIR entry contributing to a total of 4 lakhs general diary and 77 thousand plus FIRs in CCTNS online system since January 2014. The FIRs are available online to be accessed and viewed by higher officials for their review. According to AK Jha, who is the nodal officer for CCTNS in the state, the scheme will start working in the state very soon. The Assam Police is already using the scheme at present and even the general public can visit the website online but cannot file complaints at present as it is not open for the public to start using the system (www.assampolice.assam.gov. in) as yet. CCTNS will cover all the police stations in the state and also the higher offices. All this locations will be networked by providing appropriate high-speed connectivity for

The two main challenges faced by Assam Police in the implementation of this system are lack of a stable network bandwidth and technically savvy man power. data transfer and sharing of information amongst various police offices. Already 378 locations are fully operational but the rest is not yet operational for the time being as they are located in remote areas and are known as v-sat sites, and there various technical problems because of which ministry of home affairs have stopped the work there at present. In Guwahati, 36 locations including police stations and higher offices have been connected to CCTNS and according to officials all are operational for the police personnel.

Benefit for public

S environmental speaker Jennifer Turner, as part of the US Mission to India’s strategic speakers programme on Monday, visited the Indian Institute of Technology’s Center for Energy and made a presentation on ‘Global Choke Point: Water-Energy-Food Confrontations in China, the US and India’ to a group of senior faculty and scholars. Turner is the Director of the China Environment Forum at the US-based Woodrow Wilson

Center for Scholars. The Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate General in Kolkata, Andrew Posner accompanied Jennifer Turner during her visit. During the media interaction Posner said, “Climate change has become the complex challenge in today’s time. The United States is going to work closely with India to face this challenge”. Issues related to flood, water and energy challenges in Asia and US were also discussed during the media interaction.

• Complaint register • Tenant/PG verification request • Character certificate request • Event/Performance request • Protest/Strike request • Procession request • Employee verification • Domestic help verification • C – Form (Foreigner registration)

Status search • Search of any service can be searched through unique ID • Feedback submission and query for status update

Citizen information (viewing reports) • Missing person

If the CCTNS scheme is implemented efficiently and made open for general public, which, according to sources in the CID, will start from the month of August 2015, the general public will not have to visit the police stations for everything. The footfall in police stations will be reduced drastically. According to the team that is doing the installation work, the system would have been operational for the

US environmental expert interact in the city on global environmental challenges

Citizen services

• Proclaimed offender • Stolen vehicle • Recovered vehicle • Unidentified dead body • Abandoned/Unclaimed/ Recovered property • Safety tips (senior citizen, women, anti-theft, children etc.) • Wanted criminals

public from October 2014 itself, but the software version CAS 2.4.5 was expected to be upgraded to CAS 4.0 and it only happened in the month of April 2015 by the MHA. Now that the software is upgraded, the public can easily use it. However, the police now gearing up to work with the new system and the public will be able to use the new system and file complaints and other requirements online by August. The citizens will enjoy certain services, can get some information and check status online. The services which will be helpful to the citizens are: • Lost/recovered property • Unidentified/found person The citizen can login to CCTNS and download required forms which can be filled up off line and uploaded to the systems as per their convenience. Once the e-forms are uploaded, SMS acknowledgement and e-mail (if provided) will be sent to the citizen for further tracking. Citizen needs to visit their respective PS just to give their signature and collection of FIR copy at present. However, this procedure may be abolished in future once the digital signature is provided to all the citizens. The state is also planning to implement the Assam Right to Public Service Act (ARTPS) under CCTNS system where all the citizen services will be provided by police in a time bound manner. In case there is a delay in delivery of services by the designated authority, the public may approach the appellate authority for grievance redressal in case the service is not

City student to take part in the 114th Asian Science Congress

anas Pratim Das a fourth semester Civil Engineering student of the Assam Don Bosco University, has been selected as a member of the Indian delegation for the 114th Asian Science Congress, 2015. The 114th Asian Science Congress will be held in Moscow, Russia from the second week of October. Manas’ name has been referred by the Ministry of HRD to the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry External Affairs,

Government of India, for the membership in the Indian delegation. A total of five students have been selected from North-east India who will attend the science congress, including Das. He also attended a meeting at the Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara which was chaired by the Union Secretaries of the three aforesaid departments along with Alexander M Kadakin, Ambassador of Russia.

rendered in a time bound manner. Also a reviewing authority will be designated in case the matter was not resolved by designated (1st Level) and appellate authority (2nd Level).

The challenges The two main challenges faced by Assam Police in the implementation of this system are lack of a stable network bandwidth and technically savvy man power. Besides, a highly placed source in the CID said that once the scheme starts, the police stations will become busy solving the cases and replying to the queries in a speedy manner, as anyone across the country can view the status of any case. Now, the maximum police personnel in the state are at their 40s and not so much computer literate, which will make them delay the process. The younger lot are pretty computer literates, but they will take time to reach a point where they can make decisions. It is also a fact that if people stop going to the police stations, the cops known for taking bribes will have to suffer. According to highly placed sources in the police department, many police personnel in the state want the scheme to fail. It is only possible for the system to be successful if all the SP level officers in every district ensure that the police stations work efficiently on the scheme and help it become a game changer for the police. There will be lesser bribes and even the crime rate will decrease. rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

Blood Donation Information and Management System launched

o deal with any shortage during the time of emergency like earth-quakes and other calamities, the Kamrup Metro district administration has set up a web-based Blood Donation Information and Management System. Citizens can log on to www. kamrupmetroonline.in and register themselves as blood donors during earthquakes and other natural calamities at times. Dr M Angamuthu, Kamrup Metro Deputy Commis-

sioner said, “The objective of the initiative is to identify blood donors who want to come forward to donate blood during times of emergency. The Blood Donation Information and Management System will also help us in getting the daily status of blood stock at different institutions like GMCH, MMCH, private hospitals and blood banks. During normal times, the portal will help them in sharing the information on the availability of blood”.

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

In The News

GUWAHATIANS THRONG BANKS FOR

KALYAN DEB

PM’s INSURANCE SCHEMES

n order to reach out to the masses and encourage investments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi simultaneously launched the schemes, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) across the country from Kolkata on May 9 last. As per the Ministry of Finance’s statistics, at present only 20 per cent citizens have life insurance, 11 per cent workers have pension schemes and only 4 per cent citizens have accidental insurance. The scheme comes as a boon to the backward class, especially, the poor and rural population.

People enrolling in the insurance scheme at Indian Overseas Bank, Guwahati branch

Who is Eligible? 1. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (Accident Insurance worth Rs.2 lakhs at Rs.12 per year). Under this scheme, the person will be given Rs.2 lakh for accidental death or full disability. If the person suffers partial disability, he will be given Rs.1 lakh. The scheme will be available to those bank account holders whose age group is between 18 to 70 years. The premium in PMSBY will collected through ‘auto debit’ facility.

2. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (Life Insurance worth Rs.2 lakhs at Rs. 330 per year) Under this scheme, the subscriber will be entitled to an insurance amount of Rs.2 lakhs for just Rs. 330 per year. The PMJJBY will be available to those who fall into the age group of 18 to 50 years. The premium in PMJJBY will be same as PMSB, i.e. by auto debit facility.

3. Atal Pension Yojana (Minimum Investment, Maximum Benefits during oldage) To encourage workers in the unorganized sector to voluntarily save for ones’ retirement, the government has launched the APY scheme. Under this scheme, the citizen will receive monthly pension of Rs.1000, Rs 2000, Rs 3000, Rs 4000, or Rs 5000 as per contribution, which varies from Rs.42 to Rs. 210 per month. The minimum age to join the APY is 18 years, while the maximum is 40 years. In the APY, the fixed minimum pension amount would be guaranteed by the government and would be available to the spouse on the death of the subscriber.

What is the Premium? The policy holders will need to pay `330 per year and `12 for PMJJBY and PMSBY respectively. The amount will be deducted each year from their bank account in a single instalment from where the policy is being opened.

What is the Risk Coverage?

Who will implement these schemes? The schemes will be offered by all public sector general insurance companies and all other insurers who have joined the scheme and tied-up with banks for the purpose. The premium paid will be tax-free under section 80C and also the pro-

The PMJJBY and PMSBY will be made available to anyone between the age group of 18 to 50 and 18 to 55 years respectively. The concerned person should also have a bank account to avail this policy before they are 50 years old. They will be allowed to enjoy the risk of life cover till the age of 55 years. However, they will need to pay the premium on a consistent basis in order to be provided that benefit. Workers in the unorganized sector, from the age of 18 years to the age of 40 years are the cap. This means the minimum contribution towards this scheme would be 20 years. In addition to the conditions, the person joining the Atal Pension Yojana is to have savings bank account linked to complete the KYC norms. In case the person has more than one savings account in the same bank or other bank, he can apply for Atal Pension Yojna through one savings bank account only and can have only one APY account.

ceeds amount will get tax-exemption u/s 10(10D).But if the proceeds from insurance policy exceed Rs.1 lakh, TDS at the rate of 2 per cent from the total proceeds will be deducted if no Form 15G or Form 15H is submitted to the insurer.

The risk coverage being provided in the PMJJBY is Rs. 2 lakh. In case the policy has been availed for a longer-term period than just a year, the amount will be deducted for each year of the agreed term period from their respective bank accounts. The similar term also applies for PMSBY.

Who will offer the Programme?

What role will the bank play?

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will be offering the plan. However, other nationalized banks have joined it through tie-ups with LICI. The banks, whose clients join these programmes, will be deemed as the master account. The LIC or the other insurers will finalize the claims settlement and administration procedures, which are expected to be simple and subscriber friendly. This will be done in consultation with the banks.

Apart from being the master account holders and deducting the premium each year, the banks will need to play some other roles as well. Their primary duty will be to transfer the deducted premium to the insurers. They will also have to take care of• Enrollment forms • Authorisation of auto-debit • Providing declaration-cumconsent form in the exact shape that they are supposed to be done. They will get it and keep it as well since at time of claims, or any other occasion as required by the insurer, they will be supposed to provide it to the insurer.

How can one enroll? The plan is being launched initially from 1st June 2015 till 31st May 2016. The subscribers will need to enroll as well as provide the option for auto debiting their premium on or before 31st May 2015. This date will be extended to 31st August 2015. If someone wishes to enroll after this date they will need to submit a selfcertificate, where one states that they are in good health and will also pay the entire annual premium. In case someone wants to continue beyond the first year, then they will have to agree to auto debiting by 31st May that year. For anyone who renews the policy after this, he or she will need to furnish a self-certificate of good health as well as the entire yearly premium. In case someone did not join in the first year, he or she can provide a good health self certificate and the entire yearly premium. The procedure is the same for people, who had joined the policy once and then left it, only to come back later and rejoin the same. To open Atal Pension Yojana Account, one will have to fill a simple consent-cum-declaration form along with spouse’s details and submit it to the bank where one has a savings account.

“This scheme will certainly benefit all the citizens and specially the people belonging to the lower income groups like the tea labourers who find it difficult to invest in insurance schemes because the huge sum of amount required to avail such schemes,” said Rameswar Teli, Lok Sabha MP from Dibrugarh

The annual period of insurance for all the three social security schemes will be from June 1 to May 31. Also, the person would be able to enroll these three schemes through one’s savings bank account only. Though the Atal Pension Yojana will also provide the benefit of 50 per cent co-contribution of the central government but the premium amounts charged for PMJJBY and PMSBY are not refundable, which raises the question that how much of the collected money would be utilised in favour of the public. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

In The News

Women in city

misusing anti-dowry lawS

to harass husbands, in-laws Juthika Baruah

t’s not only the women who have to face problems from in-laws at their marital homes but men are also being increasingly harassed now-a-days by the bride’s family misusing the law made for the protection of women. There have been rising incidents of women misusing Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the city itself, demanding money and property from the husband. Section 498A of IPC was inserted in 1983 to protect the wife from harassment by the husband or the husband’s family in cases where dowry is sought. The section 498A states that whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a married woman, subjects her to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine. For the purpose of this section, “cruelty” means(a) Any wilful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health whether mental or physical of the woman; or (b) Harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her meet such demand. Speaking to G Plus, Advocate of Gauhati High Court, Baharun Saikia said, “There are uncountable cases of 498A in the city and the women are misusing the law in most of the cases. When they don’t meet the requirements, they harass the husband lodging false cases against them and demand money and property.” The Supreme Court of India had, in a judgement in 2014 on Section 498A, said that the petitioner apprehends his arrest in a case under Section 498A of the IPC, 1860 (hereinafter called as IPC) and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The maximum sentence provided under Section 498A IPC is imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and fine whereas the maximum sentence provided under Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act is two years and with fine. According to the judgement of

“There are uncountable cases of 498A in the city and the women are misusing the law in most of the cases. When they don’t meet the requirements, they harass the husband lodging false cases against them and demanded money and property.” Baharun Saikia Advocate, Gauhati High Court

the Supreme Court, there has been a phenomenal increase in matrimonial disputes in recent years. Section 498A of the IPC was introduced with the avowed object to combat the menace of harassment to a woman at the hands of her husband and his relatives. The facts that 498A is a cognizable and non-bailable offence has lent it a dubious place of pride amongst the provisions that is used as a weapon rather than a shield by disgruntled wives. The simplest way to harass is to get the husband and his relatives arrested under this provision. Crime in India 2012 statistics published by National Crime Records Bureau shows arrest of 1,97,762 persons all throughout the country during the year 2012 for offence under Section 498A of the IPC, 9.4 per cent more than the year 2011. Nearly a quarter of those arrested under this provision in 2012 were women, i.e. 47,951 which indicate that mothers and sisters of the husbands were liberally included in their arrest net. Its share is 6 per cent out of the total persons arrested under the crimes committed under IPC. It accounts for 4.5 per cent of total crimes committed under different sections of IPC more than any other crimes. The rate of charge sheeting in cases under 498A IPC is as high as 93.6 per cent while the conviction rate is only 15 per cent. One of the victim, Ripunjoy (name changed), while speaking to G Plus said, “My wife has registered a case against me under Section 498A by misusing the law. I got married on 20th January, 2014 and on 22nd January after the reception was over, my wife went to her house and she came back on 2nd February. It was only after the marriage that I came to know that she doesn’t have any educational qualification while she had earlier claimed that she was a graduate in Political Science. But when I asked her to bring the certificates she refused. She

Awareness camp on man-leopard conflict held

he man-leopard conflict has become common in Guwahati since the last few years. Many leopards have already lost their lives at the hands of people while 11 leopards were captured from different parts of the city last year. To prevent such conflicts and to acclimatise university students about the issue, an awareness camp on the man-leopard conflict was organised at the Gauhati University campus. A team of researchers of the Gauhati University proposed a project, ‘Humanleopard conflict mitigation through community participation in Guwahati Metro’ at the awareness camp to curb such conflicts. The project will be supported by The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), David Shepherd Wild-life Foundation (DSWF) and Assam Forest Department. Prof Prasanta Kumar Saikia of the Department of Zoology also informed the students about the do’s and don’ts if such a situation occurs and also discussed about measures in order to save leopards in the city.

Electrical Safety Week observed at NFR headquarter

wanted to control me as per the guidance of her parents but when she failed to do so, she refused to live with me thereafter. She doesn’t have any moral or ethical considerations and wants a modern lifestyle.” He said that on 24th April she again went back to her home and returned on 28th May, more than a month later and when he opposed, her family members said that she had to stay there for some treatment of her teeth. “Her family members keep calling her home frequently showing some or other excuses and on 9th July, she again went back to her home saying that some religious rituals need to be performed. But just before she went home, she fell down in the bathroom and suffered a little swelling on her finger. I immediately took her to the hospital and the doctor said it was nothing serious. Meanwhile, she changed her Facebook password, blocked me and uploaded photographs clicked in modern dresses and she even removed the marital status from the account,” said Ripunjoy.

On 27th July, he received a message from her father’s mobile saying that she don’t want to stay with her husband anymore and on August 20 they had filed a case against him under Section 498A. However, he didn’t receive any notice and came to know about the case only after he called her aunt on September 20. As the Section 498A is non-bailable and a person can’t be arrested immediately, the girl’s family again lodged an FIR on March 18, 2015 under Section 406 of Domestic Violence Act. She demanded Rs 10 lakh as compensation and Rs. 25,000 monthly from the husband. This is the way that women are misusing the women’s laws and harassing their in-laws, said Ripunjoy. He said, “She gave me a lot of mental torture during the four months of conjugal life we had. She turned her own marriage into a business deal by filing a false 498A case against me. She wanted to control me in every possible way she could, as I loved and cared for her more then she deserved.” juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

he Electrical Safety Week 2015 observed at headquarter of the North-east Frontier Railway (NFR), Maligaon from May 11 concluded on Thursday. Several activities for promoting electrical safety were organised, while posters and banners depicting electrical safety measures were displayed during the safety week. Various public announcements were made in the railway colonies for creating electrical safety awareness among railway employees. The electrical installations in the railway quarters and the sub stations were checked during the Electrical Safety Week. Street plays for creating awareness about electrical safety and quiz competitions were also organised. In recent times, there have been several incidents of fire caused due to electrical disorder in the city. To avoid such incidents, demonstration and training among the staff were also provided during the week.

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

In The News

CITY Mountaineer

reach BACK HOME Aditya Gogoi

orld record holder mountaineer Anshu Jamsenpa finally reached Guwahati on Monday after the traumatizing experience in the Himalayas. The three times Everest climber thanked her well-wishers for constant support and prayers said that it’s the time for some rest and meditation before planning anything. “It was a horrible experience to be there which cannot be described in words. I also faced similar situations last year. I’m thankful for all the well-wishers besides my family for being so supportive. I will need some rest and meditation,” Anshu told G Plus. Anshu, who was attempting her fourth expedition to scale the Mount Everest, has been suffering from acute mountain sickness because she ascended fast. “I desperately wish that I could continue the expedition as many people contributed for the cause. I feel bad for disppointing these people. Moreover, the Nepal government also decided to abandon the expedition after the devastating earthquake last month,” she added. Sharing the experience of what

happened on that fateful day, Anshu said that she fell down on the ground when the tremor hit the region while on trekking. “We were located between Lobuche and Gorakhshep. One of my fellow climbers also fell down and she thought it was me who pulled her down. Then we realized it was something else and we rushed to Gorakh-

shep,” she said. Then it was a different situation there as all the climbers were rushing to Gorakhshep for safety. “Then I decided to go to the base camp which is a three hour trek. After reaching there, I could see the debris and the devastation. I decided to stay back there for the night so that the rescue workers could feel motivated. But I

immediately got sick with high altitude sickness,” she said. There was no option left as only descending is the way to get rid of it. Then she had to stay at Namche for two nights. Traumatized and heavily sick, Anshu finally reached Kathmandu on May 4 and got admitted at the hospital for further treatment. “Doctors have advised for rest and

medicine for some days,” said Anshu. A mother of two, Anshu, who hails from Bomdila, a remote town in western Arunachal Pradesh, climbed Mt Everest on May 12 in 2011 and again on May 21 in the same year to get the record for being the first mother in the world to summit the world’s highest peak twice in a span of just 10 days. On the other hand, the 11-member Everest expedition team from Assam, which was present at the base camp along with foreign climbers when the April 25 earthquake jolted Nepal, returned on Wednesday evening. A dejected team who desperately wanted to climb the world’s highest peak said that luck was favouring them. “There was snow all around. When we returned to the base camp, the place had changed completely. Some of our equipment was damaged and I lost important belongings. We were quite optimistic about our expedition, but disaster struck and we had to abandon our plans. We are thankful to the people who helped us return home,” said Pranoy Bordoloi, one of the climbers from the Assam team.

African Food Festival hits city G PLUS NEWS

fter the tentilizing success of the Sea Food Festival, Guwahatians will now get a chance to experience the magic of the mysterious and feral African Signature dishes including Kuku Paka, Tanzanian Shabbat Fish, Belafonte Prawns, Piri Piri Tangdi. While veg lovers can get swept away by equally tantalizing vegetarian preparations such as Butternut and Shallot Soup, Couscous Stuffed Tomatoes, Congo Paneer Steak, also on the menu are beverages with exotic names inspired by Africa, which include Jungle Safari Sangria and West African Iced Chocolate Drink. Foodies can witness the entire African cuisine and take the African Safari through the wild jungles, as Africa comes alive at Barbeque Nation with ‘Africa Magica’ – the African food festival that kicked off from 8th May and will last till 24th of the month. Visiting guests will be welcomed to a bright and vibrant atmosphere,

with rustic old hatari jeeps – an element that is sure to complete your African adventure. Looking forward to cater to the tastes of diners and truly revel in the spirit of Africa, the menu preparations, complemented with starters and soups have been prepared to enable a wonderful barbeque experience to the guests.

It needs mention here that Barbeque Nation is a pioneer in India to promote ‘DIY’ (do-it-yourself) cuisine with a concept of live on-the-table grill in India and is today the largest casual dining brand in the country. The restaurant offers a pre-fixed menu with a fixed price drawn from Mediterranean, American, Oriental, Asian and Indian subcontinent.

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

In The News

IWT to act tough against erring private ferry services Kalyan Deb

he ferry service on the three ghats of the southern bank of River Brahmaputra is a significant mode of transportation for most residents of the northern part of the city. Everyday, thousands of people commute via the waterway through the three ghats of Guwahati Rajduwar, Madhyamkhanda and Majgaon. While some commute to get to work and others to attend schools and colleges, the waterway is one of the major ways of conveyance. However, due to the allegedly inefficient ferry service provided by the State Inland Water Transport (IWT) Department, the private ferry services has managed to take advantage of the situation and open the gates for private lessees to operate ferries, which has been playing a major role in inland water transport, albeit by openly flouting norms by carrying passengers beyond the permissible capacity. Such ferries can often be seen overloaded with motorcycles and passengers on the roof over and above the passengers packed inside the boats. People allege that the State Inland Water Transport Department is not doing enough to improve the quality of ferry service in the state even though the Assam government spends crores of rupees for the development of water transport through the Inland Water Transport Department. But on the ground, the quality of ferry services, a common mode of water transportation in the state, is still questionable. According to sources, the State Inland Water Transport Department

has three divisions at Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar. Sources further stated that no schemes have been taken up for the development of ghats in the Guwahati division for the past several years. A section of people who use ferry services in the city regularly alleged that the number of ferries provided by the government is not at all sufficient to accommodate the increasing number of passengers, who are forced to commute through the motorboats that are available throughout the day. It needs mention here that there are only around 15 ferries operation between south Guwahati to the northern ghats compared to the 110 private boats. “Though there is a certain amount of risk involved in travelling through such ferries, but over time, we have gotten used to it. Besides, when the river waves turn turbulent

or the water level rises, the services of such boats remain suspended,” said a resident of Amingaon who commutes back and forth by the water way everyday. Tapan Das, a boat owner, who carts passengers from the Madhyamkhanda ghat asserted, “Every boat carries passengers according to the weight carrying capacity of the boats i.e. around 4 Metric ton (4MT). Moreover, regular inspections are carried out by officials and if any violations are found, the boats are suspended from service. Being a major source of conveyance, on days when boats are not in service, it results in chaos among the commuters. The land route from North Guwahati to the city is time consuming, so it makes the waterway more convenient.” Meanwhile, concerned authorities have stated that pertinent meas-

ures are being taken in order to bring down the occurrences of violation in the water transport. “Private motor vessels operating over the Brahmaputra are subjected to regulations and proper monitoring by the government and the IWT. The fitness of each and every boat operating on the river is thoroughly inspected within brief periods to ensure they follow the prescribed guidelines. However, overloading of the boats with passengers and goods still remain a concern,” said Hafizur Rahman, Incharge, Enforcement cell, IWT Assam. “In order to control overloading by private ferries, the boarders have to be more aware of the consequences and exhibit concern for the safety of the commuters. We have issued notice including certain guidelines to be followed by the commuters and the ferry owners. According to

the Inland Vessel Act 1917, every passenger can be imposed a fine of Rs100 for crowding. In order to spread awareness in this regard, notice boards have been installed at all the ghats detailing the guidelines to be followed,” Rahman said. He added that during inspections they thoroughly check the fitness of a boat and those found in a damaged or deteriorated condition are considered as ruined. Rather than paper works, the presence of life saving equipments in the boats are given much priority. Every boat should be equipped with four lifeboats and four life jackets and those who lack in such equipments are lent the same by the IWT which are to be returned by the end of the day. The state government is also mulling efforts to install GPS based tracking systems in all ferries plying on the rivers of the state that would help in strengthening surveillance and facilitate real-time tracking of river vessels. After the macabre Dhubri boat tragedy few years ago claimed the lives of scrores of people, it raised a pertinent question on the safety of passengers commuting through waterway. While it remains the responsibility of the owners to take precautionary measures for the safety of the public, it is equally the responsibility of the commuters to ensure their own safety by following the norms provided by Inland Water Transport. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

City

30% private school students

suffer from Obesity

Juthika Baruah

hildhood obesity has become a cause of concern in the urban areas like Guwahati with as high as 30 per cent of private school students suffering from the problem, which is significantly higher than the percentage of Government school students which is about 11 per cent. Childhood obesity is a threatening precusor of adult diabetes and high cardio-vascular risk factor with most of the mortality cases in adults due to the cardio-vascular attack. “Assam has about 12 per cent of childhood obesity under the age of 5-7 years which is mostly hereditary. But most of the cases are found to be influenced by unhealthy lifestyle. Childhood obesity leads to high cholesterol which causes early heart disease in men while females may have problems like irregular menstrual cycle,” said Dr. Dipti Sarma, Head of Department of Endocrinology, Guwahati Medical College Hospital. Dr. Sarma said that in India, the percentage of childhood obesity was 16 per cent in 2002 which has increased to 24 per cent in 2006-07. Around 22 million children under the age of 5 years are overweight world wise. According to Dr. Sarma, obesity in children seems to be more in urban areas due to unhealthy lifestyle like less physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns etc. She said, “In a recent survey in Guwahati among the school students, it has been found that Body Mass Index (BMI) is much higher under the age of 14 years. The normal BMI in female should be 21-22 and male between 22-23. In rural areas, the BMI is found to be more between the age of 12-13 years amongst the male while in female, it is high in the age of 14

How to prevent Childhood Obesity • Children should decrease the time of watching television • Improve diet quality (less saturated and transfat, less fast food to be taken) • Social support from parents is necessary as neglect from parents’ leads to depression to children with weight issues.

Social Prevention • There should be conventional weight loss programme in schools and weight loss should be sustainable for five years. • There should be check point in food quality and foods should be provided from school during lunch both to government as well as private schools. • Sedentary lifestyle should be avoided and children should make a habit of doing physical exercise at least for 12 minutes per day.

years. The urban children do not get adequate amount of Vitamin D which comes from sunlight.” Dr. Sarma further stated that obesity also leads to psychological depression as the obesed children are generally neglected by others and it also affects the pulmonary function. Sleep Apnoea can also occur due to obesity. The doctor also informed that obesity is also the reason that people become disabled in their adulthood and it is seen that if a person is sexually healthy then he is normal as obesity is also the cause of impotency and infertility is the reason of obesity in case of female. To prevent obesity, children should take high fibre food like vegetables, fruits etc instead of fast food and other oily foods. They should also make a habit of doing yoga as physical activity seems to be less among the children, mostly in urban areas like Guwahati. The doctor informed that women are in risk from ovarian cancer due to obesity which needs to be controlled. Although weight problems run in families, not all children with a family history of obesity will be overweight. Children whose parents or brothers or sisters are overweight may be at an increased risk of becoming overweight themselves, but this can be linked to shared family behaviours such as eating and activity habits. A child’s total diet and activity level play an important role in determining a child’s weight. Today, many children spend a lot time being inactive. For example, the average child spends approximately four hours each day watching television. As computers and video games become increasingly popular, the number of hours of inactivity may increase. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

New Age Pulsars all set to make benchmark in city

wo-wheeler major Bajaj Auto unveiled the Pulsar Adventure Sport series with Pulsar AS200 and Pulsar AS150 together with the fully faired Pulsar RS200. With the launch of the all-new performance bike segment Bajaj Auto is all set to set new benchmarks. The Pulsar Adventure Sport comes with a distinct style combining a muscular fairing and extended visor, both of which help it tackle long distance riding and wind resistance with aplomb. It is mounted on a perimeter frame with a monoshock absorber to provide rock solid stability

and control at high speeds. Both Adventure Sports bikes come with projector headlamps, which is another first in the segment. The Pulsar AS 200 is priced at Rs98,418 and the Pulsar AS 150 at Rs81,403 ex-showroom Guwahati and are available in three colours — Red, Black and Blue. Pulsar Racing Sports The Pulsar RS200 demonstrates the design, fit and finish of the

dream super sports bike that Indian youth would love to ride on. Eric Vas, President, Motorcycle Business, Bajaj Auto Ltd during the launch said, “The new age Pulsars are showcase of the R&D prowess of the company. We have constantly innovated to ensure that the Pulsars stayed well ahead-on performance, technology, styling and class leading features. The development of range of such differentiated superlative products within a short span of time is a rare phenomenon in this industry.” “Today Pulsar range sells more than 55,000 units every month in the domestic sports motorcycle market

with a leadership market share of 43% making it India’s no.1 Sports bike for 14 years in a row. We are confident that this new offerings will enable us to take that share closer to 50%”, he added further. The Pulsar Adventure Sport series is expected to be a delight to young bikers who want to fulfill their need of daily city riding, while at the same time desire to explore the vast and incredible outdoors over the weekends. These new generation bikes are a winning combination of easy handling in traffic and raw brutal power when one needs it.

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Swimming SPOTS

IN THE CITY

G Plus explores places in Guwahati where one can swim this summer PRIYANKA JAIN

wimming becomes a part of life to combat the sweltering heat in Guwahati every summer. But when and where to go is a question which people keep searching the answer for. With various hotels and clubs providing the facility in the city, deciding what can be the best deal is a tough decision and G Plus reviews the swimming spots in the city to find out where one can go to cool off. Health benefits

Swimming is a healthy workout that can be done for a lifetime. It is a low-impact activity that has several mental and bodily health benefits. Swimming could provide you with a low-impact workout and it’s also a good method to calm down and feel good. Swimming builds endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness. G plus surveyed swimming pools in Guwahati City. There are numerous swimming pools in the city like Hotel Vishwaratna, Hotel Raj Mahal, Guwahati Town Club, Nehru Stadium Swimming Pool, Gymkhana, Dolphin Swimming pool etc. When surveying, G Plus had a conversation with some swimmers at

A swimmer at the India Club swimming pool

those particular locations. 11 Year old Gaurav, a student of DPS Guwahati said, “I love swimming, when I swim, I don’t feel like going back home, I wish its summer all the year round.” 35 Year old Madhu, a resident of Guwahati said, “The best time to relax is when you are free of all tensions and household work and when you can take out time for yourself, at least one hour. That’s enough for me.” Mahima, a student of South Point

swimming is a sport for all age groups; besides, it is a lifetime activity. People can learn to swim as young as 4 or 5 years old or as old as 60 or 70. All it takes is the right instruction and desire to get in the pool.

Names of Swimming Pools in Guwahati

Charges

Shifts

Hotel Vishwaratna(Aquria) A.T Road, Guwahati Mobile No. 99541-90005

Children Below 12 Year Monthly `1500 Children Below 18 Year Monthly `1600 Adult (18 years & above ) Monthly `800

1st Shift Morning 6.00 to 9.10 2nd Shift Noon 3.10 to 4.40 3rd Shift Evening 4.50 to 8.50

Hotel RajMahal (Prashant) A.T Road, Guwahati Tel: 2549141-46

Children Below 12 Year Monthly `1500 Children Below 18 Year Monthly `1600 Adult (18 years & above ) Monthly `1800

1st Shift Morning 5.30 to 9:30 2nd Shift Noon 2:50 to 4:20 3rd Shift Evening 4:30 to 8:30

Guwahati Town Club MG Road, Uzan Bazaar, Guwahati Mobile No. 98541-18591

For members no charge For non members charges Admission Fee `1500 Monthly `1000 ( for all age groups)

1st Shift Morning 6.00 to 9.45 2nd Shift Noon 3:30 to 5:10 3rd shift Evening 06: to 9:10

Nehru Stadium Swimming Pool Gandhi Basti, Sarania Hills, Guwahati Mobile No. 98640-22297

Admission Fee `1200 Monthly `1500* ( For all age group) *Excludes charges of competition

1st Shift Morning 6.00 to 9.10 2nd Shift Noon 3.10 to 4.40 3rd Shift Evening 4.50 to 8.50

School said, “I am waiting for the summer vacations to start so that I can come twice a day. Now I have my school, so I can only come only during the noon shift. I love swimming as I am athlete. I like spending time in water. I prefer swimming in Raj Mahal as the trainer is amazing and talented.” Uttam Upamanyun, the office administrator of Guwahati Town Club said, “Swimming probably starts by the first week of April and ends by mid November. Swimming keeps a person healthy and fit. GTC provides with membership for those willing to take up the sport.” This summer, enroll your names in the best swimming pools. Swimming is a very popular sport; furthermore, it provides individuals with several physical and mental benefits. There are some reasons why swimming is popular, firstly swimming is a sport for all age groups; besides, it is a lifetime activity. People can learn to swim as young as 4 or 5 years old or as old as 60 or 70. All it takes is the right instruction and desire to get in the pool. Secondly, swimming is cheap. You don’t have to spend much money on it. All you need is just a swimsuit that makes you feel comfortable and a goggle that keeps water from your eyes. Even though you have to buy an admission ticket, it is not so expensive. Anyone can afford to go to swim. Finally, swimming is one of the most popular sports in the world.

City Titan Eyeplus launches attractive offers with great discount

itan Eyeplus, India’s leading retail eyewear chain, came up with a range of attractive offers on frames, contact lenses and Titan lenses. Apart from being trendy and high on fashion the brand is also offering up to 40 per cent discount on frames which is valid from May 15, 2015 across all Titan Eyeplus stores as well on the e-commerce portal www.titan.co.in Customers can also avail up to 10 per cent discount on lenses and a flat 15 per cent off on contact lenses with variety of great deals available on international brands as well. The offer will be valid across the Ace, Fastrack, Enigma and Trendz collections from Titan, starting at a price point of `495 onwards. The Titan lenses on offer include Single Vision lenses starting at `350, Bifocals starting at `1395 and Progressive lenses starting at `2350. Titan Eye Plus ventured into the eyewear category in March 2007.At present, Titan Eye Plus has over 310 stores operating in over 100 cities.

AGP to continue its opposition to the Land agreement bill

som Gana Parishad (AGP) on Wednesday staged protest across the state against the Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement which was ratified recently in the Lok Sabha. The bill, a constitutional amendment (119th Constitutional Amendment act of 2013) will allow the operationalisation of the 1974 IndiaBangladesh Land Boundary agreement, including enclaves and ‘adverse possessions’ from West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura and Assam. The AGP leadership is also planning to write to President Pranab Mukherjee in this regard. “The BJP has always been against the interest of the people of the state and so is Congress. We have been opposing the bill since the beginning but they tried their best to materialise it against the interest of the people,” said AGP general secretary Ramendra Narayan Kalita on Wednesday. On May 16, the party members and leaders will take out a candle light procession in the city. As the bill is already passed in the Lok Sabha, the party leaders will approach the President seeking his intervention for the greater interest of the people of the state. “BJP is the most unreliable party as initially they pretended as if they are against the bill but once in power, the BJP gleefully went ahead,” added Kalita. Besides, the regional party will carry out another series of protest opposing the agreement.

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

City

First ever surgical institute G PLUS NEWS

set up in the city

ith the establishment of the first ever surgical institute, Swagat Super Speciality Surgical Institute (SSSSI), the people of Guwahati and North East will now get a better treatment in the region itself without having to move to other places. The SSSSI has been opened at Maligaon with an objective to provide quality treatment to the patients so that they do not have to go outside for treatment. Inaugurating the architectural model of the Surgical Institute, Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi said, “The institute will help the people to come out with a better quality treatment and nowa-days the private hospitals provide good service to the people. If we have a good facility in the state itself, then people won’t have to go outside. Large number of people go outside for treatment as they don’t find quality treatment here in the region. It’s not only the doctors that should have the quality but the technicians as well as the nurses should be well trained because sometimes it seems that due to the technician’s fault, patients have to lose life. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the training programmes for the technicians, nurses as well.”

“The institute will help the people to come out with a better quality treatment and now-adays the private hospitals provide good service to the people. If we have a good facility in the state itself, then people won’t have to go outside.” Tarun Gogoi Chief Minister of Assam

State Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Nazrul Islam said that improved healthcare facility is important in order to serve quality treatment and SSSSI has all the modern facilities. He said, “Six branches of surgery have opened and four new branches will be opened in the state so that people do not have to be harassed for going outside the state for treatment. A new cancer institute will also come out soon at Guwahati

Medical College Hospital with all the improved facilities as huge number of cancer patients are going outside for treatment and Assam has the highest number of cancer patients.” Dr. Subhash Khanna, Chairman and Chief Medical Director of Swagat Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. has planned the new hospital to provide world class treatment in various surgical super specialities to the people of this region in an effort to stop the exodus of patients to the megacities for want of better treatment facilities. Apart from being centrally air-conditioned which is required for ingress of fresh air and control of humidity, it has a one of its kind modular operation theatre complex consisting of four OTs with zero bacteria technology. A unique Central Sterile Supply De-

partment (CSSD) having equipment provided by Tuttnauer of Germany to ensure high level sterilisation and disinfection of surgical instruments thereby lowering infection rates, continuous medical gas supply through pipelines. Dr. Khanna said that sterilisation has been given importance because it has been seen that sometimes people lose life due to infection. The institute has specialities in Oncosurgery, Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, Minimally invasive surgery including laparoscopic oncosurgery, bariatric surgery and Metabolic surgery, Hepato-Biliary and Gastrointestinal Surgery, ENT and Head and Neck surgery. Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, Robotic Surgery and Urology and Transplant Surgery.

Don Bosco School celebrateS Rongali Bihu Utsav T G PLUS NEWS

o keep intact the tradition and culture among the students and to promote Assamese culture among the non-Assamese students as well, Don Bosco School, Panbazar celebrated Bihu with much funfare recently. The Rongali Bihu Utsav celebrated by Don Bosco annually has successfully completed 10 years with students from all communities actively participating in the festival. “The Rongali Bihu Utsav has been celebrated as a mark of respect to the Assamese culture and to inculcate the same among the students. The students are very much interested to participate in the festival as they want to know about the culture, the dance, the traditional food of the Assamese community. We have also offered traditional foods like laru, pitha to the students so that they can get to know about it,” said Principal and Father of Don Bosco School Sebastian Mathew.

There was an inter house Bihu Nritya Competition among Bordoloi House, Bezbaruah House, Lachit House, Phukan House Group A and Group B. A student of Class VIII performed a Bihu song which shows that they have shown keen interest to learn

about the local culture, he added. The Don Bosco School also conducted a Bihu Dance and Dholia training workshop for the students under the guidance of Ranjit Gogoi. The Bihu Dance workshop was held under the guidance of former Bihu

Samraggi Neelakshi Borgohain and Dhol badan training was conducted by eminent Dholia Simanta Tamuli. The 10 days workshop was conducted from April 27 to May 6 which was preceded by the function on May 9. The students who participated in the

workshop also performed in the Rongali Utsav. The workshop helped the students to learn about the culture of Assam and it was seen that they have keen interest on learning the dance irrespective of caste, creed and religion. The Bihu dance competition was held in two groups, Group A from Class I to Class VIII which is Primary and Upper primary level and Group B from Class VIII to Class XII which is High School and Higher Secondary School. The Winner of Group A was Lachit House and the runner up was Bordoloi House while the winner of Group B was Phukan House and the runner up was Bordoloi House. Other than the performances, some parents also put up stalls of the traditional Mekhala-Chadar to spread the knowledge among the guardians as well who are interested in the traditional dress of Assam. The students also gave stalls of ethnic food.

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Marriage hall owners

City

urge GMC to end impasse Kalyan Deb

he Greater Guwahati Marriage Hall Welfare Association on Wednesday, in an appeal to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), urged the authorities to embrace an utilitarian approach in resolving the crisis after authorities issued notices to twenty marriage halls across the city, asking them to provide details regarding fulfillment of the desired notices. Addressing media persons, president, Greater Guwahati Marriage Hall Welfare Association, Haren Das and executive member Lohit Hazarika asserted that the notice has triggered panic among those people who had booked the marriage halls to organise wedding ceremonies. “This development has triggered panic among the people who have booked the marriage halls. We want to assure the public that the marriage hall owners are taking necessary steps to submit the required documents to the authorities,” said Das. “Marriages are officiated in hotels, temples, community prayer halls, etc., as well, which create traffic problems but the marriage halls are being particularly targeted for violation of norms. The marriage hall owners will utterly cooperate in following the prescribed norms and validating parking space. In the meantime, GMC has proposed an extension to those marriage halls till the conclusion of the wedding ceremonies for which they

had already been prearranged”, Das added. Executive member, Lohit Hazarika informed that a few marriage halls in the capital city were constructed much earlier following the building byelaws of 1978 and 2006. “Some of these marriage halls do not meet the present prescribed norms as there were no provision mentioned to the marriage halls of accommodating parking space and the authorities should take a practical approach and resolve the issue in a compatible atmosphere,” said Hazarika. The Association has submitted a memorandum to the GMC, requesting a pragmatic and amicable solution. It needs to be mentioned here that the GMC has issued notices to some of the marriage halls of Guwahati, seeking details of fulfillment of various norms like parking, trade license, safety, traffic NOC, building NOC from GMC/GMDA, etc. The High Court, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) against a popular wedding-cum-function halls in the city, had issued a notice to the GMC, Pollution Control Board (PCB) and Guwahati Traffic Police, directing them to take strong action against those violating the norms. In the petition, locals sought the High Court’s intervention and complained that these wedding halls are constantly violating laws by using

loudspeakers and firecrackers late into the night. Earlier, following an order by the Gauhati High Court, the GMC has been issuing notices to marriage halls, seeking the relevant documents. Out of 89 marriage halls in GMC area, 62 halls have been asked to furnish the ‘no objection certificate’ obtained from GMC and traffic police, as well as their trade licenses. The GMC plans to send sealing notices to the 20 defaulters for their failure to do so. Several establishments across the city are allegedly operating without

It needs to be mentioned here that the GMC has issued notices to some of the marriage halls of Guwahati, seeking details of fulfillment of various norms like parking, trade license, safety, traffic NOC, building NOC from GMC/GMDA, etc.

all requisite permits and not fulfilling proper norms. “We are giving them an opportunity to submit all relevant documents. If any of them are found to be flouting norms, closure notices will be issued. Many such establishments are allegedly operating without commercial license, proper parking places and NOCs from GMC, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and City Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP),” said a GMC official. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

City

FANCY BAZAR

FEELS CLEANER THAN BEFORE Priyanka Jain It was difficult to walk on the streets of Fancy Bazaar,” said a respondent who is a daily worker and a pedestrian for whom the streets are the only means of commuting and selling goods from morning to evening, which was the only source of income for the family of six members. Fancy Bazaar is a busy commercial area and the hub for the people residing in Guwahati. The nearby areas of Fancy Bazaar – Jail road, Lakhtokia and Paltan Bazaar are the most populated and polluted. Guwahati has seen an alarmingly high rise in population in the last four years. Increase in population in Guwahati has given rise to many problems like inadequacy of potable or useable water, vehicular traffic congestion and many more. This has lead to hazardous outcomes like shrinkage of greenery and vegetation in and around the city. When interviewed during a survey in the area of Fancy Bazaar, the respondents expressed satisfaction over the newly implemented schemes in the areas. When asked, an old man named Ramchand who had witnessed this changes says, “There will be more changes.” A hairdresser by profession, he sits on the street just near the place where earlier garbage used to be dumped. Despite the unbearable stench and the obvious health hazard, he could not change his place because the police did not allow him to do so. But after changes made by the GMC, the place is now cleaned up. He thanked the GMC because of which he now earns double of what he used to earn earlier. After changes in protocol of GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation), the areas and most visited places in Guwahati like Fancy Bazaar which was also among the most polluted places in the city is now pollution free to a large extent and it has been since the past six months that the changes has been remarkably noticed by loacalites, the vendors, shop owners and residents too. Citizens are now taking initiatives to clean Guwahati. Because after all it’s the citizens who are the “HUMANS

dumping stations were near Fancy Bazaar 2014

Dumping stations near Fancy Bazaar 2015 reduced to

OF GUWAHATI”. Rajkumar Tiwari, the councilor of GMC Ward 9 explained the working of GMC. He said, “The GMC workers who clean the area of Fancy Bazaar collects the garbage from nearby areas and keep them in a heap. Then after 7PM when all the garbage is collected, it is taken over by the GMC garbage machines. The garbage is dumped in an area near Amingaon. This cleaning is

done on a regular basis”. He also added that as he has been voted and elected as the councilor, he will give his best to try to bring more and more cleanliness under his area. He even talked about the new project coming up in M.S road that will start after the monsoon season. He also pleaded with the public of that area to look after the work and if they find any complaint they can undoubtedly inform him. He

A hairdresser by profession, he sits on the street just near the place where earlier garbage used to be dumped. Despite the unbearable stench and the obvious health hazard, he could not change his place because the police did not allow him to do so. But after changes made by the GMC, the place is now cleaned up. He thanked the GMC because of which he now earns double of what he used to earn earlier.

says very confidently that he will “work until both the public and he are completely satisfied.” As the above table states, the GMC dumping stations has been substantially reduced in last one year. At present, the dumping stations are located in the areas near Sharma Sweets, Madhukunj, Hotel Vishwaratna and Guwahati gosala. These areas are all located near Fancy Bazaar. After a long conversation and discussion with all stakeholders, the GMC has decided to follow strict norms. The garbage will be collected from every area and then picked up by the authorized area garbage pickers of GMC. This changes took place after many discussions. And this time the GMC has really done a appreciable job. When asked to residents of localities, they stated “they are very much satisfied with the work of the present GMC for such renjenvating, positive and clean environment.”

Weather report for the week SAT 16 May

SUN 17 May

MON 18 MAy

TUE 19 May

WED 20 May

THU 21 May

FRI 22 May

Rain early. Morning clouds.

Widely scattered tstorms.

Showery. Mostly cloudy.

Rain showers. Mostly cloudy.

A few tstorms.

Showers early.

Tstorms early. Broken clouds.

23 / 33 °C

22 / 33 °C

22 / 31 °C

22 / 32 °C

23 / 32 °C

23 / 36 °C

21 / 30 °C

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Ward Watch

Ward No. 01

Jalukbari faces lots of problems

Issues compounded by delay in flyover completion

Kalyan Deb

Concentrated area Jalukbari Sub division 1(b) Councilor Sukur Ahmed Phone number 88766 83245 Area sabha member BINU BARMAN Phone number 98640 90305 Population of ward number 1 33,000 (approx.) Voters 22,000 (approx.) Problems Pollution, garbage collection, Lack of drainage system and public toilet

he under construction flyover at the Jalukbari traffic intersection has been a matter of concern among the public who have to take the road for communication on a frequent basis. Occasional traffic snarl, sometimes spanning hours, are created in the Jalukbari-Adabari area causing great trouble to the commuters. The traffic congestion in the area that begins with vehicles at the beginning of the day continues till dusk due to which commuters are certain to face lengthy delays. It is to be noted here that Guwahati Development Authority (GDA) decided to construct a flyover to decrease and streamline traffic snarls at Jalukbari, the gateway of both the northeastern region and several lower Assam districts. But even after years, construction work of the Jalukbari flyover is continuing at a very tardy pace. As a result traffic snarls can be witnessed for two to three hours regularly. Vehicles coming to Guwahati city have to wait for at least one hour to reach Maligaon from Jalukbari and vice versa. Along with traffic congestion, the ongoing construction that has already exceeded the projected period, covers the area with a cloud of dust throughout the day causing trouble for commuters and those carrying out business outlets in the area. The road beside the under-construction bridge also lack a proper drainage system which causes water logging lasting for several hours.

Says the concerned authorities Talking to G Plus, councilor Sukur Ahmed said, “There are certain areas in Jalukbari that are under conflict of the vending and non-vending areas due to which projects are kept on hold and are yet to come to a settlement before initiating any work.” Whereas, area sabha member Binu Barman claimed that the lack of initiative from the councilor has withheld any kind of developmental work in the area. “The ward committee members are supposed to hold meetings on a regular basis in order to meet the requirements of the people but since the past two months, there has been no such meeting initiated”, said the area sabha member. “The amount sanctioned for carrying out developmental work has been not provided any account and neither I am notified on what purpose the amount are being utilised”, added the area sabha member.

The Commoners’ View Pankaj Kr. Das, a businessman in the area, while expressing his concern asserted, “The construction is being carried out for several years now and all the shop-owners eagerly await for the construction to be concluded as soon as possible. The area faces the largest traffic congestion, which results in the area being covered with dust creating an unhygienic environment for the commuters and the shop-owners.” “Also the area by the under construction bridge lacks a proper drainage system which causes water logging over the road. In order clear away the water, GMC

vehicles pushes the logged water towards Adabari. During heavy rainfall, the water level rises upto two to three feet creating havoc among the commuters”, Das added. On the other hand, Anmol Haque, a resident of Jalukbari area mentioned his concern over the irregularity in garbage collection by the authorities. “The garbage trucks only visit every three to four days until which, the garbage remains dumped by the roadside. Due to lack of drainage, the stagnant water damage the sidewalks and the brim connecting the road to the footpath remains covered with water and mud for several days.” “The lack of public toilet is one of the requirements that is needed

to be met by the authorities. Being a connecting route to several parts of the state, the bus stoppage remains crowded and the women face severe problem due to the absence of public toilets. Despite having ample amount of space in the surrounding areas of the flyover, no initiative has been taken by the authorities so far,” said Mohammed Hussain, while expressing his concern on the immediate requirement of public toilets. The 243 metres long flyover at Jalukbari will touch the approach of the bridge and the existing roads and will have six lanes. Each threelane carriageway have separate foundations, substructure and superstructure. The motive of the construction

of the fly over was to bring an end to the harrowing time faced by commuters travelling on the traffic snarl-ridden stretch from Jalukbari to the existing two-lane Saraighat bridge. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone of the bridge in April 2007 and it was supposed to be operational by January 2010 but has already been delayed by several years. Initially the NHAI alleged facing a host of problems during construction, including land acquisition trouble, obtaining forest and environment clearances and shifting of public utilities like telephone and electricity poles. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Health

Can Constipation cause a Heart Attack? The ‘Piku’ effect

’m sure you are curious enough by the title of this article to start reading it. But the matter of the fact is that I’m getting a lot of queries from my patients regarding the co-relation between these two vastly peculiar topics. And the telltale signs of surge of these questions are probably from the recent Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone starrer bollywood flick ‘Piku’ which highlighted this often ignored topic. I’m not surprised by the queries as almost everyone gets constipated at some time during his or her life. And constipation is one of those topics few like to talk about. Isn’t it? Most of us know that the great Elvis Presley died at a young age of 42 years from a heart attack. However, I’ve recently read that his longtime physician George Nichopoulos believes Elvis died from chronic constipation. Now you would ask me - “How does someone die from that?” According to the autopsy report, hypertensive cardiovascular disease and a “colon problem” were the likely contributing factors to his premature death from a heart attack. It has been reported by his now-retired personal physician that Elvis suffered for years from chronic constipation and that his colon was markedly distended at autopsy. Elvis was reportedly found on his bathroom floor, lending speculation to the theory that a “straining effort” might have triggered his heart attack. The straining of a bowel movement in the setting of underlying heart disease and high blood pressure certainly could cause a heart attack, stroke, or fainting episode. Elvis was said to have been prescribed pain medications, including codeine and hydrocodone, two drugs known to be very constipating. If he had some sort of underlying tendency toward chronic constipation, as Nichopoulos has speculated, any pain medication would have made things much worse. When one strains to have a bowel movement, the effort transiently reduces the flow of blood back to the heart. There’s a transient reduction in blood pressure and cardiac output, and a marked rise in heart rate. When the straining effort ceases, there’s a big rush of blood to the heart followed by a gradual fall in the heart rate toward normal. This is called the “Valsalva maneuver.” If there’s underlying heart disease, such straining could result in a fatal heart arrhythmia or heart attack.

What is constipation?

Although constipation is common in older adults, it can affect individuals of any age. However, women and elderly people are more commonly affected. This symptom may occur anytime during one’s lifetime and it is often not a serious condition. But, some people may

experience constipation more often than others and it may be a cause of concern for others, especially if they have a heart disease. The estimated prevalence of constipation varies from 22 to 28 percent, and the number of persons reporting constipation increases with age. Constipation is more common in women, persons from lower socioeconomic levels, and persons living in rural areas. In our practice, constipation is generally defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week.

What are the causes of Constipation?

Constipation is not a physiologic consequence of normal ageing. Many age-related problems (e.g., decreased mobility, co-morbid medical conditions, increased use of medications with a side effect profile that includes constipation, and changes in diet) may contribute to the increased prevalence of constipation in older adults. Constipation can be divided into primary and secondary causes. An important secondary cause of constipation is the use of medications, especially those that affect the central nervous system, nerve conduction, and smooth muscle function , etc. In a study of patients who considered themselves constipated, 40 percent were using medications known to cause constipation. Over-the-counter medications, such as calcium or aluminium containing antacids and iron supplements may also cause constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common cause of constipation.

What is the treatment for constipation?

If a medication or a medical condition is the cause of constipation, eliminating the offending medication or treating the underlying medical condition may relieve the constipation. However, certain conditions require the use of a medication despite its side effects. Although opioid therapy almost always causes some degree of constipation, individual opioids induce constipation to different degrees. In most cases, a prophylactic laxative can be taken when someone takes chronic opioid therapy because tolerance to the constipating effects of opioids does not develop over time. When no secondary cause of constipation is identified, management should begin with non-pharmacologic methods to improve bowel regularity and should proceed to the use of laxatives only if non-pharmacologic methods are not successful. If the constipation is refractory to medical treatment, the patient should be referred to a specialist for further diagnostic evaluation.

Avoiding milk or coffee, which can cause constipation. Exercising regularly. Moving the bowels when the urge is telt.

Eating disorders

Inadequate fiber intake

Irritable bowel syndrome

Disruption of diet or daily routine, such as traveling

Colon cancer

Immobility or inadequate exercise

Hypothyroidism

Stress or depression

Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease

Taking antacids containing aluminum or calcium Certain medicines Pregnancy

Inadequate fiber intake is a common reason for constipation. Increased dietary fiber intake leads to decreased colonic transit time and to bulkier stools. The daily recommended fiber intake is 20 to 35 g daily. If fiber intake is substantially less than this, one should be encouraged to increase their intake of fiber-rich foods

Drinking at least 1 1 /2 to 2 quarts of water daily.

Inadequate intake of water

Overuse of stool softeners or laxatives

What should be the DIETARY Fiber INTAKE?

Eating a balanced diet that includes high fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Health conditions which may give rise to constipation

Postponing bowel movements

Having a bowel movement may be partly a conditioned reflex. Most people with a regular bowel pattern empty their bowels at approximately the same time every day. The optimal times to have a bowel movement typically are soon after waking and after meals, when colonic activity is greatest. People should be encouraged to attempt defecation first thing in the morning, when the bowel is more active, and 30 minutes after meals, to take advantage of the gastro-colic reflex.

Treatment and Prevention of Constipation

Common causes of constipation

Eating too much dairy products

What is BOWEL TRAINING?

such as bran, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Prune juice is commonly used to relieve constipation. The recommendation is to increase fiber by 5 g per day each week until reaching the daily-recommended intake. Adding fiber to the diet too quickly may cause excessive gas and bloating.

How much FLUID should one TAKE?

Adequate hydration is considered to be important in maintaining bowel motility. However, despite the belief that a lack of fluid increases the risk of constipation, few studies have provided evidence that lack of hydration is associated with the incidence of constipation. Decreased fluid intake may play a greater role in the development of faecal impaction.

What about REGULAR EXERCISE?

A low physical activity level is associated with a two-fold increased risk of constipation. People who are sedentary are more likely to complain of constipation. Prolonged bed rest and immobility are often associated with constipation. Although people should

be encouraged to be as physically active as possible, there is no consistent evidence that regular exercise relieves constipation. In a study it was found that physical activity two to six times per week was associated with a 35 percent lower risk of constipation.

What are the Pharmacologic Treatments?

Increased fiber intake and the use of laxatives generally improve the frequency of bowel movements in adults. A laxative may be used to relieve temporary constipation. However, anyone should not use laxatives for long term to treat chronic constipation. Many laxatives are available, both over the counter and by prescription. Laxatives can interact with a number of medications, so it is better to talk to one’s doctor before taking one if someone also takes other medications.

Can Constipation Cause a Heart Attack?

Doctors often advise against straining while defecating in people who have severe coronary heart disease or who have experienced a heart attack. To relieve or prevent constipation in these people, stool softeners and other home remedies are prescribed to avoid drastic changes in circulatory function, which could lead to a possible fall or rise in blood pressure and/or heart rate. Although constipation itself does not cause a heart attack, frequent or excessive straining could put a patient with serious heart disease at risk for a heart attack. One study showed that patients who died from heart disease or heart failure experienced a wide range of symptoms, including pain, difficulty breathing, and constipation, which were poorly controlled. Constipation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Women who experienced moderate or severe constipation were more likely to suffer from cardiovascular events such as a heart attack compared to those with no constipation.

The bottom line…

Although a causal relationship between constipation and heart disease has not been demonstrated, the researchers speculate that severe constipation may trigger an inflammatory process that could accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease. And obviously straining while defecating in people who have severe coronary heart disease or who have experienced a heart attack can be dangerous and a stool softener can judiciously be used.

Dr. Bikash Rai Das, Consultant Heart Surgeon, GNRC Hospital

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Life

KRISHNA

Have the perfect balance of sensitivity and sensibility

steel grey SUV roared past as I stepped out of my car, almost knocking an old woman down. I glared at the car and if looks could kill, the car would have probably gone up in smoke. Anyway, as that was not to be, I went about my work. Like Arjuna, my goal was pin-pointed and I barely had but a few seconds to ogle at the latest electronic gadgets on display. It was a Saturday and the book-shop was obviously crammed with book-lovers. “Sigmund Freud?” The man gave me one look and fished out the book I wanted. I hugged the newspaper wrapped “Interpretation of Dreams” close to me and walked back to my car. It was a warm humid summer morning of 2005. I woke up from a deep slumber with a feeling of elation, confusion and satisfaction. I just had the most wonderful dream of my life. Wonderful because I saw someone whom many would love to see in their dreams. I was walking in a courtyard, which had a two storied building built on all the three sides, similar to a digital C. There was an open space in front with some trees further ahead. The walls of the building were a pale blue colour and bore no ornamentation. There was a darker shade of blue which ran all around the rim of the walls. All the doors and windows of the building were shut and there was not a person to be seen in sight. I was not doing anything in particular but just looking around to see if I could find somebody. Just then, in one of the verandahs of the first floor, I spied the cutest looking baby I had ever come across. He had chubby cheeks, pink lips and eyes that sparked brightly, emanating a strange strength and power which I could feel even in my dreams. What captivated me was the colour of his skin. It was pale blue and glowed like the full moon on a dark night sky. While keeping his left arm folded on the edge of the verandah, he rested his chin on the palm of the other. He wore intricately designed gold bracelets and armlets. And of course how could I forget to mention the one ornament that impressed me the most; the peacock feather stuck to the decorative headband. I was past recognizing who he was more so because I was simply fascinated by the smile he flashed at me. From the distance that I was standing below him, I could feel a sense of warmth pleasantly radiating from this little baby. I simply basked in this feeling till I woke up to realize that I had just dreamt of baby Lord Krishna. It was an ecstatic feeling, an elation that I could describe as an all time high. How could the Lord come to the dreams of a person who hardly even thought of him? But does it really matter that I had enacted the baby Lord

“He had chubby cheeks, pink lips and eyes that sparked brightly, emanating a strange strength and power which I could feel even in my dreams. What captivated me was the colour of his skin. It was pale blue and glowed like the full moon on a dark night sky.”

as a child of nursery class? Maybe yes, maybe not. For me, what mattered was that my entire day went off in peace; no anger, no trouble, just plain blissful contentment. I even smiled at the person who honked incessantly for him to pass. Both my Satriya Gurus became emotional when I related the exotic dream to them. With tears streaming down their eyes, they gathered that I was the chosen one by the Lord. But chosen one, for what? I asked. I was told to look for signs whence the Lord would gift me with a surprise. I was more than thoroughly excited! A year passed since I dreamt of the Lord. Nothing actually happened but I secretly hoped that He would gift me the one thing that I craved for. Soon, my dream took a backseat and I got down to serious work. I toiled day and night on projects related to my profession. I had to move in and out of the city, visiting metros and meeting people. The hills of Arunachal and the rapids of Subhansiri too beckoned me for an escapade. Life was exciting. On one occasion, a year later, while I was on stage in Kolkata, speaking to a crowd of two thousand people, I had this strange feeling that something was just not right. With me? Yes. I could feel darkness enveloping me and I broke into a cold sweat. Beads of perspiration flowed like rivulets down my forehead, cheeks, back and my feet turned icy cold. My muga mekhelasador felt drenched and I was on the verge of collapsing at the lectern. That night, I called home only to be told that I had had a ‘tiny’ angina of the heart. An angina? I was shell shocked! Dejection took the better of me for the next two days. After the busi-

ness sessions, I would be perpetually holed up in my room, taking care not to exert myself. I scolded myself for being so gluttonous during lunch and wished hard I didn’t take that extra piece of meat. I lived virtually on low cal fruit salads for the next few days of the conference, moped around and ate frugally reminding myself constantly that I was now a patient with a heart ailment. My friends were surprised. I, who was raving about going to the disc preferred to watch some baloney on television while I propped myself with fluffy pillows all around. Well, I had my reasons. However, Raki, a friend had a different explanation altogether. On returning home, I was told to go for a Treadmill ECG. What the heck? I didn’t do it. But went about my work as usual. Not to be stupefied by anything, I even did a ‘war dance’ during one of the family get-togethers, only to be chided by my mother who thought I was going overboard with the whole thing and that I needed to be careful. Careful? For what? And then, one day, I was all dressed and ready for a business trip to Shillong when I heard Mubin call out to me loudly, which could be said to be a concoction of a wail, a moan and a single guffaw. I rushed to the

study room only to see him hold onto a small white instrument with somewhat of jubilation and concern writ large over his face. What now? This time, I definitely must be needing some serious treatment, I thought. Looking over his reading glasses, he said, “It’s positive. I need to talk to Dad.” There was a lot of discussion downstairs and after some time, hubby walked upstairs only to tell me that the trip was off and I needed total bed rest. The rest as we say is history. Tirus, now all of eight years, is an avid cricket player, plays his dhul with a passionate fervour and his favourite singer is Zubeen. He loves to shake a leg to Bryan Adams and knows everything about Black Holes and the Universe. And he is compassionate to the core for the lesser privileged! And he knows exactly when to hug me and make me happy! When I look at his face, I wonder if the dream of 2005 has any reflection to Tirus. You may call it an incarnation, a Sigmund Freud explanation, a coincidence or simply a blessing. Tirus, my Krishna!

here is a certain simplicity inside you. We have all been born with that innocence and simplicity. When we grew up somewhere we lost that. As we grew up, we stopped smiling, we stopped being natural, we stopped being simple. So what is essential is both, sensibility and sensitivity. Totally logical, rational thinking is essential for human being. Don’t accept anything because somebody says it. We must use our intellect. Anything that is illogical, that does not appeal to reason, we should not accept. So first is logic, this function is important because it creates sensibility. Now, just sensibility is not enough, you need sensitivity. Sensitivity is a matter of the heart. You can be very logical but you need to understand the view points of others as well. They are very correct, but they can hurt others easily. Anyone who is very angry, they justify their anger with logic, but they don’t know that their anger is hurting the other person. Not only the other person but them also. So the second important thing is being sensitive. Somebody may be a fool but calling them a fool, shouting at them, scolding them is not going to help. You need to be sensitive. You sit on a donkey and expect it is to run like a horse, that is not possible. Accept a donkey as a donkey and a horse as a horse. Where is the anger then? This is sensitivity - being sensitive to the feelings of others and their needs. This is the quality of the heart. There are people who are too sensitive. They lose their logic. They become an emotional soggy noodle. This is no good either. You need the perfect balance of sensitivity and sensibility.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji tinat ATIFA MASOOD

www.artofliving.org/meditation Follow Sri Sri @SriSriSpeaks on twitter

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Entertainment

Nawazuddin ‘honoured’ to receive award at NYIFF

ctor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who has bagged the Best Actor award at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) for “Haraamkhor”, says he feels honoured. “I’m feeling very honoured to have received such a prestigious award at a big festival like this one. Thanking all for love and support always,” Nawazuddin said in a statement. In “Haramkhor”, directed by Shlok Sharma, Nawazuddin, a National Award winning talent, plays a married teacher in love with his student, essayed by Shweta Tripathi. Just last month the movie was

Salman returns to work

screened at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, where Shweta walked away with the Best Actress trophy

Katrina Kaif

makes her debut at Cannes Film Festival

K A

fter getting relief from the Bombay High Court in the 2002 hit-and-run case, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan arrived here to resume shooting for his upcoming movie “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir’s picturesque hill station. Salman, 49, was sentenced to five years in prison for running over a man sleeping on a pavement in Mumbai. Just hours later, the Bombay High Court gave the actor two-day interim bail. Eventually, the high court suspended the sentence itself. Sources in the film unit that arrived in Sonamarg a day earlier said the superstar will shoot at the hill station for the next five days. “If weather doesn’t behave, the shooting schedule can be extended beyond Sunday (May 17)”, the source said. Meanwhile, the film’s director Kabir Khan tweeted: “@BeingSalmanKhan is back in Kashmir... last 5 days of shooting left for #BajrangiBhaijaan.”

and shared it with Kalki Koechlin, who won for “Margarita With A Straw”.

atrina Kaif, made her debut at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, the diva looked absolutely stunning in a black strapless gown. There is no doubt that the black colour dress accentuated the sexy figure of the diva and she pulled of one of the top look of the fashionista! As all eyes were set on her debut at the Cannes International Film Festival, she mesmerised every one with-

Shahid Kapoor flaunts his toned physique after recovering from fever

hahid Kapoor has been working out strenously for the past several months. The star provided a glimpse of his toned physique in a snapshot he posted on social media. With just a towel loosely wrapped around his waist, Sasha posed for a selfie in front of a mirror. `The body after 2 weeks of fever,` he wrote. Ahem. I am not complaining for sure.

her smoky eyes and nude lip shade. The Bang Bang! actress walked out of the film gala on Monday, she spoke to media about her first appearance at Cannes. The actress stated she just wanted to enjoy the film festival and be comfortable as well, therefore, she preferred a white crop top and skirt from MILLY creation with shoes by Manolo Blahnik and jewellery by Maria Francesca Pepe.

Varun shares his paranormal experience

V US

arun Dhawan says he had a first-hand supernatural experience at a luxury hotel in the

Varun Dhawan had a tryst with paranormal activity while shooting for ‘ABCD 2’ in the US for which local crew had been hired. The actor was put up in the Sinatra suite of a Las Vegas hotel that is supposedly haunted by the ghost of legendary American singer-actor Frank Sinatra. A source says, “The local crew started supplying Varun with scary stories about the suite. They told him how Frank Sinatra stayed in that very suite whenever he came to perform in Vegas and thought of it as his home. So even after his death, he hasn’t checked out of there.”

Kriti Sanon

receives a surprise package

riti Sanon who was born and brought up in Delhi and has been living in Bombay after her big and successful debut, Heropanti recently received a surprise packet from her younger sister. The actor’s sister had sent her a scrapbook that has all their childhood pictures. This was a pleasant surprise for Kriti who opened the packet and found this book which she and her sister had made. This book contains all their childhood memories and the pictures just made the actress nostalgic. As the actress has moved to Bombay, she doesn’t have a lot of her things she has grown up with. Therefore, her sister planned on sending her this scrapbook as she didn’t have any of her old pictures saved up at her Bombay residence.

The ghost story became a regular topic of conversation for the crew and Varun, believing that they were trying to pull a prank on him, used to laugh them off until one night. “After a long, tiring day of shoot, he went to his room and tried to sleep, but he heard some strange sounds and the door creaked open on its own. The stories that he had dismissed until then came back to him,” adds a unit member. Sharing the scary experience, Varun says, “The suite was definitely haunted because at night I would hear someone singing and the doors would just fling open. Either that happened, or I felt so since I was really obsessed with my film’s music.”

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Vox Pop

person who was born in an Assamese family with Assamese as one’s mother tongue can only be considered as an Assamese or one who considers themselves as an Assamese, irrespective of his caste and mother tongue but has spent all his life in Assam can also be considered as an Assamese. What does it take to be called an “Assamese” is a question that has raised a political storm in the state and dominated the campaign in the run-up to the Assembly election in 2011. With the process of updating the NRC in place, people are yet to be confirmed about one’s identity. G Plus talks to people across the city from different castes, tribes and religions to know their understanding about who exactly is an Assamese.

Sankar Prasad Ray Former president, All Assam Students’ Union The definition of an Assamese should only include the indigenous Assamese people whereas those who are enlisted in the 1951 (NRC) National Register of Citizens should only have the rights to stand in election. Since till 1971, the state has acknowledged the immigration of Bangladeshis, which has changed the demographic pattern of the state, they cannot have the privilege or the power of deciding our fate by taking part in elections. So, 26 organisations, including AASU have decided to bar such people from taking part in elections of local municipal corporations, gram panchayat, MLA and MP. On a social basis, those who figure in the National Register of Citizens 1951 and their descendants can be regarded as Assamese. Zerifa Wahid Actor There are several Assamese people who are born in Assamese households but have given up speaking the language, they don’t know about ethnic Assamese food, so how can they be called Assamese, whereas some people who are linguistically not Assamese but have been residing in the state for several years speak fluent Assamese. There are Marwaris, old Bihari families, Punjabis, etc. who speak the language gracefully. They eat Assamese cuisine, even behave like an Assamese despite the fact that they from a different ethnic background. I call them more Assamese because even after being born in an Assamese family, we have lost our identity. When we can’t speak our language fluently, we do not have the right to be known as an Assamese, whereas non Assamese people who have lived in Assam, have adopted the culture of the state, I call them more Assamese than those who were born as one. HN Das Former Chief Secretary, Assam We consider all of them to be Assamese who speak the language but the immigrants from Bagladesh who have studied in Assamese schools and have learnt the language, can they be considered as Assamese as well? Rather than finding the answer this way, we should follow the 1951 National Register of Citizens that was initiated after the country’s independence. The ones whose forefathers are listed in the NRC can be considered as Assamese and whose data is not present but claims to be an Assamese, the basis of his claims need to be followed.

Ravi Sharma Actor A person wherever he might have taken birth or is a citizen of any other state but considers Assam to be his state now, is settled here and speaks the Assamese language, not necessarily a scholar of the language but knows the language in spoken terms, is an Assamese. Otherwise we can’t even consider Jyoti Prasad Agarwala as an Assamese. In terms of NRC, the database on keeping an account of the entire citizen population who were migrants and who weren’t, is not strong enough, so the government’s initiative to consider those as a citizen who meet the requisition according to NRC should be appraised when you are dealing with masses.

Who is an

Assamese

Shayanika Das Client Services The debate is about who is an Assamese by nature or an Assamese by law. Anybody who will fight for the rights and merits of Assam and consider all the ‘people’ their own is an Assamese by nature. Only a birthright doesn’t make you an Assamese. Along with it, the duties you perform towards your land makes one a true denizen of a place. Simanta Sekhar Singer The indigenous people of the state are all definitely Assamese including tribals and non-tribals but those who have come to the state with the intent of carrying out business and have no bond with the culture and people of Assam cannot be considered as Assamese. Meanwhile, people from different states and cultural backgrounds who have come to Assam and have adapted to the Assamese culture are definitely Assamese. The definition stands equal to the example of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala whose contribution to Assamese culture is unmatchable. On the other hand, it would be an insult not recognizing as Assamese people like Suresh Gaduka and Gopal Jalan who have contributed so much to the people of Assam even after not being from an Assamese background. Amlanjit Das Corporate Professional

Shamim Mokles Adverstising professionel Traditionally, we have grown up with the mentality that someone who belongs to Assam is an Assamese. And that is where the issue of identity crisis occurs. For example, I was born and brought up in Assam, but still when I was once searching for a rented house in Guwahati, a so called educated person asked me, “Oh, so you are Muslim, not an Assamese?” I had a similar experience when I visited Silchar once, where one shopkeeper said to me, “So, you have come from Assam, right?” whereas, we vote for Amit Paul and Debojit Saha for promoting Assam. I personally do not understand the hullabaloo about the pure Assamese or not-so-pure Assamese concept and I am sure no one else does. For me, someone who is born and brought up in Assam is an Assamese, irrespective of their religion or caste. There cannot be any other way.

I am one of the fortunate ones who had the family support to spread my wings and fly and reach my dream

Identity and discrimination are two angles where a human is judged in today’s society. So now people are being judged irrespective of birth, blood or language. There are certain points that need to be looked at, like for such people from interior areas who have no provision for education through any means, would they be considered Assamese as the NRC requires a valid thumbprint or signature. A pure Assamese is one who casts his vote and we require a tracking mechanism for people who do not cast their vote. There are hardly people who are found to be non-Assamese. However, no planning or implementation of requisite actions is dedicated for those acts. Racial discrimination has been a major drawback to a country like India where people have education but very poor utilisation of their knowledge to judge their sense of right or wrong. Unity in diversity has been one of the prime agendas of our country’s leaders. However, we are getting divided every day. I say we should stop being an Assamese and start being a human first.

nitially trained in Indian classical music by her aunt and grandfather, Queen developed a taste for soul music gradually and very recently her track, ‘Xaare Aasu’ (I am awake) gained huge success and popularity and received appreciation from across the world. It received around 25,000 likes in just 11 days on networking sites. Interestingly, Queen is a third generation singer in her family and started listening to music when she was in her mother’s womb. The 38-year-old said, “My singing life started even before I was born because my parents wanted to have a singer in the family and my father used to play the gramophone near my mother’s womb while she was sleeping.” When she started speaking, she started with sa ra ga ma… Singing was always a part of her life and she first stepped up on the stage at the tender age of four and sang her first song on Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’s anniversary. She then started singing for children’s plays in theatres. In 1996, she recorded her first album (Abhiman) with her uncle Raaj J Konwar who is a Bollywood singer now and has sung for the movie, Ragini MMS and also received many awards. This was the proper professional beginning for Queen as a singer. After that she finished her first solo album ‘Sobi’, which is also available on soundcloud.com. Then she delivered her first playback for the film ‘Mon’ along Zubin Garg, which was one of the toughest songs she ever sung. Many singers were not able to sing this song but Queen was able to do it which gained her huge appreciation. After this there was no stopping her. After ‘Mon’, she also sang for ‘Suren Suror Putek’ and ‘Sneh Bandhan’. Hazarika was born in Lakhim-

pur to Raj Hazarika and Usha Gogoi Hazarika. She studied at St. Mary’s High School in North-Lakhimpur and later graduated from Handique Girl’s College, Guwahati. Queen has acted in films like ‘Surjasta’,’ Avataran’ (yet to be released which is also the first 3D film), ‘Akasmat-Out of The Blue’ and ‘Stage 3 Fighting’ (English film directed by Kenny Basumatary). Taking a sabbatical from singing because of marriage and children, she had also worked in the corporate sector for around nine years working with ICICI, Reliance and Vodafone India. She left Vodafone in 2014 and with extreme support from her family to pursue her passion, she is now totally into singing and is lined up with many projects. On 1st May she released ‘Xaare Aasu’ which is a huge hit. With the desire of always singing something different, she is extremely excited about one of her future projects, which is a fusion of Assamese and Carnatic music. According to her, the music industry here has gone into a rut and there is no creativity. She feels she has something new to do in all her ventures. According to her, Guwahati has changed to a great extent and she likes the new generation as she believes that the new lot is very focused. At the same time, however, she dislikes many things about the city, mostly, the changing value system. With many planned projects in the future, she dreams of working with David Foster and Illayaraja. She has two sons, Mahin and Caillou and the younger one has already started writing songs at the age of six. Mahin, who is nine years old, wants to become a magician.

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Reviews

u Yo ULD O N SH ISTE L

GAME IEW REV

Album: Bush Artist: Snoop Dogg

wolfenstein: the old blood

T Mov Revi ie ew Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah, Karan Johar Director: Anurag Kashyap

ombay Velvet kicks off in 1949 when a young Balraj (Ranbir Kapoor) alights from a train which is his first tryst with Bombay. Balraj accompanied by his foster mother who seeks prostitution as a means for survival and raises Balraj under morally questionable circumstances. Young Balraj meets a local lad Chiman (Satyadeep Misra) who is a pick pocketer and soon as they turn old, Balraj and Chiman indulge smuggling for survival. Inspired by watching an English classic, Balraj becomes obsessed to become a ‘big-shot’ and this crazy aspiration of him is about to take him places. He also earns money by participating in street fights which he never wins. Just when Balraj is dreaming of becoming of bigshot, he sets eyes on Rosie (Anushka Sharma) who has an equally grave past and is new to the city where she is struggling, making up her livelihood singing in a Jazz club. It is love at first sight for the Romeo and now he has only two dreams – becoming a bigshot and having Rosie in his arms. In an unexpected twist of fate, Balraj and Chiman meet Kaizad Khambatta (Karan Johar) who is a newspaper baron. It is Kaizad who gives wings to Balraj’s dreams and even names him Johnny. What follows is a twisted tale of greed, love, double-crossing and betrayals. Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor in a still from movie ‘Bombay Velvet’ Anushka Sharma and Ranbir

Kapoor in a still from movie ‘Bombay Velvet’ Based on Gyan Prakash’s book Mumbai Fables, Bombay Velvet paints a distinct picture of then Bombay. If the pictorials are any less, the film’s plot dealing with blackmail over negatives of photographs and newspaper editors giving orders of ‘stop press’ is enough to take you back to the bygone era. The first half of the film comes off quite strong and clear as we are introduced to Balraj and Rosie’s past. The love story is taut and rarely do we find such writing when it comes to love affairs. There are no big comic elements in the film but indirect references to Karan Johar’s sexual preferences will certainly make you cough, especially the reason why he names Balraj as Johnny or also when he says ‘Rosie mein aisa kya hai jo mere paas nahi’. If the writers have a certain madness on Balraj’s character, on the other hand Rosie’s character is completely pity-some as she is more often than not been with dominating men who expect her to fulfill their demands. The first half seems lengthy but it is definitive of all the characters. The second half on the other hand gets too filmy. The dialogues are not particularly hard hitting and you may take only a few one liners home. Bombay Velvet is a visually enjoyable period drama. The love story is taut, chemistry is sizzling but thanks to an overstretched plot and a cliched second half, the film disappoints a little. I am going with a 3/5 for this film.

here’s a particular corner on the Potrero track that can be taken flat out at high speed, but only if you got the preceding corner absolutely right. This sweeping left-right section represents a perfect microcosm of the Ride experience. Your patience, discipline, forward-planning, and applied knowledge are rewarded with a massively gratifying sensation of ‘nailed it’, as your simulated superbike hurtles around a banked curve and straightens up at some 150mph, a few feet from the barrier on the left, close enough to high-five the cookie-cutter spectators. You won at that corner. But are you similarly prepared for the next one? You might have noticed there weren’t any other bikes mentioned in that scenario. That’s because Ride is at its best when it’s just you vs. the tarmac. It’s about how it feels to own a beautiful motorbike and take it out on race tracks or public roads. It echoes Gran Turismo in its reverence for the act of manipulating the controls of gleaming machines of speed, but as GT5 proved, that doesn’t automatically make it a great game.

Sure enough, racing against the AI is less than majestic. Events are often populated by bikes of varying power, meaning some will zoom off while others fall behind. Getting into a close race is possible at higher difficulties, but while you can almost always find a better cornering line than the overly-conservative AI riders, they seem to find extra acceleration from somewhere and pass you again on the straights. As a result, it’s rare to feel fully satisfied at the end of a race. If only the same quality was evident in all aspects of the game. From the creepy, overly-passionate voiceover that introduces each event type, through to the photo mode (every game’s gotta have one these days), it’s clear that this is a celebration of bikes just as much as it is a bike game. But ultimately, the experience is best described as ‘pleasant’. While it doesn’t commit any massive crimes, the atmosphere, visuals and excitement levels are far short of the standard set by even last-gen racers like GT6. And though its PS4 stablemate MotoGP14 may be harder to control, it’s a better video game. And that makes a big difference.

alvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. was doing more than fine as Snoop Dogg, but after a 2012 trip to Jamaica, he became convinced that reggae was his true calling and that the Rastafarian lifestyle would guide the rest of his life as Snoop Lion. Three years later and his disco-funk album Bush -- a Snoop Dogg release -- resets everything for the masses, but this slick, star-studded effort produced by Pharrell owes a lot to 7 Days of Funk, the 2013 G-funk throwback project Snoop recorded with underground producer Dâm-Funk. If that fine return-to-form was Funkadelic, this album is Parliament, and maybe even “Atomic Dog”-era George Clinton, as one party starter after another rolls out, all of them singalong-worthy with Snoop’s stingers and punch lines making him the undisputed Doggfather. This excellent balance of cool and crowd-pleasing should have been there to help celebrate when California legalized medical marijuana, but better late than never is the way of the stoner. Accept Bush as a delayed dank disco triumph, and then drop it like it’s hot, one more time.

Book: The Seeker Author: Karan Bajaj

C SH You ReOaULD d

an a man walk on water? Can he see the future? Can he read people’s minds? One man will find answers that challenge all his rational beliefs. After a deep personal loss, Maximus Pzoras, Harvard economist and Wall Street banker, sets out on a quest to find the cause of human pain and suffering. His journey takes him from New York to a hidden ashram in south India to a drought-

NOW SHOWING

stricken village to a freezing cave high in the Himalayas. And as he goes from cubicle dweller to cave dwelling yogi, he starts to develop extraordinary powers. But will Max, investment banker turned Himalayan sage, find the answers to the questions that led him to India? The Seeker is both a gripping adventure and a story of a man’s tremendous inner transformation, a Siddhartha for our generation.

Bombay Velvet

Mad Max: Fury Road

Gabbar Is Back

Piku

Apsara Cinema

Daily at 11.00 AM & 5.00 PM

Daily at 2.00 & 8 PM

Anuradha Cineplex

Daily at 11.45 AM & 5.15 PM

Daily at 9.30 AM & 2.45 PM

Fun Cinemas

Daily at 10.00 AM, 3.15 & 8.45 PM

Gold Cinema (Paltan Bazaar)

Daily at 11.00, 2.00, 5.00 & 8.00 PM

Daily at 11.30 AM & 2.30 PM

Daily at 5.30 & 8.30 PM

Gold Cinema (Fancy Bazar)

Daily at 11.00, 2.00, 2.30, 5.00 & 8.00 PM

Daily at 8.30 PM

Daily at 11.30 AM & 2.30 PM

Gold Cinema (Narengi)

Daily at 11.00 AM, 5.00 & 8.00 PM

Daily at 8.15 PM Daily at 12.50 & 6.05 PM

Daily at 2.00 PM

Telebooking numbers: Anuradha Cineplex; 03612656968, 9954544738, Fun Cinemas: 9864800100, 9864800200, Gold Cinema (Fancy Bazaar): 03612735367, 9854077177, Gold Cinema (Paltan Bazaar): 9854066166, Gold Cinema (Narengi): 8811001898

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Tech Watch

Asus launches ZenBook UX305 with QHD plus screen

sus has launched a new ultrabook called ZenBook UX305 which is priced at `49,999 and has a QHD+ screen. The ZenBook UX305 weighs 1.2 kg and according to Asus is 12.3 mm thick making it the world’s slimmest 13.3-inch laptop. Key features of the ZenBook UX305 are: This is has a 13.3-inch with QHD+ (3200x 1800) resolution and has in-plane switching (IPS) along with anti-glare. The processor is Intel’s new Core M-5Y10 and it has a 512GB SSD along with 8GB of RAM. Asus says that the SATA 6Gbit/s SSD is

Xolo Prime Android Lollipop smartphone at Rs 5,699

X up to six times faster than a traditional hard disk drive. Asus is promising 10 hours of battery life of up to 10 hours. ZenBook UX305 has a new wedge-shaped design and is made from solid aluminium. The Asus

Microsoft Launches Lumia 540 Dual-SIM in India

ZenBook is available in two colours — Obsidian Stone and Ceramic Alloy. Asus ZenBook UX305 will be cost `49,999 and will be available at Flipkart and ASUS Exclusive Stores from 15 May onwards.

olo has announced the launch of the Xolo Prime, which is the company’s latest running the latest Android Lollipop version. The device has a 4.5 inch IPS display with resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. The smartphone is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad core MediaTek processor with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. The Xolo Prime has a 5 MP rear facing auto focus camera with LED flash. There is also a front facing VGA camera. The device runs on the Android Lollipop

version with an 1800 mAh battery. The handset is priced at `5,699 and is available in Black, Blue, Red and Gold coloured glass finish.

Asus ZenPower 10,050mAh power bank launched in India

icrosoft has announced the launch of the Microsoft Lumia 540, which is successor to the Lumia 535. The device has a 5 inch IPS display with resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The smartphone is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad core Snapdragon 200 processor with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. The Microsoft Lumia 540 has an 8 MP rear facing auto focus camera with f/2.2 aperture and LED flash. There is also a front facing 5 MP camera with wide angle lens. The device runs on latest Windows Phone 8.1 version with the Lumia Denim update. The handset is priced at `10,199 and is available in cyan, orange, white and black colour options. The smartphone would be available starting from May 18.

Microsoft Lumia 540 specs: 5 inch display 1280 x 720 pixels resolution 1.2 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor 1 GB RAM 8 GB internal memory 8 MP primary camera 5 MP front facing camera Windows Phone 8.1 2200 mAh battery

HTC Butterfly 3 is official

ombining features from both HTC One M9 and its spinoff, the One M9+, HTC’s newest device is certainly the most potent powerhouse of a smartphone the company has ever come up with - the HTC J Butterfly. The handset will be exclusively sold by one of Japan’s major carriers. For starters, it does not come with a metal unibody, but a plastic one. Nevertheless, it comes with a feature that very few HTC phones have: it’s a handset that is both dust- and water-proof. From the HTC One M9, the J Butterfly has inherited the octacore Snapdragon 810 chip and the

3GB of RAM, whereas the One M9+ has “donated” its 5.2-inch, Quad HD display that commands a pixel density of 565ppi and its 20MP rear, Duo camera setup to the specs sheet of the new device. Interestingly enough, we also have a large 13MP front-facing camera, just like the HTC Desire Eye. The remainder of the specs sheet tells us that the HTC J Butterfly is also endowed with a microSD card slot, 32GB of native storage, a 2,700mAh battery at the back, and Android 5.0 Lollipop right out of the box, with HTC’s Sense 7 UI running atop. The phone supports LTE, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, and NFC.

sus has just launched the ZenPower 10,050mAh power bank in India. It is priced starting at `1,499, and will be available from May 15 in Asus stores and Flipkart. Asus ZenPower is available in silver, pink, blue and gold variants. There is also a black variant which is priced slightly higher at `1,599. The Asus ZenPower 10,050mAhwas un-

veiled in India during the Asus Zenfone 2 launch in April. The power bank weighs only 215 grams, and looks a lot like Xiaomi’s Mi power bank. The company claims that it can charge a smart phone with a large 3000mAh battery at least 2 times fully. Similarly, a 5000mAh powered tablet can be fully charged 1.1 times.

Asus’ power bank features 11 layers of protection as opposed to the nine layers in the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank. It is said to compete withXiaomi’s power banks and OnePlus’ power bank that waslaunched today. The OnePlus 10,000mAh power bank is priced slightly less at `1,399, while the Mi 10,400mAh power bank is priced only at `999.

Android M to include more privacy controls for users

rivacy has been a great issue among Android users. According to Bloomberg, Google is reportedly looking to give users more granular control over app permissions. According to Bloomberg the new operating system, set to debut at Google I/O 2015, will let users pick and choose what information is shared with certain applications, including photos, contacts, and location. This is an evolution in Google’s work to bring more privacy and peace of mind to its users.

That means you’ll be able to set if an app—Facebook, for example—can access information such as photos, contacts and location. It’s unclear how the new features will affect the functionality of an app, because few permissions are necessary for some apps and if those permissions are not granted, apps might not work the way they are suppose to work. This new option will presumably cause some strife among Google and developers, who feed off that information.

We’re expecting to hear more about Android M at Google I/O, which kicks off on May 28

Indrajeet Bhuyan is a 17 year old tech blogger and security researcher. He is passionate about computers and believes in sharing knowledge and information . He uses his spare time helping people and companies secure themselves. fb.me/ indrajeet.bhuyan

G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Fun

Your weekly dose of

TIMEPASS

Commerce and communication rule the roost as Mars enters Gemini. It’s a good time to acquire knowledge, whether you’re eager to get a qualification to increase your income or you just enjoy studying. Go easy on Thursday, though, as complications could throw a monkey wrench in the works. Though it’s tempting to feel frustrated, it’s better to focus on the things you can accomplish. Things should be back to normal soon. Sunday’s New Moon can be helpful for reorganizing finances.

Money matters increase in importance from Monday as Mars stirs up this area of your life. While this influence can coincide with increased income, you might also have to deal with unexpected bills or expenses. Despite this, there are ample opportunities to earn extra cash if you want to. Be especially careful on Thursday, when frustration about money could come to a head. Sunday’s New Moon in your sign can ring in some changes, encouraging you to take positive action.

As your social life comes into focus you’ll feel a renewed determination to mingle with like-minded people. Mars hikes into Gemini on Monday to usher in a period when it pays to network and move in new circles. Expanding your social horizons can be the best thing for you if you’re searching for romance or a better job. On another note, trying your hand at a childhood hobby could be very rewarding and perhaps develop into a new source of income.

Sagittarius The people in your life will be enlivening and refreshing as Mars sparkles in your relationship sector. The folks you connect with can act as catalysts, encouraging you to try new ideas and opportunities. There may be times when you clash with them, too, but even this can have a productive outcome. Spoken for? You and your sweetheart may have a busy social life and plenty of plans. Looking for love? Dating should be a lot of fun, so go enjoy yourself!

SUDOKU

You’ll begin to feel more like your old self again when Mars dances into your sign bringing lively ideas and unique opportunities your way. Your curiosity could lead you in interesting directions as you take in information, network, and make new friends. It helps to be discerning or you could find yourself drowning in a sea of facts. Set your course and stay on it for best results. Regarding money, an antique you own might be worth a lot more than you thought.

Although you may feel pressured at work, a focus on your spiritual sector encourages you to take a short retreat. You might want to make this a regular habit over the weeks ahead, giving you a chance to relax and recharge. Be mindful of your dreams, too, as their inspirational guidance could help you overcome any troublesome issues. Thursday needs careful handling, especially if your energy isn’t up to par. Lighten your schedule to make things easier.

Scorpio

Libra

Virgo

Leo

Cancer

Gemini

Taurus

Aries

HOROSCOPE

The next few weeks bring opportunities to strike more than a few deals. Whether you’re seeking a new job, contract, or promotion, the way you connect with others can be instrumental in your success. Interview experts, gather information, and network with all the right folks and you can’t go wrong. Romance is in the air, too, particularly on Saturday, when a delightful transit is perfect for a special date. Meanwhile, Sunday’s New Moon encourages travel to faraway places.

All set for a wild adventure? This week’s blend of energies can see you indulging a desire to explore and seek new experiences. Life could become more hectic and a lot more fun. However, things could come crashing to a halt on Thursday when an edgy influence causes frustration. If communication slows between you and another, ride it out. Things should be back to normal within a few days. Meanwhile, Sunday’s Taurus New Moon can be helpful for reorganizing finances.

Your relationships have a soothing, grounding quality that makes your interactions positive and productive. The pace of life will speed up from Monday, particularly concerning finances and business matters. If you’ve been thinking of pooling your resources or talents with another, this is an excellent time to research your options. Thursday could bring delays to money matters, but if you’re patient things should return to normal fairly quickly. Sunday’s New Moon could enliven a budding romance.

Pisces

Aquarius

Capricorn You’ll be motivated to tweak your diet and fitness regimen, and perhaps exercise more, too. In the next few weeks your energy level may peak, with a tendency to be restless. Daily workouts, hikes, and other strenuous exercise can help you stay calm and collected even in stressful circumstances. Allow yourself plenty of room to maneuver on Thursday, when things may not go as planned. Saturday offers the chance of a memorable romantic liaison. Perhaps you’ll be eager to repeat it!

Your flirtatious side comes to the fore as Mars hikes into your pleasure sector this week. Eager to date? You’ll be in your element and ready to grab a golden opportunity for romance. Hitched? It’s time to rekindle the flame of passion by enjoying a short break along with a chance to celebrate your love for each other. The New Moon in your home zone on Sunday makes this an excellent time to get started on remodeling or a small DIY job.

Home is where the heart is when Mars dances into Gemini this week, encouraging you to get up to speed with household tasks and clutter removal. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with stuff, you might be motivated to get rid of it, giving you more space for your plans and projects. In romance, Venus shines her tender rays over a special love tryst. Saturday is the best day to connect with your latest love. A soft, enticing mood could tempt you to indulge.

Useful Life hacks

Don’t get dusty anymore

Bend a post it note to catch dust from drilling

JUST FOR LAUGHs A drunkard stumbles along a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by a river. He proceeds to walk down into the water and stands next to the Preacher. The minister turns and notices the old drunk and says, “Mister, Are you ready to find Jesus?” The drunkard looks back and says, “Yes, Preacher... I sure am.” The minister then dunks the fellow under the water and pulls him right back up. “Have you found Jesus?” the preacher asked. “No, I didn’t!” said the drunkard. The preacher then dunks him under for quite a bit longer, brings him up and says, “Now, brother, have you found Jesus?” “No, I did not Reverend.” The preacher in disgust holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this time, brings him out of the water and says in a harsh tone, “My Good man, have you found Jesus yet?” The old drunkard wipes his eyes and asks the preacher, “Are you sure this is where he fell in?”

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Public Notice I, Neelakshi Bordoloi, have changed my name to Neelakshi Bordoloi Saikia by an affidavit before the Notary Public Kamrup (Metro) dated: 19-02-15

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G PLUS MAY 16- MAY 22, 2015

Catching Up

Simple exercises can help control

esearchers have found that few exercises can reduce frequency of snoring by 36 percent and total power of snoring by 59 percent. “This study demonstrates a promising, noninvasive treatment for large populations suffering from snoring, the snorers and their bed partners, that are largely omitted from research and treatment,” said Barbara Phillips, medical director, sleep laboratory at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in the US. Snorers can try pushing the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth and sliding the tongue backward. Sucking the tongue upward against the roof of the mouth, and pressing the entire tongue against the roof of the mouth can also help. Forcing the back of the tongue against the floor of the mouth while keeping the tip of the

Ashley Benson Won’t Date

Actors

tongue in contact with the bottom, front teeth and elevating the back of the roof of the mouth and uvula while saying the vowel “A” are other exercises that the researchers suggested.

Helping Hand: A city cop clears the way for the plying vehicles at Kamakhya Gate. Photo: Adib Zamali

PIC OF THE

WEEK

he ‘Pretty Little Liars’ actress, who split from Justin Bieber’s former “swagger coach” Ryan Good in December after three years of dating, thinks being in a celebrity relationship would bring “too much attention” to her private life, but admires the way Angelina Jolie and husband Brad Pitt handle the spotlight together. The 25-year-old star said, “I don’t think I would be able to date a highprofile actor the way Angelina Jolie has. Her and Brad have done a good job at keeping private, but I’m sure that takes work. It’s too much attention when two powerful people are together.” The ‘Spring Breakers’ star loves being an actress, but claims fame still makes her uncomfortable.

Vienna traffic signals go red, green, gay, lesbian and straight

ienna has installed pedestrian crossing lights depicting straight, gay and lesbian couples in time for the Eurovision Song Contest. The city has started setting up “walk, don’t walk” lights that show pairs of figures instead of the usual stick men. The lights, some of which depict a man and a woman and others, two women or two men, are being erected at 47 crossings and will stay up until June. Vienna hosts several events linked to tolerance during that time, including the Life Ball, Europe’s biggest charity event for Aids and HIV research, and the Eurovision Song Contest. When asked whether they liked the concept, Clemens Bendtner said that this is a great idea, adding that the topic of equality and equal treatment is a very important issue, and it is getting some attention through the campaign. However, the Freedom party has announced it is lodging a criminal com-

plaint against Vienna council member Maria Vassilakou, who is in charge of traffic issues in the city. Party officials say the lights contravene traffic regulations and are a waste of taxpayers’ money at a cost of 63,000 euros.

The city in turn says that the lights conform to laws and are meant not only to show tolerance. Municipal officials say they also hope the signals will draw more attention from pedestrians and reduce jaywalking.

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. Phone: 0361 2737737, Email: info@g-plus.in, RNI No: ASSENG/2013/52641