G plus volume 1 issue 42 by G Plus

VOL 01 | ISSUE 42 | JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

`10 ges 24 Pa

NEW GARBAGE PLAN FAILS TO IMPRESS The post-Ramky phase of garbage collection by the NGOs is underway but all is not well with the GMC and this new system.

Sasha Agha Catching Up, Pg 24

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ONE FOR THE LAP Ward Watch @

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Ward No 24 Page No 12

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Lead Story

NEW GARBAGE PLAN FAILS TO IMPRESS

Rahul Chanda

n 2008 when Ramky initiated the collection of household garbage from the entire city, it was expected that the firm would collect `45 each from every household for the service, but people did not want to pay saying that they pay scavenging tax to the urban local body. The government then decided to pay for half of the households of the city i.e., 1 lakh households, so Ramky started collecting garbage from only 1 lakh households. The rest of the households were not covered resulting in a dirty city. This time the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has again geared up to collect garbage from the city, outsourcing the work to 31 different NGOs in the 31 wards and the work was expected to start from 1st July 2014. But did it start? Will the model work? G Plus takes a look.

The post-Ramky phase of garbage collection by the NGOs is underway but all is not well with the GMC and this new system. paying `30 each per month, which comes to `2.1 lakhs. The amount will go to the NGO of that ward. The GMC would also give an extra 30% of the total amount to the NGO as a fee to collect the amount from the households as many people will be employed to collect the money. According to the GMC, they have provided tricycles and auto vans to the NGOs. To start the work, the NGOs will require many other equipment as well and so the NGOs were given Rs 40000 initially as mobilisation advance. The GMC planned to start the work on 1st July but the mobilisation money was provided only on 17th July. Not all containerised tricycles and auto tippers are ready, so, only a few NGOs got the garbage carriers. GMC officials said that the carriers will be provided soon to all the NGOs. People are also not yet informed about the new model.

The start

All these days GMC floated tenders inviting NGOs to bid for the tender and take responsibilities to clean the city. According to the GMC, the city cleaning work was expected to start from 1st July 2014. On 27th June, GMC finalised 27 NGOs for 27 wards and claimed that by 31st June, all 31 NGOs will be decided on, but four other NGOs were selected only by 17th July 2014. GMC officials said that the garbage collection work had started in 27 wards from July 1st, and the entire city would be covered from July 18th. The officials in June had said that all these days, in spite of Ramky doing the city cleaning-up job, GMC still had to invest an amount of approximately `80 lakhs per month. Now the estimated budget to be spent every month is approximately `1 Crore. The households will pay `30 per month to the NGOs for collecting garbage every day and this will include the drain cleaning task too. If there are 7000 households in a ward, all the households will be

I don’t have any idea of people collecting garbage from my house as we throw the garbage at a place near my house”

The final list of NGOs Ward No

N G O Name

Name

Phone No

Alternate Ph. Number

Udayan Social Welfare

Md. Akbar Husain

9957047867

9707663052

Yuva Prerona NGO

Pallab Medhi/ Pulak Tamuli

9864438921

9864150516

Naba Pragati Development Society

Apurba Kumar

9706787409

9613530097

Shyamkanu Samajik Kalyankami Anusthan

Rajib Borah

9864913156

9706635087

Puberun Social Welfare

Kanak Das

9859483373

9957219982

Sibanga NGO

Dhrubajit Kalita

8811089216

7670005045

Udayan Social Welfare

Md. Akbar Husain

9957047867

9707663052

Nabadeep Social Welfare Society

Mantu Kumar Das

9954233072

9859426012

Akashi NGO

Minaxi Das/Rupak Das

9577735156

9854168313

Jiban Sathi Welfare Society

Minal Chakrabarty

9864022337

9864805384

Subhakangsha

Baharul Ali

9864535979

9859193146

Bahnisikha

Hiran Moni Phukan

9864208389

8822219098

SEWAK

Partha Pratim Sonowal

9085202224

8822474042

Suraj

Tagar Sarma

9859209529

9854530397

Asthitya

Dilip Das/safi

8474077885

9864150516

Bonde

Biswa Kumar Ghosh

9435118046

8486723380

New Evergreen NGO

Bipul Haloi

9864623744

9706138118

Pragati Sangha

Bobita Borah Deka

9864238820

9859548510

Suprabhat Welfare Society

Mansur Ali Ahmed

9864083177

9706841637

Gitanjali

Jayanta Boro

9864322798

9864966811

Ma Kamakhya

Dilip Barman

9864177211

8822177211

Pragjyotish Samaj Kalyan Society

Tanu Ram Deka

8822681976

9957523104

Samannaya Gosthi

Pankhi Mahanta Baishya

9435111336

9085021341

Amar Prayash

Dina Nath Patowary

9957468262

7670008262

Uttaran Social Welfare Society

Sailen Kumar Das

9435045486

7896319724

Uttaran Social Welfare Society

Sailen Kumar Das

9435045486

7896319724

Bharati Yuba Shakti NGO

Naren Das

9864030904

9085758212

Enajori

Diganta kalita

9864049073

9854374699

Orion Society

Krishna Borah

9864911949

9859544924

Pragjyotish Samaj Kalyan Society

Tanu Ram Deka

8822681976

9957523104

Lokakalyan Samajik Santha

Labanya Kr Das

9435552240

9859074292

The scare

Although the work was supposed to have started from the 1st, G Plus found that some people do not even know about the system in their localities. Manoj Deka of ward no 13 said, “I don’t have any idea of people collecting garbage from my house as we throw the garbage at a place near my house.” Similarly, Kedar Das of Jyotikuchi is unaware of such a move and says, “If there is something like this that is going to happen, I don’t think it will ever be a success as people in my locality do not want to pay for anything. There is a small river near our house and everyone disposes garbage there.” According to sources in the GMC, NGOs will collect the garbage as well as the money from the households and GMC would provide 30% incentives. But, for example if only 500 households pay for the task in a ward where there are 1500 households, then GMC will have to pay the NGOs for all 1500 households. 30% incentives will also be paid for 500 households. If such earnings continue, the urban body will have to pay from its pocket to the NGOs and it is questionable whether this will be sustainable. Ramky failed only because it was not able to generate revenue. Before initiating any system, the GMC should have at least ensured that the start was efficient but in the very beginning, the dates got shifted from the 1st to the 17th. The dumping system is also yet to be prepared as GMC is planning to invite private parties to manage the dump, which was being done by Ramky. So what is the way forward now for GMC?

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

G-View MRINMOYEE HAZARIKA

lthough there is sympathy for the people being evicted in the ongoing anti-encroachment drive that started from the 30th of last month carried out by the district administration, Kamrup (M) in different parts of the city, a shocking and intriguing fact has come to light during the drive. The fact that most of the evicted people have been living on rent in the government lands that were cleared recently, has made things complicated. Highly placed official sources at the district administration has mentioned that there is a chain of hierarchy in terms of the people living in the houses built on government lands. “During the anti-encroachment drive, it was found that people have been building houses on the government lands located along the bank of the rivers, wetlands and other natural channels of the city and some of them have again rented out those houses to some other people in turn. Some of the tenants of those houses do not have the slightest idea that they are living on government lands,” the source at the district administration, Kamrup (M) told G Plus. The source also stated that the government does not have any record of the background of the evicted people. “We do not know whether the evicted persons belong to the category of BPL or homeless. But, since they have been living at the houses built on government lands, we have to evict them” On the other hand, appreciating the government’s stand in clearing the natural channels of the city in order to mitigate the longstanding problem of flash floods in Guwahati, Kailash Sarma, general secretary, Save Guwahati Build Guwahti (SGBG), a city based voluntary organisation praised the move. He said, “It is definitely a good move on part of the administration that it has taken up an anti-encroachment drive against the illegal settlers at the river banks, wetlands and other natural channels of the city which has been cited as a major cause of flash floods. But, at the same time it has to look into the aspect of rehabilitation of those evicted people. Before evicting them, the government should make some other arrangements for the evicted people.” But, contrary to the demand of SGBG and some other civil body organisations, the representative of district administration has stated that there was no way to compensate the encroachers. “There is no provision available to compensate the encroachers. During the current anti-encroachment drive going on in the natural channels of the city, more than 150 families living on the government lands have been evicted. But, since they are living on government lands illegally, as per the law, they do not deserve any rehabilitation from the government,” source at district administration stated.

People renting out homes on govt lands

The recent anti-encroachment drive has revealed interesting facts about the people living illegally on these government lands. “During the antiencroachment drive, it was found that people have been building houses on the government lands located along the bank of the rivers, wetlands and other natural channels of the city and some of them have again rented out those houses to some other people in turn. Some of the tenants of those houses do not have the slightest idea that they are living on government lands.” Currently, the administration is carrying out eviction drives at the Bahini river, Basistha river, places along NH 37 near Jalukbari and Basistha and simultaneously continuing to clean and dredge the river Bharalu, Bahini and Basistha. In the meantime, the representatives of SGBG did meet the Chief Minister last Monday and submitted a memorandum chalking out a plan and suggestions to solve the problem of flash floods in the city, which has been causing great loss of life and property of the residents of Guwahati for a long period of time. “During our meeting with the Chief Minister on Monday, we raised some important issues related to the problem of artificial floods in the city and asked the government to prepare both short term and long term

solutions to resolve the issue. The Chief Minister himself had admitted that the flash flood problem of Guwahati is an entirely technical difficulty,” Kailash Sarma, general secretary, Save Guwahati Build Guwahti (SGBG) told G Plus. Sharma, who holds an engineering degree, also mentioned that among the short term solutions suggested by the SGBG, installing booster pumps in order to drain the excess amount of water in a very short period of time was one of the most important one. The organisation has proposed to install 20 such pumps in different flood prone localities of the city. “Preparing a comprehensive drainage and sewerage system is the only long term solution for mitigating the flash flood problem of the city. Dr Sashi Majumdar, a Guwahati born expert in civil engineering and dam technology and currently based in California undertook a survey in the city for preparing a comprehensive drainage and sewerage system of the city in 2007 and proposed the state government to implement the same with the fund from his organisation from California where he is currently engaged. Majumdar has designed the drainage and sewerage system in California and the only thing he wanted from the government was not undue intervention from the government officials and bureaucrats. But, unfortunately for the fear of not being able to fulfil their vested interest, the government did not permit Majumdar to

implement his plan,” Sarma said. The government, on its part has now formed a committee, where officials of GMC, GMDA, water resource department and PWD have been included for surveying the drains located in the low lying and flood prone

areas of the city. The government will also introduce a facebook page, Flood Free Guwahati, for disseminating information related to the measures taken up by the authority to the public.

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

In The News

VK SINGH RAKES UP BIG DAM CONTROVERSY

On a recent visit to the city, the DoNER Minister talked about developmental issues and also ruffled a few feathers regarding the Subansiri project.

rahul chanda

“N

ortheast is the land of the future and we are giving special importance in the area of skill development, infrastructure, education, agriculture, health and also to the kind of linkages that we start to export directly from here. Northeast has so much of potential that it can, not only feed the entire country but also the world,” said Union DoNER Minister Gen (retd) VK Singh who visited the city recently addressing various events and the media. The minister, in his two-day visit to the city, went to the Kamakhya Temple and attended various meetings. He opened the ICC-NEDFisponsored National Cold Chain Summit in Dispur, attended a workshop organised by Brickwork (credit rating Company), talked to the media and also met the state chief minister. With various development improvement strategy dialogues, the minister also did sprinkle some fuel on the Lower Subansiri Dam fire, which irked various anti-dam bodies.

The propaganda

The minister said that there are some people who have propaganda behind opposing certain developmental moves of the government. He said, “I have personally gone through each and very detail of the Lower Subansiri Dam, and I can assure you that it is not a danger to humanity. When the Uttaranchal tragedy happened, only because of a dam, places like Rishikesh and Haridwar still exist. Similarly, if the Big Dam happens, Assam will gain from it and not lose. There are people who oppose development because of propaganda and not any exact social reason.” He later said he can talk to all the anti-dam bodies and can come to a solution. The Big Dam will provide 15% of power produced to Assam which is expected to solve all power crisis problems in the state. VK Singh said the power ministry was looking at all aspects regarding the 2,000 MW power project, so that the country can reap the maximum benefit. Reacting to Singh’s remark, the anti-dam bodies slammed the ministers comment on the Big Dam issue and asked to stop such projects.

The opposition

Anti-dam groups in Assam have

been up in arms against the central government after Union Minister of State for Coal, Power and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, during a recent meeting with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, said his ministry had resolved the impasse over the mega power project and that the remaining work on the project would resume shortly. The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) demanded of the minister to refrain from misleading the people of Assam about the untrue benefits from the Big Dam and also demanded to immediately stop construction of this project and other big dam projects in the Brahmaputra basin. According to KMSS president Akhil Gogoi, the remarks of the minister on Big Dams were controversial and that the people of Assam were disappointed with the stand taken by the BJP government. “We demand that the Government of India carry out a complete cumulative impact assessment of the Subansiri and Brahmaputra basins for all the dams by engaging independent scientific bodies,” said Akhil stressing that there must be a cumulative impact assessments of all upstream dams in Arunachal Pradesh before clearance is given for construction. KMSS also demanded a tripartite talk between the Centre, the Government of Assam and representatives of downstream people of Assam who are agitating against the construction of the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project. The minister also talked about various development strategies and also lauded the entry of a credit rating company in the region.

Brickwork

“The mission of my ministry is to synergize the process of development of the region so that it enjoys growth parity with the rest of the country. It is heartening to note that in the recent years, the growth rates of Northeast have exceeded the national average and I hope these states will continue to lead in growth rates in the coming years. Our top priorities for North eastern states is to enhance infrastructure and boost economic growth by providing job opportunities to youths,” said Singh in a message given to Brickwork. While interacting with various industrialists and bankers of the region

The mission of my ministry is to synergize the process of development of the region so that it enjoys growth parity with the rest of the country.

in a workshop, the minister clarified that there are many plans which require implementation and they would start soon. Singh also said that he will be mostly seen in this region during his tenure and therefore there is also a plan of setting up an office of the department here. Backing the entry of Brickwork in the region, the minister said that the company will help provide some good counselling to the industrialists and corporate people in the region to grow. Brickwork is a credit rating company, which recently decided to enter northeast as the region is growing and has a lot of opportunities of developing the business sector. Brickwork basically rates all bank loans, company fixed deposit programs, MSME ratings of NSIC, NGOs, hospitals, educational institutions etc. It is the first credit rating company which entered northeast to start the concept of credit rating to organisations. A bank loan rating conveys the credit risk that the bank is undertak-

ing by lending to the borrower. The probability of default (PD) refers to the risk that the bank faces in not receiving the payment in full on the due date from the borrower. So, the rating of any organisation helps the banks to decide on risk factor to provide loans to the seekers. The credit rating system will help the business sector to grow as they can easily get loans from the banks with the help of the ratings they receive from Brickwork. The new minister looks confident on changing the scene of this region within next five years, but are these again promises made earlier too, or this time it’s a serious talk people can believe in. The minister did not talk about border issues but said will connect the neighbouring countries for better trade aspects. The Big Dam is an issue which everyone is fed up of, the tripartite talks should be over soon so that the power generation if not from Big Dam, than some other option can be thought of.

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

In The News

LEVY A UNIFORM VAT OF 50% ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Union Health Minister ask Assam CM g plus feature

nion Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan recently wrote to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi urging him to consider levying a uniform VAT of at least 50% on tobacco products including bidis in the coming state budget. The current VAT on tobacco products in Assam is 25%. The letter of the Union Health Minister dated July 4, 2014 stated that these steps will go a long way in discouraging tobacco use and protecting the youth and other vulnerable people from getting addicted to tobacco thereby improving the health of the citizens as well as reducing avoidable public health costs. It may be mentioned that Dr. Harsh Vardhan earlier wrote to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for an increase in tax on the retail price of cigarettes from 45 per cent to 60 per cent in the union Budget. Accordingly, Jaitley in his budget speech, proposed to increase the specific excise duty on cigarettes in the range of 11 percent to 72 percent. Likewise, the excise duty is being increased from 12 percent to 16 percent on pan

masala, from 50 percent to 55 percent on unmanufactured tobacco and from 60 percent to 70 percent on gutkha and chewing tobacco. In his letter to Assam Chief Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has used the example of Rajasthan, where VAT on tobacco products stands at 65%, followed by Jammu & Kashmir (40% on all tobacco products). The Union Health Minister also stated in the letter that in view of the huge public health costs and implications, there is a need for a ‘comprehensive tax policy’ for all tobacco products so that they are taxed at similar rates and incentive to shift to relatively cheaper tobacco products is minimised. Significantly, according to the study on “Economic Burden on Tobacco Related Diseases in India” conducted by the Public Health Foundation of India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and World Health Organisation, the total economic costs attributed to tobacco use in Assam amounted to a staggering `541 Crores in the year 2011 for persons aged 35-69, of which 47 percent

was direct medical costs and 53 percent was indirect morbidity costs. The economic cost for four specific diseases (Cardiovascular Diseases-CVD, Cancer, Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease) amounted to `158 Crores. Of these diseases, Cancer shared the highest economic burden amounting to `59 Crores, on account

of tobacco use, followed by Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) at `48 Crores, Respiratory Disease (`42 Crores) and Tuberculosis at `9 Crores. The report also brings forth the fact that amongst the four diseases, Cancer contributed the highest at 41 percent of the total direct medical cost and CVD and cancers contributed the

highest at 34 percent each of the total indirect cost. The economic cost for all diseases due to tobacco use has been found higher in males in comparison to females. However, economic cost for smokeless tobacco was higher in females at `136.8 Crores compared to that of `56.3 Crores for males.

City

Shubhojit Roy

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

City awaits the Barsapara stadium With a projected completion by the end of this year, the stadium promises to be a state-of-the-art affair with numerous facilities and upgraded technology.

aking a step forward towards making the most advanced cricket stadium in the region, the decision of establishing the Barsapara stadium was taken by the ACC (Assam Cricket Association). With most advanced sports technology in place and mammoth infrastructural proceedings going around, the stadium is supposed to be ready by the end of this year. G Plus in its visit to the stadium finds out more about it.

The key features

Spread over 16,800 sq. metres, the ground is a glimpse of absolute cricketing magnificence. It has got 10,000 sq. metres of practice wicket area with 10 practice wickets. It has got 2 five star deluxe pavilions and an open air roof. The north side pavilion comprises of the BCCI lounge, presidential lounge and the ACA office whereas the south side comprises of the commentator box, press gallery with high-speed satellite linkage for showing uninterrupted live matches. The gallery is covered and has 200 toilets for all levels, which are 4 floors in the north and the south and 3 floors in the east and west. Hydro pneumatic pumps have been installed which will serve 75,000 litres of water to be used for drinking and also for the toilets. However, the gallery seating capacity will be known only after the seats are placed all around the field.

The ground On speaking to Jaishima Dutta, Director of Klorophyll (India) Sports Turf Technology & Construction Private Limited, who is in charge of the Barsapara ground construction, we came to know about the usage of the advanced technology on process. “No other ground in north east has got these facilities that we have applied in Barsapara stadium. We have installed low voltage automatic sprinklers of Toro Irrigation from USA, which is known for being the best sports field irrigation and best sports field machinery company. Six QCV (Quick Coupling Valves) has been installed in the main field and 2 in the practice ground,” said Jaishima. Explaining about the grass and sand being used for the ground, Dutta says, “We have used graded sand which is in granular size of 0.5 to 0.25

mm. Moreover, the grass used is an evergreen Bermuda grass known as Cynodon dactylon imported from Australia. The benefit of the grass is that it has high resistance to drought and so takes lesser consumption of water and fertilizer than other Bermuda varieties. It is also the best grass that adapts to the tropical climate and does not go dormant and continues to grow in winter as well. It does not allow any weeds around its environment.”

The speciality On asking about how this ground is going to be any different than other grounds in the nation, Jaishima Dutta replies, “Every ground has its specialty. Like the Melbourne ground which is known for its fast pitch or like the Lords in England, which is known to be the ideal test ground or the Eden gardens, which is known for its crowding capacity, every big ground grows its won specialty over time or is remembered for some specific matches. So, a lot of matches need to be played here before it is remembered for its specialty. However, technically speaking, I can assure you that this ground will be known for the post rain playing conditions. The design of the stadium is such that it can withstand 100 mm of rainfall

The entire ground profile is under USGA (United States Golf Association) specification. We have established 6.6 km lineal length of perforated PVC with corrugated sub-soil drainage built under 100% sand base”

per hour and the players can come on to play after just 10 minutes of heavy rainfall. Guwahati city recorded highest rainfall of 52 mm/hour but the ground has a capacity of 100 mm/ hour. The entire city might get flooded but the match will be on.” Explaining further, Dutta says, “The entire ground profile is under USGA (United States Golf Association) specification. We have established 6.6 km lineal length of perforated PVC with corrugated sub-soil drainage built under 100% sand base.”

The matches

Four Ranji matches between Assam and Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa has already been played in 2013 and 2014 at the Barsapara stadium, however, international matches can only be initiated once the construction is completely done. It is expected that the stadium shall be ready for its first international match by the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015. With the grand stadium that, according to authorities complies with the GMDA, fire safety and building norms of the North east region, to tackle high speed wind and earthquake, viewing a match at Barsapara stadium is definitely going to be a treat for the viewers and will be a great step ahead in generating tourism revenue for the region.

shubhojit.roy@g-plus.in

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

SONIT KUNWARI

City

A review

SUBHRAJIT ROY

ndian mythology is enriched with many romantic stories and adaptations of these on silver screen as well as on stage have always gained a prior aspect both in the presenters’ minds and on the spectators alike. Recently, Guwahatians have enjoyed such a mythological romantic saga plotted in Sonitpur. The eternal romance between Usha, the princess of Sonitpur and daughter of King Baan and Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna, has always been a popular piece, both for literature as well as dramatics. Dramatised in Assamese by one of the pioneers of Assamese culture, legendary Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, the recent presentation of it in Sattriya style by Abhinaya Society in association with Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Assam, tried to brought the flavour of mythological theme through a mere modernised prospect. The colourful presentation directed by Abinash Sarma could have more dramatic aspects. Both script and dialogue delivery by actors on stage had many mistakes. Similarly, the cast and characterisations required a shuffle among the ensemble itself. Many of the previous directorial presentations of Abinash Sarma had shown the perfect usage of a multidimensional stage. Here, although the set was multidimensional, it missed the proper execution of appropriate property elements. Contrary to this, the dance pieces enacted in it were commendable and the credit goes to Anita Sarma, who had conceptualised and directed those. In the broader context, it can be said that the dance portions had a better appeal

Noted Sarod Maestro Pandit Debojyoti Bose performing in Byatikram Awards 2014 at ITA Machkhowa on July12, 2014

“So far as the performances are concerned, Mahesh Bora, who played the character of King Baan was timid in the beginning but transformed himself as bold as possible at the end and finally emerged out to be the best among all the performers”

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than those of the dramatised acts. So far as the performances are concerned, Mahesh Bora, who played the character of King Baan was timid in the beginning but transformed himself as bold as possible at the end and finally emerged out to be the best among all the performers. To name some other performers, Tanvi Sharma as Usha, Dipjyoti Das as Aniruddha and Arhi Kaushik as Chitralekha justified their roles. The comic role played by Jolly Laskar brought some humour into the play as well. Music, both lyrical as well as background score remained the boosting elements in it. Bhaskarjyoti Ojha, who directed the music in the presentation, used the Jyoti Sangeets with intact flavour. Similarly, the presentation became visually attractive through the chromatic light design by Kaushik Borbora.

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

The Week That Was CITY NEWS

First ever Queer Film Fest in Ghy

n a bid to support the region’s LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender) community, the first ever communal organisation ‘Sukia’ has been formed in Assam by a group of women on July 12. The group is organizing a three-day national event in Guwahati next month to create awareness about the rights of homosexuals in India. The national event is to be held from August 8 to 10 with the help of other na-

Home guards’ website launched

he official website of director general of civil defence and commandant general of home guards of Assam (www. dgcdassam.org) was launched on July 16. The website will cater all information about the civil defence and home guard structure in the state. In Assam, there are at least 23,000 home guards and 27,000 civil defence officials. The website, a mobile and tablet friendly one, is designed in such a way so as to provide optimal viewing experience.

tional and international organizations. The programme will include debates, discussions and the showcasing of regional, national and international films. In February, the young women, along with some volunteers, had organized the first gay pride parade in the northeast. Sukia also led the protest against the Supreme Court’s reinstatement of Section 377 last December, a regressive decision which recriminalized homosexuality.

Volume on Khagen Mahanta released Scholars awarded honorary

hagen Mahanta: Geet Aru Jivan Rekha, a volume on the life and work of music maestro Khagen Mahanta, written by Anubhav Parashar, was released at a function recently. The book traces many hitherto unexplored aspects and incidents in the singer’s life and journey as a music legend. Mahanta’s contribution to children’s music has also been discussed in the book, published by Banalata. Mahanta’s

immense contribution as a music composer – especially in putting to tune many evergreen numbers penned by stalwarts such as Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Nabin Chandra Bardoloi, Nabakanta Baruah, Keshab Mahanta, Rudra Baruah, Nirmalprabha Bardoloi, Nagen Bora, Kirtikamal Bhuyan, Amrit Sarkar, Tafazzul Ali, Idris Ali, Nurul Haq and Mahendra Sabhapandit – has also been narrated in the book.

Workshop on mask making held

ten–day workshop on mask making was organised for several students at the Dhirenpara branch of Snehalaya, Guwahati, which concluded on July 11. The training was provided by Damodardeva Awardee Hemchandra Goswami from Sri Sri Chamuguri Xattra. The masks made by the students

at the workshop were exhibited at Pragjyoti ITA Centre of Performing Arts, Machkhowa on July 12. The workshop was organized by Satkara, a society for propagating Xatriya culture, in collaboration with Srimanta Foundation and Byatikram. Meenakshi Medhi, president of Satkara, said that the main purpose

behind the workshop is to provide skill training on traditional art form to the deprived children. Kukil Das, a destitute child of Snehalaya who has shown keen interest in the craft, after his best performance in the workshop, the organisation is planning to provide him further training in mask making and related art.

Veteran journalist passes away Illegal constructions along NH37 wrecked

he Kamrup (Metro) district administration has cleared several key areas along NH-37 during the eviction drive on July 12 in the city areas. As the unscientific construction on both sides of NH-37 has led to water logging, all establishments along the highway from Jalukbari to Khanapara have been cleared. About 51 shops, three major boundary walls and three temples among others were dismantled. Officials said structures were demolished in several places, including Basistha Chariali, Koinadhora and Tripura Road.

eteran journalist Satish Chandra Sharma who served United News of India (UNI) for nearly four decades expired in Guwahati on July 17. He was 68 when he breathed his last. In a condolence message, Chief Minister Gogoi said that late Sharma’s contribution in the field of journalism spanning nearly four decades would be fondly remembered by the journalists’ fraternity and media as a whole. “The passing away of Satish Chandra Sharma has created a void in the field of journalism that would be hard to fill,” he added. Before cremation at Navagraha in the city, Sharma was paid rich tributes by the journalists and other distinguished

citizens at Guwahati Press Club. They also observed one minute silence in respect to the departed soul.

DSc degrees

nternationally renowned scholars from Assam, Dipak C Jain and Jyotiprasad Medhi, were conferred honorary DSc degrees at the 16th convocation of IIT-Guwahati on July 13. An internationally acknowledged management scholar, Jain is at present the chaired professor of marketing at INSEAD, the international business school, with campuses in France, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. As a distinguished professor of management science, Jain imparts education in strategic marketing, marketing research, new

Vaccination drive to fight Japanese encephalitis

products and innovation, and pricing policy. Internationally acclaimed scholar of mathematics and statistics Jyotiprasad Medhi was also awarded the degree at the same function. Medhi, who served as visiting professor at several renowned institutions such as the University of Wisconsin, USA, University of Toronto, Canada, University of Montreal, Canada, and McMaster University, Canada, preferred to serve his home state by joining Gauhati University as a lecturer in 1949 despite receiving several lucrative offers from abroad.

AREIDA moves Gauhati HC against water logging

n view of outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in some parts of the state, which claimed 31 lives till now, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has asked Chief Secretary, Jitesh Khosla to direct the health authorities to gear up the vaccination drive in the state. Of 27 districts in Assam, 22 are experiencing the JEV outbreak. As per a study conducted by a team of three researchers from the Regional Medical Research Centre at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in the recent past, pigs are considered to be amplifying hosts of JEV. However, Kamrup (metro) has recorded 30 cases of JEV infected people with no casualty as of now. Gogoi also had a meeting with Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sanjeeva Kumar at his office chamber. The Chief Minister instructed Kumar to step up the vaccination drive to check the disease and to take all-out preventive measures. The Chief Minister, while taking stock of the quantity of medicine in hospitals and health centres, asked the Principal Secretary to ensure regular supply of medicine where there are short supplies.

he Assam Real Estate and Infrastructure Developers’ Association (AREIDA) in a PIL moved the Gauhati High Court on July 16 urging the court to intervene in solving the age-old water logging problem in the city. The high court clubbed the association’s prayer to another similar PIL that questioned the unscientific road designs of the city leading to artificial floods. It has decided to hear both the cases on July 30. The developers urged the court to monitor all measures taken by the government in solving the problem. “Every year after the roads are submerged, various government agencies take up certain temporary measures. But the problem again erupts in the next monsoon. AREIDA wants a permanent solution to this issue and prayed that the high court strictly monitors the government’s measures so that there is a conclusive and affective solution,” said AREIDA president Pranab Kumar Sharma.

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

50,000 meals a day by Akshaya patra

he Akshaya Patra Foundation, a unit of the Hare Krishna Movement, has implemented the midday meal programme in 600 government schools in Assam, providing 50,000 meals a day. However, despite the large scale of the project, its kitchen still functions from a rented house. The foundation has requested a piece of land from the state government to set up a larger kitchen and provide food to more students. The schools served by the scheme are mainly in the rural areas while some are in the met-

ropolitan areas of the Kamrup district in Assam. The kitchen is currently located in Amingaon and has a staff of nearly 150 local people. The preparation of the food takes around four hours, and the meals are delivered to the schools using 25 vehicles. These meal delivery vehicles are customized to ensure that hygienic food reaches the students. The mid-day meals served by the foundation include rice, dal and curd, and they aim to expand their service to more children in the coming years.

Students throng Summer Hobby Camp

The Week That Was CITY NEWS

Drugs worth 2.5 lakh seized by NCB

huge cache of opium and heroin was seized by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) sleuths in two separate operations in Guwahati on July 14. At least five persons were arrested along with the contraband. Two persons, identified as Saifuddin Ahmed and Yashim Ali, were caught by NCB sleuths in the Nalapara area with at least 3.12 kg of opium. “The opium is worth Rs 2.5 lakh. Both the accused hailed from Barpeta district. They were staying in a rented house in the Dakkhin-

gaon area for last couple of weeks,” said an NCB official. In a separate operation, the NCB sleuths, acting on a tip off, nabbed three other persons - Md Anwar Khan, Md Masrif Khan and Fazur Rahman - from the Jorabat-Sonapur area on the outskirts of city and seized 1.54 kg heroin from them. Demand for heroin and other drugs are high in the city’s pubs and are sold at hefty rates. On several occasions, the smugglers were found luring college goers into selling the drugs.

GU begins admission for PG diploma in biomedical science

he Summer Hobby Camp is being conducted by Regional Science Centre, Guwahati in association with Creya Learning, Hyderabad from 15th to 20th July

2014 in premises of Regional Science Centre. The camp starts at 11am and continues up to 2pm daily. Many city students have participated in the camp where various workshops on

students’ skills have been organised. It is an initiative to give the students a platform where they can interact with experts in a friendly manner and also learn different skills.

DTO to recruit women bus conductors

he Rising incident of molestations and harassment against women in the city buses has lead to the hiring of women bus conductors. In order to combat the rising incidents in city buses, Assam State Transport department has decided to hire 12 women conductors for city buses in Guwahati. Guwahati will become the second city in India after Mumbai to have lady bus conductors. Apart from the basic training, the women

conductors will be provided with first-aid, first-respondent and self defence training so that any sort of physical assault occurs inside a bus then these conductors could take protective measures and guard the victim. “We hope this step will not only reduce crime against women but will also provide an employment opportunity to several women belonging to the BPL section in the society”, said District Transport Officer Gautam Das.

he Gauhati University (GU) has started the process for admission to post-graduate advanced diploma in biomedical science and basic clinical research, keeping in view the widening scope of research and job opportunities in the subjects. Students having MSc or BSc in any branch of life science

(biotechnolog y/biochemistr y/ microbiology/ zoology/botany), BHMS, BAMS, BUMS, BVSc/ MVSc, BDS, MBBS/ MBBS-MD, BTech, BPharm and PhD in life science with 55% aggregate marks are eligible for admission to the one-year post-graduate course. However, for SC and ST candidates, the eligibility is 50%.

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Society

ROAR OF THE LIONS The Lions Club has been known for its services worldwide and the Guwahati chapter too has been chipping in with its part

Mandira. It was also found out that besides the eye hospital and clinic, the Lion members also have a tradition of donating their eyes to the needy. Assamese Literature legend Late Mamoni Raisom Goswami also donated her eyes through the Lions Club. “Lions Club also conducts various other programmes in the city like Strides, which is a walk for diabetic awareness. We also provide support to meritorious students and moreover, there is a school for street children called Sahayog under the Lions Club of Guwahati city which holds around 50 to 80 students,” says Mandira.

shubhojit roy

ounded in the year 1917 by Father Melvin Jones, the Lions Clubs International has been an example to the world for its selfless social service and other activities. The Lions Clubs is currently spread over 208 countries serving the needy ones of the society. G Plus tries to find out more about the years of activities that has been clocked by the Lions Clubs since its commencement.

The Motto

In 1925, Hellen Keller addressed the Lions at their International Convention, challenging them to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Since that time, service to the blind has become one of the association’s most significant activities. That crusade has resulted in the establishment of ‘Sight First’, a global blindness prevention program and the signature project of the Lions Clubs. The philosophy of Melvin Jones, “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else,” lives in Lions Clubs motto “We Serve”.

Eye checkup held by Lions Club

Diabetes awareness camp by Lions Club Of Guwahati South

Mandira Chanda (Chairperson, Conference Comitee, Lions Club international - District 322 D) being felicitated

Local Scene

Out of the 6335 clubs in India (including Bhutan) with 2,35,689 members, Guwahati currently comprises of 20 clubs with 99 members. The Lions Club of Narangi was the first Lions Club established in Guwahati, followed by the Lions Club of Gauhati. Mandira Chanda, Chairperson, Conference Committee, Lions Clubs International- District 322 D, tells us about how the areas are divided into districts of Lions Club. “Our district 322 D came into existence following the bifurcation of district 322 B in 1979-80. Earlier, the district was very large in area and the development of Lionism in such a big area was happening at a very slow pace. Administration became a chronic problem, which necessitated the thought towards bifurcation. Therefore after due consideration, we separated ourselves with a new district 322 D. Even the new district 322 D included certain areas of West Bengal, which were later reverted to district 322 B. The larger district then was under Lion R.N. Lakhotia and the new district 322 D came under the leadership of Lion J.N. Bawri. Our district started with 46 clubs and with a total membership of 2206 members,” says Mandira. She further adds, “District 322 D was once again divided in 2000-01 and the areas comprising of Sikkim, revenue district of Malda, West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Coochbe-

Few recent club activities Lions Club of Gauhati: Eye screening camp at Nalbari in which 488 patients were screened; Gandhi Jayant celebration at Hafiznagar slum area with distribution of lunch; fund raising programme at Hotel Vishwaratna. Lions Club of Gauhati Capital Assam: Blood donation camp at Beltola Gurudwara; `11,000 donated to Gauhati Lions Eye Hospital for Cornea Transplantation. Lions Club of Guwahati Arda Mising: Planted 50 trees at road side of VIP road. Lions Club of Guwahati Arpan: Celebrated International day for older persons with the inmates of Kasturba Gandhi old age home; Permanent project sewing school running at jalaram Bappa Ashram. Lions Club of Guwahati Kamrupa: A sum of `42,000 given as financial assistance for treatment of blood cancer to a five year old girl. Lions Club of Narangi: First Aid and burn awareness camp organized at the club’s adopted village ‘Burah Mayong’.

The emergency grant that is availed for flood victims gets released very fast within a week and we also need to send the utility report back within a month, failing which, the emergency grant will be stopped” har and country of Bhutan were separated as District 322 F and the rest of the areas of seven states remained in District 322 D. We currently have an approximate membership of 4200 in District 322 D.”

Activities

MandiraChanda informs that the Lions Clubs have been very active in the city and its district with its need based activities. “Lion Club has its own eye hospital in Satribari where free eye operation is being provided to the needy people. There are two more eye hospitals in Jorhat and Silchar and one was recently opened in Dibrugarh three years back. There are also eye clinics and vision centres in various other towns of Assam,” mentions

Fund generator

The Lions Club generates its fund mostly through the club membership. Every member in the city has to pay an amount of `10,000 per year to enjoy the prestigious membership. Besides that, fund raising programmes are conducted from time to time. Lakhs of amounts are being raised through ‘Dandiya utsav’ at Santipur during the Navratri by the Lions Club of Gauhati. Mandira Chanda, Chairperson of the Conference Committee also tells us about the emergency grant of Lions Club. “The emergency grant that is availed for flood victims gets released very fast within a week and we also need to send the utility report back within a month, failing which, the emergency grant will be stopped,” says Mandira. The Lions Clubs in association with numerous other Lioness Clubs and Leo Clubs have been proving to be one of the strong pillars of social work worldwide since long and there is no doubt that its activities and vision is being appreciated all across the globe. Well, it is to be seen what future activities the Lions Clubs International brings in for the welfare of the people of Guwahati and Assam.

shubhojit.roy@g-plus.in

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Business

GNRC GOING GLOBAL

Pre budget announcement

hief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that employment generation, development activities, particularly backward areas, education, power, health, agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, drinking water, sanitation, irrigation would be the thrust areas of the Government in the coming Budget. State budget for 2014-15 will be presented in August. Gogoi laid emphasis on generating employment opportunities on a mission mode, especially in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, diary, sericulture, animal

shambhavi

uwahati based hospital group, GNRC is planning to go international by setting up super specialty hospitals in Myanmar, Bangladesh and African countries. The hospital group plans to set up at least 10 hospitals in next five years, both within the country and outside with an investment of over `750 Crore. GNRC (formerly known as Guwahati Neurological Research Centre) is planning to set up hospitals in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chattisgarh. The group already has three hospitals in Guwahati having around 500 beds. GNRC has also initiated air ambulance and medical outreach programme using helicopters to remote areas of North-east India. The service will regularly ferry doctors from GNRC to difficult-to-access locations across the region and provide medical support to the population across the North-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. GNRC Medical was recently chosen by the World Bank Group (WBG), through its India Development Marketplace (IDM) initiative, to receive a grant of US$150,000.

Dr. Nomal Chandra Borah, CMD of GNRC Hospitals Ltd said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will create different models for proposed hospitals in different countries. The investment for each hospital will be around `75 Crores.â&#x20AC;? He added that for the air-ambulance project, shortly MOU will be inked with carrier provider. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will help us to scale up our operating model and bridge the gap between healthcare requirement and availability.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will create different models for proposed hospitals in different countries. The investment for each hospital will be around Rs 75 Croresâ&#x20AC;?

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ABD launches â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Blackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

nfrastructure firm Atlanta said it has secured an order from National Highways Authority of India for operations and maintenance of a four-lane Highway stretch in Assam. The project, Guwahati BypassNagaon-Daboka-Udauli, section of NH-37, 36 and 54/54E with a total length of 205.16 km on operation, maintenance and transfer (OMT) basis has a concession period of 9 years, a company statement said. Atlanta Limited is forming a SPV to undertake the project.

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husbandry sectors in the coming Budget. Gogoi, while underscoring the need for institutionalized approach to entrepreneurship development, vocational education and skilled training, called for special incentives to create a pool of skilled and semi-skilled workforce to sustain long periods of growth.

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Deepak Roy, Vice Chairman and CEO, ABD talking about the new brand OC Black

llied Blenders and Distillers Pvt. Ltd (ABD), Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domestic spirits company announced its foray into the semi-premium-plus whisky segment with the introduction of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Officers Choice Blackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The new brand is expected to garner a sizeable share for the company in the semi premium plus segment which has been growing in excess of 20% over the last 5 years. Speaking about their entry into the fast-growing semipremium-plus segment, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;ABD is committed to continuously provide rewarding and fulfilling experiences to its consumers. Officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Black is another manifestation of this commitment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an exceptional blend and superior packaging is sure to win the hearts and minds of consumers. With the launch of Officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Black, we intend to further expand the strong equity of the Officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Brand, which is a part of our companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term premiumization strategy.â&#x20AC;? ABD had nationally launched Officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Blue in the year 2012, which with in a year became a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Millionaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Brand. This year OC blue has crossed 3.5 million cases, a feat no other brand in the IMFL industry has achieved within 2 years of its launch.

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Ward Watch

NO WATER TO DRINK IN

BODO CHOWK

D R WA O N 24

SHUBHOJIT ROY

he Bodo chowk area of Guwahati lies on the Geetanagar road at some distance away from the DIMS Hospital. The road from Bodo chowk connects up to Japorigog, however, the road is not fit for four-wheeled vehicles. Though the street does not suffer from water logging, the blocked drains have become an inescapable scenario. It was also found out that the area suffers a lot from voltage fluctuations and there are some other concerning problems as well. G Plus talks to the residents of Bodo chowk to find out about the issues at the ground level.

Insufficient water “The major issue that our area suffers is that of drinking water. There is a single supplier under the public health department that only provides 200 litres, which is not enough for the entire locality,” says Jayanta Das, a businessman in the locality who has been living in the area since his birth. The positive aspect about Bodo Chowk is that the GMC has been active in the area in cleaning up the garbage. “The garbage collection I believe has been regular in the area except for some very interior parts. We do not have any complaint on the collection of garbage,” Das further added.

The handicapped road Like many other small streets in the city, the road that goes inside to the Boro Chowk is also in a deteriorated condition. However, the road does not suffer from any wear and tear caused by water logging; it suffers mostly from ignorance. “Half the road was re-built on one occasion, but most of the interior part is in a terrible condition,” informs Dadhiram Kalita, another businessman in the locality. On asking since when the road condition has been such, Kalita says, “I have been living here since 80’s and I have been seeing no change in the road condition.” He further talks about the drinking water problem in the area and says, “Years back, there were falls and springs and other water sources in the area, but now all of them have dried up making us dependable on external water sources.”

Volt-age old problems The problem of insufficient electricity supply doesn’t seem likely to go away any time soon from Guwa-

Sub Division 24A/ 24B/ 24C/ 24D

No. of Voters 33,000 (approx.)

Concentrated Region Bodo Chowk

Major Issues Drinking Water, Low voltage

I do not know what the problem is with the ASEB. Many complaints have also been made, but to no avail. The voltage in the area is so low that the fan in the house hardly works. It is so difficult to live like this in summers”

hati. The Boro Chowk area of the city does not suffer from voltage fluctuation but the problem is that the voltage is never in its full peak. “I do not know what the problem is with the ASEB. Many complaints have also been made, but to no avail. The voltage in the area is so low that the fan in the house hardly works. It is so difficult to live like this in summers,” says angry resident Tilak Das, a retired government employee of the area. Das states, “The voltage is still better till the Shreenagar part of Boro Chowk, but after that, it’s just worse. Many electrical wires are

also tangled with the bamboo trees and are dangerous. We wanted to clear the bamboo trees to make way for the high wires, but these people from the authorised departments are so laid back and unconcerned.”

Councilor Speaks The Councilor at Ward No- 24, Paresh Kalita states that a lot of development has happened in the area in association with the Shreenagar Unnayan Committee. “We have setup water tanks in the area to serve the households. But, the people who

complained about not having sufficient drinking water must not have applied for it. We have been trying to do a lot in the Boro Chowk area, but people need to come out of their houses and approach me directly if they face any problem.” Kalita further stated that he is available for the general public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5.30 pm onwards. On being asked about the road condition, the councilor says that the road was constructed years back by the GMC, “but now is in a deteriorated condition. We will try to get the fund for the restoration

of the road,” informs Kalita. It is true that the general public too needs to be aware of the things going around their locality for their own benefit and they also need to stand up and demand for their rights fearlessly. However, if the Boro Chowk area is really in a developing state as the councilor says, in contrary to what the residents spoke, it won’t be long enough when the changes and the development will become evident.

shubhojit.roy@g-plus.in

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Politicking

THE FORGOTTEN LEADER After continued criticism of his modus operandi and the pathetic showings in the recent LS Polls, Prafulla Mahanta recently tendered his resignation from the Asom Gana Parishad.

SYEDA AMBIA ZAHAN

“I

know he is innocent,” the lady clad in a sea-green saree and a red scarf said in a low and slightly trembling voice. It was as if the whole of Assam wanted to hear her speak on that cold winter evening in the year 2001. But it seemed they were expecting something more than these five words, something more real and strong, something convincing and not submissive. But maybe she knew it or she liked to believe that. Mrs. Jayashree Mahanta, the wife of PK Mahanta and the former Rajya Sabha member again said in a shaky tone, “I know him well.” But never in his sixteen year career as a party president and a Chief Minister, had PK Mahanta known that he would face a drubbing such as this. The allegations levelled by Sanghamitra Bharali, a junior employee of the Assam Secretariat, of secretly marrying the two time Chief Minister of Assam and his defeat in the elections held in May of the same year, was just enough for him. “I am shaken to the core by this allegation” Mahanta lamented privately among the party members, said one of the sources. The people of Assam would remember Mahanta as a politician who was a leader of the Assam movement. He will be remembered as the two time Chief Minister and the longest serving president of the Assam Gana Parishad. Apart from that, people of Assam will also remember him for one more reason -the secret killings. Although it is a debatable topic, the horrific secret killings are invariably linked to his name. “For the sake of the integrity and the security of India, we are ready to take any blame,” PK Mahanta said in an interview with a popular channel in the year 2010. The Saikia Commission Report was tabled in Nov 16 , 2007. The Commission headed by K.N Saikia, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, investigated into the secret killings in Assam during the period of 1998- 2001. The report clearly indicated the active involvement of the then Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta into the barbaric killings. The Saikia Commission examined 35 cases of secret killing and stated these killings could not have been carried out without the help from the government machinery. “There is enough evidence to show that the then Home Minister was at the helm of these extra-constitutional killings,” the one-man Commis-

sion said. Mr. Mahanta, who was heading the Asom Gana Parishadled government, was also the Home Minister during this period. The Commission said it was “perpetuation of the AGP rule by villainy, treachery and monstrous cruelty and dangerous propensity.” The AGP has tried to wash its hands off the whole issue by branding it as the sole handiwork of Mahanta who was shown the door by the party just before the Assembly elections in 2005 mainly on charges of anti-party activities and because of his controversial personal life. “If they attack on the integrity of the nation, it’s the duty of the security forces to respond.” P.K Mahanta said in the same interview with the particular channel. The Assam Gana Parishad might be the first political party of Assam

“There is a tendency among some of the leaders of the AGP to hang on to their posts, which is not leading the party anywhere”

that has been facing the highest amount of internal splits and mergers and PK Mahanta might by the most blamed President of a party in Assam for this dilemma. With the bright leaders of the party separated from Assam Gana Parishad, Mahanta kept on losing the trust of all his colleagues of the infamous Assam agitation. The present Union Minister of State for Sports and Skill Development Sarbananda Sonowal joined hands with the BJP in 2011 as the party “has failed to honour the sacrifice of the martyrs by deviating from its principles.”Another colleague and senior leader Atul Bora joined BJP on July 2013. On April 21, 2014 BJP President Rajnath Singh welcomed the former AGP president; Chandra Mohan Patowary to his party in an auspicious occasion. “I had sacrificed my

personal ambition on several occasions in the greater interest of the party. But my efforts and sincerity did not bear fruit and the current party leadership continued to ignore my contributions for reasons best known to them. Under such circumstances I felt frustrated and decided to quit the AGP,” Patowary said to the gathered newsmen. The debacle of AGP in the assembly and general elections since 2001 has led Mahanta to face severe criticism not only from the people of Assam but primarily from his own party. The AGP, which formed the government in Assam between 1985 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 2001, has not won a single election since 2001. Hiten Goswami, another senior leader of AGP and former minister pointed out that, “There is a tendency among some of the leaders of the AGP to hang on to their posts, which is not leading the party anywhere.” The political leader joined BJP along with Chandra Mohan Patowary after he tendered resignation in the party office at Ambari on Feb, 2014. While many erstwhile leaders blamed Mahanta‘s one man dictatorship in the party, some blamed his controversial political image and reluctance to introduce new faces in the party. “He even blocked the chance of former Meghalaya governor Ranjit Shekhar Mushahari’s joining the party just before the election.” a grass-root worker of the same party lamented. The criticism continued and PK Mahanta , now 62 years old, on a fine sunny July morning walked into the party office at Ambari . With a calm posture he delivered his resignation to the members present in the executive meeting. Later talking to the newsmen, he said he took responsibility for the poor show in the recent elections and has decided to step down from the party chief ’s post. However the next evening, the AGP general house meeting rejected Prafulla Kumar Mahanta’s resignation from the party president’s post. The party, however, decided that working President Atul Bora (junior) will continue to remain the president in-charge till the next general house meeting in six months. One of his party members said, “He left the office after tendering the resignation with a heavy heart. Many in the party feel if Mahanta goes, the problem of the party also goes with him. Therefore he decided to quit and not be seen as someone clinging on to the president’s post.”

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Sports

A LEGEND GONE ADITYA GOGOI

he legend is gone only to leave his memories to rule the sporting arena of the state. Assam paid its rich tributes to the pioneer sporting activist Pulin Das who left for his heavenly abode after leaving his mark in almost every field of sports. Born on November 1, 1918, Pulin Das completed his graduation from Cotton College in Guwahati and after that, he took up cricket professionally. Years later, he moved on from playing the sport to referring, umpiring as well as writing about the sports scenario in Assam. As a chronicler, he also had vast knowledge on the history of the city. A man of great spirit, vision and passion towards sports, Pulin Das was truly exemplary. Even at the age of 96, he was more active than most of the people around him. Seeing Pulin da, as he was fondly addressed by many, walking to India Club donning a white pair of shorts to play his regular bout of tennis with his trademark cap, was a hallmark of true sportsmanship. Besides, it also inspired many others to adopt sports. He was suffering from various health afflictions when he breathed his last. Pulin Das was the man behind organising the first Bordoloi Football Trophy, the most prominent tournament of the region along with other important sports tournaments in Assam. He also patronised in organising several important cricket matches in

EULOGY

Guwahati. Pulin Das was also a pioneer when it comes to writing about sports. As a sports journalist, his career spanned over four decades. He started his journalism career as a freelancer and later became the sports reporter of Dainik Natun Asomiya in the early 50’s. He was the sports reporter of The Assam Tribune since its birth and became its sports sub-editor in 1954 before retiring on March 11, 1982. He was also The Assam Tribune’s press photographer for more than 20 years. Besides, he was also associated with the national daily The Statesman and the All India Radio. He was also instrumental in formation of the Guwahati Press Club, Guwahati Reporters’ Guild and Guwahati Working Journalists’ Association. These are just a few of his contributions to Assam, but what he contributed to the state in spirit can never be fathomed. His achievements just continue as Das also was the president of the Kamrup Natya Samity and was the founder president of the Latasil Ganesh Mandir Unnayan Samity besides being closely associated with Judges’ Field Management Committee. His death signals a great loss for the state as he leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, initiative, leadership and dedication.

CAPDEVILLA TO NUFC

Spanish World Cup winner Joan Capdevilla is set to join the Guwahati franchise of the Indian Super League.

SYEDA AMBIA ZAHAN

ootball lovers of Northeast are eagerly waiting for the upcoming Indian Super League as the Spanish Defender Joan Capdeliva joined the Guwahati Franchise of the ISL - the Northeast United Football Club, as a marquee player. Supported by the All India Football Federation, the Indian Super League is tentatively scheduled to be held from September 19 to November 30. The Guwahati Franchise of ISL has become the second team to announce its marquee player after Atletico De Kolkata. Capdevila is expected to join the franchise in Guwahati by mid-August. The Guwahati Franchise is coowned by Actor John Abraham along with Larsing M. Sawyan, managing director of Lajong FC. A few days back, the Bollywood star announced the name of his team as ‘North East United FC’. Football is a craze in the Northeast. So much so the youth of the region are now looking at it as a career

option. This craze for football got a boost after John Abraham, the popular bollywood star and a heart throb of millions including the football aficionados announced that NorthEast United FC aims to project the eight states of the region as a force to reckon within the Indian Football. Joan Capdevila was a prominent

member of the sides that won both the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2008. He has played over 400 games with 36 goals in the Spanish La Liga for big guns like Espanyol, Athletico Madrid, Deportivo, and Villarreal. “After speaking to John Abraham about the way he is passionately

looking to promote football in India and the project of North East United FC, it excited me to take up this challenge. Capdevila said in a statement released by to the NEUFC. “At this stage, after winning everything to be won, a new challenge was needed,” said Capdevila. “India is a huge country and it

should be a privilege for me to be a small part in popularising this global game here and working with the young talented footballers of North East India.” He added. On the other hand, Larsing M. Sawyan, Lajong FC managing director and NUFC co-owner said, “Football fans from the North East are already familiar with him and we believe the excitement of the ISL in North East has already reached a high level. We welcome Joan Capdevilla to Northeast United FC and hope he can help us bring success both on and off the field.” Co-owner John Abraham said, “Speaking with him when he was in Brazil, I got a sense of his passion for the game and especially his excitement for joining our team was motivational and unparalleled. We look forward to his arrival in India,” an enthusiastic John Abraham said in an official statement. Football fans across Northeast are ecstatic after Guwahati was selected as one of the eight franchise cities of the proposed Indian Super League.

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Art

THEATRE FOR CHILDREN An approach to disciplining chaos into creative process

Niranjan Bhuyan

ndiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s present state of modernity has its roots in the socio-cultural changes that took place in colonial India. Characteristically, it is somewhat imposing, fast and unlike many other places, it is not a natural process. Not only the lure for the urbanisation of the west but also a tactful imposition to accept that the traditional elements are no better than those that are exported is responsible for it . On one side the Indian had to bear the load of introjections of the elements, exported to shape up the modernity in colonial India into his individual self and on the other side, he was already unknowingly and naturally carrying his inherited traditional elements, which inculcated a duel sensitivity in him. Interestingly, this duel sensibility in the individual self of an Indian after so many years of Independence still continues to bear these two basic loads and continues to be in a state of pandemonium. His problem is more subtle today, because the new concept of Globalisation is imposing upon him a new load in the form of global citizenship. He is now intrigued to accept global culture, thereby disowning the cultural zone (which was already reduced to half by his modernity enrooted in colonial India) to which, he is still striving to belong. In an article written earlier, I tried to categorise the children in Indian context into three groups. The first group of

children are those who are brought up in an extremely urbanised way. By birth they are partners of Extra-modernity, comparatively free from the loads of duel sensibility. They are like outsiders to the traditional zone to which their fore fathers belonged. They are the most potential breed to become global citizens. The second group of children are brought up in urbanised or semi urbanised way. Their struggle to be a part of the global culture is an extra load in addition to already inherited load of duel sensibility. The third group is of those children who are usually brought up in conditions that are distanced from the urban opportunities and cultures. A majority of them belong to the rural areas. They are in a state where they feel, it is essential to be a part of the modernity and yet, they are unable to disown the cultural zone to which they belong. They are confused by the illusions of new cultural zones, which invite them. Irrespective of the socio-cultural milieu, an important feature common to all children is that there is continuation of acute reduction of physical and mental space, necessary for social discourse and cultural encounters in order to sensitise the subtle action of self introspection responsible for natural development of their mental faculties. The imposition of competitiveness in various forms to reach higher goals and levels, the painful monotonous

I am not in favour of a play scripted by an adult, to decide what children should tell and to be dictated by another adult, what should be done during performance. Because by carrying out such action, we only reduce the above mentioned possibilities of theatre for children into half. book oriented school hours, most of the extra time spent on projects, home works and preparations for class tests, weekly tests, and half yearly and yearly exams, the breakdown of joint family structures into tiny families essentially leading to more self orientation, the growth of modern necessities and infrastructures in the process of urbanization, are few causes of such reduction of physical and mental space. Another universally common feature to all children is that they are spontaneously chaotic, which is actually a part of development of creative faculty as well as learning to co-exist, which we as adult generally fail to perceive. Encouraging children to take part in theatrical activities is an action of providing them with a wider mental space. Because theatre helps them to interact, think, introspect, participate in creative exercises, get introduced to various art forms related to theatre. It

is also an indirect solution to the lack of both physical and mental spaces, which I mentioned at the very outset. The text or the context of a play is always extracted from the society vis-Ă -vis culture and tradition. Naturally, they get chance to relate themselves with society, culture and tradition and to encounter with emotions and experiences of different characters during performance of a play. These encounters help children to increases learning ability in two ways. Firstly, the encounters they experience and understanding they gain through emotion, are like inscriptions in their thoughts and feelings and hence not likely to dissolve so fast. That is the reason why it is very important to include Dramatics/Theatre in school curriculum but it is yet to taken seriously in my state in particular and India in general. Theatre also increases the capacity of learning to learn, a mental process of natural learning, which is more effec-

tive than the process of leaning through educational institutes or social norms. In our social life, at times we have to encounter with such experience for which we do not have any predetermined or established rules or ways to react. So our brain struggles to search for an appropriate (re)action through our instinctive learning process. If the process is not in proper order, it will jeopardise such (re)action. Theatre helps children to be mentally flexible take control of such pandemonium and thus increases the ability of learning to learn. I am not in favour of a play scripted by an adult, to decide what children should tell and to be dictated by another adult, what should be done during performance. Because by carrying out such action, we only reduce the above mentioned possibilities of theatre for children into half. As we work with theatre for children, we need to explore possibilities of transforming their chaos into a systematic order, effective enough to initiate creative process. Here, we need to understand that children are also spontaneously creative, like they are spontaneously chaotic as I had mentioned earlier. They only need their chaos to get an opening to errupt in the form of games or play, imaginations and stories, which the theatre is greatly capable of providing. In the process of growth of a child into adults, his creative aptitude relates to the theological truth extracted out of physical truths and traditional, cultural and social experiences to shape up his aesthetic sense. Thus, theatre provide a huge space for children as an opening to discipline their chaos into a orderly system of creative process which in turn help them to grow into conscious, positive, composed, comfortably knowledgeable and cultural human being. Niranjan Bhuyan is a playwright director & Director, Asom Ranga Katha, Guwahati, India and Member, Asia Regional Theatre and Education Network (ARTEN)

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Life

SOMETIMES YOU WIN AND SOMETIMES YOU LEARN... HOW TO GAIN CONFIDENCE: • • • •

ritu gupta gritu21@yahoo.com

taying motivated is a struggle — our drive is constantly assaulted by negative thoughts and anxiety about the future. Everyone faces doubt and depression. There is no simple solution for a lack of motivation and even after beating it, the problem reappears at the first sign of failure. The key to this is understanding your thoughts and how they drive your emotions. When you only think about what you want, your mind creates explanations for why you aren’t getting it and this creates negative thoughts. Past failures, bad breaks, and personal weaknesses dominate your mind. You become jealous of your competitors and start making excuses for why you can’t succeed. In this state, you tend to make a bad impression, assume the worst about others and lose self-confidence. Make a mental list of your strengths, past successes, and current advantages. We tend to take our strengths for granted and dwell on our failures. By making an effort to feel grateful, you’ll realise how competent and successful you already are. This will rejuvenate your confidence and get you motivated to build on your current success.

• • • •

List your strength. Maintain your focus Take care of yourself. Don’t let others know about your weaknesses. Recognize your insecurities and work on it. Be positive Avoid Perfection. Look in the mirror and smile.

Don’t change what you are and just learn to be more confident in who you are. This is very important. Confidence is something, which grows only when you give yourself a chance. That one spark is needed to rebuild your confidence. When faced with many failures in life we tend to lose our confidence. Sometimes even the most determined person gets overwhelmed. All you need to do is leave everything and take a break for few hours or maybe few days. It rejuvenates your energy and motivates you do better. The difference between those who reach their goals and those who don’t, is staying motivated. If you’re motivated, you’ll keep going and If you keep going, eventually you’ll reach your goal. To sum up the whole thing, just keep one thing in mind and that is, the more you do, the more you will learn and understand. You’ll discover which tactics work the best for you and which ones don’t. It’s like weeding out the garden - not the most enjoyable job in the world, but when you’re done, all that’s left are beautiful flowers. Keeping sticking with it and soon it will be all flowers for you.

dear love

have always loved you since the time I came to my senses. You are so beautiful that you colour my life like the many hues of the rainbow. I have loved your earthy smell. I have always wanted to dance while you watched my every move. And believe me, I did. Hope you noticed it. Remember, that day, when someone appreciated you, I danced in glee. I was so elated. Do you know to what extent I love you? If you haven’t, then you will eventually. One day, I will whisper it in your ears. But let me tell you today. I love you to the extent of madness. It drives me insane if anyone was to speak ill of you. I almost killed one person one day. You know why? He was saying that you are not good enough; you do not have the capability to go ahead, develop and what not. Thank God I didn’t murder him for his words but then again, I wouldn’t mind being behind bars for you. I wouldn’t love you any less if you didn’t have anything to give me. I would continue to love you till death do us part. You have this strange mesmerizing look that anyone would die for. Over the years, you have cared for me so much that I am thoroughly obliged to you. I know that you would probably ask what is it that you have given me? But

then, I keep questioning myself; what have I given you? Nothing! Nothing compared to your dedicated love for me. You have so many people who love you so much. Some don’t even want to leave your side. You can count me as one of them. I have never ever had the desire or the inclination to part from you though it is very important for you to know that people have tried to separate us in the past. Not now, no way, they cannot. No one and take that as a statement from me. No one can take the place that you have in my heart. Like I told you before, I love you to the point of insanity or lunacy or call it what you may. Over the years, some people have helped you to grow but many have taken away what you cherished most; your happiness. You have held forth, bravely facing all adversities that have come your way. I have a lot to learn from you. There are some who ask me what is it that you have that I die for and what I see in you. I have told them and will say it again and again. I see the world in you. I Love You ASSAM.

tinat ATIFA MASOOD

Devotion Is ‘Questions & Answers Question: Is it alright if I meditate thinking about you, about how beautiful you appear, how wonderful are your eyes, and that your smile is so lovely? Is it alright to meditate upon your form? See, if you are able to meditate effortlessly by remembering someone or something, then that is alright. Maharishi Patanjali has mentioned in the Yoga Sutras (a treatise on the eight limbs of Yoga) that if you are able to meditate by remembering or contemplating upon an image of someone, or something that is very dear to you, then that is alright. There are many approaches to meditation. Here (in the Advanced Meditation Course), by saying that everything around you is hollow and empty, we bring the mind that is turned outwards (to the material world) back inwards to its source. When you become aware that everything around you is hollow and empty, then a deep realization dawns within you. So meditation is that which happens very effortlessly. But if, while you sit for meditation, you make efforts to remember Gurudev’s image and how he looks, then meditation will not happen. There is a tradition in which people are taught to meditate by contemplating upon some form. In the Yoga Sutras it is said, ‘Vitraag vishayam-va chittam’. It means that just by thinking about an enlightened and dispassionate soul, one can go deep into meditation. That is why one goes into meditation just by thinking about the Guru. This really does happen, and it is alright. But you need not strain yourself so much to think of the Guru in order to meditate. Once you are connected with the Master, when you heart becomes one with the Master, and when love dawns from within you, then meditation happens effortlessly. It is how it was with the Gopis (the womenfolk of Vrindavan where Lord Krishna spent his early years), who were so totally in love with Lord Krishna. The Gopis never made any effort to meditate. They were so soaked in their love for Lord Krishna that they would effortlessly slip into meditation. The moment there is deep love, meditation just happens. The other approach is that which was taught by Lord Budhha. For meditation, Lord Buddha would say that ‘Everything around you is temporary and transient. Nothing will last forever. Just remember that it will all disappear one day’. So this is another way to meditate.

Your Talents Are For Others! Question: Please explain the significance of Go-daan (the custom of donating a cow as charity in India) and whether one should do it while being alive, or by someone else after his death. What is the reason behind doing this? Let us first understand the meaning of the word ‘Go’. What does it mean? There are four meanings to it: Go means jnana (knowledge), gaman (to travel to one’s final destination), prapti (the act of receiving something) and Moksha (liberation). So the word ‘Go’ is synonymous with each of these four meanings. Go-daan therefore does not simply mean donating a cow in charity. It also means giving knowledge to someone. Before this life ends, you should share whatever knowledge you have gained in this lifetime with as many people as you can. Suppose you learnt and mastered playing the Sitar, but you die without passing on this knowledge

to someone else, then you have not performed Godaan in life. Then you cannot attain liberation. So, sharing all the knowledge that you have received with everyone else is Go-daan. The second meaning of Go is gaman. It means to progress in life. So when you move ahead in life, and also help others move forward in life, then that is progress. Our scriptures speak about Sadgati (good progress). So gaman means to reach a particular destination in life, and it also means to become so full and content within yourself. The third meaning is prapti (to receive), and it means to become content and happy once you receive something. This too happens with knowledge. Why is the cow referred to as ‘Go’? The cow walks and moves, and it provides everything that one needs for life. You need food for life. The cow provides cow dung which is used to burn the earthen stoves for cooking food. Cow dung is also used to plough the fields before growing crops. The milk from the cows is so nutritious and satiates one’s hunger. Cow milk makes the body so strong and gives a lot of nutrition. Also, we get butter, cheese and curd from cow’s milk. So because of all these reasons, the cow is also called as Go. And then the fourth is knowledge or Jnana. Knowledge helps in the smooth running of life, and it also helps one to achieve great things in life (prapti). In the Indian culture, there is a deep connection between a word and its function. For example, the word ‘Parna’ (meaning leaf) means one that drinks in and absorbs water and energy from the Sun. Our scientists refer to this process as Photosynthesis. Why so? It is because the leaves absorb the energy from the sun. So, when you see it this way, Go-daan means to be able to make our life and skills useful for the benefit of others. In the ancient days, there was a custom of donating a cow to someone else because of this reason. By donating a cow to someone in need, they would be able to feed and sustain themselves and their family. In those days, the greatest wealth a person could have was a cow. Do you know why? It is because by donating a cow, you were helping the person to feed himself and also helping him to make a living. So in those days, having one or more cows was a huge source of support for life. This is why so much importance has been given to Go-daan in our culture.

Stop Complaining And Start Living! Question: When we are children, we complain to our parents. When we go to school, we complain about our teachers and our friends. When we start working, we complain about our boss or our colleagues at work. How does we get free from this habit of complaining all the time? That’s it! Once you have realized and become aware of this tendency about yourself, then just know that you are out of it. A complaining mind usually complains about things that happened in the past. When we do not look forward to the future with a positive mind set, and when our Prana(life force energy) is low, then our mind tends to get entangled with the events of the past, and it starts to regret or complain about them. That is why the wise ones around us who have foresight encourage us by saying, ‘Drop all this garbage of the past. Just smile and move forward. Your complaining does not help improve or resolve anything’. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Health

Taking charge of your heart

COUNT THEM RIGHT I

f it takes just one sperm and one egg to create a baby, why must men make so many sperm? And how many sperm are considered normal? How long do sperm live? Can they survive outside the body? Do men stop making sperm as they age? Is there anything you can do to increase sperm production or improve the health of your sperm?

How many sperm do you need to achieve a pregnancy?

Fertility experts estimate that male fertility issues are the culprit in at least 40% of couples who are exper difficulty in conceiving, and point to low sperm count as one of the main causes of male subfertility and infertility”

Importance

Fertility experts estimate that male fertility issues are the culprit in at least 40% of couples who are experiencing difficulty in conceiving, and point to low sperm count as one of the main causes of male sub-fertility and infertility. Are you ready to start having kids, but worried your sperm count is too low? Semen is most likely to be fertile when it contains more than 15 million sperm per milliliter. That count can go down when your testicles get too hot, when you’re stressed out, and when you have an STI that’s interfering with sperm production. Luckily, there are many steps you can take to boost your count but before that you should know how to check your sperm count.

Why Test Your Sperm Count?

Low sperm count is one of the main causes of fertility issues in men. Simply put, a low sperm count decreases the probability that one of the sperm will be able to successfully fertilize the egg. Because couples who are trying to conceive are often under a tremendous amount of stress and uncertainty, identifying barriers to conception is extremely helpful. By using Sperm Check Fertility to measure your sperm count, you can quickly determine if it is necessary to explore treatment options, including male fertility supplements (such as clinically-tested Fertile Aid for Men), prescription drugs and/ or varicocele surgery, to increase your sperm count and enhance your chances of conceiving.

How long do sperm live?

The answer depends on a number of factors, the most important of which is where the sperm are located. On a dry surface, such as clothing or bedding, sperm are dead by the time the semen has dried. In water, such as a warm bath or hot tub, sperm will likely live longer because they thrive in warm, wet environments; however, the chances sperm in a tub of water will find their way inside a female bather and cause her to become pregnant are extremely low. Inside a woman’s body, sperm can live for up to five days depending on the conditions. If you have unprotected sex even a few days before your partner ovulates, there is a chance of achieving a pregnancy.

Health Tip

It takes just one sperm to fertilize an egg and achieve a pregnancy, but for each sperm that reaches and fertilizes an egg, there are millions that don’t. The average ejaculation contains close to 100 million sperm; according to the World Health Organization, men who have fewer than 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen may be at risk for having infertility issues. Why are so many sperm released if it takes only one to make a baby? To meet the waiting egg, the semen must travel from the vagina to the fallopian tubes, an arduous journey that few sperm survive. For those that complete the trip, penetration of the egg is far from a sure thing. The egg is covered by a thick layer that makes fertilization difficult. Experts believe this process may be nature’s way of allowing only the healthiest sperm to fertilize the egg, thereby providing the best chances to produce a healthy baby.

Is there anything you can do to improve the health of your sperm?

Many of the things you do to keep yourself healthy can also improve the health of your sperm. These include: • Avoiding cigarettes and illicit drugs, especially anabolic steroids • Avoiding exposure to toxins such as pesticides and heavy metals • Limiting alcohol intake • Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight Finally, it is important to take care to keep your scrotum cool, because heat slows sperm production. Avoid hot baths and hot tubs, wear boxers instead of briefs, and avoid pants that are tight or restrictive.

ome ways to take charge of your heart health to embark on a heart-healthy lifestyle to fight heart disease are: -

Schedule a yearly check-up

Your heart is in your hands. Each year on your birthday, schedule a checkup to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked, and ask your doctor to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to follow your healthcare professional’s recommendations, including taking prescribed medications as directed.

Get physical

Step, march or jog for at least 15 minutes a day while watching your favourite TV shows. Increase your activity by five minutes each week until you’re getting a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week. If exercise and diet do not get you to your goal, ask your doctor about adding medication.

Drink more water

Take a water bottle with you wherever you go. It’ll keep you hydrated and the bottle’s weight will strengthen your arms.

Eat healthy

Keep packages of unhealthy food hidden. Put raw veggies and fruits in front in the refrigerator and healthy snacks in the front of the pantry, so that’s what you see first. If you grab healthy foods for a minimum of 21 times, healthy choices will become a habit.

Control cholesterol

Eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol can lead to high blood cholesterol. To help keep your cholesterol levels down, eat foods low in saturated fat and trans fat, such as lean chicken or turkey (roasted or baked, with skin removed), fruits and

veggies, low-fat or fat-free dairy products and whole grains.

Cut down on salt

To help lower high blood pressure, watch your salt intake. It may be disguised in food labels as sodium alginate, sodium sulphite, sodium caseinate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or sodium citrate.

Quit smoking Try this four-step way to kick your habit: • On Day 1, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke by half • On Day 3, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke in half again • And on Day 5, cut your smoking in half again • On your Quit Day... quit!

Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. To achieve steady, painless weight loss, take it easy. Each day, if you eat 200-300 calories less than you would normally consume, and exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week, you’ll get closer to your goal and be able to achieve weight loss that’s steady and painless.

Stay positive

If you get off your exercise schedule, have a cigarette, or eat a fattening meal, immediately get back on track toward re-establishing a healthy lifestyle.

Give yourself credit

To maintain momentum with exercising, losing weight, or quitting smoking, keep track of your achievements and reward yourself by doing something you enjoy.

Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but still go without it. Breakfast is what gets the metabolism going and keep it going throughout the day. After sleeping all night, your body is no longer full so the best thing for it is food. Retain your focus and energy with a healthy and nutritious meal.

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Reviews

Pizza 3D

I Director: Vishal Pandya Cast: Surveen Chawla, Jay Bhanushali, Sushant Singh

ebutant director Vishal Pandya picks a vindictive idea and attempts to make it as gruesome as he can. After exotic romance and dreadful assassination in the first half, the flick follows vengeful killing of the murderers in the second half. Surveen Chawla and Akshay (Jay Bhanushali) falls in love. This isn’t acceptable by a high profile leader (Sushant Singh) as he also loves her. Sushant and his men kill Jay, but leave Surveen alone after assaulting her. We will call it a big mistake by Sushant who faces a backfire by this wounded lover. The movie is undoubtedly a revenge thriller like its earlier installment but the screenplay thins down as and when it proceeds. However, there are scenes, which pull over so brilliantly that you are moved with them. The techniques of assassination have a thrill element but they come out of nowhere. The flick also focuses the dirty politics prevalent all over; however, it doesn’t concern us much since it’s all predictable. A little too much exposure by Surveen Chawla in the flick works for the front row viewers in theatres but not for those who are looking out for logics. Surveen Chawla is impressive in her first attempt in the movie. As an annihilator seeking for revenge Surveen is great. Jay Bhanushali doesn’t have a meaty role in the flick but is good in whatever he gets. Sushant Singh is the show stealer. As an arrogant politician he sums the performance with a brilliant act. Music by Mithoon, Meet Bros Anjjan, Rashid Khan is good. The remake of the old melody ‘Aaj phir tumpe’ is brilliantly sung by Arijit Singh and Samira Koppikar is our pick from the album. Hate Story 2 has a sense of affection like many of those epic revenge sagas made in our Indian cinema. The problem is that after setting an apt plot, it doesn’t do much justice to it.

Mandatory Fun

u LD o Y OU EN by T H Weird Al S S LI

t’s hard out there for a professional parodist: nowadays, any idiot with a webcam can post his or her version of “Fancy” on YouTube, and if a master idiot like “Weird Al” Yankovic wants to get us tweeting about his send-ups, he’d better make them extra special. On “Mandatory Fun,” the 14th album of his crazy-long, crazy-pants career, the Weird One delivers the reprocessed goods, though it’s his original tunes — done in the idiosyncratic styles of his favorite artists — that truly warrant repeat listening. On the parody front, Yankovic wisely plucks lowhanging fruit, turning Lorde’s

Director: Karthik Subbaraj Cast: Akshay Oberoi, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Dipannita Sharma, Arunoday Singh,

t’s tricky experimenting with the horror genre. The intent -- besides narrating a captivating tale -- is to terrify, startle and provide those occasional jolts that one would expect from a film belonging to this variety. A taut screenplay that keeps you on tenterhooks coupled with a nail-biting finale, dexterous cinematography, spine-chilling sound effects and effectual background score are the other rudiments that make a paranormal thriller work. PIZZA, the remake of the Tamil supernatural thriller PIZZA [2012], gets it right on some counts. If you haven’t watched the original or are clueless about the plotline, chances are you may be sucked in its world, but the loose ends -- despite an unforeseen twist towards the closing stages -- cannot be ignored. PIZZA narrates the story of Ku-

the DoP [Jayakrishna Gummadi]. The atmospherics inside the haunted residence -- the protagonist has a mere torch to guide him through the pitch-dark night -- catches your eye. On the whole, PIZZA scares and startles in parts. A condensed, watertight screenplay in the latter half was much desired to create a hammer-strong impact. Yet, the film has its moments!

MouseCraft on PS4

ouseCraft is a puzzle game where players help mice in their relentless quest for cheese by stacking the world’s most famous blocks: Tetrominos. Your goal is to lead a group these mice through a machine to find the cheese at the other end. There are over 50 levels in the

E M W GAEVIE R

campaign mode, and as you play the path and methods of getting to the exits becomes more and more complicated. And if your brain isn’t turned into swiss cheese after going through this machine, MouseCraft includes a fully-featured level editor to design your own stages.

Where Earth Meets Water Author : Pia Padukone

n this poignant and breathtaking debut, one man searches for meaning in the wake of incomparable tragedy... Karom Seth should have been in the Twin Towers on the morning of 9/11, and on the Indian shores in 2004, when the tsunami swept his entire family into the ocean. Whether it’s a curse or a blessing, Karom can’t be sure, but his absence from these disasters has left him with crushing guilt-and a belief that fate has singled him out for invincibility. Karom’s aff liction consumes everyone around him, from his best

NOW SHOWING

“Royals,” Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive,” Pharrell’s “Happy,” and the aforementioned Iggy Azalea summer jam into songs about food storage, sloth, tactlessness, and home repair. Best of all is “Word Crimes,” a handy grammar lesson based on Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.”

nal [Akshay Oberoi], who works at a pizzeria in Mumbai. The employees [Hussain Dalal and D. Santosh] at the pizzeria are his only friends and his wife Nikita [Parvathy Omanakuttan] is someone whom he trusts and enjoys spending time with. His life is limited to delivering pizzas across the city. Life is a series of regular uneventful days, until one day a pizza delivery goes wrong. Kunal delivers a pizza to a woman [Dipannita Sharma Atwal] and the encounter changes his life for the worse. The experiences in the haunted mansion makes Kunal realize there are supernatural powers in existence. To make matters worse, when Kunal finally escapes from the house, his wife Nikita goes missing... The first-time director’s vision is encapsulated exceedingly well by

friend, Lloyd, to his girlfriend, Gita, who hopes that a trip to India will help him find peace. It is in Delhi that he meets Gita’s grandmother, Kamini-a quirky but wise woman with secrets of her own. At first Karom dismisses Kamini, but little does he realize that she will ultimately lead him to the clarity he’s been looking for. Spanning the globe from New York to India, Where Earth Meets Water is a stunning portrait of a quest for human understanding, and a wise exploration of grief, survival and love in all its forms.

u LD o Y OU d SH rea

Haumpty Sharma ki Dulhania

Hate Story 2

Pizza

Apsara Cinema

Daily at 11AM, 5 & 8 PM

Daily at 2 PM

Anuradha Cineplex

Daily at 11.30 AM & 8 PM

(3D) Daily at 9 AM & 2.30 PM

Daily at 5 PM

Fun Cinemas

Daily at 9 AM & 6.10 PM

(3D) Daily at 11.25 AM & 4 PM

Daily 1.30 & 8.45 PM

Gold Cinema (Fancy Bazar)

Daily at 11.30 AM & 2 PM

Daily at 2.30 & 8.30 PM

Daily at 11AM, 5 & 8 PM

Daily at 5.30 PM

Gold Cinema (Paltan Bazaar)

Daily at 11.30 AM & 2 PM

Daily at 2.30 & 8.30 PM

Daily at 11AM, 5 & 8 PM

Daily at 2.30 PM

Gold Cinema (Narengi)

Daily at 11 AM, 5 PM

Daily at 8 PM

Daily at 2 PM

Ek Villain

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

G PLUS JUL 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Web Watch

Google search on mobile now shows site compatibility with device

AirType: wearable device that lets you type without a keyboard

oogle will now warn you when a page listed in its search results won’t display properly on your Android/iOS device. The Internet giant says that this will help cut down on wasted clicks. Google says in a blog post that the change is meant to encourage web designers and developers to adopt widely supported browser technologies. This doesn’t mean that Google will leave out those sites altogether in its search, or bar you in any way from visiting them but a lot of these sites might see a drop in traffic as a result. Google announced in a blog post, “Starting from 16th July, we will indicate to searchers when our algorithms detect pages that may not work on their devices. For example, Adobe Flash is not supported on iOS devices or on Android versions 4.1 and higher, and a page whose contents are mostly Flash may be noted.”

Submitted by Indrajeet Bhuyan

L A

irtype is a new portable cufflike device that attaches to your hands and monitors your finger movements to find out the letters you intend to type. The project is currently in early prototype phase. A Texas-based hardware and machine learning startup, AirType is developing a “keyboardless keyboard” accessory that allows you to type on any surface for your phone. Airtype is still in a prototype stage and the makers says that the device

Firefox OS launching in India this July in phones under `3,000

ozilla has announced that it will be launching lowcost smartphones in India starting from this July. According to Mozilla prices can be expected to go up to $50 (approx `3,000). Mozilla has partnered with China based Spreadtrum Communications for its low-cost chip solutions. The company is also working with various smartphone manufactures to keep the production costs down. Mozilla Taiwan CEO Gong Li

3 Websites To Check If An Email Address Is Valid

said, “Mozilla initially launched Firefox smartphones in the Latin America and Europe markets in July 2013 and has sold about one million units, Gong said. Mozilla has been able to cooperate with only 1-2 mobile telecom carriers in each country in the two regional markets, but will instead cooperate with more than 10 retail chains in India, Gong indicated. Therefore, Mozilla expects better sales performance in the Indian market.” Gong Li said Mozilla will partner with more than 10 phone hardware manufacturers and 20 carriers to support Firefox OS in India. In addition to this, Firefox OS is coming to tablets too. Mozilla has roped in Foxconn Electronics and VIA technologies in developing the platform. Panasonic has also come forward for Firefox OS based TVs.

is no different than typing on a keyboard and allows you to type on any surface. The device makes the letters you want by learning your finger movements. Unlike projection keyboards, which use a virtual keyboard image displayed on a flat surface, the AirType doesn’t have any visual component at all. The makers describe AirType as “a keyboard that fits in the palm of your hand”. Airtype is designed to be as portable as a cell phone and can easily clip into a tablet for easy

transport. Air Type’s website says that the system will learn to adjust to your typing habits. The app has dynamic text prediction and correction, the developers added. However, the team is not saying how exactly the prototype works, but it will most likely connect to devices via Bluetooth or NFC since it doesn’t have any wires. Since most of the people type erratically and never bother to learn the skill of typing, its difficult to guess how well Airtype will work.

Google’s modular smartphone Project Ara gets one step closer Google is sending out hardware for Project Ara, which will let you build a personalised phone from a selection of bolt-together elements.

www.verify-email. org It is a simple tool to check if an email address actually exists or not. Visit the tool, and enter email address in the text field given at bottom. Click on Verify button to get the result. Website quickly verifies the email address and show whether it is bad or ok.

MailTester.com

oogle is sending out Project Ara hardware to developers cooking up parts for the hotly-anticipated modular smartphone. Project Ara is a plan for a modular smartphone from the bods at Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects group, the Californiabased search engine’s research and development brain trust. You’ll

build your phone from modules you choose, each module a square of varying size that attaches to the phone with electro-permanent magnets. Developers are working on creating their own hardware modules to give Ara a range of options, allowing you to create a custom phone with only the elements and hardware you want.

Samsung Z, company’s first Tizen-based smartphone announced

ooking to verify an email? You can ping that email address to find MX records of that domain. If records exists, then try to check if the username exists. I know this seems bit complicated. This is why few nice web applications exists to solve this problem. You can try online email address validator tools. These email address validator tools can verify whether an email address actually exist or not. These tools try to connect to mail server and check if email address is valid of fake. These tools are easy to use. You only need to enter email address and it will check whether it is valid or not.

amsung has officially announced its first Tizenbased smartphone – Samsung Z. The new Samsung smartphone runs Tizen 2.2.1 and is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core application processor along with 2GB of RAM. The Samsung Z measures 138.2 x 69.8 x 8.5mm and weighs around 136g. The

smartphone has 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED (1280 x 720). It sports an 8MP rear camera and 2.1 MP front-facing camera. The smartphone comes with 16GB built in memory and supports additional storage up to 64GB via microSD. For connectivity, the Samsung Z supports WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n HT40, MIMO(2×2),

GPS / GLONAS, Bluetooth: 4.0 BLE, USB 2.0, NFC and IR Remote. It is powered by a 2600 mAh battery. Samsung says its Z smartphone fully supports 2D and 3D graphic qualities, smoother scrolling and an improved rendering performance for web browsing. There’s also a builtin fingerprint sensor.

It is another similar kind of website. Enter the website and click on Check Address button. It quickly gather the results and show why the email address is valid. If the email is valid, results will be displayed in Green color other wise results will be in red color.

www.smart-ip.net/ check-email It is also an online service which helps to check if an email address is valid of not. It also works in same manner and quickly displays the results. Indrajeet Bhuyan is a 16 year old tech blogger and security researcher. He is passionate about computers and believes in sharing knowledge and information . He uses his spare time helping people and companies secure themselves. fb.me/indrajeet.bhuyan

G PLUS JUN 19 - JUL 25, 2014

Bazaar

ONE FOR THE LAP As the demand for laptops go up, G Plus takes a look at the market in Guwahati. Shubhojit Roy

rom desktops to laptops to notebooks, the personal computer has come a long way and has found a permanent place in human lives. With manufacturing giants like HP, HCL, Dell, Apple and others, the competition is always tight. G Plus finds out how the laptop manufactures keep the balance of demand and supply and how important is the Guwahati market for both consumers and manufacturers.

The Brands

Lenovo S510P 3309