VOLUME 03 | ISSUE 11 by G Plus

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VOLUME 03 | ISSUE 11 DEC 19 - DEC 25 , 2015

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Suspected

porn racket PG 03

busted in Guwahati

Crystal Bar incident taints city image

No effective results of fogging and spraying in the city

PG 05

Tanuka Das

New Chic on the block

Page 24

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Lead Story

Guwahati scarred by another incident of moral policing A girl, who had come out of a bar, was tailed by a mob trying to take pictures and molested her in the process

hile the G S Road molestation case in 2012 left the city stigmatised, a similar incident rocked Guwahati on Monday evening. Another deplorable incident of moral policing took place in the Zoo Road area of the city where a girl was attacked by a mob. The girl who was in inebriated condition was attacked while coming out of the Crystal Bar and helplessly searching for a ride in Zoo Road Tiniali at around 10 pm on Monday. A group of men reportedly stopped the girl near the bar, hit her, pulled her hair and forcibly tried to take pictures of her. Following the incident, the victim lodged an FIR against those who molested her.

A girl in an inebriated condition was assaulted by a group of men while helplessly searching for a ride in Zoo Road Tiniali Prior to the incident two girls were denied entry into the bar as they were already under the influence of alcohol KALYAN DEB

However, they forcibly managed to enter the bar and later started a brawl The girls were escorted out; however the brawl continued which attracted the crowd As seen in video footages the girl walked down to the streets and it was then that some men from the mob tried to grab her and uncover her face to take her pictures

The incident As stated by representatives of Crystal Bar, two girls were denied entry into the bar as they were already heavily under the influence of alcohol. However, the girls forced their way into the bar following which a brawl broke out between them inside the bar. Employees of Crystal Bar instantly informed local police in order to manage the situation. Meanwhile, a mob gathered in front of the bar with mobile phones in their hands in order to take pictures of those who were exiting the bar. In the process, several miscreants manhandled one of the girls and some other customers who were trying to hide their faces behind handkerchiefs and helmets. Witnesses said that the girls got into a fight and two of them were left lying in the corridor of the bar which is located on the first floor of a building. “It was the fight between the two girls which attracted the crowd. Most of the crowd were just bystanders and curious to find out what the matter was. Among the crowd there were some who ill-treated one of the girls and tried to take pictures. They were also protesting against the bar being open after 10 pm and demanded its closure,” a witness said. In a telephonic conversation with G Plus, Mridul Bora, owner of Crystal Bar said, “Incidents of a brawl taking place in a bar is a regular affair and the bar employees intervene in order to ensure that matters don’t go out of control. We informed the police soon after but a crowd had already gathered. The attitude of moral policing held by certain people who take matters into their own hands lead to such outrageous situations. This is the first incident of its type in Crystal and no such incident has taken place

Another deplorable incident of moral policing takes place in Guwahati on Monday

Bouncers throw them out but they continued their brawl in the corridor after which the cops were called

Police arrived at around 10:30 pm and took the girl and three other girls to Geetanagar police station Eight persons including a girl have been arrested so far in connection with the incident and several others are in the radar of suspicion.

Two girls make their way into Crystal bar and get into an altercation among themselves.

Many in the mob who were involved in assaulting the girl were themselves under the influence of alcohol. Kamrup Metro District Magistrate has suspended the licence of Crystal Bar.

The cops escorted the two girls and also ordered the bar to be evacuated.

in our joint in the past nine years. We are operating as per guidelines of the administration and have legal permit to keep open till 12’o clock,” Bora informed. As seen in video footages, the girl walked down to the street helplessly searching for an auto-rickshaw. It was then that some men from the mob tried to grab her and uncover her face to take her pictures. Some even slapped her face and pulled her hair and tried to pull the cover off her face. Later police arrived at the place and took the girl to the police station along with another female friend of hers.

As the crowd poured out, a few from the crowd manhandled some of the female guests and also photographed them.

Police’s intervention Police arrived at around 10:30 pm and took the girl along with three other girls to Geetanagar Police Station. Eight persons including a girl have been arrested so far in connection with the incident so far. A case has also been registered against the miscreants (case number 238/15) under sections 325/354/34 of IPC. The arrested persons are identified as Siva Baruah, Altaf Hussain, Bipul Das, Janak Deka, Samin Baishya, Maya Saikia and Nur Hussain, police said. Further investi-

gation is in process and there are three to four more suspects. Sources in the police also been informed that many of those in the mob who were involved in assaulting the girl were themselves under the influence of alcohol. Meanwhile, Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner, Dr. M. Angamuthu, has convened a meeting of all owners of bars and restaurants having excise licences on 23rd December next. In addition to existing licence conditions, new guidelines for such establishments are likely to be issued during the meeting. The Kamrup Metro District Magistrate has

suspended the licence of Crystal Bar located at Zoo Narengi Tiniali here for alleged violation of excise norms. The owner of the bar will be served with a show-cause notice regarding the alleged violations and if the reply is found to be inadequate, the District Magistrate can write to the Excise department for further action. Notably, a similar incident happened in 2012 in Guwahati when a girl was molested by a group of men. The incident had drawn nationwide condemnation following which the government had regulated bar timings. Such repeated incidents seem exclusive to Guwahati which is otherwise, a relatively crime-free city. It is a wonder as to what triggers off the animal instincts of unruly behaviour in a section of the city’s population that allows them to throw caution to the winds and become perpetrators or victims in the process. Is it the alcohol itself or is it an inability to handle the alcohol? kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Crime

Suspected

porn racket

busted in Guwahati W

ith the arrest of two alleged honey-trappers by city crime branch and Odalbakra police, a suspicious blue film racket seems to have been busted in the city and questions have arisen whether the casting couch syndrome indeed exists in Guwahati. Nothing has been proven though. On the night of 15th December, two persons named Hemanta Das (38) and Gaurav Bezbaruah (29) were arrested from the Seventh Avenue apartment at Saukuci near Lokhra. The duo was presented before the court and was sent to two-day police custody. Police is expecting to expose some vital facts which will help in solving many questions about the entire high-profile glamorous crimes which seem to be happening in the city. But what exactly happened and why are the police trying their best to investigate the matter?

The story Jaya Doley Seal, a resident of Guwahati is in the profession of producing TV serials and in the process, many people are professionally associated with her. Hemanta Das started working with her and according to sources, came into her good books due to his helpful disposition. In June 2015, Hemanta came up with certain excuses and asked for a loan of Rs. 3,70,000 which Jaya provided trusting that he will return the loan by the coming October. In October, Hemanta gave a cheque of Rs. 3,70,000 which bounced. According to the police, the whole chaos started thereafter. After this incident, Jaya asked for the money from Hemanta, but Hemanta refused to repay and instead started threatening her with dire consequences. According to the complaint received by the police from Jaya thereafter, Hemanta and his friend Gaurav used to call Jaya every second day threatening and blackmailing her. Hemanta and Gaurav used to call Jaya from different numbers and every call conveyed a threat of dire consequences to Jaya and her family. Moreover recently, both of them went to Jaya’s residence and broke properties in her house like TV, mobile phone etc. and again threatened her with her life, after which Jaya went and lodged a complaint with the police.

The hunt A case was registered in Dispur Police station (case number – 2795/15 under section 420/406/448/325/294/506) on 13th December. The Odalbakra police with the help of the crime branch started tracking the accused Hemanta

rahul chanda TV serial producer Jaya Doley Seal loans Rs. 3,70,000 to Hemanta Das in June 2015 Hemanta promises to repay the loan by October Jaya gets a cheque in October from Hemanta which is returned by his bank on grounds of insufficient fund Hemanta then starts threatening Jaya with dire consequences if she asked for her money again

With a local TV serial producer complaining of blackmail, police arrests the accused and discovers new facts Das and Gaurav Bezbaruah. Hemanta originally hails from Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur District and lived in Jyotinagar, Luhit Path under Chandmari police station in Guwahati. Gaurav comes from Nalbari and lived with Hemanta in Guwahati. Police visited all the known locations but was not able to find the duo. On 15th December after tracking the mobile phones at night, they reached Seventh Avenue Apartments at Saukuchi and found Hemanta in a car below the apartment with a girl who works in a beauty parlour at Ulubari. Police arrested Hemanta and the girl and found that Hemanta had rented a flat in the same apartment complex. After entering the flat, police arrested Gaurav Bezbaruah (his partner in crime) and recovered some CDs, pen drives and other suspicious items which make the police doubt that Hemanta is involved in some blue film

production racket. The confiscated materials also threw up suspicions of the existence of a casting couch syndrome.

Blue film racket The same day police also arrested two more people under suspicion of being involved with Hemanta in other rackets. The two were set free later. One of these two, while talking to G Plus, said that he deals with second hand cars and Hemanta wanted to buy a car. However, police suspected something else and arrested him. Another person nabbed under suspicion was the caretaker of the apartment building who said that many women used to visit Hemanta in his Seventh Avenue Apartment on a regular basis. The girl who was arrested with Hemanta was released the same day. The girl claimed that Hemanta was her brother and she

was helping out with the cooking and that her actual house is in Bhangagarh. Hemanta however said that she was a hired help. Police sources said that the CDs and pen drives recovered from his house contained a lot of pornographic films and interestingly, the films are Guwahati-based. Some of the films have backgrounds which look similar to the interiors of Hemanta’s Seventh Avenue flat. The police source also said that the girl who was found with him was staying with him since last one year. Hemanta is married according to police sources and it is suspected that he used to honey-trap women promising them roles in TV serials and even promising young women to get married with him. Meanwhile, some CDs according to police, have indecent videos of Hemanta with many women and some women are seen in very compromising manner raising questions about a blue film racket. One more question that arises in the incident is that the complainant, Jaya Seal, gave her associate a loan worth Rs. 3,70,000 and complained to the police quite a long time later. Jaya might say that she had given him the loan and that her relation with Hemanta was strictly professional but the way she refused to talk when G Plus contacted her raises questions about her relation with Hemanta. Also the fact that she so easily gave an amount worth Rs. 3,70,000 to an employee also seems to be a questionable act. She is a producer of TV serials and it is possible that she might know some secrets about Hemanta. For now though, the fact remains that the police has been able to nab some high profile alleged criminals.

Hemanta with his friend Gaurav start calling up Jaya and blackmail her with threats to her life Both Hemanta and Gaurav visit Jaya’s house, threaten her and seriously damage some properties Jaya files a case on 13th December Police track the accused and finally arrest them on 15th December From their at Seventh Avenue apartment at Saukuchi, police recover pornographic CDs and pen-drives as also some costumes which create suspicion that both were involved in a blue film production racket; doubts are also raised about a casting couch syndrome Both are in police custody as police try to get some more clues rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Concern

rahul chanda

New GPO bank rule harasses customers GPO comes up with new savings bank rule Every customer having any kind of account (RD/Fixed/ savings etc.) will have to open a savings account in POSB to get the returns on the savings Previously post offices used to give cash for returns up to Rs. 20000 and beyond that, returns were paid through cheque With new bank rule implemented from 15th October 2015, returns get deposited in savings bank account Customers irked with the new rule as the POSB cheque cannot be used in other banks, and ATM can be used only in post office ATM machines

With GPO mandating opening of savings accounts for all transactions, customers get irked as post office bank cheques and ATMs can’t be used in other banks

hile services like telegram have been stopped in India, the postal department still offers many services like speed post, courier, parcel, letter, post cards as also banking. The post office bank is quite popular in India and since a long time people preferred depositing cash in post office banks as it is easy to deposit and withdraw. Recently though, G Plus received information that some customers of city’s General Post Office are complaining of the bank service there and are facing some kind of “harassment.” G Plus decided to look into the matter in depth.

The new rule Many customers of the post office were of the view that recently some new rules have been implemented by the post office which made it mandatory for all the customers to have a savings bank account in the post office to make any kind of transaction. A highly placed source in the GPO talking to G Plus said, “A government notification reached the post office on 8th October 2015 making it mandatory for all the account holders, recurring or fixed deposit, to open a savings bank account.” G Plus managed to get a copy of the letter issued

by the Ministry of Communications and IT, Department of Posts, Government of India. According to the letter, in the view of the growing number of CBS (Core Banking System) post offices, the GPO has been directed that all existing Post Office Savings Bank/ Senior Citizen (POSB/SC) customers of CBS post offices who do not have savings account in any of the CBS post offices should be requested to open savings account in a CBS post office to avail the benefits and the customers who have savings accounts but are not operating the same should be asked to revive their accounts and update KYC status to continue maintaining their relationship with the POSB. The letter directed the GPO to implement the new banking rule from 15th October 2015. According to the letter, whenever any customer visits any CBS post office for investment in any scheme, he/she should be requested to first open a savings account with proper KYC documents to start relationship with POSB and then invest in any of the small savings scheme through the same savings account. The letter also said that all existing customers who continue to transact with the post office directly or through agents, for any subsequent deposit in any RD/PPF/SSA account through bank cheques, should

be asked to open a savings account with cheque book facility and present POSB cheque for subsequent deposit so that their accounts are credited immediately rather than wait for clearing of cheque from other banks or provide standing instruction for automatic debit from their savings account and credit into their RD account. If any customer still insists on depositing through other bank cheque, his/her cheque should be lodged only through his/her savings account and further deposit should be made by debiting his/her savings account. Now these new rules of the post office might be a thoughtful step towards development by the government but the customers feel it is a nothing but harassment.

The harassment A customer talking to G Plus said, “In 2001, I had opened a NSC (National Saving Certificate) and KVP (Kishan Vikas Patra) from GPO which are basically fixed deposits and these matured in 2015. I went to the post office to get the returns but I had to open a savings account to get my returns transferred to the savings account. They gave me an ATM card and a cheque book which I thought can be used for transactions

There are only 2 ATMs in Guwahati and the GPO has approximately 44000 savings bank account holders New GPO bank rule proves to be a harassment for customers

in other banks or for party payments, but I discovered that the cheque can be only used for post office transactions.” He further said that even the ATM card can be used only at the post office ATM and there is only one which is in the GPO at Meghdoot Bhawan. So if the customer is in say, Jorhat, would he need to come to the Guwahati post office to withdraw money? Previously, for the fixed account and for RD returns of less than Rs. 20000 the customers were given cash and for returns of more than Rs. 20000, they were paid in cheque which the customers used to deposit in any of their bank accounts. But after 15th October, all amounts will be transferred to their POSB account from where they can withdraw the money either by cheque or through the ATM. The problem or harassment is that the ATM can be used only in the post office ATM machines. So, many customers complained about the system and considered it to be nothing but harassment. One of the GPO officials talking to G Plus said that it is the central government’s rule and they have to follow it. The official also said that the cheque cannot be used in other banks because post office is not in the list of the clearing members of RBI. The GPO has to apply to the RBI to become a clearing

member after fulfilling the criteria of the RBI. Once the GPO is in the clearing members’ list, their cheques can be used in other banks but this will take some time. There are 41 post offices in Guwahati out of which 30 have CBS. There are only two ATMs - one at GPO (Meghdoot Bhawan) and the other at Gauhati University. Meghdoot Bhawan at Kachari has approximately 44000 savings bank accounts and the number is set to increase as many people will have to open savings account to use their matured returns. Interestingly one irked GPO customer said, “The Central government is talking about cutting down corruption in the country, but they are making rules to open more accounts. I feel to eradicate corruption entirely, there should be a rule that one person can have only one savings account which will ease the government’s work of scrutinising who has how much money and where the money is being used.” The customer further said that opening more and more accounts in different banks and post offices will just increase the corruption level in the country and the new post office bank rule is a surely nothing short of harassment. rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

No effective results of fogging and spraying in the city

Juthika Baruah

Fogging and spraying has not yielded any effective results Fogging has been undertaken in concentrated areas on public demand Dengue and Malaria are caused by mosquito bites during daytime The breed of mosquitoes that cause vector borne diseases are different because the larva is formed in clean water

itizens opined that the repeated drive of fogging and spraying the city by Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to control the breeding of mosquitoes has not resulted as an effective measure as mosquitoes are increasing by the day. The fogging and spraying drives have been undertaken from April last till December but citizens raised questions as to how effective these drives have been. “People have a wrong perception that fogging and spraying helps prevent dengue or other vector borne diseases. As fogging and spraying is bad for human health, we try to undertake the drive as less as we can so that it does not harm people. These drives are taken to satisfy the public and it should be limited as it contains harmful chemicals,” said Anindita Chanda, Medical Officer, GMC, while speaking to G Plus. Chanda added, “The breed of mosquito which causes dengue is different and it bites only in daytime. Therefore, we used to do fogging in the day time before 5 pm. This variety of mosquito is seen to breed in clean water, a fact that people are unaware of. People have the concept that the mosquitoes that appear in the evening which are of a smaller breed can infect dengue whereas those mos-

Public opine that GMC’s initiative of fogging and spraying has not yielded effective results as mosquitoes seem to be only increasing quitoes are not at all harmful. Dengue and malaria are caused due to the mosquitoes that bite in the daytime and therefore we ask the people to use mosquito nets in the daytime also.” “We covered the entire area of the city and the fogging drives have been closed on 15th December as the health department has reported that dengue cases seemed to have lessened. It is next to impossible to go house-to-house and carry out the spraying drive and therefore we asked the people to keep their doors and windows open during the time of fogging so that the fog could kill the mosquitoes inside the houses. Fogging and spraying helps chase away mosquitoes that are harmful,” informed Chanda. She further informed that priority is given to the concentrated area and fogging is done in the area from where the complaint comes. There is also a helpline number (8811007000) on which people can lodge a complaint and accordingly the GMC covers the area. Certain areas have been identified by the GMC to carry out concerted drives against the spread of mosquitoes. These include Kahilipara,

Lalganesh, Santipur, Fatasil Ambari, Islampur, Ulubari, Chatribari, Paltan Bazar, Bamunimaidam, Gitanagar, Ganeshguri, Bhangagarh, Lakhra, Saukuchi, Khanapara, Beltola, Police Reserve, Fancy Bazar, Bhetapara, Basistha, Noonmati and Panbazar. Fogging drives have also been intensified in schools, colleges and hostels. Chanda further stated that ever since cases of dengue had gone up, people panicked a lot even though

no deaths had been reported. In September, 159 cases of dengue had been reported. It has also been suggested to the people that they should keep their respective areas clean and maintain a healthy and hygienic environment. As the mosquitoes breed on solid waste like car batteries, tyres, drums etc. in which water accumulates easily, those kind of objects should be removed from the places or should be burnt. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

Governance

Maid commits suicide at Himatsingka residence

ody of one Anita Ruma (26), a resident of Amsoi, was recovered from Rajesh Himatsingka’s residence in Ramsa Hills, Kharguli under mysterious circumstances. As stated by Latasil police, Anita’s body was found hanging from the ceiling of a bathroom and maids at the residence had to break into the bathroom in order to recover the body. “Anita was one of the maids working in the residence of Himatsingka. The other maids suspected a mishap as there was no response from inside despite repeatedly calling for her. When the maids broke into the bathroom they found Anita’s body from the ceiling. The body was brought down with the hope of saving Anita’s life only to find that she was already dead,” said officials of Latasil police station. The body was recovered at around 10:30 pm and eventually the police was informed. One of the eleven other maids in the residence, Anita was from Amsoi and her entire family worked in the tea estate which belongs to Himatsingka as well. Although a case of unnatural death (case number 18/15) has been registered, police said it was probing all angles. On asking whether it was a case of suicide or murder, investigators revealed that a suicide note was recovered from the scene. However, it is until the reports of handwriting experts come in that any conclusion can be drawn. Meanwhile, investigation is in process and the body has been sent for post-mortem and police await reports.

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

In The News

Guwahati Emergency Management Exercise 2015

Bipasa Saikia Kashyap

In the aftermath of the Chennai floods, Guwahati city gears up Assam State Disaster Management Authority conducts mock drills all over the city GEMEx 2015 to train over 2000 people in their roles during an emergency

he Assam State Disaster Management Authority got together a much-needed disaster management program in the wake of the current calamity scenario in the region. The Guwahati Emergency Management Exercise (GEMEx 2015) had its inaugural meet at Rabindra Bhawan in the city with CM Tarun Gogoi presiding over the function attended by a host of dignitaries. The CM while addressing the audience spoke about the Chennai floods. Gogoi urged everyone to be prepared in the face of a natural calamity or disaster. Recalling his younger days, he said that he has lived through

times that saw the Indo-China war and the Assam Agitation. He recalled from his childhood days, “I was in the 3rd or 4th standard when we used to have volunteers come and teach us how we were supposed to react during times of crisis. Volunteers would conduct drills where they would teach and show us different places to hide and be safe. They would also teach us how we should save ourselves and thereafter help other people in such situations. We all need to learn and know how we can protect ourselves and that is the first step.” Appreciating the efforts of the Assam State Disaster Management

Authority, Gogoi also encouraged the city’s youth to learn the spirit of safety as a step in marching towards a safer future. Taking the example of the recent floods in Chennai that left hundreds dead, the CM urged all the people of Guwahati to be ready and seek all the help that they can. Speaking very highly of the mock drills conducted, Gogoi stated their importance and said that all educational institutions in the city should be prepared to face any disaster that might occur. The State Project Officer of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, Ms. Nandita Hazarika, stated that the GEMEx will recognize the

strengths and weaknesses of our State Emergency services. She also stated that GEMEx would work towards modifying the capabilities of the state emergency agencies, educational institutions and hospitals and prepare the stakeholders to respond to urban catastrophes. The Project Officer also stated that the GEMEx 2015 will train over 2,000 people on roles and responsibilities during emergency and hazardous situations. This is the second such exercise conducted in Guwahati after 2012. The first day’s session of GEMEx 2015 was declared open by CM Tarun Gogoi at Rabindra Bhawan and was

attended by noted people like Mayor, Abir Patra and Commissioner of Police, Mukesh Agrawal among others. The exercise ran along in 11 tracks for the first three days in Guwahati and on the 18th of December which is the concluding day GEMEx 2015 a field drill was witnessed. Three mock drill scenarios were created - apartment collapse, school collapse and chemical industry fire. A total of 200 mock victims were sent to hospitals and the city’s emergency response agencies showed the audience how to react in such a situation. bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in

Narayana Superspeciality Hospital launches ‘SHAPE’ – the Obesity & Metabolic Clinic Guwahati,

arayana Superspeciality Hospital in Guwahati today announced the launch of ‘Shape Clinic.’ Surgeons specializing in laparoscopic and bariatric surgery from Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS), Kolkata, which is a unit of Narayana Health, were also present on the occasion. ‘SHAPE - the obesity and metabolic clinic’ at Narayana Superspeciality Hospital addresses the facts, causes, health risks and the treatment options for obesity. The dedicated clinic for assessment of obese patients opting for weight-loss surgery is operational Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Shape Clinic is led by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, supported by a team of doctors from

other specialties to ensure multidisciplinary approach and effective treatment outcomes. Commenting on the launch of Shape Clinic, Deepak Venugopalan, Zonal Director (East), Narayana Health said, “Usually people opting for this type of surgery had to travel to other cities outside Assam. Now, with the services of ‘Shape Clinic’ offered at our hospital in Guwahati, people need not travel long distances and can avail counselling, assessment and treatment under specialist doctors including those from our unit in Kolkata”. Narayana Health has launched an awareness campaign about obesity, metabolic diseases and weight-loss surgery through the launch of this dedicated clinic. Commenting on this, Venugopalan said, “We have seen that there is

a rise in the number of people showing interest in weight loss surgery as an effective means to a healthier life. Keeping the same in perspective, we are reaching out through our other centers in Eastern India to ensure that this health service is available to those beyond the purview of only this city”. Being overweight or obese greatly raises the risk for other comorbid health problems such as heart ailments, hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis and sleep disorders. Speaking about metabolism, Dr. Pinak Dasgupta, General & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Guwahati said, “Apart from performing bariatric surgeries for weight-loss, we will also treat all kinds of metabolic disorders, inherited or developed, which alter a body’s normal metabolic processes.”

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

City

City Bihu Committees comes up with new guidelines

10 demands

to be followed by the Bihu Committees

The Bohag Bihu should be celebrated within one month’s time from 15th April to 15th May

Juthika Baruah

The folk culture should be maintained in the Bihu functions The artists will have to wear traditional dress which will also be maintained by the organisers No artist will be allowed to perform in an inebriated condition The artists and other performers will have to sign the agreement prepared by the committee The committee will decide the amount to be given to the artists

he commercialization of Bihu will come to an end as the Brihattar Guwahati Sanmilani Coordination Committee has decided to stop the culture of cultural nights and will revive the folk culture of the state. The coordination committee which includes 27 Bihu Committees have decided to follow the original culture of Bihu which has gone missing from the society. In 1952, Radha Gobinda Baruah, Dr. Bhubaneshwar Baruah and Prabin Phukan had introduced Stage Bihu and since then, Bihu has been given a platform. But it is nowadays seen that the stage Bihu has gone on a different tangent. Resultantly, the original culture has vanished. Speaking to G Plus, Cultural Secretary of Brihattar Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani Coordination Committee, Paban Dutta said, “We have been trying to bring back the culture of Bihu without the western culture which has crept in making it so commercial. We should celebrate Bihu with fervour and enthusiasm and we have to guide the young generation with its actual culture rather than allow the wrong culture which is increasing in the society. On 12th and 13th

We will also try to bring back the old artists onto stage so that decency can be maintained. And the artists who will agree to perform for a fee of Rs. 1 lakh are welcome. A change is necessary to bring back the original culture which will be followed strictly from next year Paban Dutta Cultural Secretary Brihattar Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani Coordination Committee December, we had organized a meeting with the 27 Bihu Committees where we have decided to follow the original culture.” Dutta added, “With the commercialisation of Bihu, many controversies have arisen which can’t be accepted, as Bihu is not something which should be celebrated with a western flair in it. Earlier, the artists maintained decency in their performances. This seems to be missing now-a-days. Ten points have been discussed in the convention which should be maintained by the Bihu committees.” The above-mentioned points should be followed by the Bihu Committees as decided by Brihattar Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani Coordination Committee. “As mentioned in one of the points, the government

should declare two days of Bihu as dry days. This has however, not been accepted by some committees as some tribes consider it a tradition which is practised in every festival. The local liquor is termed as a culture without which the celebrations remain incomplete. Therefore, it has been decided that it will be followed only in Guwahati,” said Dutta. Dutta also informed that from next year artists like Zubeen, Papon and other celebrities will not be priorities of the Bihu functions. “We are trying to bring Deuri Bihu from Narayanpur, Moran Bihu from Dibrugarh and Sonowal-Kachari Bihu from Tinsukia so that people can know about the different cultures of different tribes from across the state. We will try to follow the culture from

next year and if 15-16 Bihu committees could maintain the criteria it will be very helpful to bring back the original culture of Bihu,” said Dutta. He further said that it’s very difficult to organize a huge budget as artists like Papon and Zubeen ask for huge amounts as performance fees. The committees have decided that they will not concentrate on the budget; rather they will concentrate on the functions and the upcoming artists will be given priority. “We will also try to bring back the old artists onto stage so that decency can be maintained. And the artists who will agree to perform for a fee of Rs. 1 lakh are welcome. A change is necessary to bring back the original culture which will be followed strictly from next year,” informed Dutta. The 27 Bihu Committees include Noonmati Bihu Committee, New Guwahati Rongali Bihu Committee, Pub Guwahati Rongali Bihu Sanmilan, Geetanagar Bihu Committee, Ulubari Bihu Committee, Police Reserve, Paltan Bazaar, Ganeshguri, Jyotickuchi, Khanapara, Narengi, Kharghuli, Navagraha, and Paschim Guwahati Rongali Bihu Sanmilan, Hatigaon.

The organisations or the NGOs who celebrate Bihu keeping business in mind and have commercialized the festival will not be allowed to do so anymore as a national festival cannot be a festival of publicity The state government should declare at least two days of Bihu as dry days The functions of Bohag Bihu should be ended by 12 am The concept of competition and celebrating Bihu with a big budget should be stopped juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

Weather report for the week SAT 19 December

SUN 20 December

MON 21 December

TUE 22 December

WED 23 December

THU 24 December

FRI 25 December

More sun than clouds.

Mostly sunny.

Sunny

10 / 21 °C

9 / 21 °C

8 / 21 °C

6 / 21 °C

6 / 20 °C

9 / 22 °C

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

City

Tourist Guide Maps

an alternative to a smart map

Bipasa Saikia Kashyap

Priced at Rs. 40, the new series of maps are a handy guide to the most prominent locations of the NE and its capital cities The series of maps try and locate all destinations that are loaded in Google and is a perfect alternative to the often unreliable smartphone

odern Book Depot, is a well-known book seller and distributor of the city and its owner is Mr. Krishan Kumar. Under his stewardship and with support from the Indian Map Service, Jodhpur, the sister companies of Modern Book Depot, Not Just Books… and United Publishers, Guwahati, recently came up with the perfect guidance solution for tourists who are visiting the NE. For the first time traveller, the way around the northeast can be a tad difficult given that Google Maps has not been able to map the entire re-

gion properly showing the required landmarks, streets etc. Further, poor data service of mobile service providers often makes it difficult to access Google Maps on smartphones. The solution is a simple and handy detailed map in our hands. Krishan Kumar has recently released a series of detailed maps of the entire northeast and their capital cities. “We have also come up with a detailed map of Sikkim,” he said. Every map is actually a detailed, both-sided glossy leaflet which has information about the particular place. Covered with beautiful and

high-quality pictorial descriptions of all the landscapes of the northeastern states, this map is a convenient guide for every backpacker. Priced at Rs. 40, the maps not only contain depictions of the places but also famous landmarks, eateries, residential colonies, tourist spots, places to visit, travel routes and so on. “Very often tourists come and at times they find it a little difficult to find their way around. Even Guwahati for example throws up a problem because of its unplanned nature and its maze of roads and streets,” added Krishan Kumar. The

map of Guwahati city, for example, has pinpointed a variety of common locations - book stores, food huts, educational institutions, shopping complexes, banks and information centers. The city map has even the small affordable local home-stays and guest houses marked on it making it very easy for people looking for inexpensive accommodation. This also gives tourists a chance to interact with the people of the place and take away a little bit of the local culture. In a way, it gives the tourism industry a much needed boom. In the age of smartphones where

Google maps have taken over the world and the rest of the country, most tourists become frustrated on reaching their destination in the northeast. The mobile connectivity of the NE has not been at par with the rest of the country and the location of a particular place around its hilly terrain is a huge contributing factor. In such a scenario, these maps are the perfect alternative. Around 1 foot in breadth and 9 feet in length, these tourist guide leaflets can be neatly folded and tucked away anywhere. “Imagine you are on a trek and you reach the topmost location and your phone dies, or there is no internet connectivity to point out the closest eatery for a simple snack. A normal map will tell you your next step but will it show you the nearest place to eat? This map lists that out too,” asserted Krishan Kumar. Again, it is not always reliable or advisable for one to depend on the phone, for there are chances that a phone can run out of battery life, get lost or get damaged. All in all the concept of having a physical GPRS in your hand is always convenient. Not only that, this series is a perfect gift for people who are of a certain generation and who love to travel and search for good places to eat but are still fussy about using a smartphone. bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

The quirky side of Guwahati

City

Bipasa Saikia Kashyap

A self-proclaimed dentist whose “clinic” and practice is on the roadside pavement A healer peddling cures for cancer A group of “wealthy” homeless who make Panbazar’s pavements their resting points A group of trans genders and crossdressers who have made a career out of begging

osmopolitan Guwahati is home to a wide cross-section of people who find the city a comfortable and conducive space to eke out a living. Besides normal careers in corporate jobs, government offices or through business pursuits, the city throws up interesting pictures of some people who have chosen out-of-the-ordinary careers and practices – all in the name of living life and finding happiness. G Plus presents an interesting picture.

The Roadside Dentist Meet Azad - a self-proclaimed dentist whose clinic and practice in on the roadside pavement. Very often, he is found in front of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Office, Kachari. He practices his dentistry flouting all possible norms that there can be. When I approached him, he was apparently fixing a man’s tooth (unbelievable? please see our Facebook page for the clip) with some

Azad’s dentist set up in front od the GMC office in Kachari

Azad fixes a man’s tooth

kind of a bubblegum adhesive. The man has no qualifications and on asking where he finds his materials, Azad is quick to reply, “from the hospitals.” On the pavement where Azad sits, he has on display two sets of fake teeth. God only knows the significance of that display. He did not share with me the details of what he charged his “patients.” This is a very dangerous situation as it is at cost of someone having a serious ailment, say mouth cancer even. Recently in the city a botched surgery in a reputed government hospital cost five people their eyesight. How long will it be till Azad and his little scam costs someone his life?

The Roadside Healer Another bizarre sight I came across in the city was the healer who sits right beside Azad. Dharmeshwar Nath is a self-proclaimed doctor for all sorts of ailments. He is from Nagaon. On a flat little mat Dharmesh-

war has medicines laid out which he claims can cure even cancer among other diseases. How so? “I just know,” is his reply. “My father and his father before him dealt in this and it has been passed onto me. These are special herbs from special forests all over the region.” Again keeping in mind the ratio of literacy in Assam and Guwahati being the focal point of everything official that attracts people even from the most interior parts where people are still beset by beliefs, this can be very dangerous. Some of the medicines looked like bits of stones mixed in the urine of some animal! My opinion is that, leave alone consumption, the foul stench emanating from these “medicines” is strong enough to kill anyone! I was concerned. This was a clear and present danger to the society. I approached the GMC seeking a statement in this regard. According to officials, these quacks have been prevented many times from setting up their “practice” on the pavements.

Dharmeshwar Nath’s healing set up in front o the GMC office in Kachari, Guwahati. IN the background Azad fixes a man’s tooth

But they keep returning to their “establishments.” Apparently, they usually choose a time when most of the officials are inside and leave before they come out of their offices. Simple!

The Homeless Pavement Dwellers Up-market Panbazar and the pavements in its surrounding areas like Dighalipukhuri has a row of underfed, naked, hungry children trying to haggle anyone who comes or goes off a few bucks. According to many respected people in the vicinity, these kids have even tried to steal on many occasions. The railway station is the gate of the whole world to our city. According to a few auto drivers who have a sanctioned stand there, they are the residents of the slums behind the railway station. They come in the morning and disperse each evening. People have tried to shoo them off many times, but in vain. Many people of the locality have also tried to pick them up and put them into homes like Snehalaya where they can be looked after, but they apparently keep getting away. The city’s municipality too has tried to relocate them, but without success. While we as a media house cannot find a solution to this homelessness, we find it interesting to note that these people do not look like beggars. While the kids are indeed shabbily dressed, the elders are too well-dressed to be beggars. Also, unlike beggars, these people seem to be a large family who cook their own food in the pots and pans that they carry around. Also, their pavement “residences” are not permanent and seem more to be resting points. I tried talking to a few of them trying to un-

derstand what they do for a living but could not elicit any information from them. And yes, I did see a kid with Dendrite tube in his hand. The rest is up to the imagination of the reader as to what might be the consequences of allowing this congregation to fester.

The Cross-dressing Beggar About thirty years back this was a rare and an almost non-existent population in Guwahati city. However today, the scene is quite different. There is an entire population of trans genders and cross-dressers who have taken to begging and so, becoming a menace for Guwahatians. The lot is mostly found on the National Highway Guwahati bypass going from vehicle to vehicle demanding money in their own coarse style of begging. NGOs in the city have constantly been trying to help such people to find jobs and not become a liability to the society but due to the taboo associated with them most have been shunned by our society and have been reduced to a situation of begging. Their residences or colonies are unknown but given the size of the population that roam the area, it is not difficult to presume that they are a well-fed lot and have made a successful career choice at the cost of being a nuisance or disturbance to the local citizenry. The growth of any city has its flipsides. Such situations, if not nipped in the bud, have the potential to snowball into major societal crises. Each instance above is a matter that needs to be given a proper attention and a proper solution devised. bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Society

Guwahati’s first supermarket teetering on the brink of disaster

Bipasa Saikia Kashyap

the market once the reconstruction starts. We are deliberating with decisions like whether we should relocate the market entirely in one place or bifurcate it at several places. Such things are undergoing a panel discussion and decisions are yet to be arrived at.” Pabitra Sarma has however apparently offered a solution to this which has gone completely unheeded by authorities. “The empty vacant lot just next to the market is the perfect solution. It is still the property of the District Administration and the space has not been given to anyone till now. We are hoping that if someday the reconstruction happens, we can just relocate there. Currently, we use that empty lot as a parking space for the nearby GNRC or at times to organize small events.”

With a footfall of about 1000 every day at the Supermarket, there is no security measure Infrastructure is in shambles and there is no talk of reconstruction With only two dustbins in the vicinity, the stench in the Supermarket is intolerable

he Dispur Supermarket is one of the oldest markets in Guwahati and it is situated right opposite the Assam Secretariat. Established on 1st November, 1975 by Giani Zail Singh, the then Chief Minister of Punjab, this market complex was built to solve the shopping problems of the ministers, MLAs and the common folk of the city. At that time, the concept of a supermarket was comparatively new in Guwahati. This was the first effort taken by the Assam government towards having all kinds of shops under one common roof. About thirty years back, when the Assam Secretariat was growing, it attracted a lot of people to come and settle in the neighbourhood. The market was built to cater to the growing population. Today, the Supermarket is one of the most prominent locations in the city. With a whole locality named after it, this market square however is facing some serious concerns.

The Security Issue Every day, from 8 am to 8 pm, more than a thousand people come and pass through the Supermarket. Since it is right opposite the Assam Secretariat, it is natural that the area remains crowded most of the day. The area is frequently witness to some event or protest which pulls crowds. Given this situation, the Supermarket does not have even minimal security just to scan who is coming and who is leaving. In the same locality are the Rudra Singha Sports Complex and a tennis complex that caters to the sporting activities of a sizeable number of children. A crowded market place like the Supermarket

Hygiene

The bin infront of Supermarket

can be a perfect hideout for anyone with even the slightest of unhealthy intentions. When questioned on this aspect, the Dispur Supermarket Committee Vice-President, Apoorva Sharma, replied that since the time the responsibility of the market was handed over to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, the condition of the place had deteriorated rapidly. “We have approached the GMC hundreds of times regarding safety issues of the market, but have never got the desired response. Applications were filed and reports were submitted which showed how this place could be a target for terrorist attacks. Since a long time, the people of the market association have been the only ones who have been doing security rounds on their own account. We have hired night guards who keep a look out and these are from our own and not a contribution from the municipal corporation. To this, Isfakur Rahman, GMC Joint Commissioner replied that there is a certain lack of manpower right now in the GMC. “We

cannot possibly have a team of people who can be placed in the market 24X7. However, we do regular checks, always interact with the shopkeepers and tell them to keep a lookout. We have also sanctioned CCTV cameras all over.” The Supermarket houses more than 400 shops that include a meat market, a fish market and a vegetable market. Also, there are over 100 temporary food stalls that are set up in the evening every day from 4 pm. The market is also a designated stop for local city buses that collect or drop more than 80 people every two minutes. Apart from being a bus stop, it is also an auto and a rickshaw stand. Keeping all this in mind the security measures do seem hopelessly inadequate.

The Infrastructure issue Plainly put, the market is almost crumbling down and the infrastructure has not been improved ever since

Makeshift toilets inside the Supoermarket

its establishment. The old structures remain the same with no scope of improvement. Inside the maze of the market, there are a few makeshift toilets that make the situation worse with its stench. Most of the meat and fish shops dump their garbage in a few selective corners inside the market further worsening the situation. Pabitra Sarma, Dispur Supermarket Committee President, expressed his fears about the possibility of a calamity. “If there is an earthquake of a high intensity someday this market will be buried in the ground along with all of us. Since the past few years we have been pleading with the GMC to begin the reconstruction of the market but in vain. Most of the shops are made of wood and it is starting to rot. The wooden posts that support the entire structure are starting to wobble due to the rot. The roofs have holes and during the rainy season most of the shops face leakage. After the rain clears, there is accumulation of dirty water everywhere and the meat and the fish shops with their garbage make the situation intolerable. Since the past eleven years, GMC has been procrastinating on the whole thing.” Deepak Talukdar, Engineer, Dispur Zonal Office, was approached in this regard. He said that the initiative of reconstruction has been started. “We are discussing the matters of reconstructing the Supermarket but it is still in the initial stage. This is a large complex and many factors have to be taken into consideration on its reconstruction.” Echoing him, Isfakur Rahman, Joint Commissioner of GMC, said that reconstruction will definitely happen but the date is yet to be decided. “We are still discussing dynamics like where we will relocate

With more than 400 shops, there is a huge garbage output from the market each day. The condition of the shops lie in a pathetic state and the stench is simply nauseating. The walls of these shops are smeared with blood of the butchered animals and are infested with flies. In the fish market, the entire aisle is full of puddles of water mixed with fish blood results of chopping, washing and selling fish in the open. On the outer side of the market, every evening there is a whole line of temporary stalls that cut and sell pork in the open. There are two garbage bins allocated for this, but these are simply not enough. Every morning there is a huge spill of garbage onto the streets making it impossible to walk. “Garbage collection is done every day, but never properly. What we suggested to the GMC was that there should be a few bins inside the market as well. This will take care of the problem of the small garbage piles collected which will take care of the stench as well. Also, the people who come to collect the garbage have been approached several times to walk a little further and collect the garbage from inside as well, but in vain. All the shopkeepers collect their waste and dump it every night in the bins but there is always a spill. Bottom line is that there is no proper garbage collection or disposal system at all.” According to him, the GMC had turned down all their requests to add more bins saying that since they are going to reconstruct the market anyway, there is no immediate need to spend more on bins. But then, this again takes us back to the first question - when will the reconstruction of the Supermarket begin? bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Bazaar

City’s organic hub reopened from November

The organic hub has fresh, unadulterated vegetables and fruits and is a place where farmers can sell their products directly and get their satisfactory price

Juthika Baruah

Organic hub in the city reopens from November Farmers can sell their products directly in the market so that they can get their rightful profit Groceries are also available in the market complex at a lower price than normal market rates Children’s gaming zone will be started from 31st December

n order to provide organic products to the people of Guwahati and allow people the option of not consuming vegetables containing pesticides, the organic hub in the city has reopened at Panjabari from 4th November. The organic hub under the Agriculture department has been started with an objective to provide the farmers a business counter where they can get the right price for their products. “The organic hub has been taken on lease for 10 years under an initiative of the agriculture department where farmers can directly sell their products. In other markets the farmers have to sell their products through a middleman but here they can directly sell their products and can earn their rightful profit. The vegetables are being tested for organic acceptability by the agriculture department,” said Zakir Hussain, Manager of the hub while speaking to G Plus. Hussain said, “The vegetables are organic as it does not contain carbide and their prices are less as compared to the other markets. The citizens of Guwahati always have a complaint that they do not get organic vegetables or fruits to consume and use of pesticides and other chemicals also lead to many diseases. In order to meet the demand of the public, the government has decided to start this kind of organic hub so that we can help the people to

Organic farming has assumed great importance in present times. Use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture is causing health problems. People are becoming increasingly conscious of their health and even in Assam organic farming has picked up. “The government will lay more thrust on organic farming and we intend to train farmers in organic farming. buy the products which they require.” Hussain further informed that fruits are also available in the market which is purely organic. “Fruits and vegetables are among the prime foods for the people and if it contains pesticides and other chemicals

they become harmful. The citizens are consuming fruits and vegetables containing pesticides and therefore they suffer from many diseases. The organic hub is a concept to provide the people pure, hygienic and healthy food,” said Hussain. He also said that

cow milk available in the market is pure as tested in the laboratory. It also has fish and meat which is being sold hygienically. The market complex will also launch a game parlour from 31st December and a market of traditional and ethnic attires will also be launched soon. “The garment shop will include traditional attires and the local educated people will be given a platform to showcase their talent. People will get everything from household items, garments, fruits and vegetables, meat and fish under one roof,” informed Hussain. The farmers often do not get the proper price for their agricultural products and therefore a sense of disillusionment has crept into their minds. Keeping in view the source of livelihood of the farmers, the organic hub was started in 2012 to provide them proper facilities for selling their products. In order to enhance agricultural production farmers have to go in for new technology but unfortunately the market got closed due to some unconfirmed reasons. Organic farming has assumed great importance in present times. Use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture is causing health problems. People are becoming increasingly conscious of their health and even in Assam organic farming has picked up. “The government will lay more thrust on organic farming and we intend to train farmers in organic farming. This will help check the rampant use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The setting up of this organic agricultural products market complex is a move in the right direction,” said Hussain. The market complex has facilities like a vegetable grading and auction yard, a godown, a ventilated godown, a cold room, a banana ripening unit, a covered parking yard, a grading and auction yard for fruits and flowers, a retails market yard for fruits, vegetables and flowers, a retail market for day-to-day consumables, an electronic auction hall, a training hall and even a restaurant. The manager of the organic hub also informed that home delivery system is available in the market and vegetables and other products and items are being delivered at wholesale rates for family functions, marriage parties, birthday parties etc. The market complex also has an open air restaurant with facilities to celebrate functions and parties. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Snippets

Give best treatment to blind victims: GHC

n an interim order, Gauhati High Court directed the state government to appraise the condition of those who lost their vision in cataract surgeries at Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) recently. The GHC has directed the state government to recheck their condition and to provide all the medical facilities to them and to take them outside the state for the same if needed. Five patients had lost their eye sight after they underwent a routine cataract eye surgery at MMCH allegedly due to the negligence of the medical staff of the hospital. Subsequently, the State Health Minister, Nazrul Islam, suspended the erring staff and ordered an inquiry to find out the causes and circumstances that

led to the botched surgery. In a writ petition the victims moved the high court praying for proper compensation and initiation of criminal proceedings against the erring medical practitioners in the case. The court, after the hearing, asked the government to assess the current condition of the victims’ eyes and to facilitate them with all the possible, and if needed, better medical attention. Advocate Arshad Choudhury, Damodar Deka and D. Borah represented the victims in the court. On the other hand, advocate Rajib Kalita too moved the court through a PIL seeking the court’s intervention in barring the erring medical practitioners in the case and to scrap their licenses and set certain guidelines for such medical programs.

The PIL made the Medical Council of India, central government, state government, district administration and city police as respondents. Responding to the PIL, the court issued notices to all the parties to file their replies on the alleged incident of negligence before the next hearing. The High Court will take up the matter on 6th January next year. In 2006, in a similar incident, some 26 patients too had lost their sight after undergoing a free cataract surgery organised by the state government at Gauhati Medical College Hospital. A three-member expert committee constituted by the government had revealed serious lapses in sterilisation and autoclaving of equipment and hospital linen then.

Will not tolerate hooliganism in the name of moral policing: Commissioner of Police

he Guwahati city police commissioner, Mukesh Agarwal, asked denizens of the city not to take the law into their hands under any conditions but to alert the police when needed. He said that city police will not tolerate any kind of hooliganism in the name of moral policing. The Commissioner made the statement after the infamous Crystal Bar incident brought shame to the city like the 2012 GS Road incident. The Commissioner added, “Lawlessness in the name of moral policing will not be tolerated. Who has given a mob the right to take the law into their hand? In the recent incident, we

have seen people trying to touch a girl inappropriately, pulling her hair and taking her pictures forcibly. Such acts of perversion will be dealt with strictly.” The city police have arrested 11 persons including two women in the case on charges of assaulting the woman with intent to outrage her modesty. The city police has urged the Kamrup (Metro) District administration to take up the matter with all the officials and owners of all the places in the city where alcohol is served or sold. Already the district administration has temporarily suspended the license of Crystal Bar outside which the incident occurred.

Chetia granted bail in 2 TADA cases

learing the decks for his participation in the ongoing peace process, Assam government furnished the No Objection Certificate (NOC) in two of the Special Operation Unit (SOU) cases in which ULFA’s founding general secretary, Anup Chetia was arrested. On Thursday, the militant leader was granted bail in two SOU cases registered under TADA act. In both the cases, Chetia was an accused and an absconder. The special judge’s designated court here granted his bail in both the cases following the state government submission of NOCs in both the cases. The court had asked the state government to submit its stand on the plea.

Senior advocate, Bijon Mahajan, represented Chetia in the court. After the counsel argued that both the cases were already charge-sheeted and state government side submitted the NOCs, the court granted bail in both the cases on surety of Rs. 5 lakhs against each case. The bail bonds were accepted already. The state government’s move was considered as a clear indication of clearing the decks for Chetia to join the peace process. Already chief minister Tarun Gogoi has asked the Centre to facilitate Chetia to participate in the peace process underscoring his importance in the negotiation. Last week, clearing doubts about his stand on the peace talks Chetia said, “I am in favour of peace talks and will not run away if freed on bail.” Chetia has to get bail in 10 more cases to actually walk free.

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

RaGa’s Satra visit fuels ‘communal’ spat between Cong & BJP Rahul Gandhi alleges RSS women members prevented him from entering Assam ‘temple,’ irked BJP rubbishes charges and seeks apology

ll India Congress Committee vice president Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Assam has somehow heated up the 2016 election pitch in the state and the visit has also fuelled a spat between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Rahul Gandhi, in his two day visit last week, addressed many gatherings across the state and on the second day, the Congress organised a padyatra for him in Barpeta which was expected to be undertaken after Gandhi visited a Satra in the area. Scores of Congress members waited for him near the Satra and as Rahul visited the spot, some women were sitting outside the Satra. Rahul Gandhi paid his respects with a gesture of namashkar from outside the Satra and left for the padyatra. After completing his padyatra, while returning, he entered the Satra and received a royal welcome. But, the next day when he went to Delhi the whole issue seemed to have acquired a different twist.

The issue According to reports, Rahul Gandhi after reaching Delhi aggressively alleged that he had been stopped from entering an iconic temple in Congress-ruled Assam by ‘RSS people’ during his visit. “Who are they to stop me from going to a mandir?” Gandhi questioned angrily as he spoke to reporters outside Parliament, adding, “This is how the BJP’s thought process works.” Gandhi said that he was stopped from entering the Barpeta Satra, a 16th century monastery. “When I went to Assam, I wanted to visit the Barpeta temple. The RSS people stopped me from going into the temple. This is the way BJP operates. They put women in front of me and prevented me from going in.” Interestingly, state irrigation minister, Chandan Sarkar, observed that Rahul was late and could not fulfil the basic ablution rituals required before entering the Satra. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had also alleged that the BJP and RSS conspired to stop Rahul Gandhi from entering the temple when he faced questions on how Gandhi was barred in a state ruled by his own party. Tarun Gogoi said he had intelligence report that RSS will try to bar Rahul Gandhi from entering the Satra. “The RSS and BJP orchestrated the gathering that blocked Rahul Gandhi’s entry into the temple.

We have ordered an inquiry. The state government and administration didn’t want a disturbance as thousands were there for Gandhi’s padayatra,” said Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, the son of the Chief Minister as reported. So the Congress openly alleged that the BJP and the RSS did not want the Gandhi scion to enter the Barpeta Satra and this move irked the BJP members - especially BJP’s newly ‘adopted’ child Himanta Biswa Sarma who once was the chief minister’s blue-eyed boy.

The counter Himanta Biswa Sarma, prepared with all video footages, addressed

many press conferences related to the issue and slammed the Congress for trying to gain cheap political mileage. Himanta said, “Rahul Gandhi has insulted the Assamese women and the people of Assam. So he will have to bend down on his knees and apologise before the people of Assam or else BJP will protest against the insult.” Showing video clips to the media, Himanta claimed that different Congress leaders have different views on the issue. He said APCC president Anjan Dutta said in a gathering that Rahul Gandhi was late to reach Barpeta so entering the Satra schedule was changed to after the padyatra, but two hours after hearing Himanta’s claims he again called a press conference and backed

Rahul Gandhi’s claim that some women RSS members were deployed near the Satra to stop him from entering which is a lie. He also showed that the clipping where it was clear that the women members who are alleged as RSS members by the Congress were actually dancing with the local Congress leaders while waiting for Rahul Gandhi. Himanta dared the Congress to show proof of their allegation with video evidence like he did. He also said that Rahul Gandhi started the padyatra wearing an Assamese gamocha but when he entered a particular place, he and the chief minister were seen wearing some other typical gamocha the source of which Himanta was not sure. Himanta said that Rahul Gandhi’s Barpeta visit was just to appease a particular section of the people who form the Congress’ vote bank. Similarly, countering Himanta, Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi also called a press conference and slammed Himanta for spreading false rumours about the Congress party and doing communal politics. He also backed Rahul’s claim and said that RSS women members did not allow Rahul to enter the Satra as the BJP wanted to create some chaos during Rahul’s visit. Pradyut compared Himanta with Hitler’s close associate Goebbels who used to be known for his zealous oratory and used to spread false propaganda. But even Pradyut was not able to clarify the exact incident and did not have any proof to claim that Rahul was prevented from entering the Satra. Meanwhile, according to media reports, one of the Satra adhikaris told one of the English national dailies over phone from Barpeta, “I clearly deny there was any opposition or demonstration to prevent Rahul Gandhi as alleged. On the contrary, I was at the Satra gate for nearly four hours, waiting to receive him. Former chief minister Bhumidhar Barman and several other senior Congress leaders were also chatting with me waiting for Rahul Gandhi on Saturday.” It is not exactly clear who is true and who isn’t but the issue has somehow proven that Rahul Gandhi’s visit has fuelled a communal spat between the politicos and the 2016 Assam election is sure to witness many more communal rows. We can only hope there is no communal violence as it is known that political wars benefits the leaders but the common people are the one who face the obstacles.

Politiking

KALYAN DEB

Rahul Gandhi visits Assam and goes for a padyatra in Barpeta district The padyatra was scheduled to start after Gandhi visited a Satra Rahul Gandhi reaches the Satra but pays his respect from outside the Satra and leaves for the padyatra, while returning enters the Satra Next day after reaching Delhi, Gandhi alleges that RSS women members prevented him from entering the Satra BJP counters by saying Rahul Gandhi is a liar and seeks apology Different Congress members give different opinions on the issue Himanta addresses the media with video footages countering Rahul Gandhi’s allegation Congress leaders jump into the spat backing Rahul Gandhi Rahul’s visit fuels ‘communal’ spat between Congress and BJP kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Ward Talks

G plus news

Second edition of

‘ward talks’ held in city

Ward no 8 councillor Sunita Bhilwariya addressing a public concern during the ward talks held at Deshabhakta Tarunram Phukan Park

n its continued initiative to provide a platform for the citizens of Guwahati to express their problems and a medium to connect them with the administration, Guwahati’s premier English weekly, G Plus, has been featuring a column called “Ward Watch” since its inception. To further supplement the purpose of the column – which is to initiate some tangible improvements in the city starting with the micro-level of the ward - the media house had been mulling with a concept whereby the people of a particular ward and the representatives of the Ward Unnayan Samitee could be brought together onto a common platform along with the authorities from various government departments like GMC, GMDA, Police, etc. for interaction and exchange of ideas. G Plus thus floated the concept of ‘Ward Talks’ and carried out the second phase of the initiative in Ward No. 8 on 12th December, Saturday at Deshabhakta Tarunram Phukan Park, Bharalumukh. The first edition of Ward Talks was held in Ward No. 20 in early November last. The second phase of Ward Talks was concentrated in Ward No. 8 which includes several areas of Bharalumukh, Athgaon and parts of Fatasil area among others. On the panel of the event was Udayaditya Gogoi, Collector, GMC, Bhaben Sharma, Executive Engineer, Division 1, GMC, Sunita Bhilwariya, Councillor - Ward No. 8 and Jagadish Chandra Das, Ward President – Ward No. 8. The event was moderated by Swapnil Bharali, Executive Editor of G Plus. The event discussed ways to address issues such as drinking water,

traffic, lack of public toilets, lack of street lights, etc. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of the public and discussed ways to permanently resolve the issues of flood, garbage collection and de-siltation of drainage systems among others. The area had issues of existing water pipes being disrupted during the installation of pipelines of the water supply scheme by GMDA/JICA. Following the procedure several households had to suffer because of lack of water. Kiron Rajbongshi, a resident of Kumarpara area, raised the problem of drinking water due to which several residents have to buy their share of drinking water. “I have forwarded several notices to the officials of GMC

in order to fix the broken pipeline after which GMC officials asked for an amount of Rs 3000 however, the same has not been addressed till date,” Rajbongshi said. Echoing similar words, Monu Hazarika, a resident of B R Phukan Road, said that due to broken pipelines in parts of the area the water supplied in the area is not consumable. Collector, GMC, Udayaditya Gogoi had noted down the problems and assured that the problems of water supply will be addressed to within the next fifteen days. “GMC has been carrying out drives against illegally installed motor pumps. In the process we have so far seized 153 pumps and till date 95

GMC Collector Udayaditya Gogoi in a one-on-one with the gathered public

A resident of ward no 8 raises a querry during the discusion

people have paid a fine of Rs. 20,000,” the collector informed. Lack of public toilet is a familiar problem to the city and the same is a concern for the people of the area as well. Councillor of ward no 8, Sunita Bhilwariya mentioned that the problem can only be solved with the cooperation of public. “If the people of the area can provide a location for the construction a public toilet, the same will be addressed as soon as possible,” the councilor stated. The GMC Collector also assured that if there is any government land available, the area will be allocated for public toilets. Meanwhile, during the discussion, some of the conscious citizens of the area have suggested three lo-

cations for the construction of public toilets in the area. Kumarpara Pachali, which is one of the busiest parts of the area, is in dire need of a public toilet. Thus a location has been suggested by the locals where a public toilet can be constructed. Another location was suggested under the Athgaon flyover by Promod Harlalka, President, Athgaon Development Committee. Bishov Jyoi Pathak, a resident of Bharalumukh, suggested the construction of a sports complex on the piece of land beside Deshabhakta Tarunram Phukan Park which will help the youth to engage in several kinds of sporting activities and will also help the GMC to earn revenue. However, the collector informed that the piece of land belonged to GMDA and he will consult with the department regarding the possibility of initiating the development. On the problem of street lights, the collector enlightened the gathering about Project Jyoti scheme, through which one can have one’s own street light against a fee of Rs. 100 and GMC will bear the installation of light post and an LED light. The collector informed that till date 107 applications have been received from Ward No. 8 and these would be installed within the first week of February. He also urged the public that in case of any problems the people should also come up with ideas and solutions. The department is easily accessible through toll free number 8811007000 or through their face book page. In case of any complaints people can call on the toll free number and such complaints will be addressed within 24 hours.

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Ward Watch

WARD NO

Concentrated area: Colony Bazar, Kahilipara Ward number: 17 Sub-division: 17(a) Councillor: Madhuchhanda Deb Phone no. 9864852326 Area sabha member: Shyamal choudhary Phone number: 8011989337 Problems: Lack of water supply, sub-standard lanes

Colony Bazar suffers due to ignorance of departments

People’s representative states ward number 17 is the most backward

KALYAN DEB

t was not even a week ago that the problem of drinking water faced by the people of Bharalumukh had surfaced during the second phase of Ward Talks that was concentrated on Ward number 8. It appeared to G Plus that similar problems have also existed in the Colony Bazar area since its earliest settlements. Located at the foothills of Kalapahar, the area connects to Lokhra via Lal Ganesh, Kahilipara and Paltanbazar and has commercial establishments on both sides of the road. Settlements in the area date back to 1950s after the war of EastPakistan. Back then the area was used as a refuge for those who had come from the other side of the border. Lesser known fact about the area is that the name Colony Bazar is a derived term from refugee colony and thus got the name after a market developed in the area. Despite being one of the oldest localities of the city, the area has long remained in a sub-standard condition.

Poor road condition Though the main road, which is known as Lokhra Road or Netaji Subhash Chanrda Bose Road connects Paltanbazar with Lokhra, had been given a facelift in a recent process by PWD, several lanes in the area remained unconstructed. Locals allege that no initiative has been taken by the authorities for the development of lanes in the area. The last construction was carried out over 25 years ago and even mi-

nor restorations are being with the initiative of the local residents only. The lanes have remained in substandard state and part of the road has worn off. The condition is similar in several lanes. The Vivekananda Kali Mandir Lane is a typical example of the situation. Situated adjacent to Lokhra Road, the lane has remained in a wrecked state for years. Local MLA and the GMDA have been informed about the sufferings of the people due to poor road conditions but all such calls have remained ignored. Interestingly, the road has been measured by department officials on several occasions but no further progress has been witnessed. As a breather, the area does not suffer from the problem of f loods or water-logging which relives the locals from even further inconveniences.

Problem of water supply Poor road condition is one issue that people can cope up with until it hampers one’s daily life. However,

a greater concern for the residents of Colony Bazar is the scarcity of drinking water. It is one of the longstanding issues that have remained unaddressed till date. The area has several borings of over 900 feet but all initiatives have failed to provide the people with the needful amount of water. The area has five borings that are situated in Pahartali, Upper Lane, Colony Bazar and two in Dakhinpara. “One can survive if the roads are in poor condition but it is not possible for one to survive without the required amount of water. Water supply is a major problem for the entire area and several households are dependent on the few borings installed in parts of the area which is still not sufficient. Under ground water has dried up in the area and the problem cannot be solved until the people are provided with water supply. Although GMDA pipelines have been installed in the area but it has already been two years and it is yet to be seen how much longer the process of providing water supply gets stretched,” asserted Badal

Vivekananda Sporting Club Founded in 1964 by eight to ten concerned locals of the Colony Bazar area, the club as on date has over 150 members. Apart from organizing Kali Puja in the area the club indulges in several social activities. To name a few, the club had constructed part of the Kali Mandir lane with the support of the MP fund. The members also took initiative of installing a boring by collecting funds from the local residents and had constructed road map in several nooks and corners of the area. The club had also provided donation to the poor and needy on several occasions.

Councillor’s say Talking to G Plus, Councillor Madhuchhanda Deb expressed similar thoughts about the sufferings of the people. “Ward number 17 is the most backward of all wards in the city and there are several problems that remain unaddressed. Besides the Rs. 30 lakhs that was provided after the election we have not been supported with any kind of help from the GMC. Only few lanes have been constructed through FDR (Flood Disaster Restoration) Fund and some more are yet to be constructed,” said Madhuchhanda Deb, councillor of ward number 17. The councillor informed that through MP funds the area has been provided with several borings and five more will be provided within the next two months. The borings will be installed near Power House, Narakasur and some other area. The councillor also nodded to the problem of traffic and told G Plus that officials have been approached in order to provide traffic officials at least during school hours. “Several applications have been forwarded but the departments seldom respond to any of them. It was urged to construct a few speed-breakers in the area as the area is accident prone but some of the officials said that constructing sped-breakers would only cause more accidents,” the councillor added Palit, a resident of Colony Bazar. The borings facilitate over 300 households of the area. Of the five present borings, one was provided by Bijoya Chakrabarty while another was installed with the initiative of the Vivekananda Sporting Club of the Colony Bazar area. “We had collected funds from all who the boring will facilitate water supply and installed the boring in the premise of the club,” Palit, who is also the assistant secretary of the club, informed G Plus.

Traffic management Being a connecting road, the area sees a large number of vehicles plying through the road and with the

increasing number of trekkers and auto-rickshaws the road remains congested with traffic. Rash driving of the trekkers and auto-rickshaws is also a concern for the locals as several accidents have taken place in the recent past. “Traffic in this area creates nuisance for the people. Due to rash driving of the trekkers and auto-rickshaws, it becomes unsafe for private vehicles to ply on the road. We have approached DCP Traffic in order to look into the matter after which he had notified GMDA to install traffic lights in Lal Ganesh, Sharabhatti and Lokhra Chariali but nothing has been done so far,” said Shashanka Chakrabarty, a concerned local. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

G Talk

Salacious News With Anup Chetia expected Sagacious Advice to join the peace process, E

f I jog my memory right, the last time Guwahati was preparing to play host to a major sporting event – the National Games in 2007 – ULFA reared its dreadful head with a series of bomb blasts. Typical of its fascistic mindset, ULFA wanted the games to be called “Asom Games.” After all, it always opined that Assam was an Indian colony and so the government of Assam or its people had no business to be gracious hosts to foreigners for something as silly as sport. And they meant “business.” Bombs were planted in scooters and motorbikes parked in busy market places and went off in a random fashion terrorizing everyone into believing that there would be serious trouble during the Games. The government started appealing to the ULFA for sanity; sanity did not prevail and the bomb blasts continued. With about a week remaining to the Games, the ULFA suddenly declared ceasefire. It also declared that there would be no more bomb blasts until the Games were over. And sure enough, the Games took place peacefully as the National Games and not Asom Games and the entire event was a resounding success; it was the biggest ever National Games in terms of participation and sporting disciplines. How did the miracle happen? A leading female journalist of those times smelt a rat, investigated, and claimed that the ruling party had bought off the peace at a hefty premi-

um of Rs. 5 crores. She also claimed that the money was paid to the ULFA through an agency in Kolkata and she aired the news on her TV channel. It was salacious news that petered out as fast as it had surfaced but the “business” was done. And now, the South Asian Games are round the corner and the ULFA issue, ironically, is back in the news. Anup Chetia has been strategically deported throwing up various speculations. A former DGP has placed his opinion about the possible isolation of Paresh Baruah in the whole peace process currently under way. Baruah has been adequately provoked to respond to the DGP’s comments. Now, while the majority of the top leadership of ULFA believes Assam to be part of India, Paresh Baruah in isolation might still pose a danger to the South Asian Games. My sagacious advice to all concerned is that before the next round of bomb blasts in protest against the forthcoming Games goes off, our peace may please be maintained through any manner deemed fit. The “business” may be conducted anywhere but slightly more discreetly. We don’t want an embarrassed government again and we just don’t want any more bomb blasts in our city!

Swapnil Bharali Executive Editor

APOCALYPSE NOW

is Paresh Baruah’s isolation complete?

n observation made by security analyst and former Director General of Assam Police, GM Srivastava says that the commander-in-chief of the ULFA (I), Paresh Baruah, will be totally isolated if ULFA General Secretary Anup Chetia joins the peace process. The analysis looks correct as after ULFA leaders like Arabinda Rajkhowa, Sasa Choudhury, Raju Baruah, Mrinal Hazarika and many others were arrested and brought to India, Paresh Baruah was cornered. When these leaders joined the peace process, Baruah had to even change the name of his outfit to ULFA (Independent). Anup Chetia initially was trying his best to get asylum in Bangladesh and it is opined by experts that the legal work was done at the behest of Paresh Baruah as Baruah wanted Chetia back. Chetia after failing to get the support to live there opted to come to India and live with his children. Chetia joining the peace process will not affect Baruah so much physically but it will be a psychological dampener to the handful of cadres which remains loyal to him. Baruah has to brainstorm a strategy for his future course of action because even if he joins the peace process he is a wanted criminal in Bangladesh. If Bangladesh has agreed to handover Chetia to India, India will have to reciprocate should Bangladesh ask for Baruah’s custody to maintain good relations with the neighbour. Paresh Baruah’s activities and presence are hardly felt these days. In his recent visit, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also tried to convince Paresh Baruah to join the peace process. Anup Chetia and Paresh Baruah are childhood friends and both together formed the outfit. With Chetia’s extradition, Paresh Baruah is already feeling isolated and the recent attack on a stone quarry might be an expression of his frustration or just an action to prove that he and his faction still exist.

KALYAN DEB

eople might analyse and think that Paresh Baruah will be isolated after Anup Chetia joins the peace process but it is reasonable to assume that the embattled and defiant ULFA supremo might have his own calculations. Even when the peace talks led by ULFA Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa started, some observers felt that Paresh Baruah might join the peace talks. Quite to the contrary, Baruah made his intentions clear by circulating a video in the media that showed him dancing to a Bihu song with his cadres. The day the new DGP of Assam Police, Mukesh Sahay, took charge Baruah made his presence felt by attacking a stone quarry in a Hindi-speaking area. There are also reports saying that he is trying to contact some old middle-level ULFA members as also those who are part of the peace process to garner support. Baruah very well knows that if he joins the peace process he might well be tried in courts of countries like Bangladesh and might find himself behind bars. Further, he will have to follow the ULFA hierarchy system. Also the claim of ULFA (I) that Dr. Abhijit Asom was their chairman makes it amply clear that Paresh Baruah is not alone. Baruah has always led the armed wing of ULFA. So, whatever number of cadres he has is still a challenge for the Assam Police. With the NSCN(K) backing Baruah’s faction, Baruah can still be a menace to the state. There are people in the state, especially the unemployed youth suffering from poverty, who are being inspired by the rebel group and joining the faction thereby increasing its muscle power. This is a fact which cannot be denied. With all these ULFA leaders joining the peace process, Paresh Baruah can never be isolated till the government finds a way to nab him or convince him for talks.

Juthika Baruah

Koushik Hazarika Editor

e are all familiar with fake babas – the ones who trick gullible people into believing them and end up making a fool out of themselves or worse, end up losing their sense of individuality. These babas portray themselves to be the messengers of the Almighty, a conduit to God and people get conned into trusting and following them. There have been a lot of movies too where these kind of babas have been portrayed, such as Tapasvi Maharaj in PK. He plays the role of a godman who can find solutions for his followers’ problems. Why, he even fakes talking to God. Oh, what blasphemy! Shouldn’t we be offended at that? I mean how dare he fake speaking to the Almighty? But no, there was no objection to that. Recently, the trailer for ‘X Men – Apocalypse’ was released and it ruffled quite a few feathers. The reason was that the villain in the movie, Apocalypse speaks about being one of the Indian Gods, Krishna. Quite some people objected to this. They have levelled allegations that Lord Krishna has been portrayed in

a bad light and some also accused the makers to be using the name Krishna for commercial success. Jumping the gun is something that we Indians love to do. Think about it – a villain is trying to intimidate or influence by likening himself to a God. A protagonist is trying to assert that he is the Almighty himself. So what’s the harm in it? I for one, was feeling happy like a kid somewhere inside that an Indian God had found its way into a Hollywood movie. But is it something to be really offended about? There has been a lot of noise of intolerance in the country but this just does not cut it! This is a modern world we live in, with cultures and races having intermingled. There is a higher level of understanding and acceptance nationally as well as globally and surely, such kind of straitjacketed thoughts are plain regressive. Such thoughts have no place in the present and I feel that these kind of incidents just serve to project modern India in a negative light! Forget tolerance, this should not even raise an eyebrow nowadays.

Hello sir,

Interactive

I am very disappointed with the youth of Guwahati. They can never party sensibly always have to mess up the good time they were having with a brawl. Like the recent incident at Crystal Bar, both the girls and boys were totally drunk. Now it’s fine that they were boozing but what’s the need to create a scene after that? Why can’t these people be sensible? Because of incidents like these, the business of the bars takes a hit just before the X-Mas and New Years’ Celebration. If you can’t control yourself while drinking in public, don’t step out from home. Booze as much you want in your own home. The city police should take some proactive steps in this regard. Otherwise respectable joints and clubs will also have to suffer. Drinking at the end of the day is often a relaxant to a hardworking person. If chilling out with your family becomes a problem due to morons like these, I wonder where the so-called metro Guwahati is headed.

Dear Sir,

bharat podder

Letter to the Editor

“You may write me down in history/ With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt/ But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” ~ Maya Angelou

As I sit down to write to you, I want my letter to be a spurge, a push and a voice for women all over the city to come up and scream in outrage! It is the need of the hour for all educated young women to stand up and stand for each other. Gone are the times where we were still awaiting justice. Gone are the times where women are still waiting to be saved - saved by the government, the society, the media, the representatives! What society are we living in if that society will not hesitate to beat up its physical inferiors instead of offering them a helping hand? We hold talks, discussions and the last time an incident like this happened, Guwahati even shook the whole world. Yet we are running around in this endless maze of shaming our city’s women.

Aparupa Saikia via email

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Is the ‘Crystal Bar’ incident bordering on ‘public harassment’ or is it justified public intervention?

Meet Meet Meet

In Focus

Lucky Sheikh Ahmed

Hairstylist

The recent controversy involving a bar in the city ended with manhandling and physical abuse of girls. The public’s opinion in the matter was that women too should be subjected to uncensored faces on TV.

strongly disagree with the opinion that men or women should be subjected to uncensored faces on TV. Most of the people inside the bar were at no fault so why should they be defamed publicly for someone else’s fault? Television and media houses should just report news and not defame any individual. When all these people entered the bar, people were not waiting outside to have a piece of them. Well, what gives anyone the authority to click their photo and manhandle them or take the law in hands? The girl who was unconscious and lying outside was taken away by the police. But nothing justifies the public harassment towards the remaining people inside the bar. One has to act responsibly and inform the police rather than take matters in his own hand and bring shame to the city’s image. I am not here to justify anyone’s action because everyone is at fault.

t is a matter of shame that some people try to molest on the pretext of moral policing. Let the authorised personnel take care of miscreants. There is no need of public intervention. People who had issues with the bar should have lodged a complaint against them. Guwahati city is becoming unsafe due to such pseudo-moralists turned molesters being not booked by the police.

Satyajit Chakrabarty

Nibir Bhuyan

Sanjib Saikia

Kamakhya Chaliha

Debojit Paul

Saurav Bharali

fter watching the video, it is apparent that it is not the bar-goers but the public at large who are the animals, the uncivilised lot. They seem to enjoy such unsavoury situations more. It wasn’t a red light area or something but they created the scene just as if it was something like that.

hese guys are inhuman. I am seriously shocked to see this kind of shameless guys. Their mentality is almost equivalent to that of a rapist. These guys should be given severe punishment for a few days by the police so that they would never dare to harass girls again

f the ladies can come to a bar without their faces covered, why do they have to cover it while going out? Why this double standard? If in the neighbourhood some create public nuisance, it is natural for the public to intervene. If the administration remains indifferent, it is quite natural that the public will come out if nuisance keeps on happening in public places.

ealousy! That’s the root cause. Everyone in this society has common sense except when they see someone enjoying at a level which they can never hope to enjoy at. Better take some moral responsibility folks.

he very thought of hairstyles makes us think about the significance it has in our life and a hairstylist is the one who can completely transform our looks by just playing with our hair. Lucky Sheikh Ahmed is one who has made a mark in the styling industry with his proficiency. Lucky belongs to a family of professional hairstylists. He is one hairstylist who has taken his family profession to a different level altogether. His creativity, imagination and hard work has helped him flourish in his career as a hairstylist and made him popular amongst the people of Guwahati. Born in Kashipur, Uttarakhand on 16th May 1983, Lucky had aspired to be a model rather than a hairstylist. Although he was born in Uttarakhand, Lucky’s family moved to Mumbai where he graduated from Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College in 2004. It was then that Lucky did a stint in modelling. However, the hairstylist had to get into his family profession and started working in the salon named Faces which was owned by his family members and situated in Ghatkopar, Mumbai. That was when he developed a keen interest in hairstyling and decided to take it seriously as a profession. Lucky then trained in Loreal International Hairdressing Academy and thus began his pursuit towards excellence. “Although I chose hairstyling as a career option, I had never thought of doing the same. The passion for modelling started during my school days and by the time I reached college I was into professional modelling. However, it was only for a short period of two years and then I got engaged in my family profession,” Lucky said in a conversation with G Plus. After completing his training, Lucky started working for L’oreal, Mumbai for around four years. He was then offered a job in Guwahati by VLCC. However, the first few months were not easy for him to survive in Guwahati. The hairstylist faced the problem of language barrier and since it was a completely different environment for him, Lucky decided to

move back to Mumbai. Lucky was again approached by VLCC and asked to take another shot at the job and was convinced to come back to Guwahati. He was unaware that this particular decision would change his life completely. This time Lucky’s stay in Guwahati, working for VLCC, got stretched to a period of eight years. The ace stylist’s career took another leap when he decided to start a business of his own and started Lucky’s Hair & Beauty Salon in The Cube on GS Road. The salon recently shifted to the newly opened Central Mall, Christian Basti. The chain has another outlet situated in the Lal Ganesh area of the city. Over the years, Lucky has developed a strong base of clients and today is the most prominent hair stylist of the city. Film stars Barsha Rani Bishaya, Prastuti Parasar and Nishita Goswami, to name a few, are some of Lucky’s clients. However, Lucky has been more than a hairstylist and has also contributed towards the fashion industry of Assam. He initiated Lucky’s Style Cum Fashion Show in 2013 and has been organising the same ever since. The show has featured Sukalpa Das in earlier events and Neha Dhupia as showstopper. “The motive behind organising the event is to provide a platform to the new faces and provide a stepping stone in their journey. Faces such as Rewati Chetri have also been part of the venture. Moreover, it is also because a part of me has always been inclined towards modelling,” Lucky said. Among feathers in his cap, Lucky had made it to the top 20 in the L’oreal Colour Trophy which witnessed thousands of participants from around the country. The hairstylist also expressed his desire to open a chain of Lucky’s Hair & Beauty Salon around the country. “I only wish to work hard and make a mark in the fashion industry. In future I would like to see a chain of my salons around the country and in cities like Delhi and Bangalore in particular,” Lucky concluded.

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Life Style

recipe of the week

VAASTU SHASTRA

VAASTU T

THUKPA or NOODLE SOUP.

aving studied at a Hill Station, I developed a soft corner for the yummy fare served up by countless little restaurants in the small, quaint towns with their luscious momos, heavenly noodles and hot spicy thukpa. Back in the sixties and seventies this is where I’d spend all my pocket money which used to be a princely sum of Rupees five. I am sharing a Thukpa recipe with you today. Winter has set in and it is the ideal weather to have the Tibetan noodle soup i.e. Thukpa. The dish became popular in Nepal, Bhutan, and the states of Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India. It is also very popular in the Ladakh region and the state of Himachal. The meat you use can be to your preference. I usually use chicken for the broth and pork for the mince.

How to Prepare: Pressure cook six pieces of chicken neck and wings with a little salt in five cups of boiling water. Never put chicken into cold water to cook it. It leaves a rather odd raw smell. Once the soup is ready keep it aside. Fry two tablespoons of diced onion in a wok in refined oil. Add 500 gms minced pork and one teaspoon garlic paste. Keep frying till water evaporates. Take off fire and garnish with coriander leaves. Boil two packets of noodles and keep aside. Make a hot spicy chutney with three tomatoes, about ten green chillies, four garlic cloves, salt and coriander leaves. Give it a buzz in the mixer and your chutney is ready. Those who want it extra spicy can add half a Naga chilli or ‘Bhoot Jolokia.’ The Thukpa is ready and meant to be eaten in a large soup bowl. Serve all the separate ingredients and then pour the soup over it. Bon Appetit!!

ASPECTS OF GS ROAD

FROM GANESHGURI TO ULUBARI FLYOVER (EAST SIDE)

Hemanta Kumar Sarmah Engineer, Businessman, Advanced Pranic Healer and Su Jok Acupressure specialist

he direction of a business establishment is very crucial for its success and growth. The Guwahati Shillong Road runs from north to south in general but in the particular stretch from Ganeshguri to Ulubari Flyover, it runs from northwest to southeast. The magnetic compass must be used properly while assessing vaastu of the stretch. One part of this G S Road is facing northeast while the other (towards Rajiv Bhawan) faces southwest. The Head office of the National Congress Party, i.e. Rajiv Bhawan, near the ABC Bus stop has its main entrance on G S Road (eastern Southeast). The main building is situated towards the north and northeast leaving vacant parking space towards the southwest and south. This creates lot of problems for the folks inside. Open spaces at north and east and heavy structures at south and west brings prosperity. The closure of north and northeast to some extent has hindered the progress of the party. Moreover, the entrance at eastern southeast has brought internal quarrels and animosity among members. The toilets at northeast and north have brought bad name to the ruling party.

RULES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS FACING G S ROAD: A. For the shops or showrooms which are exclusively facing the Road in front :1.

3. 4. 5. Ingredients

For the soup

For the Chutney

6 Pieces of Chicken neck and wing 4 Cups of boiling water

3 Tomatoes 10 Green chillies Bunch of Coriander leaves 4 Garlic cloves

For the Meat accompaniment One onion diced 2 Tbsp refined oil 1 Tspn garlic paste 500 gms of minced meat of your choice. Salt to taste

3. 4. 5.

The main entrance must be from a corner which is either north or west or east or south but never in the middle which is the southeast or northwest (in case of northwest facing ones). The manager/cashier should sit facing north, east or northeast. The cash box should be on the right hand side if facing east or northeast and on the left hand side if facing north. There should not be any toilet towards the northeast, east or north. The kitchen or pantry should be at southeast. Heavy items should be kept/displayed at southwest, south and west.

It is excellent to have deep tube wells, wells or underground water tanks at northeast, north or east. It there is a basement, same should be provided at northeast, north or east. Transformers, D G Sets, Inverters and Electrical switchboards should be provided at southeast with the heavier machines at south. Staircases and Lifts can be placed anywhere except northeast. The stairs should start from north to south or east to west. Overhead water tanks should be placed at southwest, west or south.

FOR RESIDENCES : KULKUL RAHMAN Entrepreneur, mother and a passionate cook

yon gyan SEX Unplugged

he modern 21st century India is a fast evolving breed. People are much more open and forthcoming about their sexuality and discussing their sexual problems with their friends. But unfortunately a helping hand in the form of an interested physician is often the first hindrance to the help required. We men are far less forthcoming in admitting that we have a problem. Even if we summon the courage to go to our

The main entrance must be from a corner which is either south or west but never in the middle which is the southwest. Main entrances on southwest bring losses. The manager/cashier should sit facing north, east or northeast. The cash box should be on the right hand side if facing east or northeast and on the left hand side if facing north. There should not be any toilet at northeast, east or north The pantry should be placed at southeast. Heavy items should be kept/displayed at southwest, south and west.

B. For the shops or showrooms which have corridors in front at northwest or southeast:-

general physician and mention it, it is swept under the rug and this leads to an unsatisfactory personal life, which creates an unfilled vacuum despite all the riches and success that one may acquire. The taboo brews myths which are passed between friends and generations and gets accepted as the gospel of truth. Any deviation from it leads to uneasiness and friction in a happy married life. I attempt to dispel a few such myths:

The vaastu rules are same for them also. Since some of them have the advantage of having the main entrance from the rear which is the northeast, they should enter from the northeast, north or east.

Myth: Double bagging reduces future chances of pregnancy. Truth: Wearing two condoms may in fact, increase your chances of pregnancy as the two layers may rub with each other causing them to break.

Myth: Old people do not need sex. Truth: It is such a shame that a lot of people hang up their boots prematurely because of

this. Regular sex for the elderly is associated with good mental and physical health, although its expression may be impaired by general health, medications etc. Sexual expression is a life-long aspect of the human race.

Myth: Pulling out (coitus interruptus) is a safe method. Truth: Many men may not be able to able to pull out on time. Also, the pre-ejaculatory fluid can contain sperm from previous ejacula-

tions. Around 26% of the women who rely on this method become pregnant in their first year of sexual life. Besides, this method does not help in preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

Dr. Mithun Bhartia MRCC UK, SECSM Amsterdam CCT Diabetes and Endocrinology UK advicesexologist@gmail.com

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Life Style

‘CARDIOACCELERATION’ FOR IMPROVED RECOVERY

ardioacceleration refers to incorporating intervals of cardio training (anywhere between 30-90 seconds) between resistance training exercises. If you’re using Cardioacceleration as a means to maximizing fat burning, you get an added bonus: increased strength and muscle building. If you have tried Cardioacceleration as a form of workout, then you know that it is a very efficient and effective way of cardio. If you haven’t, then you likely need an explanation of what Cardioacceleration is. It’s a form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) where you do 30-60 seconds of intense cardio in between all sets in a workout, as opposed to standing around and resting between sets. Cardioacceleration is basically a form of active recovery. By exercising between lifting sets, more blood is circulated within the muscles. This sends more oxygen and nutrients into the muscles. This allows muscle fibres to recover better and quicker between sets. That’s why people end up getting stronger when implementing Cardioacceleration, even while dieting.

Proof is in the Publication

ardioacceleration is based on research performed at the University of California -Santa Cruz several years ago. This isn’t just some technique I thought sounded cool and decided to try out for fun. (Because trust me, it’s not always fun!) Recently, even more research has come out supporting Cardioacceleration. One study in particular out of Brazil investigated ‘active recovery’ between sets of bench press. Researchers had 12 subjects perform bench step-ups or take complete rest between four sets of bench press where 80% of their one-rep max (1RM) was used. They reported in an issue of the Journal of Human Kinetics 2014 that when the subjects performed the active recovery between sets (Cardioacceleration), their blood lactate levels were up to around 25%, lower than when they took complete rest. The results were better due to a better clearing of lactate resulting from greater

blood flow within the muscles and better conversion of lactate into usable energy. Despite the lower lactate levels, the subjects did not experience any performance benefits, such as more reps performed or having more power on the bench press sets. Studies had previously shown similar reductions in lactate levels with some accompanying performance benefits as well. This study provides a glimpse into how Cardioacceleration helps you get stronger while leaning out. By helping to keep blood lactate levels lower with ‘active recovery’ between sets, the muscles will essentially have more “left in the tank” for subsequent sets. This will help you complete more total reps per workout, which can make a big difference in your results for strength, muscle growth, endurance, and fat loss. While it may be surprising to some that there was no performance benefits reported in the aforementioned Brazil study, that’s exactly what I would’ve ex-

pected to see. The subjects in the study had never used ‘active rest’ between sets of weight training. In fact, they weren’t even trained lifters. When people first start using Cardioacceleration, they typically see a slight decrease in strength and endurance during the workout because they’re not used to intense activity. The extra work crammed into the same amount of time is so taxing that the reduction in lactate levels doesn’t offer any benefit. However, after a week or two, the extra activity is no longer taxing on the body and the reduced lactate levels start to improve recovery between sets – and as a result, you get stronger. Sometimes you have to take a small step back before you can move forward. In this case, it takes some time for your body to acclimatize to the boost in intensity that comes from Cardioacceleration. Not bad for something you do when you’d normally be sitting on your chair wasting time!

TCH WA

ple and straightforward. Just install Sounds app in your Android device, run the app and discover a new world of music on Instagram. When you tap on a particular song, it will open the card for that and switching between songs is as easy as swiping up and down. Sharing the song on Instagram is just a click away. Although it will take a while in preparing the music before you can share it, once it is done, your song not only is sent to Instagram but also gets saved to your gallery.

BIBHU MONI SINGHA, Fitness Expert & Sports Nutritionist Gym Manager, Training & Nutrition Head, SFL Fitness, Guwahati

nstagram is a popular app to share photos and short videos with friends and followers. There is no option to share the music on Instagram. But there is an app called ‘Sounds’ on the Android platform which lets users share music on Instagram. This app lets you search music of any artist or band and then share the same on Instagram. ‘Sounds’ is basically a kind of music streaming app which also gives an option to share music on Instagram. Use of the app is very sim-

Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary. Cecil Beaton (Academy-Award winning costume designer)

Share music on Instagram with ‘Sounds’ app for Android

Cool Couture

f you’re tired of mainstream style and crave for something unique then you should definitely draw inspiration from street fashion! Some of the freshest and best ideas are born outside the catwalk and mannequins. Street style does not conform to a specific type of dressing, but covers a host of different fashion styles spanning decades. It’s an individual’s way of self-expression, through clothes where you mix various looks to create a unique ensemble, which is undeniably and unapologetically you. The Street Style phenomenon finds its genesis in major youth sub-cultures like Hippies, Goth, grunge etc., but in the last few years, it has become a formidable tool for the fashionistas globally to visually stand out and get noticed for all the right reasons. The explosion of digital and social media has truly helped magnify this phenomenon. French designers, Christian Lacroix and Jean Paul Gaultier, are identified as two of those responsible for the emergence of this phenomenon. The insatiable interest to know what the world is wearing gave birth to Style Blogs and made overnight stars of its bloggers. The boom of street style blogs exploded a few years ago, and it has changed the way we dress up in our normal lives. Most of the street style fashionistas don’t care much about what other people think about them but they just follow their flow, focus on selfexpression and need to feel comfortable in their clothes. It doesn’t mean they’re careless - they just don’t feel that it is necessary to follow the latest fashion trends and “musthave” looks. They follow what inspires them. You can almost say that women who closely follow street style are more creative and even bolder than other fashionistas. Closer home, the North-east is considered as the Holy Grail for street fashion in India. With an inherent sense of style and the knack for putting a look together effortlessly, our folks have been a dream for the street style photographers. There are many a blogs dedicated to our inimitable sense of style where this unique trait has been celebrated and lauded. When the high priestess of fashion, Coco Chanel famously said, “in order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different”, she summed up one of the keys to understand these movements: to go against the tide and to always be different from others. Shyamant Hazarika Designer/Entrepreneur: ‘The Closet Case’

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Reviews Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon Director: Rohit Shetty

he story revolves around Meera (Kajol) and Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) who belong to two Mafia families having conflicts. Operating in Bulgaria, both Meera and Raj meet in a chance encounter that soon leads to them falling in love. The duo then go on a date that is corny enough, consisting of flowers, ice-creams, dinner and a dance. But, then there is a major twist heading our way. Just when you think love is in the air, guns are fired, blood is flown and soon the two lovers are forced to find separate ways. Strangely, both Meera and Raj have younger siblings who are oblivious of their pasts. Veer (Varun Dhawan) is Raj’s charming younger

vie w o M vie Re

brother where as Ishita (Kriti Sanon) is Kajol’s younger sister. 15 years later, the ‘adhoori kahaani’ of Raj and Meera comes back to haunt them when their siblings Veer and Ishita fall in love with each other as they now stay in the same town. Raj after leaving his mafia business is now a car re-model and garage guy where as Meera owns a shack in Goa. (Yeah! A little far fetched how both move all the way from Bulgaria to Goa!) Will Raj and Meera get over their past for their siblings? Will they rekindle their love as well is what the film further unfolds. Dilwale may prove to be an effortless entertainer for those who go without any expectations from it.

The film never promised to be a cerebral pleaser hence, if you go with the flow, you may even enjoy it. It shifts gears between action, romance and comedy and guess what all three have in common? Cars! Bringing back the most-loved Jodi of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol together, the film does not accomplish in capturing their epic romance. The comic capers start to fall apart soon thanks to their repetitive flavor. Dilwale is not an enjoyable ride all the way. The film has its moments and mainly it is the predictability and cliches that kill it. One of the best scenes between Kajol and Shah Rukh comes right at the end but its too late to save the film then.

daughter of King Chhatrasal and his Muslim wife. While Mastani’s dedication and her bravery impress Bajirao, he is determined to help her. Soon, in the midst of the battle, the duo fall in love with each other. Back home, Bajirao’s wife, Kashi (Priyanka Chopra) is eagerly waiting his return, obliviously unaware of the fact that her husband has fallen in love and even accidentally married another woman. Will Bajirao and Mastani’s inter-religious love breathe in the strong opposition of his Hindu community and family? Will

Bajirao Mastani 9.00 AM & 3.00 PM Dilwale 12.00, 6.00 & 9.00 PM

Fun Cinemas HUB, GS Road 9864800100, 9864800200

Bajirao Mastani 9.00 AM & 5.40 PM Dilwale 11.50 AM, 2.35 & 8.45 PM

Apsara Cinema Ulubari 0361 2541335

Bajirao Mastani 5.15 PM Dilwale 10.45 AM, 2.00 & 8.00 PM

ASTC Complex, Paltan Bazar 9854066166

Book:

Artist:

Our Impossible Love

G-Eazy

Bajirao Mastani 11.30 AM, 2.00, 5.30 & 8.00 PM Dilwale 11.00 AM, 2.30, 5.00 & 8.30 PM

Author:

Durjoy Datta

Bajirao Mastani 9.00 AM & 2.45 PM Dilwale 11.45 AM, 5.45 & 8.45 PM

GOLD Cinema

When It’s Dark Out

ex, drugs, and rock & roll. And rap. On G-Eazy’s second LP, When It’s Dark Out (RCA), he proves his industry savvy with a collection of hedonistic rhymes set to the wooziest of productions. The self-made Young Gerald oozes confidence, supported with an army of impressive guests ranging from singers Bebe Rexha (“Me, Myself & I”) and Keyshia Cole (“Nothing to Me”) to hip-hop stars Big Sean (“One of Them”) and Chris Brown (“Drifting”). Old-school icons Too $hort (“Of All Things”) and E-40 (“Nothing to Me”)

Noonmati 03612656968, 9954544738

Dona Planet. GS Road 08800900009

Kashi accept the fact that she has to share her husband with Mastani for the rest of her life? When it comes to direction, Bajirao Mastani is a sheer cinematic brilliance. Bhansali’s clear vision of making it an epic romance finally sees light of the day after years of waiting. Costumes, sets and Sudeep Chaterjee’s cinematography all confluence into a magnificent presentation. The soulful music too compliments well except Pinga which is not a delight to watch since the choreography itself is mediocre and even the costumes are not quite apt.

Album:

Anuradha Cineplex

PVR Cinemas

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali ajirao Ballal Peshwa (Ranveer Singh) is an ambitious Maratha warrior who has set his eyes on creating one Hindu nation, the Bharatvarsha and not only has the wit but also the valor to fight for it. We are even told in the story at one point that he has won all the 40 battles that he ever fought. During the Mughal invasion, Bajirao is away from home planning an attack on Delhi when he meets Mastani (Deepika Padukone) who has traveled to seek his help to save her hometown Bundelkhand which is being held captive by the Mughals. She is the

NOW SHOWING

u Yo LD TEN SHOU LIS even show up at the party. There aren’t many surprises here for fans, save for the fact that he manages to spin the same nocturnal stories of drugs, partying, and fornicating over 17 addictive tracks without it ever growing stale. G-Eazy knows what he’s doing: he executes flawlessly with the shrewdness befitting of his Loyola University music industry studies degree. He also manages to differentiate himself from easy race comparisons, rapping about being “the coldest white rapper in the game since the one with the bleached hair.” He’s not corny like Macklemore,

not scary like the aforementioned Eminem, not as earnest and afflicted as newcomer Witt Lowry. He spits about what he knows. He’s a new, sexy breed: a rapper who can look like a rock star. On “For This,” he takes a brief break from all the partying with a lyrical reminder of how far he’s come, and how he did it by himself. It’s an assured nod to the past, when rising in the game came with a lot of discipline and grassroots support. Beneath the debauchery and boasting, G-Eazy sounds grateful to see his hard work pay off. Just don’t stop his party.

GOLD Cinema u Yo LD HOU S read Life teaches us what ‘love’ truly is And love gives definition to ‘life’ Aisha, a bit of a late bloomer, has to figure out what it means to be a woman and to be desired. Danish feels time is running out for him and he’s going to end up as a nobody, as opposed to his overachieving, determined younger brother.

Salasar Building, Lakhtokia 9854066166 Life takes a strange turn when Danish, the confused idiot, is appointed as the student counsellor to Aisha. Between the two of them they have to figure out love, life, friendship—most of all, themselves. And it’s not proving to be . . . easy? Our Impossible Love presents Life the way it is and Love the way it should be

Bajirao Mastani 11.30 AM, 2.00, 5.30 & 8.00 PM Dilwale 11.00 AM, 2.30, 5.00 & 8.30 PM

GOLD Cinema

LG Towers, Narangi 8811001898 Bajirao Mastani 11.00 AM & 5.30 PM Dilwale 2.00 & 8.00 PM

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Entertainment

‘OJANITE’

Delhi gets ready for DELHI GLOBAL FILM FESTIVAL 2016

READY TO HIT THE THEATRES

he Delhi Global Film Festival (DGFF-2016) is all set to commence and entries are being accepted. The Festival is being organized by the Delhi Global Film Festival with support from Indian film industry and film makers from across the globe. With the objective to promote upcoming movie makers, exchange work, information, ideas and culture between India and other countries, DGFF has provided a platform for the budding movie enthusiasts. It acts as the perfect stage to educate people about the urgent need to be responsible citizens and to spread the word effectively through the medium of films. The event also showcases the ‘Best of Bollywood’ and the charm of old Hindi classics is revisited. DGFF encourages budding filmmakers and provides a stage for those with keen inter-

est to present their views and experiences on various issues through the medium of films. Selected films will be awarded in each category of Student, Amateur and Mature. Apart from offering diversity of films, another important aim is to provide a boost to the tourism sector. DGFF-2016 will also host an interactive session which will be organized after the film festival where professionals will contribute their valuable experiences, ideas and skills and sponsors will contribute their resources. This will be a scope to address the film fraternity and ask them to come forward and take advantage of the capital as a favourable shooting destination. The festival will be held from 26th February to 28th February, 2016 and deadline for the submission of the movies is on 31st January, 2016.

Delhi Global Film Fest D

imbeswar Gogoi’s Assamese romantic movie titled ‘Ojanite’ has completed its shooting around some of the beautiful locations of Assam. The movie has been directed by Dimbeswar Gogoi and produced by Diganta Rajkhowa, Anima Das, Jogen Gogoi and Rajen Bordoloi under the banner of Seuji Productions. The film’s story-screenplay and dialogues have been penned by the director himself. Synopsis: The movie’s story revolves around a boy who comes back home after completing his studies abroad. Though the boy belongs to a rich family, his character

is that of a strong willed and self determined young man who wants to make a name for himself of his own accord. And before he makes this journey, he travels to Malopathar, Jorhat which is a metaphorical journey of its own and he finds love in the arms of a girl in the village. And thus, the problem of the ‘rich and poor’ divide come into play and causes the turbulence in their relationship. Overcoming the hurdles of their relationship and how their love has a happy ending is the main theme of ‘Ojanite’. Assamese film lovers and the younger audience will definitely relate to the movie. The key role in

February 26 to 28, 2016, DGFF-2016 INDIA

the film has been played by Prabir Rajkhowa, Debojit Lahon, Reena Bora, Pabitra Bora, Susmita Kalindi, Pooja, Anima Das, Rajen Bordoloi among others. People will see Prabir Rajkhowa in a completely different light as this will be the first time he plays a serious romantic character. His role has completely moved away from his highly appreciated character in ‘Saya’. The cinematography has been done by Umesh Ghosh, and the movie is expected to hit the theatres in the coming year.

The Festival is being organized by the Delhi Global Film F

With support from Indian Film Industry and film makers acro

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of KALITA “Delhi Global Film Festival” is to promote upcoming KALYAN KUMAR exchange of works, information, ideas & culture between India & other countr

‘Crossroads’ by Guwahati lads to be screened at Italy

To Promote Culture and Tourist destination of our own Delhi City (India) perfect platform to educate people about the urgent need for all of us to b citizen of our city. If we are able to spread the word effectively and make peo elated through the medium of films, the purpose of organizing DGFF would b The movie is the work of ‘Deuka Films’ ‘Crossroads’, a three minute short film other goals are asunder follows: which is an enterprise of a young group the banner of DEUKA Films has been officially selected for screening at the ‘Golden Sun Short Film International Festival’ Malta, Italy. It is the only film that has been selected from Assam. ‘Crossroads’ shows the struggle of a young child who works hard to feed his family. People often complain about rampant child labour and the struggles that are a part of it, but no one actually cares to follow up into the child’s life or can possibly relate to the hardships they face. The aftermath of child labour is what the film follows. ‘Crossroads’ had officially been selected for the Saraighat Film Festival, Adda Short Film Festival and now it will also be screened at the Golden Sun International Short Film Festival, Malta. The festival will commence in the month of July, 2016 at Matla, Italy.

of students based out of Guwahati. These young college film enthusiasts have taken it upon themselves to change the content that is associated with the Assamese film industry. The film has been directed by Maharshi Kashyap and the cast includes Mrinmoy Kalita, Harendra N. Kalita, Vishal P Chaliha and Jun Sarma. Camera and music have been handled by Sausthav, Moniroop, Arunav and Vishal. The elated director of ‘Crossroads’, Maharshi Kashyap told G Plus, “This is the first short film I have ever directed and since we got nominated, it was unexpected, but it feels great.’

●Showcasing the best of the Bollywood As years go by, the feel and style of Hindi movies has got more attractive and t the charm of old Hindi classics always sways away. Through DGFF, we woul those memories and educate the masses about the relevance of those classics in

●Encouraging the film m akers Encouraging budding filmmakers is one of our top priorities. This will be a having keen interest to present their views and experiences on various iss Sidharth Bedi Varma medium of films. Selected films will be awarded in each category of Studen Mature.

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Events

Celebrating North East

Days

Events

December 19th to December 25th

The Mega Fest held in Delhi to showcase North East India’s talents to the world

DEC 19

SOUTH POINT SCHOOL AT 08:00 AM

two-day festival comprising fashion shows, cultural programs and exhibitions of handloom, handicrafts, jute and MSME sector of the northeast region took place at DLF Place, Saket, New Delhi recently. The aim of the festival was to create an interaction of ideas, provide an international standard marketing forum and a unique platform to showcase NE India’s textiles and artisans who displayed their handlooms, jute, khadi, and Assam Silk products. The leading institute of Assam, North East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT) organized “Celebrating North East” from 4th to 5th December 2015, which was supported by Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Sangeet Natak Akademi. On the first day, four fashion shows were presented highlighting textiles from the northeast by

he first international musical gig of Guwahati featuring Dutch band MLTR, was a resounding success. Held at the Sarusajai Stadium premises on 13th December last, the immensely popular band of the late 80s held its audience in awe with its latest and classic numbers. The organizers put up a remarkable job in streamlining the visitors who were there

in thousands. The layers of security and enthusiasm displayed by the volunteers who manned the various check points added confidence that the program would not be faced with hooliganism or other untoward incidents. Just to add some constructive criticism however, the first problem that the fans faced was the total lack of drinking water at the venue. Further, the open-

designers Arita Kayshab (Assam), Vianney Nongrum (Meghalaya), Bonney Darrang (Arunachal Pradesh) and Robert Naorem (Manipur). On the second day, five fashion shows by designers Manimala Mahanta Ahmed (Assam), Ayn Longkumer (Nagaland), Sofiur Rahman (Assam), Pallavi Deka (Assam) and Charlee Lalthlenmawia (Mizoram) were presented during the event. Altogether, 26 models, many of them from northeast, got the opportunity to walk on the ramp with other more wellknown models. Mr. Vikram Rai Medhi, Event Director & CEO, NEIFT said, “The stalls erected at DLF Place, Saket, showcased and created a mini North East and successfully brought in an element of positive awareness and curiosity about our region which will thereby also play a role in the development of the tourism sector.”

ings bands could have put up a better job to bring the crowd into the mood of the evening by playing familiar covers but chose to go on their own “trip” as they say. Also, the anchoring could have been more articulate than it was. Overall, MLTR truly rocked and the event has paved the way for such international gigs in the city in the future.

RAGING RHINO RALLY, 2015 THE RAGING RHINO RALLY, 2015 IS ROUND 9 OF 2015 FMSCI INDIAN NATIONAL TSD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (INTSDRC).

CHANDMARI KTM AT 08:00 PM

KTM ORANGE TOUR DESTINATION: CHERRAPUNJI, MEGHALAYA

DEC 20 GANESH MANDIR, INDOOR STADIUM FIELD, KHANAPARA AT 05:00 PM

‘DHOOM MACHALE WITH ADITI SHARMA’. LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE. RESIDENCY TOURIST RESORT DISPUR AT 06.00 AM - 10:00 PM

“CTRL ALT DANCE’ PREPARTY DRIVE INN, 10TH MILe AT 03:00 APM

PSYCHEDELIC AWAKENING (SERAPHIC NIGHTS 4TH EDITION) FEAT: KINGURJAPATI

DEC 22 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS, GAUHATI UNIVERSITY AT 09:00 AM

“CTRL ALT DANCE’ PREPARTY NATIONAL SEMINAR ON “ADVANCES IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES”

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Horoscope Aries Don’t inadvertently give too much away, especially when it comes to a work brainstorm or plan of attack against the competition. The reason is that someone may be paying more attention than you realize. They could steal your idea out from under you and use it themselves. There could be some unscrupulous people around who may seem pleasant but really aren’t.

If you’ve felt put upon by certain people lately, it could be time to do something about it. Let others know you have limits and that there are certain things you won’t tolerate. It can improve key relationships as you move into the future. This week there are certain aspects that could make life quite intense, particularly where business matters or finances are concerned.

Leo You might be tempted to splurge, particularly if you aren’t thinking clearly when it comes to price and value. If in doubt, get help from a friend who may have some wise advice. If you’re partying this week, a temptation to indulge a desire could make you turn to comfort foods or perhaps pursue a relationship that isn’t in your best interests.

Your best bet for making the most of this week is to plan ahead. The more organized you can be, the better your chances of dealing with unexpected events. It also helps to pare down your schedule and leave yourself room to improvise when necessary. If you’re planning a trip or exploring new social circles, you won’t be alone. However, you could get more than you bargained for, so pay attention to your instincts.

Cancer You could be telepathically connected to someone, particularly at the start of the week. You might get an urge to call this person or perhaps ask if he or she needs help. One relationship could become more passionate when Venus connects with Pluto. But if you’re trying to force things, you could be giving off the wrong vibe. It’s better to let things develop organically than try to push when the time isn’t right.

Virgo

Feelings could be quite potent this week, developing in strength as Venus moves closer to Pluto. You could find that you’re drawn to someone who really stands out from the crowd. Conversation could also ratchet up and become quite intense. This could be one of those weeks when things between you and another reach a critical stage. What you do next could have consequences for the future.

Scorpio

Libra

Although you tend to err on the side of tact and diplomacy, the presence of Mars in your sign could encourage you to be more assertive. This could show up as a determination to set firm boundaries, particularly regarding someone who seems to flout them regularly. This attitude will also show up on the home front, where scheduling tasks and delegating chores can free you up to enjoy yourself this season.

A desire you’ve had for some time could get stronger this week, particularly if it has to do with romance. As a result, the need to get closer to this person could become something of an obsession. Go easy, though, as this approach might make him or her uncomfortable unless the feelings are mutual. It seems you’ll leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of a mystery or problem, and your persistence in this area could certainly pay off.

Capricorn

Sagittarius

Aquarius This week brings the chance to do that, and the conversation between you should be riveting. If you can meet each other’s needs in any deals, you’ll both be satisfied. You’ll also have the option to do some spiritual housecleaning by purposefully letting go of feelings that are preventing you from forging ahead. Dreams could be intense, too, and may have pertinent guidance for you.

Sudoku

A holiday romance could be in the cards, or you might find that your relationship with your sweetheart takes a turn for the better or more passionate. Something clicks, so you could be flying high and enjoying the new, more intense vibe between you. You may also become very organized and eager to set up a new strategy that helps you become more focused, not only on holiday tasks but also on those preparations for taking plans to the next level in 2016.

Pisces

With more holiday get-togethers on the calendar, you’ll have fresh opportunities to meet that special someone and forge new connections. One in particular could be quite intense and may leave you wanting more - perhaps a lot more! Friends might try to get you involved in their plans, but you don’t have to agree to everything that’s asked of you.

Ambulance 102 Arya Hospital, Ulubari 2606888, 2606665 Downtown Hospital 9864101111, 9435012669 GLP Social Circle 2737373 GGUMTA (Mirza) 03623-227109 Marowari Yuva Manch 2542074, 2547251 Free Ambulance to GNRC Hospitals Toll Free: 1800-345-0011 Arya Hospital, Ulubari 2606888, 2606665 Ganga Blood Bank 2454742, 2455029 Lion’s Club of Ghy Central 2546611 Marwari Yuva Manch 2546470, 2547251 Saharia’s Path Lab (24 hours) 2458594

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HOSPITALS Arya Hospital, Ulubari (2606888, 2606665) B Baruah Cancer Institute (2472364/66) Brahmaputra Hospital Ltd (2451634/678) Chatribari Christian Hospital 0361-2600051, 9207044374 Downtown Hospital 2331003, 9864079366, 9435012669 Guwahati Medical College (2529457, 2529561) Guwahati Medical College Emergency (2263444) International Hospital 0361-7135005

Railway Central Hospital Casuality (2671025) Redcross Hospital (2665114) Sri Sankardeva Netralaya 0361-2233444, 2228879, 2228921 TB Hospital (2540193) Wintrobe Hospital 0361-2519860, 98647-77986 IHR-Institute of Human Reproduction 0361-2482619,09864103333

Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (2541477, 2543998) Marwari Hospital & Research Centre 0361-2602738/39 Marwari Maternity Hospital 03612541202/01 Nemcare Hospital 0361-2528587, 2455906, 2457344 Pratiksha Hospital 0361-2337260, 2337183/84 Basistha Military Hospital (2304617/0351)

GNRC Hospital 1800-345-0022 (Toll Free) GNRC Ambulance 1800-345-0011 (Toll Free)

24-HOUR PHARMACIES Arya Hospital, Ulubari (2606888, 2606665) D Modern Medicos, Maligaon (9864366763) Candid 24x7, Panbazar (2604422) DEAD BODY CARRYING VAN GLP Social Circle 2737373, 9435047046 Marowari Yuva Manch 2542074, 2547251 GGUMTA 98640-16740 ELECTRICITY SUPPLY Call Centre – 9678005171

OTHERS Fire Emergency 101 State Zoo 2201363 GMC Carcass Pickup 9435190720, 9864047222 LPG Emergency/Leakage 2385209, 2541118, LPG Booking (ivr System) 7670024365 Child line Guwahati 1098

GMC helpline number for garbage collection

RADIO TAXI SERVICES Prime Cabs 0361- 2222233 Green Cabs 0361-7151515 My Taxi 0361-2228888 Cherry Cabs 8876222288

Vigilance and anti corruption toll free number

8811007000

1800-345-3767 police station

A Sudoku puzzle consists of 81 cells which are divided into nine columns, rows and regions. The task is now to place the numbers from 1 to 9 into the empty cells in such a way that in every row, column and 3×3 region each number appears only once.

last week solution

You may give a lot of thought to gift buying and holiday spending in general. You might wonder what you stand to gain if you buy an expensive present for someone. Will they even notice? It might be better to adopt a workable budget and stay within that. Give joyfully and you’ll be imbibing the seasonal spirit for real. The temptation to stay within your comfort zone may be strong, but you’ll fare better if you can move beyond it.

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SP, Kamrup District: Ph- 2540278 DGP Control Room: Ph- 2540242 SB Control Room: Ph-2261511 Police Control Room: Ph-2540138, 2540113 Azara PS: Ph2840287 Basista PS: Ph-2302158 Bharalumukh PS: Ph- 2540137, 2731199 Borjhar PS: Ph-2840351 Chandmari PS: Ph- 2660204 Chandrapur PS: Ph-2788237, 2785237 Dispur PS: Ph-2261510 Fancybazar PS: Ph- 2540285

Fatasil Ambari PS: Ph-2471412 Geetanagar PS: Ph-2417323 Hatigaon: Ph-2562383 Jalukbari PS: Ph-2570587 Jalukbari Out Post: Ph-2570522 Jorabat: Ph-2896853 Khanapara: Ph- 2281501 Khetri PS: Ph-2787699, 2787220 Latasil PS: Ph-2540136 Noonmati PS: Ph- 2550281 North Guwahati PS: Ph-2690255 Paltanbazar PS: Ph-2540126 Panbazar PS: Ph-2540106 Pragjyotishpur Ps: Ph-2785237 Women PS Panbazar: Ph-2524627

G PLUS DEC 19 - DEC 25, 2015

Catching Up Most shared story of the week Last week saw the arrival of Vice President of AICC, Rahul Gandhi at Guwahati and Barpeta where he was entwined in the ‘Satra’ fiasco. The photo of Rahul Gandhi having lunch with school children at Barpeta drew major attention among the Social media fans. It was surprising that the youth icon and his lunch with school kids turned into a public trash talk forum. The post saw massive engagement with over 780 likes, 120 comments and 89 shares, Rahul Gandhi definitely kept the G Plus Facebook handle buzzing. facebook.com/guwahatiplus twitter.com/guwahatiplus

Guwahati

GYAN

Did you know?

Bhootnath

New

Chic

on the block

Tanuka Das About Me

Hi! I’m Tanuka Das, I’m 21 years old. I’m currently pursuing BA/LLB from NEF law college. I am very ambitious and a confident girl. My positive attitude towards life is what gives me strength and makes me passionate about Fashion and style. I am very adventurous and open to trying out new things.

Mojo

We all have set goals in our life but I don’t think we can actually predict where we will be, ten years down the line. All that matters is what we can do right now and to seize the moment. We just gotta keep our head straight, say positive and work hard to achieve our goals.

ocated at the foothills of the Nilachal Hills, the history of Bhootnath goes way back 60 to 70 years when the tantrics visiting the Ambubachi Mela held in Kamakhya temple used to take shelter in the Bhootnath cremation ground. Although, there is no documentation of the establishment available, the GLP Social Circle along with GMC worked for the development and formally inaugurated the swasan in 1999. The name Bhootnath is named after the swasan inherited the name from the temple of Lord Shiva located just at the entrance of the crematory. Spread on an area

of 7000 sq mts the cremation ground conduct rituals for people of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain community. The glass topped coal-coffin which was used as the final resting place for the preservation of body of the legendary singer Late Bhupen Hazarika was provided by Bhootnath and has been preserved by the management. The coal-coffin still remains in the swasan four years after the cremation of the legendary singer and is put up for display with an idol of Bhupen Hazarika idol lying inside it. The same coal-coffin was used during the cremation of late scholar Mamoni Raisom Goswami and singer Khagen Mahanta.

Route in the Woods

Finding a sense of purpose in my actions is what keeps me satisfied. This keeps me feeling stronger and I do not get discouraged in my hardships.

Ka m u r of the week

omeone makes a mistake and the entire city has to suffer. The recent Crystal bar incident has resulted in the administration probably mulling some stringent guidelines in the future for bars and liquor shops, which will again irritate the Guwahatians. The excise department had recently hiked the alcohol prices and also implemented a new timing schedule. Now what will the administration do next? We hope it does not turn out to be a kamur!

WHAT DID I JUST HEAR?

Saudi millionaire has been cleared of raping a teenager after claiming that he might have accidentally penetrated the 18-yearold when he tripped and fell on her. Property developer Ehsan Abdulaziz, 46, was accused of forcing himself on the teenager as she slept off a night of drinking on the sofa of his flat. He had alIn Association ready had sex with her 24-year-old friend and said he might have slipped over on top of the younger woman.

PIC OF THE with

WEEK

Memories?

Photo: Adib Zamali

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