Sex
in our city
Using a condom does not mean you did not have sex
with Dr. Mithun bhartia
PG 18
VOLUME 03 | ISSUE 26 APR 09 - APR 15 , 2016
PRICE `10
POLL BATTLES
AMIDST BIHU FERVOUR
Inconversation
Sarbananda Sonowal PG 02
Arunima Gohain New Chic on the block
Page 23
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
In Conversation
RSS will not have any influence in Assam, says
Sarbananda Sonowal rahul chanda
I
n an exclusive interview with G Plus, state BJP president and chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal, while busy campaigning for the second phase of elections, talks about how he will be different as a chief minister if elected and also if RSS will have any influence in Assam if BJP forms the government.
Since the last 15 years Tarun Gogoi has been the chief minister. People say he made many promises but many remain unfulfilled. If you are elected, how will you be different as a chief minister? I will be honest to my commitment and work as per my commitments to meet the expectations of the people of the state because honesty will be my policy of governance.
As soon as you were declared the president of the state BJP last year, BJP claimed that they will target 84 seats independently. Don’t you think after the alliance with other parties the goal of 84 has failed? No. We still stick to that target and we are moving towards our goal.
Please prioritise five changes the state will witness immediately after you become the chief minister? The first is good governance. We will control corruption. Secondly, whatever potential and possibilities are there in Assam, we will explore it scientifically for the fastest growth. Also by imparting skills to the young generation we will create entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. In the agriculture sector, our government will put in all possible efforts scientifically so that the production and the income of the farmers grow faster. In the education sector, we will set up all institutions so
that we can provide best quality education to the youngsters to develop their skills, ability and personality and make them efficient enough to handle any kind of challenges in life. Regarding the illegal migrants issue, we will seal the Indo-Bangla border permanently and prepare the NRC. Also solving other issues of the ethnic groups and the tribal groups will be on the priority agenda.
Assam was always a Congress bastion but people gave the AGP two chances. People lost hope on AGP also and they again chose Congress. Why should they take a risk again by choosing BJP now?
sam and Modiji has visibly taken some initiatives which have ultimately satisfied the people of the country particularly in bringing good governance into the system. There is transparency, accountability and responsibility in the entire system. I think that is the way people in Assam also feel that the system should work because during the Congress regime the entire system got polluted because of corrupt practices. Now BJP can only bring changes into it and that faith towards BJP has come into the mind-set of the people of the state. That is what is helping us this time to bring the changes in the state politically.
But AGP was also there?
One of the biggest concerns of Assamese people is illegal immigration and all political parties keep promising to resolve the issue. What assurance can you provide to the people of Assam?
AGP was also there but this time BJP will be tested by the people of As-
If the NRC is prepared the presence of the illegal migrants will be visible to everybody and we can take ac-
This is for the first time that the people of Assam have come forward to give a chance to BJP because Congress was there for last 55 years.
tion against them appropriately.
Congress says that Himanta Biswa Sarma had brought dissidence in their party and now he is in BJP. Are you apprehensive that the same issue might crop up in your party? No. We are all working as a team. We are all working hard to bring changes in the state.
You contested from Majuli. Give us a statement today that if you become the chief minister, how many days will it take for Majuli to get a bridge from Jorhat and what other changes will it witness? We will immediately put Majuli on top priority of the agenda in the state and whatever communication and infrastructure facility is required will be taken up. Also there are so many problems like flood and erosion. Those is-
sues will also be addressed sincerely by undertaking scientific measures. Overall, Majuli will be placed in a very comfortable position and it will be made visible on the world map. Majuli will become a global tourist destination and people from different parts of the globe will desire to visit Majuli. Its beautification will be specially taken care of.
G Plus is a Guwahati centric tabloid. What extra can Guwahatians expect to get from Sarbananda Sonowal if he is elected as the chief minister? Guwahati will be one of the global destinations. Congress could not do anything to add more dimensions to the strength of Guwahati. But now Guwahati has all the abilities and possibilities to become a global destination because it is already termed as the gateway of the northeast. The Act East policy will definitely help Guwahati to become a more prominent place on the world map.
If BJP comes to power how much influence do you think RSS will have in Assam? RSS is a very committed organisation for the cause of the country. They have very dedicated soldiers and they are non-political. They have nothing to do with politics. They play their role very sincerely for the cause of the poor and the country.
So you are saying they will not have any influence? No. They never interfere because they have their own agenda to carry out.
Do you have any message for the people of Assam? I have a message for the people of Assam. Let us work together to build Assam. rahul.chanda@g-plus.in
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
City
T
he Nikhil Assam Swarna Silpi Samiti (NASSS), which has continued a strike that has entered the 34th day protesting against the imposition of 1% excise duty on gold jewellery, will withdraw the same from 7th April to 16th April respecting the national festival of the state. In Budget 2016-17, an excise duty of 1% without input tax credit and 12.5% with input tax credit had been imposed on articles of jewellery with the exception of silver jewellery. “In 2002, an Act was passed in the Parliament which was withdrawn after 22 days as it did not meet the expectations of the artisans. The Act was again implemented in 2012 by the then Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee and Narendra Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat at that time, had opposed the Act. But now Modi himself has implemented this Act by terming it as people-oriented which it actually is not. We oppose the Act as it will destroy the lives of lakhs of people who are associated with this work,” said Proshanta Kumar Roy, Organizing Secretary of NASSS, while speaking to G Plus. Roy said, “The government has implemented 1% excise duty on jewellery but the artisans have to pay at least 12.5% in the whole process. It is only the readymade jewellery shops which will not bear any losses but the goldsmiths and the customers will have to bear a heavy loss. On 1st March a circular was issued which mentioned that only if the turnover
On-strike gold artisans set to hit the NOTA button
The jewellery artisans strike against the 1% excise duty imposition on gold and silver jewellery will be temporarily suspended from 7th to 16th April with due respect to the Bihu festival
of a jeweller exceeded Rs. 12 crores in the preceding financial year, he will be liable to pay the excise duty. Jewellers having turnover below Rs. 12 crores during the preceding financial year will be eligible for exemption up to Rs. 6 crores during the next financial year. Such small jewellers will be eligible for exemptions up to Rs. 50 lakhs for the month of March 2016.” Roy said that the 1% excise duty rises to 12.5% when a customer brings a quantity of gold to prepare gold items as it is a cumulative process. NASSS had a meeting with the Excise and Service Department on 28th March and the Commissioner, Vinay Kr. Paul, said that the inspector will not go to the shop nor will they harass the artisans and customers and will also not seize the gold. If they won’t do such thing then what is the necessity of the Act, asks NASSS. It is said that the businessman
dealing in gold whose income is less than Rs. 6 crores don’t have to pay the tax and for that the inspector has to visit the shops to inspect such incomes which are less than Rs. 6 crores. “Eventually when the inspector visits the shops or the residences of the artisans they will create an ‘Inspector Raj’ which they did in the decades of 60s, 70s and 80s. They even entered the kitchens and bedrooms and harassed the family members. The protest has been called on all-India basis. 9% of the total population of India depends on this business and the government cannot ignore the demand to withdraw the decision taken on the budget by the Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley,” said Roy. The government has also made a rule that hallmarking should be made compulsory from this year but in the entire state of Assam there is only one hallmarking centre which is in Guwa-
Jewellery shops’ strike to be called off from 7th to 16th April for Bihu Thousands of jewellery shop owners and their families will cast vote on NOTA Government has lost revenue of around Rs. 100 crores from the state The strike has entered its 34th day
hati. NASSS demanded that each district should be given two hallmarking centres. Earlier, Commissioner Paul clarified that the excise duty will be applicable only on jewellers whose turnover is more than Rs. 12 crores which has been opposed by the gold jewellery shop owners for which they have undertaken the indefinite strike. The Central Board of Excise and Customs has also promised simplified compliance norms for jewellers who pay tax. To avoid harassment, central excise officers will not enter the jewellery manufacturers’ premises. Joint Secretary of the Samiti, Jainal Abedin Mandal, informed that there are around 5000 artisans in greater Guwahati and 25000 voters from the 5000 families will cast their vote on NOTA in the polls as the government has not intervened in the issue. He said that 2.5 lakh voters in the entire state
Juthika Baruah will cast the vote in NOTA. It has also been informed that the government has lost revenue of Rs. 100 crores from the state of Assam and around Rs. 1 lakh crores across the entire country. “With the 1% excise duty, the customers and small artisans will be affected but the corporate shops like PC Jewellers, Manikchand, etc. will not be affected. The Government wants to shift the business of small jewellery artisans to the corporate level which will not be accepted,” said Mandal. He further informed that there will be a break in the strike from 7th April to 16th April as the festival of Bihu is round the corner and that, with due respect to the festival, they have taken the decision to withdraw the strike only in Assam for a few days. But the strike will continue in other parts of the country. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Buzz
Zubeen’s refusal to wear dhoti on stage rakes up
Juthika Baruah
T
controversy
he new guideline issued by the Brihattar Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani Samannayrakshi Samiti in an effort to bring back the original culture of Bihu has raked up a controversy. One of the guidelines which states that artists have to wear traditional attire while performing has been opposed by Zubeen Garg. The Samiti had decided to set the new guidelines in place as the original culture of Bihu has gone missing and the festival has become commercialized which has brought an adverse impact on the society. “It has become a necessity to set the new guidelines as the Bihu Committees have forgotten the exact rules of Bihu and being the national festival of the state, the culture has degraded. In 1952, Radha Gobinda Baruah, Dr. Bhubaneshwar Baruah and Prabin Phukan had introduced Stage Bihu and since then Bihu has been given a platform but it is seen that now-a-days the stage Bihu has taken a totally different form as a result of which the original culture has vanished,” said Paban Dutta, Cultural Secretary of the Samiti while speaking to G Plus. Dutta said, “We have been trying to bring back the culture of Bihu given the western cultural influence that has pervaded it making the whole festival utterly commercial. We should celebrate Bihu with fervour and enthusiasm and we have to guide the young generation with the actual culture rather than introducing an increasingly wrong culture in the society. We had organized a meeting with the 27 Bihu committees wherein we decided to revive the original culture.”
Guidelines issued to the Bihu Committees:
The Bohag Bihu should be celebrated within one month from 15th April to 15th May The organisers and the performers should wear decent clothes respecting the festival The folk culture should be maintained in the Bihu functions The artists will have to wear traditional dress which will also be maintained by the organisers No artists will be allowed to perform in an inebriated condition The artists and other performers will have to sign the agreement prepared by the committee The committee will decide the amount to be given to the artists The organisations or the NGOs who celebrate Bihu with business in mind and have commercial motives will not be allowed anymore as a national festival cannot be a festival of publicity The state government should declare at least two days of Bihu as dry days The functions and programmes of Bohag Bihu should be completed every day by 12 am The concept of competition and celebrating Bihu with a high budget should be stopped
Dutta said that with the commercialisation of Bihu many controversies have arisen which cannot be accepted as Bihu is not something which should be celebrated with western cultural influence. Earlier, the artists maintained decency during their performances which seems to be lacking now-adays. “We are trying to bring Deuri Bihu from Narayanpur, Moran Bihu from Dibrugarh and Sonowal-Kachari Bihu from Tinsukia so that people can know about the cultures of the different tribes across the state. From next year if 15-16 Bihu committees can maintain the assigned criteria it will be greatly helpful in bringing back the original culture of Bihu,” said Dutta. The guidelines that also include wearing traditional dress have been opposed by Zubeen Garg turning the issue into a controversy. Zubeen has categorically refused to wear a dhoti and went on to say that he will unwrap the dhoti of any artist who chooses to
What is your opinion regarding the diktat imposed by the Bihu Committees on performers with regard to their attires, performance timings, lyrics, language, etc.?
On the issue, G Plus raised two questions to celebrated and award-winning author, Rashmi Narzary for an intelligent public opinion. This is what she had to say Rashmi Narzary
Okay, only dhoti is too restrictive. Even when I was young, I don’t remember seeing artists, with high regard to Oxomiya culture, performing only in dhoti. They were in trousers and kurta-pyjama. If we’ve accepted Bihu on studio-sets of news channels, if we’ve accepted buying pitha, laru from pre-Bihu expos, let’s also accept jeans wearing singers. For women, anything traditionally Indian looks more graceful actually, considering the occasion and the festivity. Lyrics, yeah. Bihu songs have traditionally been in a you-tease-me-I-teaseyou flirt mode. A line, though, needs to be drawn between harmless, flirtatious lyrics
wear one. Further, he said that he will wear a dhoti provided Bihu functions are held in fields under trees and not on a stage. “Such a statement from an artist of the state is disrespect to the society. We have asked to wear decent and traditional dress which doesn’t only mean dhoti. An artist who disrespects his own tradition can’t perform on the Bihu stage and therefore our Samiti has decided to boycott him from performing. 23 Bihu Committees have boycotted him from performing in the Bihu functions,” informed Dutta. Dutta further informed that Nabam Kashyap, a new generation artist will perform in the Bihu functions this time wearing traditional dress. The commercialization of Bihu will come to an end as the Brihattar Guwahati Sanmilani Coordination Committee has decided to stop the practice of cultural nights and will introduce the folk culture of the state. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in
and lewdity. And performance timings, isolatedly, is not the problem. What is, I feel, is the mis/use of alcohol, unacceptable behaviour thereafter, sleep-disturbing loudspeakers, etc. Some discipline definitely should prevail, the same kind that should for every other public event, only to prevent any disturbing trend even from emerging. Not to Talibanize a free-society. How do you think Bihu has changed over the years and would you term this as evolvement with the times? Yes, Bihu has evolved with times. Changing times have made the tator xaal, for that much adored “ghorot bua gamusa”, a rarity. Likewise, Jeng Bihu has come to the stage because the jengs too are a rarity now. Yet, the essence of and love for Bihu remains unchanged.
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Governance
W
hat are the norms for requisition of private vehicles for election duty? Do owners have the right to refuse or are they bound to give up their vehicles for the polls? And what about payments? These and many other questions arise in the run-up to the elections. Many have even moved the court over this issue. However, all the hassles aside, an important factor is that many of the drivers and conductors of those buses and other requisitioned vehicles may miss out on their voting rights. What raises concern is that the matter has been overlooked during the scurry over elections and making the vehicle drivers aware of postal ballot system has been skipped. Despite having the provision, most of the drivers and handymen are not aware of the same and have been failing to cast their vote for the past several years.
The drivers’ concern As it came to notice, G Plus spoke to some of the bus and trekker drivers of the city during which it was found that many of them are not aware of the provision of postal ballot. Several drivers noted that they had not been able to use their voting rights for the past three to four assembly elections. However, the problem is only faced during the Assembly elections as vehicles from all
around the city are reserved and pressed into election duty. Since Guwahati has the maximum number of city buses the bus associations are also approached from other nearby districts such as Kamrup (Rural), Goalpara, Barpeta, Mangaldoi, etc. Thus a large number of vehicle drivers and conductors are on duty with their vehicles which will be at outstation election districts resulting in them being unable to vote. Due to the same the drivers have expressed concern about being declared as de-voters since many have not been able to cast their vote in the past several elections. The matter was also brought to notice by the bus associations of the city during a meeting with the transport cell of the District Election Office. However, it was informed by some of members of the bus associations that no steps have been taken to address the problem. Meanwhile, it was informed by the transport cell and postal ballot cell of the district election office that the provision of postal ballot will be available for those vehicles which have been reserved in Kamrup (M). However, it is up to the other district administrations that have reserved vehicles from Kamrup Metro to ensure that the option of postal ballot is available to them. The drivers will be provided with Form 12 (A), i.e. Application for Election Duty Certificate, against the submission of their requisition receipt and other identification documents. It
Over 3000 public transport workers may miss voting opportunity
KALYAN DEB
Vehicle type
Total number of vehicles
Total number of drivers and other personnel
Buses form ASTC
150
300 persons including drivers and conductors
Private city Buses
110
220 persons including drivers and conductors
Wingers/Travellers
118
236 persons including drivers and conductors
Trekkers
170
340 including drivers and conductors
Tata Sumo
20
20 drivers
Recovery vans
3
2 including drivers and assisting personnel
Other vehicles
70 (for flying squad etc.)
70 drivers
was also informed by the representatives of the postal ballot cell that an application including the Form 12 (A) has been forwarded to the transport cell who can forward the form to the vehicle drivers. As informed by the transport cell, the postal ballot form will be distributed to the drivers prior to the day of election. However, it is also the responsibility of the associations to approach the transport cell. “Since people are not aware of the postal ballot system, the bus associations and owners should also provide a helping
hand in making the drivers aware. This can make the process even simpler. Most of the drivers are not educated enough to understand the procedure of postal ballot. So on many occasions the provision is also not implemented,� stated an official of the transport cell of the District Election Office, Kamrup (M). It was also informed by some of the bus associations that the postal ballot option has been provided to them but many have also disagreed to being allotted the same. However, what remains to be seen as to how
many of the drivers get to exercise their voting right. Altogether 1,200 private buses have been reserved for election duty in Kamrup Metro and other surrounding districts. The buses will be paid an amount of Rs. 2,000 per day for 31 and above seaters whereas those with less than 30 seats will be paid Rs. 1,750. The drivers and conductors will be paid Rs. 450 per day as their khoraki. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in
G PLUS MAR 12 - MAR 18, 2016
City
A
s in previous years, the All Guwahati Students’ Union (AGSU) is organising “Mukoli Bihu” at Judges’ Field on 13th April. This is an annual event where the student body members felicitate artists for their contribution in the field of Assamese culture. The flag hoisting ceremony will be presided over by renowned artist, Dr. Sunil Goswami. This will be followed by the felicitation ceremony. The event will be held on the day of Goru Bihu this year. The occasion will see the assembly of award winning artists from all over Assam who have played exceptional roles and made notable contributions in their chosen fields. “This year we are inviting all National Award winning artists from Assam – all Sahitya Academy Awardees, Padmashree Awardees and Sangeet Natak Academy awardees. We will honour them with felicitations and the ceremony will be at 10:15 am. We want to honour all those who have done their part in bringing a good name to Assam,” said Rajmil Ali, AGSU president. This year, various husori groups will take part in the Mukoli Bihu. Diverse cultural tribes from all over the state will be attending the event. Bihu is the reflection of the Assamese society and culture. It marks the welcoming of the spring season and the first day of Bohaag – the Assamese New Year. Mukoli Bihu is organised to celebrate Rongali Bihu and is held in the open Judges’ Field, thus the name. Artists from different cultural fields perform in the Mukoli Bihu to show-
F
National awardees, celebrities to grace Mukoli Bihu on 13th April
Bipasa Saikia Kashyap
This year we are inviting all National Award winning artists from Assam – all Sahitya Academy Awardees, Padmashree Awardees and Sangeet Natak Academy awardees. We will honour them with felicitations and the ceremony will be at 10:15 am. We want to honour all those who have done their part in bringing a good name to Assam Children participating in a Mukoli Bihu at Judges’ Field file photo case the various aspects of the festival. This is a celebration of oneness, unity and the richness of Assamese culture. The art of Bihu dance takes years to master and on this day various experts will come out in the open to show their talents. This day will also be graced by various socialites and celebrities apart from a whole lot of enthusiastic Guwa-
hatians who will also be taking part in the event. An initiative of the All Guwahati Students’ Union, the Mukoli Bihu has been successfully held for some years now and sees the enthusiastic participation of the city folk. Its engaging programmes offer an opportunity for youngsters to get acquainted with the
Assamese culture as much as it provides parents a happy occasion to accompany their children and initiate them to the wealth and diverseness of the Assamese society as a whole. The event also provides an opportunity to the people of the city to interact with the celebrities and awardees who assemble at the Judges’ Field to accept the felicitations
Rajmil Ali AGSU president offered to them. It is often seen that cine artists take pride in being part of the Mukoli Bihu festivities dancing and posing for selfies with their fans. The Mukoli Bihu provides the true launch pad for the Bihu festivities in the city to take off in a grand manner. bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in
EC regulations hit business of political flag makers
or the manufacturer of political items, who comes all the way from New Delhi before every election, business has not been up to expectations because the Election Commission has made a rule that flags can be hanged only with its permission. Speaking to G Plus, Rakesh Jain, owner of Vikash Printers said, “This time the business is not up to my expectations unlike previous occasions as the Election Commission has set guidelines where the political parties need to take permission to hang flags. As the EC has set the rules, the parties also do not bother to take permission and rather refrain from hanging flags where it is not permitted.” Jain said that there is hardly any demand for political flags. Rather, the demand for mufflers, caps and buntings is more and these items have a bulk requirement. “Earlier the supporters also used to hang the flags in their houses but now they can’t do that without the permission of the election commission. Now-a-days there are also local manufacturers coming up and the work has been divided accordingly for which the business has gone
The owner of Vikash Printers, who comes before every election to the city, is unhappy with the business as the sale of flags is not up to the mark Juthika Baruah
G Plus Photo
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down,” said Jain. He also informed that the guidelines have reduced the prospects of business and they went into heavy losses as they had made the flags in large quantity. “If we make the items in small quantity it costs more and therefore we have to make in large quantity. We sell flags, mufflers, badges, T-shirts, cut-outs and stickers and demand for mufflers, caps and buntings is more. One bundle of bunting which consists of 1000 pieces costs Rs. 400 and the caps costs Rs. 5 to Rs. 10. Other than the political parties the supporters buy caps and T-shirts as they can re-use it but the flags can’t be used without permission and therefore the sale of flags is less,” informed Jain.
He further informed that the flags of national parties like BJP and Congress can be used in other states if it is not printed in the regional language but if it is printed in the regional language then we can’t use it in other states and so it is loss-incurring. The car flags also have to be used with due permission from the election commission. Therefore people do not buy those items. “We used to come before every election as this is our only business and we also visit other states as well. We also supply items throughout the state but the requirement is less this time,” Jain said. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in
G PLUS MAR 12 - MAR 18, 2016
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Bihu Special
Bihu workshops pepper Ghy despite election fever
To welcome the flavour of Rongali Bihu, workshops are being conducted all over the city for enthusiastic participants who are keen to learn the art of Bihu Dance. City halls opened up their doors for these young dancers and we caught up with them as they gear up for the Rongali celebrations. Bipasa Saikia Kashyap Assam Engineering Institute The Pub Guwahati Sanmilan invited Padmashree Jatin Goswami for their Bihu workshops held at the AEI grounds. Children across all ages came and took part in the Bihu workshops.
Shilpagram The Sanskritic Assam Mancha invited child artists from all over the city to participate in their workshop. Child artists from all over the city were welcomed and embraced. Noted actor Pranjal Saikia attended the
workshop on 1st April where young nasonis posed for photographs in their colourful attires.
Don Bosco School Participants came to take part in the All Assam Bihu Dance and Dhol Badan workshop. The workshop was conducted by the Gandharba Kala Kendra and it encouraged many young dhuliyas.
Shraddhanjali Kanan Bihu workshops by famous dhuliyas kept the atmosphere alive. Dhuliya Ranjit Gogoi conducted dhol sessions
Bihu workshop participants at Kalakshetra
for young kids on the occasion.
Narengi The Narengi Bihu Karmashala along with Saraswati Dance Academy participated in Bihu workshops. The occasion was supervised and directed by noted choreographer Ajay Malakar.
Maligaon A Bihu workshop was organised which was graced by Assam’s first Bihu Samragyee, Dr. Rupa Deka Pator. The occasion was graced by artists across all age groups who took part in the celebrations.
Children participating in a Bihu workshop, Assam Engineering Institute bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in
Children dance to Bihu tunes, Assam Engineering Institute
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Lest we forget
Bihu Special
KALYAN DEB with inputs from Makhoni bora
A
– the traditions of Rongali Bihu
long with the assembly elections, also approaching is the month of Bohag and the Bihu festival that will mark the New Year celebrations as per the Assamese or Hindu calendar. This is the only time when people from the whole state of Assam, irrespective of their caste, creed or community, unify with the feeling of love and brotherhood. Bihu can thus be accredited as the secular festival of peace and prosperity. As the date of the festival nears the city can be seen gearing up to celebrate the Assamese New Year. We can see stages being set up, people visiting the markets with all their enthusiasm to buy clothes and food items among several others. However, what we miss out on is the age-old traditions that have faded away with time and through generations due to modernization of the society. The very few details that the new generation remembers are what have been verbally passed on by our grandparents and parents even as we, as children, asked such questions out of sheer curiosity. To some extent the transformation of villages to cities played a major role in diluting those traditions washing them away from our lives. Although the festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of Assam, G Plus makes an attempt to trace back some of the traditional ways of celebrating Bohag Bihu.
Preparation of Bihuwan
Jaak and other traditions
The preparation for Bihu begins with the weaving of the Bihuwan (the traditional gamocha) which begins in the month of Chait as the women gets busy in preparing the same during the last month of the year. In the month of Chait the women remain very busy as they gather around to prepare Mekhela, Chadar and Gamocha. The mothers specifically are very enthusiastic about the festival and start preparing the Gamocha for their children which will be given as gifts.
The tradition is followed by jaak where bihlomoni paat (leaves) are burnt. The farmers who work all day in the muddy fields ceremonially receive the heat of the leaves as it is believed that the smoke will help cleanse their feet of any kind of germs. The jaak is then taken around the house to decontaminate it of any kind of harmful insects and mosquitoes. In the evening a paste of garlic mixed with water is sprinkled all around the house as it helps in keeping snakes away that are believed to come out from Ashok Ashtami. The evening of Goru Bihu also marks the beginning of the use of Bisoni (hand fan) and mosquito net. To mark the beginning the entire house is aired with the Bisoni. On the same evening the people write a verse in Nahor paat (leaf of Indian Rose Chestnut tree) which reads: ‘Deba Deba Mahadeba, Nila Gribha Jatadhara/Botah Brishti Sarong Deba, Deba Namastute/Om Namah Shivaya.’ It is kept in the homes of the people as it is believed that the verse will keep them safe from the thunder storms during monsoon.
Goru Bihu/Sankranti The last day of the month of Chait is celebrated as Goru Bihu or Sankranti and the day starts off the celebrations of the Bihu festival. The day begins with preparation of a paste of black moong beans, turmeric and mustard oil (Maah, Halodhi, Mitha Tel) which is applied to the body. The day also marks a royal treatment given to the household cows in the agrarian parts of the state. On the day a saat is prepared made out of a single bamboo piece where a bottle gourd, brinjal, cucumber and turmeric is placed over a banana leaf on a chaloni and the items are covered with another banana leaf and gamocha. The cows are taken to the village pond or lake. While taking the cows the old rope (pogha) that was used to tie the cows is also taken along and as the people reach the water body the rope is thrown away from underneath the cows. It is believed that the process helps in getting rid of any bad luck that might jeopardize the cows’ health. Then the items in the saat are thrown at the cows with the chant, ‘Lou kha, bengena kha, dine dine barhi ja. Mar xoru baper xoru, toi holi porobor goru.’ However, not all the items are thrown at the cows as some items of the saat are exchanged with the other folks who bring their cows to the water body and the remaining items are brought home. On returning home the cows are fed with pitha in the evening. A new rope made from dried leaves of a Tora Gos (Tora Tree) is installed along with Tulsi leaves which are tied around the cows’ necks.
101 types of edible herbs The celebration of Goru Bihu concludes with a family dinner where 101 different types of edible herbs are consumed. Also, in other traditions, seven types of edible herbs are eaten on seven different days. However, in the tradition of eating 101 varieties of edible herbs a dish is prepared from the items in the saat along with several other ingredients. Since it is not always possible to find so many different types of edible herbs so, as an alternative, the leaves of different vegetables and edible plants such as leaves of chilli plant, tomato, mango tree and several others are used to prepare the dish. It is believed that the dish works as a medicine to augment the human body’s immune system. With the dinner ends the festival of Goru Bihu.
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
9
Bihu Special First day of Bohag The second day of Bohag Bihu celebrations, which is the first day of the month of Bohag, is known as ‘Manuh Bihu’ (the festival of the people). The day begins with a bath using a paste of black moong beans and turmeric and mustard oil (Maah, Halodhi, Mitha Tel). The people then proceeds towards the naamghar with delicacies such as Doi (curd), Cheera and cream and have the food together. Then the younger ones take blessings from the elderly and also take blessing of the almighty. The elderly then present Bihuwans to the younger ones while the mothers tie the gamocha to the waist of their children wishing them strength and a healthy life. The younger ones present Bihuwan to the elderly to bid them respect and seek blessings from them for peace and prosperity. Mostly Bihuwans are Gamochas. However, to express love and respect for each other among family members any kind of gift based upon the necessity of the other person is exchanged. This tradition continues till date and will always remain a part of the Assamese culture.
Husori and the love syndrome A major part of the celebration is marked by the Husori parties who visit each house singing and dancing to Bihu songs. The Husori parties are groups of young lads who perform Bihu at the front yard of each household and in return they are paid or showered with gifts as per the financial stability of the household. While the Husori parties travelling from different places only visit a few homes the group from the same village visits every single house of the village. Traditionally each household presents Tamul-Paan (Betel Nut with Paan leaves) placed and covered with a banana leaf on a Xorai and seek blessings for good health and well-being. It is in this season that lovers have the full freedom to express their love for each other. Boys and girls form separate groups and perform Bihu in the paddy fields, away from any social habitations and express their love for one another through Bihu songs. During the same, if one falls for the opposite gender, the couple elopes and gets married. Back in the old days the Bihu nasonis were men dressed as females complete with all the ornaments as earlier women did not perform the Bihu dance publicly. The celebration of the day ends with a feast that includes fish, chicken and other Assamese delicacies that is shared among family members and the loved ones.
Regalia of the Nasoni The mesmerising attire of a Nasoni includes Muga Mekhela Chadar and several ornaments but another important part of the accessories is the Jetuka. It not only just adds to the beauty of a Nasoni but also has several medicinal qualities. Since, during the vernal equinox, the skin on our hands starts shedding, the Jetuka works as a remedy in healing the same and also helps in preventing several diseases. Even farmers who spend most of their day in muddy fields apply a layer of Jetuka to their toes to prevent toenail fungus. A Nasoni has different ways of making hair buns. A couple of them are the Saki Khupa and Negeri Khupa where a ring type device made of cloth in the shape of a saki (earthen lamp) is decorated with Kopou Phool (Orchid). The Dhulbiri and Junbiri ((ornamental accessories of a Bihu Nasoni usually made of gold) along with the Jetuka on her palms completes the look of the Nasoni during the colourful festival of Rongali Bihu. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Bihu Special
Bihu Event list 2016
Noonmati 12th April
7:30 pm
Bihu Participants’ Competition 13th April
9:30 am
Cultural Procession
10 am
Flag Hoisting by chief guest Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora, President, Assam Sahitya Sabha
KALYAN DEB
Programs by women
9 am Flag hoisting and inauguration by Dr. Amarjyoti Choudhury, vice-chancellor, Gauhati University
9:45 am
6 pm Cultural Evening featuring Manas Robin
10 pm
Smriti Tarpan by Ramdhen Basumatary, former member of the committee
2 pm
12 pm
8 am
3 pm
6 pm
9 am
4 pm
9 pm
10 am
Women’s Dihanaam Competition Kamrupiya Lokageet Competition
Borgeet Competition 5 pm Women’s Joranaam Competition Chief Guest Pulak Gogoi, noted filmmaker
6 pm
Cultural Evening featuring Mousumi Saharia
10 am
Sports Activities and Art Competition for children
9:30 am
Sports Activities
11:30 am
Drawing Competition
2 pm
Bhupendra Sangeet, Mukoli Bihu, Sonalipori Competition Chief Guest Jogen Borpujari, Working President, Guwahati Refinery
6 pm
Cultural evening featuring Rashananda Gogoi, Ramkrishna Talukdar, Dikshu and several others 15th April
9:30 am
Sports Activities
10:30 am
Quiz Competition
2 pm
Sonalipori, Mukoli Bihu and Bihuwati Competition
6 pm
Cultural evening featuring Purabi kakoti Sarma, Babu and several others 16th April
9:30 am
Sports Activities for Children
11 am
Fancy Dress Competition
Maligaon
Prize Distribution
6 pm
Cultural Evening featuring Tarulata kutum and Simanta Sekhar Closing Ceremony
6 pm
Cultural Evening featuring Dikshu
13th April
10 am 13th April
8:30 am
Cultural procession from Rabha Park to Railway Station Bihutoli will be attended by Navin Sharma, GM NF Railways and Thaneshwar Malakar, Mission Director, Sarba Shikshya Abhigyan
10:30 am
P B Archrya will attend Bihu functions
7:30 pm
Dance competitions – Bihu Samragee and Husori competitions
Flag Hoisting by Swapnanil Baruah
2 pm
Zeng Bihu competition
5 pm
10:15 am
Bihu dance competition for children
2 pm
15th April
Sports activities
Singing competition for children (Modern Songs)
3pm
6:30 pm
3 pm
14th April
6 pm
Cultural evening
10 am
Sports activities
Mukoli Bihu competition Prize distribution Cultural evening featuring Deori and Karbi Bihu groups, Gitali Das and Nabam Kashyap
14th April
10 am
onwards Bihu functions
10 pm
Cultural evening featuring Zubeen Garg, Gitali Kakoti, Khaplang Kai (comedy) and Joymoti Roy (Goalpariya Borgeet) 15th April
6:30 pm
performance by Serekapar Surujmukhi Bihu husori dol
7:30 pm – 12 am
Cultural evening featuring Manas Robin, Bipul Kathar, Hirokjyoti Sharma (dhol) 16th April
7:30 pm
performance by Sargadeu Bihu husori dol (Bokakhat)
7 pm
pm performance by Rajib Kori
Cultural Evening featuring Pompy Borah, Manas Robin and several others performers
5 pm
New Guwahati
5 pm
Prize Distribution
Programs by women
12 am
Zeng Bihu
Cultural evening featuring Rakesh Riyan 14th April
Sports Activities
2 pm
14th April
8 am
10 am
Programs by women
Bihu Competition
Assam Bihuwati Competition
Marathon for boys and girls
15th April Marathon for boys
Sports Activities
9:30 pm
16th April
Best Bihu Dancer and best Dhulia Competition
11 am
Swahid tarpan
Chandmari
11 am
13th April
8:30
10 pm
performance by noted Bihu singer Bipin Sauding, other ethnic programmes
Papon live at 14 April Central bihu Bongaigaon 15 April Azara bihu 16 April Ganeshguri 19 April Patsala 13 May Patharquary Guwahati
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
11
Bihu Special Zubeen live at
6:45 pm
Souvenir release
13th April
9 am
Flag Hoisting of Bihu Flag by Shri Kanaksen Deka, Former President, Assam Sahitya Sabha
10 am
Pitha laru making competition, Fancy dress competition
6:30 pm
10 am
Sports competition
1 pm
Zeng Bihu competition
4 pm
Stand-up comedy contest
Cultural evening – inaugurated by Hyder Hussain, Senior Journalist
6 pm
Cultural evening featuring Diganta Gohain
14th April
16th April
10 am
10 am
3 pm
5 pm
6:30 pm
6:30 pm
Art competition
Ulubari
15th April
Fancy dress competition
Bihu Husori, Bihu Konwari competition Cultural night inaugurated by Dr. Hitesh Baruah, noted singer
Award giving ceremony Cultural evening featuring Anima Choudhury, Debojit Borah and Mausomi Borah
13th April
14th April
9:30 am
6 am
10 am
9 am
Cultural Procession
Sport activities and competition
Flag hoisting by Dr. Nabashyam Das, noted doctor
10:30 am
Zeng Bihu
6 pm
Latasil
Cultural programs featuring Arundhati Das Baruah and Zubeen Garg
Husori and Mukoli Bihu
1 pm
Diha naam Competition
15th April
6 pm
Dance performance by Elisha Ahmed
6:30 pm
Cultural programs featuring Zebin Sultana, Manoj Kashyap, Jayanta Gogoi and several others
Bharalumukh 13th April
10 am
Bihu Flag hoisting ceremony
11 am
Sports competition
1 pm
Women and children’s programmes – fancy dress competition, tekeli bhonga competition
7 pm
Cultural evening feat Babu, Simanta Shekar, Khagen Gogoi, Bipul Chetia Phukan 14th April
10 am
onwards Bihus of various tribes 15th April
9 am
onwards Bihuwoti competition
1 pm
Sports competition 16th April
10 am
onwards Bihu competitions and other competitions including sports activities
10 pm
Simanta Shekhar
6 am
Sport Activities
3 pm
Bihu Kunwori and Bihu Rani Competition
6:30 pm
Cultural Programs featuring Indira P.P. Bora, Swapneel Bharadwaj and Rupam Talukdar 16th April
11:30 am
Bihu Kunwori and Bihu Samragee Competition
12 pm
Performance of O Mur Apunar Dekh
13th April kharguli 14th April latasil 14th April maligaon 15th April bongaigaon 16th April patasala 17th April chapar 18th April bijni 19th April hengrabari 20th April golaghat 22nd April beltola 25th April vip airport 30th April sepon
13th April
9:30 am
Cultural procession
10 am
Flag Hoisting by Sharat Saikia, veteran accounts officer, Govt. Of Assam
10:30 am
Smriti Tarpan
11:15 am
Goru Bihu inauguration
11:30 am
Sports activities
11:45 am
Mukoli Bihu
5:30 pm
Lamp lighting by Krishna Boro, working president, Khanapara Rongali Bihu Sanmilan
6 pm
Cultural evening featuring Priyanka Bharali and several others. 14th April
8:30 am
Sports activities
11 am
Quiz competition
6 pm
Cultural evening featuring Bhrigu Kashyap
15th April
10 am
Sports activities
10:30 am
Fancy dress competition
11 am
Drawing competition
4:30 pm
Prize distribution
6 pm
Cultural evening featuring Pranamika Goswami
Khanapara kalyan.deb@g-plus.in
Ganeshguri 13th April
6:30 pm
Cultural procession
Cultural programme featuring Hurricane Girls
10 am
15th April
9 am
Flag hoisting
11 am
Sports competition
6 pm
Lamp lighting ceremony
6:30 pm
Cultural programme 14th April
10 am
Sports competition
10 am
Sports competition
6:30 pm
Cultural Programme featuring Debojit Borah and Tarun Tonmoy 16th April
6 pm
Award winning ceremony
8 pm
Cultural programme featuring Papon
12
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Concern
W
ith just a few days left for Kamrup (M) to go to polls, G Plus seeks to bring to focus the plight of the elderly population of Guwahati and highlight a few everyday problems that most of the senior citizens face. While it is heartening that the elections booths this time will be elderly-friendly in many ways, small and everyday things like difficulties faced during the polling day, waiting in lines for hours for a simple cash withdrawal, everyday commutation, bill payments etc., becomes tough issues when one reaches a certain age.
Major electionrelated concerns of the elderly: On the day of polling in every election, serpentine queues of the elderly are seen waiting painfully for long hours to cast their votes. “Not only do we lack infrastructure, we are also lacking in societal norms. It should be common knowledge for the election committees to set up separate facilities for senior citizens during elections. A person who is ninety years old and who wants to cast his vote as a sense of his duty should be excluded from waiting in a queue. Also the DA can at least ensure that there are special transport facilities for these voters just for that one day,” said Arup Kumar Dutta, eminent author and senior citizen of the city. The Kamrup Metro Election District had indeed made an announcement that this time there will be special provisions for special categories of voters.
The provisions extended by the
A
s per an order in March issued by the Gauhati High Court, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Guwahati Development Department and Kamrup (M) district administration has been ordered to file affidavits that state the details of cleanliness of the Bahini River that flows through Guwahati.
History The river originates from Umtyanga in the hills of Meghalaya and flows through the southern part of Guwahati from Basistha. From there it crosses the connecting road of Natun Bazar, Bakrapara Manasha Mandir, Bakrapara Tiniali and then the National Highway 37 between Basistha Chariali and Khanapara continuing through Rukminigaon and Hengrabari. After that, it joins Bharalu River near the Assam State Zoo (Jonali Point). Till a few years ago, the river would often carry huge discharge beyond its carrying capacity due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area in the hills of Meghalaya which was the main reason why a huge portion of Guwahati too would get submerged. Most major areas in the city, like Dispur, would face heavy water
administration this time Booth level officers have been trained to handle special category voters on the polling day so that old and infirm people, pregnant women, lactating mothers etc., have sufficient physical assistance when they come to cast their votes. Rule 49N of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 which provides for permitting a companion to accompany a blind/infirm elector to assist him/her to cast the vote will be implemented. Senior citizens with loco motor disabilities, visual, hearing and speech disabilities will be given special care, like assistance with the electronic voting machines. “We are roping in NCC volunteers to ensure that immense discipline is maintained while dealing with the special category of voters. We are also making temporary and makeshift ramps wherever necessary. Sufficient numbers of volunteers are also going to be deployed especially around border areas where there are chances of things getting out of hand,” stated Chinmoy Prakash Phookan, Election Officer, Kamrup (M). But elections apart, what provisions does Guwahati have to make the life of the elderly easier? G Plus takes a look.
Commutation and transport: The public modes of transport are rather ill-maintained in Guwahati. Rarely are there any designated bus sheds and the few places with functioning sheds have no separate spaces for senior citizens. City buses run without a separate entry for the elderly and this
No city for the old and aged
Bipasa Saikia Kashyap
is one of the primary concerns. Let us take the example of the the Khounds who are residents of Kahilipara and whose children are settled abroad. Their lives are dependent on the city’s public modes of commutation. “We cannot afford to travel by auto-rickshaws everyday as in Guwahati the rickshaws here do not maintain fare meters. The city buses here do not even have a separate entry for the physically weak. We survive in a society where the state is not really caring about the needs of the elderly.”
What they want Public modes of transport should be made more convenient; city buses should be equipped with sliding doors for people in wheelchairs that can also be used by the elderly and the weak. The night bus service that was started in the city did not meet proper outcome as there was no maintenance. The service should be revived and steps should be taken so that the routes are safer for women. Modern technological equipment like GPS tracking devices and CCTV cameras should be deployed. Auto rickshaws must be equipped with fare meters.
Banking: Most banks in the city function using highly sophisticated machinery and most elderly people do not know how to deal with that. Take the case of Mrs. Sharma, a widow whose life is sand-
wiched between the homes of her two sons at Kharghuli and Kahilipara. She is a senior citizen who was fiddling with the SBI token machine in their Jatia branch. “I have to withdraw some money and I don’t know how to operate an ATM which is why I am dependent on cheque deposits. Now however, there are ten many things that we are not familiar of.” None of the banks in the city are elderly friendly and that is common knowledge.
What they want Special sections for the senior citizens should be made mandatory in all public and private sector banks in the city. Separate queues for the elderly and easier methods of carrying out banking operations like simplification of token machines, document submission and attainment process. There should be special provisions for the physically challenged like Braille machines and audio enhanced machines for the hearing and visually impaired.
Health care: Even with plenty of facilities now available for senior citizens health wise, the administration has somehow managed to overlook the most basic things when it comes to public healthcare. “The Guwahati medical college is in shams and healthcare is being increasingly privatized. There are no provisions for the elderly who want to go for regular check-ups. We have to join
HC seeks answers from district administration on Bahini River encroachments logging due to this. Following this, the Water Resources Department excavated a pilot channel in the year 1983 near Natun Bazar area that helped in diverting a major portion of the Bahini River to Basistha River with the help of a sluice gate. In due course of time however, people started encroaching on the old Bahini channel between Natun Bazar and Bakrapara Tiniali. The length of human encroachment was recorded to be 321 metres and a portion of the Bahini River dried up. This was the reason for the shift of Bahini’s entire course to flow through the excavated pilot channel to the Basistha River.
Current issue Last month, a local named Debendra Narayan Deka, approached the Gauhati High Court seeking intervention citing reasons that garbage
discharge from the Bahini River is the main source of sewage in most areas across the city. Deka filed a petition where he stated that encroachment by humans and the construction of many concrete structures was a huge reason that added to the growth of sewage in the city. Construction of illegal culverts, bridges and their ill-maintenance by authorities is another major reason for the occurrence of flash floods in the city. The flood water collected usually remains logged for years and with the garbage disposed, gives rise to immense stench and foul odour that is the leading reason for most health hazards people are facing in the surrounding localities. The stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents and has been the main source of malaria and other diseases within the localities. In rainy seasons, the condition worsens.
Bipasa Saikia Kashyap
In 2008, the government issued an order for demolishing of at least 81 of those bridges and culverts, but till date only 55 of them have been brought down. According to Deka, most of these culverts are private constructions. The Bahini River is 8400 metres in length. Due to illegal encroachments along the river, the river has shrunk at many locations. In breadth, the river should be 8.5 metres. But due to most of the reasons stated above, it has shrunk to 4 metres. The GHC has ordered the GMC, GDD and the Kamrup DA to submit a report on this citing the details that would ultimately lead to the clearance of sewage in the river as it is increasingly becoming a rising concern for the city people. According to a GMC official, “They need to submit a detailed report on what are the primary concerns raised by the river and viable
the regular queues and at times wait for days just for a check-up. Ambulances never arrive on time and there is no alternative to that,” stated another senior resident of the city. “Senior citizens who live without their children have no one to fend for them. One time, I was ill and the ambulance took about four hours to reach,” confessed Mrs. Khound, senior citizen and Jatia resident.
What they want Night time ambulances should be made functional. A special medical help line for that is specially set aside for seniors and is functional 24 x 7. Mobile healthcare vans should be maintained so that the primary health care is at least provided. Seniors above a certain age should have special provisions so they do not have to go through queues and other lengthy processes– like filling documents. Also, there should be a background check to separate those who have no family members assisting them. The Kamrup District Administration should also ensure that most of the regular services like the acquisition of LPG cylinders, payment of electricity bills, phone bills and collection of rations are made easier to avail. After all the elderly are the guiding forces for a better city and society.
bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in
ways to tackle it. The report has to be handed over to the bench by the 25th of this month.” According to him, the report has to mention the issue of encroachment along with other reasons for water-logging. This is not the first time complaints have been raised regarding the same problems in the city. Considering the water logging problem in the Guwahati, particularly in Basistha, the local people had approached the District Administration for revival of the dead portion of the Bahini River so that the excess water from the Bakrapara side can be diverted to Natun Bazar side by connecting the other part of the river. In 2011, the GDD had apparently received a sum of Rs. 100 crores for the proper maintenance of the river. The fund proceedings were supposed to tackle issues like cleanliness, water-logging, removal of unwanted and illegal constructions, encroachment and flash floods. However so far, there has been a delay in the proper maintenance and which is why the high court has taken this step, according to the GMC official. bipasa.saikia@g-plus.in
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Bazaar
Elections adversely affecting Bihu markets
The ensuing elections in the city has sharply affected the Bihu shopping activities with people seemingly over-occupied with the polls rather than their usual Bihu celebrations and purchases
Juthika Baruah
T
he festive season of Bihu is round the corner but the markets seem to be empty as the next phase of assembly election is scheduled to be held on 11th April in lower and middle Assam. People seem to be occupied with the elections and are yet to step out for shopping. While on the one hand the political leaders and activists are busy with their election campaigns, on the other hand shopkeepers and traders are hoping that with the elections done and dusted on 11th April their business would also get a life as this is the one season where they can make their windfall gains. Bhabesh Deka, one of the shopkeepers in Fancy Bazaar, said that this time the market has not got the expected response as people are busy with the election. “The second phase of elections will be held on 11th April and after that there will be only 2-3 days left for Bihu. We are fervently hoping that we will get good response from the people but the chances look slim. People come for shopping a week ahead of Bihu but this time I doubt we will get enough response as the past years,” said Deka. The tradition of Assamese culture is to exchange gamochas, also called Bihuwaan, with the near and dear ones as a mark of respect and love and the people also wear new clothes on the first day of the Assamese New Year in the Rongali Bihu. Therefore, people throng to buy their traditional wears like mekhala-chadar, gamocha and other stuff on the occasion of Bihu. From shopping malls to small shops in Fancy Bazaar, the places are crowded with people from all age groups at this time of Bihu. This year the markets are empty so far. Another shopkeeper, Rantu Das, said that this is the season of both Bihu and marriage and therefore, the customers throng to buy all types of clothes like salwars, mekhala-chadars and other traditional wears. “During Bihu, women mostly prefer sarees and mekhala-chadars to wear in the festive season and as it is the season of marriage. So sale of mekhala-chadars are also high. When it comes to mekhala-chadar, the demand of Buwa Mekhala Chadar is high which is easy to carry rather than the Paat or Muga Mekhala-Chadar,” said Das. Rupali Dutta, one of the customers, said that she had come for shopping for the entire family and she had bought gamochas as Bihuwaan to be given to family members which is a tradition. “Along with gamocha, I will have to buy clothes for my children as well as for myself as everyone wants to wear new clothes while going out to attend the Bihu functions and the children want to wear new clothes every day, i.e., for four days,” said Dutta. On the other hand, the Bohagi Mela’s are also being organised where the necessary items of Bihu like dhol, pepa, gogona, pitha, laru and other stuff are being displayed for the convenience of the people so that they can easily find
their choice of products. The dhols range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5000 while bahi (flute), mohor singor pepa, which is not easily found in the city are being displayed at the melas at reasonable prices so that the city people could also enjoy the traditional instruments in the Bihu. “The melas have been organised to celebrate pre-Rongali Bihu with the traditional items from clothes to foods. Although people don’t prepare laru-pithas for Rongali Bihu, there are sections of people who like to enjoy laru-pitha during this Bihu as well. Therefore, we have put up stalls of laru-pitha, doi-sira, gur (jaggery) etc. without which Bihu is incomplete,” said Labanya Das, General Secretary of Anindita Mahila Samaj, Silpukhuri. Das said that they organize both Rongali and Bhogali Bihu to emphasize the significance of Bihu. Women, especially young girls, prefer the melas and exhibitions as the mekhala-chadars found there are unique which are not available in the market and today’s youths demand unique pieces of clothes be it mekhala-chadars or sarees or salwars. P. Hira, one of the participants, said that the price of gamochas range from Rs. 130 to Rs. 220. These are hand woven and during Bihu they receive mostly elderly women who come to buy traditional clothes for their family members as gifts in Bihu. The demands of people differ from every age group and accordingly they keep stock of clothes of every design. Other than the traditional items like mekhala-chadar, jewellery, gamocha, markets are also flooded with different products like shirts, t-shirts, shoes and trousers for the gents. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in
The forthcoming election has brought down the business of the Bihu market Hand-woven mekhalachadars are in demand for Bihu Markets in the city are flooded with traditional items which are lying unsold as the city is swamped by the election wave
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Politicking
Clash of the veterans
Atul Bora
rahul chanda
In your constituency Akon Bora is contesting from Congress. Do you think it is a tough competition this time for you? I don’t think so because his condition this time is the worst. Everywhere people are with me and attending all my meetings. I have seen there is hardly any support for him. Everyone is supporting me. The results will come on 19th May and that will tell everything. I contested three times but was not able to win because of EVM tampering and many other reasons.
D
1,73,375
If you get elected as an MLA again this time, how do you plan to keep yourself connected to your people? It’s only because of the connection with people that people elect me an as the MLA every time. Since so many days I have social relations with the people of my constituency and I try my best to visit my people whenever they are in distress. Atul Bora hardly meets people and he visits them only during elections. People call me even after 11 pm whenever they require any kind of help. To stay connected is my inborn quality and this is not new to me.
If you are elected as the MLA name five changes the constituency will witness. Water, electricity, roads, land patta to people and the unemployment problem will be solved. I will try my level best to solve all these problems. These problems are not only in my constituency but in entire Assam. Like “Make in India,” we will go through another programme which will be “Make in Assam.” This has been my slogan since last so many days and yesterday I heard Rahul Gandhi saying it somewhere.
After voting for you this time people will again want you to represent them in the cabinet of ministers. Which portfolio will you ask for should Congress form the government? Right now it is important for us to form the government. After that I will not ask for any department. It will depend on the high command.
Once elected as an MLA, how do you plan to keep yourself connected to your people? This time I am getting more energy from God and the people. So I will be able to satisfy my people. By any means I will do my job, this is my promise and this is my aim. This time there will be no lapses in my performance.
MLAs are not transparent about the developmental funds. How are you planning to be transparent with the developmental funds?
After voting for you and should the BJP come to power, people will also want you to represent them in the cabinet of ministers. So which portfolio you will ask for?
In your constituency Atul Bora is contesting from BJP. Do you think it is a tough competition this time for you?
I am not thinking about it. First let the people elect me from this constituency. After that I will think other things.
People have seen that I have work for them. I have the trust of the people of my constituency and because of this trust I will win again.
Why should the voters vote for you?
Since last 10 years you have been the MLA of Dispur constituency and if elected again how will you be different from the past?
This time I saw it was Rs. 1 crore. Once upon a time there was Rs. 2 lakhs, Rs. 10 lakhs, Rs. 20 lakhs etc. I am not blaming other MLAs but I am very clear in this matter. I am very transparent and people will surely see that.
1,80,594
constituency get 24/7 drinking water. The areas like Chandrapur and Dimoria have been converted into a separate district (Kamrup East) so it has to be made sure that the new district receives all the facilities and turns into a fullfledged district. The road connecting Pobitora has many water bodies. Those water bodies have to be converted into productive fisheries. Also the agricultural tracts in the remote areas have to be fully developed.
It can be said that it is a mini India and there are so many problems. There is the problem of flood, drinking water problems, land patta issue because most of the people are living on government land and they have been always demanding patta. I will give priority to all these things. People are not happy with any kind of services available.
Unemployment problem has to be solved.
Male voters
ispur is the largest constituency in Assam with more than 3.5 lakh voters and Akon Bora of Congress is the sitting MLA for the last 10 years. BJP candidate Atul Bora (who is a previous AGP MLA from the same constituency) is the main opponent of Akon this time and Atul alleges that he did not win on the last two occasions because of EVM tampering. Both the candidates are confident of a win this time and a lot will depend on the rural areas which fall under the constituency. G Plus asks the same set of questions to both the contestants to know their views about the constituency.
Please name some problem areas in your constituency and the problems.
MLAs are not transparent about the developmental funds. How are you planning to be transparent with the developmental funds?
3,53,969
Female voters
After elections I have certain agenda which I will try my level best to implement. People have so much hope and aspiration on me and I will use my full energy to satisfy my people.
Do you have any special plans for the youth and the women?
Total voters
Akon Bora
He has been the incumbent MLA since the last 10 years. If you are elected how will you be different?
They know that I was an MLA and they saw all my activities. There are so many reasons because of which they trust me, love me and they will cast their votes in my favour.
52 Dispur LAC
Dispur is the biggest constituency in the entire Assam which has more than 3.5 lakh voters. An MLA gets limited developmental funds and in spite of being a constituency in the capital of the state, Dispur, 10 years back, had many remote areas. The communication and infrastructure was pathetic 10 years back and it was possible for us to improve the infrastructure in many areas, improve the roads in many areas and a lot of work has been done. But still there are many things yet to be done. After winning this time the rest of the work will be done and all the areas will be equally developed.
Please name some problem areas in your constituency and the problems. In the hill area like Nartat bordering Meghalaya, the forest department did not give permission to construct roads, create electricity infrastructure and for various other reasons the communication system there is yet to be improved. So this is a big challenge for me this time. Also constructing a bridge from Malaibari to Morigaon is a dream which will be completed this time. I want to make Dispur one of the best constituencies in the state.
If you are elected as the MLA again name five changes the constituency will witness. There are new areas which are coming up in the constituency. So development of those areas is important. There are many government lands on which people are living since a long time and they don’t have patta for those lands. I am pursuing it and the issue will be resolved. Drinking water is a major problem and it will be made sure that after the drinking water project is completed all the households of the
This is very wrong to say that I am not transparent. It’s because I am transparent that I get public support.
Why should the voters vote for you again? I have done my work sincerely. I have continuously kept relations with my voters. In case of any difficulties I have gone to them personally and because of fund crises some projects were not implemented which the voters understand. I have positively worked for the people and the voters know it because of which they think I am the best suitable candidate to represent the constituency.
This time what special plans do you have to empower the youth and the women? As a social welfare minister I have worked with women for long. During my tenure as the minister, many innovative ways were thought of to empower women. Even for the youth there are many plans which will be implemented. rahul.chanda@g-plus.in
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
15
Ward Watch
WARD NO
22
Concentrated area: Jayanagar, Sector 2 Ward number: 22 Sub-division: 22(b) Councillor: Rajen Das Phone number: 9707840559 Area sabha member: Madhuri Singh Das
G Plus Photo
Phone number: 8486351428
Jayanagar residents waging a daily battle for their ration of water W
KALYAN DEB
hile the area portrays a developed picture with the refinery being located in Noonmati, there are several residents who have been struggling to acquire the basic requirement of water. That large parts of Guwahati suffer from the scarcity of water is a known fact. However, what might raise eyebrows is that there are also many who have to climb back and forth a hillock on a daily basis for their daily ration of water. Noonmati, which was then considered as a suburb of the city, got India’s first oil refinery which was commissioned by the then Indian Oil Company Limited, now known as Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and which was started in 1962. The setting up of the refinery laid the platform for the development of the area. The area not only got schools, hospitals and other facilities but also came to be inhabited by a large population. The refinery thereby also took proactive measures for the improvement of safety, health and environment standards due to progressive proximity of community settlements around the area. However, in a part of the area called Jayanagar, the residents still have to battle every day for their share of water - not just for drinking but also for the basic household work. While we have seen people lining up to fill their buckets in villages where an entire pargana would be dependent on one well or pump-well, a similar sight can be witnessed in the developing metro city of Guwahati itself.
The sore point Located in Sector 2, Noonmati, Jayanagar is a hillock that houses around seventy families including people living in the rented houses. While those residing at the foot of the hillock have wells and bore-wells, the residents further uphill face a serious problem. The only source of water is a tap that was provided by the refinery several years ago. The same however, fails to meet the requirement of the people. “People
Councillor’s Say
Dismissing the statement of the Unnayan Samiti, the councillor of ward number 22, Rajen Das stated that the amount of Rs. 2 lakhs that was sanction from the MLA fund was to only install a bore-well in the hillock that could have at least eased the problem to some extent. “I myself had made efforts to get the amount sanctioned for the bore-well to be installed and had assured them that I would work to get more funds released for setting up connections to each household. But, neither did the Unnayan Samiti utilise the fund nor take any step for the development of the area,” the councillor stated. It was also informed that due to a few residents of the area who are not vocal enough about their problem the same cannot be addressed. However, once the election is over and funds are released later this year the problem will be taken into serious consideration.
leave every other house-hold work and start lining up from around 3 am and for each person it takes up to two hours to get the required amount of water. By the time everyone gets the required amount of water it is around 12 noon due to which every household’s work gets delayed. At times we even have to buy our share of water which costs around Re. 1 or more per litre depending upon the altitude where the water has to be delivered,” stated a homemaker of the area who faces this problem every day. The homemaker also stated that if the number of water connections is increased to at least three taps the problem can be reduced to a certain level. A student expressing his concern mentioned, “I could never attend the morning prayer due to the problem. While the family members are in queue to get the share of their water the rest of the work gets delayed. Due to the poor road condition it gets even more difficult for people to walk back and forth the hillock and since the road is not constructed several accidents take place every year while carrying the large containers of water. Although the water supply is available 24 hours but due to the amount of pressure being inadequate it takes a long time for the buckets to be filled.” It was also informed that the problem dates back several years but the residents have
not raised their voice against the problem. Though most of the residents at the foot of the hillock are well-educated, those residing uphill are from the middle or lower-middle class and this factor keeps them apprehensive of being stripped off the currently available facility.
Steps taken by the Unnayan Samiti On the problem being placed before the Unnayan Samiti of the area, it was informed that a proposal was forwarded to the refinery for a bore-well. Although the refinery agreed to the proposal, it was under the condition that a certain percentage of the expenses have to be taken up by the residents of the area. “Only a few residents of the area are financially stable while for the majority it is tough to contribute towards any kind of developmental process. Thus, the project could not be initiated. The councillor was informed about the problem following which it was mentioned that an amount of Rs. 2 lakhs was sanctioned. However, while an estimate was made for the entire process, the evaluated amount came to around Rs. 6 lakhs,” said Bipul Chandra Mishra Secretary, Jayanagar Unnayan Samiti. kalyan.deb@g-plus.in
16
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
G Talk
Should the BJP win, would it be due to the E D I T O R I A L continuation of the Modi wave coupled with an anti-incumbency factor or would s a layman residing in Guwahati and awaiting dom around. These intellectuals it be a decisive statement against the another chance to vote, I am are, by no stretch of imagination, in a ponderous mode; am nervous God’s gift to Assam, as a handful of in fact, with all the sermons pouring them seem hell bent on believing. If continuation of illegal immigration? they had to be contributive to As-
Gone with the wind
A
in from my elders on whom should I vote for. Yet, I am telling myself that I am “intellectually” capable of taking my own decision in this regard. And I know I am speaking for every voter worth his sense of wellbeing. And so, I desperately want to analyze this current phenomenon of the intellectual elderly wanting to act knowledgeable on issues which, I am not sure, is at all solicited. I basically desire to know if it is actual turmoil going through their minds vis-à-vis the ills plaguing their motherland that are leading these gentlemen to issue their diktats. But to my disappointment I am forced to infer that each and every such sermon is a classic example of words coming from people who, when young, put their individual cravings ahead of all other available preferences, especially their potential utility to their motherland and are presently wallowing in a sense of guilt at not having done enough. I have not really bothered to collect too many details of careers of such people; it isn’t worth my while and I am not about to start writing a biography on any Gohain, Bharali or Choudhury. But it’s quite apparent that such people have spent donkey’s years of comfortable life and then, for whatever are their whims with their retirement age overtaking them, have actually begun to throw their wis-
sam, they should have started long back, taken the risks involved and got into the system – the system of politics that prevails constitutionally. They should have done so with their actions and with carefully and articulately chosen words that would have complemented those actions. They should have burnt the bridges of their comfortable teaching careers on their way to forging the great things and knowledge that they are now trying to force-feed us. They should have tried their hands in politics on the soil of Assam, against the seemingly insurmountable odds. But they did not and cannot now – it’s not possible given their age and the seeming senility that seems to be conveyed through their meaningless utterances. The voters in turn should not give them the undue importance that they desire to command through their “enlightening” interviews. Their days are over and they would do well for themselves to understand that. And yet if they continue even if for the sake of some financial benefits and in their fashionably practiced form of holding press conferences, all I can do is quote Clark Gable from Gone with the Wind: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!”
Swapnil Bharali Executive Editor
The epitome of inanity
E
SIDHARTH BEDI VARMA
nter Rakhi Sawant, politican, actress, trendsetter, businesswoman, television personality, no one actually knows. We have a suicide, some elements of the TV industry and a wannabe politician and therein lies a perfect mix for some drama. This, for Rakhi, is the treasure trove to steal some limelight and amass what she misunderstands as popularity. She looks plastic, behaves plastic and if only she’d have kept her mouth shut like plastic, the world would have been a better place. Rakhi Sawant, as far as I can recall, had launched her own political party, the Rashtriya Aam Party and contested in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. However, she lost (for very obvious reasons) and joined the Republican Party of India (A). I understand that the constitution grants us the power to form a party and contest elections but sometimes this very liberty makes me laugh. Every time I read that Rakhi Sawant is a member of a political party and will contest elections, it is hard for me to digest and well worthy of slow claps. Rakhi Sawant is already in the crosshairs of media channels as ‘fluff.’ And yet she
asks for more? This borders on selfdestruction and so it is only logical that no one should and will vote for her. Rakhi Sawant should be listed as one of the many things that are wrong with Indian politics. We pride ourselves on being varied and so our candidates vary from the likes of Shashi Tharoor and Piyush Goyal to Rakhi Sawant. Personally, I’d totally be in favour of a screening test for candidates. This is not the kind of screening test that the Election Commission takes out which includes property verification and identity verification. If they could put in some sort of an IQ test, it would rid Indian politics of people like Rakhi Sawant. She has always been in the news for actions and statements deemed controversial and yet she persists. Maybe people should just boycott her, stop attending her conferences and pay no heed to the utter nonsense she spouts. That should just shut her up, for good. If she has no audience, who will she address? I’m sad just for the 2006 people in North-West Mumbai who voted for her in the LS Elections, votes they’ll never get back.
F
irstly, I doubt the elections this time will throw up a clear majority. But from all appearances the BJP will gain unprecedented grounds. And I am inclined to believe that this would be mainly due to an anti-incumbency factor that is long overdue. I wouldn’t term it comprehensively as a continuation of the Modi wave but will not negate it either. It is very clear that the 15-year Congress rule could have done much more for the state in terms of development of its infrastructure. Yes, what has been successfully ushered into the state is peace stemming from a virtually complete halt to militancy. But when the parameters of development are scrutinized, the state stands nowhere near the advanced states of India like Gujarat, Punjab or Tamil Nadu. The employment index looks better mainly due to the private sector entrenching itself in a big way. It is the telecom, banking and insurance companies that have played their part purely due to their own commercial considerations and the state has no part in this. What comes a cropper after 15 years of rule is the continued deficiency in electricity, poor infrastructure in terms of roads, and potholes like drinking water scarcity, petty crimes, medical imbalances and a general lack of direction that remain to be filled up. Beyond this, the Congress campaign headed by Tarun Gogoi himself and his utterances in the process, has lacked imagination and just reflects the age-old bohemian style of a Congress Party job that continually reeks of a sense of complacency that is not touching the chords of the voters. Simply put, voters seem to be tiring of Tarun Gogoi and more than any Modi wave they seem to be seeking a change. If BJP comes to power, it would be because of the anti-incumbency factor.
Swapnil Bharali
T
he illegal immigrant issue has been a favourite pre-election topic. Since 1986, it has been fruitfully exploited by both AGP and the Congress to ride to power - the one by opposing it and promising to implement the Assam Accord, sealed borders and all, and the other by ignoring it and inflating their vote bank. Problem is, post the elections, it has been conveniently swept under the carpet with the diversions that were created – be it the emergence of the ULFA back then, the surrender of some mainstream ULFA members and the subsequent creation of the SULFA mafia in between on to the 2001 Congress rule which saw the meteoric rise of a nouveau-riche opportunistic section of people. All these factors forced the illegal immigrant issue to the back-burner. The election issues this time are no different than the ones of 1986: deportation of illegal migrants, peace, development, progress, et al. The point is the BJP government at the centre has shown a semblance of commitment towards resolving the Bangladesh border issue and the sealing of the border although I am not sure how a complete, impregnable sealing is possible over the Brahmaputra River that flows into that country through Dhubri District. This semblance of commitment is what is perhaps giving hope to people that the illegal immigration issue might just be solved if the BJP is voted to power in the state. With the central government firmly entrenched for three more years, the BJP has successfully managed to tickle the imagination of the Assamese voters who can now practically hope for an immigration-free state. It is a clear-cut case of the repetition of an expectation that the state harboured from their student leaders of 1986. While the Prafulla Mahantas could not manage it for whatever their reasons might be, indigenous voters are hoping the BJP will do it now. That I continue to doubt that the BJP will come with a full majority is beside the point here.
Koushik Hazarika
Interactive
A
fter looking the big banners/posters in Guwahati and other places in Assam, I think the Congress is making the mistake of doing a negative campaign. It is something similar to what BJP had done in Delhi and Bihar. Negative campaign clearly indicates that either you do not have something to offer to the people or you are in a defensive position. In an electoral democracy both can hurt you badly. The Assam election has become very interesting this time. Let’s see which way the cookie crumbles.
Name Withheld via email
Letter to the Editor Dear Sir,
Your last week’s issue of G Plus carried a very interesting article regarding the third gender people and their voting rights. Most nations in the world include a third gender and it is time our nation apply this in our system as well – not only during elections but in every manner. Till date, our society remains a gender rigid society where transgenders are deprived of the most basic rights simply based on their gender. “Hijras” as they are often called are doomed to a life of begging and other lowly activities. The transgender population is slowly growing to large numbers and it is time the society’s mind-set changed towards them. Kudos to the Kamrup (M) Election Commission for recognizing their rights.
Jayanta Rajkhowa Via email
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
17
In Focus
Was Hiren Gohain’s open sermon not to vote for the BJP warranted, credible and an acceptable advice? On 2nd April at 5.30 PM, G Plus had put up an update on its Facebook page of the news item where Dr. Hiren Gohain and his intellectual forum had addressed a press conference and urged voters not to vote for the BJP in the forthcoming elections. The following is a small part of the vox populi that came in as comments.
B
M
Suresh Natural
D Zener Bar
JP’s policy is of luring lakhs and lakhs of Bengali voters. On the other hand, there is the problem of Bangladeshis. Now who will ultimately suffer? The indigenous Assamese people. AGP has also already joined BJP. Now the only hope that remains is to vote for Congress and give it full majority. It is not proper to blame the intellectuals for showing their concern for Assam. There are reasons not to vote for BJP. Definitely there will be new problems if BJP comes to power.
A
ll of you are intellectual people. But what have you done in the political field in Assam against 15 years Congress government? Do you think that the Congress government is a success? I think intellectual people shouldn’t interfere in politics. All of you are respected people of Assam. Here is an example: What about Bhupenda (Hazarika) when he contested for the Lok Sabha from Guwahati? Everyone has his own field. At least we must give a chance to BJP to form the government and see what they do.
Abhijit Talukdar
I
t’s my vote and I will press the button in favour of the one I feel is right to take my state to positive growth and try to solve the socio-economic problems of my state. Who are these Budhijibis to influence me about whom I should vote for? Guys you are Buddhijibis and please keep your buddhis to yourselves and your nearest and dearest ones. Do not try to influence others. Neither are we uneducated nor do we need someone to tell us who to vote for, so please… Or is it that you could not manage a ticket for the elections and are now trying to release your frustration? Just a thought! To name a party not to vote for is something that is totally unwarranted and not expected from the great intellectuals of Axom!
Raja Gohain
B
Pallab Bhatt
Joydeep Roy
JP is increasing prices of essential commodities like Dal, petrol, diesel, mustard oil, even life-saving drugs, train fares. Then there are the big dam issue, Bangladesh land agreement issue, granting ST status to 6 communities. Do you remember what they promised before the Lok Sabha elections? People voted the BJP for a change but what change have they given us?
I
A
Nath Meghnad
Parash Deka
have never seen such foolishness before. These pseudo intellectuals think people of Assam are fools. One thing they should remember is that by shouting at their own convenient moment, it will not make anything happen as they wish. My common sense says that the opinion of intellectuals is needed to those who carry empty heads on their shoulders. We the people of Assam therefore don’t need the nonsensical advice which is of course unsolicited.
ll those people who are concerned for their community know which political party is really doing something for the society and for the country. We don’t need to look through these so-called Budhijibi’s specs. My retort to the so-called Budhijibi, Dr. Hiren Gohain is: We know who the better party is right now.
I
I
Ankur Shivam
Jatin Niva
ntellectuals have become very vocal in the past few years. Their unnecessary involvement in issues has not been fruitful to anyone. They must keep away from politicizing elections as these are their personal opinions. Someone of Gohain’s stature should be very mindful of his words.
don’t think they are intellectuals in the first place. Dr. Gohain had expressed his support in a seminar before to Badruddin Ajmal. Now he is behaving like a Congress agent. Dr. Gohain you are not our parent.You have no right to air your opinion and give us sermons.
E
D
Arup Saikia
Gunajit Patowary
C must probe the matter and find out if these were paid statements from these people. Moreover they should be penalized for influencing voters to vote against a party.
r. Gohain, you have advised indirectly to vote the corrupt Congress and the communalist UDF to power. Common people are not ready to accept your sermon. Intellectuals like you are irrelevant and probably managed now-a-days. Shame on you!
S
I
Naba Das
Riyaz Ahmed
eems like people of Assam are heading for a foolish change. Compare the prices of medicines, essential commodities up to petroleum products and one can definitely find no ache din for Indians.
Arunima Dutta Educationist/Blogger
r.Buddhijibi, do you know the proper parameters of Axom? Do you know how to pay tax? Do you stand in queue for LPG, or at ration shops for kerosene, rice or sugar? Have you seen the tears of the poor and starving people? Do you have any superb solution to unite Assam and save its culture? It’s enough! People are getting bored of controversy. Every citizen needs a peaceful space, a beautiful world. Please don’t pollute it.
S
hame on you, I feel pity on you old folks. You must have sold yourself to some political parties. You must be suffering from some cognitive problems. Go home and restrain from such things before someone comes and.... Who exactly are you? What is your role in our state’s development? Our state is tolerant or else someone would have harmed you by now.
Meet
ntellectuals like Hiren Gohain are not required by the people of Assam. He has no right to advise people whom they should vote for. The people of Assam are more sane than Mr. Hiren Gohain. He might please advise Akhil Gogoi.
C
oming from a family of educationists and having had a serene, magical and enlightening childhood Arunima Dutta is known as an active blogger. She is the Executive Director of Vidya Mandir English Medium High School (which was founded by her father) and the Secretary of CEC Group of Institutions. Arunima was born on 1st July, 1978 and pursued her schooling at DAV High School. She went on to graduate in English literature from Handique Girls College. “My grandfather, Late Rajya Malla Deka, gave me my name Arunima, which means sunrise and sunshine. My parents, Late Ramesh Malla Deka and Late Meena Deka, instilled in me the right values and the love for books. I was gifted books on my birthdays,” mentioned Arunima and added, “As a child I had the habit of writing diaries. My diary was my tiny little world wherein I would pour out my secrets, fears, happiness and confusions.” Arunima grew up with her mother as her role model who would always say, “Women need to stand stronger and raise their voices to higher octaves of intellect and reason so that their ideas aren’t sent down an abyss.” She added, “I learnt from her that we have to make our word heard as well as counted. She would always ask me to listen and wait for my turn in silence. And that silence should be like: “The calm before the storm, the pause before the kiss, the thought before the prayer, the taste before the swallow, the canvas before the paint.” She lost her mother to cancer soon after her father’s death in 2012. A lot inside her died with them and she gave up writing. It was a difficult phase but she came across people who gave her a lot of strength to bounce back. At that juncture she started blogging. Through her blog, she wanted to reach out to people who were in similar situations or worse. Today, her blog ‘Essential Me’ has been voted as the one of the most ‘versatile and inspiring’ blogs and ranked 75th in the All India Blog Rankings. Arunima became famous clinching the Mrs. India World title in 2004. However, it was never in her plans to be a part of a beauty pageant. Rather, she was forcefully sent for the auditions by her mother and her husband, Dipankar Dutta. “I am an extremely shy person and I never wanted to participate to be very honest. My mom took me to Kolkata where the east zone au-
ditions were being held. I was the only one selected from 200 participants. I went to Mumbai with my mother and my husband both of whom supported me throughout. I was mentored by Nayanika Chatterjee and Aditi Govitrikar who polished whatever little talent they saw in me. Mrs. India World made me realize the power of my voice. I remember Mr. Sanjay Dutt asking me the final question, ‘What did you know after marriage which you didn’t know before marriage?’ To which I answered, ‘It’s the joy of being a mother; I believe bringing up life inside life is the greatest miracle which elevates a woman closest to God.’ I could see the judges standing up and clapping. That was my moment,” Arunima asserted. A lesser known fact is that the Sai Baba temple located in Byrnihat was founded by Arunima’s father. “We are ardent Sai devotees. We had regular bhajans at our place. Grandma and Ma taught me how to sing bhajans. I used to wake up every morning to the melodious hymns of the Gayatri mantra and would run after my Grandpa with my bagful of questions and he was always well-equipped with elaborate answers.” Arunima is a member and vocal contributor at World Pulse since 2010 which gave her the opportunity to interact with women across the globe. Therein, she realized the underlying problem of the fear of speaking up. “I have spoken about it at a personal level and have voiced my views at public forums many times that if a woman bows down to pressures, she isn’t only giving up on her rights but she also acts as a propeller for further victimization too. I urge women to speak up and share because together we can find some way. To be able to continue doing what I am already into and maintain peace and calm within me is the goal that I seek to achieve,” she said. Arunima also expressed her desire to organize a literature festival and try to bring back the love for books which is slowly fading away. “The books I have read throughout my years have helped mould my strengths and shape who I am. I strongly want to pass on this love to kids of today who are addicted to play stations. I am associated with breast cancer awareness campaigns and losing my mother to cancer has strengthened my resolve to make women aware of this deadly disease,” Arunima concluded.
18
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Lifestyle
Sex
VAASTU SHASTRA
in our city
VAASTU ASPECTS OF
q
I am a married man from Beltola, Guwahati with two school going kids. I am reasonably rich from my business and I was drawn into an affair with a married woman. The relationship, of late, has turned bitter and I want myself out of it. But my lover is clinging on and has even threatened me with complaint of rape. Can she prove that we have had sex? I have always used a condom with her.
A To start with, a tongue-in-cheek comment: Your situation sounds very much like a masala Bollywood thriller. Have you considered selling your rights to Karan Johar? How did you get drawn into an affair? Was she baiting you with a fish rod? Or were you discontented with your own marriage and were anyway on the look-out for a f ling? According to the Indian Penal Code 375, a man is said to commit “rape” when he, except in the case hereinafter excluded, has sexual intercourse with a woman in circumstances falling under any of the six following de¬scriptions: 1. Against her will. 2. Without her consent. 3. With her consent when her consent has been obtained by putting her or any person in whom she is interested in fear of death or injury. 4. With her consent, when the man knows that he is not her husband, and that her consent is given because she believes that he is another man to whom she is or believes herself to be law¬fully married. 5. With her consent, when, at the time of giving such consent, by reason of unsoundness of mind or intoxication or the administration by him personally or through another of any stupe¬fying or unwholesome substance, she is unable to understand the nature and consequences of that to which she gives consent. 6. With or without her consent, when she is under sixteen years of age.
Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the sexual intercourse necessary to the offence of rape. I would leave you to interpret the above in your scenario as I am not privy to full details of the same and what reproducible evidence is available for a court of law. You may wish to speak to a lawyer for proper legal advice. Indian judicial system can take its own sweet time in coming up with a judgement. The legendary Sunny Deol dialogue in the movie Damini: “Tareekh pe tareekh,tareekh pe tareekh” is all about that. I would be far more worried about your loss of face in front of your children and your wife and the impact it may have on them. It may cause loss of your reputation as also that of your parents and family. Your “reasonable richness from your business” may suffer as well. People may quickly disown any relationship with you. We live in a hypocritical society. It may similarly impact your lover and her family. Finally, a condom protects you from most of the sexually transmitted diseases and tries to prevent a pregnancy. Using a condom does not mean you did not have sex!
When I was small And things around me were small My Grandma or Aitama Taught me all.
You are not supposed To wash it It is the blood Which makes the curry a hit.
She used to toil Throughout the day This was her life She knew no other way.
Cut into small pieces And add the spice Garlic, cumin, pepper, turmeric, salt Bay leaf and elaichi to taste nice.
Am jotting down For old times’ sake The pigeon curry She used to make.
In a wok heat mustard oil Till it smokes Add the masala smeared meat And stir with a few strokes.
I sat and watched Her prepare it Was indeed a painstaking task As far as I knew it.
When water dries Do still fry Add three cups of hot water And leave gas on high.
Smothering the life out of the bird Is the first thing to do If I can do it So can you
Turn off gas When gravy is thick Serve with JOHA rice This should do the trick.
Pluck out the feathers One by one Gently turn the bird over a fire Till feathers there are none.
If the story Of preparing the curry Sounds gory I apologize… am really very sorry.
Dr. Mithun Bhartia is an expert in Diabetes, Thyroid and Sexual matters. He has returned from England after 12 years. His clinic is in Panbazar near Hari Sabha. Send your queries to advicesexologist@ gmail.com
HENGRABARI AREA
H
engrabari is a big residential area of southeast Guwahati. It touches the Japorigog area at north, the VIP Road at east and the Dispur capital complex on the western side. The Downtown Hospital area and Mathuranagar lie at the southern part of Hengrabari. The main Hengrabari Road runs from the Ganeshguri f lyover eastward up to the Office of the Public Health Engineering and bends towards the VIP Road at Borbari Chariali. The area near Ganeshguri is pretty busy with commercial establishments on both sides of the road. The Bahini River demarcates Hengrabari from Ganeshguri/Dispur. The Head offices of the Departments of Health and Public Health Engineering are housed on a plot which is higher than the main road at west. The eastern portion of the area is even higher. Moreover, the road bends at the southwest causing a cut in the southwest area of the Office of the Khadi and Gramodyog Department. All these departments are not performing well in the entire state and are involved in many scams, etc. The residents on the southern side of the Hengrabari main road are lucky to have the road at north and most of the inmates in this area are well off. The State Housing Colony is at the southern part also and it is in a grid form as per Vaastu. But the internal arrangements of the housing f lats are not as per Vaastu. The road going to the housing colony is pretty wide and starts from north to south. It is seen that the residents on the western side of that road are more prosperous as they have the wide road in front at east. There are several multi-storeyed complexes in the Hengrabari area. M/S Protech
Housing among them has tried to stick to basic Vaastu norms and they have done well in this regard. However, many apartments are still unsold due to non-adherence to Vaastu rules. Dr. Zakir Hussain Road connects the Hengrabari main road with the GS Road near the Downtown Hospital from north but bends towards the southwest. There are several bylanes going towards the east and west from this road. The residents on both sides of these lanes must take care while placing their main entrances and the water bodies. The south-western side of Hengrabari is connected with Xoru Motoria, Dispur. There is a hill at southwest of this area which has the NEDFi and SBI offices on the western side. The SBI Housing Colony is also located near Xoru Motoria and it is perfectly rectangular. But the residents did not take advantage of this and built their houses without observing the Vaastu principles. The residents near the hill at the northeastern part of Hengrabari have to be very careful in constructing their houses. As this area is having adverse Vaastu, there will be constant negative impacts on their finances. They must take remedial measures like Pyramids, Yantras, mirrors or copper wires to counter the hill at north. It is very important to correct the plot at first before going in for the house. Houses, which are already built with Vaastu defects, are left with no other choice but to be demolished or go for remedies.
Hemanta Kumar Sarmah Engineer, Businessman, Advanced Pranic Healer and Su Jok Acupressure specialist
recipe of the week Pigeon curry
A recipe in verse
KULKUL RAHMAN Entrepreneur, mother and a passionate cook
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
19
Lifestyle
Elegance of the
Cool Couture
mekhela chador
Rs 16,200 paat
A
ssam is as rich in style and fashion as it is in producing silk. Bihu brings to the fore the rich Assamese traditions. It is that time when people adorn themselves in Muga and Paat silk that come in various hues and designs. This Bihu, let’s talk about Assam silk, ways to drape it and to look fashionable. The cornerstone of Assamese attire for women is called a ‘Mekhela Chador.’ Produced from the silk of the silkworm, Mekhela is essentially a long ankle-length skirt and Chador is the saree. It is a two-piece dress. They come in a plethora of designs. Santasree Malik, designer and owner of Hansini says, “If it’s Bihu, mekhela chador is the best attire a lady can opt for. Mekhela chador nowadays is preferred with stylish designer
B
blouses. Ladies are willing to opt for new and uncommon designs in bright colours. Young women, who are bored of donning the traditional Muga or Paat mekhela chador, are opting for designer-crafted mekhela chadors with a little twist. A new look with respect to the changing market trends and the fact that conventional mekhela chadors weigh a lot owing to their material and thread work is one of the key reasons why there is a shift in the choice. The modern mekhela chadors are easier to wear. Stylish mekhela chadors are available in the markets at very affordable rates these days. At Hansini you can find mekhela chadors with a starting price of Rs. 3,800 for a cotton jura and this figure only goes up. Seema Biswas of Bandit Queen fame was spotted in an Assam silk saree at the Toronto International Film Festival. In the mean time social media went crazy with a picture of Sharmila Tagore wearing a traditional Assamese mekhela chador at her daughter Soha Ali Khan’s wedding. I can still recall when Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhury actually got married in a red mekhela chador. I know that traditions may evolve with time and some minor changes here and there will fleet in but the love for the Assamese mekhela chador is an unwavering and everlasting story that will continue in the years to come.
Sonika Ajmera Fashion Epitomist
Rs 12,300 paat
Staying fit during RONGALI BIHU
ohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu is one of the major festivals of Assam and is celebrated during the middle of April which heralds the onset of the Assamese New Year and the beckoning of the spring season. The word ‘Rongali’ is derived from ‘Rong’ which means happiness and celebrations. So this festival represents happiness of the society. All the three Bihu festivals of Assam are related to harvesting. Rongali Bihu falls within a period when there is no work for the cultivators and yet there is enough in the granary to enjoy. Being an agriculture-based state, Assam has always marked this Bihu as the occasion of joy. This is also biggest the festival in Assam and is celebrated in every corner of the state. On the eve of Bihu, the womenfolk clean the clothes and prepare special Bihu delicacies like Cheera, Pitha, etc. While
Best version of
yourself
L
eadership is an attitude - not your position, not your status but your attitude. Your attitude towards life, towards others, towards yourself decides whether you’ll be a leader or a follower. To excel in life and lead a world class life, you need to first be aware of which category you want yourself to be in. There are two types of people in the world - leaders or followers. You can choose who you want to be today. Choose today whether you want people to be inspired by you or you want to follow someone throughout your life. Just like they say, “It’s your life, make it large.” What differentiates the top 5% people from the rest of the crowd is their attitude, their leadership qualities. Leadership does not come by birth. It can be learned. With awareness, commitment, focus and discipline towards your goals a person can shift from being a follower to being a leader. It starts from a change in your attitude. And this change does not come easy. It calls for a complete transformation of your mind-set, beliefs, habits and personality. To move from being average to being world class, start changing things in your life and see the difference. Change starts from within and then the outside. Start believing in yourself. Have faith in your most optimistic goals and dreams. Dream big and first be convinced
Madhur Jayne A practicing chartered accountant and a certified nutritionist. He is the co-founder of a coaching centre for chartered accountancy and commerce students. He is a life coach and trains people on subjects like time, health, lifestyle and people management. Visit www.madhurjayne.com for more details.
Bihu and is dedicated to the worship of deities. On all three days of the festival, troupes of musicians and dancers visit houses and perform the Bihu dance in the open. The young boys and girls wear new clothes on this day and after enjoying the special preparations of the Bihu, spend time playing egg-fights (‘Koni Joonj’) and singing songs of love and romance. Such gatherings are called “Mukoli Bihus” (Open Bihus).
How to tackle the problem of gaining weight? eating these kinds of delicacies makes sure you have your regular diet before moving out and attending any such invitations. It will be great if you go for a jog outside before attending the function which will surely boost up your metabolic rate helping you to avoid fat gain. The first day of the Bihu is dedicated to the cattle (Goru), as cows and bullocks provide the farming popula-
tion with means of livelihood. On this day, early in the morning the cows and bullocks are ceremonially bathed in rivers and ponds. On the next day, called Manuh Bihu, special dishes are made of flattened rice, curds, and jaggery. Sweets are prepared and eaten. On this day ‘Bihu Husori’ is formally inaugurated at the Namghar (Prayer hall). The third day is called Gosain
that you can achieve it. If others can, why can’t you? Once you start believing in yourself, start acquiring knowledge in your field of work. Be the master of your work. Do not leave anything; if it’s there then you should know it. Read all the books, articles and other materials that are available. Only then will you be able to achieve mastery in your craft. This will, in turn, give you explosive confidence. With it, also study about successful leaders. Study what they do and how do they it, what are their daily habits and their practices. Respect your time and start investing it and not spending it. Leaders make the most of their available time. Respect your health and stay fit. What’s the point of achieving your goals and then falling sick? A fit body also leads to a fit mind. A fit mind is of utmost importance to being world class. Disassociate yourself from all the negative people around you. Walk with the giants only. They will inspire you to do more. Change your daily habits to match those of the leaders. It’s not what you do once in a while, but what you do daily that decides whether you’ll be a leader or not. Lastly, I invite you to never give up on your dreams. No matter how unrealistic and absurd they are, just don’t give up. You, my friend, are powerful.
From the above we can see that especially during the first day and third day of Bihu lots of delicacies and snacks loaded with sugar and fat are prepared in every household. So, as fitness enthusiasts, we should always try to take out some time to wake up early in the morning and do some free bodyweight workouts as most of the gyms will be closed. This should not be our chance of escaping from the regular regimen of exercise. One more thing: always drink a glass of water
first whenever you are being served the snacks. Try to walk as much as possible while visiting your friends and relatives and use public transport while going to a far-off place as this will help you sweat a little bit and thereby burn some calories. Finally, I will also advise you to get involved in the regular Bihu workshops being held in many places through which you will be able to learn a few steps of the Bihu dance and at the same use the dance movements as a means of aerobic workout where lot of hip, glutes and belly muscles are involved helping you to shape up those stubborn areas. So this is my idea of celebrating Bihu while keeping you fit during these days. Happy Rongali Bihu to you all, my dear readers. BIBHU MONI SINGHA, P.G.D. Fitness & Nutrition Gym Manager Training & Nutrition Head, SFL Fitness Gym & MMA CMPPT & WTPS IFBB, Madrid, SPAIN Fitness Expert & Sports Nutritionist, Life Member IAHF, Life Member & Regional Director, IAPEN Life Member, NSI, Member ACSM, U.S.A. www.bibhuuniversalfitness.com
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Reviews Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba Director: Jon Favreau
M
owgli (Neel Setthi) is a ‘man-cub’ as they call him in the jungle. He is raised by a pack of wolves as their own and even learns to recite the wolf pack pledge. He is being trained by the wise panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and is raised as their own child by wolves Akela (Giancarlo Esposito) and his wife Raksha (Lupita Nyong’o). While the rest of the animals have made their peace with the man-cub, it is Shere Khan (Idris Elba) – The Tiger who is unwilling to accept Mowgli. He seeks revenge for his past encounters with humans that have caused him danger through the red flower (Fire). When Shere Khan declares his war on Mowgli post the monsoon, Bagheera decides to send the boy home (to a human-habituated town). Whilst on their way to town, Shere Khan attacks. Bagheera
vie w o M vie Re
puts a strong fight to help Mowgli escape who further ends up going deep into the forest where encounters the deadly Kaa (Scarlett Johansson) and Gigantopithecus King Louie (Christopher Walken). Saving him from both of them, Mowgli finds himself a new friend Balooo – The Bear (Bill Murray). With the help of his friends Baloo and Bagheera, will Mowgli escape Shere Khan and return home? Based on Rudyard Kipling’s famous book The Jungle Book, the film brings to life characters that have been etched in our minds since childhood. Even though we hands down agree that the film is a visual marvel, don’t let screenwriter Justin Marks’ efforts go unnoticed. He is the man who crafts a near perfect screenplay of this Kipling gem and does full justice to it. Right from weaving an
emotional connect from Raksha and Mowgli’s point of view to a lazy, grizzly bear Baloo giving life lessons, Marks makes it look so easy on the eyes that for a non-reader, this is the best they can get. Marks spends all his energies on changing the tone of the film from the point of Baloo’s arrival into the plot and that is where all the mischief and comedy for the kids flourish. The screenplay is more like a coming-of-age plot that makes Mowgli the hero in the most subtle manner. Of course, it has an audience pleasing climax but isn’t that the case with dozen other Disney films that seem to be the preachers of ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’? The clever addition of the enchanting tunes The Bare Necessities and I Wanna Be Like You from the first Disney film are overwhelming to watch in this one.
Cast: Patralekha, Gaurav Arora and Tara Alisha Berry Director: Vikram Bhatt
C
inema has evolved to the level where we are now more focused on showing the realistic view of our world and society. The movie Love Games tries to do that. Does the movie achieve it? Let’s see. Love Games entails today’s metro city life of high class society and what all goes on behind their luxurious walls. Ramona (Patralekha) is a rich young widow whose husband has recently died. Ramona is a sex addict and highly obsessive about Sam Saxena (Gaurav Arora), a son of a big businessman. Ramona & Sam are sex buddies. But, there’s a catch. Ramona is lustful about Sam and she is short tempered and aggressive. On the other hand, Sam enjoys the casual physical relationship
with Ramona but inside he is greatly depressed. Out of that depression, he frequently tries to harm himself. To overcome this problem, Ramona comes up with an idea of Love Games, wherein these two spot the happy couple from the parties and compete with each other as to who sleeps with the opposite sex of that couple first. That’s it, that’s how the game starts. Having sex as a sport! But, after a while something changes. Sam falls in love with a girl named Alisha (Tara Alish Berry) from their game. Alisha is a Doctor, married to a lawyer. This love affair gets on a serious note and Sam decides to quit the so called Love Games and also the physical relationship with Ramona. But, what would Ramona do? Would she just accept the fate of
Sam’s love becoming or her temper would shatter Sam-Alisha’s sweet romance? Performances of the cast is the one of the major reasons Love Games doesn’t reach the cinematic threshold. Patralekha as Ramona, the core feminine aggressor of the film didn’t look sensuous but irritating with her accent. Normally, these kinds of dominating roles stay with you for a long time but Patralekha fails to do that. No lust, no appeal and most of all no passion on the screen. Gaurav Arora as Sam has a good screen presence but he too, lacks the power in the dialogue delivery. Seemed like the whole cast was just reading the script as it is, without the actual efforts and dedication.
Dinner
D
inner’s Anders Rhedin tried a number of sounds on for size on his early EPs, but on Psychic Lovers, a signature style emerges. Recorded in Copenhagen and L.A., Rhedin’s debut album polishes away some of the lo-fi quirks of his early work. Instead, the 2014 single “Going Out” feels like the template for songs like “Turn Me On,” which is full of slapped bass, whispered backing vocals, and tumbling, gated drums that would make Phil Collins proud. Despite Psychic Lovers’ slicked-back sound, there’s
ten ‘80s hit as he imbues lyrics that could seem cliched with heartfelt energy, while his blunt delivery conveys the shock of loss on “Gone.” Psychic Lovers closes with a pair of Dinner’s surprisingly affecting ballads: Aided by a gospel choir on “Lie” and a children’s choir on “Kali, Take Me Home,” both songs showcase Rhedin’s alchemical gift for transforming the cheesy and trite into something genuine. Though Psychic Lovers sometimes feels a little labored, it proves that the seemingly accidental brilliance of Dinner’s earlier music was anything but.
H life?
Dona Planet. GS Road 08800900009 The Jungle Book 11.00 AM, 1.10, 3.20, 6.00 & 8.48 PM Kung fu panda 1.15 PM Ki & ka 10.45 AM & 6.25 PM Batman v Superman 3.25 PM love games 9.00 PM
Ulubari 0361 2541335
The Jungle Book 11.00 AM, 5.00 & 8.00 PM Sardaar gabbar singh 2.00 PM
GOLD Cinema ASTC Complex, Paltan Bazar 9854066166
Love Games 11.00 AM, 5.30 & 8.30 PM ek yoddha shoorveer 11.30 AM Sardaar gabbar singh 2.30 PM KI and Ka 2.00, 5.00 & 8.00 PM
Bilal Siddiqi
still a fascinating tug-of-war between coolness and awkwardness in Rhedin’s music: “Wake Up”’s jet-setting glamour puts up a suave facade that the abrasive experiment “AFY” roughs up a few tracks later. As on Dinner’s earlier work, this tension makes for some of the album’s best moments. Rhedin feels truest to himself when he contrasts breezy, highly artificial sounds with singing that sounds like drunken karaoke, as if between mischief and true emotion. On the album-opener “Cool as Ice,” it sounds like he’s covering a huge yet forgot-
PVR Cinemas
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Author:
u Yo LD TEN SHOU LIS
The Jungle Book 11.00 AM, 5.45 & 8.30 PM Sardaar gabbar singh 2.30 PM
KI and Ka 11.30 AM & 3.50 PM The Jungle Book 9.30 AM, 1.45, 6.10 & 8.45 PM
vie Mo view Re
Emraan Hashmi
Artist:
Noonmati 03612656968, 9954544738
HUB, GS Road 9864800100, 9864800200
The Kiss of Life
Psychic Lovers
Anuradha Cineplex
Fun Cinemas
Book:
Album:
NOW SHOWING
u Yo LD ad SHOU re
ow do you deal with the most difficult moments in your
Every experience that we go through changes us and helps us grow. As we learn to laugh and cry, win and lose, share and care, the meaning of life and true happiness unfolds before us. Known for his bold forays into Bollywood, Emraan Hashmi walks us through his memories that have shaped him from a confused teenager who dabbled in a variety of
GOLD Cinema things to finding his calling to the suave, smart and unorthodox actor he has become today. At the heart of his story lies the most important and transformative experience of his life—the period when his son, Ayyan, was battling with cancer. It reveals the man behind the limitless charm of Emraan Hashmi and how he dealt with his son’s illness. Honest, personal, bold and heartwarming, The Kiss of Life is about an actor and a father’s trials and triumphs.
Salasar Building, Lakhtokia 9854077177 Love Games 11.30 AM, 5.30 & 8.00 PM ek yoddha shoorveer 8.30 PM Sardaar gabbar singh 2.30 PM KI and Ka 11.00 AM, 2.00 & 5.00 PM
GOLD Cinema
LG Towers, Narangi 8811001898 Love Games 11.00 AM & 5.00 PM KI and Ka 2.00 & 8.00 PM
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
21
Entertainment
Amit Soukadhara’s
‘SAHEBA’
Cop out of Tune Betal Police
U
pcoming talent Amit Soukadhara made his music debut with the recent release a music video album, ‘Saheba’. The album was formally released by cultural activists Bhagawat Pritam, Manuj Baruah, Munin Bora, J. P. Das and Dwipen Borah at a function at Guwahati Press Club last week. ‘Young artists like Amit must get involved with the musical and cultural world as it brings freshness into the industry,’ said one of the dignitaries at the event. The album contains five tracks that have been composed by the singer himself. The songs have been written by Jyoti Boruah and Lissa Tamuli. Amit has seen this project through several stages including audio mixing. The songs ‘Mouna’, ‘Joli Joli’, ‘Saheba’, ‘Jiban’ and ‘Dil Ki’ have also been rendered by him. The video part of the album saw the involvement of director Rakesh Sharma and Editor Ambarish Borkotoki who was assisted by Bratatee Kashyap and Samar. The cinematography has been handled by Rituparna Sarma and Prabin Basumatary. The key role in the videos have been essayed by Suraj Deka, Lashmi Medhi, Juvashni Borah, Tanaya, Anandraj, Subham, Nibha, Jadav, Parash, Puja, Alishmita, Barasha, Kabita, Samujjal, Liza among others. The album has been produced by Amit Soukadhara himself. Amit, son of Bhavaniprasad Soukadhara and Jyotiprabha Boru-
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H ah Soukadhara, had learnt music under Munin Bora and then pursued sound engineering from Jyoti Chitrabon in 2010. After passing from Jyoti Chitrabon, he worked with Bhagawat Pritam as an assistant music director and was associated with various serials of ‘Rang’, the local entertainment channel. Then he moved to Mumbai and worked as a Foley recorder in Debajit Changmai’s studio ‘Sound City’. Amit has returned to the State solely for his album. He also worked as a location Sound Recorder in Rakesh Sharma’s
Assamese feature film ‘Anuradha’. Amit is currently working on Rang Channel’s popular comedy serial ‘Oi Khapla’ and was also involved with an Assamese video song ‘Niribili Jonakk’ which was rendered by a Manipuri singer. ‘Saheba’ is Amit’s first venture and he hopes that the Assamese audience will accept his album and his work will be appreciated. Amit has already performed in various Bihu functions all over Assam. He is ready to participate in the various Bihu functions across the State.
Manas Robin comes out of hiatus, gears for a new album DIKHOW
fter a break for almost five years, popular singer, composer and lyricist Manas Robin has decided to take the stage again and has come up with a new album. This also includes a video song titled ‘Dikhow’. The title song of the album has been based on the evergreen love story of Panei and Jonki on the banks of the Dikhow River. Manas Robin is a popular figure among Assamese music lovers. He has to his credit super hit film songs and albums like Jonbai, Anjana, Nahar, Pakhila and many more. He has consistently churned out chartbusters during the last ten years. The music videos for the album are being shot at scenic locations. Manas Robin will also present the album on the digital portal and a mobile app, under the banner of Geetanjali.
KALYAN KUMAR KALITA
e dons a Police uniform, but he’s never kempt. He leaves the buttons of his shirt open and there is an air of hooliganism around him. ‘Paan’ and betel nut stains on his lips, he utters sheer nonsense at times. To frame this in a single word, he is ‘Betal’ (out of tune). The character being described is popular by the name of Betal because of his antics. This is the brief of the character Betal in Rajdweeps’s play, ‘Betal Police’. The play will be staged in Theatre Bhagyadevi in the upcoming season. With a hardworking crew and team toiling themselves, the drama has been penned by story teller and journalist Rajdweep. The lead character in this drama will be essayed by the very popular Ravi Sarma who has amassed a fan base for his work in Assamese films and theatre. Ravi Sarma who is popular as an action hero has decided to play a completely different character in ‘Betal Police’. With the character of a police inspector named Arjun Borakakoti, Ravi Sarma takes on comedy and draws inspiration from real life which many in the audience will relate to. The producer of Theatre Bhagyadevi,
Subodh Majumdar mentioned that they are now working with the script and music of the drama. All the songs have been penned by the dramatist himself. Added to that he is working with Rajdweep and other younger artists to create a new trend and to bring something fresh to the theater scene. Without the high voltage songs, dance and special effects, ‘Betal Police’ is a powerful play that will be dominated mostly by the storyline and acting. Ravi Sarma did mention that after hearing the name ‘Betal Police’ people would relate the name to the story which in truth is very different from the script. The character of Arjun Borkakoti has been beautifully written by Rajdweep which Ravi is looking forward to play. The other artists in the play include Alympica Bhuyan, Haren Malakar, Tarak Sarma, Muhi Bora, Mitul Balaji among others. Another feather in their cap is Assamese singer Dikshu working on the project as the music director.
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
Events
Test Drive Carnival in city
IIT Maruti launches first Seismech’16, Guwhati to be compact SUV held from 8th-
M
aruti Suzuki recently launched their first compact SUV, Vitara Brezza, and set up a test drive carnival event at Brindaban Garden, Zoo Road Tiniali. The 3-day carnival started on 4th April and continued till 6th April and it attracted a huge gathering of car lovers from the city. The organisers came out with a very innovative public approach – eight Brezzas were set aside for test drives and anyone who was willing to test-drive the car were welcomed to try it around the city. If a customer was satisfied with the car’s performance, they could also opt for a spot booking. In the three days there were about 250 customers who took the test drive and enquired about the car. Three people applied for spot booking on the very first day. Apart from the test drives, customers were also introduced to car dealers in Guwahati who had set up stalls during the event. Six car dealers set up their stalls for the benefit of customers so they would know exactly where to go to in case they wanted to buy a Brezza at a later date. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a diesel engine, sub four meter car. It comes in six variants and the top model, ZDI+ comes with dual tone exteriors as well. “It is an exceptional product which is sporty as well as glamorous at the same time,” said an exuberant customer who had made a spot booking during the test drive carnival.
The Smartisans
S
eason 1 of The Smartisans, a STOIC Marketing Solutions initiative, concluded with grand fanfare on 3rd April at Hotel Gateway Grandeur. The ambiance was adorned with bright lights, colours and happy faces. It was bustling with designers, creators and innovators who have the potential to bring about a positive change with their ideas. The Smartisans was a meeting point for free thinkers who displayed beautiful things and enticed the crowd.
Pre-Bihu Extravaganza at India Club
Chief Guest Mitra Phukan being felicitated at the event
T
he ladies wing of India club organized a Pre-Bihu Extravaganza on 3rd April, 2016. The idea behind the event was to give some lesser known talents and some known talents too a chance to showcase their exclusive products just before the festive season of Rongali Bihu. The event saw the participation of 34 different organizations/individuals. While some stalls were of the traditional Mekhela Chadar, there were others of designer Mekhelas, Jamdanis, Sarees, Suits, dress materials, western wear, etc. There were still others with Axomiya gohana, costume jewelry, traditional Assamese jewelry made from clay, Jaipuri jewelry and much more. 2 NGOs also participated in the event showcasing their products: Shishu Sarothi, which was selling products made by children with disabilities and IRADO (Integrated Rural Artisans Development Organization) whose focus was on stoles and shawls made from Eri, besides various cane handicrafts. Blue pottery and products from the inmates of Tihar Jail were the star attractions. The extravaganza stood complete with a Bihu dance recital which was performed by the children of ANKURAN under the guidance of Garima Das Saikia. This was a huge crowd puller and the event culminated with everyone clapping along to the melodious sounds of Dhol and Pepa with the children.
10th April
Social initiative “ Gaon chalo “ by Seismech. Seismech’16, IIT Guwhati to be held from 8th-10th April Maverick IT and Aweride presents Seismech’16 co-sponsored by Neepco and powered by Ansys, the third edition of flagship event of the Mechanical Engineering Students’ Association (MESA), IIT Guwahati is going to be held from 8th -10th April 2016. It is conceptualized to develop and strengthen the engineering spirit of the students of IIT Guwahati and other colleges of North-Eastern part of India. This year’s theme “Ascendeta Infinitum” ventures into the unexplored, pushing the boundaries to develop cutting edge technologies and presenting it in an interesting manner by means of lectures, articles and workshops & interacting with other technical societies, within and outside the institute to promote flow of knowledge and interest. During the fest three workshops are being organized - i) RC Aircraft Workshop by Edurade. ii) Vehicle Overhauling Workshop by HT India Labs. iii) MATLAB Workshop by Seismech. Prof. A.W Date from IIT BOMBAY, Fellow INAE and Prof. Sreerup Rai Chaudhary from TIFR, Bombay are invited speakers for the lecture series. During Seismech, competitions like MechWormQuiz, Industry Defined Problem, Case Study competition are to be organized. Seismech also have a social initiative called “Gaon Chalo” where the Seismech team went to Chayagaon to inculcate the spirit for development and education in the students of village areas. Be there to witness the best engineering innovations from 8th to 10th April at IIT Guwahati and push your own limits. Ascending to infinity soon.
Xs the place to be
G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
23
Catching Up Most shared story of the week Hiren Gohain’s recent statement where he urged the people of Assam not vote for BJP stirred up a massive controversy. With over 10,000 people reading the post, more than 90 comments, 26 shares, Hiren Gohain was slammed and mocked as a ‘buddhijibi’, who had no business in advising others about casting their vote.
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Guwahati
GYAN
Did you know?
Lakhtokia Masjid (No. 1)
New
Chic
on the block
ARunima Gohain About Me
Hey, I’m Arunima Gohain. Born and brought up in Guwahati, I’m currently pursuing my BA in Economics from Handique Girls College. I’m an avid sports person and I’ve represented the women’s cricket team at the district level. I started my career with a beauty contest in 2014. I won Miss Personality at Miss Xarodee, Miss Sanskrit at AIMT and was one of the top ten contestants at ‘Cover Girl.’ But my career took a different turn when I won the college elections in September 2015.
Mojo
Spending time in the kitchen is surprisingly fun for me. Even though I love acting and modelling, I have this dream of becoming a celebrity chef one day.
Route in the Woods
A
lthough Lakhtokia is famous as a commercial hub with outlets that caters to all our requirements, the settlements in the area go back to several years. Lakhtokia Masjid (number 1) which was one of the first structures of the area has a history that dates back to over 150 years and was established when the locality was desert-
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ed. The earlier structure was made of boulders. However, it underwent transformation in the early 80s. Along with the masjid was constructed a library within the premise named as Sirat Library which is now used as a maktab and is attended by around 50 students every day. Along with the library the masjid also has a musafirkhana.
Ka m u r of the week
ongali Bihu is one of the biggest festivals in Assam and every Bohag Bihu there is a tradition of buying new clothes, jewellery and gift items for near and dear ones. All these start one month before the Bihu. This time, only because of the elections, the people are facing a tough time taking out time to please their family members as there are less public transport vehicles, no leave for the government employees and many other problems leading to postponing of the Bihu plans. Elections during Bihu is a big kamur for all.
‘Keep it simple,’ has been one of my life’s mottoes. I believe we are all meant to have more than one profession; one for the wallet and one for the soul.
PIC OF THE
WEEK
WHAT DID I JUST HEAR?
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akhi Sawant came up with the most logical solution to stop suicides in the country. She said, “I demand that ceiling fans be removed from all houses. Too many women are using it to commit suicide.” This was in response to the suicide committed by TV star of Balika Vadhu and Big Boss fame Pratyusha Banerjee.
In Association with It’s all about smile
Photo: Adib Zamali
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G PLUS APR 09 - APR 15, 2016
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