Vol 4 Issue 36 by G Plus

MCI directs physicians to prescribe drugs by their generic names; order in force in city PG 09

Ghy has a mere 34 bus shelters; GMC dreams of adding more

New Chic on the Block Parbin Sultana PG 10

PG 24

VOLUME 04 | ISSUE 36 JUL 01 - JUL 07, 2017 PRICE `10

Impending GST regime precipitates heavy discounts in online and offline stores

ith the Goods & Services Tax (GST) about to drive us up the wall in certain areas from coming 1st July, all online shopping sites have come up with a blast of sales. Myntra, one of the most trusted online outlets, had started its end-of-season sale with huge discounts on famous brands like Nike (40-60%), Puma (50-70%), Roadster (40-70%), US Polo Assn. (40-60%), WROGN (40-60%), Jack & Jones (50-70%), Mast & Harbour (40-70%) Spykar (Min 50%), Levis (40-60%), Adidas (40-60%), etc. Favourite women’s brands like the Vero Moda (40-70%), Forever 21 (20-50%), W (30-50%), Biba (30-60%), All About

You (40-60%), Dressberry (50-70%) also have offered heavy discounts. Myntra has again brought forward its GST sale with 50-80% off on the best of men’s and women’s fashion. On the other side, Jabong is also speeding up giving the best of offers before GST hits. Jabong has asked the shoppers to gear up to shop more with Rs. 200 off on a spend of Rs. 999 and Rs. 500 on a spend of Rs. 1999. Not only this, it is offering its buyers discounts ranging from 30-70% on the most popular brands. Snapdeal has also unboxed its pre-GST sale after its season sale to off-load its old stock before GST Continued on page 8

Vested interests trying to make excise online system dysfunctional Rahul Chanda rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

n April last, G Plus had reported that the excise department generated 21% more revenue this year over last year. But according to an investigation carried out by Assam Police BIEO, a huge amount of money has to be realised from many bonded warehouses across the state. The report stated that the excise department is yet to realise Rs 168.54 crores from bonded warehouses. On 29th April the state government launched the online

portal “assamexcise.in” to turn digitize all the manual work of the department. It’s been around two months and news of arrests made because of various excise scams keeps making headlines. Is the excise department fully digitized now? Is there any possibility of further scams occurring in the department? What was the cost of creating the digital platform? What are the services available? Has the revenue generation increased? Is there any nexus which is working against the digitisation of the department? G Plus tries to find out. Continued on page 5

GST confuses Guwahatians; tax dept fails to create awareness With many feeling that GST is just old wine in a new bottle, the GST return filing procedures haunt many businesses; sectors like real estate that run on credit to be badly affected by the reform Rahul Chanda rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

s the nation eagerly waits for 1st July when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will come into force across the entire country, businessmen of Guwahati and the rest of the country are trying their best to understand how the tax reform will help or affect businesses. As the BJP ruled states of the country - Assam being one of them - are claiming that the GST implementation will help one and all, the opposition Congress and some other political parties have decided to boycott the central government’s special midnight June 30 meeting on GST calling it a gimmick. As far as Guwahati goes, G Plus talked to people from various sectors to know how prepared they are for the biggest tax reform in the last several years. Was the government able to spread the requisite awareness among Guwahatians regarding the tax reform? Is the GST just old wine in a new bottle or it is something novel? Who will gain or lose from the reform and what are the changed rates? G Plus tries to analyse the entire GST scenario.

A man rides past a banner reading the implementation of GST from July 1st across India, in Guwahati | G Plus Photo

across the country and traders and consumers will not be taxed at different points. GST will put an end to multiple taxations at various source and transportation levels. Assam government is abolishing five taxes including VAT, entry tax etc and the centre will have to abolish seven taxes for the purpose. So basically, GST will be levied on goods and services. It will replace all the various taxes and bring them under one umbrella to make compliance easier. It will replace the following taxes:

One tax

Taxes currently levied and collected by the Centre:

According to a city based tax consultant, there were around 18 types of taxes previously but he said that with the introduction of GST there will be only one tax

Central Excise duty, Additional Duties of Customs (commonly known as CVD), Special Additional Duty of Customs (SAD), Service Tax

Taxes currently levied and collected by the State: State VAT, Central Sales Tax, Entertainment and Amusement Tax (except when levied by the local bodies), Taxes on lotteries, betting and gambling

The functioning According to a city based tax consultant, Brijesh Sharma, businesses are the backbone of Indian economy. But for various reasons many businesses in the city are unorganised and irregular in paying taxes. He said that GST is a comprehensive indirect tax system which is set to subsume a host of existing indirect taxes and with its implementation compliance will become a key factor for the success credibility of any busiContinued on page 2

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Lead Story

GST confuses Guwahatians; tax dept fails to create awareness

Markets have become busy ahead of implementation of GST | G Plus Photo

Continued from page 1 ness. He said that GST will work on a self-monitoring mechanism, matching the concept of invoice between supplier and recipient of goods and services. Only after matching of invoices and payment of tax by the supplier, the input tax credit will be available to the recipient. Thus a customer will always want to do business with vendors who are compliant, which changes the relationship between supplier and recipient. He said it used to be customer-cum-emotional relationship but now it will be compliance relationship. A city-based chartered accountant, Manoj Nahata, talking to G Plus said that every month there are some important dates which any businessman has to keep in mind.

10th of subsequent month – Form GSTR 1

your supplier in form GSTR – 1. The period from 11th to 15th will be provided for any corrections (additions, modifications, deletion) in Form GSTR – 2A.

15th of subsequent month – Form GSTR 2 The CA said that after reconciling, any additional claim or correction as per Form GSTR – 2A needs to be incorporated and submitted in Form GSTR – 2 by 15th of subsequent month. Based on the claim report in form GSTR 2, ITC (Income Tax Credit) will be credited to the e-credit ledger on provisional basis and post matching of invoice, it will be finalised.

16th of subsequent month – Form GSTR 1A The corrections reported in Form GSTR – 2 will be made available to the supplier in form GSTR 1A. The supplier has to accept or reject the adjustments made by the customer by verifying with suppliers’ outward supply register.

According to Nahata, on the 10th of every month the businesses have to declare the details of all the outward supplies of goods and/or services effected during the previous month. Invoice-wise details of outward supplies made to registered dealer and aggregate taxable value of supplies made to consumer are required to be declared.

On the 20th, based on the Form GSTR 1 and Form GSTR 2, an auto populated return GSTR – 3 will be available for submission along with the payment.

11th of subsequent month – Form GSTR 2A

Input tax credit in Form GST MIS -1

Nahata said that on 11th the visibility of inward supplies will be made available to the recipient in the auto populated GSTR – 2A. This is generated based on the outward supplies declared by

The CA said that after the due date of filing the monthly return in Form GSTR 3, the inward supplies will be matched with the outward supplies furnished by the supplier, and then the final acceptance

20th of subsequent month – Form GSTR 3

of input tax credit will be communicated in Form GST MIS -1. Details like GSTIN of the supplier, GSTIN of the recipient, invoice or debit note number, invoice or debit note date, taxable value and tax amount will be considered in the matching of invoices. The CA said that technology will play an important role for businesses under GST as GST is a highly transaction-based compliance system. The CA said that for the first two months there will be some relaxation in return filing dates. So the businesses have to be very accurate with the calculations now. But are Guwahatians aware?

Awareness level Fancy Bazar businessman and councillor of Ward No. 9 Rajkumar Tewari, talking to G Plus said that people in Fancy Bazar area will be badly affected as people are still not prepared. He said, “The tax department has not taken any initiative to spread awareness about GST anywhere in the city. They might have had some meetings with some business tycoons but if you go to any shop in Fancy Bazar whose yearly turnover is more than Rs 10 lakhs, they are confused about the entire tax reform system.” He said that he is a wholesale dealer of steel utensils, so he wanted to purchase some items from a manufacturer. The manufacturer did not sell as the scrap material for steel utensils is taxed at 18% under GST and the finished product is taxed at 12%. He said that the manufacturer was confused how much tax should be charged to the customers. Similarly, Tewari said that

there are some groceries dealers in Fancy Bazar who do business the whole day but are not technically sound. So how will they manage the GST updation process as they do not have time to learn and then update the details in the portal? He said that also the state tax department did not take any initiative to spread awareness whereas they should have gone to every ward and booth and then organised meetings. A city-based builder, Amit Agarwal, talking to G Plus said that GST is nothing but a legal form of goondagiri by the government. He said that as a builder, while construction, the raw materials like sand, stone chips, bricks etc are mostly bought on credit and in maximum incidents the seller does not provide any formal (pucca) receipts. Now if something is bought on credit, unless the construction is completed and the flats are sold, the money is not raised to clear the bills. So how will the builders pay the tax on a monthly basis when the purchase is made on credit? It will be a reverse charge as the purchase will be made from an unregistered dealer.

The chaos Tax consultant and lawyer Brijesh Sharma said that the government is not prepared fully to implement GST now, as there is no pin-pointed solution. He said that the portal is not yet ready as people are facing problems in getting provisional ID, the digital signatures are not working for most of the people, the jurisdiction is not clear as people are confused about filling central or state while filling up the form, and moreover people are not aware. He said that initially the process will be a total chaos and in next two years, if it does not work, the entire system will collapse. He also said that over all GST is just over hyped as it is old wine in a new bottle. Like previous taxes even now there are huge taxes levied on various products. He asked us to visit the sales tax office at Kar Bhawan and see how businessmen are totally worried about the system. G Plus team visited Kar Bhawan and tried to talk to the commissioner of taxes who was in a meeting. The G Plus team was informed that there is a GST cell which could provide all the information. When the team visited the

cell the commissioner was inside and sounded very busy. He asked the G Plus team to visit after 2nd July post the GST implementation. When he was told that people are confused and we required some information, he said that they had conducted over 100 camps and it is the media who is confusing the people. The G Plus team told him that most of the businessmen in the city are not aware, but he insisted that we visit after 2nd July. Effectively, while the tax is being implemented from 1st July the tax commissioner can be free to talk to the media only after 2nd July.

The survey As the businesses with a turnover up to Rs 10 lakhs are exempted from GST in northeast, G Plus visited 100 business establishments having turnover more than Rs 10 lakhs across the city to know if they are aware about the GST procedures. 55 business establishments said they are confused on the GST procedures, 10 establishments said they are aware about the procedures, and the rest of the establishments said that they are clueless and hoping that with the commencement of the reform things will be clearer. A grocery shop owner at Lal Ganesh whose yearly turnover is around Rs 50 lakhs is very worried as he said that he is technically illiterate and does not know how to use the computer. He said that all these days he just did business and now he has to keep track of the sales and purchase through technology which is proving to be a nightmare to him. He is also unaware about which product is getting cheaper and which will be costlier.

Liquor Many city boozers are also confused over whether after 1st July the liquor rates will be increased or decreased. Excise PRO Shailendra Pandey said, “As of now liquor is outside the purview of GST. Therefore, the rates will remain same and it is the state government who decides the rates of liquor.” So liquor price is to remain same. Also all the petroleum products are also outside the purview of GST. Whatever may be the new tax reform the government doesn’t seem fully prepared for the change and in turn is keeping people totally confused. Continued on page 4

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

In The News

Is GST exemption threshold for NE discriminatory? With the exemption threshold for north-eastern states being Rs 10 lakhs against Rs 20 lakhs for the rest of the country, critics feel this is a serious discrimination towards the small businesses of the region Rahul Chanda

he North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) has already been stopped raising questions about the Centre’s route map of how it intends to develop the north-eastern states. With the GST all set to be implemented in the country, the critics are calculating what the north-eastern region will gain from the biggest tax reform of the country. The exemption threshold for GST is Rs 20 lakhs for the entire country but in the NE states and two other hill states the exemption threshold is Rs 10 lakhs. Will this be beneficial to the region or is it discrimination?

ed to the rest of the country. So if it is Rs 20 lakhs for the rest of the country northeast should have got Rs 40 lakhs as the exemption threshold for GST.” Jain further said that the people of northeast will surely suffer after GST is implemented as at the village level there are lesser labourers and because of the transportation cost things will be costlier and people this side will have to pay more tax. Similarly, many people slammed the exemption threshold and dubbed it as discrimination towards the north-eastern states.

The critics

The defence

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

Suresh Ranjan Goduka, a senior Regional director of journalist who is a founder of a mag- Indian Chamber of Comazine, talking to G Plus said, “GST will merce, Ishantor Sobhapnot apply up to Rs 20 lakhs turnover in andit, talking to G Plus rest of the country but for Assam and said that the exemption other north-eastern and hill states, threshold for northeast GST will apply if turnover exceeds Rs at Rs 10 lakhs is not dis10 lakhs. This is a serious discrimina- crimination as it will be tion and will obviously adversely af- increased later. He said fect the small entrepreneurs of states that many MSMEs in the like Assam. I wonder why the finance north-eastern region are minister of Assam accepted this at not registered tax payers the GST Council meet and why there and all these days many has not been any protest by any state business establishments level business or public association.” were used to not payHe further ing taxes. So said that there the GST is are many designed in businesses in such a way the northeast that initially which have a bringing all yearly turnthese busiover of Rs 10 nesses unlakhs to Rs der the GST 20 lakhs and purview was these smallimportant. scale indusHe said that tries are vital with Rs 10 for the devellakhs as the opment of the exemption region. But the limit, many decision of the MSMEs will Centre is akin now have to to discriminaregister untion for Assam der GST and and the other things will be states of the clearer. He - Suresh Ranjan region. also said that Goduka, senior President in the near journalist of Kamrup future the exChamber of emption limit Commerce, Mahavir Jain, talking to will be increased. G Plus said that no matter what the City-based CA, tax exemption is, the people of this Sandeep Khaitan, talkregion will anyway have to pay more ing to G Plus said that the tax as northeast is 2,000 kilometres exemption threshold of away from the mainland India (New Rs 10 lakhs was sought Delhi). He said, “The tax exemption to by the state government the north-eastern states should have and was not decided by been double the exemption provid- the central government.

“

GST will not apply up to Rs 20 lakhs turnover in rest of the country but for Assam and other northeastern and hill states, GST will apply if turnover exceeds Rs 10 lakhs.”

He said that previously the exemption threshold for VAT in the state was Rs 6 lakhs. So the government thought that if it was directly raised to Rs 20 lakhs, it would be a huge burden to the small businesses. Therefore, it was

decided that the exemption threshold should be Rs 10 lakhs so that it is not a very huge jump on the exemption limit. There might be various answers to the questions but the fact remains

that Rs 20 lakhs for rest of the states and Rs 10 lakhs for the north-eastern states is a massive difference. And if it is a one-tax-one-nation concept, the very idea of starting with a difference might create many differences. n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Lead Story

CONSUMER GOODS

Continued from page 2

Here are some of the products that will be affected by the new GST regime PHARMA

Under GST (in %)

Current rate (in %)

Aluminium foil

18.5

Agarbatti

18.5

Preserved vegetables

18.5

Butter, ghee, cheese

18.5

Dry fruits

18.5

Under GST

Current rate

Jams, jellies

18.5

Lifesaving API

5-8%

Frozen meat

18.5

Other API

18%

17%

Branded paneer

18.5

Branded cereals

18.5

Cocoa butter, oils chocolates

18.5

Instant, aroma coffee

18.5

Coffee concentrates, custard powder

18.5

Formulations

12%

CONSTRUCTION Under GST (in %)

Current rate (in %)

Cement

Wall paper

18.5

Paints and varnishes

Putty, wall fillings

Plaster

Ceramic tiles

Tempered glass

Sand lime bricks, fly ash bricks

BEAUTY AND PERSONAL CARE Under GST (in %)

Current rate (in %)

Manicure, pedicure sets

Perfumes

Beauty or makeup preparations

Skincare items including sunscreen

Shampoos, hair cream, hair dyes

LIFESTYLE AND HOME Under GST (in %)

Current rate (in %)

Leather bags

Protein concentrates, sugar syrups

18.5

Razors

18.5

Dental floss

18.5

Toothpaste

18.5

Deodorants

18.5

Aftershave

18.5

Shaving cream

18.5

Cereals

Puffed rice, papad, bread

Exempt

Aquatic/ poultry/ cattle feed

Exempt

Salt

Exempt

Soyabean, groundnut, sunflower seeds

Infant use preparations

19.5

Pasta, cornflakes and cakes

19.5

Coffee, tea

Frozen vegetables

Condensed milk

18.5

Toilet paper

18.5

Hot water bottles

18.5

Petroleum jelly, paraffin wax

Pencil sharpeners, knives

18.5

Meats and fish preparations

19.5

Sweetmeats

Bakery mixes, doughs, pizza bread

Cell phones

Air conditioners

Refrigerators

Storage water heaters

Vegetable fats and oils

Printer, photocopier, fax machines

Tea concentrates, sauces, soups

Wristwatches

Ice cream, instant food mixes, sharbet

Furniture

Refined sugar

Video game consoles

Soap

Dentrifices- toothpaste

Hair oil

Handmade safety matches

18.5

Broomsticks

Exercise equipment

2618.5

Sports goods

18.5

Bicycles

18.5

Spectacle lens Whey proteins & fitness supplements Hats and other headgears

18.5

Steel utensils

18.5

CONSUMER DURABLES Under GST (in %)

Current rate (in %)

Air conditioners

Refrigerators

24-27

Coolers

23.5

Lighting (LED)

EXEMPTIONS

Candles

Tooth powder

Led lights

Milk beverages

Ready to eat namkeen/ bhujiya

Beet sugar, cane sugar

SERVICES Under GST (in %)

Current rate (in %)

Telecom

Works contracts

Non AC/ alcohol serving restaurants

13-14

Food grains

Baby food

AC, alcohol serving restaurants

Curd

Milk

Five star restaurants

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Governance

Vested interests trying to make excise online system dysfunctional

Because of the digitisation in the excise department all transactions have become transparent causing breakdown of all illegal transactions and bribes in the department; nexuses of illegal liquor businessmen and some bureaucrats at Dispur are trying to make the new online system dysfunctional

A Screenshot of the official website of Department of Excise, Government of Assam

Continued from page 1

The services According to a liquor licensee, all work after 29th April is being done online and all the services are available online. Previously, according to the licensee who talked to G Plus in anonymity, to get any work done, bribes had to be paid to the excise officials but now it is not possible. The licensee said that all the services like license renewal, all kinds of permits, excise pass, transport pass, import/export permission, label registration, new license application, payments of various fees like renewal fees, permit fees etc, ad valerian levy, excise duty and all other services are available online. He said that previously many people used to put in a lot of black money in the liquor business but it is not possible now because for any payments to the excise department the account number has to be registered online and the account number has to be of the licensee. So the money invested in the business can be tracked now. Excise PRO Shailendra Pandey, talking to G Plus said, “There is no chance of any scam now as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s digital India dream is fulfilled in the state excise department in the truest form and everything

is online now.” He said that everything can be tracked and any request made by any applicant or any licensee is processed within a fraction of minutes. He said that against such news about counterfeiting transport challans, etc which was possible because the challans were

also said that all the requests are tracked on an hourly basis and if any officer is not processing any request he is directly answerable to the commissioner or the minister of excise. He said till now, on an average, 500 requests are processed online daily and the system has put an end to red-tapism.

highly placed source in the excise department said that during the Congress regime some bureaucrats had planned to create an online portal aided by World Bank and the budget for just studying the viability of the online project was Rs 25 crores. produced manually, the challans are now produced digitally and everything is accounted for. He said that once the request is made online the request goes to the district excise superintendent. After it is processed it goes to the commissioner office; it is further processed there and the applicant receives the required document which is used for the business legally. In the process footfall in the excise office has reduced and people have no reason to give or take bribes. He

The PRO said that the total cost for developing the online portal was just Rs 20 lakhs.

Rs 25 crores VS Rs 20 lakhs A highly placed source in the excise department, talking to G Plus, said that during the Congress regime some bureaucrats had planned to create an online portal aided by World Bank and the budget for just studying the viability of the online project was Rs 25 crores. Since the last three years the study was still on and

nothing much had happened. The source said that the present excise minister, along with the excise commissioner, contacted AMTRON and asked them to create a portal and convert all the excise work to digital. The source said the online portal was created within three months and now it is operational. This has helped in saving a huge amount of money. The source said that the present upgradation of the department digitally with a small amount of money is a big achievement and has helped in breaking all nexuses of people involved in various illegal business processes. A licensee said that while processing any requests in paying the VAT the excise portal automatically directs the applicant towards the sales tax department portal for the required payment. But the sales tax department portal still creates a problem as most of the time it is not working.

The nexuses A source in the excise department said that like Rajesh Jalan, the man who duped the excise department of crores of rupees by producing fake excise challans, many liquor barons want to make money by similar illegal business processes. The source said that there is always a nexus with the government officials and there are many officials sitting in Dispur who get their cuts from these illegal businessmen. He said it’s just that Rajesh Jalan was caught and the others are still not in the net but the new online system has put an end to such illegal businesses and therefore the lobby of such businessmen and the government officials are trying their best to get rid of the online system. The source said that the excise minister is aware of the scenario and has planned a video conference with the DCs of all the districts on 30th June so that he can ask all the DCs to strictly implement the new digital methods of business in the department. The source said that the video conference on 30th June will be crucial as the minister has planned various things which will help in ending all kinds of illegal works in the department. The source said that

in the month of May of the year 2016-17 there was 2.3% growth in excise revenue whereas in May of 2017-18 there has been 32% growth; in June of 2017-18 the department is expecting a 40% growth. The source said that in spite of 50% retail licenses getting closed because of the Supreme Court road safety order, the department has registered huge revenue growth because of online system and even the license holders are happy as they do not have to visit the excise offices and pay bribes. But the nexuses with vested interests are working hard to make sure that the online system collapses so that they can again start generating illegal money. n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

City

City coaching institutes pushing students to crack NEET/JEE exams

Coaching institutes in the city have an effective role to train students in cracking the entrances examinations for IIT/NEET

Representative image of students at a coaching class

Juthika Baruah juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

he competition among students to crack the entrance examinations at the national levels is intense. The declaration of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) results has shown that the city students have not done outstandingly in cracking this entrance examination. NEET is a national level entrance test organized for admissions into MBBS and BDS courses and its results were declared on 23rd June. Although there are many professional courses that have come up, students who top the HSLC and Higher Secondary exams mostly opt for medical and engineering careers and therefore the competition among students to crack the examination is intense so much so that they take admission in coaching institutes after passing HSLC itself. The business of coaching institutes has boomed in the city to groom the students to get into the better medical and engineering colleges of the country. Kunal Kumar, Manager of Catalyst Coaching Institute, said that the performance of

the students this year is better compared to last year. “We prepare the students according to their need. We prepare the students for entrance of medical and engineering parallel with the board exams. One of our students has secured 97% in the board exams and is among the toppers in Guwahati and at the same time he has also cracked NEET. Coaching helps students from all sides as they can bring in good results in the board exams and it also helps them in cracking the entrance examinations,” said Kunal. Another coaching institute, Atom Institute, provides coaching only in the subject of Chemistry and this year one of its students got 145 marks out of 180 which is the highest in northeast. In JEE Advance one student got 80 marks which is again the highest in northeast. “The overall performance is good but as we are an institute teaching only chemistry and our emphasis is more on that subject. If a student secures good marks in chemistry then his overall performance is good. The students are selected based on merit and we calculate the CGPI. If any student comes to Atom he or she should be benefitted from our institute. Therefore we conduct

an exam for the students to get admitted in our institute,” said Manisha Agarwala of Atom Institute. Coaching classes teach students how to do study. But it is up to the students to understand and rrealize ‘why’ they want to pursue a particular course. Why does one want to clear JEE/ NEET or get in the best engineering/medical colleges of the country? A student with a clear answer to this question will always be charged up and nothing can stop them from trying harder and harder to achieve his or her goal. It’s that same ‘why’ that will ignite the fire in them. For some it might be their parent’s dream, while for others it might be the brand IIT. It can be anything. “Once you have your reason, an effective planning will always help you stand out in the crowd. There are lakhs of students studying day in and day out to achieve the same dream. This fact might scare you a lot. But I will show you a different angle which helped me. I agree that there are lakhs of students fighting for one seat. But I had developed a mentality that I would solve as many questions as I could and try to get as many marks as I could. I never bore in mind that there were

lakhs of students and how would I beat them all. This way I never felt the tension in my head and I used to give my tests peacefully. No silly mistakes made and I achieved what I deserved. I also used to do one more thing. Many of my friends had the habit that as soon as they received the paper in their hands, they would start solving from the very first question. My advice to you is to take out 2 minutes just to have a look at the entire paper once and to pick up the easy questions first. Presence of mind is very important and smart work pays more than hard work,” said Ashwani Kr. Singh, MD of CPMB while speaking to G Plus. Singh said that there often exists a question about what topics one should work hard on. Well, it’s JEE and so the entire course matters. “I had a very strong hold on my favorite topics and practiced them so well that I answered almost all the questions in JEE. Your favorite topics are the ones that will set your score high. Practice them to perfection. But don’t give up on other topics. Everything is important and you never know what can come up,” Singh said. Singh said that very few students crack JEE or NEET; it is only 1% from the northeast. The main reasons why students cannot crack JEE/NEET are that there are too many distractions, lack of study plan, unique style of the exam, lack of proper mentoring and failure to develop an examination temperament. Abhishek Barooah, proprietor of Spectrum Eduventure, said that the students of Assam secured very low marks except for a few. “Study is important but along with that, their grooming is important. There are very less numbers of students who crack the entrance examinations for medical and engineering compared to the national scenario.” Moreover, 38 students have got 400 marks from Lalan Coaching Institute. Director of the Institute, Lalan Kumar, said that they make the students practice more question papers so that they get the idea about the question patterns which also helps them to crack the medical or engineering examination. He

said that it is true that very few students from NE crack the entrance examination and the reason for this is that the practice of answering question papers is less among the students. It is not that the students are bad and so don’t qualify but it is due to less practice. This needs to be increased and our institute emphasizes on it. Abhijit Dutta, CEO of Concept Eduventures Pvt. Ltd however said that it is not that there are lesser students from northeast who crack the entrance examination for JEE/NEET. In other states the number of students who appear for entrance is very high compared to northeast or Assam. “Our students are balancing both Board exams as well as for the entrance exams. A student from our institute, Raktim, secured 97% in Board exams and also cracked JEE Mains and Advance. The students are doing pretty well. We also motivate our students to crack the examinations and rather than pressurize we motivate them to study. We also invite alumni and other personalities from the education sector who can motivate them with extra sessions other than studies,” said Dutta. n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Concern

30% of cancer in Assam is of head and neck

study by a team of researchers from Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati has shown that improving the present educational levels of our population will lower the burden of head and neck cancers (HNC) in the state. The study demonstrated improvement of educational levels of patients lowered the relative proportion of patients addicted to tobacco consumption in any form and thus it will lead to a theoretical decline in the proportion of HNC patients. This was a hospital-based study which included 1428 head and neck cancer patients diagnosed during June 2014 to December 2014. The term head and neck cancer covers a broad spectrum of anatomical sites of the mouth and throat. Globally, more than 6 lakh cases of head and neck cancers are diagnosed each year. In India and in the state of Assam in particular, around 30% of all cancers are HNC. Chewable tobacco and betel nut consumption is a customary habit among the different ethnic and socio-cultural groups of this part of the country which accounts for the higher number of mouth cancer patients from the region. According to Dr. Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of BBCI, imparting education on the ill-effects and various hazards of tobacco consumption as part of school curriculum is a way forward to curb the menace of tobacco. Dr. Kataki appreciated the efforts of the State Education Department to start sensitization programs in schools and colleges against consumption of tobacco including zarda, gutkha etc. It is also the responsibility of our society to impose a strict ban on the sale of tobacco to school-going students, stated Dr.Kataki. Dr. Manigreeva Krishnatreya, corresponding author of the study, has said that although the findings from the present study may not be generalized, but it is significant in the context of our population. Dr. Krishnatreya further stated that raising education status will be a major tool to bring down tobacco consumption rates, especially chewable tobacco consumption in our state which is directly related to oral cancers. The study has been published in the Clinical Cancer Investigation Journal, an international journal. Dr. Jagannath Dev Sharma, Professor of Pathology and Principal Investigator of Hospital-based and Population-based Cancer Registries at BBCI, Dr. Rajjyoti Das, Assistant Professor of Head and Neck Oncology, Dr. Nizara Baishya and Mr. Manoj Kalita of Cancer Registry were co-authors of the present study. n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Business

Impending GST regime precipitates heavy discounts in online/offline stores A team from G Plus visited a number of malls in the city to compare the end-of-season sale with their online counterparts and found that the situation was essentially a shopper’s dream come true

A shopping mall in Guwahati

Sushmita Dey Continued from page 1 kicks in. No different is the case with Amazon. With the shopaholics going gaga over the attractive online offers and discounts, the malls of Guwahati have also given out heavy discount on sales to give a hard competition to the online shopping sites. To take note of the whole thing, when G Plus visited the leading malls of Guwahati, the sale fever was not missed. Big Bazaar was offering 50% off on both women’s western and ethnic wears, 40% discount on footwear, flat 30% off on Ivory Tag hand bags, special offers of Ivory Tag sunglasses, buy 1 get 1

free on Ivory Tag jewellery section. Offer on daily use churidars were 3 for Rs. 799 and 2 for Rs. 599. Similarly, attractive offers were noticed in the men’s fashion section also. Buying Lee Cooper jeans worth Rs. 1990-Rs. 1999, they were giving a free T-shirt worth Rs. 499, 2 Polo T-shirts for 699 worth Rs 499 each, 2 Tees for Rs. 499, buying any Buffalo item, a free pair of buffalo sunglass worth Rs. 1690, buy one get one jeans worth Rs. 1499, Rs. 200 off on Lee Copper jeans worth Rs. 1490 or Rs. 1499. Similar was the scene in Reliance Trends. Every section was offering discounts of 40-50%. G Plus visited the Pantaloons showroom in the newly construct-

ed Roodraksh Mall. One of the customers’ attendants gave us an insight to the entire discount areas. Sale signage of 50%, 30% and 20% were prominently visible, besides buy 2 get 2 offers on brands, 50% discount on bags, 50% discount on cosmetics, buy 1 get 1 jewellery offer, buy 2 get 1 and buy 3 get 2 on W brand, 20% discount on Sarah jewellery items. “Most of the time, people find online mode of shopping easier to find things because of the filtering and sorting options available. We often waste a lot of time looking for stuff in the malls. There might also be times when we won’t even find what we are looking for. If we have to roam around in the malls

looking for our desired stuff, in online shopping also we have to wait for 4/5 days in Guwahati to get our product delivered,” said Abhijit Sharma, a random shopper at Big Bazaar, Guwahati. G Plus visited the W’s showroom in Bhangagarh where offers like buy 1 get 20% off was there which was quite less than the online deal of W whereas Myntra and Jabong were offering 30-50% discount. Talking to sales officials of Puma, it was known that they are offering a discount of flat 50% where online outlets are offering discounts up to 70%. Now the question arises: why such difference between the two modes of shopping? Some of the commercial experts hold the view that retail stores, malls or showrooms do not or cannot offer the same deals in their brick and mortar stores as the online stores because there is a huge cost attached in running an establishment. Factors such as rent, electricity, payroll, fixtures and shrinkage loss all contribute to the gross margin and overheads of doing business in a shopping centre. But when we talk of costs on online outlets, they just need warehouses to stock their products. When G Plus had a conversation with one of the Biba showrooms in Guwahati, we were told, “We never compete with online shopping sites. They are doing what is viable for them; we are doing what is viable for us.” But the fact remains that if one

is getting a product worth Rs. 2000 and the same product at a discount of 60% online, the cost of the same product comes to only Rs. 800 making it pretty obvious that one would go for the online purchase. Yet, there are people who prefer offline over online. Since tangibility is not there in online shopping, it is not possible to check the product’s quality by touching the product. “Many a time, it has happened with me that the colour that was shown online was completely different from the product that I received,” said Kakoli Phukan, a random shopper in Guwahati. Retail outlets are at the edge because buyers are offended by factors like fitting and colour issues, extra shipping charge, defective products and privacy issues. Apart from these, shopping with friends or family helps in socialisation. “I am a big online shopper but one thing I have to admit. Earlier I used to go out with my mother and sister to shop and it was really fun when we explored shop after shop, had pani puris and ice creams while coming back home. I miss those days because I am totally hooked to online shopping now,” said Sreeparna Dutta, a resident of Guwahati. Stores can gain an edge if they go online. The growth of e-commerce has been posing a serious threat to brick and mortar stores. Having both physical and business edge over online will act as a silver lining for the offline stores. n

E-way bill rules & format to take a few more months As the GST council is still working on the rules and format of e-way bill, the tax department provides alternative options to the check posts for checking the consignments carrying goods worth Rs 50000 or more G Plus News

s the GST is going to be implemented with effect from 1st July, the movement of goods consignments valued at Rs 50,000 and above will be commenced with the generation of e-way bill by every registered person who causes movement of goods. According to a notification issued by the office of the Commissioner of Taxes, Assam to the Superintendent of Taxes at all check points, the process of rules and format of e-way bill is under process by the GST Council and

may take two to three more months for actual introduction. So what is the option now? According to the notification of which G Plus managed to receive a copy, the tax department is working to design and implement an alternative model like ‘Inward Permit’ of GST to regulate the movement of goods during the initial transitional period till the e-way bill is introduced. The notification said that the departmental work is going on and it might take 5–7 days for smooth operation. Till 5th July, an alternative procedure is pre-

scribed. The alternative procedures According to the notification the vehicle which will arrive at the check post on 1st July will be understood to have entered under VAT regime and therefore the tax officials will insist on the documents as prescribed under Rule 41 (9) of the Assam Value Added Tax rule, 2005 till the new procedure is prescribed under GST by the state government. The notification said that in case the vehicle commences the movement with consignment and invoice under GST from 1st July,

the tax officials at the check post will record the GSTIN numbers of consignors and consignees, name and style of business with address, invoice number, consignment note number, other documents if any and send the information to the jurisdictional officer for information and necessary action. For the movement of goods outside the state, the notification said that the check post officials will insist on TCC, dispatch notes, bill of sale as prescribed under the Assam VAT Act, if the consignment is carried under VAT regime.

The inter-state movements The notification said that under GST regime, in inter-state movement, the check post officials will record GSTIN number, invoice copy, consignment note and send the details to the jurisdictional officer. So the movement will not be affected if the GST regime is not implemented at the check posts, but shockingly the government should have at least been ready with the E-way bill format and other procedures as the GST will be implemented from 1st July. n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Health

MCI directs physicians to prescribe drugs by their generic names; order in force in city The MCI reiterated its 2016 directive a few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on putting in place a legal framework to ensure that doctors prescribe low cost generic medicines to patients

Representative image of medicines

Juthika Baruah juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

he highly suspected nexus between doctors and pharmaceutical companies will now come to a definitive end as the Medical Council of India (MCI) has instructed doctors to adhere to its guidelines of prescribing drugs by their generic names. The MCI has also asked the medical practitioners to ensure that they provide rational prescriptions and failure to adhere to its order will invite strict disciplinary action against the errant doctors. Clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 was amended in 2016 and notified in the Gazette of India on 21st September, 2016 which states, “Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and they shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs.” All the registered medical practitioners under the IMC Act are directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions of the regulations without fail. The MCI reiterated its 2016 directive a few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on putting in place a legal framework to ensure that doctors prescribe low cost generic medicines

to patients. “The MCI has taken a good step as patients suffer a lot while buying medicines. They have to ignore the prices, however high they may be, because the necessity of the medicines cannot be discounted irrespective of its prices. The doctors always write the brand name and the patients have to buy only that particular medicine although there are hundreds of medicines with the same composition with huge difference in prices. The doctors write the brand name as they have some tacit understanding with the companies like, if a doctor can give a sale of Rs. 1 lakh then the company will offer 30% to the doctor’s monthly income which is called Propaganda Company,” said President of Assam Medicine Dealers’ Association NL Agarwala, while speaking to G Plus. However, according to Dr. Bikash Rai Das, Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, GNRC Hospital, in India there are hardly any original drugs discovered. Most of the drugs the doctors prescribe are actually copies of the original drug. That way, these drugs are actually “branded generic.” “Generic medicines bear only the name of the molecule and don’t bear any brand name. Therefore, they are cheap. But, the quality of these generic medicines is always doubtful if not procured from a reputed company since they don’t have to protect any name as such. It’s like buying a shirt either from

the roadside stall at Fancy Bazar or from a Levis store. Obviously Levis will guarantee a certain quality for fear of going out of business if it provides a poor quality garment. Here it doesn’t mean that the shirt which you have bought from the

neric medicines since they are still not confident about the quality of the generic medicines. The quality assurance and quality control maintained at these manufacturing plants are not stringently regulated by the government at present. Once that is made certain, doctors will not hesitate to prescribe the generic medicines in a bigger way. Till that time the government shouldn’t force the doctors to prescribe only the generic names. Similarly, doctors should also take the patient’s preference and economic condition into consideration before writing a branded drug. But at present both generic and branded medicines have roles to play in the present health scenario,” stated Dr. Das. According to the doctor, accessibility to quality affordable medicines has always been a major cause of concern in India. To provide quality drugs at low cost to the common man always has been a challenge for everyone. A generic drug is a bioequivalent of a drug with a brand name, also called an innovator drug. It may look differ-

neric medicines as far as possible. Generic medicines are more affordable versions of branded medicines sold by companies,” the doctor added. Over the past couple of years, there have been a slew of efforts to curb unethical marketing practices followed by pharma companies, end the use of branded drugs and bring down the prices of medicines. Though the government has opened the retail store “Jan Aushadhi,” which market generic medicines in certain states, availability of quality generic medicines is a huge concern. “Doctors are of the view that the focus should be on the quality of the drugs prescribed. For the benefit of patients and to get the best possible results, highest quality drugs with best possible pharmacological properties should be used by all doctors. If the quality of generic drugs is of high standard, doctors should prescribe generic medicines. The medical fraternity fears that this directive on generic medicines can’t be incorporated unless stricter quality control

Differences in prices of some drugs Name of Medicine

Dosage

Average Market Price of Branded Medicines (Rs)

Price of Generic Medicines (Rs)

Ciprofloxacin

250mg

Ciprofloxacin

500mg

Diclofenac SR

100mg

Cetrizine

10mg

Paracetamol

500mg

Nimesulide

100mg

Cough Syrup

110ml

roadside stall at Fancy Bazar is of low quality. But chances are high that it might turn out to be a bad purchase since the company which manufactured it doesn’t have a brand name to protect,” Dr. Das said. The doctor stated that same thing goes for medicines also. Yes, the branded medicines are expensive and should always be prescribed judiciously. Obviously the patient has a choice to choose what is best for them. “Doctors are a little hesitant to prescribe the ge-

ent from the innovator drug but will have the same properties. Generic medicines cost 30%-60% less than branded drugs. A branded drug can be 10 times more expensive than a generic variant sometimes. “The union government and regulatory bodies appear to be serious in ending the pharma-doctor nexus and curb unethical marketing practices. In its latest effort, the Medical Council of India has directed doctors, hospitals and medical colleges to prescribe ge-

norms are in place. Measures are needed to build confidence about the efficacy of non-branded medicines if they are to compete with multinational drugs that now enjoy a near monopoly,” said the doctor. However, Joint Director of Directorate of Health Services, Kamrup (M), Ganesh Saikia said that the circular has already been implemented in Guwahati and it has been instructed to the physicians to prescribe generic medicines to the patients. n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

City

Ghy has a mere 34 bus shelters; GMC dreams of adding more

The city of Guwahati has a mere 34 bus shelters to the hundreds of bus stoppages which is hopelessly inadequate; some routes and areas like AK Azad Road, AT Road and Zoo-Narengi Road have never seen bus shelters in their vicinities

No bus stoppages on AK Azad Road | G Plus Photo

Kalyan Deb kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

aiting for a bus at a Guwahati bus stoppage is usually an arduous task. While many of us take shelter only to escape the scorching heat of the sun or the drizzles and downpours bus shelters are used for various purposes besides waiting for buses to arrive. Sidestepping is a rather common sight when it comes to a commuter and his bus shelter. The big question today is: are bus shelters an unwanted luxury for the people of Guwahati of is it the lack of appropriate number of bus shelters that plays a vital role in Guwahatians not getting used to the habit of using bus shelters and rather flagging down a bus to board it? As per figures acquired from the transport department, there are a mere 34 bus shelters existing in Guwahati which certainly falls far short of the requirement of the city’s commuters. Moreover, there are several major routes where bus shelters never existed. One such route is Rehabari-Lokhra where there are neither any designated bus stoppages nor any bus shelters. Defined as Route No 9 and 10, the bus route covers the stoppages from Kachari to ISBT and buses travel via Paltanbazar, Nepali Mandir, Rehabari, Sarabbhati, Fatasil Ambari, Lal Ganesh, etc. While Route No 10 is restricted to Lokhra Chariali, Route No 9 extends up to ISBT via Gorchuk.

The Apathy Guwahati has been divided into 16 bus routes and apart from the three major routes viz. Mahapurush Srimanta Sankerdev Path (GS Road), GNB Road and RG Baruah Road, most routes of the city remain deprived of bus shel-

ters. The AK Azad Road that goes on to be termed as Lokhra Road is one such insufferable route. A journey by a city bus through the route explains it all as it consumes around 90 minutes to cover the distance of

9.4 kilometres. The lack of bus shelters in the route is a major reason that a commuter has to go through an excruciating journey in order to reach his or her destination. The sights at the Nepali Mandir bus stop say it all where passengers, buses and other vehicles clog the junction causing massive snarls. Meanwhile, most commuters opt for the share-taxies (Tata Magic) which help them reach their destination in lesser time. “I have to travel everyday to bring my children from school and most of the time I opt for the shared taxis and there is no fixed time that buses reach their stoppages. Moreover, they take a considerable time to travel from one stoppage to another. The buses do not move

from Nepali Mandir until they are full with passengers and they stop every 100 metres to pick up or drop passengers,” said Nirmali Sarkar, a regular commuter of Lokhra Road and a resident of Colony Bazaar. It was also mentioned that although the shared taxies also do the same they consume lesser time and are the preferred mode of transportation over city buses. A senior citizen of the area mentioned that the culture of flagging down a bus still persists as there is no designated stoppage in the route. “One can board a bus at any desired place; you only have to wave at the buses or the shared taxies. There is ample amount of space on the entire stretch and it can also be considered as one of

Differences in prices of some drugs Route number 1 2 3

Destination Basishta Mandir to Garpandu Bus stand (Adabari) via Ganeshguri, Zoo Road, Chandmari, Kachari, Bharalumukh, Maligaon Basishta Mandir to Garpandu Bus stand (Adabari) Via Basishta Chariali, Beltola Tiniali, Super Market, Ganeshguri flyover, Bhangagarh, A.T. Road, Bharalumukh, Maligaon Garpandu Bus stand (Adabari) to Lal Ganesh Via Maligaon, Kachari, Guwahati Club, Chandmari, Ganeshguri Chariali, Ganesh mandir, Kahilipara

Notboma to Garpandu Bus stand (Adabari) Via Hatigaon Chariali, Ganeshguri, Zoo Road, Guwahati Club, Kachari, Bharalumukh, Maligaon

Garpandu Bus stand (Adabari) to Satgaon Via maligaon Chariali, Bharalumukh, Kachari, Guwahati Club, Zoo Road Tiniali, Geetamandir, Narengi

Narengi to Khanamukh Via Noonmati, Chandmari, Guwahati Club, Uzanbazar, Kachari, Maligaon, Garpandu, Jalukbari

Forest gate to Chandrapur (Ghubhali) Via Narengi, Bonda, Pani Khaiti, Chandrapur College Tiniali

Ayurvedic College to Panjabari Via Jalukbari, Maligaon, Bharalumukh, Guwahati Club, Zoo Road, Ganeshguri, Sixmile

Kachari to ISBT Via Paltanbazar, Nepali Mandir, Sarabbhati, Fatashil Ambari, Garchuk

Kachari to ISBT Via Paltanbazar, Nepali Mandir, Rehabari, Lal Ganesh, Lokhra Chariali

Church Field to Kamakhya Mandir Via Bharalumukh, Kamakhya Dham

Khanapara to Jalukbari Via NH37, Beltola Chariali, ISBT

Nine Mile to Church Field Via Khanapara, Ganeshguri, Bhangagarh, Paltanbazar, Pani Tanki

Adabari to Byrnihat Via Paltanbazar, Dispur, Khanapara, Jorabat

Jorabat to Kachari Via Khanapara, Sixmile, Narengi Tiniali, Geetamandir, Zoo Narengi Tiniali, Chandmari

Lalmati to Garpandu Bus stand (Adabari) Via Hatigaon Chariali, Ganeshguri, Bhangagarh, Paltanbazar, Bharalumukh

the broader roads of the city. My office used to be at RG Baruah Road and the traffic congestion on the road still exists but the story is different on Lokhra Road. We hardly face traffic jams and proper management and maintenance can provide productive results,” the senior citizen mentioned. He also added that if freed from encroachments and street vendors the sides of the roads can easily house bus shelters. People also expressed concern over the lack of a bus shelter at the Nepali Mandir bus stoppage which has been a long pending problem.

A possible solution Meanwhile, in order to address the problem, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) is conducting a survey on the bus stoppages of the city. The survey is being conducted jointly along with the traffic department in order to identify the bus stoppages and the number of possible bus shelters of Guwahati. While the survey is still in process it was mentioned that following the survey several policies will be taken in order to eradicate such problems. “We are currently incorporating a uniform system of bus shelters and we are jointly working with the traffic department. We are working for the bus shelters to be numbered and will eradicate the hazardous situation. At many points the bus shelters are just 200 metres apart whereas in several locations the bus shelters have vast distance between them. Meanwhile, the survey has been concluded and we will discuss several policies along with setting up bus shelters where they do not exist. Our prime focus is on putting a uniform structure by numbering the bus shelters and displaying the route numbers,” said Monalisa Goswami, Commissioner, GMC. It was also informed that several bus shelters have also been identified that require to be refurbished. Apart from the AK Azad Road and Lokhra Road, there are several other routes that lack bus shelters. NH 37, Zoo-Narengi Road, part of Mahapurush Damodardev Path (AT Road) and several others have never had bus shelters. Meanwhile, the survey might provide a ray of hope to develop Guwahati into a commuter-friendly city. The lack of land availability will be a major problem on some routes though. n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Crime

Police fails to solve GS Road crimes

The Dispur police have brought in three persons from Jakhalabandha apparently because the modus operandi of a crime there was similar to the Titan showroom heist in the city; the twin robberies in the city remain unsolved however police was informed that the previous night some miscreants broke the lock of the shutter of the watch showroom and decamped with watches worth Rs 75 lakhs. The employees of the showroom confirmed that watches worth Rs 75 lakhs had been stolen. A case was registered in Dispur police station (case number – 1429/17 under section 461/380 of IPC) and the police picked up one Raju Basfor from the Solapara area. Police sources said that Basfor was working in the showroom as a cleaner and was absent

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PRE-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP TO THE STUDENTS BELONGING TO THE NOTIFIED MINORITY COMMUNITIES FOR THE YEAR 2017-18

The Titan showroom at Christianbasti, which was robbed recently | G Plus Photo

Rahul Chanda rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

ecently, the Dispur police took into custody three suspects related to the GS Road Titan showroom robbery and brought three persons, Safikul Islam (28) of Hajo, Mannaf Ali (28) of Nalbari and Safikul Hussain (28) of Hajo. So is the Titan showroom robbery solved? What is the status of the MP Jewellers’ robbery case? The Bhangagarh OC was transferred after MP Jewellers’ robbery. Now has the new OC managed to get a lead? As the police have nabbed three suspects in the Titan showroom theft case, did the arrests help in any way to solve the case? G Plus takes a look.

The MP Jewellers case On 9 th May at around 6.45 pm four masked men entered the MP Jewellers showroom located at Post Office, Srimanta Sankar Dev Path and looted jewellery worth Rs 3.5 crores. The robbers had arms and one of them fired in the air thrice from a pistol to throw a scare into those present inside the shop. The police, after investigation, came to know that the private security guard of the jewellery shop, Prem Singh, was absent that day. The police tracked the guard to Hojai, his native place. Police arrested Prem Singh and his close associate Neelkamal Singh from Hojai and they were brought to Guwahati and interrogated in the Crime Branch. One Basanta Singh, relative of Prem Singh, was also picked up but later

only Prem and Neelkamal were forwarded to the court which sent them to 5-day police custody. Initially, there were rumours that Prem Singh was the mastermind of the robbery as his mother in-law was not well and he desperately required money. But later all these theories had to be debunked. The Bhangagarh OC was transferred after the incident and a new OC was brought in. Now it’s been around a month and a half and the police are yet to be in possession of any clue about the robbers. Sources in the police said that the crime branch is aggressively following the case but so far they are clueless regarding the identity of the robbers. There were also calculations that someone from inside the jewellery shop might have masterminded the crime. But till the police make another arrest and identify the exact culprit nothing can be said to be conclusive. So in one and a half months police have failed to solve a robbery case which took place in the heart of the city.

Titan showroom theft Recently, Jakhalabandha police arrested some suspects for robbing a shop in the area. Three people were arrested and the Dispur police brought all the three accused to the city for interrogation as, according to the police sources, the modus operandi of the theft which occurred in Jakhalabandha is similar to the theft which took place in the Titan showroom in Guwahati. On 7th June morning at around 10.30 am Dispur

room theft. Hence, the case remains unsolved as yet. Silchar MP Sushmita Dev had said that the kidnapped child of Assam University professor was found only because of public outcry on social media and the Assam police did not locate the child. Rather, the public did. She also said that the Silchar police have, till now, not been able to trace the kidnapper and so should not claim any credit. All this just goes to show that Assam Police have recently failed to prove their mettle. n

for the previous two days. The police case in-charge, when questioned, said that Basfor had not been arrested but only detained and similarly many other employees of the showroom were being questioned. The detention of Basfor shed no light on the incident and the police were not able to find the actual culprits. After the three recent arrests G Plus talked to Dispur police sources and they informed that the interrogation process is still on. The trio so far has not confessed to any involvement in the Titan show-

Fresh and Renewal applications under Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme for the year 2017-18 are invited through Online from the students of notified minority communities studying in Class I to Class X. From 2017-18, the online implementation of Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme will be done through National Scholarship Portal (NSP) of the Government of India under URL www.scholarships.gov.in. A link to the site is also made available in the website of the Ministry of Minority Affairs i.e. www.minorityaffairs.gov.in. The detailed guidelines of the Scholarship Scheme and the standard operation procedure with the timelines are available on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Only online application under the scheme will be accepted and no request for offline applications will be entertained. Before applying online students are advised to read the guidelines and FAQs available on the website. The timeline of Pre-Matric Scholarship (Fresh and Renewal) scheme is given below: SI No.

Activities

Submission of Online applications for Fresh scholarship by students Submission of Online applications for Renewal scholarship by students

Date 1st June to 31st August 2017 1ST June to 31st July, 2017

The Bank Account Number of applicants must be in his/her name. The Bank Account Number, IFSC etc must be correct while applying online. ELIGIBILITY: 1. Pre-Matric Scholarship will be awarded to the students of Class I to Class X who have secured not less th an 50% marks in the previous final examination and annual income of their parents/guardian from all sources does not exceed Rs. 1 lakh. Scholarship will not be given to more than two students from a family. 2.

30% of scholarship will be earmarked for girl students. In case sufficient number of eligible girl students is not available, then the balance earmarked scholarships may be awarded to eligible boy students.

The student obtaining benefits under this scheme shall not be allowed to avail of benefits under any other scheme for this purpose. It is mentioned here that, the institutional Head will keep the Online application (Hard copy) along with supporting documents from the students. After receiving Online applications from the students they will login t o the Institute and verify / approve the Online applications. For more details visit the website www.scholarships.gov.in and www.minorityaffairs.gov.in. Sd/Director, Assam Minorities Development Board And Nodal Officer, Pre-Matric Scholarships, Assam R.G.B. Road, Ganeshguri, Guwahati-06 Contact No.: 9859390635 Janasanyog 809/17

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Snippets

USD 35 million WB loan for “Assam State Public Financial Institutional Reforms Project”

n agreement for IBRD Credit of USD 35 million from World Bank for “Assam State Public Financial Institutional Reforms Project” was signed at New Delhi. The agreement was signed by Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. John Blomquist, Acting Country Director, World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank. The Im-

plementing Entity Agreement was signed by Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Department of Finance, on behalf of Government of Assam, and the Country Director (India) on behalf of the World Bank. The programme size is USD 44 million, of which USD 35 million will be financed by the Bank, and the remaining amount will be funded out of the state budget. The programme duration is 5 years.

The objective of the project is to improve predictability and transparency in budget execution and efficiency in tax administration in Assam. The project will benefit the citizens of Assam through efficient processes, enhanced transparency and better service delivery (such as electronic payments and collections for services, better public procurement, and enhanced taxpayer services) provided by public institutions. n

Sonowal directs immediate disbursal of pension after retirement

o give succour to government employees superannuating, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal instructed the Directorate of Pension to disburse pension immediately after retirement. While chairing a meeting of Pension Department at the conference room of his office in Janata Bhawan on Thursday, Chief Minister Sonowal asked the Director of Pension to remove all slackness and ensure disbursal of pension immediately after an employee retires from service. Sonowal also directed the Pension Department to formulate a comprehensive method comprising an exhaustive list featuring the names of the retirees one year ahead and asking them to

submit their documents at least six month before retirement. He also asked the Director to set up an exclusive cell which would specially deal with disbursal of pension related cases at an early date. Sonowal also asked the Di-

rector to initiate discussion with employees’ organisations to thrash out all encumbrances responsible for delaying the disbursal of pension. If necessary, Sonowal also asked the Pension Directorate to organise awareness meetings. n

Solar Power projects to address shortfall of electricity in Assam

Mobile phones banned in APSC Examination halls

hief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal asked the Power Department to formulate a comprehensive policy for harnessing solar power in the state to ensure uninterrupted power supply to all villages and towns in the state. He has also asked the department to put in place a complaint box to address the grievances of the consumers on a priority basis. The CM has taken this step to address the shortfall of electricity. Informing that the state has been receiving proposals from the prospective investors for setting up solar power projects in the state, the process has hit the roadblock in the absence of a well laid out policy for solar power, Sonowal added. Expressing concern over the

reported deaths in the city flash floods due to electrocution, Sonowal also asked the department to carry out a survey to inspect the status of transformer, wire etc in Guwahati as well other areas to avert recurrence of such incidents. He also asked the concerned authority to initiate the process for filling up the vacant posts to lend momentum to the department. Sonowal also took stock of the progress of the work relating to Deendayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Scheme and asked has asked the additional chief secretary along with other higher officials to plug all loopholes including slackness from the contractors to illuminate all the un-electrified villages on a war footing. n

n an order released by the District Administration, Additional Commissioner Pulak Mahanta has banned the usage of mobile phones in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) examination halls, on 2nd July, Sunday. According to the order, the usage of mobile phones and other electronic appliances are restricted in all the 43 venues of the district. The other gadgets which will be restricted inside the examination halls are pagers, bluetooth devices, headphones, calculators etc.

City hosts NE DGsP/IGsP meet

hief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday inaugurated the 24th conference of Director Generals of Police (DGsP) and Inspector Generals of Police (IGsP) and Heads of Central Police Organizations of the north-eastern region at Assam Administrative Staff College. Speaking at the occasion, Sonowal announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid emphasis to improve the security scenario in the northeast while making an all out effort to promote all round development in the region and the national level DGsP/IGsP conference held at Guwahati in 2014, first ever outside Delhi, indicated the Centre’s commitment to improve the security scenario of the region. Sonowal also said that in a region like northeast India which is inhabited by diverse ethnic, linguistic and religious groups, it is the police forces which provide a sense of confidence to the people and allay their fears over security. Stating that ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikash’ must be the guiding principle in building a unified approach

in crime fighting among the security agencies of the NE region with better intelligence sharing among the states, Sonowal informed that Assam government is initiating measures to build a smart police force as advocated by the Prime Minister for enabling efficient law and order management with the help of technology and meet modern day challenges. “Conferences like these help in creating better synergy between the police forces of all states and different security agencies which would help in formulating effective plan for security preparedness and modern technology must be utilized for better policing.” Sonowal added. Chief Secretary VK Pipresenia and Director General of Assam Police, Mukesh Sahay, who also spoke on the occasion, advocated setting up of North East Police Force for better coordination in managing crime in the entire NE region by a single force and better security mechanism at inter-state borders for reducing crimes like arms and drugs trafficking, insurgent movements and they also underlined the role of police in disaster management. n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Snippets

Biometric devices to detect foreigners

he Assam Police is expected to introduce nearly 30 hand-held biometric devices aimed at capturing photo and finger print of suspected illegal foreigners by the end of this year even as nearly 41,000 declared foreigners of post-1971 stream continue to evade arrest. The instant finger print registration and identity verification

system is being introduced for Border Police as a measure to put a check on the vanishing act of the illegal migrants and also to enable the border staff to match the identity of any suspected foreigner if he or she is caught at a later stage. The process of creating an exclusive database is expected to start by the end of this year with the Mumbai-based firm Zebra

Company being assigned to execute the project. Director General of Assam Police Border Organization RM Singh, when asked, said that after capturing the picture and finger prints of suspected Bangladeshi nationals by the biometric device, the data would be sent and stored in a central server maintained at the head office of the Assam Police Border Organisation here. Explaining the significance of the project, Singh said once the picture and finger prints are stored digitally, it would be easier to track down the illegal migrants evading arrest. Source at the Assam Police headquarters here also said that once the central database is created, photographs and fingerprints of the suspected or declared foreigners could be shared with various law-enforcing agencies at the click of the mouse. n

Sonowal asks DGP to strengthen criminal tracking network system

n a move to empower Assam Police with technological solutions and criminal intelligence for increasing its efficiency, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has asked the Director General of Police to ensure that no slack-

ness creeps in while connecting all police stations in the state with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS). CCTNS is a comprehensive and integrated system that enables easy sharing of information

among police stations across the country. At a meeting held in the conference room of his office at Janata Bhawan on Wednesday, the Chief Minister asked DGP Mukesh Sahay to ensure that the state police is fully empowered with crime and criminal tracking network system for real-time sharing of crime records and investigation of crime and criminal activities. Sonowal also asked the DGP to introduce a police helpline along the national highways in the state and make the helpline No 100 more active and responsive for police assistance to reach out to people in distress. Sonowal also asked the home department to revamp the system for making functioning of police more citizen-friendly and transparent by automating the functioning of police stations.

Assamese sound designer invited as Oscar jury member

t is a dream for every artist to be a part of the prestigious Oscar Awards. But for Amrit Pritam, the sound designer from Assam, it has just turned into a reality. Amrit Pritam from Jorhat, who has worked as a sound designer in popular Bollywood movies like PK, English Vinglish, Ra One, and Kaabil has been invited to be a jury member for the prestigious Oscar Awards. Amrit was also associated in the sound production team of the Oscar winning film,

Slumdog Millionaire. Though the date of the event is yet to be finalised, the organisers of Oscar have unanimously selected the list of jury members who will decide the winners of the award from different categories. And it is a matter of pride that the votes of an Assamese will decide the Oscar winners this time. Amrit is one of the 744 jury members who have been nominated for this esteemed position. Amrit shares the list with some of the other notable Indian ce-

lebrities, viz, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Aishwarya Rai. It is to be noted that this is the second association of Amrit with the Oscars. Speaking on the achievement Amrit said, “Oscar is a pride, and I am extremely grateful and proud for getting a chance to be associated with this event. I am happy that my work has been recognised and it has somehow brought glory and pride for the entire state.” n

Interrogation of APSC invigilators

ith further progress in the APSC Scam, 27 invigilators of APSC examinations were grilled by the team investigating the Assam Public Service Commission cashfor-job scam, here on Thursday. Police had summoned some 38 invigilators to depose before the team in connection with the probe. All of them were reportedly invigilators of the 2014 APSC examinations held in several colleges here, said a police officer. The invigilators were asked to record their statements to confirm the findings of the investigation by the team, as informed by the police sources. They were called for as witnesses in the case and were reportedly allowed to leave after their signature samples were col-

lected. According to sources, the invigilators, whose signatures were found in the seized APSC answer scripts, were summoned. A few are yet to appear before the investigating team. So far, Dibrugarh Police has seized over 1,200 answer scripts from the strong room of the APSC office. Mukesh Sahay, DGP, Assam Police, said, “The investigation is on the right track. Every step of the probe has been taken in a scientific manner.” Previously, at least 26 state government officials, including 13 civil servants and six police officials appointed through APSC selection procedure, had gone through a ‘handwriting test’ at the Assam Police Special Branch headquarters here. n

Flood hit schools to get free essentials

he Kamrup (M) district administration has decided to provide books and essential school supplies to students affected by the recent flash floods in the city. Reportedly, authorities from the education department have instructed the school heads of Guwahati to receive applications from students who have lost their study materials during the recent floods. The district administration

will supply books, copies and bags to the affected students in phases. “The stocks are limited. But still we will try our best to provide the essential study materials to the flood-affected students so that loss of books and copies doesn’t hamper the course of their study,” said officials from the department. Education authorities have also sought an assessment of the damage caused by floods from school administrations. n

#Summer #Sparx #KindleYourSkills #Fun #MakeYourHeadway

8th, 10th, 11th & 12th of July Age group

Activity

Timing

Let's Narrate

9:OO AM-10:30 AM

(Class 1 - 5)

Let's Confer

10:30 AM-2:00 PM

(Class 6 - 10)

Registration forms available at:

For further queries: 7002331351, 7002803065, 7002809848, 9854514438 Channel Partner

Radio Partner

Print Partner

Digital Partner

(Certificates will be handed out at the end of the workshop)

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

City

International public speaking club opens in city

International Baseball Championship in Guwahati

Sukanya Kar

ommunication is the backbone of our society. It allows us to form connections, influence decisions, and inspire people towards a change for the better. Bereft of communication skills, the capacity to progress in the professional world and in life itself would be nearly impossible. Public speaking is one of the most important and also the most dreaded form of communication. Speech anxiety or Glossophobia is the most common fear people have across the globe. A club called Toastmasters International, which is a nonprofit educational organization, has recently started an official club in the city. Toastmasters originally began as a series of shortlived speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley. Currently, the organization has more than 3,24,000 members in 142 countries and more than 15,900 individual clubs. An initiative of Mr. Ashutosh Aggarwal, the secretary of Sanskriti - the Gurukul, the guild in Guwahati got chartered on 30th April, 2017. People who have flair for writing and are interested in speaking are encouraged to join the meetings conducted by the club, where they would be given an opportunity to speak in impromptu sessions. The quality of the speaker is then evaluated by the election commission of the organization. There are ten projects under the Toastmasters International; for each such project, there are certain objectives which need to be kept in mind at the time of preparing a speech. The response in the city has been tremendous. The club has 39 members at present, and with each meeting, there are a number of new guests who attend the sessions. The central motive behind holding such oration gatherings is not only to improve one’s public speaking skills, but also to

S entirely dedicated to excellence in communication and leadership. Leadership and communication skills are closely bound. Some believe that leadership is nothing more than the ability to effectively communicate a vision. As communication skills improve, the ability to lead will improve, as well. The general public is mostly unaware of the grammatical errors or the wrong pronunciation of certain words in their daily conversation. That is where the need for such an organization arises. It is a vital institute that has finally begun its journey in the city of Guwahati. The club meets every 2nd and 4th Saturdays at Hotel Nandan, from 6 pm to 8 pm. It has recently started breakfast meetings on every 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, in Aha, The Food Theatre. To have a platform where one is welcomed to speak and express themselves is, by itself, a unique experience. Mrs. Rita Garg Harlalka requests her fellow Guwahtians to come forward and be witness to the meetings, thereby bringing a change in oneself, and effectively adopting the various qualities needed to speak fluently and confidently in public. n

put equal concentration on the dexterity of writing and listening. While one speaks, the audience can listen carefully and jot down the important details. Along with the proficiency in speaking and writing, the obstacle of stage fright and lower level of confidence can also be surmounted. While in conversation with the president of the club, Mrs. Rita Garg Harlalka, G Plus was informed of how she intends to hold the group together and aspires to start many more such clubs in the city as well as the other districts of the state. Being the first association of its kind in the northeast, it seeks to stir up the attention of the youth and promote the uses and necessity of speaking well on a public platform. Confidence works wonders in the skill of verbal communication and that is exactly what the association works upon to develop. They are also reaching out to the various colleges and universities in the state and supporting the masses to join and attend the meetings in order to experience the prerequisite of language and discourse. Toastmasters International is an outstanding platform that is

ecretary General of Amateur Baseball Federation of India (ABFI), Dr SK Mohendro visited Guwahati for 2 days as an observer for the upcoming Presidential Cup, an International Baseball Championship event, which is to be held in Guwahati. Leading countries of the World, namely, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Japan, Korea, Iran and Pakistan will be coming under one umbrella, once again after the ISL. He has visited all the venues

and accommodation facilities and has also met the officials from the sports department of Assam. He states that the visit was quite fulfilling and he was satisfied with all the preparations made. Dr SK Mohendro also adds that before the International Baseball Championship, we should all be set for the International Baseball Coaching Camp, which is to be held in Guwahati. International coaches from America and Japan will be sent by ABFI in connection with WBSC.

Ambubachi Mela witnesses record breaking footfall

he Ambubachi Mela this year has broken all previous records with at least 25 lakh devotees reaching the Kamakhya Temple. Dressed in saffron, and religious accessories, devotees from all over the country as well from abroad thronged the Nilachal hilltop where the Kamakhya Temple is located. The number of footfall of devotees this year was so high that it filled all the eight camps set

up by the district administration in and around the temple premises. The arrangements and facilities provided by the district administration for the devotees and tourists this year is believed to have drawn the large number of visitors. Speaking about the event, DC, Kamrup (M) Dr M. Angamuthu said, “Cleanliness has been a major issue in the temple surroundings. However, with proper arrangements from place to place on the way to Nilachal hilltop, the event was successfully conducted. This year, vehicles were barred from going up from the foothills of Nilachal.” Around 2,000 volunteers were engaged to guide and assist the pilgrims and other visitors this year. n

Weather report for the week Guwahati

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

T-Storms

Rain

Rain/Thunder

T-Storms

Rain/Thunder

28°/25° C

29°/25° C

28°/25° C

29°/25° C

SATURDAY

T-Storms

29°/25° C

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Buzz

Young Guwahatian

ania Choudhury is a very popular face in the Lawn Bowls Fraternity of India. She began playing Lawn Bowls at the young age of 10. At 15, she became the youngest Lawn Bowls player to compete at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which was held in Delhi. In 2013, she was named as the Most Valuable Player of the Year by the Bowling Federation of India. Born and brought up in Assam, Tania has already brought many laurels to the state and country, and she stands tall as the daughter of Mr. Anup Kumar Choudhury and Mrs. Pankaja Baruah. Currently, she is pursuing a B.Tech course in Civil Engineering at the reputed Assam Engineering College in Guwahati. Tania shares the incident that led her to take interest in the game of Lawn Bowls. She mentioned how her father took her to watch a Lawn Bowls match during the National Games held in Assam, in 2007. She was fascinated and thereafter enrolled herself to learn the game when she was just 10 years old. She harboured a strong desire to represent India at some point in her career. When Tania signed up for

Tania Choudhury

practice, the court that was made in Guwahati was of the finest quality. The equipments that were provided were the latest in the market. She considered herself to be lucky to have gotten the chance of training with the best infrastructure across the globe. When asked about her career, Tania explains how

“

Studies have been equally important to me along with sports and I try to maintain a salubrious balance between the two.” – Tania Choudhury

she has been successful by dint of sheer hard work. It had all started when she participated in the India’s first ever National Lawn

organized by the Lawn Bowls Federation of India. Following which, she got selected among the Top 15, and after a lot of struggle, she was finally selected among the Top 5 to represent India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. She continued her journey by participating in many other national and international events, and in 2014 she again got a chance to represent India at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland. She also attributes her success to her parents who have provided incessant support to her and guided her through all the steps. Tania strongly believes that a balance needs to be maintained between studies and sports. Her mother has always encouraged her to keep both the fields on a constant graph and hence, she maintains a healthy balance between the two.

Lawn Bowl Player

Bowls, organized in Assam itself. Her performance in that event was laudable and from there she went on to attend various camps

Assam already boasts of a good background in Lawn Bowls, according to Tania. The facilities available have definitely improved for all the players. Yet, the game is still not quite popular among the masses and that is definitely acting as a big hindrance to its development. She thinks that the game can be popularized by the combined efforts of the players as well as the Lawn Bowls fraternity. The players should participate consistently and bring honor to the state, thereby popularizing the game, while the fraternity should also undertake a number of innovative steps to make it popular among the citizens. The players have been performing well and definitely deserve more facilities. Tania expressed that her biggest wish is to compete in the 2018 Commonwealth Games which is scheduled to be held in Australia. She shares that being in a country like India she would rather choose engineering as a career, although sports will always be her passion. As a message to the upcoming players of the nation, Tania advised them work sincerely in order to succeed in life. Bishaldeep Kakati

Campus Talks successfully held at Handique Girls College G Plus News

topic of discussion was ‘Women in Power Careers’ and gripping interactions revolving around womanhood and the strong roles they play in a world which is primarily dominated and led

Plus successfully concluded the third edition of Campus Talks at Handique Girls’ College on Wednesday for teachers and students. The one and half hour interactive session was attended by over 250 students and 10 teachers. The key-note speaker at the event was Amanjeet Kaur, IPS, DCP (Traffic), Guwahati Police Commissionerate, Kamrup (M). A dynamic officer, Amanjeet Kaur has been in the public Amanjeet Kaur during eye and has caught the the program youth’s attention with her aggressive work to reform the Guwahati Traffic Police and its management. The underlying objective of by the event was to provide a com- males were held. Amanjeet Kaur spoke at mon platform for college-going youth, and to connect them to one length presenting her views on of the most inspiring female pub- the perspective of the Indian lic figures of the city and gain val- society towards women and uable insights from her life which their achievements and enwould help them draw great opin- lightened the audiences with ions and use it for self-growth. The the most directed insights

from her experiences of her professional as well as personal life. Expressing her gratitude for the event, she said, “It’s a wonderful initiative and I felt very honoured. Interacting with all the young women and inspiring students, is

The enthusiastic participants at Handique Girls College posing for a photo with Amanjeet Kaur

G Plus Campus Ambassador Pallavi Kazi giving a certificate of appreciation to Amanjeet Kaur

very uplifting for me also and I am glad that I could share certain things for their growth and development. It’s a good opportunity for me and for everybody to have a healthy discussion. I am grateful to G Plus for having given me this opportunity and I appreciate the step that they have taken to bring about people from various fields to interact with young students.” Campus Talks is an initiative by G Plus, primarily aimed to encourage public speaking among the youth and to educate them on relevant issues. The first edition of Campus Talks was held at Gauhati Commerce College in November 2016 and following its success, the second edition was conducted at B. Borooah College in March last.

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Fun Horoscope of the week

Friends could be very demanding this week, and you might have to be firm to keep them from taking advantage of you. There’s a dynamic showing up that could coincide with control issues and misunderstandings. While it can be easy to sort out such matters with close friends, you might need to resort to other tactics with people you don’t know so well. Putting firm boundaries in place and being honest about your feelings can be a good start.

The coming week brings an opportunity to get clear about your intentions regarding a goal or career plan. This could be necessary if you’re experiencing issues with a family member who might disagree with your ideas. However, the way you handle this issue can be very important. You may find that explaining your intentions very clearly is enough to make them feel better. Calm, sympathetic behavior works a lot better than getting involved in a spat, which would likely achieve nothing.

With Jupiter now pushing forward in your spiritual sector, you may find that any work you’ve done begins to bear fruit. If you have been using the services of a life coach or following a self-improvement program, the coming weeks may enable you to see the results for which you’ve worked so hard. Also, you might resist an opportunity because you don’t feel ready to embrace it when in fact it could be very good for you.

The theme in coming weeks is about making the most of your resources. With a planetary emphasis on your sector of business and shared assets, there could be a lot that needs attention. This week it would help to have a clear idea of your income and expenses, as this will help you move forward with your plans. You might be tempted to ignore difficulties, but the stellar picture suggests you would be better off knowing what’s what and taking action from there.

Tension could rise this week, particularly with Mars facing off with Pluto in the days ahead, which can coincide with control battles. This blend of energies is also a call to listen to what others have to say and compromise when necessary. If you’ve been calling the shots lately, it’s possible that others may resent this. If you want to foster positive relationships, the celestial backdrop hints that the way ahead includes good communication and ongoing discussion.

Whatever you’re hoping to achieve, trying too hard isn’t the answer. This week you could be tempted to push through obstacles to reach a diet or exercise target when there may be a better way to stay on track. It’s possible that you’re forcing yourself to do things that aren’t suited to your nature. Therefore, a different form of exercise or another diet might be perfect for you and much easier to integrate into your daily life.

You could rediscover a childhood hobby that once brought you much pleasure. The present blend of energies suggests that it could be therapeutic to connect with your creativity by taking up an activity that you once did very well. It might also put you in touch with childhood memories, reminding you of your roots and the journey you’ve taken to become the person you are today. Don’t feel you have to share your discoveries with anyone, as some things are best kept private.

curio-city 1

When WWII came to an end, American forces in the Philippines had a lot of used equipment. These included a substantial number of surplus Army and Marine Corps Jeeps. There was little reason for the US to keep these Jeeps, given their condition, the peace-time setting, and the significant fact that unlike Europe and Asia, North America hadn’t been devastated, or even really harmed. The Philippino people did something interesting with those vehicles and the rest is the history .What?

1 2 9 2 9 5 7 4 5 3 6 1 9 3 3 6 7 54 9 5 6 3 73 4 8 3 6 1 4 2 8 1 2 4 1 3 6 7 6 4 9 6 4 9 7 1 7 4 2

2 6 3

4 3 8 3 9 5

Daily Sudoku: Thu 22-Jun-2017

9 5 4

With a focus on your psychological sector, it wouldn’t be surprising if memories from past experiences surfaced, encouraging you to gently explore and release them. The coming weeks can be an opportunity for some spiritual and emotional housecleaning, especially if you need to deal with any skeletons lurking in the closet. Buried feelings can sap you of energy and vitality. This is your chance to resolve some of these issues and begin to feel more alive again.

Certain beliefs could seem very tempting, and you may be encouraged to explore them further. You might even feel moved to take a trip to do just that. Or you could yearn for exotic beaches and beautiful places where you can relax on the sand and take it easy. The second part of the week could bring you back to reality, especially if you’re having issues with a certain person. If so, it might be time to assert yourself and say what you think.

Sudoku

Daily Sudoku: Thu 29-Jun-2017

8 9 6 6 2 13 87 74 25 91

3 2 5 3 1 5 4 67 94 71 88

1 4 7 1 5 9 8 94 28 66 37

2 7 1 8 3 4 8 9 6 7 7 5 85 1 53 3 49 2 62 9

6 5 9 2 3 32 64 11 58 47

5 3 8 9 7 81 32 56 49 14

4 6 2 5 8 69 13 27 71 35

9 7 1 7 4 4 6 52 89 38 26

4 2 9 6 3 5 Daily Sudoku: Thu 22-Jun-2017 very hard 1 5 6 2 4 9 7 8 3 7 4 2 3 1 8 6 http://www.dailysudoku.com Word of the week9 5 8 3 9 5 6 7 2 4 1

Maffick

Daily Sudoku: Thu 29-Jun-2017

You could be tempted by vintage chic and other objects from the past. You might enjoy browsing through secondhand shops and seeing what treasures you can uncover. Not all of it will be worth purchasing, though, so it pays to be choosy and find those items that you could sell if they don’t seem to suit you. This can be an opportunity to remove clutter from your home and sell items you no longer need, raising extra cash in the process.

easy

verb [maf-ik]

To celebrate with extravagant http://www.dailysudoku.c public demonstrations.

1. They converted it to Jeepney, the most popular public transport in Philippines 2. Ostracize 3. It’s believed that there was a problem in his eye sight. 4. Kulfi

curio-city

----- is a piece of pottery, usually broken off from a vase or other earthenware vessel. In an archaeological or epigraphical context, --- refer to sherds or even small pieces of stone that have writing scratched into them. In Classical Athens, when the decision at hand was to banish or exile a certain member of society, citizen peers would cast their vote by writing the name of the person on the sherd of pottery; the vote was counted and if unfavorable the person was exiled for a period of ten years from the city, thus giving rise to the term ------. What?

While he was a student, Netaji Subhash chandra Bose applied for British Indian Army but for a specific reason his application was rejected. Why?

History says X’s original preparation by Emperor Jahangir’s wife, Noorjahan, is slightly different. She was said to create and serve for him by mixing sweetened milk and an array of fruit pulps with crushed ice imported from the frozen Himalayan lakes. This method was only available to Indian aristocrats until up to date refrigeration reached the region. What? Abhra Das; Ace Quizmaster of Assam This quiz has been brought to you by Brain Jam, a property of Priya Communications

Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau

Crossword Across

Down

1. Portray (6) 4. Loftier (6) 8. Go on all fours (5) 9. Afterwards (5,2) 10. Prospect (7) 11. Not in any way (5) 12. Herb used in Indian cookery (9) 17. Spring flower (5) 19. Nevertheless (7) 21. Small river (7) 22. Fight with swords (5) 23. Large wasp (6) 24. Gentle wind (6)

1. Medical practitioner (6) 2. Malleable (7) 3. Large stringed instrument (5) 5. Chanted (7) 6. Severe (5) 7. Fame (6) 9. Without hesitation (9) 13. Beat off, rebuff (7) 14. Malicious retaliation (7) 15. Stiffen (6) 16. Turn to ice (6) 18. Prise (5) 20. Thin crisp biscuit (5)

Mixed messages could lead to misunderstandings this week unless you make yourself very clear. As Mars interacts with nebulous Neptune at the start of the week, you might want to empathize and do your best for a certain person but find that this approach doesn’t work. Instead, you might need to create firm boundaries and speak the truth, especially if the person has taken advantage of you. Close friends will be very understanding and supportive of your needs.

last week solution

You may feel like retreating from life and taking some time to nurture yourself. With a focus on your home zone, it could pay to spend more time reading a good book, eating wholesome food, and getting plenty of sleep. See this as your personal retreat in which you get to pamper yourself and spend time with your nearest and dearest. While you still have to interact with the world, make a point of taking care of your needs to restore your vitality.

Last week’s solution

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

10 years of the iPhone

Trotter

Woman shoots, kills boyfriend while recording YouTube video stunt

Apple’s indelible first iPhone went on sale 10 years ago on June 29, changing how we relate to our phones forever. It established the parameters for what a modern smartphone ought to be, ushering in an era since defined by ubiquitous touchscreens and libraries of easily obtained apps. Here’s what the iPhone has done to the smartphone industry in the past 10 years

On January

The iPhone generates more

9th 2007, Steve Jobs presented the first iPhone to the world, prompting a smartphone revolution.

than 60% of all Apple revenue.

The current

In total, 2.6

iPhone costs 225

billion

US dollars to

people own smartphones.

produce.

iPhone users have

the choice of 2.2

for 50%

of internet traffic.

million apps.

By the end of September 2016,

88 times a day - that’s how

1,034 million

often a person glances over his/ her smartphone screen.

$19.3b in 2006 went

up 11 times in 2016,

amounting to $215.6b

viewers to their YouTube channel. Family members discouraged Ruiz from doing the stunt that killed him. “There’s people out there doing crazy things to get these views, to get their numbers up. I think they just need to think twice and not do it. Think about it,” said Ruiz. Monalisa Perez’s uncle told reporters that a post from her Twitter account said, “Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. His idea, not mine.” Relatives say Monalisa is 7-months pregnant with Ruiz’s second child. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. (Source: WFLA)

Researchers engineer shapeshifting noodles

Smartphones and traffic account

The revenue that was

Minnesota woman charged in the fatal shooting of her boyfriend told authorities it was a video stunt gone wrong. Monalisa Perez, of Halstad, was charged Wednesday with second-degree manslaughter in the death of Pedro Ruiz III. According to a criminal complaint, the 19-year-old Perez told authorities Ruiz wanted to make a YouTube video of her shooting a bullet into a book he was holding against his chest. She says she fired from about a foot away. Authorities say Ruiz died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The victim’s aunt, Claudia Ruiz, said the couple played pranks and put them on YouTube. The couple’s pranks attracted

iPhones had been sold.

Cash revenues were $10.1b

in 2006.

Going up by 24 times, in 2016, the cash revenues are

$237.6b

Market capitalization in 2006

was $66.8b and went up by 9% in 2016 amounting to

$628.9

The net income in

2006 was $2.0b,

and went 23 times in

2016, to $45.7b

heets of gelatin transform into 3-D shapes when dunked in water; could save food shipping costs. “Don’t play with your food” is a saying that MIT researchers are taking with a grain or two of salt. The team is finding ways to make the dining experience interactive and fun, with food that can transform its shape when water is added. The researchers, from MIT’s Tangible Media Group, have concocted something akin to edible origami, in the form of flat sheets of gelatin and starch that, when submerged in water, instantly sprout into three-dimensional structures, including common pasta shapes such as macaroni and rotini. The edible films can also be engineered to fold into the shape of a flower as well as other unconventional configurations. Playing with the films’ culinary potential, the researchers created flat discs

that wrap around beads of caviar, similar to cannoli, as well as spaghetti that spontaneously divides into smaller noodles when dunked in hot broth. While the noodles are definitely fun to look at, the Tangible Media Group came up with another, more pedestrian application for them as well: pasta makers could create flat-packed noodles to reduce volume, packaging waste and shipping costs. “We did some simple calculations, such as for macaroni pasta, and even if you pack it perfectly, you still will end up with 67 percent of the volume as air,” Wang said. “We thought maybe in the future our shape-changing food could be packed flat and save space.” The researchers used a similar technique in developing their “noodles.” Using a 3-D printer, the team created sheets of gelatine and then printed patterns of cellulose on top. The two materials work in tandem: The gelatin absorbs water, while the cellulose blocks absorption. By tweaking the various cellulose patterns, the researchers could determine the way the noodle would bend. It’s sort of like having a set of predetermined seams in place before folding origami. (Quartz)

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

G Talk E

Jain’shame’

acebook often manages to shock me; I mean not the application itself, but the updates made by my friends. And so when the reverend Patricia Mukhim updated on the shameful incident where the highly respected Tailin Lyngdoh, invited as a guest of a member, was asked to leave the Delhi Golf Club in the middle of her lunch, because the traditional Khasi Jainsem that she was wearing made her “look” like a maid, leading the club’s sophistication watchdogs to wonder “kahaan se aate hain yeh log,” I was left marvelling at the sheer levels of ignorance of our brown sahibs. The bone of contention here might just have been the strict dress codes that the posh clubs of the capital have, along with the firm instructions on enforcement that the staffs of these clubs are expected to obey. While I am not sure what the rules of Delhi Golf Club say about traditional dresses, I also haven’t heard of the usually lungi-clad P Chidamabaram being ever asked to leave one such club. The clubs of Guwahati also have dress codes, the most prominent among them being mandatory collared shirts and back-strapped sandals, if not shoes for gentlemen. But ladies are usually exempted from dress codes because they are expected to dress modestly – which they always do. And the Jainsem is one of the most cultured traditional dresses in India. Discussions on the topic in Guwahati’s social circles have thrown

up some creative returns of treatment to probable Delhi Golf Club members who might, sometime in the future, be visiting our part of the country wearing traditional “ghagra cholis”. Hindi movies have often portrayed women with loose morals, soliciting from their first floor business shanties, attired in this variety of traditional dress. And yet, this attire is often a favourite choice for women in north Indian festivities. After all, it is a traditional Indian dress. Now the question that arises is do such sophisticated traditional dressers “look” like those women with loose morals that are portrayed in Hindi cinema? And if so, shouldn’t they, by the same yardstick of “looking” like that, be shunted out of our socalled respectable institutions and clubs? Racist New Delhi has never made the country proud on the social front. The Delhi society, from top to bottom, reeks of coarseness in behaviour and foulness of mouth. Whatever happened at the Delhi Golf Club could have perhaps been handled with a bit more tact, perhaps more respectfully. And so, the indignation and angst of the north-eastern community against this “racism” is justified. However, it is a private club with its own stifling rules of propriety and it staunchly reserves its right of admission. Perhaps it is time to revisit the old adage: When in Rome, act as Romans or just shun such places. Swapnil Bharali Editor

Drowning Sino-Indian disputes

he Sikkim border between China and India has often been a source of tension in bilateral relations. Such large concentration of troops on both sides cannot exist without eyeballing each other. Both sides have now resorted to blame game accusing each other of crossing the boundary. It is not coincidental that it occurred just days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s summit meeting with Donald Trump indicating a clear pattern of provocation in such instances. Indian military believes that between Sikkim and Bhutan, the Chinese are building a road to the Dokalam Plains. Artillery positioned in this area will seriously threaten Indian concentrations and communications. This strategic location can bring Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam and Northeast India under threat. If the Indian Army wants to position itself in Bhutan to challenge the PLA’s dominance, it’s nothing wrong and India and Bhutan’s recent military relationship will help. There clearly needs to be more trust between these two governments and no, India does not have to extend its hand first. China’s threat tells India that we are yet to recover from the embarrassing defeat of the 1962 border war. Despite our growing economic and trade relations, both sides are deeply distrustful of each other. From Beijing, India is playing an active role in forging an anti-Chinese coalition to counter Beijing’s diplomatic, economic and military assertiveness. Regardless, better the economic integration between India and China, better the hope for settling border disputes at the earliest. All other countries (USA, Japan, Australia) that claim to be stakeholders to upset this power dynamics have oceans between them. In the end, India and China share borders and cannot leave it strained for too long. Here’s hoping both countries do what’s best for them and not move ahead with the blindfold of nationalism. SIDHARTH BEDI VARMA

Opinion

Trump’s Paris disconnection

n 12 December 2015 the top leaders got together in Paris to save the world from an impending catastrophe slowly and silently manifesting itself in the form of global warming. Four years of brain storming sessions paved the way for the much awaited Paris Accord. It was unprecedented participation by world leaders. The Paris agreement signified a welcome return to multilateralism with a transparency that set the motion going. The outcome had a consensus of the concerned members to check the increase in the global average temperature to below 2 degrees centigrade. A major strength of the Paris agreement had been the universal participation and sharing of responsibilities. The accord sent a positive signal but without any specific guidelines or timeframe which was left to the voluntary discretion of the leaders. The model on “Voluntary Steps and Measures” aptly suits the interests of USA, China and India. It leaves the future timetable on the acts of “Commission and Omission” in context to actual emission reductions squarely in the hands of the largest polluters with no accountable mechanism to enforce the individual countries to meet clear-cut and well-defined targets and set deadlines. Hence it can be rightly inferred that the success of the system depended too much on the goodwill of the world leaders instead of adopting a pragmatic approach towards its effective implementation. The result again is a functioning of global system characterised by political uncertainties. The crux of the discussion could not substantiate enough material for the agreement in making all the stakeholders equally responsible/answerable for any breach in mutually agreed points. The agreement thus lacks the essential actionable commitments on the very crucial issues of emission reductions and the proportionate financial investments as there th

are no numerical targets for the individual countries, the major stakeholders and no meaningful mechanism for ensuring total accountability. For instance the Paris agreement includes the mention of ‘Loss and Damage’ in case of devastating effects of climate change which saw displacement of people from the rising sea level which has become almost a common phenomenon in the world but here the question arising is: have the bulk of the industrialized countries responsible for this phenomenon because of their over dependency on ‘fossil fuels’ given any financial commitment on the disarray of the mass displacement

t makes a lot of sense to be seated in an international symposium talking of the number of solar power plants and wind turbines that can be set up, usher in nuclear power that will rule the energy generation in the future. But eventually the bulk of the electricity for all this continues to come from fossil fuels. of the people? It is very invigorating that the accord endorsed threshold in the new 1.5 C temperature target but what does not find a mention is the method of how the same can be achieved. The inclusion of language ‘Loss and Damage’ to deal with potential irreversible cost of climate change in vulnerable countries is certainly a step in the right direction but contextual clauses on the accord does not bind any stakeholders to an obligatory compensation. President Donald Trump has now said that the USA will be pulling out of the agreement alleging that the accord gave a better deal to “some of the world’s highly polluting countries” like India and China and left the US constrained. India, he said, “makes its participation contingent on receiving

r Remove the liabilities

Rajiv Das

huge money in foreign aid. China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal mines, India will be allowed to double its coal production, whereas USA has to clear all their coal mines.” The United States is second only to China in terms of carbon emission. But it had been President Trump’s pre-election promise to “cancel” the Paris deal within 100 days of becoming president as part of an effort to boost US oil and coal industries. If President Trump really wants to jar the talks on climate change, “scope of nuclear energy” has to find top priority in the way forward. The president can make the conservative case for nuclear proliferation. Maintaining a leadership role in the nuclear technology should be a priority at the Department of Energy which can foster the developments coupling the licensing of new generation of nuclear reactors that are relatively safer and cheaper than the ones being used now. How far the president is justified in his notion, can only be ascertained with the advent of time but one vital aspect that needs to be examined at close quarters are the factors responsible for accumulation of excessive green house gasses one of the major contributor to the rise in global warming. Fossil fuels are the major contributors of greenhouse gasses and coal is the prime fuel that finds its way in major sources of energy production. Coal’s importance in the energy mix was made clear in July 2009 when India’s situation was discussed in UN’s Inter governmental pact on climate change. The reporters were made to understand a dystopian situation where close to 200 to 300 million people do not have a lighted bulb at homes. It was thereby implicated that in a democracy one cannot ignore some of the realities and as it happens in India’s case. India has very little choice on the alternative of coal. An eminent coal expert stated that in India one cannot survive without coal. n

Letter to the Editor

istory tells us that Congress party governed the nation for almost 60 years and played a pivotal role in securing independence from British rule. During that period Congress was the only trusted national political party on which gullible electorates of the nation had full faith. But today, the scenario is totally different. Congress is no longer the party it was previously. Now the party is infested with many liabilities (read leaders). These parasites within the party are damaging the reputation of the century old party plus harming the nation as well. During their last rule at the centre the leaders including their high command indulged in serious looting spree of the country’s exchequer. Scams and corruption became the order of the day. If these liabilities are not removed from the party the writings are clearly written on the wall. People like Rahul Gandhi, Digvijay Singh, Mani Shankar Aiyyer , Torun Gogoi to name a few should immediately be shown the exit door. Otherwise, in the coming years, Congress would be extinct. Dr. Ashim Chowdhury, Ambari Guwahati.

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

In Focus

Champak Borbora Cartoonist

The Delhi Golf Club asked a traditionally attired woman from Meghalaya to leave as she was wearing a traditional Khasi dress and resembled a maid. The victim, Tailin Lyngdoh is a Governess to the Health Advisor in the Assam Government, Dr Nivedita Barthakur, who was also invited for lunch at the Delhi Golf Club by a member. Lyngdoh’s incident of being denied entry received massive traction on Social Media. Here’s what the public has to say: Ricky Unique II Feel ashamed to call yourself an educated person, you stay in India and you build all those apartments by the cement makers from Meghalaya. You use their stuff and don’t know their culture and custom. Just because she fully covered herself with clothes, you feel that is a dress of a maid. But in Delhi, girls are wearing such nice dresses that I never want to visit Delhi in my entire life. You created this talk, don’t judge girls by their clothes and see what you did. At least she presented her custom and showed what traditional Khasi people wear. Everyone should be proud of her dress. I don’t care about others but I feel proud of her dress. Adhish Hazarika Delhi Golf Club, the Crème de la crème of elite Delhi! Life time waiting period for its premium membership is an example of 2017’s British raj. Almost all Congmen have their membership in this hell hole. Somyaa Mech Das Real shame to those who do not respect others and their traditional dresses. There is nothing wrong with one’s dressing but people show their pettiness by such actions. Dinesh Rabha I think there is a lack of knowledge about traditional dresses of NE and other state’s traditions and cultures.

Safique Alam It’s always been an issue about people being sarcastic by teasing the people of the NE region for their language, looks and lifestyle. I am living in north India and most of the people I meet here have a different mindset. I wonder if I am living in a jungle. People have even rejected job offers with good bounty to avoid Assam. These reactions always leave question marks in my mind that - What is wrong with us? Why do we act like that? Dipayan Ghosh Being a member of the club, when Ms. Barthakur is aware of the rules and regulations, why did she take her when she knows that she will not be allowed to sit or enter in the first place? Secondly, being from a place like Meghalaya, Nagaland, we are all aware about the culture, tradition and dress codes of the other region of our Nation. But the irony of the fact is, when it comes to the tradition, culture and dress code of this part of the country, the other parts of the nation are not aware. Whatever has happened or is happening for XYZ reasons, any Delhiites, Mumbaikars, Punjabis are not responsible. It is the people of this region who are responsible for this issue. Because, they have kept themselves isolated for so many years and never tried to get connected. I being born and brought up in a place like Meghalaya understand the tribal mentality better where they say we are Indians by mistake and not by birth. When this part of the country does not consider itself as Indian why then will the nation accept them? It might sound irrelevant to some, but this is a hardcore fact of the Shillong society. Evan Neeft These things will never stop until and unless the government takes it seriously. Everyday some sort of discrimination is happening on camera or off camera.

olitics and cartoons share a bond as old as centuries as it is said that William Hogarth is the precursor to this sharp-witted art form. Hogarth’s pictures combined social criticism with sequential artistic scenes and frequently targeted the corruption of early 18th century British politics. The bond remains integrated as newspapers till date seem empty without the cartoon section. One such cartoonist is Champak Borbora who has been doing a great job through his witty and sarcasm-laden cartoons titled “Jocoserious” in The Assam Tribune. After decades of hardship that was replete with devotion, the artist, on this date is known to be among the veterans of the field. Born to a government servant, Champak’s childhood was spent travelling to places such as Barperta, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, etc. while pursuing education. Unlike many, Champak had discovered his passion at a very early age when he used to make pictorial presentations on any kind of note possible. The passion also led him to develop the bridge with journalism when he used to send over his art works to Dainik Assam. One of such drawings led the 8th grader to win the 3rd prize in a competition; the 2nd position was won by Gyanendra Borkakoty and 1st by Amulya Baruah. “Journalism is a way of communicating with people and there are several ways of doing it. I got involved in the field through my art and I found it very intriguing. It was probably during pre-school when I and Kirip Chaliha used to sit under a tree while returning home and we read books or played. While I used to put my thoughts into art Kirip’s leadership could also be seen amidst our games. With time the analytical nature among people keeps growing. Our communication skills develop and that is how journalism happened to me,” Champak Borbora mentioned during a conversation with G Plus. Young Champak’s passion and persis-

tent contribution to various newspapers and magazines paved the way for him to come to Guwahati. Champak was already involved in journalism during his college days. Then a law student in Jorhat, the artist’s first venture in journalism was through a bimonthly magazine named “Bibhishika” which he had started in association with three others. The magazine went on to gain popularity and primarily focused on issues such as psychology, education and published writings by some of the prominent names in the field including the first ever write-up by eminent writer Debabrata Das. The impact of the magazine was also felt in the assembly sessions but a piece of fictional writing that was moderately related to the cult led to a massive controversy and the college-goers had to shut down the magazine. The artist then got associated with another daily in the year 1978 where he contributed reports, reviews and illustrations. “While being involved in different tasks of journalism it occurred to me that if a social issue is presented with humour, the issue is accepted more seriously and that is when I took up cartooning. During the same period, while the Assam Agitation was on, a cartoon of mine was made on the carrot and stick approach which included the then Home Minister and the students’ body of the state. However, no one had to face any repercussions,” the artist mentioned. During the period of early 1980s there were several newspapers that were put in order and Deba Kumar Bora, who was a close associate of Champak, had informed him about the same. Bora through a telegram had asked him to join a newspaper named “Newstar” that was all set to be launched in 1981. This job brought Champak to Guwahati. Throughout his journey of life the witty artist has contributed to several newspapers and magazines until he finally decided to settle down in 1995 after he had switched jobs from Sutradhar and joined The Assam Tribune. “I was lucky to have gotten the opportunity to work with Kirti Nath Hazarika who had already retired but was asked to re-join Dainik Assam as chief editor of the daily. He was very insistent about cartoons and working with him was of immense pleasure,” Champak added. One of the founder members of Jorhat Fine Arts Society in 1976 Champak also went on to be the President of Guwahati Artists’ Guild. A calm natured man, Champak believes in going where the wind blows. He is married to Kamala Borbora. After decades of serving the society as a journalist and an artist Champak plans to work on a solo exhibition which will be his first after 1993. However, he is planning this post his retirement.

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Reviews Cast: Natasha Fernandez, Upen Patel, Shiv Darshan Director: Suneel Darshan

oung and naive Natasha sets off a chain of consequences when she creates a dilemma for herself. She sets off for her destination wedding with fiance, Sunny, to her ancestral property Mt. Unique Estate, only to fall helplessly in love with its stud farm keeper Devdhar. Consumed by his robust yet poetic, aggressive yet persistent advances, she realised that his arms were the ultimate destination of her dreams. Once upon the late 80s, there were the Darshan Brothers (Suneel and Dharmesh) who made big-budget musical dramas fronted by big stars and catchy music. Between the two, they produced and directed a bunch of blockbusters— Lootere, Raja Hindustani, Dhadkan, Andaaz, Barsaat, Jaanwar, busily churning out one film after the other till about 2004-5. The Suneel-Dhamesh films were very much a part of the cinema of its time (foreign locations for the song-and-dance, and full-on melodrama for the rest of it).

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Both Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor went to the top of the heap with the 1996 Raja Hindustani — Karisma got a lasting makeover, and Aamir a lover-boy part which the audience of the day loved; the two shared a long, passionate kiss of the sort which would have given another filmmaker of the time, now CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, a major coronary. Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha makes you recall, almost fondly, the schlocky, kitschy film-making of the 80s and 90s which was nevertheless full of colour and music: Suneel, who clearly hasn’t kept up with the times, comes up with a hopelessly outdated series of reels, reeking strongly of mothballs and terrible acting all round. If you must know, it’s about a pair of lovers and a ghost, and a villain of the piece, each as screamingly awful as the other. In the two hours I spent in the theatre, I was forced into asking why a once savvy filmmaker would do such a thing. Was it strictly about filial duty?

Anuradha Cineplex Noonmati 03612656968 Gold Mine 10:30 AM Tubelight 11:00 AM 05:15 PM Haunted House 01:00 PM 05:00 PM

Transformers: The Last Knight 08:15 PM 02:00 PM Transformers: The Last Knight Forest Adventure & Aero

Cast: Carmen Ejogo, Christopher Abbott, Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough Director: Trey Edward Shults

man (Joel Edgerton) learns that the evil stalking his family home may be only a prelude to horrors that come from within. Secure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, the tenuous domestic order he has established with his wife and son is put to the ultimate test with the arrival of a desperate young family seeking refuge. Despite the best intentions of both families, paranoia and mistrust boil over as the horrors outside creep ever-closer, awakening something hidden and monstrous within him as he learns that the protection of his family comes at the cost of his soul. All of that is established quickly and obliquely. No zombies come shambling through the woods, and Mr. Shults doesn’t jolt the audience with false scares or showy plot twists. He builds up the dread with ruthless efficiency and minimal gimmickry, relying on and refreshing some of the oldest techniques in the book. The camera

Album Ok Computer: Oknotok 1997-2017 By Radiohead

he remaster of the rock band’s 1997 third album features eight B-sides, as well as original studio recordings of three previously unreleased tracks: “I Promise,” “Lift,” and “Man Of War.” Years removed from its source, its impact is multiplied tenfold. In 1996, it was a path towards adult-contemporary pop radio; today, it’s an exquisitely faded Polaroid. It’s an album that at times sounds like it wants to smash your face to pieces, sometimes your heart. It’s beautiful, horrible, bleak, spiteful, overwhelmed, overwhelming--a cry of panic ,despair, anxiety in the face of accelerating modernity. .... All three [previously unreleased tracks] are excellent in their way. “I Promise,” “Man Of War,” and

glides down a long, dimly lighted corridor. The soundtrack pulses with dissonant chords and heartbeat rhythms. What happens is both shocking and, in retrospect, brutally inevitable. “It Comes at Night” is pretty terrifying to sit through, but it may be even scarier after it’s over, when you sift through what you’ve seen and try to piece together what it may have meant. Travis, who is plagued by nightmares, tries to do just that, and serves as the viewer’s surrogate. His perspective seems to be the only one we can trust, and he seems relatively sensitive, decent and innocent. “It Comes at Night” is very much worth seeing on its own. It’s smart without making too big a deal of its own cleverness, and admirably thrifty. If you haven’t seen “Krisha,” though, I’d recommend a double bill, an early-career retrospective of the work of a spookily self-assured, slyly ambitious young filmmaker whose apparently modest stories have mighty implications.

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“Lift” are the most exciting, crucial elements of this deluxe edition. This reissue (effectively 2008’s Collector’s Edition plus three excellent unreleased songs) proves that Radiohead’s reputation derives from their music’s depthless humanity, not its instrumentation. There was little to nothing as picturesque and vivid in major-label rock as OK Computer in 1997, and it’s debatable if there’s been anything since. ... If OK Computer seemed to wither over its runtime, there is a more consistent, punchier quality to the second album sequenced out on OKNOTOK–full of big guitars, sweeping sentimentality, and drier wit. Here, its bold half-ideas, this many years on, sound better than ever, and find a new coherence.

Game Final Fantasy Xiv: Stormblood Platform PlayStation 4

Bike 03:00 PM 08:00 PM

PVR Cinemas vie Mo view Dona Planet Re 08800900009 Transformers: The Last Knight 06:00 PM 09:05 PM Tubelight 06:20 PM 09:20 PM

Galleria Cinemas HUB 097069 89143 Tubelight 05:55 PM Transformers: The Last Knight 09:00 PM

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woman in a striking kimono asks a band of Othardian peasants to prove their loyalty to the Garlean Empire and only one — citing a need to feed his family — heeds the call. It turns out to be a greater sacrifice than he imagined. She tosses a baroquely engraved pistol at his feet and commands him to shoot one of his friends. Trembling violently, he complies. But she’s not done yet. She then orders him to kill his parents, claiming they drain the empire’s resources. He refuses, and her goons cut him down. Famous god-slaying hero or no, I know that any immediate revenge would bring down more hells on the sorry lot. It’s tragic, but it’s also fairly realistic.Worse things happen

in Stormblood, the latest expansion for the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, but cruel moments sculpt the overarching narrative into one of the finest stories of the brutality of war and tyranny since The Witcher 3. The basic structure of dungeons, quests, and trials hasn’t changed much since 2015’s Heavensward expansion, but almost everything about Stormblood is worth experiencing, whether it’s the new lands, the two new classes, of the fantastic tale that unfolds over the full span of this war-ridden world. Stormblood doesn’t do much to shake up the general design Final Fantasy XIV has followed since its relaunch, but never before have its familiar elements worked quite so well.

Tubelight 06:30 PM 09:15 PM

Gold Cinema Paltan Bazaar 09854066166 Tubelight 11:00 AM 11:15 AM 02:15 PM 05:00 PM 05:15 PM 08:15 PM Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha 02:00 PM 08:00 PM

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Lifestyle

5 Ways to make Meditation more fun

VAASTU SHASTRA

10 Spiritual and Astro-Vaastu remedies

. Many ill-effects of Vaastu can be averted by placing the puja room at the northeast but this should not be made heavy by constructing platform etc. It is recommended not to keep photos of deities at places other than the puja room because there may be negativities in other areas like the kitchen or bedroom. Needles to say, a toilet or dustbin at northeast will have all the ill-effects of Vaastu. 2. If there is a defect in the northeast, the Durga Yantra is very helpful in removal of the same. Lord Shiva should be worshipped regularly. 3. Whenever there is a defective north like a heavy structure or blockage, a well can be dug at the north to lessen the Vaastu defect. A Budh Yantra can be installed at north on a Wednesday because Budh or mercury is the ruler of north along with Lord Kubera. 4. If the west is not kept higher in comparison to east, the owner is financially and physically affected. Sri Mahakali Yantra can remove such a defect. The Varun Yantra is also very useful at west. 5. Water bodies at south are detrimental for the ladies and finances. The Mangal Yantra can remove defects at south. A statue of Lord Ganesha, having its trunk towards right side, can be kept at south.

6. Depressions at southwest can affect the owner, the spouse and the eldest child. A statue of Panchmukhi (five faced) Lord Hanuman can provide protection from defects at southwest. A statue of white coloured Lord Ganesha on the main door is also very good. The owner of the house should chant the Rahu Gayatri Mantra regularly. 7. If the east is higher, it will affect the children and arrest the growth of the family. The Surya Yantra can nullify defects at east. The owner should do Surya Namaskar daily and chant the Gayatri Mantra at sunrise. 8. The northwest is ruled by the moon and it controls the faculties of the mind. Defects at northwest make one mentally unstable and bring enemies. Those who have a defective northwest should observe Mondays and install a statue of Lord Ganesha, made of silver or white material, on the main door. 9. Defects in the southeast create imbalance in the fire element. Sometimes, chronic and acute diseases befall the residents due to having a defect like a water body at southeast. Keeping Lord Ganesh on the main door can help. A Shukra Yantra can be installed. 10. Those who are facing financial problems should check their north. A Kuber Yantra installed on a Wednesday at north and worshipped regularly can bring about huge financial changes. The Sriyantra or Lakshmi Yantra at east is also very powerful in this regard. This has to be installed on a Thursday or Friday.

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

es, we’ve heard a lot about meditation. And yes, it is important to practice it in our lives. Yet, sitting everyday for twenty minutes with eyes shut is a little tough and as I’d like to admit – a bit boring. When I shared this with a friend, she shared some suggestions. I liked them and thought that I could share them here. 1. Find a Buddy The company (sangha) that we maintain is important in keeping us feeling positive and inspired. Find a friend, who is as passionate as you about meditation. Let there is an understood decree between you two that you can pull each other anytime if either one slips in their practice. And of course, treat yourselves if the practice has been regular. Your buddy and you could also meditate together, participate in a yoga rave, go for a really nice Ayurvedic meal together 2. Try a New Location The best part about meditation is that it can be done anywhere – on top of a mountain, on a beach, in a train and even in the middle of a traffic jam. And the experience could be different each time. So go ahead and try a new location sometimes. It could be in a garden, change the setting in your room – continue your practice during your family holiday. Just do the meditation and take it wherever you go. 3. Get Some Guidance Sometimes, it helps to get a new experience during meditation and here is where a guided meditation can step in. Light instrumental music is always a welcome and some pieces have been specially composed for meditation. There are several guided meditation – Blossom in your

smile and the Aura meditation are my personal favorites. You might also want to include some yoga postures. There are several videos that guide you through simple sequences. 4 Play On T.he rules of meditation are simple. For the twenty minutes that you meditate, resolve: I want nothing, I need nothing and I will do nothing. Train yourself to think of this as a challenge – can you do this for 2 days, a week, a month? The process is not to make you feel anxious. Just think about it before your practice and let it be. Move with the flow of your meditation. Challenge yourself to follow these for 30 days and watch a new dimension of practice coming up. 5. Spread the Joy The next time you’re meeting with friends or planning to hang out with them – remember to take a guided meditation with you. Do one with your friends and see the difference. The fun that you were planning with them will only double. That’s because the mind will feel fresher and you will be able to enjoy the moment more. If you don’t have a guided meditation handy on you all the time, its alright. Just close your eyes and observe your breaths. When you do this a few times – whether at a park, coffee shop, or even at a mall – you will realize the relaxation it bring to you and your friends. Also, you’re adding to the love and joy around.

shri shri ravi shankar Founder- Art of Living Foundation.

Guwahati Revisited

recently came back from a trip to Guwahati. The city looked different, evolved and fast-paced. After all it had been four years that I had visited it last! Only a Guwahatian can understand the flavour of Guwahati. It is

one of those cities where everyone knows everyone else, where people burst into laughter and cite familiar incidents from days of yore that you have forgotten and where people greet you with love and warmth. I had a different experience this

time, as an artist. I had carried one of my floral paintings for my professional mentor. This was like a thanksgiving to someone who had put me on my journey and I was only too delighted that all I was asked for was a painting of mine. It told me many things about art. People respect a piece of art as it has your toil and labour not to mention passion and love entwined in it. I was pleasantly surprised when I met up with some friends and relatives who had read my art columns. I also painted a new canvas on my memories and left it for my mother. No trip to Guwahati is complete without a trip uphill to Shillong.

There were purple Jacaranda trees blooming all over Shillong, giving a pretty tinge to the skies. Purple petals adorned the tin roofs and the wet streets. Waterfalls were rushing out in cascades and people were busy in cafes and cottages. Not for nothing is this place called “The Scotland of the East!” The golf course is in itself a landscape painter’s delight. The pine trees standing tall and steadfast over the sheets of golf greens seemed ready to be transferred onto the canvas. The best memories of this trip lie in my sketches and art that I did during my stay. I did some tongue-in-cheek sketches while on the long flights to

and from Mumbai to Guwahati. The person sitting next to me kept peering over my shoulder as I sketched on the dining tray. He appeared sleepy when the flight was taking off but towards the end of the flight I could see that he was entertained and curious! I also did rapid sketches while in Shillong: pretty tin-roofed cottages, Ward Lake view from a restaurant and pine trees. Such is the beauty of art and the excitement of being an artist. Boredom is never an issue! Guwahati is ready to be painted. Go out and paint it! Kasturi Borkotoki Kasturi is a palette knife artist and paints impressionist floral designs in oils. She hails from Guwahati. Blog: kasturiscanvas.blogspot.com

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Entertainment

Spectacular Prag Cine Awards 2017 held at Kokrajhar-BTC

G Plus News

he Prag Cine Awards 2017 was held on 17th and 18th of June at Kokrajhar Secretariat Field. Prag Channel conducted the award ceremony in association with the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) authority. The glitz and glamour to the occasion was brought in by celebrities and stars from Bolly-

wood that included Jacky Shroff, Adil Hussain, Priya Bhattacharjya, Zubeen Garg, Angaraag Papon Mahanta and Jaya Seal. Almost all the celebrities from the Assamese film industry were present on the occasion. The nominations for all the main awards were declared seven days prior to the ceremony. The award function, hosted by Nabish Alam, Barsha Rani Bisoya, Amrita Gogoi and Adil Hussain, boasted

of the biggest ensemble of glamour artists in Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD). Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were ministers Pramila Rani Brahma and Naba Doley, CMD of Prag Channel Sanjive Narain, Editor-in-chief of Prag News Ajit Bhuyan, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, MP Biswajit Doimary, Khamppa Boigoyari, Monoj Kumar Brahma along with senior officers of the BTC administrative. The Prag authority expressed gratitude for making the program a big success and opined that such programs will help to bridge the gap among people in the state. Munin Barua was handed over the Lifetime Achievement award for his relentless efforts and contributions to revive and consolidate Assamese films commercially. The film Antardristi, directed by Rima Das, was adjudged the Best Film, and Kankan Deka was declared the Best Director for the film “Beautiful Lives.” The Best Actor award was given to Bishnu Khargharia and Pakeeza Begum bagged the Best Actress award for her performance in the movie Beautiful Lives. The winners list is given below: yy Best Make-Up - Biswajit Kalita

(Beautiful Lives) yy Best Costume Designer - Rani Dutta Baruah (Maj Rati Keteki) yy Best Art Director - Phatik Baruah (Sonar Boron Pakhi) yy Best Choreography - Bhaskar Dole & Agam Kutum (Oienga) yy Best Film Critic - Pranjal Bora (Name of the book: Xukhi Manuhor Chalachitra Aru Onainyo) yy Best Screenplay - Rima Das (Antardristri) yy Best Lyricist - Ibson Lal Baruah (Kunwarpuror Kunwar)/Hahiet Ipindhilowa yy Best Singer (female) - Rupa Mili (li:len) yy Best Singer (male) - Rupam Bhuyan (Akash Xunuwali/ Maj Rati Keteki) yy Best Sound Designer - Amrit Pritam (Antardrishti & Beautiful Lives) yy Best Music Director - Anurag Saikia (Antardrishti/ Maj Rati Keteki) yy Best Editing - Dhruva J Bordoloi (Dooronir Nirola Poja) yy Best Cinematoghraphy - Nahid Ahmed (Alifa) yy Jury’s Special Mention - a. Mahaendra Rabha (child artist/Maj Rati Keteki), b. Bipasha Daimari

(child artist/Zero) yy Best film other than Assamese Alifa (Bengali) yy Best Debut Director - Dhruva J Bordoloi (Dooronir Nirola Poja) yy Best Actor Female Northeast Sylviana Mawlong (Dak Bangla/ Khasi) yy Best Actor Male Northeast Ningthoujam Sanatomba (Loktak Lairembee)/Manipur) yy Best Director Northeast - Haobam Paban Kumar (Loktak Lairembee)/Manipur) yy Best Film Northeast - Loktak Lairembee (Lady of the Lake/ Manipur) yy Best Actor in a Supporting Role (female) - Pranami Bora (Maj Rati Keteki & Doordarshan Eti Jantra) yy Best Supporting Actor (male) - Bibhuti Bhushan Hazarika (Dooronir Nirola Poja & Maj Rati Keteki) yy Best Actor (female) - Pakeeza Begum (Beautiful Lives) yy Best Actor (male) - Bishnu Kharghoriya (Antardrishti) yy Popular Film - Doordarshan Eti Jantra yy Best Director - Kangkan Deka (Beautiful Lives) yy Best Film - Antardrishti n

Dooronir Nirola Poja - saga of the middle-class life in celluloid Rainbow Fields bags award at Hollywood International Cinefest 2017 ously a rare thing during the contem- ported by Jayshree Goswami in the

Director of ‘Dooronir Nirola Poja’, Dhruva J Bordoloi, with two Prag Cine Awards: Best Editor and Best Debut Director

Chandan Sarmah

ong back when it was almost well-accepted among the filmmakers that content of cinema must contain some dramatic elements and events since mere depiction of simple human life would not be enough to satisfy audience, maestros, like, Satyajeet Ray, Rittwick Kumar Ghatak, Mrinal Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, and a few others proved that if told in proper cinematic language comprising innovative visuals and overall meaningful treatment, the simple tale of common people would make an interesting film. Very-recently made Assamese feature film ‘Dooronir Nirola Poja’ belongs to this genre. Plain and simple storyline on the life of common people in narrative treatment was the basic significance of the film—obvi-

porary film scenario of Assam. The film is all set to get released on July 7 and there is no denying the fact that the masses will certainly find in the film a kind of affinity to their own day-to-day life. Produced by Sanjive Narain under the banner of A.M. Television Pvt. Ltd., and written, edited and directed by young and talented Dhruva J Bordoloi, ‘Dooronir Nirola Poja’ is a story of a middle-class family from rural backdrop who settles down in Dhekiajuli, a small town in Assam, with many a dream and aspiration. The family comprises of four—the father who is an employee of a private firm, the mother who a caring and responsible housewife, their son who is an adolescent with brilliant academic pursuits, and a daughter who is a child having potentials in dance and painting. They dream of a home there but unending small but unavoidable hardships compel them to face repeated agonising struggles. With myths, facts and facets from the serene land of a small suburban township, ‘Dooronir Nirola Poja’, is a stoic reminder of the struggle often faced by a number of middle-class families in many small towns of India. In acting front, experienced Mintu Barua leads the show with impressive performance and he is ably sup-

role of his wife. Of the rest of the cast, Bibhuti Bhushan Hazarika, Partha Hazarika, Raghavi Dutta and Sonia Sarma deserve special mention for their flawless acting skill. The film had recently earned nominations for nine categories in Prag Cine Awards 2017 and won three : Best Debut Director and Best Editing by Dhruva J Bordoloi, and Best Supporting Actor by Bibhuti Bhushan Hazarika. ‘Dooronir Nirola Poja’ is an outcome of cohesive team work. At least, its superior quality in cinematography (Suruj Deka), background music (Tony Deori Basumatary & Utkarsh Dhotekar) and sound design (Ranjan Pattnayak) clearly depict so. Director Bordoloi who also happens to be one of the co-producers of the film, deserves applause for achieving technical fineness by means of measured and innovative use of these three departments. Well, a little more care in the script would have certainly taken the film to a rare height. Two pleasant songs of the film are penned by Rajdweep and three other important unit members are: Sowrik Datta (Creative Director), Rumi Bhuyan (Costume) and Arup Jyoti Sarma (Production Manager). The entire effort is backed by Hemanta Kumar Bordoloi as the co-producer and Narayan Seal and Bhaskar J Bhuyan as Executive Producers. n

n Assamese film by writer-director Bidyut Kotoky, Xhoixoboite Dhemalite(Rainbow Fields) won the Best Foreign Film Award in the Hollywood International Cinefest 2017 announced on 30th June, Friday. The 37 year old film maker’s redemption drama Xhoixoboite Dhemalite, which revolves around children growing up in violent places witnessing brutality around them, won the top prize for its sensitive portrayal and a striking narrative style. Speaking about the movie, Kotoky said, “In this film I’m talking about Assam as I know her better than any other place. But the story of Xhoihobote Dhemalite / Rainbow Fields could very well have been a story of children in conflict zone from any part of this world.” Amrit Pritam has designed the sound for this film. Fresh from his nomination to the Oscar academy, Amrit says “It’s a beautiful movie which connects to my heart and soul.” The film stars include names like Dipannita Sharma, Nakul Vaid, Naved Aslam, Nipon Goswami and Ms Nikumoni Barua amongst others. Title track of the film is sung by Nilotpal Bora and

Dipakshi Kalita The film is Produced by ‘India Stories’, a Mumbai based production house founded by Trilok Malhotra and KR Harish and, specializing in both strong Bollywood and Regional content, and co-produced by Bidyut’s ‘dhruv creative productions’ and ‘Kurmasana Kreates’, a US based production house founded by Nitesh Batra and Kishor Gokhru. Mukul Gogoi is the associate producer of the film. List of 2017 winners include: After Ever After (Best Feature, English), Nothing Like the Sun (Best Short, English), Rainbow Fields (Best Feature, Foreign), Maintenance Required (Best Short, Foreign), and, Nothing Like the Sun (Best Screenplay). n

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Events

Inspire Papa session being conducted by Kaushik Khanikar Reigning pageant holder Meriya Subba crowning Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017 Mary Khyriem from Meghalaya

15th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017 Venue: ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa

Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017 - Mary Khyriem from Meghalaya

Event: [twn | SOCIAL ] Tales Writing Workshop Date: June 28 Venue: Back Benchers Cafe, Guwahati People of various age groups participated and were much hopeful about future events A one of a kind event for young Guwahatians – various sessions from tales writing to motivational sessions, startup culture to slam poetry gripped 200+ Guwahatians.

Winners of 8th Fair & Lovely Men Mega Mister North East and 15th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017

In front of approximately 900 spectators from all across the north-eastern region, Mary Khyriem from Shillong, Meghalaya was crowned the 15th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2017 at the ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa on Sunday evening. Besides, Strela Thounaojam from Imphal and Smriti Sarmah from Guwahati became the 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.

Celebrating Northeast - by NEIFT Blucloud Academy Venue: Vivanta by Taj Date: 30th June, 2017

The Microfiction workshop going on with much enthusiasm

Radha Barooah Panesar along with other guests a the show

A Cultural Evening with textile fashion show by NER designers: Robert Noarem, Debjani Borah, Jahnabi Swargiyari among others

Maxime Grivel

A “Contemporary New Aged Indian Malt dinner” was crafted by Chef Sovan Das of Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati and Maxime Grivel, Diageo Brand Ambassador. The identification and demand for Single Malt whiskey is yet to make way into Guwahati, but such events are a treat to the liquor enthusiasts in the city. On the menu were some delectable Indian items, presented in a contemporary manner and were paired to bring out the best in each.

Model walking on the ramp

Vikram Rai Medhi delivering the welcome address Event: Malt Whiskey Dinner Venue: Vivanta by Taj Date: 24th June, Saturday

Models being led by Triveni Barman, FBB Miss India (Assam)

Fennel cheesecake (gulab jamun with ma scarpone chesses stuffing), a black rice based Magnum (ice-cream) and kalakand

Galouti Kabab & Scampi with Goat cheese Upma and Banana chips

G PLUS | JUL 01- JUL 07, 2017

Catching Up Most shared story of the week New

Chick on the block

About Me Greetings to the readers of GPlus! I am Parbin Sultana, a Guwahati girl, who is passionate about art. I did my schooling from Uzan Bazar Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; High school, HS from Swadeshi Academy, and graduation from IGNOU. I love painting. I love making artistic figures in anything I can reach out to. For me, art is the best medium of expression of thoughts and feelings. I have participated in 50 plus number of dance and art competitions and have won several prizes. Mojo I have grown up actively participating in various cultural activities. Having grown up doing summer workshops during my school days since early childhood, I have a strong inclination towards acting. I have worked with artists like Barasha Rani Bishaya and as a child artist too.

n a shocking incident, hundreds of plastic bottles were recovered from the drains of the city, as workers of Guwahati Municipal Corporation cleaned up the drains of GS Road. Such dumped bottles that block drains are considered a major cause of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artificial floods.

While we crib that Government has failed to take proper drainage measures, this picture shows the sorry reality of the fact that the citizens of Guwahati are responsible to a major extent for the artificial floods.

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Route in Woods I do not have any defined picture in mind right now but acting is my passion and that is something I would love to carry forward in my future. I am fascinated by the profile of news reader, and will happily pursue it if given a chance. But, no matter what, I want to bring good name to my family and the state through my acting. Photography by - Unique Borah

Parbin Sultana

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