G Plus Vol 3 Issue 24 by G Plus

Sex

in our city

“Why has the subject been raised after 2 years now?”

with Dr. Mithun bhartia

PG 18

Happy Holi

Shubham Doley

New Chic on the block

PG 17

Page 24

VOLUME 03 | ISSUE 24 MAR 26 - APR 01 , 2016

PRICE `10

Winsome

Bobbeeta

Ward watch

Suave

Siddhartha

FACE OFF!

Ward no 14

Alleged one-sided love leads to acid attack in Guwahati PG The battle for Gauhati East

Six marriage halls sealed by GMC

04 Real Estate Repercussions in Guwahati - post the Budget 2016

Congress, BJP weave newPG dreams to Assam voters 03

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Lead Story

Incumbent MLA’s inactiveness upsets Dispur voters

Dispur BJP MLA candidate Atul Bora says that Akon Bora misbehaves with voters who do not vote for him and punishes government officials who do not listen to him rahul chanda

he Congress party recently announced their candidates for the constituencies in Guwahati and while it changed the faces in Gauhati East and Gauhati West, the Dispur constituency went to the same candidate who won in 2011. In continuation of G Plus presenting a report of each constituency preceding the forthcoming elections, and having covered Gauhati East and Gauhati West in the last two issues, the focus this time is on Dispur. Akon Bora is all set to contest in the constituency and on the other hand, Atul Bora of BJP is leaving no stone unturned to win the elections this time. G Plus looks into the developmental work done in the constituency considering which the voters will decide the fates of the contenders.

52 Dispur This year, there are 3,53,969 voters in the constituency who will vote out of which 1,80,594 are male voters and 1,73,375 are female voters. In 2006, 2,92,753 voters voted and in 2011, there were 3,18,310 voters who had voted during the assembly elections. Dispur is a very important constituency in Assam as it is the largest constituency. The constituency comprises of both urban and rural areas and therefore, there are mixed issues in the constituency. Ward nos. 25, 26, 31, 19, 22, 24, 29 and 30 fall under the Dispur constituency. The localities which fall under this constituency are Dispur, Hengrabari, Basisthapur, Kahilipara, Six Mile, Panjabari, Khanapara, Ganeshguri, Noonmati, Satgaon, Hatigaon, Beltola, Sonapur, Kainadhara, Botaghuli, Amsing, Amritpur, Kailashnagar, Chandrapur, Jorabat, Panikheti and some hills area bordering Assam and Meghalaya. G Plus checks which party won the constituency seats in the past years.

In 2001, Robin Bordoloi contested from the constituency and won. In 2006 and 2011, Akon Bora retained the seat for the Congress party. Before that, Atul Bora was in AGP and had won the seat but this time he is in BJP and will contest the elections. According to sources, Akon Bora filed the nomination this time even before the Congress party declared the candidates’ list and he is also known as being very close to the chief minister, Tarun Gogoi. G Plus visited the areas in the constituency and tried to find what the MLA has done for his constituency in the last five years.

Voters’ view A resident of Botaghuli, talking to G Plus, stated that in the last fifteen years, the area did not witness any development as the roads are pathetic, people do not have any drinking water facility, and drainage systems are deplorable causing urban floods every season. The resident said, “The law and order situation in our area is also poor and the local police station is very far (Satgaon). Since long, we have requested the authorities to facilitate a police station here but no one helped us.” The people of Botaghuli are very upset with the MLA as after the 2011 elections they did not see him visiting the area to solve any kind of issues. Similarly, the people of Noonmati and Sunsali have this complaint that during the last elections, the MLA promised he would help them convert the eksania land to patta land but till now nothing like that has happened. A resident of Noonmati said, “Akon Bora did not help us resolve the land issue and when we go to visit him, he tells us that we didn’t vote for him.” A resident of Kekuranagar in Ganeshguri, talking to G Plus said, “We live

The winning candidates and parties Assembly Year A.C. No. Constituency 1978 1983 1985 1991 2001 2006 2011

52 48 52 52 52 52 52

Dispur Dispur Dispur Dispur Dispur Dispur Dispur

Winner Name Tarini Mohan Barua Tarini Mohan Barua Atul Bora Atul Bora Robin Bordoloi Akon Bora Akon Bora

Sex

Party

M M M M M M M

JNP INC IND AGP INC INC INC

2011 Dispur elections result Name of the candidate

Party

Total vote

Akon Bora

INC

83096

Atul Bora

AGP

74849

Anowar Ali

AUIDF

2417

Pradip Baruah

NCP

654

Biren Sarma

CPI(M)

3314

Ranjit Rahang

BJP

29065

Mamata Bairagi

AITC

1288

Mukti Ram Laskar

RCPI

505

Ratul Kumar Choudhury

433

Hitlar King Basumatary

RCPI(RB)

604

Gobinda Das

IND

1455

Mina Borah

IND

823

Luit Kumar Barman

IND

1813

Total in the heart of the city but still our road is unconstructed and the MLA has not done anything in the last 10 years to make it pitch.” Similarly, the residents of the hill areas in Jorabat also have many issues as their land is eksania and the MLA, like others, did not fulfil the promise of converting the land there to patta plots. The Sonapur people are very upset as only the highway is developed and the inner areas of Sonapur, according to them, are still undeveloped. A resident of Sonapur said, “There are no roads, the electricity gets cut every now and then and pollution is increasing as all the agricultural lands are being sold to factories and

200316 industries.” So, the people of Dispur constituency are very upset with the performance of the present MLA.

Akon Bora G Plus tried to contact the MLA but he was very busy and asked us to talk to his associates. One of the associates, talking to G Plus, said that Akon Bora has done a lot for the Dispur constituency and that is the reason why he has been elected twice as the MLA from the same constituency. The associate said that if in Beltola area there are no roads which are kaccha, it is because in the entire constituency the development

is in its peak. The associate said that in the rural areas there might be some issues but it is gradually getting resolved. The associate said that Bora is happy with the developmental work and after he wins this time, he will do more for the constituency.

The main opponent Atul Bora of BJP is the main opponent of Akon Bora this time and talking to G Plus, Atul Bora said, “Akon Bora has done only one thing and that is lay foundation stones in some places in the constituency.” Atul said that Akon Bora has just increased the illegal activities in the constituency and taken commissions for any work happening. According to Atul Bora, Akon Bora and his son used to punish government officers who did not listen to them and get them transferred if they did not help them. Atul said that Akon Bora had cut the hills by using JCBs illegally and also misbehaved with many voters who did not vote for him in the past. He said that whatever developmental work happened was in the normal course of the government’s activity and Akon Bora did not do anything on his own. Indeed there was a tough competition between Akon Bora and Atul Bora the last time and even this time it looks like the competition will be tough but the voters of the constituency are surely not happy with the present MLA. rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Politicking

Congress, BJP weave new dreams for Assam voters Congress promises 10 lakh jobs and BJP the very next day promises 100 BPOs if voted to power

rahul chanda

n the run up to the 2016 elections the two major national parties, Congress and the BJP, unveiled their vision documents with many promises to woo the voters. But how many of these promises will be kept is a matter people will be sceptically brainstorming on over the next few days. Job creation is an issue which both the parties have given a lot of emphasis to. But who made the better promises overall? The Congress manifesto was released by the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at Rajiv Bhawan whereas for BJP, the Union Minister Arun Jaitley unveiled the manifesto at Vivanta by Taj. Tarun Gogoi, during the manifesto release slammed BJP and in turn, the BJP leaders slammed the Congress and their 15-year-rule during its ceremony. The slam game will continue and in the meanwhile, G Plus reviews both the manifestos to check how deliverable the promises are.

Some Congress promises Releasing the manifesto, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, “If I come to power again, I will ensure job to one member of each family. Our target is to give 10 lakh jobs in both government and private sectors in the next five years.” The manifesto promises to classify such families as ‘poor’ whose annual income is less than Rs. 2.5 lakhs and give benefits accordingly. The manifesto said Congress will fill all vacant teaching posts in schools and create 2 lakh more such posts in the next five years. It will also regularise services of all the employees within the next five years. The manifesto promised special packages to small tea farmers, a special package of Rs. 2,000 crores for the development councils, while Rs. 1,000 crores each will be given to the hill and Barak valley districts. The manifesto said that Rs. 500-crore packages will be offered to each Majuli island. For those residing in ‘char’ islands, the Congress will dole out a Rs. 1,500 crore special package in five years and also promised to uplift the SCs and STs. The manifesto said that the party, if voted to power again, will distribute sugar through government-owned subsidized supply stores. Regarding erosion by the Brahmaputra River, the manifesto stated that steps will be initiated to recover the lost land through scientific research so that those areas

Congress and BJP release their respective election manifestos Employment main agenda in both the manifestos Congress clear about certain numbers but BJP gives an abstract picture without any numbers

can be utilised for industry and other purposes. It also said agriculture universities will be set up in Dhemaji and Bongaigaon. For Barak valley, the Congress manifesto said a mini secretariat will be set up there and connectivity to the region will be improved. The poll document also promised that the government will demand the Centre to construct a new airport and set up a Gauhati High Court bench in the Barak valley. So, these were some of the main promises made by the Congress.

BJP’s promises The BJP claimed that they had prepared the manifesto by taking suggestions from experts in different fields and on the basis of the information obtained, the manifesto draws the sketch of the Assam of BJP’s dreams. The BJP, in the manifesto, initially talked about safety and security of the state and promised that it will set up basic infrastructure and civic amenities in the vulnerable areas. The manifesto said that it will ban those insurgent groups that have declared war against the state and will follow a zero-tolerance policy against those who want to create disturbances in the society. The manifesto also talked about the Assam Accord and claimed that it will implement the Accord in its letter and spirit. The BJP manifesto said that it will protect the Xatras and other religious, cultural and ecological land from its infiltrators. Regarding employment generation BJP said that it will set up 100 BPOs in the state to absorb the existing unemployment talent pool. The BJP also emphasised on skill development and vocational

training as mandatory components of all courses and syllabi in the educational institutes of Assam. The BJP said that it will also build 30 new ITIs in the state if it came to power. Similarly, it also made promises of better connectivity, a secretariat and many other development plans to the people of Barak Valley. In the sector of infrastructure development, BJP promised to provide land patta to every landless family of the state. BJP said it will construct affordable housing complexes on the plots of land belonging to the government and local urban bodies. BJP claimed it will introduce housing micro finance for people with low or irregular income. Similarly the BJP promised many things in the development of roads, waterways, aviation, railways, energy and renewable energy, public health and healthcare, education, sports, labour, local languages and culture, environment and forests, water management and many more.

The difference In both the manifestos, the politicos tried to lay emphasis on employment and youth empowerment more. Congress was numerically clear saying that it will provide jobs to 10 lakh unemployed youths and also provide job to one member of each family, whereas BJP said it will open up avenues with the help of which local youths will be employed. The Congress in its 54 page manifesto promised many things to the people of all sections. For example, it promised many facilities to journalists. The BJP, in its 48 page manifesto, emphasised mainly on the safety and security of the state, infiltration, employment etc. The Congress was clear

about certain figures like 10 lakh jobs, certain grants etc. while the BJP gave an abstract and wider view without any numbers. The BJP also claimed that 24/7 electricity will be provided to all the households but did not talk anything about the issue of big dams. The Congress also described its achievements in the last five years but BJP did not mention what the Centre has done in the last two years since they have been in power. So both the parties have finally promised certain dreams to the voters and now the voters will decide which party is actually capable of bringing these dreams to reality.

Congress also mentions their work and achievements in the last 15 years but the BJP does not mention what the Centre has done in the last two years that it has been in power Congress promises many things to scribes; BJP has nothing to offer

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

City

Six marriage halls sealed by GMC

The marriage halls have been sealed as they have failed to meet the requisite norms set by the authority and the major reason is not having enough space for parking creating traffic congestion Juthika Baruah Six marriage halls in the city sealed The halls failed to meet the requisite norms issued by the authority All marriage halls should have valid NOC from Pollution Control Board, GMDA and Guwahati Traffic police which were not found with the sealed halls

he Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has sealed six marriage halls in the city as these have failed to observe the specific norms issued by the authority. Also these wedding halls are one of the reasons behind late-night nuisance in the city and the increase in traffic congestion. The marriage halls create traffic congestion as they do not have enough parking spaces and despite repeated warnings by the authorities, the hall owners have failed to effect the desired changes for which these have been sealed. The marriage halls are Haryana Bibah Bhawan, Hari-Har Bibah Bhawan, Sangam Bibah Bhawan, Aurograce, Celestial and Junbeli Bibah Bhawan. The civic body is conducting a drive against marriage halls in the city. It may be mentioned that in a directive, as its order in the Case no. PIL 73/2013 filed by Rajib Kalita seeking intervention of the high court in the menace created by marriage halls, the Gauhati High Court, last year had asked the managements of marriage halls to comply with the norms set for running them and also asked the district and police authorities to see that the norms are strictly adhered to. The Gauhati High Court said that the marriage halls that do not have license would not be allowed to carry on the trade henceforth allowing the ones which did not have license the liberty

of applying to the GMC for the requisite license. The High Court had further said that the GMC Commissioner would issue notice under Section 337–A of the Act to all the bibah bhawans, which according to the report on 1st September, 2014, were still operating without fulfilling the requirements of law and the norms, to show cause within a period of four weeks from the date of service of the notice as to why the bibah bhawans should not be sealed and why the licenses should not be cancelled/not renewed. The High Court said the reply submitted by the bibah bhawans would

be considered by the GMC Commissioner in accordance with the law after hearing the parties and a reasoned order would be passed in respect of each of the bibah bhawans on or before 31st December, 2014 and action would be taken on the basis of the determination made. It needs to be mentioned here that the GMC has issued notices to some of the marriage halls of Guwahati, seeking details of fulfilment of various norms like parking, trade license, safety, traffic NOC, building NOC from GMC/GMDA, etc. The High Court, while hearing the public interest litigation (PIL) against one of the wedding-cum-function

halls in the city, had issued a notice to the GMC, Pollution Control Board (PCB) and Guwahati Traffic Police, directing them to take strong action against those violating the norms. “The licenses of bibah bhawans, which do not fulfil the requisite norms even after the opportunity granted, shall not be renewed after the validity of the licenses expires. They shall not be allowed to run the bibah bhawans after the expiry of the present term of the licenses because abrupt closure of bibah bhawans may create public hardship during the marriage season,” the high court directive said, and added, “The management of the

bibah bhawans, who are allowed to carry on business, shall ensure that the approach roads/roads linked to the approach roads of the bibah bhawans are not blocked by vehicles parked by the hosts/guests/invitees attending the functions/ceremonies and that no inconvenience is caused to the commuters/pedestrians using the approach roads/roads linked to the approach roads by such parking of the vehicles.” Talking to G Plus, Executive Member of Greater Guwahati Marriage Halls Welfare Association, Lohit Hazarika said, “A few marriage halls in the capital city were constructed much earlier following the building by-laws of 1978 and 2006. Some of these marriage halls do not meet the present prescribed norms as there were no provisions mentioned to the marriage halls of accommodating parking space and the authorities should take a practical approach and resolve the issue in a compatible atmosphere.” Earlier GMC has issued notices to 62 out of 89 marriage halls in the GMC area to furnish the ‘no objection certificate’ obtained from GMC and traffic police, as well as their trade licenses. 20 of these failed to do so and GMC planned to seal the halls. The first six halls have thus been already sealed. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Alleged one-sided love leads to

acid attack in Guwahati

Crime A 26 year old lawyer became victim of an acid attack on Saturday last She was on her way back home from Bharalumukh when miscreants threw acid on her Nishamoni Bora has been practicing in the Gauhati High Court

Following a gruesome acid attack victim loses eye-sight and sustains burn injuries KALYAN DEB

Following the incident she was admitted to the GMCH and was later shifted to Sankardeva Nethralaya where she lost her right eye as a result of the attack An FIR lodged was lodged at Bharalumukh police station on Sunday where the victim’s relatives named Dibakar Baishya Sahu, a former colleague and lawyer, as a suspect The two lawyers got acquainted to each other late in 2014 when they started practicing together

hile acid attacks have been virtually a common occurrence in some parts of the country, the one that took place in Guwahati is possibly the first of its kind here. In a gruesome attack, a 26-year-old lady advocate practising in the Gauhati High Court became a victim of an acid attack on Saturday last losing her right eye in the process. The attack took place near Pragjyotish College, Bharalumukh, on Saturday evening. Nishamoni Borah, who originally hails from Lakhimpur, was on her way back home to Silpukhuri where she lives in a relative’s house. The miscreant threw acid on her at around 6:30 pm and escaped instantly. The acid scalded her face and she also suffered burn injuries on her neck. Following the incident she was admitted to the GMCH and was later shifted to Sankardeva Nethralaya for treatment of her eye. “I was talking over phone while walking down the side walk in the area. It happened so unexpectedly and suddenly that I could not even get a glimpse of the attacker. While I am usually accompanied by friends or colleagues while I pass that area, this

time I was alone,” stated the victim. She also informed that no one came forward to help when the attack took place and she had to make it to the hospital on her own. Meanwhile, in her FIR lodged at Bharalumukh police station on Sunday, she named Dibakar Baishya Sahu, a former colleague, as a suspect as he used to be a disturbing factor to her after she had spurned his romantic proposals several times. The incident came to the police’s notice only after it made the headlines. As informed by police officials, they went looking for the victim in GMCH and then in Sankardeva Nethralaya. The case was brought to their notice after an FIR was filed the next day by the relatives of the victim. Police immediately detained Sahu for questioning as it is suspected that the attack could be the fallout of a one-sided love affair. Sahu was arrested on Sunday and has been booked under Section 326A IPC which might invite rigorous imprisonment of 10 years if proved guilty of the crime. Sahu was sent to judicial custody after he was produced in a court here. However, according to sources in the police, it was informed that Sahu

has denied the allegations but has admitted to the one-sided love affair. Meanwhile, it was also informed that further investigation is underway and more details are yet to unfold.

The affair and its fallout The victim, originally from Lakhimpur District, and Sahu used to practise law together. The two got acquainted with each other in late 2014 when they started practicing together. For the past two years Sahu has been expressing his feelings towards Nishamoni. However, she continued to reject his overtures as she wanted to concentrate on the currently struggling phase of her career. Sahu used to call and bother her at inappropriate times and this also came to the notice of Nishamoni’s relatives. Although the needle of suspicion points towards Sahu, Nishamoni has interestingly not accused him of the crime. The victim and her family members have however dismissed putting anyone else on the suspicion list as they cannot deem anyone who might be holding a grudge against the

family or the victim.

Support for the victim Following the attack, several NGOs have come forward in support of the victim. Five women’s rights bodies have demanded that the trial should be conducted in a fast-track court. The NGOs said that any form of acid attack takes just 30 seconds to burn the skin very deeply and it causes partial or full impairment for life to the woman often leading to permanent disability or death. The North East Network, Asom Mahila Sangha, YWCA, Sadou Asom Pragatishil Nari Sanstha and AIDWA have also demanded strict punishment for the accused; the NGOs have urged the government to provide financial assistance of Rs. 3 lakhs to the victim according to the provisions of the Central Victim Compensation Fund Scheme cited in the MHA’s guidelines/notification issued in October 2015. The Bar Council of India and the Assam state legal service authority have also promised to financially support the victim.

Sahu had been expressing his feelings for Nishamoni over the past two years which the victim had been continually spurning The accused used to disturb her after she spurned her proposals several times Sahu, arrested on Sunday, has been booked under Section 326A IPC Sahu, who is now in judicial custody has denied the charges but has admitted about the one-sided love affair. The victim has not accused Sahu of the crime kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 12 - MAR 18, 2016

Governance

District Administration extends special facilities for special category voters

Bipasa Saikia Kashyap

Senior citizens with locomotor disabilities, visual, hearing and speech disabilities will be given special attention, according to the administration

Ahead of the polls, the Kamrup District Administration is taking steps to include special category voters; conducts rigorous training sessions for election duty personnel

All polling booths in Kamrup (M) are going to be equipped with either permanent or temporary ramps for special category voters Training was imparted by the DA Kamrup (M) to Booth Level Officers so that disabled voters as well as old and infirm people, pregnant women, lactating mothers etc. can have a hassle-free voting experience The DA has installed two helpline numbers to facilitate the special category voters

he Kamrup District Administration, in collaborative support of Shishu Sarothi, a non-profit organization in the city, is working to make the public more aware about special category voters ahead of the polling day. A series of training sessions were conducted for personnel on election duty to sensitize them on the same. The training commenced with a short description and an understanding of who are the persons with disabilities and the types of disabilities. It was specifically mentioned that there are certain disabilities which can be invisible, viz. hearing impaired, mental illness etc. and that such voters with speech and hearing impairment should also be given special care as in the case of other disabled persons. The training was organized in batches for the Booth Level Officers of three constituencies Dispur, Guwahati East and Guwahati West respectively. Persons with disabilities form about 2.21% of the population and that makes them a formidable vote bank on their own. However, most disabled people are often not even registered as

M Angamuthu and Arman Ali Conducting training sesssion

voters and those that are face plenty of challenges like accessibility, attitudinal barriers, stigma and misconceptions which deter them from exercising their right to franchise properly. The training session was mainly to make an effort to ensure that persons with disabilities are included during this year’s polls. The training was also to ensure that all the polling stations be equipped with various provisions for the special category voters that include old and infirm people, pregnant women as well as lactating mothers. The BLOs were trained to provide all polling stations with accessible ramp entrances, seating arrangements and personal assistance when it came to the special category voters. They were also taught to recognize these voters and to give them priority and not maintain a regular queue. The trainees were also were also apprised of Rule 49N of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 which provides for permitting a companion to accompany a blind/infirm elector to assist him/her to cast the vote. Other provisions of appropriate signages and reserved parking space for disabled voters were also

discussed. The polling personnel were also trained on how to behave appropriately and patiently while dealing with such voters. “There is a need to ensure that the polling personnel are specifically briefed about the provisions of the Conduct of Election Rules and we are making an effort at aiming to include all special category voters and that they carry out this right without any hindrance. The aim is also to sensitize the booth level officers and volunteers about the social needs of the disabled - especially behavior-wise and for providing necessary support to them at the polling station,” said an official. The DA has also released a list of Dos and Don’ts when it comes to dealing with special category voters like the personnel should not ask the person for his or her disability card when they ask for any assistance. The polling personnel were also trained on how to behave appropriately and patiently while dealing with the voters. All polling stations have been equipped with ramps and stations, where there are no means for constructing permanent ramps, tempo-

rary ones have been set up. Alongside ramps, each station will have provisions of reserved parking spaces for disabled persons preferably as close to the polling booths as possible. “There is a need to ensure that the polling personnel are specifically briefed about the provisions of the Conduct of election Rules and we are making an effort at aiming to include all special category voters and that they carry out this right without any hindrance. The aim is also to sensitize the booth level officers and volunteers about the social needs of the disabled - specially behavior-wise and for providing necessary support to them at the polling station,” said an official. The DA has also released a list of Dos and Don’ts when it comes to dealing with special category voters - personnel should always speak to the special category voters with clarity and without any aggression or signs of impatience, should not ask the person to furnish his or her disability card when they ask for any assistance, always address special category voters as “madam” or “sir” and most importantly, to

allow the person accompanying the disabled voter to cast his or her vote immediately after their companion. Training material, developed by Shishu Sarothi has been translated into vernacular language that includes the essential directives of the Hon’ble Apex Court in WP (Civil) No. 187 of 2OO4 (Disabled Rights Group - Vs. - The Chief election Commissioner) vis-a-vis the facilities to be made available for disabled voters as well as other important guidelines of the Election Commission for special categories of enlisted voters. The District Administration thereafter made necessary arrangements to print 2000 copies of the said material for dissemination amongst the booth level officers. Shishu Sarothi has also developed promotional material for Disability Inclusion. The Control Room Number 0361 - 2514187 and the Toll Free No - 18003453628 is being made functional and any assistance in this regard can be attended via telephonic communication. The district election authorities are examining lists of polling stations where there are registered voters with disabilities. The Election Commission of India guidelines are not only intended to enable special category voters to cast their votes but also to make political parties think of more meaningful steps towards framing law and policy for effective inclusion of disabled persons in the governance process. Arman Ali, Executive Director, Shishu Sarothi, was the resource person for the three sessions wherein he highlighted the importance of personal accommodation in cases where infrastructure is not sufficient to address needs so that volunteers and officials would be ready to extend help in individual cases. M. Angamuthu, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer of Kamrup (M) presided over the initial session of the training where he instructed the BLOs present to ensure the provisions for the special category voters with consultation with the respective circle officers of their area. bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 12 - MAR 18, 2016

Snippets

ULFA (I) terms Sonowal, Sarma, Mahanta as ‘murderers’

T I

n the midst of the political mudslinging ahead of the state polls, the Paresh Baruah led ULFA (Independent) faction hit out at BJP and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and termed the party leaders of cheating the indigenous people of the state. The outfit faction came down heavily on BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, Sarbananda Sonowal and leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, and termed the duo as ‘political career-oriented killers.’ It said both the leaders are involved in several political killings of their fellow student leaders and others too. ULFA (I)’s publicity secretary, Arunodoy Asom said, “Though both of them once claimed to be student leaders and hailed regionalism, they have betrayed the people and even their own colleagues and harmed many for their shallow political goals and personal benefits.” Not sparing former chief minister and AGP leader Prafulla Mahanta, the outfit blamed him for orchestrating the state’s controversial ‘secret killing’ episode along with present day BJP leader Chandra Mo-

han Patowary and Padma Hazarika. Arunodoi added, “The political alliance of these leaders is not going to be healthy but rather venomous for the future of the state. Sarbananda Sonowal, campaigning for Bhaskar Sarma, who was the ‘commander’ of state’s secret killings, has proved that he got his hands in blood.” ULFA (I) also claimed to having no involvement in the ‘secret killings. Earlier, enraged by BJP fielding Sarma, the outfit had said, “The people of Assam cannot be shamed by allowing a traitor to become a public leader.” The outfit warned BJP of doing so too. The “secret killings” had taken place between 1998 and 2001 when AGP, under Prafulla Mahanta, was in power in the state for the second time. Raking up the episode, chief minister Tarun Gogoi too had accused the then NDA government of conniving with the Mahanta government in the killings. Reacting to the allegations, BJP leader and union finance minister, Arun Jaitley, said that people of the state have no ground to believe a militant outfit.

Spurt of unnatural deaths creates an air of insecurity in city

he past couple of weeks have seen a trail of dead bodies all recovered under suspicious conditions where the cause of death in several cases remains unexplained. The trail began with the discovery of a charred body that was found in a deserted hut in Jyotikuchi followed by a 22 year old girl who was raped and murdered by three men. The trail continued with the discovery of the body of a middle-aged man named Raju found floating below a culvert of Fatashil Ambari and in another unfortunate incident during Holi in the city, a higher secondary student of RG Baruah College, Biswajit Biswas, drowned in the Brahmaputra River near Sukreswar Ghat. The body was recovered by SDRF Personnel. The trail further continued on Friday when the body of one Debabrata Sharma (33) was found in room number 110 of Hotel Geetanjali in Paltan Bazar. The body was discovered by the employees of the house-keeping department of the hotel at around 10 am. As an employee knocked on the door of the hotel room for routine house-keeping work it was found unlocked. It was then that the body was discovered in a seated position on the bed. Sharma was staying in the hotel since 19th March and originally hailed from Karimganj. Two liquor bottles were also found in the room and taking all the circumstances into consideration, it is suspected that the demise could be because of health problems and over consumption of alcohol. Meanwhile, a case has been

Three held for Noonmati rape and Further investigation may be delayed due to lack of requisite facility at forensic laboratory murder

KALYAN DEB

hree persons - Dimbeswar Das, 31, Joy Ram Hazarika, 42, and Shyam Charan Pathak, 40 were arrested on 21st March last for allegedly gang-raping and murdering a 22 year old girl who happened to be the daughter of a colleague of the arrested. The gruesome crime took place at Noonmati here on 15th March. Police said the trio had confessed to the crime. They had pounced on the girl at Noonmati Sector 1 when she was returning home after giving an interview. The victim’s body was found inside a wooded area close to her residence on 17th March. The three accused are collegues of the victims father who work at the IOC refinery in Noonmati. Suspicions arose when Pathak left for his father-inlaw’s house in Nalbari and did not

return. His mother though was ill. “When he came back yesterday, we questioned him and found a cut on his left hand which turned out to be a teeth mark of the victim during the struggle,” a police officer said. The trio are in police remand for interrogation. However, investigation has been delayed as the samples have to be sent to Kolkata which might take time. Police had evidences such as the clothes of the victim and samples from the three accused were sent to the laboratory for matching the body fluids which were to be produced in court as evidence. However, the laboratory returned the samples citing lack of required chemicals for conducting the tests. While addressing media persons, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Guwahati Central), Ranjan Bhuyan, said that the rape can be established

during post-mortem and some other medical examinations but matching of the body fluids would be clinching evidence in the court along with the charge sheet. He informed that the local forensic laboratory does not have the facility at present, so the samples will have to be sent to Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Kolkata. The recovery of the victim’s body from Segun Bagan area of Noonmati Sector-I created sensation in the area on Thursday, 17th March. The 22 year old was identified as a resident of Indrapur area of Sector-I. The victim was missing since 15th March and when family members tried to trace her, all their attempts failed as her mobile was also switched off. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

KALYAN DEB

registered in Paltan Bazar police station (UD Case number 12/16). The body has been sent for post-mortem and the relatives of Sharma have also been informed. Another shocking discovery was made when the body of Ranjita Nath (25) was found hanging in her room in Jyoti Path in Bikash Nagar of Bhetapara. Ranjita, who was a local actress, had gained a little amount of fame through her role in the Assamese serial, ‘Beharbari Outpost.’ Apparently there was no one in the room when the incident

happened. It was Ranjita’s sister who discovered the body in her room after she got back home. The body has been sent for post-mortem and the arrival of the report will unfold more mysteries behind the demise. Uncannily, with the elections approaching, the crime scene in Guwahati has taken a turn for the worse and unprecedented incidents including an acid attack has singed the city like never before. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

GHC takes on Bahini River cleaning

he Gauhati High Court has asked the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Guwahati Development Department (GDD) and Kamrup (M) District Administration to furnish their replies in affidavits detailing the action taken so far to clean and restore the Bahini River that flows through the city. Debendra Narayan Deka, a city denizen, had moved the GHC citing the dying status of the river and prayed for the court’s intervention in the matter. In his petition, Deka said that due to uncontrolled pollution and encroachments, the water body has virtually turned into sewerage with passing time. He expressed fear that if care is not taken, the river, which can play a vital role in controlling the flash flood situations in the monsoon season, may become the source of fatal diseases like malaria. The petition said, “Illegal construction of culverts and bridges on Bahini River and the district administration’s inadequate action in maintaining the breadth of

the river results in flash floods in major parts of the city during rainy season. The river is full of stench and in due course may cause fatal diseases like malaria.” The official length of the river is 8400 meters. An RTI report said that Assam government had instructed GMC to demolish at least 81 bridges or culverts built over Bahini River in 2008. “Demolishing work of 55 numbers of such constructions as identified by the water resource department was done,” the RTI said. Most of these constructions are private culvert constructions. A study revealed that though the breadth of the river should be around 8.5 meters, in most of the locations it has been squeezed down to merely 4 meters. Though several encroachments from the river were removed by concerned authorities earlier, many such constructions are yet to be cleared. Advocate Ratul Goswami appeared for the petitioner. The court asked all the respondents to file their action taken reports by 25th April.

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

City

ASDMA observes foundation day on 23rd March T G Plus News

he Assam State Disaster Management Authority celebrated its foundation day here in Guwahati on 23rd March, 2016. The foundation day ceremonies started with a knowledge sharing workshop on 22nd March in the NEDFI Convention Centre. Inaugurated by VK Pipersenia, Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, the workshop was attended by other senior government officials and of the various line departments, private developers, GMDA, GMC, architects, students and faculties of Management and Engineering Institutes, members of NGOs besides officials of ASDMA. The two speakers who were part of the knowledge sharing workshop were Mr. Sandeep Donald Shah and Prof. Chandan Mahanta. Prof. Chandan Mahanta of the Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has specialization in Environmental Engineering and Engineering Geology. Prof. Mahanta gave useful insights on development and disasters. In the workshop, Prof. Mahanta shared how natural disasters put development gains at risk and also spoke on how development choices in turn can increase disaster risks. Therefore, one should ensure that every aspect of development contrib-

V. K. Pipersenia, Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam addressing the audience during the inauguration of knowledge sharing workshop on the foundation day of ASDMA. utes to reducing disaster risks rather than generating new risks. He also emphasised how the relations of development and disasters offer a starting point for an overview of disaster risk reduction (DRR). Meanwhile, Sandeep Donald Shah, the Country Manager for Miyamoto International in India shared his ideas with the topic “Earthquake Safety — Reconsider Structural Stability of Existing and Upcoming Construction.” He specifically spoke about performance

standards of building design of highrise buildings as well as hospital buildings. Shah and his design team have engineered some of India’s most prestigious and structurally challenging projects. These include the new ATC Complex at Delhi Airport, one of the world’s tallest and most iconic ATC towers, the renovation of Terminal 1-C at Delhi Airport, the design of technical parameters for the Fluid Viscous Dampers installed at Terminal T2 at CSI Airport, Mum-

bai and many other group housing and commercial buildings. The workshop emphasised on the urgent need to reduce disaster risk and develop a resilient community capable of recovering from disasters which is of increasing concern for the state. Knowledge sharing tool plays a vital role through ensuring the availability and accessibility of accurate and reliable disaster risk information required through effective lesson learning. The knowledge and

experiences of disaster practitioners remain confined either with the individual or in the institutional domain. Unfolding the tacit knowledge of the disaster practitioners through tools like knowledge sharing can help in exploring the better initiatives for disaster management. Effective lesson learning reduces the risk of future disasters through well-informed mitigation and preparedness planning. ASDMA was notified on 23rd March, 2007 as per provision of Section 14 (2) of National Disaster Management Act of 2005 which was adopted by the State in 2006. The Authority became fully functional with the secretariat at the state level in 2010 and the District Disaster Management Authorities in all the districts of Assam. Since the inception of the authority, it has undertaken a number of initiatives in mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), preparedness, mitigation and response at state, district, circle and village level to minimize the effect of disaster to a great extent. ASDMA since its inception is committed to working together with all stakeholders to achieve its vision of a safer Assam.

La Tomatino permission reversed by district administration; event banned

Juthika Baruah

The district administration banned La Tomatino festival despite issue of permission earlier as some people informed that youths had created an obscene situation

he banning of the much awaited festival of La Tomatino and Holi Madness organised in Fancy Bazaar during Holi has left people disheartened. The festival was banned by the district administration on the spot as some media persons had informed that some untoward incident happened during the festival. Speaking to G Plus, a source from the festival said that he had helped the organizers to get proper human resources and personnel required to organize a non-profit cultural event on the occasion of the colourful festival of Holi. “The organisers did get the required permission from the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (M). The same was later cancelled for some unstated reasons. The organizers had met the DC in the morning of the festival and had got the permission sorted out and the DC had given his confirmation to go ahead with the event while assuring them not to be worried. Hence, the organizers went ahead with the festival giving entry to people. Police personnel visited the venue and verified with the organisers that all the safety measures

had been taken care off,” the source informed. “Later, media persons wanted to enter the venue with cameras. And I need not have to say what their intentions were and what kind of news they would eventually flash. So with all due respect, the organisers asked them to enter the event venue because it was open for one and all, but no cameras would be allowed inside. The media people left the venue and within no time they came back with the police and stopped the event stating in their stupid reports that there were obscene occurrences taking place inside the venue,” the source added. The source further informed that some organizer (who supposedly belongs to the Congress Party but is not actually) had bitten a media person. They were charging Rs. 1000/- per person but the actual rates were Rs. 300/- and Rs. 500/-. “According to them, foreign festivals like Tomatino is spoiling our culture and that youths do not follow their own culture and rather pick up other cultures which is spoiling the young generation,” the source said. Later the district admin-

istration banned the festival of La Tomatino. The organizers of Holi Madness, a separate event, also alleged that the Deputy Commissioner had not provided permission for the event even though they had waited daylong since 9 am to 6 pm. The DC apparently was least bothered to meet the organizers. The organizers had taken approval

from the local police station, ADC to Magistrate plus the Traffic Commissioner and everyone had agreed but it was due to the DC’s non-approval that they had to bear a heavy loss. The organizers said, “If they would have said earlier that they wouldn’t allow anyone to host the event this year we wouldn’t have made any arrangements. Who will bear the loss of Rs. 4

lakhs? All the artists had come over to Guwahati and our DC was least concerned about it. And secondly, every authority asks for money to give permission. It is such a shameful thing and we want Guwahati to be called a metro city when the minds of our officials are so cheap. We even agreed to sign on bond papers to assure the full safety of the people.” When the administration had asked for the event details, the organizers had mentioned in bold letters that it would be a family event without alcohol, rain dance or pool party and only dry colour would be used and there would be a separate children’s and ladies’ zone but still they didn’t agree. Keeping aside the above mentioned festivals, the Gaura Purnima cum Doul Utsav was celebrated by the Hare Krishna Movement at ITA, Machkhowa. People from different walks of life attended the festival to seek blessings of their Lordships, Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Sundar, Sri Sri Jagannath, Sri Sri Baladev and Subadhra Devi. The event marked the appearance of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the most munificent incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Bipasa Saikia Kashyap

ost the declaration of the Union Budget 2016, the real estate sector in Guwahati has been left with a few changes - the biggest change according to local, established builders in the city is going to be the implementation of the Regulation and Development Bill. This bill will ensure the setting up of a Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) for Guwahati’s real estate sector which will be stationed to look after all residential and commercial real estate transactions. This bill will push builders in the city to adhere to strict deadlines when it comes to completion of projects and levy a hefty penalty on those who don’t. The president of Assam Real Estate & Infrastructure Development Association (ARIEDA), PK Sharma, stressed that a bill of this kind was long overdue. “Till recently, the real estate sector was mostly an unregulated activity - there is a regulatory body for telecom, stock exchange etc. This bill will ensure that real estate too has one which is very much required. Every state will now have to have a regulatory body to keep a track of their state’s real estate sector.” Another thing that is going to affect the real estate buyers of Guwahati post the declaration of the Union Budget is the increase of service taxes. At present, customers are paying 14% on one-fourth of the total registered amount. However, after the budget, this has been raised to 15%. Service taxes on land, property and buildings all over the city are going to be hiked from the 1st April, 2016, according to a leading builder of the city, Bichitra Sharma. “This might affect the buyers in Guwahati, but not so much.” Another thing made mandatory post the declaration of the Union Budget that might affect real estate builders in the city is the immediate implementation of fire safety measures in each city building. Most of the older buildings in the city are not equipped with fire safety measures and all of them have been issued notices post the budget declaration. This has been made mandatory and builders have to ensure that each building in the city is equipped with proper water reservoirs separately to combat fire. Most buildings in Guwahati, though equipped with fire extinguishers, do

Real Estate Repercussions in Guwahati - post the Budget 2016

City

After the declaration of the Union Budget 2016, there have been a few changes that are to be implemented in the real estate sector of Guwahati - the most important being the inclusion of the RERA. Other changes like mandatory installation of fire safety measures and separate entities for rain water harvesting have also been made compulsory. We have a report.

not have separate water storages. In most buildings certain facilities for fire safety - like long pipes connected to the water reservoirs - do not function often and this can be fatally dangerous. “Another thing that will probably affect the local builders in the city is that most buildings do not follow the proper norms when it comes to maintaining rain water harvesting facilities in the buildings,” Sharma stated. All the city buildings that are more than 12.5 meters in height have been given instructions to maintain

proper rain water harvesting facilities immediately. Rain water that is collected has to be pushed back into the ground. Earlier, builders would simply build another floor for rain water harvesting and on the collection of that water, they would sell it off. However, now there are regulations passed that states that one is not allowed to cover 50 percent of the roof area and all the stored water has to go back to the ground. For this purpose, all builders have been given new instructions. Now, every builder in the city has to dig a bore well of

about 30 feet depth - the pipes that go inside the wells will have slots for filling them up with pebbles. When rain water fills up these pipes they form big columns of water and this collected water, with immense downward pressure through the pipe, percolates into the earth. This is an entire system that has to be made separately. Earlier, these things were not enforced. Another thing that is being implemented is that all city builders are required to report to the Pollution Control Board and collect a certificate of clearance from them stating that the

waste water being released from their buildings contain no harmful substances. However, the Builders’ Association of Guwahati has submitted a report to the High Court rejecting this. Currently, the HC has exempted the builders from doing so right away and case proceedings are on. Post the Union Budget declaration the prices of land and property in Guwahati have not been affected much. Rates of real estate property in parts of older Guwahati like Uzanbazar, Panbazar are somewhere between Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 4,500 per sq. feet. However, with the land rates in newer parts of Guwahati shooting up, real estate properties around Dispur and Beltola cost somewhere around Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 5,500 per sq. feet especially as these areas are zero-flood prone zones. Moving towards areas like Six Miles to Panjabari, the real estate rates are somewhere between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 3,500 per sq. feet. Towards the outskirts of the city in places on the express highway, the rates are comparatively lower - cost of a flat is anywhere between Rs. 2,600 to Rs. 3,000. The overall fallout of the RERA is that there is not much difference in prices as seen so far for an immediate effect. The builders however, have to pull up their socks and tighten their belts with the regulatory authority soon to be setting its hawk-eyes on them. bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in

Weather report for the week SAT 26 March

SUN 27 March

MON 28 March

TUE 29 March

WED 30 March

THU 31 March

FRI 01 April

Sunny

Mostly sunny.

Sunny

16 / 27 °C

14 / 27 °C

16 / 27 °C

16 / 29 °C

18 / 29 °C

18 / 31 °C

19 / 30 °C

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Politicking

50 candidates get nomination while 10 get cancelled in Kamrup (M)

Altogether 60 candidates from all the four constituencies of Kamrup (M) filed their nomination papers of which the names of 10 candidates have been cancelled after the nomination papers were examined by the returning officer. According to an official statement, 10 candidates filed correctly nominations for the 51 Jalukbari Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC), 14 candidates for 52 Dispur LAC, 12 candidates for 53 Gauhati East and 14 candidates for 54 Gauhati West LAC. Juthika Baruah

iling his nomination paper, former Minister and Convenor of Election Management Committee of BJP, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I am really pleased to see such a huge crowd and my mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers and sisters from Jalukbari constituency have bestowed their blessings on me which will lead me to win the election.” Akon Bora from 52 Dispur LAC who had come alone to file his nomination even before the Congress had announced its second list which eventually featured his name said that he was confident that he will get the ticket to contest the election and that not only will he get the ticket but will also win as the people’s blessings are with him. Dr. Juri Sarma Bordoloi, who got her candidature from Gauhati West said that if she wins the elections she will fulfil the dreams of the people which the present MLA has failed to do. “I want to contest the election as people from the constituency are facing many problems. As the people helped me to get to this position, it is now my time to fulfil my responsibility. Being a woman I want to make the city secure for its female population so that they don’t have to be the victims of ill deeds,” said Sarma. Bobbeeta Sarma, who will contest the election from 53 Gauhati East, said that she has come forward to contest the election for the people and the long pending problems of the constituency will be solved after she wins and becomes an MLA. Speaking about the problems of floods in the Anil Nagar and Nabin Nagar area, she said that it has been solved to some extent and that it will be solved permanently so that people do not have to face any more trouble from the artificial floods. Niren Deka from Jalukbari said that the people of Jalukbari will vote for him this time as Himanta Biswa Sarma has failed to fulfil the dreams of the people and that he has misguided the people. “People came to know about the misdeeds of Himanta Biswa Sarma and he tried to betray the people but the public knows the truth as they are not foolish,” said Deka. Hemanta Talukdar who is contesting independently from Gauhati West said that C.P. Joshi in New Delhi and Anjan Dutta from APCC

Names of candidates of 51 Jalukbari LAC

Names of candidates of 52 Dispur LAC

Name

Party Name

Name

Party Name

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Bharatiya Janata Party

Akon Bora

Indian National Congress

Niren Deka

Indian National Congress

Atul Bora

Bharatiya Janata Party

Makani Barman

Rashtriya Pragati Party

Pradip Baruah

Nationalist Congress Party

Bapi Aich

Bharatiya Gana Parishad

Sangita Das

Communalist Party of India (Marxist)

Nathuni Das

Republican Party of India

Jitendra Kr. Talukdar

Liberal Democratic Party

Sadek Ali

All India Trinamool Congress

Parag Koch

Republican Party of India (A)

Ramen Chandra Lahkar

Independent

Faruk Ahmed Bhuyan

Samajwadi Party

Md. Moinul Haque

Bharatiya Rashtrabadi Party

Bandana Barman Baruah

Rashtriya Jankranti Party

Amit Basfor

Rashtriya Jankranti Party

Bidyut Bora

All India Trinamool Congress

Naba Kumar Nath

Independent

Rijumoni Gogoi

Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party

Gobindo Das

Independent

Dadhiswar Pancho

Independent

Bishnu Prasad Sarma

Independent

Hareswar Rahang

Independent

Names of Candidates of 53 Gauhati East

Name

Party Name

Bobbeeta Sarma

Indian National Congress

Siddhartha Bhattacharya

Bharatiya Janata Party

Dr. Avijit Chakravarty

Bharatiya Gana Parishad

Pradip Kr. Das

Rashtriya Secular Congress Party

Prodyut Kr. Bora

Liberal Democratic Party

Pranab Jyoti Das

Republican Party of India (A)

Bandana Barman Baruah

Rashtriya Jankranti Party

Subhash Chandra Gupta

National Roadmap Party of India

Kazi Nekib Ahmed

Independent

Bipul Kumar Talukdar

Independent

Bhupen Sarma

Independent

Raktimava Swami

Independent

Names of Candidates of 54 Gauhati West

Name

Party Name

Dr. Juri Sarma Bordoloi

Indian National Congress

Ramendra Narayan Kalita

Asom Gana Parishad

Md. Javed Hussain Tanwar

National Roadmap Party of India

Deba Kumar Barman

All India Trinamool Congress

Pulak Ranjan Chakravarty

Shivsena

Manas Pratim Das

Rashtriya Jankranti Party

Mitan Sarkar

Lok Janshakti Party

Subimal Biswas

Bharatiya Gana Parishad

Hasnur Ali

Rashtriya Pragati Party

have betrayed him while selecting the candidates. “I am not at all concerned for not getting a Congress ticket and I cannot buy a ticket worth crores of rupees. People love me and they know what I have done for them and it is with their blessings that I am contesting independently. It is their sheer belief that I will win the election,” said Talukdar. The rejected candidates are Jadumoni Boro (New All India Congress),

Hemendra Nath Deka (Independent), Majid Ali (JD (U)), Renu Kakati (Jai Mahabharat Party), Biren Basak (Bharatiya Gana Parishad), Nand Kishore Soni (Shiv Sena), Bhubaneshwar Sarma (Jai Mahabharat Party), Kaberee Kalita (Rashtriya Secular Congress), Bipul Kachari (Independent), Trishna Deka (National Republican Congress).

juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Art

Bipasa Saikia Kashyap

Kalki Koechlin on films, feminism, fashion and theatre

alki Koechlin was in Guwahati last week to promote Blenders’ Pride Magical Nights – part of an 8-city tour that passed through Jaipur, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Indore, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Mangalore. We caught up with her and the talented actor got up close and personal about her life.

You are here as a show stopper for the Blenders Pride Magical Nights. How was it? The 8-city tour has been an amalgamation of fashion, music and technology at its very best. It was a celebration of bringing together unique facets of style and showcasing the blend of inspirations and inherent styles that create good taste. This was a fantastic opportunity for me to showcase my contemporary, quirky side of fashion and I loved it.

What is your personal take on fashion? For me, fashion is very personal. Despite various popular trends, I think one’s fashion merges with one’s background. My sense of fashion is quite different. I grew up in South India with French parents. I had influences of my grandmother and I would mix and match her vintage clothing with traditional jhumkas and north Indian jewelry. My sense of fashion started when I was about 6 and I would dress up in front of my mother’s wardrobe like Charlie Chaplin. Fashion to me is basically exploring your different personalities. The northeast is a vibrant place of fashion. The street fashion here especially, is amazing.

What is your take on the ‘mis’representation of women in the media? I think that it starts very early. In our society and our education system, we tend to segregate boys from the girls. That is where it seeps in. Also, the biggest flaw I think is that women are either too glorified or they are termed as whores. So, there is no in-between. We try to put them into slots. I always say this: we are always trying to teach our girls on how to be but I think it is equally important, if not more, to educate boys on how they should behave around

women. I think the reason for this escaped violence amongst women is because so many women have been educated and have had the opportunity to step out and make most of their lives. But the men around them are not ready for it, mentally or physically. The psyche of boys has to be shaped from their childhood and not when they grow old. The two are consciously educated together and know how to handle genders. Then of course in offices, in every field of work, it’s really important that gender equality or the idea that people shouldn’t be isolated based on their gender be stressed. People should always be considered keeping merit as the base - like most women get a lesser pay just because they are women. When it comes to representation, the media is focus-

ing on gender issues way more than it was five years ago but this can also be a dangerous thing. Like what you are saying - the “mis” representation of women in the media is creeping in. Media portrays the idea of a woman who is, say, drinking outside and she is harassed by the public. Now a mass of people who are following that particular news will only believe that women who drink outside should be punished. That becomes their judgment. Conversation becomes very important at this stage and we should constantly point out issues and not be silent about it. Small things like when someone pinches your butt or makes lewd gestures … most of us usually tend to ignore and sweep it under the carpet. Mass media effects and misrepresentation is a bigger danger.

Your upcoming projects? I just finished a film called “Death in the Gunge.” This is the directorial debut of Konkona Sen and is based on real life events. The backdrop of the story is set in the 1970s about a death and how that relates to everything that follows. The movie is a dark drama that focuses how messed up we are as people and how brittle and fragile humans are. My other project is a film called “Waiting” where I am cast opposite Naseeruddin Shah. The plot of the movie basically revolves around this man (Shah) whose wife is in a coma and a woman (which is me) whose husband has just met with an accident and how circumstances

bring them together in the waiting room of a hospital. That’s where it gets its name. The narrative is not really about the hospital or the coma or the grey matter of it. It is more about how people find hope and humor in simple situations and how two people in the similar kind of a fix can find solace in each other. For me, it is in the similar kind of vibe like the movie “Lost in Translation” with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The movie is releasing next month. There is another long awaited release of mine called “Georgia” in which I am cast opposite Richa Chaddha. The movie is all about a road trip to Sweden.

What about theatre? Your play Trivial Disasters was staged here in Guwahati as well and it received tremendous response. I have directed my first play, “The Living Room” and hopefully someday soon I will be able to bring it to Guwahati. There is Rajat’s (Kapoor) new play on Macbeth - a dark clown version of the play where I portray the witch. The character of Lady Macbeth is portrayed by three women. My other plays, Hamlet and Colorblind, are still on. Currently we have no shows scheduled in Guwahati but hopefully we will be invited soon. bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Politicking As an MLA, Robin Bordoloi is considered as a failure. What would you do differently if elected? In the last 10 years as a Congress MLA, there were lot of things he had to do because Guwahati was growing. And when a city grows a lot of problems also come along with it. A lot of flats have come up, water bodies have reduced. So he had to face many problems. But towards the end I don’t want to term it as a failure. That is the perception of the public. Maybe after a certain age people cannot work and that he is getting older is a fact. So what I want to do is carry forward the work that the Congress Party has done and do whatever is left to be done. There are lots, for example, flash floods. We aspire to be a world class city but that won’t happen unless and until you solve all the problems. Every time during the rainy season you see floods everywhere. That way, how can you aspire to be a world class city? There are deep problems but at the same time I feel that there is a solution for every problem. One thing which I feel is that we need to do is protect the hills. (She is getting there we feel, some way to go though. Just a thought: Is Tarun Gogoi getting younger?)

What are the problem localities in your constituency and why? As I said we need to give protection to the hills first because during the rainy season the mud and silt come down from the hills to the plains and clogs the drains here. Just cleaning of the drains is not enough. We have to stop the silt coming from the hills. How are the drains getting blocked? How is the silt getting deposited year upon year? Because it is coming from the hills. That is why we immediately need strong retainer walls in the hills. There are no retainer walls while a lot of people are building their houses at the same time. If Shillong and other hill stations can exist so beautifully, so can Guwahati. The city can also have nice roads, good retainer walls with nice footpaths, nice railings and its hills could be good spots to see the whole city from. The hills can also have the tracking spots for tourism. So I am thinking on all these lines to make Guwahati a cleaner and better place which can also attract tourism. Talking about the areas, the Rudranagar area does not have good roads. The other day I saw a newspaper report about the Piyoli Phukon Nagar road. All the main roads are now under PWD and the by-lanes are under GMC. The GMC has councillors. I found out that those by-lanes have BJP councillors. Nobody goes into depth, they see that the Congress MLAs are there and no work has been done. But have they bothered to find out who is the councillor of the area who is responsible for that by-lane? Piyoli Phukon Nagar’s Shashanka Deka is a BJP councillor. Even in Geetanagar in the hillside the same councillor is responsible. The Area Sabha Member, who is responsible for the lane, is from AGP. The councillor is responsible for the lane, but the newspaper report says that the

Piyoli Phukon Nagar area and all those areas are under Congress and no work has been done. The responsibility rests with these people who directly get the funds for the by-lanes. (Can’t deny that she clearly understands the procedures; the retainer wall is a good thought)

In terms of essential services what all are lacking in your constituency? Most important is drinking water. Our government is trying to complete the JICA project for drinking water, but it is taking a long time. So I will try and see that it is speeded up because it is creating a lot of problems for everyone with all the roads being dug up. So to be accountable, they have to complete it within some stipulated time. Also, as people are forced to buy drinking water now, I would love to provide subsidized water for those people who are not being able to get drinking water. I have a lot of things in mind. (No mention of 24/7 electric supply; sad)

Please name five changes the constituency will witness as soon as you are elected as the MLA? First is regarding the retainer walls - I am very committed to that. Netting, planting trees in the hill areas will protect the hills and control erosion to a great extent. I have plans for the youth that I want to take up and I have already talked to some people abroad. They have the sister city concept where a city like Guwahati can tie up with another city like Chicago, Virginia and have an exchange with the youths. Hand-holding and mentoring can be done regarding employment opportunities and educational opportunities. The contacts that I have with Assamese NRIs living abroad will allow me to bring some novelty. I have talked to a lot of people and they are very willing to come and tie up with us. I want to also have a mobile app for women safety so that with a press of a button they can contact the police station when there is a problem. I will also encourage women to drive auto rickshaws. I have a vision. I don’t know how far I can achieve it but I will do it if I get elected. We will have a town square for Guwahati. Every major city in the world has a town square which has an open area where people can sit and relax and there are open air musical performances by bands, restaurants, street bazaars where the young can hang out. Guwahati lacks the place for young people to hang out. I feel sorry for the young people as they have nowhere to sit around. And it should be provided with free wifi. I will also like to have wifi at all the public places like district library, parks, bus terminuses. (Novel and extremely creative thoughts we would say)

Let me take a statement from you. How do you plan to remain connected with your voters after you are elected? I will have a special contact number where they can contact me. I will be accessible. I will have a dedicated

Winsome

Bobbeeta T

rahul chanda

he Congress party recently announced the names of the candidates who will co constituency. In this issue, we start with Gauhati East where Siddhartha Bhatta advocate and has been attached to politics since years. He is referred to as a no-n and is contesting for the first time. So, let’s be practical. Will Bobbeeta’s beauty and cha and the youth vote for? After all, wouldn’t both be first-time MLAs should they win? G P

“We will have a town square for Guwahati. Every major city in the world has a town square which has an open area where people can sit and relax and there are open air musical performances by bands, restaurants, street bazaars where the young can hang out.”

Bobbeeta Sharma number for the people of my constituency where they can directly contact me. (Some physicality here at least but will she refrain from personal visits?)

After voting for you, people of this constituency will also want that their representative should be part of the cabinet of ministers in the state. What profile will you ask for? I go step by step. Now my first goal is to win the election and for that I seek the blessings of the people of Guwahati. I would like to tell them, “Forget politics, let’s all work together to make a better Guwahati.” (Evasive again but slightly more practical)

Why should the voters vote for you? Because I want to make changes. Because I have credibility, I have experience in working in the government. I have 10 years of experience as I was running a government corporation. In 2005, I was appointed as the chairperson of

Assam State Film Finance Development Corporation and the honourable chief minister had kept me in that post for the last 10 years. We came up with the first film archive in the northeast. We also have the first film museum which is the first in the whole of India. We are building a mini film hall also. I have credibility of working with the government which Siddhartha Bhattacharya does not have. I have been in the cultural world since my childhood but that is not the only way people know me. I have 15 years of experience working with the party as well, as a party worker. I have been with the party since 2002. (The first frontal attack; we like that)

What steps will you take to empower the youths and the women in the constituency? I have made a special manifesto for Gauhati East constituency. In that manifesto you will see a lot of things for the youth, for the women and for every day. (That’s a concrete step in B&W)

Whoever becomes the

MLA, the calculation of the developmental funds received for the public is never transparent. How transparent will you be in your dealings if elected? It will be very transparent. Whatever I am doing in the film development corporation is very transparent. We advertise in the newspapers whenever there is a tender. Nobody takes any money for distributing any cheques as we distribute a lot of cheques to the artists. We are not in politics to make money. I want to do something and that’s why I am in politics. (That is a lot of conviction there)

Do you want to say something to the voters of your constituency? I want to say that I want to serve the people of Guwahati. Congress Party has given us the opportunity and now I request the people of Gauhati East to give me the opportunity to serve them. (Certainly better worded)

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Politicking

vsSiddhartha

Gauhati East

Suave

Total voters –

213909

Male voters -

108281

Female voters -

105628

ontest from the four constituencies in Guwahati. G Plus tries to help the voters make a choice by asking the same pertinent questions to the two main opponents of each acharya of BJP and Bobbeeta Sharma of Congress are set to contest the polls with both of them confident about their ideas and future plans. Siddhartha is a well-known nonsense man with a decent following. Bobbeeta is a well-known artist of the state and is known for her charm and style. She has been attached to politics since a long time arm influence the male voters into casting their votes in her favour? Or will the straight-to-the-point and suave Siddhartha impress his female voters? Who will the women Plus talks exclusively to both and they reply to the same questions thrown at them.

“I can assure you one thing as far as my financial dealings are concerned, I will form a citizens’ committee and it will decide what way they want to spend the funds that have been allotted to me as a representative of the people. ”

Siddhartha Bhattacharya As an MLA, Robin Bordoloi is considered as a failure. What would you do differently if elected? I will not sleep in the assembly and work for the citizens of my constituency. (We think there was a hint of sarcasm there)

What are the problem localities in your constituency and why? The main problems vary from area to area. Gauhati East constituency is considered to be 100% urban because all the areas included in this constituency are wards of Guwahati Municipal Corporation. But in reality, it is almost like a valley surrounded by hills. Most of the citizens living in the hillocks in and around the city are also my voters. They belong to my constituency and their problems are different from the problems which are being faced by people who are living in the valley area. The issues and

the problems faced by the people of Gauhati East vary from area to area. In areas like Pahartali in Ward No. 22 and then Narakasur area near GMCH, Kharguli Hills, Chandmari hills, areas adjacent to Raj Bhawan, are areas that face the problem of connectivity. Drinking water and street lights are also major issues. In the lower or valley areas like Uzan Bazar, Ulubari, Ananda Nagar, Nabin Nagar the issues are different. If in Ananda Nagar and Nabin Nagar area artificial floods are a problem that the people face every season, in Uzan Bazar the main problem people face is sewage disposal and drinking water. Apart from these areas my area also contains a good number of bastis belonging to the dalits - the lower strata of society and all these places are having problems which are very unique to them. They don’t have any water supply, they don’t have any municipal permission to build their houses and they don’t have any connection to sewerage. So these are issues pertaining to the different locations of

my constituency. (The man has a clear understanding of his constituency, we felt)

In terms of essential services what all are lacking in your constituency? Drinking water, roads, basic infrastructure like drains, sewage disposal - these are the basic problems which I am facing now. (He knows he has a lot up his street)

Please name five changes the constituency will witness as soon as you are elected as the MLA? I would like to bring safe drinking water to the doorstep of all citizens. Secondly, I would like to improve the conditions of the roads. Thirdly, I will try to reorganise the flow of traffic because I find that the present system of traffic control has multiplied the problem, not mitigated it. Obviously street lights will again be one of my priorities. Fifth

will be security of the citizens. (Fair enough)

Why should the voters vote for you?

Let me take a statement from you. How do you plan to remain connected with your voters after you are elected?

Simply because I will be the best advocate for them. (He’s got belief in himself, we tell you!)

As I have been doing since last 10 years, I will remain as accessible as I have ever been. Today, social media plays a very important role, particularly with the youth. Facebook and such other social media avenues are a very good way of keeping in touch. I have a Facebook page and if you look at it you will see that I remain connected. My social, political or general activities are uploaded every 4-5 hours. That way I remain connected and people get to know what I am doing, how am I doing and where I am. (Guess we will not see him physically around the constituency too much, his basti folk be warned)

After voting for you, people of this constituency will also want that their representative should be part of the cabinet of ministers in the state. What profile will you ask for? Definitely I will be a vocal advocate of the people of my constituency in the assembly. I have been in the profession of advocacy for a long time. Earlier I used to advocate, argue before the judges on behalf of my clients. Tomorrow I will be the representative advocate of the people of Gauhati East and the people of Assam at the assembly. And I will make my submission before the ministers, before the government, before the government officials, so that I play the role of the advocate of the people. Generally I always believe in one thing and my father has all along taught me that, ‘karmany vadhikaras te ma phalesu kadachana.’ I only have a right to do hard work and the results are always up to the almighty. (Wholly evasive there; practiced we guess. He skirted the question beautifully with that sloka)

What steps will you take to empower the youths and the women in the constituency? I have already started a movement. I have formed self-help groups all over Guwahati. I believe that giving these groups, more particularly women, a way to earn their livelihood by doing some good work will empower the women because once women start earning, it gives them financial independence. Once they become self-sufficient, they don’t have to depend on their husbands, sons or anyone else. They then become empowered, self-reliant and these are the qualities which empowers the women. (Now where had we heard that before, Arnab?)

Whoever becomes the MLA, the calculation of the developmental funds received for the public is never transparent. How transparent will you be in your dealings if elected? I can assure you one thing as far as my financial dealings are concerned, I will form a citizens’ committee and it will decide what way they want to spend the funds that have been allotted to me as a representative of the people. (He could have harped on the transparency factor that BJP prides in these days; missed the chance, we think)

Do you want to say something to the voters of your constituency? Please vote for me. (Pretty unimaginative, we felt)

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

G Talk

A tough choice I

1st morning last was an upsetting time in our household. The reliable part-timer had called in saying she will not be able to make it for the next few days citing indisposition even while I was in a rush to drop off my wife and son at the airport for their pre-scheduled trip to Kolkata. While I was rushing back home from the airport with the soiled clothes and washing machine in mind I got caught in a huge traffic snarl from Maligaon onwards right up to Sonaram Field: Himanta Biswa Sarma’s nominationfiling procession. And in that milieu, without an iota of doubt, was the familiar face of our “bai” in all the saffron regalia. Ah a BJP supporter! Thereafter, between switching on the washing machine and catching the nomination filings of Bobbeeta Sarma and Juri Sarma Bordoloi on local TV, I again undoubtedly spotted my politically-conscious bai in the same frame as Sarma Bordoloi in full Congress insignia – white cap and all! I decided that our household would have to make do without her services till 11th April even as the thought struck me that here was the ordinary Guwahatian out to cash in on the little bounties being offered at the moment. Who would she eventually vote for? I now realize that this is a profound question for all of us. As an ordinary Guwahatian without party affiliations and as a competent cynical witness to our perennial backwardness, it is a decision to ponder over. On party lines, the choice obviously

boils down to either the Congress or the BJP. The former is one who has always let the sleeping dogs lie. Over the last 15 years, the party has just governed; the “bikaax” they have been harping about is not any more evident than the “biswaax” that we have in them. But the Congress has forever been the Titaboria Bordeuta who allows you to live in the “peace” that he has ushered in with the sops that he has distributed. We can forget improvement in our infrastructure like 24/7 electric supply et al although the promises made are tall (e.g. Metro rail) and eminently deliverable. The BJP on the other hand, will ensure a fastpaced development – that’s for sure. It has to lest it be booted out of power and Modi’s acche din actually falls flat on its face. But what about the needling and pricking that it indulges in with our personal lives with the RSS ideologue weighing heavily on its head? The moral policing has already started with a smear campaign of Sarma Bordoloi that has no truth. At candidate level, besides Himanta and Akon Bora, the candidates at Gauhati East and West are new and untried. Siddhartha Bhattacharjya holds as much promise as Bobbeeta Sarma and Juri Sarma is a totally new entrant – inexperienced. It is a tough choice indeed!

Swapnil Bharali Executive Editor

Lessons from Brussels

SIDHARTH BEDI VARMA

wo cases of suicide bombings in the cultural and political hub of Europe, Brussels, has scarred Europe once again. This adds to the list of attacks in Europe. Brussels is home to people of various descents including refugees and immigrants. But people who have been observing the region over the past few years weren’t surprised by the attacks mainly because of two things. Firstly, Belgium has accepted everyone with open arms and this is a cause for concern. There are various organizations out there, plotting and looking for soft targets like Belgium to spread panic and terror. Secondly, the security has been lax in the region despite repeated attacks. This comes directly from a resident who mentioned that the security in public places, subways and airports has been awful and that they encounter unclaimed bags every day. The responsibility of this condemnable attack has been taken by ISIS which has proved that IS has deep roots in the European continent. IS finds its origins in groups of people who have been alienated from the masses and their own people. Their constant attempts are a cry for being accepted into the mainstream.

A couple of years back, Belgium banned Burkha in public which leads to the question: if they had to take this radical step, why accept other cultures in the first place? Europe’s desire to be all accepting and all forgiving has backfired on them. Those committing mass murder “for a cause” feel both individual alienation and group alienation. Now it’s clear why Donald Trump is campaigning the way he is. He has made it totally clear that although we have a multicultural world, there is always someone trying to step on the others’ toe. It is clear that in the coming years, ‘foreigners’ will be scrutinized everywhere and utopia will not be found. External aggression and terrorism will never be accepted and deep rooted terrorism can never be wiped out because someone out there will always be unhappy with the way things are. As for terrorists, Newton’s third law is always applicable: ‘for every action, there will always be an equal and opposite reaction.’ It is only a couple of weeks until we start reading ‘Air Force jets bomb terrorist hideout’ and someone shall speak of human rights violation then.

Does the Modi aura spark off a hatred factor or is it just plain jealousy?

arendra Modi’s story is the proverbial “rags to riches” saga sans the “lived happily ever after” ending. In the yore of India, the ruler always had the coveted blue blood and the mind-set of being ruled by the blue blood was acceptable and seems to have remained. Even after these 70 odd years of independence, we seem yet to come to terms with our democracy - the fact that we are our own rulers. Perhaps that is why a section of those who tend to think of themselves as politically conscious neutral commentators are often disturbed by the phenomenal rise of a son of the soil which has turned their initial scorn into compulsive hatred. There are various factors contributing to this, the prime being the competence of Modi himself plus his enviable work ethics and capacity for work. The others could be an intense loathing for Hindutva itself as much as the BJP openly kowtowing to the RSS ideologue and its now intense propagation. What is scaring the daylights out of these neutral commentators is that Modi might just upset the communally “balanced” applecart that India has been pushing till date. The fear has transcended such ridiculous boundaries that at one point, it was feared that India’s probable victory in World Cup Cricket might fuel “extreme nationalism.” Add to this is the fearsome figure of a forced bachelor whose governance agenda is as well known to all as much as his religious agenda is unknown. And the man himself fans the fire with galling actions like “dropping into Pakistan” just to say hello to his counterpart there. All said and done, Modi’s competence at governance, stoic silence at times especially when an orchestrated violence gets out of hand in a remote corner of the country, and his lack of family life adds up to an aura of invincibility and invulnerability that his detractors find hateful.

Swapnil Bharali

t is not exactly hatred as much as it is jealousy I would say. If India’s pre and post-independence history is taken into account, the role of the Congress Party in first securing the independence and then ruling the country for most of these 70 years, framing its policies and giving the country direction, has brought unto it a sense of ownership which is but natural. The Party’s sacrifices have been immense and this is undeniable. At the micro-level of the ruling dynasty – the Gandhis – their loss at the altar of democracy and the tragedy of it all is beyond compare. And so, there is a natural tendency for its supporters to sympathize with all this and to also get the feeling of having been usurped of its rightful ownership of the country by an outsider called Narendra Modi who is too competent and hard-working for their comfort. It is human tendency to keep disturbing, needling and being jealous and every issue that can be raked up into a snowball is being done. And so it is natural that a novel “Make in India” scheme just has to fall flat on its face even at the expense of the industrial prosperity of China or that India “should lose” once in a while to Pakistan so that India does not turn extremely nationalistic. What Modi perhaps needs to do, if he at all cares that is, is to change or soften his hitherto hard line image and seek more participation from his “jealous” counterparts in the governance of the country. At this rate, with his rank and file damaging the party’s impression in the eyes of the people by bludgeoning police horses to incapacity et al, I have serious doubts that this jealousy is standing him in good stead. Modi seems to be showing a somewhat immature personality who is obsessed with a pet desire of a Congress-mukt Bharat rather better India.

Koushik Hazarika

Interactive Acid attack on a fellow advocate

This is so shocking. Such incidents have never happened in Guwahati city before. The perpetrators of this crime should be given exemplary punishment so that nobody dares to repeat such a horrific incident in future. My prayers for the victim girl.

Name Withheld via email

Letter to the Editor Dear Sir, Guwahati traffic getting worse day by day. The Chief Minister, in his last ten years’ tenure has have not taken a single step to minimise the problem. Things could have been much easier had his government worked for a solution during the initial days. Rather it was busy with its vote bank politics. Have the ministers’ convoys ever been stuck in these traffic jams? Why don’t the ministers or the CM get stuck once and find out what bitter a pill it is to swallow? Its seems only that the common man holds no importance to the government. And the icing on the cake is Guwahati is going to be a smart city. Shouldn’t we feel it’s a distant dream with this kind of infrastructure?

Name withheld Via email

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Do smear campaigns before elections damage a candidate’s prospects and image? In the backdrop of the recent smear campaign against a Congress candidate, we ask our readers for their opinions on the above and whether it makes any difference on their selection criteria.

Rimjhim Mandal

Mon Imaan Hazarika

Bibhash

Abu Malik

Jitu Moni

Diku Talukdar

nfortunately it has been widely accepted that people resort to petty things to grab the seat of power and sometimes resorting to mud-slinging is good for the public because politicians can lie through their teeth with a poker face which is very dangerous. Often certain individuals gain power by using unfair means and these things come to light with these smear campaigns. They lie and hide their true colours when they beg for votes and after coming to power they show their true colours. I feel we are connected to our past and that our actions of the past have consequences on the future.

mear campaigns are entertaining for voters. It shows how shallow politicians are and it is often hitting below the belt. But you have to credit them for digging up pointless history that actually makes no difference in the portrayal of the candidate. Although contesting as a candidate needs a lot of money, there is also an image involved. Unless the person is well liked, no amount of money can actually get you mass popularity. So smear campaigns are pointless and shallow and should be avoided.

hese politicians will do anything to grab the seat of power. I recall Himanta Biswa Sarma had once diverted the attention of everyone in the state just after the elections and when the portfolios were being distributed. He was very influential in the Gogoi cabinet then and he created this story about the veteran Sarat Barkataky having a mistress in Patna. While Barkataky’s focus went towards clearing his name off the controversy, the portfolios got distributed and the veteran couldn’t find his name in the cabinet. He had to remain without a ministry for long years after that. Smear campaigns are political tools nowadays. Some are successful and some aren’t. Depends on how one uses them. My opinion is that the public is too intelligent nowadays and they can read intentions very well.

In Focus

Meet Meet Meet

RAVNEET OBEROI Interior Designer/ Tarot Card Reader

iven the current politicians and their lack of behavioural credibility, I would like to rephrase the old adage: Everything is fair in love, war and politics. After all, politics is a war often fought between people who love to hate each other. The only problem is politicians or political parties tend to treat their voters as fools and think that any morphed or misinterpreted photograph can be used to fool or trick the public into believing that a particular person is of loose morals et al. They tend to forget that in doing so, they themselves are cutting a sorry figure in front of everyone. I’d say, grow up guys. It’s high time. We, the voters, have grown up long back!

oliticians have unfortunately resorted to name calling and pointing fingers. Being a part of smear campaigns means that you are actually not contesting on your merit, but on how bad your opposition is. This kind of fraud doesn’t really work with voters because every other day someone bad mouths the other and voters have grown accustomed to this. Candidates must focus on how good they are and what difference they can make rather than betting on their opponent’s flaws, calling them Shani or pointing out who touched who’s feet.

f the reference is to the Juri Sarma Bordoloi photograph that has gone viral in Gauhati West constituency, then I would say yes! The photograph has indeed ruffled some feathers. I being a resident of the constituency have also received the photograph on my phone. Juri is a first-timer and an unknown commodity in the constituency. This kind of a publicity has not done her cause any good. In fact, it might cause her more harm than good. If people have political ambitions, they should be careful when being clicked. However, I have checked h e r antecedents as I am trying to make my choice of candidate to vote for. And I understand clearly that she is not the person she is being painted out to be.

pack of 78 cards that have been around since the mid-15th century in Europe, Tarot cards have been used both for divination (predicting the future) as well as a kind of guided meditation. In Guwahati not all might be aware of the art form of Tarot Card reading but at the same time, there are people who can throw some light to relevant questions about the past, present or future. Ravneet Oberoi is one such person who can answer such queries through Tarot Card reading. Born in a joint family from parents, Manvinder Singh Oberoi and Rosy Oberoi, Ravneet has not only made her mark in the field of Tarot Card reading but is also a wellknown interior designer. “My decision of becoming an interior designer was because of my love of doing things for other people and making other people happy. Every interior designer knows that rush and thrill when a client finally sees their finished room for the first time. The sheer pleasure on their faces and the knowledge that you did something great for them that will influence them and make them happy for years to come, is an incredible feeling,” Ravneet expressed to G Plus on being asked about the inspiration to be an interior designer. Alumni of Holy Child School, Guwahati, Ravneet went on to pursue her graduation as a B.Sc. in Interior Designing from International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), Chandigarh and was a topper with a score of 91%. She started working from 2008 as an interior designer and a Tarot Card Reader but soon shifted to Canada and started working with her cousin Penny Chauhan, who is also an interior designer, in British Columbia. She is also a faculty member at JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Guwahati. Besides interior designing, Ravneet

also practices the trio of numerology + tarot card + crystal therapy. It was Ridhima Nakra (of Divine Strength, Chandigarh) who taught her the art of Tarot Card reading and has been practicing ever since with the belief, “Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practise.” Ravneet has been continuing with the art throughout her career. “Tarot card reading brings me happiness as I can guide people who are really in need but I am more focused on interior designing as my career option,” Ravneet added. The avid reader that she is, Ravneet came across a set of tarot cards in a library one day which caught her fancy. Very inquisitive to learn more, she just took a set of cards and read books to know more about it. However, the accuracy of the cards is what left her amazed and she started learning the art with a few more courses like numerology, reiki, crystal and colour therapy. Although she has been practicing for the past eight years, the scenario was not the same then as it is at present. She explains, “I used to come across many clients with myths, confusion and disbelief as to how can cards predict anything about the life. But now gradually, people of Guwahati also have accepted this art.” Ravneet has managed to develop a huge clientele through her Facebook page – Destiny (tarot card reading). Tarot Card reading also provides a bonus to her profession. While designing the interiors of residences, offices, hotels and restaurants (basically all kinds of residential and commercial spaces), she, as a numerologist, helps many clients who want to select names for the firm. The same also helps her to know her clients even better and develop her communication skills and with goals to explore, dream and discover. Ravneet keeps growing with her skills and the art form.

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Ward Watch

WARD NO

Concentrated area B Borooah Road Ward number 14 Sub-division 14 (b) Councillor Ashima Bordoloi Phone number 9435010647 Area sabha member Niren Medhi

G Plus Photo

Phone number 9957174605

Effluvium hit supply water exasperates residents of Dr B Baruah Road

KALYAN DEB

eveloped as the area looks, there are problems that irk the locals of the area on a daily basis. Dr. B. Baruah Road, which can be stated to be an important commercial hub of the city, includes several residences and prominent landmarks of the city. Starting with one of the most well-known colleges of Guwahati, B. Borooah College, which was established in the year 1943 in the name of Bholanath Baruah and founded by Bharat Ratna, Gopinath Bordoloi, the first Chief Minister of Assam, the area has the RG Baruah Sports Complex which, in the past, has witnessed some of the biggest international cricket matches. Hotel Landmark is another landmark that boosts the prominence of the area and which also used to be the official hotel for international crickets. A stroll down memory lane would also bring to the mind images of people lining up in front of RG Baruah Sports Complex and the adjacent Hotel Landmark to get a glimpse of their favourite cricketers. The presence of the sports complex also makes it a hub of sports goods retail outlets and there are numerous shops that deal in the same vending any required sports item. The numerous food joints add to the prominence of the area. With a college right in its midst the area remains crowded with students on any working day and to feed their appetite, the food joints also make the road a small food hub of the city. It wasn’t until 2007 when the only com-

mercial outlets were the sports goods shops and a handful of restaurants that the road underwent a massive transformation as several commercial complexes and offices were set up. With passing time, the area has seen several commercial complexes, showrooms and restaurants among several other outlets come up.

The people’s peeves Traffic As a connecting road from Ulubari to Guwahati Club rotary, B. Baruah Road is possibly the shortest way to connect GS Road with RG Baruah Road. There are also several localities that lie adjacent to the road. While the southern end connects to Lachit Nagar, the northern end connects Solapara, Islampur and Hedayatpur from either sides of the road. Like every area, be it developed, developing or underdeveloped, B. Baruah Road also faces certain downsides. With development of the area also came a flow of private vehicles of the office goers due to which the area has come to witness massive traffic snarls every working day. Basically, the jams take place from around 11 am and lasts throughout the day reaching its peak after sundown. Police officials have to be posted in the area in order to control the traffic and streamline the congestion. Parking is another stumbling block faced by the people of the area. Although its mostly the

visitors who face this problem (as most of the new complexes provide parking only for the employees), those who have to make a short visit to the area have to find a parking space in the GMDA allotted space that is, the western side of the road. This allotment temporarily addresses the problems of a few but creates a major havoc for the vehicles plying through the area. Towards the end of the daily working hours the road witnesses a rush of a large number of vehicles and the entire stretch of the road being occupied with parked vehicles hampers the smooth flow of traffic.

Effluvium hit supply water Local residents also face a major scarcity in water supply. While water is provided only for short durations whenever it is at all supplied, on several occasions the supply is disrupted every alternate day. “The problem is faced by most residents of the area since we are all dependent on GMC water supply. Firstly the supply is very irregular and is mostly provided on alternate days whereas on several occasion the interval extends up to two or three days. Also, for the first few minutes, the supplied water has to be drained out as it is like the water from the drains and discharges an odour of similar kind. It is not known to us whether the water supplied to us later is any

cleaner,” stated Elfi Ahmed, a homemaker who resides in the area. Shehnaz Jasmin and a few other locals of the area echoed similar opinion informing that most of the time people have to buy their share of water. “Buying drinking water is a regular affair for the residents. The apartments which have bore-wells have been spared of any such problem but the remaining residents are the sufferers,” stated a local resident. It was also informed that several motors had been seized from the area in a drive carried out by the GMC after which the water supply has stabilised to some extent but the required quantity is still not met.

G Plus observation on the parking: It is observed that the eastern side of Dr. B. Baruah Road has long stretches of boundary walls with fewer openings and gates. There are just two gates being the entrances to B. Baruah College and the RG Baruah Stadium Complex besides a lane which goes along the boundary of the stadium complex into Gandhi Basti via Haji Musafir Khana. The western side of the road, which is the GMDA allotted parking space for the road however has numerous residences and establishments which reduces the parking space greatly. It is hereby suggested that the eastern side be allotted for parking to facilitate a greater number of vehicles and this will also reduce the congestion in the area.

Says the area sabha member Talking to G Plus, Area Sabha Member, Niren Medhi, expressed similar concern as the locals of the area. It was also informed that fund has been sanctioned for the repairing of the water supply project but the same has been halted ever since the code of conduct became effective. “I am also one of the sufferers of the problem and the same extends to Manipuri Basti as well. It is due to the ignorance of the people of the department who have the responsibility of ensuring the water supply. The concerned officials are supposed to provide water twice every day; instead it is only provided in the morning. It is expected that as soon as the elections are over and the amount is handed over, the work will be constituted within a very short period of time,” stated Niren Medhi, area sabha member, Ward No. 14. It was also informed that an amount of Rupees 60 lakhs was sanctioned to the councillor fund which was supposed to be utilised for the improvement of the water supply project. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Special

HOLI MOMENTS

FROM GUWAHATI

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Lifestyle

Sex

in our city

Fancy Bazar

am a 28 year old man from Silpukhuri in a relationship for the past 2 years. My girlfriend mentioned that the size of my penis is small and I will not be able to satisfy her. I am worried. Please advise.

Why does it bother your girlfriend? Is it because you have not been able to satisfy her needs and she feels that if it was bigger it would have led to enhanced pleasure? Or is it something else? Why has the subject been raised after 2 years now? How does it affect you? Do you feel your manliness has been questioned and your male ego hurt? Everyone knows Alexander the Great as one of the greatest warriors of the world. It is also widely known that he was one of the biggest womanizers ever. But what is not common knowledge is that his penis size was estimated at 3 inches. How long should a piece of string be to be effective? It is one of the biggest myths that you need a very large penis to satisfy your wife/girl friend or boyfriend for the matter. We have all been exposed to pornography in which we see the size of a shaft which can put

VAASTU SHASTRA VAASTU ASPECTS OF

quite a few men to shame. These people are paid for the size of their shaft and the noises that they make. But we are not! The godzilla logic of “the bigger the better” does not hold true in most situations. What matters most is can you bring your partner to orgasm? Orgasm is like a sneeze. Unless you have one you will not know what it is. Even a lot of married woman go through their entire married/sex life without experiencing orgasm ever. Seek expert help if your mutual sexual satisfaction is in doldrums and stop worrying about your size. And tell your girlfriend that as well! Dr. Mithun Bhartia is an expert in Diabetes, Thyroid and Sexual matters. He has returned from England after 12 years. His clinic is in Panbazar near Hari Sabha. Send your queries to advicesexologist@ gmail.com

uring the British regime, there used to be capital punishment in the form of hanging in the District Jail which is located at Fancy Bazar, and it is responsible for the prefix ‘Phasi’, i.e., hanging. Therefore, the locality is known as Phasi Bazar. The proximity to the Brahmaputra River aided the traders from the north bank to sell their farm products, fish etc. via ships. So this area developed into a market which has become the hub of the northeast in the fields of clothes, garments and hardware as well as food items. The retail business is mostly in the eastern and northern part of the Fancy Bazar while the wholesalers are located at west and south. The entire area starts from Panbazar in the northeast to Machkhowa at southwest and from the Panbazar flyover to the riverside. Only recently, the central jail has been shifted from the southwest and the area converted into a much required parking lot. The Vaastu of the Fancy Bazar varies from the northeast to southwest because the main roads are swerving from east to northwest and they are sloping towards the riverside. The road from Lakhtokia to the riverside has the biggest retail market of clothes including a flea market. The roadside vendors do hefty business on the streets. They are mostly facing north which is excellent for doing business. Those who are familiar with Fancy Bazar will notice that smaller markets like Radha Bazar, Keshab Katra, New Market etc. are placed on the southern side of the SS Road coming from Lakhtokia.

There were cinema halls like Bijuli and Rupayan on the north side of the SS Road which are closed down because the north side was closed and heavy. The Urvashi cinema hall has managed to run because it has no big structures at north and east. The south-western part of Fancy Bazar, known as the “Galla Patty,” starts from the Late Murlidhar Sharma Road to Kedar Road. The Kamrup Chamber of Commerce is also situated here. This area controls all the essential food items like grains, oil and other groceries and the occupants are in a position to dictate terms or prices of essential food commodities. This is because the Chamber of Commerce is situated at the southwest of the city meant for “masters” or “owners!” There are many godowns of food items besides some oil and flour mills in this area but the traders have shifted their warehouses to southern and western parts of the city for lack of space and inconvenience of transport. Recently, there was a big fire in Fancy Bazar and crores of rupees worth of goods was burnt to ashes. The undersigned visited the place of fire and noticed that the particular area has an extension towards southeast. Extension to southeast is always vulnerable to fire incidents, theft, litigation or quarrels!

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

recipe of the week BAKED HILSA

Ingredients

3 onions grated 1 tablespoon each of ginger and garlic paste 3 green chillies HILSA is a species of fish of the herring family and a popular food fish in South Asia. The fish contributes about 12% of the total fish production and about 1% of GDP in Bangladesh. About 450,000 people are directly involved with its catching for their livelihood; around four to five million people are indirectly involved with its trade. It is also the national fish of Bangladesh. Most Bengalis make the very famous Sorsho Illish or Hilsa with ground mustard paste, but I am going to divulge one of my family’s unique Baked Hilsa recipes. My mother-in-law was a fantastic cook and she has passed down her recipes to her family. For this baked dish you need to buy a good sized fish of about 800 gms or so. However, if that big a fish is not available a small one will do.

PROCESS

800 gms of Hilsa fish without the head. The stomach should be cleaned.

ut off the head of the fish and clean the insides. Score the fish on both sides so the masala goes inside. Grind all the masala together and smear all over the fish. Place it on a baking tray with a sheet of foil covering the tray. Now bake till the fish is cooked and all the juices have evaporated. Best had with steamed rice.

2 tablespoons of tomato sauce 2 tablespoons of soya sauce Salt to taste

KULKUL RAHMAN Entrepreneur, mother and a passionate cook

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Lifestyle

Cool Couture

Where Real Jewellery meets Fashion

ntroducing the very talented Geetika Bansal Jain, who in her career has developed an eye for accessories. She completed her jewellery designing course in Delhi. Though you’ll probably never catch Geetika over-accessorized, she certainly is gifted when it comes to picking out statement neckpieces, cuffs, big rings, and earrings. She started tracking trends and then sourcing her own collections from around the country. As her travels and her stock increased, Geetika decided it was time to fly solo. Geetika’s brain child, TIARA JEWELS specialises in traditional Indian styles as well as contemporary pieces. Truth be told, there are a lot of people who do traditional Indian jewellery and so you’re spoilt for choice. But her contemporary and fusion pieces include chunky bib necklaces, which can be worn with dresses and shirts, and subtle and elegant earrings. Tiara Jewels is well priced and accessible. Check out their funky cocktails rings, stylish earrings and eye catchy hand cuffs. They’re just the touch of drama you need to make an entrance. The USP She also provides certificates and authentication of purity and originality of her pieces. Geetika’s work has been showcased around various exhibitions in the city which also helps to attract new clients. She is a quality conscious designer with the USP, ‘What you are wearing is unique and it showcases who you are!’

Importance of Micellar Caesin Protein: Why is it vital to have a Micellar Caesin Protein shake before you go to sleep at night? The reason is, after you sleep for seven or eight hours (or more), you’re basically in a fasted state. But if you fast for that long, your body should maintain a gradual supply of glucose to your brain and

yourself

IT’S TOO SOON TO GIVE UP

the client’s budget.’ P.S. Not your usual run-of-themill jewellery that is just an add-on to

your outfit, but Tiara Jewels is personalized real jewellery that makes you stand out in a crowd of social butterflies. By Appointment Only | Contact Geetika at +91 8486043212 Photo: Tarun Chawla Jewellery: Tiara Jewels Style and Concept- Yours truly

Here’s How She sketches according to a customer’s requirement and can redo old jewellery without melting it. She says, ‘people are price sensitive and so I make sure I design according to

eginning your day with a correct breakfast is of vital importance for leading a healthy life, however finishing the day robust is simply crucial to size and strength gains. People who follow my nutrition and supplement recommendation programs, always finish their day with a protein shake consisting of a decent dose of Micellar Casein Protein before hitting the bed. As a result, they usually see excellent improvement to their muscle size and strength. I’ve been giving this protein-before-bed recommendation for years for one straightforward reason: It just simply works!

Best version of

Sonika Ajmera Fashion Epitomist

also to the remainder of your Central Nervous System (CNS) as nerve fibres can’t utilize fat or protein for fuel. For a decent portion of the night, your liver provides the glucose that the brain so badly requires. The liver stores glycogen (the storage variety of glucose) and releases it as glucose into your blood once food isn’t being provided. However once liver glycogen levels get too low through the night, the body turns to amino acids to form the glucose that the brain desires and these particular amino acids come back principally from muscle protein. In other words, your body starts breaking down muscle for fuel from non-carb sources called Gluconeogenesis (GNG). This is often not good if muscle growth is a high priority for you. By ingesting a Micellar Caesin Protein shake that’s high in casein before bed, you’ll stop the breakdown of muscle throughout the night and promote muscle growth. Casein, significantly Micellar Casein, is the slowest digesting protein you’ll con-

id you expect to win at the very first attempt? Did you give up on your dreams when you failed? Are you persistent enough to be world class? It took Thomas Edison 1,000 attempts before inventing the electric bulb. While growing up, his teachers had told him that he was too stupid to learn anything. Henry Ford’s early businesses failed and left him broke 5 times before he started Ford Motor Company. NASA experienced 20 failures in its 28 attempts to send rockets to space. JK Rowling was nearly broke, severely depressed, divorced and a single mom, and was going to school while she was writing Harry Potter. Rowling went from surviving on government assistance to becoming one of the richest women in the world in a span of just 5 years through her hard work and PERSISTENCE. That is the power of PERSISTENCE. “Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in,” said Bill Bradley. “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing

Persistence is a skill and can be developed. This is how you can do it: • Set goals, write them down and start working for them. • Every time you fail, don’t quit. Instead, review what went wrong, correct it and repeat your attempt. • Have that burning desire to achieve your goals. • Don’t stop until you achieve your goals, no matter how much time and effort it takes. • And the most important, stay positive. Madhur Jayne A practicing chartered accountant and a certified nutritionist. He is the co-founder of a coaching centre for chartered accountancy and commerce students. He is a life coach and trains people on subjects like time, health, lifestyle and people management. Visit www.madhurjayne.com for more details.

BUILD MUSCLES WITH MICELLAR CASESIN sume owing to its structure. Within the abdomen, Micellar Caesin Protein basically forms clots, layers upon layers. The biological process enzymes within the duct digest these layers one at a time. This method will take up to seven hours to completely digest the casein that essentially implies that for seven hours through the night, you have a slow, steady offer of amino acids getting into the blood. These amino acids are accustomed to produce the glucose your brain requires rather than the amino acids coming back from muscle tissue. In essence, it stops

is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. “The slogan, ‘press on’ has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race,” shared Calvin Coolidge. Persistence is the ability to continue getting up no matter how many times you’ve been knocked down. It requires will power, flexibility, strength of character, determination and a desire to succeed at all costs. Persistence is about having a vision and working towards that goal. If there is one common denominator that could be applied to successful people, it would be persistence. Not only do we need persistence but we need the ability to be able to deal with the “nay-sayers” who, at the first sign of a problem or failure, suggest that we should turn around, go back or just stop. We need to have the courage to hold the course and keep ourselves on track to be able to follow the route to success

muscle-tissue breakdown and even promotes muscle-protein synthesis, which may result in larger muscle growth. Now, a new study confirms this. What does science says? The research was published in a 2015 issue of the Journal of Nutrition by a team of scientists of The Netherlands who did the experiment on forty volunteers who do resistance training. They found that subjects ingesting the night-time protein shake had a roughly double increase in leg muscle size,

significantly the dimensions of their fast-twitch muscle fibres, compared to the placebo cluster. The protein cluster conjointly showed a big increase in overall muscle strength relative to the placebo cluster. These results led the researchers to conclude overwhelmingly that a nightly protein shake with a decent quantity of slow-digesting casein was a great idea to increase muscle mass and strength gains. CONCLUSION: So follow what you have learnt from this article ensuring to consume a blended protein with 50% slow and fast digesting Micellar Casein before retiring to bed at night. It’s the most effective way to keep your muscles in an anabolic mode throughout the night and maximize muscle mass and strength gains. Spic-and-Span analysis says so. BIBHU MONI SINGHA, Fitness Expert & Sports Nutritionist Gym Manager, Training & Nutrition Head, SFL Fitness, Guwahati

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Reviews Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg Director: Zack Snyder

vie Mo view Re

o, the most anticipated and exciting superhero extravaganza of the year is finally here to entertain us. All that curiosity over the last year with Comic-Con trailers and what not, we now get to experience the thrill of Batman and Superman. Bat-Pod, fights in the dark with bat flash lighting the clouds and humungous power of Superman, all these through the direction of Zack Snyder and the production of the gem Christopher Nolan. Let’s live it together. Remember, the epic battle between Superman and General Zod from Man of Steel? Now, add Bruce Wayne to it. Bruce witnessed the destruction that Superman and his enemies did to the people of Earth and he also realises the imminent threat of Superman’s gigantic power. If Superman turns evil, he can make the entire mankind go extinct just like that. Bruce Wayne aka Batman has seen a lot of sane minds turning monsters

and that’s why he thinks Superman needs to be stopped and be answerable to the people of this planet. So, the gutsy Batman takes on the Blue God. So, that’s how the face-off begins and fun starts. But, can Batman really match the immortal power of Superman and bring the justice to the people or things will worsen than they already are? Don’t worry, no spoilers here. But, there are other monstrous forces secretly working. Lex Luthor sees a striking opportunity to use this situation to his advantage and creates a Doomsday weapon which is deadlier than both Batman and Superman’s powers combined. The story pans out well for the movie. It has enough characters to keep you engrossed with the length of the film. The short background for both Batman and Superman are smartly entailed. It is essential to the liking of the characters. The 1st half is

intentionally chaotic and builds the base for the next thrilling phase of the story. Although, the second half is much more interesting and action packed, it doesn’t make the kind of impact you would have hoped. The script is fragmented and only certain scenes are enjoyable while rest seem pretty ordinary. What’s favourable is that the script greatly manages to achieve the balance of both Batman and Superman’s stand on their heroic deeds. After a while, the plot seems very predictable but Lex Luthor’s character brings surprising element to the storyline. The face-off between Batman and Superman is breath-taking and will make you applaud for its brilliance. This is where the movie is most entertaining and wow-worthy. Overall, the script is good but in case of this franchise, good isn’t enough, is it?

Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Nathalia Kaur Director: Nishikant Kamat

mysterious hunk, infamously known as Handsome (John Abraham) is living a secluded life in Goa. He has a neighbour who is an 8 year old sweet girl, living with her drug addict mother. The girl likes to spend time with Rocky but he is too stubborn to appreciate it. One day, her mother Anna (Nathalia Kaur) steals drugs from the drug mafia of Goa. Eventually, she gets caught but for this heinous crime, even her daughter gets kidnapped with Anna. This is where Rocky decides to save the innocent girl and give her deserving childhood back. On the course, police also gets involved and Rocky’s past is revealed. Can he confront his deadly past and save the girl as his ultimate redemption?

I felt the story was weak. The script didn’t emphasise initially on making the strong connection between Rocky and the 8 yr old. So, the urge of Rocky fighting for her really doesn’t feel believable. Another disappointing aspect of the script is Villains. The negative characters i.e. Pereira brothers seem overly energetic and irritating. The humour punches from them also felt like they are forcefully fed into the storyline. A core serious treatment to the story could have made the movie much more interesting and sensible. The dialogues are hardly memorable and noteworthy. What’s good about the story is Rocky’s past is shown in a concise manner. No lengthy tales and emotional drama is attached to it.

NOW SHOWING

Anuradha Cineplex

Noonmati 03612656968, 9954544738

Batman V Superman 9.15 AM, 2.30 & 5.30 PM Rocky Handsome 11.45 AM & 8.30 PM

PVR Cinemas

Moreover, in the post half, the connection between Rocky and the girl amplifies which was lacking initially. The story is rich with action scenes and makes you enjoy. John Abraham rocks as Rocky Handsome. I mean, this is the perfect role for him. A silent hero whose only job is to fight and kill people and walk with a stylish and masculine look. His macho body adds seriousness to the character. His fights are impactful and dialogue delivery is apt. Nishikant Kamat as Kevin Periera works majorly well for the film. Standing opposite John and delivering the role requires nerves. Kamat does exactly that. But, in the end, he tries way too much of humour which spoils the character build up.

Dona Planet. GS Road 08800900009 Batman V Superman 9.00 AM, 12.00, 3.00, 6.00 & 9.00 PM Rocky Handsome 11.00 AM, 4.15 & 9.30 PM Kapoor & sons 1.30 & 6.45 PM

Fun Cinemas

HUB, GS Road 9864800100, 9864800200

vie Mo view Re

Batman V Superman 12.15 & 5.50 PM Rocky Handsome 10.00 AM & 9.00 PM Kapoor & sons 3.10 AM

Apsara Cinema Ulubari 0361 2541335

The Z Factor: My Journey as the Wrong Man at the Right Time

Album:

Who Sold My Generation

eattle garage trio Night Beats make their Heavenly Records debut with their brazen third LP, Who Sold My Generation. Fronted by guitar slinger Danny Lee Blackwell, Night Beats have amassed a fairly substantial catalog in their six years together, issuing a variety of different singles and compilation tracks alongside their two previous albums. With regard to their overall sound, not a great deal has changed since they first dropped their

GOLD Cinema ASTC Complex, Paltan Bazar 9854066166

Author:

Artist:

Night Beats

Batman V Superman 2.00 PM Rocky Handsome 11.00 AM, 5.00 & 8.00 PM

Book:

Subhash Chandra

u Yo LD N HOU S ISTE L

debut single, “H-Bomb,” in 2010. Their talent for brash, riffy psych-rock with plenty of attitude remains their greatest strength, and their marriage of Nuggets-era sounds with the contemporary lo-fi aesthetic of 21st century garage revivalists puts them in league with other prominent West Coast acts like Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall. As on 2013’s Sonic Bloom, reverb is king and Night Beats’ swagger is captured here in a thick cacoph-

ony of the stuff as Blackwell’s ace guitar work bounces wildly around the room on standouts like the free-ranging “Sunday Mourning” and the hooky single “No Cops.” With its radio static, vintage broadcast samples, and spoken incantations, experimental opener “Celebration #1” sets a freewheeling, almost anarchistic tone and Night Beats do manage to maintain that energy, if not the mischievous intent, throughout the album.

Kapoor & sons 11.30 AM, 2.30 & 5.30 PM Rocky Handsome 11.00 AM, 2.00, 5.00, 8.00 & 8.30 PM

u Yo LD HOU S read

Subhash Chandra, the promoter of Essel/ Zee Group, is an unlikely mogul. Hailing from a small town in Haryana, where his family ran grain mills, Chandra has been a perennial outsider, repeatedly aiming high and breaking into businesses where he was considered an inter-

GOLD Cinema Salasar Building, Lakhtokia 9854077177 loper. Starting work as a teen to pay off family debts, Chandra had to rely on bluff, gumption and sheer hard toil to turn things around. A little bit of luck and political patronage saw him make a fortune in rice exports to the erstwhile USSR.

Kapoor & sons 11.30 AM & 5.30 PM Rocky Handsome 11.00 AM, 2.00, 2.30, 5.00, 8.00 & 8.30 PM

GOLD Cinema

LG Towers, Narangi 8811001898 Rocky Handsome 11.00 AM, 2.00, 5.00 & 8.00 PM

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Entertainment

Bornali Kalita’s

Rajdweep’s ‘Breaking News’ in Kohinoor Theatre

Hasoti 2016 released

new Bihu-based album titled Hasoti-2016, with songs by Bornali Kalita, has been released recently. The lyrics have been penned by Sonit Gogoi and Apurba Barua. Bornali sings a duet with the singer Babu, titled Kamihaar. The music video of this song has, meanwhile, gained popularity on local entertainment channels as well as on social media. The song has been written by Rekibul and the musical score is by Sekhar Goswami.

Incidentally, Bornali had impressed the huge audience at the opening ceremony of the South Asian Games in Guwahati. Bornali has been performing in places like Qatar, Dubai, Oman etc. Recently she has released a devotional album titled ‘Bhakti Sarobar Vol-1’ based on the songs composed by Sri Madhabdev. The album is produced and conceptualized by Ronney Indie Movies and directed by Bishnu Das. The album is made under the banner of Acharya Ilaram Das Nyakh.

e have often heard those two impactful words – breaking news! News anchors utter the two words on your television screen to catch the viewer’s attention with some important and latest news. In this manner, the news channels give us breaking news from time to time. This time though, it’s

not a news channel but a popular mobile theatre group, Kohinoor Theatre, which will give the Assamese people ‘Breaking News’ in the upcoming season of 2016-17 to the serious Assamese audiences. The play, ‘Breaking News,’ which is based on a real incident, has been penned by journalist, lyricist and youth storyteller, Rajdweep. It is his first play for

Kohinoor Theatre. The writer didn’t reveal the story but as the name suggests, the story of the play ‘Breaking News’ will be based on media. Kohinoor Theatre’s producer and noted artist, Ratan Lahkar, shared his view about this play saying that through ‘Breaking News,’ the theatre group has tried to give Assamese audiences a new taste in theatre. He also added that the story of the play is so powerful that it will definitely create an impression on the audience. The various parts of media, which has now become an important part of our daily life, will be flashed on this play. Popular Assamese actress, Barasha Rani Bishoya, has been signed for the upcoming season of Kohinoor Theatre. After a long time this actress is heading back to mobile theatre. The other artists include Parag Sarma, Krishnamani Nath, Kamal Rebati, Diganta Chowdhury, Girija Sarma, Nandini Baruah, Jogiraaj Chowdhury, Pranju Prince, Dewasish etc. The title track of the play, rendered by Zubeen Garg, is penned by Rajdweep and composed by Poran Borkatoky. Another remarkable thing is that, for the first time, popular Assamese singer Zublee is associated as a guest music director for ‘Breaking News.’ The song title is ‘Om Namah Shivay…’ which is penned by Rajdweep and vocal-composition-music is by Zublee.

Short film awarded

short film titled ‘SKULL FIRST,’ directed by Arup Jyoti Rabha, has recently been awarded as the second best film in the Road Safety Short Film Competition 2016 organized by North East Drama & Film Institute Managing Society (NEDFIMS) held at Guwahati Press Club. The best film award was taken by Sujit Deb Barma’s film ‘Chuwak tei Drive’ from Tripura. The cast and crew of ‘SKULL FIRST’ include Labanya Rabha, Seemi Gogoi and Arup Rabha. Cinematography has been done by Bondeep Khaund and Joydeep Das and the film has been edited by Tinku Gogoi. Arup Jyoti Rabha, son of Kulen Rabha and Bhanu Rabha, started his career at a very young age and has worked in a number of films, music videos, audio albums and plays. After completing his training in acting, direction, theatre, music and craft from NSD, Arup entered the field of direction with a Bodo music video produced under the banner of DB Production.

Thereafter, he has directed a number of Bodo music videos as well as Assamese and English music videos. He has also worked with a Mumbai-based production house named Baal Govind Grandson. Recently, he directed a Hindi music video titled ‘O Meri Jaan’ sung by Bastab S Barman, composed by Rakesh Baro. The key roles in the video, which was released through MTV, has been essayed by Shan, Anjali and Batab. Cinematography has been done by Suruj Deka and the video has been edited by Tinku Gogoi. Rabha has also directed the English video song, ‘Rise of the Dead’ from the album ‘Clandestine Resurrection’ by Eclipse Band. Besides these, an Assamese feature film and a Bodo film directed by him will hit the theatres very soon. After receiving the award, Arup expressed his feelings saying that such awards will definitely help him to work with more dedication and passion. He also added that people’s appreciation always plays a major role in the cultural world.

KALYAN KUMAR KALITA

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Citypedia

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Horoscope Aries With the planets stacking up in a more secluded area of your chart, this is an opportunity to take time out to reflect on life. Even so, this week’s Solar Eclipse in this same sector could encourage you to take a look at whatever seems to be drawing to a close in your life. This can apply to projects, goals, circumstances, and relationships. In addition, be sure to read the fine print and note the details if you’re closing a deal later in the week!

Taurus Whether a friend’s idea is good or should be avoided is something you will need to research. This week’s Solar Eclipse on Tuesday may spotlight the opportunity to liaise with another or perhaps a group or interesting project. But don’t drop your guard and agree to go along with it without doing your homework - you could lose out in the future.

Cancer

Gemini You have the opportunity to shine this week, so make sure it’s for all the right reasons. With a Solar Eclipse as the driving force behind your actions, be careful about making any promises. Others will certainly hold you to your word. Meanwhile, opportunities could come up that bode very well for you in the future.

Are new experiences or faraway places calling to you? They may be this week, as a Solar Eclipse in your travel and adventure zone could see you eager to venture outside your comfort zone or take on a challenge. But you’ll want to put some thought into this, as taking off on the spur of the moment might not be your best bet.

Virgo

Leo Your finances are firmly in the picture this week and could be stirred up somewhat by a Solar Eclipse in your zone of shared resources. Whatever events take place in the coming days, try not to overreact. Do what you have to do in order to contain the situation or grab an opportunity. Beyond that, bide your time until next week when you’ll have a much better idea of the lay of the land.

Relationships could take a new turn in the days ahead, particularly with this week’s Solar Eclipse bringing one or two issues to the surface. One key romantic or other association could reach a turning point. In addition, facts can be deceptive and things may not be as they seem. So, if you’re going to hold a heart-to-heart chat, don’t base important decisions on what’s being said.

Scorpio

Libra

Will your routines evaporate this week? It’s possible, particularly if you’re tired of your job, health routines, or your lifestyle in general. This week’s Solar Eclipse could see you giving up trying, particularly if it’s something in which you’re not really interested. But it’s also an opportunity for a fresh start, and quite a big one at that. If something draws to a close, don’t chase after it.

This is a sterling time to grab the spotlight and showcase your skills and abilities. The Solar Eclipse in your zone of creativity, romance, and self-expression could be very exciting. If you have talents that you’ve barely exploited, you might be offered an opportunity to promote them that could lead to greater exposure in the future. Certainly, a love affair could become more passionate and intense.

Capricorn

Sagittarius

Aquarius Don’t be tempted give too much away, particularly if you can’t really afford it. This week’s Solar Eclipse may tug at your heartstrings. If someone needs help, you might be the first one to reach out to him or her. Yet before you part with your hard-earned cash, be sure that you aren’t doing so in vain. There are many reasons why things may not be as they seem.

Sudoku

This week’s Solar Eclipse in your communication sector could bring an interesting opportunity your way. Or you could be offered the chance to collaborate on a project or close a deal. But you need to tread carefully unless you’re certain of the facts. What you’re being offered could be perfectly valid and potentially lucrative, but it isn’t without pitfalls. These need to be fully investigated before you agree to anything.

Pisces

This could be an exciting week for you, with a Solar Eclipse in your sign that may encourage you to take a leap of faith. But before you do, be sure that what you’re considering is actually in your best interests. Tune in to your instincts, watch your dreams, and take heed of your inner guidance. Be mindful of the signs that life is bringing your way, and notice whether you’re being encouraged or discouraged. If you’re on the right track, you’ll feel it. 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

There’s a lot happening on the home front this week, as a developing issue could come to a head. A Solar Eclipse in this sector could stir feelings and encourage outbursts and heart-to-heart chats. Whatever the situation, you may reach a point where something has to be done. Indeed, the building tension could be too noticeable to avoid. However, do avoid taking action on the spur of the moment.

AMBULANCE

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

BLOOD BANK

HOSPITALS

Arya Hospital, Ulubari (2606888, 2606665) B Baruah Cancer Institute (2472364/66) Brahmaputra Hospital Ltd (2451634/678) Chatribari Christian Hospital 0361-2600051, 92070-44374 Downtown Hospital 2331003, 9864079366, 9435012669 Guwahati Medical College (2529457, 2529561) Guwahati Medical College Emergency (2263444) International Hospital 0361-7135005 Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (2541477, 2543998)

Marwari Hospital & Research Centre 0361-2602738/39 Marwari Maternity Hospital 0361-2541202/01 Nemcare Hospital 0361-2528587, 2455906, 2457344 Pratiksha Hospital 0361-2337260, 2337183/84 Basistha Military Hospital (2304617/0351) 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, 098641-03333 Dispur Hospital Reception 97070 20370 82539 99124 361-2235759 (Landline No. / Fax) Hayat Hospital

8011003110 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

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 MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Pyrokinesis

Events

Days

Events

 Candice Redding of Sunburn fame rocked the crowd at AEC’s annual fest, Pyrokinesis

March 26th to April 1st

TVS organized a Stunt Infected event on the grounds of AEC as tricksters took to their two wheelers and blazed asphalt leaving tread marks on this high adrenaline event. 

City Gym conducts Calisthenics Challenge

they could work on it and develop all-round fitness. The event included a 1 km run, burpees, parallel bar dips, monkey bar crossing and more. Calisthenics is a workout based on the body weight capacity of an individual. It is intended to increase body strength, fitness, and f lexibility through various movements. The victors were (Women): Subhangini – 6:17 min, Mitali Handique – 7:09 min and Sarahlene Syiemiong – 8:27 min. (Men): Sahil Agarwal – 7:43 min, Debojit Bhattacharjee – 8:25 min and Chirag Hasija – 8:50 min. Trainer’s special: The whole point of the challenge was to push people beyond their limits. Usually trainees don’t push themselves beyond a certain limit when they work out. The competition brought out the best in everyone. The challenge met its purpose and was a great experience for the participants and the spectators.

“Gold’s Gym Ganeshguri Calisthenics Challenge 2016” was an all out fitness challenge organized by Gold’s Gym, Ganeshguri, on 18th and 19th March. The event aimed at changing the dynamics of fitness in a gym and giving it a sporty twist. The challenge tested the individual body strength, power, endurance and f lexibility among other parameters of an individual and was designed to expose weak areas of the participant so that

MAR 26 Gauhati Medical College Auditorium AT 2:00 PM

KODACHROME,THE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST SYNCHISIS 2016 Assam Engineering College AT 5:00 PM

ENERXIA-the Renewable Energy Fest, which is the first of its kind in Northeast India, aims to bring together students, academia, entrepreneurs, industry bigwigs and policy makers from across the nation and beyond, interested in bringing about a changefrom the conventional to non conventional. Transformers Fitness Academy AT 10:00 AM

FeeRs. 2,500 + 14.5% Service Tax (GAYO – ISSA students get 10% discount) Fee includes (i) Manual & DVD, (ii) practical training and (iii) GAYO FITNESS ACADEMY certificate approved for 07 CEUs for ISSA renewal. Assam Engineering Institue Field AT 11:00 AM

NORTHEAST MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016

he 1st Northeast Seminar on fitness, bodybuilding, health, sports and exercise nutrition was organized by UFTA, in association with SFL Fitness Gym & MMA, Guwahati last week. It was co-sponsored by Radio Gupshup 94.3 FM, exclusive Nutrition Partner, RiteBite Max Protein Bar, Food & Beverage Partner, 24 Mantra Organic and Refreshment Partner, Organic India. The event was a grand success as almost 110 candidates from all over of the northeast attended the seminar which includes fitness trainers, gym owners and fitness enthusiasts. The seminar stressed on standardization of the fitness industry and fitness training protocols in northeast India along with the rest of the country. It also focused on the importance of certified trainers, CPR & AED Training for safety of the clients and members. Creating new job opportunities for fitness trainers will also be looked after by UFTA. Along with a discussion on scientific fitness training sports and exercise nutrition and supplementation, a debate was also held between the trainers on fitness and nutrition where surprise gifts were distributed. Specialized health platter including millet and eggs was served to all participants.

Cafe Copa AT 6:00 PM

FREAK OUT SATURDAY FEAT DJ POISON MR. 9O9

Xs, Anil Plaza AT 8:00 PM

CLUB MADNESS !!! DJ TANIA ROMANOVA (RUSSIA )

G PLUS MAR 26 - APR 01, 2016

Catching Up Most shared story of the week The festival of colours was likely to attract the most attention on the G Plus timeline this week. An elephant getting coloured on the streets of Guwahati got a whooping 1900 likes and 27 shares. Despite the massive response, people seemed upset about animals being coloured and that it was harmful for the skin.

facebook.com/guwahatiplus twitter.com/guwahatiplus

Guwahati

GYAN

Did you know?

ISKON Temple

New

Chic

on the block

Shubham Doley About Me

Patient, humorous, pretty, smart, ambitious, disciplined and calm under fire; that’s me, Shubham Doley. I am a 25 year old girl, set to be a dental surgeon and an aspiring model. I am a proud owner of a beagle and an adopted street dog which tells you that I am an avid animal lover. I hail from Lakhimpur.

Mojo

Fashion, ramp walks, posing for photographs and having fun is the part of me that wants to pursue modelling. It is a lot of hard work but I think it adds a colour to my life that cannot be replicated.

Route in the Woods

walk up a hillock near Ulubari Chariali leads to the stark white exterior of the marbleclad ISKON Temple which makes it a landmark of the locality. The temple in Guwahati is a must-see destination for tourists, families and spiritual seekers. There are idols of Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini, both dressed in beautiful attires. World standards, extraordinary architecture, innovative layouts, and well-thought out execution makes the

place a coveted point of tourist interest. Daily routines at ISKCON temple include aarti, chanting, bhajans and Bhagavat Gita discourses. Devotees can attend the prayers irrespective of their religions and have Prasad during the mealtime at 1.30 pm. The temple also holds sessions of Gita classes, personality development and stress management. There is a souvenir shop where one can buy ISKCON related badges, bhajan CDs, dresses and tulsi malas.

Ka m u r of the week

hile the government brags about e governance and being IT savvy, the Election Commission has failed to understand the sheer inconvenience of the people with candidates filing their nominations showing off their power processions bringing the city to a halt. The EC could have easily arranged for nominations to be filed online instead of allowing the candidates to be the big kamur that they were!

I feel that I have what it takes to excel in the field of modelling. It comes to me naturally and instinctively and so it is only natural that I pursue this with all that I have and make my country proud. But apart from it all I’d love to work for the cause of humanity; building shelter homes for young children has been one of my greatest dreams.

PIC OF THE

WEEK

WHAT DID I JUST HEAR?

student leader of a Meerut college has announced a reward of Rs. 21,000 to anyone who cuts the tongue of AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi. Dushyant Tomar, a former president of the students’ union of a Meerut college, recently burnt an effigy of Owaisi and offered the reward saying he was angered by AIMIM leader’s statement in a Maharashtra rally that he will not utter ‘Bharat mata ki jai.’

In Association with Colours on Camouflage

Photo: Adib Zamali

Printed & Published by Sunit Jain on behalf of Insight Brandcom Pvt. Ltd. and Printed at Arkashish Publications (P) Ltd., Katahbari, Garchuk, Guwahati and Published at H/No. 34, K. C. Choudhury Road, Chatribari, Guwahati - 781008, Editor: Koushik Hazarika. Phone: 0361 2737737, Email: info@g-plus.in, RNI No: ASSENG/2013/52641