G plus volume 1 issue 44 by G Plus

VOL 01 | ISSUE 44 | AUG 2 - AUG 8, 2014

`10 ges 24 Pa

Kalki Koechlin Catching Up, Pg 24

`1.26Cr In light of the recent molestation case, which grabbed headlines, we take a look at the current scenario of the city.

RELEASED TO ASSAM STATE ZOO PG 04

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

Lead Story

WATER RESOURCE TO DEVELOP FLOOD FORECASTING SYSTEM The Water Resource Department is developing a system to forecast flood and erosion system to minimise the loss and devastation.

Mrinmoyee Hazarika

fter failing to resolve the flood situation of the state with the available structural measures, the Water Resource Department (WRD) is coming up with a nonstructural system. The department is hopeful of converting the sorrows of the river Brahmaputra into the happiness of the people, which has been taking thousands of lives, destructing huge amounts of land and property over the years in the course of its ghastly flood with the help of the new initiative. As a part of the new measures to end the age-old problems of flood and erosion caused by the mighty river Brahmaputra and its tributaries, FREMAA (Flood and River Erosion Management Agency of Assam) was formed to act as a special purpose vehicle for implementation of “The Assam Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (AIFRERIP),” under the WRD, Govt. of Assam. “At present, we are working to develop a pilot project, which includes a flood forecasting and warning system of the river Brahmaputra and all of its tributaries. For this purpose, a software called MIKE will be developed for comparative assessment of the potential flood levels,” Nawajyoti Sharma, national team leader and flood management specialist, DHI, Denmark, the organisation which has been engaged by FREMMA to carry out the pilot project of flood forecasting and warning system in Assam, told G Plus. Sharma also informed that with the help of the system, the forecast, warnings and risk information would be disseminated to the people as widely as possible via internet, mobile phones, SMSs and other means of communication for up to three days in advance. “Due to the lack of an integrated hydro-met monitoring system in the tributary catchments and along the Brahmaputra mainstream and a real time forecasting technology and tools, the WRD’s capability to meet the demand of a modern real time river basin wide flood forecasting and warning system is limited. An effective flood forecasting and warning system has to be based on hydrological and hydrodynamic models to simulate rainfall-runoff from the catchments and to simulate propagation of flood along the tributaries, main stream and the flood plains,” Sharma said. At present, the CWC (Central

Objectives of flood forecasting and warning system• To equip the WRD with a comprehensive model/suite models for improved flood forecasting including floodplain inundation applicable to flood prone areas in Assam • To establish and strengthen the capacity of WRD in flood forecasting and processing of GIS and satellite data in order to produce accurate flood information and inundation maps • To assist disaster management agencies at state and local levels to integrate their flood disaster management activities with accurate and extensive real time flood forecasts and inundation maps • To develop an integrated hydrological and hydrodynamic modelling system covering the tributaries and mainstream Brahmaputra and its flood plain with real time forecast and warnings • To develop web based flood warning dissemination system for community flood disaster management

water commission) carries out forecasting of flood water level along the Brahmaputra at some specific locations, but, the system has a limitation of waiting for the forecast to be made till the flood is observed. Regarding other systems available for flood warning system, Sharma said that the NESAC (North Eastern Space Application Centre) provides flood early warnings of the tributaries of the Brahmaputra (except the mainstream river) to all the concerned districts of the state. But, this is not a regular activity of NESAC and the ASDMA funded system is expected to continue up to 2014. It provides the forecast and warning outputs to ASDMA, DDMA and the revenue circles via e-mails. No dedicated websites are used for updating the forecast as the programme is at research stage. “It is not possible to stop flood, but it is possible to minimise the losses. If the villagers can be made aware of the possibility of flood in advance, they will be able to prepare themselves to cope with the situation and for that matter, awareness has to be created on the issue of living with flood. The overall objective of the flood warning project is to provide real time flood forecasts to all flood prone areas of Assam including inundation forecast-

ing in flood plains in order to assist the local partners and planning timely remedial measures,” Nawajyoti Sharma stated. He also informed that the ADB funded project of `1.8 crore, which started from June this year would come to an end by August next year. FREMAA, the government agency which is involved in developing the flood forecasting and warning system also takes up projects to develop other structural measures to combat flood in Assam. The project includes comprehensive riverbank protection and upgradation and construction of embankment of the river Brahmaputra at Dibrugarh, Kaziranga and PalasbariGumi. “The construction work along the river Brahmaputra in Dibrugarh and Palasbari-Gumi has already been started. The work in Kaziranga has not been started yet due to environmental issues. In all those areas, the nonstructural measures including community based flood risk management including flood mapping, information about erosion and flood risk etc will be provided with the flood forecasting and warning system to be developed by us,” Sharma stated.

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

G-View

97 MOLESTATION CASES IN CITY UPTO JUNE RAHUL CHANDA

In light of the recent molestation case, which grabbed headlines, we take a look at the current scenario of the city.

ince the rape laws were reworked after the infamous Delhi gang rape case when the entire country came out against the crimes taking place against women, people assumed that such heinous crimes against women would see a decrease. But, no matter how stern the law becomes or whatever strategies the authorities may come up with, women still are looked upon as objects by some. Guwahati too, has seen many such incidents and has become nationally popular for the wrong reasons. The Beltola Adivasi girl stripping incident and the GS Road molestation case earned a lot of name and fame for the city, but in a negative way. It is not only rape, which is outrageous to women, crimes like molestation, eve teasing and many more are also as harmful and most of them go unreported.

The recent case

Recently there was a lot of hue and cry in the city when a 14-year-old minor was reportedly molested by a former principal of the prestigious Assam Jatiya Bidyalay. Rajib Sarma, the accused was sacked by the school authorities as soon as the allegations surfaced against him. The city police has registered a case against Sarma under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offence (POSCO) Act. The chargesheet was filed last Monday after the investigation described that the victim’s statement matched the chain of events. City SSP AP Tewari said, “The accused was not arrested, as according to the new Supreme Court guidelines, if the punishment for any crime is lesser than 7 years, then the accused should not be arrested. He/she can be arrested only if the investigation process cannot be dealt with with-

There is an increasing trend of such cases getting registered in the city even after two specialised women police wings, Cobra and Veerangana are there to tackle such crimes. out the arresting the accused. The process of arrest has to be properly mentioned in the chargesheet and the reason for arrest has to be clarified. So, in this case the punishment will be 3-5 years, and arrest was not required.” He further added that according to the investigation findings, the accused touched the girl’s hands and cheek. The police examined the victim, the accused and the victim’s father. The victim and the accused were also sent for medical examination. After all the investigation process was over, the chargesheet was filed and now the district magistrate is set to hear the case. The maximum punishment, Sarma proves to be guilty, will be just 5 years. Similarly, in the GS Road molestation case, after all the nationwide criticism and a hectic hunt for the culprits, only two years punishment was doled out to the convicts. Whether the punishments for such crimes are accurate or not are debatable, but when laws are amended and reworked every now and then, who decides what would be the perfect punishment to bar such crimes? Is Guwahati witnessing such crimes every now and then?

Molestation cases registered in Guwahati

2012 – 123 cases 2013 – 190 cases 2014 (upto June)- 97 cases City cases

Reviewing the city security scenario for women, it was reported that there is an increase in the numbers of molestation cases getting registered in Guwahati every year. According to police records, 123 cases of molestation were registered in the year 2012, which increased to 190 in 2013. In 2014 itself, 97 such cases have been registered up to June. There is an increasing trend of such cases getting registered in the city even after two specialised women police wings, Cobra and Veerangana are there to tackle such crimes. According to reports, every 4 hours a woman is molested in Assam. The official figure reflects that until March this year, nearly 625 molestation cases took place in the entire state and so, it is not only the city but the entire state which is witnessing such cases that is gradually on the rise.

Occurrence

According to police officials, the molestation cases are mostly reported in buses, dark places and offices and work places. Eve teasing is also a major problem, which somehow alleviates into a crime like molestation or even rape. Eve teasing cases mostly goes unreported and if reported, the crimes like molestation and rape can be stopped. Minor offences like eveteasing might look like a small crime but then boosts the confidence of the

offenders which gives them opportunity to commit worse crimes. According to sources in police, not all such cases are genuine as when the investigation takes place, it turns out that many cases are false and gets reported only to defame the alleged accused. Most of the office molestation cases have to be thoroughly examined as in many a times, the case gets registered because the complainant cooks up a story just to defame the accused. It is noticed that these days people also misuse the law as law for crime against

women is strict and the complainant usually holds the upper hand. It also becomes difficult for the cops to come to a conclusion as most of the office molestation cases takes place in closed rooms. Whatever may be the strategy, with new women bus service and women police wings, the fact is that city women are still not completely safe and the law should be reworked in such a manner that the guilty gets punished and the process becomes faster.

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

City

`1.26Cr RELEASED TO ASSAM STATE ZOO After being inducted into WAZA, the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical garden is set to undergo infrastructural and developmental changes after being granted funds.

Mrinmoyee Hazarika

s promised last year by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden has received an amount of Rs 1.2 crore out of a total amount of Rs 6 crore in the current fiscal for modernisation of the only zoo located in Assam. The fund will be utilised both for infrastructural as well as developmental works of the zoo. The zoo also recently received a recognition from the WAZA (World Association of Zoo and Aquariums) in six categories – construction of a new enclosure for the hippopotamus and a state-of –theart cafeteria, construction of roads, footpaths inside the zoo and boundary walls and purchasing of two battery operated cars for the visitors. “Out of the total amount of `6 crore as announced by the Chief Minister last year, an amount of `1.2 crore has been released as special plan assistance for the development of the state zoo. The construction work of some of the developmental works have already been started including the enclosure for the hippopotamus and cafeteria,” Nripendra Nath Kalita, assistant conservator of forests, Assam state zoocum-botanical garden who is also the current (temporary) in-charge of the state zoo told G Plus. Highlighting the new form of enclosures to be created for the zoo animals, Kalita stated that the entire area of zoo would be developed in such a way that the visitors will get the feeling of roaming inside a real jungle. “Different types of barriers are being used to separate the animals from the visitors in a zoo. This time we are planning to create open enclosures where the habitation of jungles, water for taking bath by the animals and waterfalls will be created inside the enclosures so that the visitors will get the feel of being in a real jungle. The outer layers of the constructions will be covered through vegetation to hide it from the eyes of the visitors. Besides, with the help of a new concept, ‘walk through aviary’ the visitors will be able to touch the birds also,” Kalita mentioned. He further stated that the construction of all the works would be completed within a month or two. “Separate roads will be constructed for the officials and staffs of the Zoo and for the visitors,” Kalita added. Regarding other developmental activities taken up by the zoo under the aegis of Central Zoo Authority,

A view inside the zoo

Zoo captives in the last 5 years Mammals

Year Species

Birds

Population

Species

Population

Reptiles Species

Total

Population

Species

Population

2008

486

218

750

2009

488

248

107

818

2010

521

113

887v

2011

505

278

112

119

895

2012

500

283

120

116

903

Details of visitors and revenue collected in the last five years Revenue from tourists

No of tourists

Year Indian

Foreigner

Total revenue from all sources

Total

2007-08

434695

101

434796

4827987

4919187

2008-09

524598

166

524764

5412795

5680944

2009-2010

574056

138

574194

5878200

6566765

2010-11

606154

186

606340

5456045

6693716

2011-12

602797

276

603073

6874380

7423873

2012-13 (Upto March’13)

573560

258

573818

5133900

6983454

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

City Out of the total amount of Rs 6 crore as announced by the Chief Minister last year, an amount of Rs 1.2 crore has been released as special plan assistance for the development of the state zoo. The construction work of some of the developmental works have already been started including the enclosure for the hippopotamus and cafeteria,” Nripendra Nath Kalita assistant conservator of forests New enclosures under construction

Kalita mentioned, “Construction work of new enclosures for Jackals, Hyenas, Pygmy hogs and tigers are going on with the support from the Central Zoo Authority. Nocturnal houses will also be developed and new animals like Sangai, Pygmy hog and flightless birds like Emu, Ostrich, Cassowary etc will be inducted in the zoo” Moreover, the lone zoo in the entire state has recently achieved an international feat which will help strengthening the zoo even more. “In the month of March this year, the Assam state zoo cum botanical garden has become a member of WAZA, the unifying organisation for the world zoo & aquarium community. There are only a few zoos in the country which have got the opportunity of being a member of WAZA and now the Assam state zoo has become

one of them in the entire NE region,” Nripendra Nath Kalita proudly added. He further stated that with the help of the new recognition, the state zoo will be able to carry out programmes like animal exchange, knowledge and data sharing and training and skill development programmes with other zoos located across the globe. The state zoo, established way back in 1957 has a sprawling area of 175 Hectare in the heart of the Guwahati city. As per the annual record of 2012-13, the zoo has a collection of about 903 animals, birds and reptiles belonging to 116 species, both indigenous and exotic. The botanical garden situated inside the zoo in the year 1982 covers 80 ha of the total area.

mrinmoyee.hazarika@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

In The News

CITY ALERT IN RUN-UP TO

I-DAY

With Independence Day just around the corner, the city is on a high security alert as usual and the cops want to ensure that the safety is water tight without any loop holes. RAHUL CHANDA

ast year it seemed like Guwahatians had gradually started coming out of their shells to celebrate the Independence Day. This year too, the usual events will take place but as in the past, the security is always a concern. With various rebel groups calling for a boycott or bandh every year during the Independence Day and bomb blasts always being a threat to the city, G Plus reviews the city security preparedness as Guwahati prepares to celebrate the freedom.

The threat

With the usual threat from the regionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rebel groups, the Centre too, has alerted the state government on possible attacks from some fundamentalist groups in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations. The outfits like the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) and the Songbijit faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) are also desperate to make their presence felt since a long time. Usually, Assam faces threats from local militant groups, but this time, some fundamentalist groups are eager to make their presence felt as well after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government in the Centre. According to sources in the home department, the threat is not only for the city or the state, but the entire country is targeted by the groups. This will be the first Independence Day celebration under the newly formed NDA government in the Centre. There are also inputs that the Maoists are making way to enter the northeast region by making links with various militant outfits. The banned CPI (Maoists) is trying to establish bases in the northeast with an aim to build relations with other insurgent groups to meet various military requirements. According to highly placed sources in the Assam Police, the Maoists presence was felt in the state two years back mostly in the upper Assam area, but as the Centre has recently alerted their attempts to enter the region, a threat from them too, cannot be overseen during the Independence Day celebrations. So, this year there are threats from various groups like the local militants groups, the fundamentalist groups and also from the Maoists.

The preparedness

According to city SSP AP Tewari, there are no specific inputs about any extremist activity till now but still the security has been beefed up in the city in the run-up to Independence Day celebrations. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have proper security plan in place and the entire city is being guarded in such a way that no external elements can enter the city with any kind of threat.â&#x20AC;? All the city entry points in the highways are being thoroughly checked along with the train entry points also being monitored. There are some suspected areas in the city, which are under the police scanner and are almost checked every day. Close eyes have been kept at the

We have proper security plan in place and the entire city is being guarded in such a way that no external elements can enter the city with any kind of threat AP Tewari City SSP

jail to see if there is any activity happening as sometimes planning also happens in the jails. All the security measures like checking, frisking and so on are carried on an everyday basis with a change of time to keep the surprise element intact. There are six anti-sabotage check teams who keep patrolling in different areas every day. The river ways of the city is also well guarded with the city police providing two new boats for everyday patrolling. All the river ghaats are thoroughly checked every day whilst keeping an eye on suspected people crossing the rivers. All suspected miscreants of the city are scanned and if required interrogated to search for any clue.

CCTV surveillance

Last year when there was a grenade blast at Paltan Bazaar, there was criticism as to why a busy area like Paltan Bazaar was without any CCTV surveillance? According to sources in the police the CCTV installation work in the city was divide phase wise and the first phase is already completed, but the irony is that the main server does not have the efficient memory to capture and save the footages. The police then thought of a different surveillance technology named Masnet which is installed in major places like Paltan Bazaar, Fancy Bazaar, Ganeshguri and some more populated areas. The first phase of Masnet installation has been completed and 200 more sites have been identified in the city where the mechanism will be installed soon.

The final day

Police checking vehicles in city roads

The main challenge is the 15 August Khanapara Veterinary Field Independence Day celebration which requires all security measures to be put in place. The city police sound pretty confident about the security arrangements. Door to door census has been carried out in a radius of 4 kilometres from the field and entry to the field is totally restricted. The entire field will be under CCTV surveillance. All the high rise buildings near the field are also thoroughly checked. There will be phase wise assessment of the day and the security personals will be deployed accordingly. The workers working there are issued identity cards and no one can enter the field without proper checking. Security checking has already started in the area and it is carried out twice in the night also. The cops are confident about the city security, but after every terror attack their confidence is questioned. CCTV surveillance in the entire city is not completed but the question is why is it taking so long to install cameras? The terror groups are ready for the show but will it be easy enough to identify the rebels in the crowd? As always, the authorities will for the best and will want Guwahati to celebrate the Independence Day without any hitch.

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

In The News

MARRIAGE HALLS YET TO BE SEALED SHUBHOJIT ROY

he marriage halls in the Guwahati city had received a major roadblock from the GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation) and found it difficult to function smoothly. The GMC was all set to seal 20 halls in the city effective from 1st August in view of the High Court’s order. G Plus finds out the legality and the complexness of the issue and the trouble in store ahead for the marriage hall owners.

The High Court decision

In the autumn of 2013, the local residents of Bharalumukh moved the Gauhati High Court when they did not get the desired results even after filing an FIR against the management of the Haryana Bhawan for violating civic laws. The High Court heard the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the residents of the area near the Haryana Bhawan and from then onwards, strict monitoring of the marriage hall was undertaken. The GMC has now demanded the proper documentation fulfilling the HC’s criteria from the marriage halls of the city. Earlier, Syed Isfaqur Rahman, Joint Comissioner at GMC had said, “Out of 89 Vibah Bhawans in Guwahati, 62 have been asked to submit

The first day of August has come and gone but the numerous marriage halls in the city that were waiting to know their fates are still operating without any action. their license and NOC.” It was found out that out of all, 20 has failed to provide proper documentation. The fate of these 20 marriage halls will only be evident effective 1st August. The criteria put forward by the High Court are as follows: (i) The marriage halls in the city should have a valid trade license from GMC. (ii) The marriage halls should also have a no objection certificate from the traffic police department. (iii) Thirdly, all the marriage halls in the city should have a no objection certificate from the GMC and the GMDA (Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority). While speaking to JS Kakoti, Planner at GMC, it was revealed that Guwahati has got excessive marriage halls and many are in the residential areas and are not following the rules. “We had asked them to furnish the proper documentation, but 20 of the city marriage halls have failed to do so. Now, the decision to seal down or to not seal down the halls will only be taken after the 1st Day of August,” said Kakoti.

The scenario

The public disturbances caused by the marriage halls are not a new scenario in the city as many halls stand tall in residential areas with narrow roads and minimal parking facilities. According to the local residents at Ananda Nagar, the main problems caused by the marriage halls are the loud music and cacophony during marriages. “They play very loud music at night which affects the studies of the students and the residents. Moreover, most of the time, the vehicles will be parked haphazardly and the guests will be bursting crackers on the road and cause a blockade. Such occurrences create a lot of difficulty for the locals,” says Ratul Chakraborty, a local resident of Ananda Nagar, whose house is closer to the Sonam Marriage hall. Ratul also reveals that a lot of garbage like disposable plates and glasses are seen in the drains the next morning after any marriage ceremony.

GMC’s hitlist

GMC may take the hard step in sealing 20 marriage halls in the city with effect from August 1 if the halls are unable to produce their license and NOC. The authorities will take action against these without license or NOC

THE HALLS UNDER SCANNER Annapurna Bhawan in Beltola Tiniali, Ashirbad Function Hall in Six Mile, Bimala Bibah Bhawan in Jayanagar, Decora Bibah Bhawan in Zoo Tiniali, Gunjan Bibah Bhawan in Odalbakra, Jonaki Kareng in Narikalbasti, Jun Beli Bibah Bhawan on VIP Road, Kanika Bibah Bhawan in Barowari, Lakhimi Bibah Bhawan in Beltola, Nirala Bibah Bhawan in Beltola Tiniali, Subha Mangalam Bibah Bhawan in Birubari, Sonam Marriage Hall in Ananda Nagar, Uruli Bibah Bhawan in Shankardev Nagar, Uttam Bibah Bhawan in Hatigaon, Vandana Bibah Bhawan in Lalganesh, Royal Palace in Pathar Quary, Ashirbad in Udalbakra, , Asian Palace in Bora Service, Raj Lakhi Bhawan in Adagudam and Surya Subham Bibah Bhawan in Kalapahar. halls under the Section 337 (A) (I) of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act 1971. However, it cannot be ignored that the GMC had issued license to these halls without the consent of the residents of the locality. Only after the PIL was filed in the HC last year by the locals, the issue has come to light and GMC is bound to take stricter step and make sure the HC’s order is being followed.

Inaction

However, the first day of August has already passed and the GMC has yet to take any action with a few of them are still operating actively even now. If the GMC seriously wants to make Guwahati a better place, then action against the errant halls would be well appreciated.

shubhojit.roy@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

Ward Watch

SATMILE WARD NO 01 GARBAGE IN DEEPOR BEEL

SHUBHOJIT ROY

et in the backdrop of lush green forest trails and some urban and rural houses alongside a few Assam Engineering College hostels and staff quarters, the APRO road at Satmile is one of the most silent and calm roads, ideal for a drive. The area does not have too many issues but it was found that many people throw their daily household garbage into the nearby water body, which happens to be the Deepor Beel! It is a sign of complete ignorance on the part of the people as G Plus reveals the truth and reason behind such carelessness.

GMC’s responsibility or people’s common sense While taking a stroll in the area, G Plus came across an AEC Professor from the area who revealed some harsh truths about his neighbours on condition of anonymity. “People are educated, aware but ignorant. The GMC garbage van though never comes to the area, but still it’s no excuse to destroy the water body. People know that the water body is a part of the Deepor Beel; and on one occasion someone even had the guts

Although GMC fails to regularly collect garbage from the area, it still does not make sense for the people of the area to dump garbage into the water body.

Sub Division 1A/ 1B/ 1C | No. of voters 23,300 (approx.) | Concentrated region APRO Road, Satmile | Major issues Water pollution to tell me that the ‘main’ Deepor Beel is far away when I asked him not to throw the garbage into the beel. I replied that there is no ‘main’ Deepor beel and left the place in disgust,” said the angry professor. He further appeals to the authority to provide proper dustbins in the area and regularise the garbage collection, as the area is very beautiful and serene and “Should not be allowed to get destroyed by human stupidity as such show by my neighbours,” pleaded the professor.

Save Deepor Beel “People should stop throwing their garbage into the beel. It is a big issue and I am not sure if the authori-

Many houses in the locality receives its water supply from APRO, many others have their own hand pumps or wells. But the problem is that for the past few year, we have not been receiving clean water. At times, the water is so muddy that you can hardly use it for anything. I am worried that the ground water might be getting depleted. We will soon need to find another source for fresh water,”

ties are even aware of the fact. There is a ground behind our house where people throw their waste every day. Dumping bins should be placed in different parts of the locality for the convenience of the people and the Deepor Beel,” says Olee Das, Finance Manager at Ashok Leyland who has been living on rent in the area for quite some time. Olee further says that if the garbage problem is solved, the area will be a picture perfect locality, with less population, less pollution and more greenery.

Water source Anima Deori, a housewife in the locality reports to us that the area does not have any problem but she is worried that the underground water source is soon going to get over. “Many houses in the locality receives its water supply from APRO, many others have their own hand pumps or wells. But the problem is that for the past few year, we have not been receiving clean water. At times, the water is so muddy that you can hardly use it for anything. I am worried that the ground water might be getting depleted. We will soon need to find another source for fresh water,” says Anima to G Plus. It was also found out that the quantity of iron as a mineral, is available in abundance in the ground water. While speaking to the authorities, it was found out that only after a meeting with the NGO Udayan Social Welfare organised by GMC that was concluded on Thursday, a plan of action for garbage collection in Ward No. 1 was made. Installing new waste bins in the ward was discussed and is believed that it will be implemented soon. It was also known that the drinking water supply in the area is provided by Gamon India, but it was not sufficient enough for every household and is also not properly distributed. All eyes will be on Ward No-1 authorities to see how the garbage management is tackled and how the Deepor Beel is saved from being a dumping ground.

shubhojit.roy@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

ABRACADABRA Syeda Ambia Zahan

City

THE HALL OF MAGIC

The Village Fun Fair

go to your door step to entertain you, but also will arrange workshops for enthusiasts. At present, The Unit has been receiving warm response from the city dwellers and on the 19th of July the unit organised a demo show in one of the apartments of the city. We have more than six hundred magicians from all across Northeast and so far we have received more than hundred invitations from many apartments of Guwahati wherein we will hold magic shows at the premises. We take it as a sign of good days for the professional magicians of the state.” Vikram Added.

utumn was the favorite time of the year for us when we were school kids. Not because of the Durga Puja that was observed with pomp and gaiety in the small town, but because of the Puja committee’s effort to arrange a fun fair (we called it Ananda Mela) in the last days of the Durga Puja. I remember how I and my sister tried to please our parents by studying late in the night, doing the beds ourselves and by not wasting daal and the green sabjis of our plates just to get permission to visit these melas. The Ananda Mela was a fun fair in real sense for us. Apart from the toyshop, there were bangles, games, balloons and a circus as well. But more than the ice cream thelaas, fruit chats and the colourful bangles, we both eagerly waitedto see something else - the magic shows. Yes, the main attraction of these village melas was the magic shows in the evening. I remember, how me and my sister always tried to occupy the seats of the first row of the hall, which smelt of sweat with the assembly of more than five hundred people. With wide open eyes, we tried to figure out the tricks of every magic the mysterious man up on the stage clad in long black clothes used to conjure up. I still remember after such Ananda Melas , which used to be organised once or twice a year, my sister would bore me with her desire to become a magician to surprise the people of that tiny village town with her jaado. As time passed by, we moved to bigger cities in order to pursue higher studies. We never had the time to talk about the magic shows. My sister who once dreamt of becoming a magician became a geologist in the due course of time. However, we sisters tried to console our thirst for the love of the village magic shows through the Harry Potter series. I have seen those movies and read those books a hundred times and each time it used to take me to a world of mysterious and shadowy realm. I wanted to go to the Hogwart’s

The Tricks

School and learn how to use a wand to cast spells. I wanted to fly in a broomstick and defeat the group of the evils. I wanted to learn defence against the dark souls. But never had the long man with the black attire in that smelly hall of village fun fare came back again. Then suddenly, one fine day, I came across a news which literally thrilled me. A Magic Hall, where magicians will perform magic with their colorful wands that too in Guwahati, indeed was an exciting piece of news enough to captivate the imagination.

Abracadabra: The Hall of Magic Abracadabra: The Hall of Magic will be the first of its kind of hall in Northeast which will showcase magic on weekends.” says Vikram Talukdar. As a magician, Vikram hardly needs any introduction. Magic and magicians have got a new lease of life with Jadoo Samrat Vikram Talukar. For the last 10 years, Vikram Taluk-

dar has been earning laurels across the country for his eye catching magic performances. Not only this, the Gurukul Magic Academy established by this well known magician from this part of the land has been propagating to take this ancient art form as a promising career for magic lovers in Assam. The Hall of Magic is a brand new concept in the North east. The Gurukul Magic Academy has joined hands with Maharana Club and Guwahati Town Club and the auditorium of GTC will be the Hall of Magic says an enthusiastic Vikram Talukdar. “At present, more than hundred magicians of the state have joined hands to showcase magic in this Hall of Magic. Most of the magicians of Assam are not getting a platform to take up magic as their profession and the Hall of Magic will give them that platform. The hall will change shows and magicians every week like a movie hall to allow people to enjoy new magic every weekend.” “People come out for movies

every weekend. They spend Rs. 150500 to buy the tickets. I think people would love to have a taste of the Hall of Magic. The price is nominal. We charge Rs.50-100 against each ticket.” Vikram says. Not only the Abracadabra: Hall of Magic, Vikram has something more to offer to the people of Assam which was once known as the land of Magic.

Magic at the door step “If people can get Pizza delivered, why can’t we deliver entertainment. Our Mobile Magic Unit will go door to door and showcase magic.” Bikram said. We did a pilot project last year and it was highly successful. From 19th July onwards we will go to various apartments to showcase magic. And let me tell you, this is also the first of its kind in North East.” Said the Jadoo Samrat. Mobile Magic Unit will not only

I remember watching magic tricks when flowers and colorful toys appear from nowhere. I remember a great magician who once gifted a candy box to me, that he made out of a handkerchief. The magician would trick the village people with various card games too. “Our team will present thrilling magic tricks like conjuring up flowers and umbrellas from nowhere, producing chocolates, colourful gifts, candies, toys and then making the whole lot, along with the magician himself, vanish. We will present illusions, manipulation, card tricks and so on, to entertain the adults too,” said Vikram to satisfy my ever-growing curiosity to know about the Hall of Magic and The Magic at Your Doorstep.

The Day of Magic I have not attended a Magic Day so far. Perhaps no one in Guwahati has yet. On the 10th of August, twenty best magicians of the Northeast will perform magic shows in the District Librabry to celebrate World Magic Day. What more could be in store for the Month of August or we can say in this august month. The magician clad in the long black dress in the village fun fair came up for the first time, whispered in my ear to go to bed. The thrill of sitting at the front rows of the Abracadabra : Hall of Magic kept my pineal glands awake till four in the morning .Off to a magical sleep.

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

Society

FOR THE SAKE OF SCIENCE The Science Museum in the city is a must visit place and has served as a place of entertainment and amusement for both the children and adults alike.

SHUBHOJIT ROY

he Regional Science Centre at Khanapara, which is also popularly known as ‘The Science Museum’ by many, is one of the prime landmarks in the city. Although the place was established to impart the basic knowledge of science to the young ones, many adults too enjoy the mysteries of science along with their children. G Plus in its visit to the Regional Science Centre finds out its history and reasons why everyone should visit it once in a lifetime.

The Centre

The Regional Science Centre is one of the units of the National Council of Science Museums functioning under the Department of Culture, Govt. of India. The science centre was established keeping in mind the purpose of popularising science among the people in Guwahati and other adjoining regions. The structure was inaugurated on March 15 1994, and since then the centre has attracted many students, teachers as well as the general public providing them a platform to find answers to their curiosity through science and fun. Apart from its permanent galleries with a number of participatory exhibits on science, this Centre organises regular educational programmes and activities, especially for the students, in order to inculcate the scientific temper in them by imparting science education in a non-formal way.

The galleries

The Centre houses many indoor as well as outdoor galleries. Some of the major indoor gallery attractions are Fun Science, Mirror magic, Bio machines, Coal mine, Agriculture section, Children’s corner, Aquarium, World of Chemistry and the General science section at the entrance lobby. The outdoor gallery of the Science Centre has some of the gigantic and splendid attractions like a Science Park, Pre-historic Life Park, Medicinal aromatic garden, Butterfly park, Garden of Fame, Mig21 Aircraft and an Eco park.

The Regional Science Centre also conducts many activities, both indoors and outdoors to impart knowledge on Science through interaction and learning. While talking to the official at the Regional Science Centre, it was revealed that the centre is closely associated with schools and is mostly meant for the students. “We are always in close ties with different schools and organise many events on a regular basis to provide platform for competition to the young kids through fun learning,” said the official. Presently, some of the indoor activities at the centre are Innovation

hub, 3D Film Show and a Science Show.

Upcoming events

The Centre will organise a State level Science seminar of school sector on 29th of August at the Regional Science Centre. Two participants from each district of Assam will participate in the competition and the winner in the Seminar will represent Assam in the National Science Seminar which will be held at Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bangalore on the 11th of October, 2014. The competition is open to all school students of the state from Class VIII to Class X.

The finance

As the Regional Science Centre at Khanapara is run by Government of India, almost all of its major funding is received from the government. However, the Centre generates certain revenue through entry tickets and shows which is available at a very minimal rate. The entry fee per head for general visitor is `20 whereas for a group of 25 people or more, the entry fee is `15 per head. Interestingly, for organised government school students, entrance is kept at a nominal rate of `5 and for organised nongovernmental school; the entrance is for `10 per head. Moreover, yearly membership for any school is `1500 per school and the school is allowed to bring any number of students. With it being the only Science Centre in the state besides the one at Jorhat, the Regional Science Centre unfailingly sees a huge number of crowd every day of the year. Interestingly, the Centre is open for 365 days a year except for two specific days on Holi and Diwali. There is no doubt that the Science Centre in the city is a one of a kind with many attractions and is definitely worth a visit.

shubhojit.roy@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

City ADITYA GOGOI

t is a dream for any actor to be working with an Oscar winning director but some are lucky while the others just dream. Among these, a few go even further by receiving global attention with their hard work and dedication. ‘Sold’ is a hard-hitting child trafficking drama by Oscar winning filmmaker Jeffrey D Brown, which has already created sensation around different parts of the world after it was screened at the 5th London Indian Film Festival in July. Here in the film, the centre of the discussion is the story line, which is based on child trafficking, prostitution and the protagonist. A 13-year-old Guwahati girl Niyar Saikia plays the role of a girl of her age who is trafficked from Nepal and is sold off at a brothel at Kolkata. Niyar, a student of Maria Public School in the city, was selected for the role after casting director Tess Joseph auditioned over 1,000 girls in Nepal and India. “Niyar has a rare combination of profound intelligence, presence and grace. She is incredibly happy and still a child and yet can plummet into the depths of despair and sadness with her amazing acting abilities,” said Joseph. The film portrays the lives of these ill-fated girls who fall prey to poverty in the trade. Though it is a moment of great feeling, Niyar is also equally worried with the plight of trafficked children of her age. “It’s really a great feeling for me to be playing the protagonist in the project. It was a challenge for me to perform as I was not much aware of the subject. But once I became aware of the fact after coming across a few such victims, I was so sad seeing their plight,” Niyar told G Plus. She also participated in a work-

GHY GIRL GOES GLOBAL WITH

‘SOLD’

Niyar, a child actor from Guwahati has managed to perform on a global platform after starring in movie directed by an Oscar winning American director.

shop to prepare for the role. “I was determined to do it in the best possible way and to help them,” she added. Before this, Niyar has acted in a number of Assamese films, though she is more interested in theatre. After completing the film, she was pretty impressed with the crew of ‘Sold’. “The striking characteristic of Brown and his unit is that they are extremely disciplined and are very dedicated to their work. They work so professionally and it motivates everybody to give the best performance. They have been so friendly and helpful,” said Niyar. Now, with Niyar giving an acclaimed performance in ‘Sold’, her

parents felt the responsibility had increased to carry the expectation as well as to groom her in a better way. Sonagachi, the red-light district of Kolkata that becomes the principal location of the film, is among the largest red-light districts in the world. As a filmmaker, Brown needed to experience the rhythm of a working brothel in person to render it effectively on screen. Brown noted that 86% of all labour and sex slaves in the world are in three countries -- Nepal, India and Pakistan. Based on the acclaimed and award-winning international bestseller by Patricia McCormick, ‘Sold’ tells the story of a girl who becomes a

victim of human trafficking. The story is set in India and Nepal, where many such stories take place. Now, in another development the book’s cover will be replaced by a photograph of Niyar in its next publication. ‘Sold’ is about an extraordinary thirteen-year-old girl named Lakshmi who lives in a poor village in the mountains of Nepal. When her stepfather accepts an advance for her to work as a domestic servant in Kolkata, India, Lakshmi becomes obliged to work off the debt. This practice is common among traffickers and is known as ‘debt bondage’. Lakshmi goes willingly, believing she will work as a domestic help and hoping to earn enough money to buy her mother a tin roof. She is trafficked across the border to India by a city woman who tells Lakshmi to call her Auntie Bimla. They embark together upon the long journey to India walking, hitch hiking, taking a bus and finally a train. At first, it seems like an adventure, but when they arrive in the big city, Lakshmi is handed over to Mumtaz, a Madam who presides over

a brothel known as ‘Happiness House’. To her horror, Lakshmi discovers that she has been sold into prostitution. In talking about his interest in realising ‘Sold’ as a film and cinematic experience, director Brown says, “I have a strong connection with India because my step-father was Indian and I travelled there when I was ten. I will never forget that experience. I saw a cow eat the food of a starving man, saw the funeral pyres of the dead burning at Varanasi. People either love India or are completely overwhelmed by it. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground. For me, reading ‘Sold’ was like reading a song/prayer/ poem – I felt called to tell this story on film. I saw it visually as I read it and I responded to the urgency of the issue and the pain this girl felt. I also understood that by telling Lakshmi’s story, we would give voice to the millions of invisible children trafficked each year all over the world.” Besides, another lady from Assam Seema Biswas is also playing a major role in the film. She is playing the character of Amma.

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G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

The Week That Was CITY NEWS

`1 Crore aid to AHSEC

Sports persons awarded cash incentives

tate Level Advisory Committee for Sports and Youth Welfare handed over cash incentives to different sports person who either won medal or represented India in the international event during 2013 in a function held at Assam Secretariat on July

30. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was the chief guest in the function. Last year altogether 26 players from Assam represented India and among them 12 were successful to win a medal. In a brief speech Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that in the next budget govern-

ment will try to keep some provision for allocation of more fund for the development of sports and youth welfare. 23 state sports association also received `50,000 each in the function to prepare their team for the different national championships.

Students protest against privatisation of AEC

ssam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has been offered with a financial assistance of `1 crore by the North Eastern Council (NEC) for computerisation of registration of students appearing for Class XII board examination, issuing of admit cards and other exam-related works. The AHSEC proposal has to be submitted to the NEC, based in Shillong, before August this year in order to get the benefits before March next year. Officials in the AHSEC said the board has already engaged a private firm to make a

detailed proposal on computerization in its head office in Guwahati. AHSEC secretary Bhupen Talukdar said, “With computerization, we will be able to complete almost half of the exam-related works from our own office. We are hopeful that the students will get admit cards in advance. Making required corrections in it will be quite easy for the students as well”. Besides, saving time in delivering admit cards to the students, computerization will also save lots of money that are being outsourced to firms outside the state for examination related works.

Woman committed suicide

woman named Anita Sarkar in Bakrapara under Basistha area was found to have committed suicide by hanging herself at 3 pm on July 29. Anita was the mother of three kids. According to her husband Ajit Sarkar, Anita told him when he came home from work on July 29 that she

Novel by Assamese teenager released

had paid a sum advance for a rented room. The husband said that he did not like the room and asked her wife to bring back the money paid in advance. “After that we slept, but at 3 pm, I have found her hanging in the room,” the husband said. The local people, however, said that it was not a case of suicide.

GU posters accuse VC of power misuse

tudents of Assam Engineering College protested in front of the office of Assam Science and Technology University on July 30 against its recent announcement that the college would start functioning under the university from this academic session. The protest follows the attempt to bring all the four government engineering colleges/institutions-Assam

Engineering College, Jorhat Engineering College, Jorhat Institute of Science and Technology and Bineswar Brahma Engineering College in Kokrajhar — under the Assam Science and Technology University along with five comparatively new private colleges/institutions. The protesters were apprehensive that the standard of the government engineering colleges

National seminar in gynaecologic oncology

book, New Dawn, written by a 16–year–old novelist, ID Bora was released at a function on July 28 at Vivekananda Kendra in Guwahati by noted writer Indira Rai Medhi. The book has been published by Partridge India, a Penguin Random House Company, Indiana, Canada. Young debutant Bora passed HSLC examination this year from St. Mary’s HS School. The novel mostly focuses on school life and its fancies, from bad friends to boyfriends, from underdogs to dudes. New Dawn can be cited as a conglomerate of prose and poetry. Crafted in the form of mails, New Dawn gives one a sneak– peek into the lives of two rivals, their hopes, desires, dreams and their inner true selves.

nidentified persons have pasted posters against Gauhati University (GU) vice-chancellor Mridul Hazarika on the university campus, charging him with taking benefits using his post. Senior officials of GU, however, termed the allegations as baseless. The posters found on the university premises accused the vice-chancellor of being involved in financial anomalies, giving contracts of building construction to his close aides and ‘unnecessarily’ taking an armed guard. In some of the posters, Hazarika was termed as a close aide of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. In few other posters, the VC was accused of going on foreign tours with university funds. “The VC can get armed security guard from the state government. There is nothing unlawful in it. But as far as the allegations are concerned, putting up posters against him without any proof is unfair,” said a senior official of the university.

would go down if they followed the same syllabus and functioned under the same university along with their private counterparts. The principal of a government engineering college said they had not received any directive from the directorate of technical education on the issue of seeking affiliation from the Assam Science and Technology University.

Inter city meet of Rotaract Club

T T

he Clinical Society of Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati in collaboration with Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India organized a National Seminar in Gynaecologic Oncology on 25th and 26th July 2014. The National Seminar was inaugurated by Padmasree Dr. JK Singh, President, Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India. In his inaugural address, Dr. JK Singh highlighted on high prevalence of cervical cancer in India. He stated that 12000 teleradiotherapy machines are needed in India as per WHO recommendation. Unfortunately, India has at pres-

ent only 500 teletherapy machines. This has resulted delay in initiation of treatment. Prof. Neerja Bhatla from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in her speech as Guest of Honour emphasized on HPV vaccination of young girls in the age group of 9-14 for prevention of cervical cancer. Dr. Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute delivered a talk on pattern of care and survival studies on cervical cancer. The outcome of 17 centres participating in the study was presented. He stated that many patients who complete treatment do not come for regular follow-up.

he 2nd installation ceremony of Rotaract Club of Guwahati City was organized at Rotary Centre, Uzanbazar on July 27. Sri Rajkumar Tiwari, GMC Ward Councilor, Fancy Bazar Ward was the chief guest on the occasion. He spoke on the youth role in today’s scenario and appreciated the efforts of the RCGC in building a right platform for the youths so that they can serve the society at large. Members of various other clubs like, Rotaract Club of Tezpur, Rotaract Club of Durgapur central, Rotaract Club of Guwahati Mid town were also present on the occasion. The new president for the tenure 2014-15 is Khushboo Deorah and the new Secretary is Manoj Jain. After installation the Inter City meet “Disha” was hosted by Rotaract Club of Guwahati City where delegates of Rotary Club of Guwahati East and delegates from Rotary Club from Bangladesh were also present. The guest speaker for ICM was Ranjan K Baruah of North East Youth Foundation. Interactive sessions was also held where the topic was fostering relationship between the Rotary and Rotaract and how all clubs of the district can move forward in the same direction.

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

The Week That Was

World Hepatitis Day observed

he World Hepatitis Day 2014 was observed at the Central Hospital, NF Railway, Maligaon on July 28. As part of the event, an awareness campaign was at the hospital, where staff of the hospital, students from Kendriya Vidyalaya Maligaon, relatives of patients and visitors participated. Dr RC Brahma, Chief Staff Surgeon, explained the purpose of observation of the day and its importance. A questionnaire session

was also held in which many of the students participated. An oath was taken by the students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, group D staff and all other doctors and paramedicals of Central Hospital to propagate knowledge of Hepatitis B and C, to abstain from drugs, smoking and unsafe sexual behaviour. Hepatitis B and C screening camps were also organised at the Central Hospital, Pandu West Health Unit and New Guwahati Health Unit.

CITY NEWS

Ulubari foot over bridge inaugurated

Demand for Bhupen Hazarika’s memorial

he West Guwahati Students’ Union observed a two-hour sit-in demonstration at the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra, Jalukbari, on July 31, demanding a full-fledged Samadhi Kshetra (memorial) of the State’s cultural icon. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) activists alleged that the State Government even after assuring that the proposed memorial would come up over a plot of 60 bigha land, had allotted just four bighas for the purpose. They also demanded of the government to complete the Samadhi Kshetra in the line of Rajghat in New Delhi.

GMC conducts meet on waste collection

he Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) conducted an orientation programme with 31 NGOs tasked with primary collection of household wastes from all the wards in the city. The event held at the Assam State Museum auditorium, on July 31 and was attended by Mayor Abir Patra, GMC Commissioner S Viswanathan, senior GMC officials and members of the NGO. Each of the NGOs had been given a three-year contract for primary collection of household wastes from one ward each of the GMC and the project had started on July 1 last. The orientation programme was held to mark the completion of the first month of the project. During the session, representatives of the NGOs described their experience so far and sought further help from the GMC in the form of supply of tricycles and auto vans for collection and disposal of wastes from households and commercial establishments.

he newly-constructed foot over bridge (FOB) at Ulubari was inaugurated on August 1. The foot bridge was inaugurated by GMDA Chairman Capt. Robin Bordoloi. This will be the third of its kind FOB constructed by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) in the city. It is 25 metre in

length with two sections and 2.24 metre in width. The FOB was constructed with a project cost of `55 lakh and another `25 lakh was spent on “infrastructure shifting” and the funding was received from the State government. “To enhance the city quality of life and services and to ensure safety of the pedestrians with the initiative

of the State government, the GMDA has taken up construction of FOBs at some strategic locations,” GMDA project engineer Mantu Bora said. He said that as per survey by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, road accident rates in Guwahati are among the highest and pedestrian safety has become a major concern.

Three girls rescued Special squad to reduce

road accidents on NH-37

n order to reduce the number of road accidents, the Kamrup (Metro) administration has decided to form a special squad to keep an eye on vehicle movement on NH-37, which runs from Khanapara to Jalukbari. A Mobile Joint Enforcement Squad, comprising officials from the district administration, city traffic police, district transport office and representatives of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), will

work towards reducing the number of accidents on NH-37. “Several fatal accidents have taken place on the road in the last couple of years. We want to reduce the number of accidents. These are basically caused because of rash driving and violation of traffic rules,” said Kamrup deputy commissioner M Angamuthu. The squad will enforce several rules on the highway, such as the prohibition of parking on the road.

Harijan Mazdoor Union threatens to strike

he All Assam Harijan Mazdoor Union has threatened to go on a strike if its demands for basic amenities like pension and PF, and an increase in the number of workers in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation’s conservancy service are not fulfilled. The union members expressed their concern over some issues in the memorandum submitted to the GMC, Commissioner. “The corporation has decided to change the work timings without consulting the workers. We oppose such an arbitrary decision and ask the corporation to retain the previous timings,” said the memorandum. “We want to resolve all the issues including introduction of pension for the workers, regularization of jobs of the daily wage-earning workers, provision of provident fund for the workers etc; through mutual discussion with the corporation authorities. The union also demanded a permanent office for the All Assam Mazdoor Union and a rest room for the drivers of the GMC officials.

ollowing inputs from members of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an NGO working for child rights, a trafficking bid involving three girls was averted. Police also managed to arrest a women allegedly involved in the racket. Local police following the information sprang into action and rescued the girls. The girls hail from

Kherbari village under Laluk police station in Lakhimpur district. However, the middleman who was entrusted with the responsibility of trafficking the girls, managed to escape. Rakesh Senger of BBA said that the prompt action of the local police and the Criminal Investigation Department helped in averting the trafficking bid.

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

IPR OFFICE

Business

IN GHY

BY GPLUS BUREAU

ith Northeast India having unique properties that require protection, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)Â has set up an Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) at Guwahati with support from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India. Â The Centre is to facilitate MSMEs to identify; protect; maintain; enforce and commercialise their Intellectual Property. The key activities of this cell will be to assist innovators in addressing their IPR requirements. MSMEs constitute Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic backbone contributing more than 50% of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing output and employing nearly 90% of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing workforce. They also account for nearly 40% of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 45% of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total exports. One way to enable the MSMEs to gain competitive advantage is the

Desh Deepak Misra takes over as new director, ONGC (HR)

competition at international market. While MSMEs are responsible for a large number of innovations, very often they are not able to reap the full benefit of their innovations as they are not adequately documented and protected.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is seen that thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India are losing millions in revenues due to lack of awareness about IPRsâ&#x20AC;? said the FICCI statement. More than 40,000 IP applications are filed in India annually and 85 % of these are filed by multinational corporations. In India the small industries fail to protect their IP assets due to lack of funds and lack of awareness on IP and the need for protecting IP. The lack of awareness among small players effectively denies them the fruits of the intellectual property they create. The MSMEs in India are capable of developing new technologies and smart innovations, but they often lack awareness or the resources to get such intellectual property protected and commercialized. In the North East, low level of

It is seen that thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India are losing millions in revenues due to lack of awareness about IPRs FICCI statement use of Intellectual Property Right (IPR). Majority of the countries in the world today have a strong IPR regime to power their industries. It is for MSMEs in India also to make efforts to reap the benefits accruing from IPR system and survive the

awareness among the micro, SMEs about IPR is having a debilitating impact on the protection of natural and manmade resources and products indigenous to the region. Â FICCI stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keeping the above context in view the IPFC in Guwahati has been set up and it is well-equipped to offer quality services in all areas of Intellectual Property Rights. The Centre, in addition to providing general advice about IPRs, will also provide services related to patent searches, patent drafting, patent prosecution, facilitation in commercialisation of Inventions, trademark prosecution matters, etc.â&#x20AC;? The Objectives of the IPFC is to enable MSMEs in Guwahati and other NER States to be able to understand, identify & use intellectual property for competitive advantage. The IPFC will thus go a long way in helping MSMEs to get their intellectual property such as innovations and inventions, original designs, brand names etc. protected through patents, trademarks, copyrights and other such instruments conveniently.

esh Deepak Misra has taken over as the Director (Human Resource) of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most valuable public enterprise Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC). Mr. Misra, 56 years, took over the reins of 33,000 plus workforce on 1st August 2014. He brings with him a treasure of experience in various facets of Human Resources. A Masters in Public Administration from the University of Lucknow, he joined ONGC in January 1985. Starting his career from the Baroda office of ONGC, his result-driven and self-motivated approach at work was noticed soon and led to his relocation to Dehradun as Executive Assistant to the then Member (Personnel) of the ONGC Board. The rich exposure in this assignment was buttressed with experience gained in leading HR teams in various regions of ONGC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Assam, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand. He is the recipient of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Young Executive of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; award and has been instrumental in ONGC securing the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Earth Care Award - 2008â&#x20AC;&#x2122; for mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

NTPC grows at 63.133 billion units in Q1, 2014-15

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he countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest generatorNTPC Ltd having an installed capacity of 43128 MW, posted excellent operational performance for Q1 of financial year 2014-15. Gross generation for the quarter grows to 63.133 Billion Units from 57.005 Billion Units of previous corresponding quarter, up by 10.75%. Coal Stations of NTPC Ltd. clocked PLF of 84.29%, an increase by 5.17% over previous corresponding quarter. The unaudited Total Income for Q1 of financial year 2014-15 was `18,885.14 crore as against `16,391.00 crore reported for the corresponding quarter in previous year, registering an increase of 15.22% on quarter on quarter basis. The Company declared an unaudited Profit after Tax of `2,201.20 crore for Q1 of financial year 2014-15 as compared to `2,527.02 crore declared in the corresponding quarter of previous year. In spite of posting outstanding generation growth, profitability has declined owing to the implementation of Tariff Regulations 2014 having provision of retrospective tightening of technical parameters post investment decision. Almost 53% of Energy Sent Out has negative contribution on account of implementation of Tariff Regulations 2014.

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

Politicking

GOGOI UNSAFE EVEN AFTER HBS QUITTER Rahul Chanda

With Himanta Biswa Sarma out of his cabinet, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi might be feeling safer in his chair. But with the upcoming 2016 assembly elections, will Gogoi be able to turn the public sentiment?

tate Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi may be smiling on his opponent Himanta Biswa Sarma’s resignation, as it proved that he is a more experienced player in the game of politics, but is he totally safe as now the high command’s pat on his back was clearly felt? Workwise, if we calculate, the Gogoi government is not performing well as the growth rate has declined from 9% in 2009-10 to 5.87% in 2013-14. What is the reason behind such a downfall in the growth rate? The state assembly elections are just one and half years away and with the Lok Sabha elections drubbing, it is doubtful whether Tarun Gogoi will be able to retain Assam as Congress bastion?

The downfall

In the last two years, the ruling Congress in Assam has been busy in dissident activities that has resulted in virtual stagnation in the State’s

“We witnessed a major defeat in the Lok Sabha elections because of the dissidence factor. The move made by Himanta Biswa Sarma is not democratic as any cabinet minister should submit the resignation to the chief minister and not to the Governor directly.” Pradyut Bordoloi, power minister growth rate, ultimately making the common people suffer. The decrease in growth rate from the financial year 2009-10 to the financial 2013-14 is a cause of great concern for the state. Due to the ongoing dissident activities, implementation of different development schemes has become slow in the state, hampering the overall growth. The dissident crisis has been around pretty long and Tarun Gogoi being the chief minister should have known to solve the problem instead of letting the issue grow so big that some of the ministers of his cabinet had to finally resign or get sacked. Kharge’s report, submitted to the high command, had reportedly called for a change of guard as the dissident camp, led by cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma enjoyed the support of 50 MLAs. Gogoi might be relaxed now but as a Chief Minister it is embarrassing that around 50 MLAs went against him. After Sarma’s exit, the Gogoi camp has openly come out slamming the rebel group leader Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The blame game

Recently, the state power minister Pradyut Bordoloi said, “We wit-

nessed a major defeat in the Lok Sabha elections because of the dissidence factor. The move made by Himanta Biswa Sarma is not democratic as any cabinet minister should submit the resignation to the chief minister and not to the Governor directly. The high command is noticing all the chain of events here and will surely take notice of the drama that happened. The high command will surely decide on the action in appropriate time.” Similarly, state environment minister Rockybul Hussain also slammed the dissident group and said that all which that happened was a drama. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had already refuted all charges made by HBS and had slammed Sarma on his move. These ministers can easily comment on the dissidence issue and continue the blame game till eternity, but when questioned on the state’s development status, the ministers keep blaming the Centre. The power minister has many a time blamed the Centre who has just formed the government. The environment minister is trying but has always failed to stop the rhino poaching problem from the state. The recent urban floods in the city brought the CM to streets but have also made him realise that he did not do enough for the development of the city. Some observers feel that the Chief Minister during any event or function makes promises but never fulfils those. The CM during his tenure has announced many projects and funds for various development schemes but has never released the money. Now if the people genuinely analyse the Gogoi government’s performance, the 2016 polls will surely have a negative result for the Congress.

The warning

It is public knowledge that Gogoi has a free hand to handle the dissidence crisis, but according to highly placed sources in the party, the high command has pressurised the CM to solve the problem as soon as possible. Tarun Gogoi has convened a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) on Sunday where he will share the same space with rebel MLAs for the first time after dissidence against him turned severe following the party’s Lok Sabha election debacle. A declaration for maintaining party discipline is also expected to be issued to all Congress legislators at the meeting. The opposition politicos are already planning their plan of action for the 2016 polls and with poor performance, dissidence crisis, the chief minister is all set to have a chain of challenges in his next one and half year term. Sarma’s exit might have brought some smile to Gogoi’s face, but the game is not yet over. He is still not safe.

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

Bazaar

SMART BOX! THE

SHUBHOJIT ROY

ith the advancement of technologies, the entertainment piece with which most of us spend a substantial amount of time is television. Just as cellphones and internet, it is very difficult to live without a TV. Televisions have been a part of our lives from last few decades and as the technology changes, the TVs are also changing with time. Traditionally, we have been watching a CRT television. But now the world has moved on to slimmer,

The LED television market is getting hotter and all the brands are vying for a big chunk of the consumer’s money pie.

technologically advanced, easier on the eyes and bigger in size, flat HDTVs. If you have not yet replaced yours, it’s time to get one to see what you have been missing for so long. In India, HD channels have been available for the last two years and it will be a wise decision to switch over to HDTV to experience the stunning picture and sound quality being broadcasted. With the newest edition of LED TVs in market, G Plus finds out the Guwahati market scenario.

The competitors LG 49UB850T Price `1,64,900

SONY BRAVIAKDLW650A LED TV Price `42,000 The Sony BRAVIA KDL-W650A LED TV may seem expensive, but it has the quality and performance to back it up. The build quality is spot on, while this also happens to be one of the rare LED/LCD TVs that manages to provide decent sound quality. The image fidelity too defies the price and the size of the TV, with excellent showing in movies and games alike.

SONY S990A Price `3,00,000 (approx.)

Samsung UA55F7500BR 2013 Smart LED TV Price `2,18,900 The Samsung UA55F7500BR isn’t an ordinary 55 inch LED TV set. It is the latest in the Korean electronics giant’s 2013 smart TV range. For the money, it packs in goodies such as a quad-core processor, motion control, face recognition, voice control, 3D capability, and a plethora of other clever electronic image enhancement trickery.

The world’s 1st curved screen LED TV introduced with HDTV was designed to better fill a user’s field of vision, and the gentle curve on the S990A takes that idea one step further with a slightly more immersive feel when you’re sitting front and center. The effect is even more noticeable when you’re playing games with a first-person perspective, but it works just as well for the home theater experience too.

LG 55LA6910 2013 SMART LED Price `2,10,000 Like its rival and TVs costing over the two lakh rupee mark, the LG 55LA is pleasing to look at. This is one huge chunk of the LCD motherglass that’s been framed delicately with a rather inconspicuous chrome bezel, which pretty much resembles a knife edge running across the entire length and breadth of the TV.

LG 49UB850T presents a whole new level of picture quality, boasting a resolution four times higher than Full HD. Naturally, it is incredibly vivid and crisp, even when viewed from close distances. It is accustomed to thoroughly satisfy the viewer with flawless detail, lifting the standard of visual display yet higher.

SAMSUNG UA65HU8500R Price `4,09,900 A more detailed picture made for UHD resolution: Samsung’s advanced UHD dimming technology brings the ideal level of contrast and colour to your UHD viewing. The higher resolution of UHD also means that the picture requires more processing for a highly-detailed image. That’s why Samsung UHD dimming technology has been developed to process black and white as optimally as possible and produce colours that are far more vivid. 4 times the Full HD resolution: Ultra HD viewing means you can see every intricate detail on the screen clearer than ever.

Depending on your budget, what you should look out for is the maximum size of the TV you can purchase which fits in your room. Of course, you must ensure the essentials first provided in the beginning. If you are an ordinary viewer, don’t get bothered by the marketing terms like contrast ratio, refresh rate, viewing angle, etc. It does not really matter whether you go with LCD, LED or Plasma – all these technologies are matured enough and you won’t find much difference in the picture quality and then if your pocket allows grab a 3D TV.

shubhojit.roy@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

Theatre

MOROMOR BONDHU

Date: July 25, 2014, Venue: Rabindra Bhawan Subhrajit Roy

t is often said that a letter is not only a mode of exchanging messages but is an open platform for sharing feelings and expressions to a dear one. Such sharing started between Anindya Chakraborty and Jahnabi Borbora during their school days, which turned into a lifelong series of correspondence, later on. From ‘Birthdays and Thank-you’ notes to summer camp assignments, every happening of their lives got attention through their letters addressed to each other. With the passage of time both left Assam and migrated to different parts of India for academics. At times, due to professional needs, both roamed across the globe as well and within all these, the only mode of communication between them were the letters, although once, Jahnabi suggested to Anindya to have a private telephone for prompt communication which he denied readily. The separation between them became more significant when both started to concentrate in their marital lives. Though Anindya seemed to lead a happily married life, Jahnabi on the contrary, turned out to be a divorcee very soon. Meanwhile both invited each other to visit their places once. But due to situational constraints as well as lack of interest both of them lost the opportunities. In their fifties, Anindya became a Member of Parliament and Janhabi gradually faced the failure in her painting career. During her last days she tried to meet him once which could not materialise and finally she committed suicide. All these significant features became lively on stage in the recent presentation of Pulitzer Award-nominated famous American play ‘Love Letters’ (1998) by A. R. Gurney in its fresh Assamese adaptation named ‘Moromor Bondhu’. ‘Tumhari Amrita’, the Hindi-Urdu version of the

All these significant features became lively on stage in the recent presentation of Pulitzer Awardnominated famous American play ‘Love Letters’ (1998) by A. R. Gurney in its fresh Assamese adaptation named ‘Moromor Bondhu’ same was scripted by in 1992 by playwright Javed Siddiqui, directed by Feroze Abbas Khan and acted out by Shabana Azmi and Farooq Sheikh have already created a mark in the theatre arena of India. In this context, playwright Asha Kuthari Chaudhuri structured the Indianised English version of the same, which was again adapted into Assamese by Jimoni Choudhury. In the Assamese adaptation, various local landmarks and situations are used in narration to add native flavour, although the appeal and moral of the play remained universal.

Produced under the banner of Zerifa Wahid Production and designed and directed by Abinash Sarma, ‘Moromor Bondhu’ was staged on July 25, 2014 at Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati. Actor Kopil Bora and Zerifa Wahid who played the roles of Anindya and Jahnabi respectively, picturised the metamorphosis of both the protagonists from kids to adults. Although there were no physical movements of the characters in the play, both the actors on stage depicted the different periods and circumstances of their lives only through their facial expressions as well as the modulation of their vocals

in dialogue delivery as demanded by the script. The spirit of youth as well as the responsibility of an elected parliamentarian were audible in the tone of Kopil, whereas Zerifa presented the ego and depression of a failed artist through her vocals. Apart from the vocal modulations, rich acoustic was also an integral of the play, which was supported by the background score and sound design by Manash Sarma and Yachinoor Rahman respectively. So far as the set design is concerned, along with only two pairs of chair-table, there were a bunch of roses in a vase, a Question Mark, a pair of single in-

verted commas, a pair of exclamation marks and a single mark of exclamation were framed on the stage by Umakanta Sonowal. According to the situation, those marks were illuminated with chromatic designs by Kaushik Borbora where as to keep the themes of the letters enhancing gradually minimum lighting was visible on stage. In the context of direction the pace of the play was a bit faster in the first half, where as in the second half the actors gripped the spectators mind with immense emotions.

shubhojit.roy@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

Life

WHY BLAME YOUR LUCK FOR IT? ritu gupta gritu21@yahoo.com

here are times when we blame our luck for our unhappiness. Unemployment, unhappiness, break ups, depressions or family issues happen. This is something, which is a part of our life so why blame our luck for it. If people are going through financial problems we see them blaming their luck for it whereas there could be a possibility that because their luck favoured them, they were less affected by it. Unhappy people will always blame their luck for it. A beggar can be a beggar yet be very happy.

Ways to help yourself

Be thankful for what you have. Many a times we forget to see the things that we already possess. E en if you don’t have a big house thank your stars that you have a home to live. The fresh air you breathe, the beauty of nature that you witness each day and more

important that you are alive. Even during the worst of times be happy that you have friends and family to fall back on. Try to spend time with them. Take each day as it comes. Rather than brooding over things and feeling that life has come to an end. Hope and pray that with a new day would come better day for you. Being optimistic about your tomorrow and not blaming your stars for it. Watching TV to the minimum. Especially when going through financial crunch because all the beautiful and rich people displayed in the TV are not real but it gives us lot of stress. Spending some time in solitude and talking to yourself gives you your answers as well. Spend some time alone to reflect the person you are, the things you want in your life, and what you really need. Never compare your yesterday with today because the wheel

of time keeps moving so no two days can be the same. Be positive and keep smiling even when the situation is tough. Don’t speak all the time about your problems. It makes you look miserable, and you don’t know if the listeners actually care or even want to see you better. It feels good to speak but only to those who are real friends, not to everyone. Don’t let people know so many things about your life. Look cool. Remain optimistic. Tough times call for stamina and endurance. Tough times don’t last, it’s the tough people who do. It’s very important to count your blessing and find happiness even in the small things that life has to offer. Surround yourself with positive people and don’t let situations affect your mind. Happiness is within us and no situation is permanent. We need to wait for the right time to come. Patience is required.

IT’S RAINING LOVE! All is not dead and gone in this world…. I mean the humane stuff.

wo years back. A different kind of a workshop. People from all walks of life, yet diverse communities poured into the seminar hall. The lights came onto the proscenium where the lectern stood and the secretary made his imperative announcement. This marked the beginning of a six-day meeting, where we were to interact with persons representing different communities of Axom and learn about their customary laws, their forests, soil and what not. It was a meet on documentation of community-wise customary laws organized by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Delhi in coordination with the Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra. For the next six days, there was no question of torpor. Our pens literally flew over paper. We worked on a war footing, documenting and collecting invaluable data from these very important people. The ease with which they talked with us made me wonder if at any point of time my approach towards other people was impudent. Someone was a pastor; smiling and talking gently, another gentleman was the head of his community; he blessed us profusely, a seventy-two year old village elder did what was told to him; he read from the manuscript in Tai and subsequently gave us its Assamese translation. My behavioural pattern took a complete u-turn after meeting Tanushree, one of the ladies working with us on the project. She probably had a world of problems up her not so slender sleeves but she, uncannily has the habit of smiling and thwarting all tribulations with a scoff. I have never really stopped learning from her and wished hard that I have the opportunity to work again on parallel grounds. And then, who would believe that I was to lose my way in one of the many lanes of Guwahati. But I did. I was at a crossroad in Gandhibasti when I didn’t know which way to turn. I parked my car and tried hard to look for a person who could give me directions to the main road.Suddenly, in this conundrum, I caught sight of a uniformed middle-aged person on a cycle, peddling and ringing his bell to get past my car. “Excuse me, dada…. Olop Xunibone?” (Please listen a while Brother!). The man stopped a little ahead of my car and got off his cycle. He walked back and in the dim lights of the lane, I could barely see around four brown packets strung to the carrier of his slightly tarnished cycle. Jaded though he seemed, probably with the days work, he asked me, “Baidew,did you ask me something?” I confessed that I had actually lost my way. Without any hesitation, he glided onto his cycle seat and asked me to follow him. He peddled as fast as he could, looking back over his shoulder once at

every turn to see if I was following him. At a familiar crossing, he told me to go straight to reach the main road, before vanishing into a dark tiny lane, his bell ringing incessantly to get the alley dogs out of the way. That evening, Pulok Kalita was my knight in shining armour. Well, talk about being helpful and this one took the trophy. It was one of those days in June when it was pouring cats, dogs and hogs. People were running helter-skelter to get to a safer destination. Oblivious about the fact of how the city would look like after two and a half hours of the summer downpour, my eleven-month-old baby and I started out from my mother’s when I realized that we were in for a stall. All the cars had slowed down to a halt. My panic got the better of me with my baby crying for his 7 o’ clock meal. I drove into the NRL Petrol pump on Zoo Road and that is when, to my horror, it dawned on me that though I had got his formula, I had forgotten the flask of boiled water. I picked up my baby, walked up to this grave looking gentleman sitting on a chair just outside the Quick Shoppe and asked him, “Dada, can I get some boiled water?” His serious countenance changed and his lips cracked into a friendly smile. He walked us to an office room and tried to make us as comfortable in all possible ways, while he asked one of his boys to get the water. Soon, after baby was fed, I thanked the gentleman and that is when he introduced himself as Robin Barua, the owner of the station. While driving back home after an hour, I thanked God I had met this gentleman on that fateful night. I wonder where I would have found boiled water on a road, which had transformed into a swirling river. A true angel in disguise. And then there is Raja, who appeared out of nowhere when my car broke down on G S Road and that too at an unearthly hour of the night and got my car fixed. And how can I forget the auto drivers in Lakhtokia who revved up my car when it refused to budge an inch. And Zakir, the taxi driver in Itanagar, who took me all around town and called it a day only after he had safely packed me in the Guwahati bound Volvo bus. And lest I forget, Ritu, my friend from the Gauhati Stock Exchange, who stood by me and vouched that the discontentment expressed by the Assistant Director was totally unjustified, knowing perfectly well that he could lose his job in the process. Thank God for these people, I am where I am, contented, happy and more importantly humane.

tinat ATIFA MASOOD

Sri Sri’s Message On Guru Poornima

More Wisdom More Happiness

uru is present like space in life. You just sang this song, ‘Ajo Ananthaya’. Ajo means Never Born, Ananthanya is Infinity, Nitya Shudha is Forever Pure, and Sat-chid-ananda is Pure Bliss. Guru principle is like the space, and you cannot avoid space. Whether you recognize that there is space or not, is another question. You cannot escape from air. Whether you recognize there is air or not is another question. And today is the time for you recognize that there is air; there is space. It is a privilege, a good fortune to have access to knowledge. Today is an occasion to remember, and to celebrate life with knowledge, life in knowledge, and life for knowledge. You know, air is there everywhere but when you sit near the fan, you feel it. In the same way, in the world, in the universe, the Guru principle is there. When you recognize it, you feel so great, and you feel bliss. Recognition of the existence of the Guru Principle, and the role it has played in life, is Guru Poornima. In our body, the throat chakra is for gratefulness. Above the throat chakra is the Ajna (Agya) Chakra, that is the seat of Guru. So gratefulness is a way to reach to the Guru Tattva. And then where does the Guru lead you to? Bliss (pointing to the top of the head), i.e, theSahasrara Chakra. So, Guru is sandwiched between gratefulness and bliss. This Guru Principle is that which removes darkness, it is that which removes all suffering. We chant, ‘Bhishaje bhava roginam’, which means, it is like the medicine for those who are stuck in small little worldly things; the disease of small mindedness. It is called a disease because the mind wants to get out of the suffering. Guru Tattva brings that absolute comfort. You know, there are some people who live without light; they don’t even know of electricity. Animals live without electricity, without light; they don’t need it. But human beings need light when it is dark. So human beings need the Guru Tattva, they need the knowledge. People living without knowledge are equivalent to animals. One without wisdom lives an animalistic life, it is not a human life. So, it is fashionable to be civilized and to have a Guru in life. If there is no Guru in life, it means life is uncivilized; like one who does not know anything of technology. It is a privilege, a good fortune to have access to knowledge. And this ancient tradition, from millenniums has preserved this beautiful knowledge, and today we feel very grateful! It is an occasion to remember and to celebrate life with knowledge, life in knowledge, and life for knowledge. It is wisdom that can eliminate misery in the world. If wisdom cannot bring happiness, nothing can bring happiness. So we have this privilege to spread happiness, wisdom, and knowledge. The Guru Principle is that which removes darkness, and which removes suffering. It is like a medicine for those who are stuck in the small little worldly things; the disease of small mindedness. Guru Tattva brings that absolute comfort. Wisdom is not just information, it is a quality of consciousness; it is a quality of life. Wisdom does not come just by studying and attaining degrees, or by stuffing yourself with information. Something triggers inside and you become wise. SomeNaadi (energy channel) inside, or some part of your consciousness flips over and you become wise. I think so! Wisdom is not attained just by reading a lot. You cannot just read a lot and be very wise in everything. Wisdom is a quality of consciousness, a quality of life, and this gets transferred by good company. That is what happens. The Presence of the Guru does not bring you any information, it shifts the quality of consciousness, and that brings the wisdom to your mind. Now, should we go and sit in front of a Guru all the time to become wise? Not necessary. Wherever you are, simply feel the presence of the Guru Tattva. Guru Tattva is in-between the eye brows. The Ajna Chakra, where the pituitary glands are situated, that is the seat of the Guru. In the science of Yoga, the Ajna Chakra or the space in-between the eyebrows is called the seat of the Guru. It is situated above the Vishuddhi Chakra (in throat region); the pure space. You enter the pure space, you enter into meditation, and you reach to

the Guru. And it is the Guru who pulls you into meditation. You are stuck in the heart region where there is love, hatred and fear. If you have to get out of hatred and fear, you have to get into the inner space. And who pulls you into the inner space? The Guru Tattva. So the Guru pulls you into the inner space. When you come to the inner space, what happens to you? You become pure, i.e., Vishuddhiwhich means So Pure. The heart becomes pure, the mind becomes pure, and that connects you to bliss, which is the Sahasara Chakra. This is the science of Yoga. It’s so amazing if you go into the depth of it. Every moment it reveals even more. Wisdom is a quality of consciousness, a quality of life, and this gets transferred by good company. The Presence of the Guru does not bring you any information, it shifts the quality of consciousness, and that brings the wisdom to your mind. So do not think that just by words, by reading books, or by stuffing yourself with a lot of information you can become wise, no! Wisdom comes by that shift; that is why it is called Grace. Grace (or Good luck) means what? That which you cannot explain. If you could explain how you got something then it is not luck. When do you call something your luck? When you cannot explain the cause of it. Of course, same for bad luck also. If you have bad luck, you say you can’t explain it. So it’s the gratefulness which leads you to Guru Tattva and the bliss further on, and vice versa, because when you find that solace, then you feel more grateful. So, what is wisdom? It is a quality of consciousness; like alertness. What is alertness? (Sri Sri snaps his fingers) Your presence in now! You know when you suddenly become alert, your mind shifts (sort of, opens), and suddenly you are allalive. Words cannot describe what alertness is! In the same way, words cannot describe what wisdom is. Everyone in their life, sometime or other, have experienced a little bit of wisdom. Whether one has maintained it or not is another question. It is wisdom that holds the key to happiness. No wisdom, no happiness. So people seeking happiness will have to go come to the Guru. People seeking knowledge will have to come to Guru. People seeking a better quality of life have to come to the Guru; they have to acknowledge the Guru principle in their life. One of the saints of the middle ages, a great yogi said, ‘Who drinks the nectar? One who has a Guru. One who doesn’t have a Guru in their life, he goes thirsty, he has no juice in his life; he does not know true joy. But one who has a Guru drinks the nectar; again and again he drinks the nectar’. There is plenty of nectar in the inner realm of our being. One who has a Guru drinks it in abundance. One without a Guru goes thirsty all his life. He is describing our own physiology, which means, in this (pointing to the head or Sahasara Chakra) there is bliss, there is nectar. When there is Guru in life, then you get access to it, otherwise life becomes meaningless. Wherever you are, simply feel the presence of the Guru Tattva. There are a lot of beautiful poems written on this. I’ve not read them all, only heard a little bit here and there. But the essence is how the quality of consciousness gets shifted, and the shift is a gift (wisdom is a gift). The company of the wise brings that shift in the consciousness, or its given to you as gift, and so you feel thankful. It is not something that you earned in your life. You cannot earn it but it is being bestowed on you, and that is the key. Many people think wisdom means reading a lot of books. Wisdom has nothing to do with books. Wisdom has nothing to do with gathering information. It is just the quality of consciousness that shifts in the mind, and that is bestowed by the Guru Principle, by acknowledging the Guru in life. One has to acknowledge from one’s side. The Guru does not accept or reject anyone. It is the student, the disciple, who accepts (a Guru) as his Guru.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

Reviews

Hypnotic Eye Artist : Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

s Tom Petty told us three decades and 10 albums ago, on Southern Accents, he’s got his “own way of talking.” He doesn’t drawl quite like the other Floridians, and among the words he pronounces in a wholly unique fashion is “town.” It comes

D YouOULEN SHLIST

up a lot in his songs -- often when he’s singing about hopeless little burgs he or his characters long to escape. That’s precisely the premise of “Burnt Out Town,” the penultimate track on Hypnotic Eye, his excellent new album with longtime sidemen the Heartbreakers.

Private India

D L ou Y OU SH read

Author : Ashwin Sanghi, James Patterson

n Mumbai seemingly unconnected people are dying, strangled in a chilling ritual and with strange objects carefully arranged with the corpses. For Santosh Wagh, head of Private India, the Mumbai branch of the world’s finest investigation agency, it’s a race against time to stop the killer striking again. In a city of over thirteen million, hed have his work cut out at the best

Director: Brett Ratner Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Irina Shayk

ou’ll have to say one thing for Brett Ratner’s production of Hercules : This movie has a sense of proportion. Running just over 90 minutes, the movie is often clunky, but at least it’s fast and unpretentious. And its likable star, Dwayne Johnson, manages to murder legions without ever seeming sadistic. Less violent than 300, less compelling than Gladiator, this new addition to the sword-and-sandals genre seems likely to please the fanboy audience and stir up some impressive box-office numbers. The film begins by recounting the legend of Hercules, with snippets of his famous 12 labors. But this is not the Steve Reeves version of the tale. Johnson’s Hercules (as envisioned by comic book author Steve Moore) is a flawed hero. Bereft over the murders of his wife and children, Hercules has joined up with a band of loyal comrades who will basically sell their services to the highest bidder. In other words, they’re mercenaries. But you can bet it won’t be too long before Hercules rediscovers a noble purpose. That happens when he is enlisted by the lovely daughter of the lord of Thrace to save her kingdom from civil war. Let the mayhem begin. The story has a few twists up its sleeve, as heroes turn out to be treacherous and villains are more complex than first appearances suggest. There’s just enough plot to keep the movie lurching forward, and there are plenty of battle scenes to delight connoisseurs of carnage. (The movie’s PG-13 rating

seems fairly lenient.) One problem with these battle scenes is the frenetic editing, an unfortunate staple of contemporary action pictures. On the positive side, the sets (by production designer Jean-Vincent Puzos, who also designed one of Ratner’s favorite movies, Amour ) are impressive, and the crowd scenes, even if enhanced by CGI, stir happy memories of films like Spartacus and Ben-Hur. The classy cast also elevates the picture. Ian McShane gives a droll performance as a soothsayer who’s always surviving predictions of his own death. John Hurt is working in the glorious tradition of Claude Rains in The Adventures of Robin Hood while Joseph Fiennes is doing a Basil Rathbone as his venal confederate. As the one woman in the troupe of mercenaries, Ingrid Bolso Berdal wields a mean bow and arrow. Tobias Santelmann (star of the Norwegian Oscar nominee Kon-Tiki ) has an imposing presence as Hercules’ antagonistturned-ally. There are some neat 3-D effects, but as with so many recent 3-D offerings, the format doesn’t seem absolutely essential. The cinematography by Ratner’s frequent collaborator Dante Spinotti is vibrant, and the musical score by Fernando Velazquez is rousing. Most important, the pacing is snappy. It may sound like a backhanded compliment to praise this sometimes cheesy movie for never taking itself too seriously, but in a summer of bloated spectacles, this modesty should not be underestimated.

of times but this case has him battling Mumbai’s biggest ganglord and a godman who isn’t all he seems and then he discovers there may be an even greater danger facing Private India. Hidden in the shadows is someone who could destroy the whole organisation along with thousands of innocent Mumbai citizens.

WRC 4: FIA World Rally Championship

On PC, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360

E M EW A G EVI R

he FIA World Rally Championship is entering a new era with a new champion for the first time in 10 years, but the official game continues to feel like more of the same off-road action. Milestone has made some intelligent changes from last year’s game, but many of its more flaky mechanics remain untouched, and some good elements,

NOW SHOWING

including classic cars, have been removed entirely. The thrill of the perfect hairpin powerslide is still present, but WRC’s core content sorely lags behind its competitors. Like previous WRC games, and indeed the majority of racing games based on an official series, WRC 4 places you in the shoes of an up-andcoming driver seeking to reach the

KICK

pinnacle of his chosen discipline. You begin the game by naming your driver and co-driver and selecting a manager to guide you through your career. You shouldn’t spend too long choosing your manager, though, because you’re simply choosing from a selection of photos rather than making a decision that has any real influence on your career progress.

Hercules

Apsara Cinema

Daily at 11AM, 2, 5 & 8 PM

Anuradha Cineplex

Daily at 11.30AM, 5 & 8.15PM

Daily at 9.30AM (3D-Hindi) & 2.45 PM (3D-English)

Fun Cinemas

Daily at 9.45AM & 12.35PM, 5.30 & 8.45 PM

Daily at 3.25PM (3D-English)

Gold Cinema (Fancy Bazar)

Daily at 11, 11.30 AM 2, 2.30, 5, 5.30, 8.30 PM

Gold Cinema (Paltan Bazaar)

Daily at 11, 11.30 AM 2, 2.30, 5, 5.30, 8.30 PM

Gold Cinema (Narengi)

Daily at 11AM, 2, 5 & 8 PM

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

Web Watch

Twitter now shows embedded tweets on the web

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

London Mayor says it will be first city to get 5G

5 Google Searches To Get Special Results Submitted by Indrajeet Bhuyan

witter has rolled out embedded linked tweets inside tweets on the web. The feature allows you to write a message and embed a link to the tweet within the message. The feature creates a graphical presentation of the message you’re referencing instead of an cluttered URL. The move makes tweets appear more streamlined in your timeline, and allows you to get the essence of a linked tweet immediately without having to click through to find out. The feature also gives users more space to comment on articles. Embedded Tweets was launched for iOS and Android mobile apps last month and has i now be rolled out to users on Twitter.com.

hile we wait for complete 4G coverage in India, London Mayor Boris Johnson seems to be looking ahead at even faster connection speeds. Johnson has announced that London will be the first city to get a major 5G network, promising even faster internet connections. Further, reports say that the University of Surrey will be the cornerstone behind the development

of the network. The 5G network was announced as a part of the long term infrastructure plan from now till 2050. A 5G network will allow smartphone users to download full length movies in a matter of seconds. The standards for 5G networks is still unclear though and the city is yet to explain them. Interestingly, reports have said that many businesses in London still complain about slow broadband speeds, stemming speculation that

ISPs block Torrent, hosting websites after court order: Reports

epartment of Telecom (DoT) through a large Court order has blocked a number of BitTorrent sites including KickAssTorrents, The Pirate Bay, Torrentz, etc to stop piracy. DOT India had blocked file sharing sites in India few months back leading to speculation that Torrents sites will also get blocked soon which has actually happened now. Torrent sites allow users to downloading illegal copies of latest movies, songs,

software’s, etc. The GOVT of India and DOT have passed there new policies to put an end to illegal file sharing. Last month over 104 Indian illegal music sharing sites were also blocked

through an order passed by Calcutta High Court. According to reports, Reliance Communications ISP and Zylog Wi5 ISP have been the first to implement the new policies. Broadband visitors of Reliance Communications who try to access the blocked sites are redirected to a custom page saying “The site has been blocked as per instruction from DOT” message when browsing the above file sharing sites. Surprisingly users are also report-

the promise of 5G is premature. British MP, Meg Hillier, is hosting a roundtable to discuss the problems with broadband in Tech City and Shoreditch, Venture Beat reported, via Tech City News. These network though will take a long time to roll out, even in London, let alone India. Currently, some states in India have recieved 4G connectivity, but the network is yet to cover the entire country. ing that the popular video sharing site Vimeo and Google Docs has been blocked too. Vimeo is a service like YouTube, where small film makers can share there creative works and Google Docs is legitimately used by millions for their daily work. According to reports these sites may have been done accidently and will be reverted back soon. The blackout could be part of Delhi High Court’s order of blocking of 450 sites based on the case filed by Multi Screen Media (Sony TV) in regards to illegal file hosting of videos and clips related to World Cup Football matches for which MSM have sole rights.

USB Devices Like Keyboards CERT-In warns about debit Can be Used to Hack Into & credit card information PCs: Researcher stealing BrutPOS virus

SB devices such as mice, keyboards and thumb-drives can be used to hack into personal computers in a potential new class of attacks that evade all known security protections, a top computer researcher revealed on Thursday. Karsten Nohl, chief scientist with Berlin’s SR Labs, noted that hackers could load malicious software onto tiny, low-cost computer chips that control functions of USB devices but which have no built-in shields against tampering with their code. “You cannot tell where the virus came from. It is almost like a magic trick,” said Nohl, whose research firm

is known for uncovering major flaws in mobile phone technology. The finding shows that bugs in software used to run tiny electronics components that are invisible to the average computer user can be extremely dangerous when hackers figure out how to exploit them. Security researchers have increasingly turned their attention to uncovering such flaws. Nohl said his firm has performed attacks by writing malicious code onto USB control chips used in thumb drives and smartphones. Once the USB device is attached to a computer, the malicious software can log keystrokes, spy on communications and destroy data, he said.

yber security experts have alerted debit/credit card owners against ‘BrutPOS’ virus, which attacks Point of Sale (POS) business counters to steal confidential data like card number and passwords. CERT-In stated that once the

virus infects the system, it communicates with its command and control servers to update its status and receive commands or list of IP address range to be scan for RDP servers having weak or default credentials. Once installed, hackers can ex execute another malware in the hacked system that steals payment cards data including card holders name, CVV number, account number, etc from POS systems. The POS is the cash counter of an establishment where a customer makes online payment trough a debit/credit card. The advisory added that the malware also steals system information like sytem configuration, Operating System details, etc.

e use Google as a search engine to find web pages on the Internet. But very few people know that Google is more than a Search Engine. There are so many things which we can do with the help of Google and get instant results. Take a look on these few important Google Searches will surely help you and make your work faster.

Calculator Calculator is really an important part of life which is used so many times a day. Do you know that Google search can also work as a calculator? Just type a quick calculation and Google will provide an answer. Google will also show a calculator on the page to do advance calculation.

Weather Google can also be used as a weather tool to know the current weather condition of any place. Just type Weather location and press enter. For example if you want to know the weather near New York type Weather Guwahati.

Get Your IP Address To get our current IP address, we use whatismyip online website. But we can do it just by typing a query in Google. Type what is my ip or my ip in Google and see your public IP.

Movies If you want to know the current running movie show near your location, you can just get it by typing “Movies.” If you are not getting results, you need to set the current location in Google at left side bar. 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 AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

G-Talk

Will the women city-bus service work efficiently? Nungshi Singha

Masum Yusuf Ahmed

Copy writer

Corporate professional

POINT

t is said that every developmental change has always encountered criticism and so has the recently launched women’s citybus service. I totally agree that there were numerous projects announced before in the city, state and even in the country but not all projects were successful for various reasons. The recent women’s city-bus service, which started might also have many critics, but the main reason for which it has been launched, is women’s safety and security. The city registers many cases of crimes against women every now and then and in this scenario, if a service like this is launched then instead of criticism, the authorities’ move should be lauded. According to media reports, maximum number of molestation cases happens in crowded buses, which also go unreported. Talking about the overall city bus service in Guwahati in general, the scenario is in a terrible condition. There are overcrowded buses flying everywhere at dangerous speeds. There is no system at all in the bus stops; and traffic congestion caused by buses is a regular scene. No regular ticketing, no routes displayed and no uniform worn by the conductors are some of the points of concern.

COUNTERPOINT The recently launched women city bus service will have lady conductors with valid conductor’s license. The uniform of the lady conductor is black trousers with sky blue coloured stripped shirt along with black shoes. At present, the route for this service is to be from the Khanapara Research gate to Kachari via Ganeshguri, Bhangagarh, Paltan Bazaar, Panbazar Panitanky and back via Md Tayabulla Road, District Library, Reserve Bank, Panbazar overbridge and Paltan Bazaar. At present the buses are less as it is just the initial stage. Six privately owned buses and two ASTC buses have been pressed into the service which will operate from 7 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 8 pm every day. Interestingly, the buses will have the route details, timing and ‘Ladies City Bus service’ display on the front wind shield of the bus. The buses have also been equipped with CCTV camera surveillance provided by GMDA and each bus is supposed to have one lady home guard provided by the District Police Authority. Now all these services sound good and in spite of being negative, we can hope that the number of buses is further increased in future so that the service works efficiently.

Security

uwahati saw the launch of the ambitious project of an all-women bus service on the 23rd of July. The principle reason cited for the project was safety and comfort for the women passengers across the city. However, there is a flipside to this. Firstly, the regularity of these special buses is bound to be lesser than the normal buses. As such women travellers will surely have to wait for a longer duration to board these buses and when someone is travelling to work in this searing heat, it is always tempting to simply board the next available regular bus and leave. This in turn will lead to fewer passengers in the all –women buses resulting in losses .No doubt these buses will be safer and more secured for the women passengers. But will Guwahati have enough women passengers in the long run to make it sustainable? Any bus running with a load of lesser than 75 % is considered to be at a loss. Hope the Guwahati model will have more number of women in

it. If not, it is surely headed towards the similar, now-defunct Noida allwomen bus transport model. On the other hand, in the regular buses, the problem of the number of seats seems to be the main issue as women complain that most of the time they have to stand although there are reserved seats for women. Hence, the more sustainable solution for a city like Guwahati is the improvement of the services in the regular buses. Travelling in a Guwahati city bus is a horrific affair for the passengers, thanks to the congestion and the irregular timings of bus stoppages. What is needed is bigger, if possible, double-decker buses, with a more regular and standardised system of boarding passengers. It should be noted that in most of the problems concerning public life the solution lies in upliftment of the existing pathetic system itself.Having an entirely new system can be exciting but will result in adverse effects if the required study and diligence is not done before launch.

LETTERs TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, I have been following your tabloid and read different issues about the city. I am a resident of Guwahati and these days I have noticed that the city police have been very irregular in checking the vehicles. They are busy checking bikers without their helmets and licence, but they are easily letting the big cars pass without checking. They should be stricter in checking all types of vehicles and not just helmets and licences. Moreover, I have seen that these checking are more active during occasions like Durga Puja, Bihu, Independence Day, Republic Day, Christmas etc. I have also noticed people entering from the Kachari Ghat totally unchecked to the city. I would like to ask the authorities that should people coming from the other side of the Brahmaputra like Amingaon should be allowed to enter without any kind of checking. And now that the Independence Day is approaching we could notice that the cops are somewhat stricter in checking the vehicles, but it should be more regular, more systematic and more focussed when the issue at hand is to protect the city from extremism. The safety and security of the citizens should not be jeopardized in any circumstances.

Himangshu Das Noonmati, Guwahati

Crime against women Sir, As your paper covers a lot of issue on crimes against women, I being a 32-year-old woman feel like the city is not that dangerous for women as it is usually reflected in reports filed by various media. I have lived in Delhi for seven years and fell that Guwahati is hundred times better for women. I travel from Maligaon to 6th Mile everyday and have never faced any problem. But, I feel that the younger generation and some girls especially who know that laws in favour of women are stricter, tend to misuse the law. After the rape laws were reworked in the wake of Delhi gangrape case, the number of cases involving crimes against women has increased. I am not saying that women are totally secured in Guwahati, but I just want to mention that some people can misuse the law and it is happening. I want to put a question to the lawmakers that rape cases can be medically investigated and proven, but it is tough to prove molestation cases which happen in closed rooms as the complainer can misuse the law just for some personal grudge.

Ankita Deori Lal Ganesh

Send us your letters and feedback at editor@g-plus.in

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

Your weekly dose of HOROSCOPE

ARIES

A rendezvous in a strange location lends some excitement to the start of your week. You feel a bit like a character in a noir film, or a journalist on an exotic assignment. The world around you is rich, and your interactions with others are charged. This weekend, after a successful mission, your sights will be set on still greater heights.

TAURUS

As much as you love your friends and associates, other people are a liability on Monday and Tuesday. Be charming and diplomatic, but be firm. If you have control of the cockpit, don’t get up to take a coffee break. This weekend, a confusing interaction with someone else leaves you flummoxed. Chalk it up to weird weather. It means nothing.

GEMINI

If what you are saying just isn’t getting through to you-know-whom, consider the way you’re saying it and where this person is coming from. And then consider starting with a knock-knock joke. If you can get someone to laugh, you’ve got their attention.

CANCER

Your wattage might be running low on Monday and Tuesday, so do something chill: take lunch on your own, stop by the video store on your way home from work, get supplies for a bubble bath. The whole week you’ll be in this mood — content, quiet, self-aware — and it may lead to a meaningful revelation or two, the kind you can’t have when you’re surrounded by

buzz and chatter. This weekend, indulge in your most eccentric side.

LEO

You are bounding down the street on Monday and Tuesday. Or perhaps down the highway. You have a passion for travel at the start of the week. Then again, what don’t you have a passion for at the start of the week? It helps that your romantic life is going well. This weekend, you have the answers; when someone hands you a problem, you have fun seeing how quickly you can solve it.

VIRGO

You’d love to stop the raft and change course, but these are some mighty fine rapids. The safest plan of action would be to see this through; once the river dies down a bit, you can regroup. This weekend, you learn a bunch of new things all at once

LIBRA

Social experimentation at the start of the week totally pays off. You put the oddest ideas on the table and people take to them instantly (there is something offhandedly genius about the things that fall out of your mouth right now). But this weekend is nearly nonstop romance and good times.

SCORPIO

You are your own person, certainly, but you find yourself at the start of the week feeling more identified with a group than you have in a while. It’s nice to belong and it’s nice to wind up involved in adventures you would never stumble into on your own, but don’t forget to assert your own personality. Demonstrate your diplomatic prowess.

TIMEPASS

SUDOKU

SAGITTARIUS

Good feelings and goodwill abound on Monday and Tuesday. It’s sounds cheesy, but everyone you know has found a way to love one another, and it’s putting you in a heck of a good mood. Over the weekend, you’ll meet someone in a random way and end up talking to them for a lot longer than you expected.

CAPRICORN

As they say, anything is possible if you put your mind to it, but it’s not just your mind that’s needed — you also have to apply energy. You just have to think about being across the street and you’re already there. As for those impossible things made possible? Well, nothing happens overnight, but don’t be discouraged. An airtight new plan will occur to you this weekend..

AQUARIUS

Your social group could use a few new members, so be open to unfamiliar faces on Monday and Tuesday. The start of the week is a time of expansiveness. You’re not always in the mood for musical numbers, but you’ll be charmed. Sunday is an energetic day as well.

PISCES

Monday is your lucky day. So is Tuesday, in fact. Don’t rush out and buy a lottery ticket — it’s not that kind of luck — but notice how the small things seem to be going your way? This is partly unrelated to you and it’s partly a reflection of all the positive energy you’ve been putting out there lately. This weekend, you’d like to work magic for as many people as possible, but you can only fit so many tricks up your sleeve.

JUST FOR LAUGHs

Grandfather to Grandson Go hide! Your teacher is coming as you bunked school today! Grandson: YOU go hide... I told her YOU PASSED AWAY!! ??????

What is Generation Gap? Father used to walk 20 Minutes to save 20 Rs. Son spends 20 Rs. to save 20 Minutes. Surprisingly both are correct...!!!

What is Sense of Responsibility A man goes to library and asks for a book on Suicide... Librarian looks at him and says: Bhai wapas kaun dene aayega???

What is Cultural Gap If electricity goes in America they call the power house. But In India, they check neighbour’s house: Sabki gayi hai naa?

Solutions (Last Issue)

Fun

G PLUS AUG 02 - AUG 08, 2014

Authorised Service Centres EMERGENCY NUMBERS G Plus will keep on publishing such relevant and useful information in this page in the coming issues.

Compiled by Mautapa Dhar

AIRTEL DTH

HB Road, Ujanbazar, Ghy-1 Contact : 2735559, 9207043391;

ADONIS ELECTRONICS (P) LTD RGB Road, Ghy-3 Contact : 2413138;

APACE SOLUTIONS

Munni Market, Bhangagarh, Ghy-5 Contact : 9864116390;

LG (AIR CONDITIONER)

LUMINOUS POWER TECHNOLOGIES (P) LTD

CANON CARE CENTRE

NEOVISION INFOTECH

ELESONIC

KAzad Road, Rehabari, Ghy-8 Contact : 2737178;

Panbazar, Ghy-1 Contact : 9864062236;

ELECTROLUX SERVICE CENTRE Rajgarh Road, Ghy-7 Contact : 2452071;

ELSONIC

SCGoswami Road, Panbazar, Ghy-1 Contact : 2606021;

FLY MOBILE

SS Road, Lakhtokia, Ghy-1 Contact : 822316999;

IT WORKS

BKKakoti Road, Ulubari, Ghy-7 Contact : 9864015514, 9864064701;

LG (CONSUMER ELECTRONICS) Address: Ujanbazar, Ghy-1 Contact : 2607689;

LG CUSTOMER CARE Address: Dispur, Ghy-6 Contact : 2340140;

LG (HOME APPLIANCES) Address: RGB Refrigeration & Electricals, Bora Service-7 Contact : 2461833;

BLOOD BANK

Arya Hospital, Ulubari 2606888, 2606665 Ganga Blood Bank 2454742, 2455029 Lion’s Club of Ghy Central 2546611 Marwari Yuva Manch 2546470, 2547251 Saharia’s Path Lab (24 hours) 2458594

Ulubari, Ghy-7 , Contact : 2601836;

MICROTEK INTERNATIONAL P LTD

203, Dee Cee Vila, 1st Floor, Rajgarh Road, Ghy- 7 Contact : 9864094782; 9859945094

Ambulance 102 Arya Hospital, Ulubari 2606888, 2606665 Downtown Hospital 9864101111, 9435012669 GLP Social Circle 2737373 GGUMTA (Mirza) 03623-227109 Marowari Yuva Manch 2542074, 2547251

LG (CELLPHONE & IT)

BPL SERVICE CENTRE

Bora Service, Ulubari, Ghy-7 Contact : 2457296;

AMBULANCE

Ambari, Ghy-1, Contact : 2731088;

GS Road, Ulubari, Ghy-7 Contact : 2458790, 9707042529; Saraf Building, AT Road, Ghy-1 Contact : 9207044101; AT Road, Ghy-1 Contact : 2730675;

NEW DIGITAL WORLD

PANASONIC BRANDSHOP Christianbasti, Ghy-5 Contact : 2343884;

REDIHGTON SERVICE

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

Mitra Building, South Sarania, Ulubari, Ghy-7, Contact : 2450611, 2450612;

SMART SERVICE

Green Path, Ulubari, Ghy-7 Contact : 2457422, 2457132;

SYSTEM & DEVICES

Paltanbazar, Ghy-8 Contact : 9706014001;

SAMSUNG SERVICE CENTRE-2 Jaswant Road, Panbazar, Ghy-1 Contact : 2517009;

SONY SERVICING CENTRE

Rajgarh Road, Ghy-7, Contact : 2528620;

SU-KAM POWER SYSTEMS LTD

Ice Factory Compound, Jonali, Ghy-5 Contact : 2203529;

TECH SHOP

Rajgarh Road, Ghy-3 , Contact : 2528620;

TECHNO CARE

AKAzad Road, Rehabari, Ghy-8 Contact : 9957119249;

TECHCARE INDIA (P) LTD

APRO Colony, Ulubari, Ghy-7 Contact : 2457132, 2457422;

UNICOM SERVICE SCGoswami Road, Panbazar, Ghy-1 Contact : 2606021;

VINAYAK HONDA

Near Hotel Shiva, Ulubari, Ghy-7 Contact : 2460937;

WHIRPOOL

Manipuribasti, Ghy-8 Contact : 9207040321;

Citypedia

International Hospital 0361-7135005 Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (2541477, 2543998) Marwari Hospital & Research Centre 0361-2602738/39 Marwari Maternity Hospital 0361-2541202/01 Nemcare Hospital 0361-2528587, 2455906, 2457344

Pratiksha Hospital 0361-2337260, 2337183/84 Basistha Military Hospital (2304617/0351) Railway Central Hospital Casuality (2671025) Redcross Hospital (2665114) Sri Sankardeva Netralaya 0361-2233444, 2228879, 2228921 TB Hospital (2540193) Wintrobe Hospital 0361-2519860, 98647-77986 GNRC Hospital 0361 2227702 GNRC Life First Ambulance 9401194011

24-HOUR PHARMACIES Arya Hospital, Ulubari (2606888, 2606665) DEAD BODY CARRYING VAN GLP Social Circle 2737373, 9435047046 Marowari Yuva Manch 2542074, 2547251 GGUMTA 98640-16740 ELECTRICITY SUPPLY Call Centre – 9678005171

OTHERS Fire Emergency 101 State Zoo 2201363 GMC Carcass Pickup 9435190720, 9864047222 LPG Emergency/Leakage 2385209, 2541118

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

Cinema Hall Anuradha Cineplex – 0361-2656968, 99545-44738 Fun Cinema (HUB)- 98648-00100, 98648-00200 Gold Cinema (Paltan Bazaar) – 98540-66166 Gold Cinema (Salasar) – 0361-2735367, 98540-77177 Gold Cinema (Narengi) – 88110-01898

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

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

G PLUS AUG 02- AUG 08, 2014

Catching Up

Kalki Koechlin Who’s she

Now what

Kalki Koechlin is an Indian film actress of French descent who debuted in Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed Hindi film DevD (2009) and eventually won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal.

Kalki Koechlin was present in Chennai on Wednesday to take part in a stage play. The Bollywood diva who had carved a niche for herself got chatty with the press and revealed her desire to do a Tamil film. When asked why is she not seen in Tamil films , Kalki said, “Frankly, there have been very few offers. Maybe directors find it difficult to place me, because I don’t think I have the kind of face that Tamil cinema wants. I respect Tamil cinema and want to do something here that I have never done before.”

So what

Koechlin subsequently featured in the comedy-dramas Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), both of which were commercially successful, and earned her two more nominations for the Film fare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Ashton Kutcher So what

Who’s he Christopher Ashton Kutcher is an American actor, investor, producer, and former model. He is known for his portrayal of Michael Kelso in the Fox sitcom That ‘70s Show. He also created, produced, and hosted Punk’d and had lead roles in the Hollywood films Jobs, Dude, The Butterfly Effect, The Guardian, and What Happens in Vegas.

In 2009, Kutcher established an international human rights organization with his then wife, Demi Moore. DNA Foundation, later known as Thorn, works to address the sexual exploitation of children and the proliferation of child pornography on a global scale.

Now what

Hollywood couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are reportedly planning to wed in July next year. Kutcher, 36, reported, “The wedding will be in next July. We want to focus on the daughter first and having it next summer seems logical.”

Pic of the week WHAT DID I JUST HEAR?

A early morning view of river Brahmaputra Washerman washing cloths on the ghat is a common scene in the morning

he Supreme Court has granted jailed business tycoon an office, a phone, internet connection and three secretaries in the Delhi prison that has been his home for five months so he can sell two of his company’s iconic hotels to help pay bail. Roy, head of the Sahara conglomerate, was jailed on March 4 for failing to appear in court in a legal battle with India’s capital market’s watchdog. He needs to raise 100 billion rupees ($1.6 billion) to have a chance of release.

The worst song ever recorded?

ennu Mallesh, the Indian singer has become an Internet sensation in the West after users discovered one of his videos and spread it across social networks. The general consensus is that it is so awful, that it’s amazing. But having racked up in excess of 4.2 million views, Mr. Mallesh is probably laughing along with his critics - and all the way to the bank. In the song’s description on You Tube, he goes on: ‘My Life inspired me to write the lyrics, inspired me to compose tune, lyrics and tune inspired me to Sing. That’s what the actual happened to the “Born of the Song”.

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