Vol 4 Issue 38 by G Plus

Ghy out of flood threat but state death toll reaches 52 PG 03

Himanta takes non-performing school teachers to the cleaners PG 04

New Chic on the Block Kiran Laishram PG 22

VOLUME 04 | ISSUE 38 JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017 PRICE `10

Pallab Lochan’s promises will not solve APDCL chaos While promising to improve the power scenario in the state, the MoS for Power says that 1,200 kms of LT lines will be re-conducted in Guwahati; former department engineer feels this is hardly a solution Rahul Chanda

8 Films

from Assam that have created a mark in international grounds

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

ower minister Pallab Lochan Das was recently ridiculed by a section of the media for laughing at the teachers when his political idol, Assam health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, was reviewing the reasons behind the poor results of government schools this year. People criticised Pallab Lochan for the gross

irresponsibility of Assam Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APDCL) which resulted in 5 electrocution deaths in Guwahati itself. In view of the recent spate of deaths due to electrocution in different parts of Assam, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, on Wednesday, ordered an enquiry into circumstances leading to the fatalities, especially during the floods. Sonowal ordered additional chief secretary of agriculture, KK Mittal, to enquire into the in-

cidents and submit the report at the earliest. In the past few days, 5 deaths were reported from Guwahati and a middle-aged man from Golaghat lost his life due to electrocution. The very next day the minister of state (MoS) for power, Pallab Lochan Das, called for a press conference and made various promises. Will he be able to change the state’s power scenario? Was he able to find out the reasons behind the deaths caused Continued on page 2

Locals of Kalapahar table civic issues in 7th edition of Ward Talks Juthika Baruah juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

G PG

uwahati witnessed the seventh edition of “Ward Talks” with the active participation of residents of Ward No 17. The event took place at Binova Nagar LP School, Colony Bazaar, Kalapahar in the presence of close to 200 locals of areas such Lutuma, Narakasur Hill, 4th APBN, Kalapahar among several other areas that fall within the ward. The discussion was chaired by Siddhartha Bhattacharya, MLA, Gauhati East and on the panel were the Mayor of Guwahati Municipal Corporation Mrigen Sarania, Ward Councillor Madhuchanda Deb, Sailendra Pandey,

Guwahati East MLA Siddhartha Bhattacharya addressing the meeting at Ward No. 17 | G Plus Photo

PRO Excise Department, Dibakar Mali, Assistant Engineer GMC Division 6, Sunit Das, SDO PWD,

Abhijit Choudhury, SDO PWD, Kulendra Nath Deka, ACP Traffic, Continued on page 7

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Lead Story

Pallab Lochan’s promises will not solve APDCL chaos

Power minister Pallab Lochan Das addressing a press conference in Guwahati | G Plus Photo

Continued from page 1 by electrocution? What changes are APDCL planning to effect to ensure that there would be no further deaths by electrocution? Why does Guwahati still suffer from frequent power cuts? G Plus also talks to some sources in the power department to know the exact power scenario.

The promises Pallab Lochan Das said that the Assam government will mandate installation of earth-leakage circuit breakers (ELCB) in electricity connections of over 2 kilowatts. The state power department will make installation of ELCB mandatory to prevent high earth impedance to prevent shock. Since January this year, 21 people have lost their lives by electrocution; this has caused a public outcry. Das said this device will detect leakage and power will trip once this device is installed. He also said that the power department will soon carry out electrical audit. According to him, Assam’s power transmission and distribution (T&D) losses are roughly around 23% to 24%. He said that with an investment of Rs 149 crores, the department will be re-conducting 1,200 kms electricity connection of low tension (LT) electrical lines in Guwahati. He announced an emergency number (8876100100) where people can call to address any problem in the electrical connections. He said there is a toll free number as well (1912) but the area engineers will receive the calls directly at 8876100100. He said that they will arrange for an awareness programme to educate people

about the safety measures which will help them avoid accidents. He said that fencing of sub-stations and transformers will be made mandatory and the department will conduct an electrical audit to find out all the vulnerable points. He also said that for any developmental work an NOC will have to be acquired from a chief electrical inspector (CEI) of APDCL who will check the risk factors and ensure that the electrical connections are well connected. He said there will be mobile vans in all the districts which will be providing speedy response whenever required. On being asked about Guwahati, he said that there will be 9 mobile vans which will cover the entire city. On being asked whether the department had conducted any enquiry to find out the reasons behind the electrocution deaths in the city and the state, he said that the chief minister has ordered an enquiry and the same is awaited; till now the reasons are not known. He also said that the advertisements and hoardings from electrical poles will be removed and such publicity will not be allowed in the future. Now, will all these promises be kept? Will these initiatives help resolve the myriad issues? G Plus talked to a retired engineer of APDCL who spoke under conditions of anonymity and explained the possibilities.

The scenario The retired engineer said, in anonymity, that there are state sector power generators like Karbi Langpi power station, Namrup power station, etc which generate around 250 MW of electricity.

Similarly, there are many central sector generating stations like NHPC, NTPC, NEEPCO, etc which also have adequate allotment for Assam. The source APDCL has to purchase power from the state’s generating stations also. The source said that power cannot be stocked. It has to be consumed as generated. The source said that Assam requires, at the maximum, 1600 MW during the peak hours, and including the state power generation and central power allocation, sometimes it is around 1800 MW. So there is no question of load shedding but there are issues of line faults which lead to power cuts. The source said that after the power is generated normally in 11 KV, the voltage is increased and the power is distributed through grid lines. APDCL then steps down the voltage from 220 KV to 33 KV and there is a requirement of grid substation. In Guwahati there are four grid substations (Sarusajai, Khanapara, Kahilipara and Narengi). So the power gets distributed initially from the grid substations. From there it might go to a 33/11 KV substation which is usually a transformer. So there might be faults in the main substation of 33 KV, the transformer, the DTR or the LT line. Hence, there are many points where faults might surface and it is often time-consuming to detect the exact location of the fault. The source said that people think Assam produces less electricity and therefore there is load-shedding. But APDCL has to pay even the state generators. So it does not matter if the power is purchased from state or central

generators and load shedding is usually done to cut costs which used to happen earlier. But now power flow is not disconnected to save money as the central generators and the state generators supply power according to the demand. The source said it is because of line fault that power gets cut these days. He further said that electrocution death is another consequence of faulty lines as the lines in Guwahati and across the state are very old. The connectors are also very old. Hence, everything needs to be changed. While the minister said that 1,200 kilometres of LT lines in Guwahati will be re-conducted, the source opined that this alone cannot be the solution to electrocution deaths. He said that it is very difficult to find out the vulnerable points as there is no mechanism in APDCL to find out or know where exactly the fault is. He said that APDCL loses revenue of Rs 1,200 crores every year, and re-conducting of only 1,200 kms of LT lines in Guwahati cannot be the only solution. He said that the lines across Assam have to be changed and re-conduction with quality wires has to be done which would require a huge amount of money. He said that the connectors also have to be changed as many connecters are of low quality. About ELCB, he said that in Guwahati many people are already using it but they still face problems. He said that pre-paid meters is one option which can eliminate power theft and loss of revenue, but it again requires huge money. He said that the present government is planning all these changes after one year of governance, whereas people had expectations from the government as soon as it took charge. He said that every rainy season there are life threats because of poor lines and connections. Pallab Lochan Das had blamed the previous government for the chaotic power scenario in APDCL. On being asked about his own performance, he said that he had just recently joined. Even after 5 deaths the minister is waiting for the CM enquiry report without even trying to know the reasons on his own. It seems it is because of the public outcry that he hurriedly made some promises to show that he is working. But the chaotic power scenario of APDCL is far from seeing a solution. n

yy yy

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

In The News

Ghy out of flood threat; state death toll reaches 52

With the Brahmaputra water level at 49.67 metres which is below the danger level, the city is not facing flood threat from the Brahmaputra waters but 8 persons have died in the city this season; 21 places affected because of landslides in the city and many areas affected by urban floods of 21 sites have been affected by landslides. The source said that in the present monsoon season of 2017-18, a total of 8 persons have been reported dead due to various disasters like

DCL, water resource department, police, GMC, SDRF, traffic police and PWD (R) have been deputed in the joint control room. He said that all the departments have appointed one nodal officer who is in constant

Urban flood-affected areas The DDMA source said that though the Brahmaputra waters did not enter the city, many areas in the city were inundated because of urban floods last week

A view of the swollen Brahmaputra from Uzanbazar | G Plus Photo

Rahul Chanda rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

Plus had reported last week that Guwahati could be under flood threat as the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level and the sluice gate on Bharalu River was closed given the scare of a backflow of the Brahmaputra River into the city. Meanwhile, the death toll in the Assam floods this year has risen to 50 with five more people dying on Thursday. Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, led a central team comprising National Disaster Response Force and NITI Aayog officials for ground assessment of the damages incurred due to the floods and landslides in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. After visiting Lakhimpur, the worst-hit district in Assam, Rijiju and his team took stock of the situation at Laptap village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare District where 14 people were killed by a landslide on Tuesday. What is the scenario now and is Guwahati still under flood threat? What is the water level now? What is the state flood scenario? G Plus looks at the latest situation.

Guwahati Last week, Deputy Commissioner Kamrup (Metro), Dr M Angamuthu, talking to G Plus had said that he was aware that the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level and there were even reports of erosion in some places. He had said, “All the ferry services on the river have been stopped and even the private boats and ferry services are not being allowed to sail.” Trying to know the present scenario, a highly placed source in the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), talking to G Plus on 14th July evening, said that the Brahmaputra water

was measured at 49.67 metres that evening which is below the danger level and it is going down further. The source explained that the danger level of the river in Guwahati is 49.68 metres and since last week the level was above danger with 5 to 48 cms on every measurement. But on 14th July, which was Friday, the level was measured below the danger level. The source said that the highest level measured till date was on 21st July 2004 which was 51.46 metres; the entire Fancy Bazar area was submerged that time. The department was worried even this time but the source said that by God’s grace the level has decreased for the moment. The source further said that ferry services on the river remains discontinued and even the sluice gate on Bharalu River is closed as unless the flood scenario in upper Assam improves the level of water in the city might increase. The source said that though there is no scare of the Brahmaputra water coming into the city, the heavy rains have triggered landslides in many city areas while many areas were affected by urban floods. According to the source a total

Revenue circle

Affected sites

Dispur

Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Shree Nagar, Tarun Nagar, Zoo Road, Udalbakra, VIP Road, Narengi, Joya Nagar, Hatigaon, Dakhin Gaon, Kahilipara

Guwahati

Lachit Lane, Rajgarh Road, BT College Road, Pandu, Chatribari, Lamb Road, Chandmari, Fatasil, Pub Sarania

Azara

Dharapur, VIP Road, SOS Road

Chandrapur

Tintukura, Paschim Mayong, Gobhali, Panikhaiti

Sonapur

Jorabat

electrocution, drowning and landslides. The source further said that though Brahmaputra water is flowing below danger level and because the Bharalu sluice gate is closed the threat of backflow is not there but whenever it rains heavily in the city the urban flood and landslide threat remains. He said that as 8 people are already dead in nature’s fury the district administration and the DDMA have taken various measures to avoid any further accidents.

The measures The source said that the DDMA control room was made functional 24/7 and representatives from AP-

Landslide affected areas Several landslides have occurred in different places of Kamrup Metropolitan District till date. Name of revenue circle

Affected sites

Dispur

Bonda Chopaidang, Garobasti, Kamala Bagan, Kailashpur, Hengrabari, Dispur Parking near NABARD Bank

Guwahati

Krishna Nagar Chandmari, Amiya Nagar, Piyoli Phukan Nagar, Bonkonwar Nagar Kharguli, Uttar Jyoti Nagar, Kalipur, Fatasil Ambari, Dilip Huzuri Path, Dakhin Sarania

Azara

Matia

Chandrapur

Panikhaiti, Bongaon, Aranya Nagar, Hatisila

Sonapur

Jorabat

touch with the CEO, DDMA. The divisional forest officer, in close coordination with APDCL/GMC etc, has been asked to immediately start trimming and pruning the trees which may damage electrical wires during heavy storm or thunderstorm. Various awareness meetings are being conducted in most floodprone areas of Guwahati city in collaboration with circle officers and NGOs related to DDMA. PWD (R) has been directed to check all the open manholes in and around the city and take immediate steps to cover the same. The GMC commissioner has been directed to check all the electrical wirings of the street lights and to raise the electrical panels so that they do not come into contact with flood waters. The source said that she has also been directed to check the electrical connections of the existing electrical hoardings standing on the median of the main roads and not to allow any further installations of new electrical hoardings on the medians. Source also said that the GMC commissioner has been directed to take remedial measures for cleaning of existing blockages, obstructions etc on the entire stretch of Bharalu and Bahani Rivers. She has also been directed to take necessary measures for maintenance and upkeep of both the rivers till the monsoon season is over. So the city is out of flood danger from the

Brahmaputra waters but the urban floods are still a looming nightmare and all departments have been alerted accordingly.

The state According to the flood report released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on 14th July, 29 districts in the state are affected by floods this season and 52 people have died across the state due to floods. There are 300 operational relief camps across the state with approximately 1.18 lakh inmates. 12,516 people were evacuated in 19 districts by NDRF, SDRF, administration and local people. The flood scenario still remains critical in the state with the centre promising all kinds of help. Lakhimpur is the worst affected area and according to sources in Dispur, many IAS officers have been sent to flood affected areas to take stock of the situation and monitor the relief work. 25 districts of the state containing 2,240 villages are affected by floods in the state. Around 15 lakh people are affected by the floods this season in the state. n

yy yy yy

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

In The News

Himanta takes non-performing school teachers to the cleaners

State Education Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, issues “perform or perish” warning to non-performing schools even as 13,023 teachers have been appointed till date in LP and UP schools; teachers will be provided with geo-fencing for tracking their attendance in school

Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distributing appointment letters among the newly recruited regular teachers of LP and UP schools under the Directorate of Elementary Education, during a function at GMCH auditorium | G Plus Photo

Juthika Baruah juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

fter the poor performance in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination of 2017 by many schools, state education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was compelled to take action against school teachers and principals as it is the responsibility of the teachers to guide the students and make them capable enough to pass the examination. In a meeting held on 10th July with the principals of those schools which had a pass percentage of zero in the HSLC examination, minister Sarma came to know that in many schools there were 10-12 teachers but only 5-8 students. And yet, the pass percentage stood at zero. “The teachers are getting handsome salaries but still they do not bother to go to school on time and don’t even complete the syllabus. They come with various problems like infrastructure, communication etc. which is the responsibility of the government to look after. If a school which has five students and eight teachers cannot make a single student pass the examination what is the point of retaining their jobs wasting huge amounts of government money on teachers who are good for nothing,”

said Himanta Biswa Sarma. The minister said that the schools should either perform or perish and strict action will be taken against the principals and the teachers whoever will be found responsible. Sarma further added that provincialised schools resorting to manipulation of enrolment records would be de-provincialised, if proved so. “During the review, we also noticed that several recently provincialised schools have single-digit number of students. As per rules, a school should have at least 30 students for provincialisation,” stated Sarma, adding, “Besides, many others contradictions have been found and regarding this, an inquiry will be conducted by tallying the school records with the SEBA records. We will de-provincialise such schools which have given false data of students.” The principals of 93 schools having pass percentage below 10 were also held accountable for their failure. “We will send inspection teams to such schools to review the overall performance of the teachers. The team will also interact with the local people and further action would be taken up on the basis of reports produced by the team. If required, such schools would be merged with other schools and teachers would be transferred elsewhere.”

The minister also announced that a Whatsapp group of the poorly performing schools would be formed where the principals will have to give daily updates about the presence of teachers from the morning assembly session till school gets over. The minister had called the review meeting of three different categories of schools viz. those with 100% pass results, those with 1-10% pass results and those which had pass percentage of zero, at the premises of Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA). It is very unfortunate that in 31 schools, the candidates in which range from 3-54, had zero pass percentage in HSLC examination. During the review meeting it came to light that 124 schools which had shown better results prior to provincialisation in 2013 have shown relatively poor results after provincialisation, i.e., after they started receiving government funds. “The teachers who were working hard before provincialisation are least bothered about the students as they are now getting handsome salaries post provincialisation and they are giving lame excuses like: those students who have not been able to perform in the examination are from very low class families, especially from Adivasi families, or from minority classes and who do not have any interest

in studying hard to pass the examination,” said Sarma. The minister therefore ordered mass transfers of teachers including punishment postings, warned of imposing voluntary retirement schemes on non-performing teachers and also contemplated merging of schools with private schools or such government schools which could assure that they would be able to take the responsibility of the students and ensure that they pass in the matriculation. On the other hand, while distributing appointment letters to the regular teachers of lower primary and upper primary schools at GMCH Auditorium on 12th July, Sarma said that Jio fencing will be given to the teacher. This is an electronic device for marking their attendance. “All the teachers will be given an iPad which will have Jio fencing and the button could only be pressed within the school premises and if any teacher tries to press the button from home or any other place the button will not work. After the launch of the Jio fencing the teacher will have to come to school at least once (every working day),” said Sarma. After the formation of the new government, 7,226 teachers were appointed in June, 2016, 4,823 teachers in March, 2017 and 974 teachers were appointed in July, 2017 bring it to a total 13,023 appointments made to LP and UP teachers. The minister also said that the process of appointment of teachers before 2012 was opaque and after the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) was conducted, more than 60,000 teachers have been appointed till date. “In the very beginning, people praised the entire process of TET appointment but since one and a half years it has come to notice that the teachers have shown bad results and even the Vice-Chancellor of Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU) said that 130 students who appeared for D.EL.ED examination have been expelled from the examination hall for cheating in the examination,” Sarma said. The minister has issued notices to the 130 TET teachers for terminating their services imme-

diately saying that if the teachers are found to be cheating how will they provide education to the students. In an assessment done by the Sarba Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) it has been found that in 5,000 schools in the state there are only 15 students in each and against these 15 students there are two teachers but still the teachers fail to make the students capable enough to pass the examination. The minister also said that if any school gets Grade D in Gunotsav, strict action will be taken against that school. He also said that the teachers who have been appointed on contractual basis for 11 months in schools that have received Grade A+ have had their terms extended till 60 years of age, i.e., till retirement. n

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Lack of professional courses in city colleges forging bleak employment scenario

City

Absence of industrialization in the state is the reason that professional courses have failed to be incorporated in the city’s college syllabi and students are forced to go outside to pursue such career-oriented courses back side of their houses,” the VC said. He further said that the professional attitude among the students is absent; in order to develop the professional attitude the students have to be trained from the school level itself and the mindset of the people have to be changed. He said, “Pursuing a degree is not important but it should be utilized and it is due to the non-industrialization in the state that students go outside to pursue professional courses as there is ample scope outside rather than here in the state or in the city. File photo of a training program conducted by NEDFI We have universities and various educational institutions but still Juthika Baruah choose his or her own career after we don’t have professional coursmatriculation. A student who has es and it is because of this that juthika.baruah@g-plus.in students cannot practice on the failed in an examination carries a stigma that he has failed and can- subjects and even the colleges and universities do not have teaching n today’s competitive world not study further which is a wrong posts for such subjects,” said Deka. students prefer to opt for pro- concept. He might have abilities in Choosing a career after Grade fields other than studies and that fessional courses rather than choose only medical or engineer- chance should be provided to him 12 is a very tough job for which ing but Guwahati’s higher educa- through vocational courses,” said many students also give up their lives by committing suicide as the Vice-Chancellor of KKHSOU. tional institutes and colleges are they choose the wrong track and The VC said that a student is painfully lacking in providing the same resulting in students mov- sent outside for pursuing profes- become frustrated. Most students sional courses as parents have ing outside the state to pursue money but the outcome seems to such courses. According to the be zero as they have to come back Vice-Chancellor of Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University to the pavilion, i.e., to their home(KKHSOU), Hitesh Deka, the gov- town and do a job which is not ernment has no policy of providing commensurate with their qualifivocational and professional cours- cations and this is happening because there is absence of industries es in the state’s colleges. in the state. “There is no tie-up beThere are several key factors that students take into considera- tween the educational institutions tion while enrolling for career-ori- and industries in Assam as is there ented professional courses after in West Bengal, Bihar, Delhi or in Higher Secondary or Grade 12 ex- other states. As there is no indusams. Youngsters are more inclined try in the state students do not get to study medicine, engineering or the scope and therefore they go for jobs which are not to their satisfacIT and most students go for degrees tion or qualification. Rather, they based on social considerations rather than interest and profitabil- have to continue to gratify their parents. Another important fact ity. But in Guwahati the students do not even get a chance to opt for is that the academicians and the professional courses as the uni- universities are essentially failures versities or institutions have failed as they have failed to provide this to provide the subjects that are in scope to the students,” the VC said. He further stated that no unidemand. This is apparently due to the lack of growth of industriali- versity, academician or entrepreneur has utilized the resources of zation in the state of Assam. “The students should be trained for vo- the state. “In our state every household in rural areas has a pond but cational courses right from Grade XI onwards but the government still people buy fish. The state is does not have any policy on voca- under floods 4-5 months every tional or professional courses. Sub- year but still fish worth crores of jects like Science, Maths, English rupees come from outside and this etc should not be made compulso- happens only because the people do not utilize the resources. We ry. Rather these subjects should be have not trained the people to rear made optional and the concept of “fail” should be eliminated so that fish although 50% of the rural folk have ponds both in front and the every student can get a chance to

choose their careers based on their parents’ decision and parents also don’t have much choice than to force their children to opt for medical or engineering as there is no professional course in the educational institutions which can be a career option. The students are unable to handle the burden of studies and this leads to frustration resulting in drastic steps like suicide. Eventually, they fail to fulfil the dreams of their parents. Suicide rate among unemployed doctors and engineers is alarming. India has the highest rate of suicides among people aged between 15 and 29 years, with career and unemployment related deaths ranking fairly high. Lack of proper career guidance and career counselling is quoted as a reason. Pressure from parents to study or follow a particular profession is cited as the main cause for suicides among students. According to National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 1,35,445 Indians committed suicide in 2016. A shocking 40 out of every

1,00,000 Indians between 15 and 29 commit suicide due to career/ employment issues. n

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Business

One product, one price: restaurants, multiplexes must follow MRP

File photo of a restaurant bill post GST

Nehal Jain jain.nehal@g-plus.in

n many recent cases, consumers have been seen approaching the consumer forums and courts for unfair trade practices like charging above MRP. The accused bodies try to justify the overcharging as ‘general practice’ and ‘ambience tax.’ It’s not unusual for customers to pay a few extra bucks for mineral water bottles, be it at train stations or restaurants. But is this not-so-unusual thing fair? No, it’s not even though many shop-

keepers across India have made it a norm. However, it must be informed that anyone who buys a bottle at more than its MRP can sue the seller, as it is fundamentally a violation of ‘Fair Trade Practice.’ Section 36 of this Act clearly says that anyone caught selling, distributing or delivering any pre-packaged commodity that does not conform to the declarations on the package shall be punished with fine up to Rs 25,000 for the first offence. It can increase to Rs 50,000 for second offence and subsequent offences can attract a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or imprison-

ment for one year or both. However, from a judicial standpoint the legality of this practice is still uncertain. There have been cases where the courts have fined restaurants lakhs of rupees for charging nominal amounts over MRP (Hotel fined Rs 1.5 lakh for charging Rs 5 above MRP costs - The Economic Times, Dec 27, 2010) and then there have been cases where charging over MRP for mineral water was allowed as to account for the ambiance and service provided by the restaurant (Sell water above MRP, HC tells hotels - News 18, March 6, 2007).

Charging over the MRP violates the Legal Metrology (packaged commodities) Rules 2011 according to which, a consumer cannot be charged higher than the printed MRP of packaged goods. So, how fair is it to pay Rs. 53 for a bottle of water the actual MRP of which is just Rs. 20? Or Rs. 130 for a bottle of cold drink which can be bought for Rs. 35 from any other nearby store? On the one hand, some people are willing to pay this extra amount for their purchases, be it merely Rs. 2 extra as cooling charge (for water, juices and other drinks) in small stores or Rs. 100 extra as ambience charge in big restaurants. On the other hand, there are others who discourage the practice of overcharging. In a recent case at the Mosaic Restaurant at Dispur, a customer got into a quarrel with the manager of the restaurant because she was overcharged for a bottle of cold drink. The customer was charged Rs. 130 for a bottle of cold drink which had printed MRP of just Rs. 35. The manager, who was calling the additional charge as part of ambience charge and tax under GST, couldn’t justify such a high price for the cold drink and had to finally charge her the actual rate of the bottle. Ajoy Hazarika, consumer forum personnel, informed G Plus that the number of registered cases of overcharging have gone down post the introduction of

GST. To improve the numbers further, consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan, on 7th July, warned of a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, including a jail term, if new post GST rates are not printed on the inventory in the interest of consumers. Manufacturers have been allowed to clear the unsold stocks by September with the new MRP. A committee of the consumer affairs ministry has been set up to address consumer grievances on GST and even helplines have been increased to 60 from 14 to address tax related queries, he said. More than 700 queries have been received by the consumer helplines and the ministry has sought expert help from its finance counterpart to resolve them. “There are initial hiccups while implementing GST, but all those will be resolved soon. All ministries concerned, including finance and consumer affairs, are alert and a redressal mechanism is in place to resolve the concerns of consumers and traders,” Paswan said. The Toll-Free number of Consumer Forum is 1800-11-4000. Timing: All days except national holidays (09:30 AM To 05:30 PM). Otherwise, one can send SMS to 8130009809 and can expect a revert. Complaints can be registered online and the same can also be tracked. To avail this facility, one has to visit the Consumer Helpline portal and register. n

FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 ticket sales cross 100,000 mark

00,000 of the 139,760 tickets put up on sale so far have been snapped up for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, confirming the country’s huge interest in the first FIFA tournament in India. “The fact that we have already sold 100,000 tickets for the World Cup when we are still

84 days away from it, speaks volumes of the interest from fans into coming to watch the tournament. Ever since we opened the sales, it has defied the usual pattern for events here, where people wake up at the last minute and book the tickets. We already have 100,000 fans that want to come to the stadiums,

and it is very exciting. We are on the right track to show the whole world, full stadiums for the World Cup,” commented Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee, Javier Ceppi. FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 got its 100,000 th ticket holder when Arjun Sachdeva

purchased his tickets for Group A matches in New Delhi. The LOC will reward Sachdeva with World Cup memorabilia for holding the 100,000 th ticket and booking his place in history. Phase II of the ticket sales began immediately after the Official Draw took place on July 7th. The available inventory for this

phase in Kochi and Kolkata was sold out on 10 th July 2017. Guwahati too, is edging closer to exhausting its inventory in this phase. The tournament is scheduled to be held between 6th and 28th October, tickets for the same can be booked on www. fifa.com/india2017/ticketing. n

Weather report for the week Guwahati

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

T-Storms

Partly Cloudy

T-Storm

T-Storms

T-Storm

33°/26° C

35°/27° C

35°/26° C

31°/26° C

31°/25° C

30°/25° C

SATURDAY

Partly Cloudy

33°/25° C

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Locals of Kalapahar table civic issues in 7th edition of Ward Talks

Ward Watch

A busy street like AK Azad Road does not have a single speed-breaker and divider leaving the area severely accidentprone and placing the lives of school children in jeopardy the same. “We have now started a new project and we have divided the 31 wards into 52 parts so that in the bigger wards 2-3 NGOs can be engaged so that no house is left out in the garbage collection process,” the Mayor said. Locals also mentioned about youths engaging in drinking in public places and creating chaos in the area. Youths are also engaged in consuming drugs. It has also been alleged by the locals that the sale of illicit liquor is a common practice in some areas and although police are aware of the facts they do not take any action against it. Commenting on the issue, PRO of excise department, Sailendra Pandey, said that the excise department will come up with an act which will render offenders non-bailable and only after that such activities will

A resident of Ward No 17 speaking during the Ward Talks | G Plus Photo

Continued from page 1 Easter Soren, Sub-Inspector of Fatasil Ambari PS and Kirti Talukdar, Assistant Engineer of GMDA. Residents of the area raised questions on several issues to the panellists regarding water crisis, dilapidated conditions of roads, non-availability of street lights, garbage collection, anti-social activities and other problems related to the area. As most of the area under Ward No 17 is hilly people are hugely prone to suffering from severe water crisis. Speaking on the problem, MLA Bhattacharya said that the GMDA water supply project will be commissioned consequent to which water will become available. The MLA also alleged that the GMDA has excavated the roads for installing the water pipes but once they excavate they do not reconstruct the roads. Lashing out at IVRCL, the organisation responsible for carrying out the water supply project which is funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the MLA said that Guwahati is being destroyed under the tag of development. “There are several roads in the city that have been ploughed through just a few days after their construction. The IVRCL has been repeatedly urged

to coordinate with the other departments before carrying out their work. It has happened on several occasions when the officials have demolished one side of a newly constructed road and I had to rush to the spot. Moreover, the roads should be restored to its previous condition but it is evidently not being done,” Bhattacharya said. Adding to it, Mayor Mrigen Sarania said that 60 roads should have been constructed and it is the responsibility of the PWD department for the construction of the road after JICA transfers the fund. Another problem of the area

is that the condition of the lanes and by-lanes is very bad; they are dilapidated and the drains do not have the capacity to carry excess drain water. Also the footpaths are encroached by street vendors. MLA Bhattacharya also announced that construction of four roads within the ward will be done soon and funds have already been sanctioned. The roads are Kali No Path, Bhairabtala, Namghar Path and Colony Bazaar

Mayor Mrigen Sarania addressing the gathering at Ward No 17 | G Plus Photo

Upper lane. Garbage collection also surfaced as a problem in the area where lack of manpower in GMC came to light. “Earlier the house-to-house garbage collection was done on daily basis but as the NGO is faced with some problem in terms of infrastructure and money they do not collect the garbage on time,” said Assistant Engineer of GMC, Division 6, Dibakar Mali. Moreover, Mayor Sarania said that in the first two years of the project of garbage collection which was given to NGOs in all the 31 wards of the city they collected the garbage on time. But now, due to several reasons, they do not do

he PWD department is responsible for the construction of the roads after the JICA project - Mrigen Sarania, Mayor

come to end. Locals also alleged that there is no divider on the entire stretch of AK Azad Road for which many accidents take place in the area. Many school children also lose their lives in accidents in front of schools as there are no speed-breakers. Speaking on the issue, Bhattacharya said that it is a serious concern and at least 4 zebra crossings are important on the road as it is a very busy road which is linked to National Highway 37. Councillor of Ward No 17, Madhuchanda Deb said that dacoity and robbery are also common crimes that frequently take place in the locality and the place is very insecure for girls and women. The councillor has apparently repeatedly asked to strengthen the police patrolling in the locality but the issue has not been

taken up seriously for which such crimes often take place in the area. In its continued initiative to provide a platform for the citizens of Guwahati to express their problems and a medium to connect them with the administration, G Plus, in order to initiate some tangible improvements in the city starting with the micro-level of the wards - had been mulling with a concept whereby the people of a particular ward and the representatives of the Ward Unnayan Samitee could be brought together onto a common platform along with the authorities from various government departments like GMC, GMDA, Police, etc. for interaction and exchange of ideas. G Plus thus floated the concept of ‘Ward Talks’ and carried out the seventh phase of the initiative on 8th July last. The discussion concluded with solutions to several problems of the residents of the people that earned applause for the MLA and the councillor and hopes of a better city in the near future could be seen among the people of the area. n

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Buzz

Young Guwahatian If you think doodling is nothing but just scribbling, you need to hear it from this guy!

oodle art is a fun way of expressing yourself, and your thought process. It is an expression that shouts out loud by itself – that every thought could be voiced in sketch. The young college dropout of Guwahati, Santanu Hazarika, who gave in to the surreal subconscious mind and imagination, is the epitome of this reality. A young resident of Guwahati, Santanu Hazarika is a self-taught doodle artist who has been inspired and influenced by Hindu mythology and the symbolic approach to nature. His detailed and intricate works of art portrays philosophical interpretations starting from the tiniest of atom to the infinite cosmos. The artist, who often starts his work from point zero, goes on to create massive and elaborate doodles relying on his subconscious thought process. A hand and mind that flows freely is all that this young lad requires to paint brilliant doodles on a blank canvas. For this artist, doodle is a matter of fun, and an escape from reality. He could draw whatever he wanted, and

Santanu Hazarika

could play with fragments of imagination. As he gradually grew up, he started to doodle to purge his mind of all memories and prejudices. He would scribble contrasting elements, add surrealistic elemental touch and meaningful sketches, which otherwise looks crazy for the rest of the world. He scribbles day and night, and his canvas includes every form of surface, from blank papers to desks to refrigerators. He is fascinated by the endlessness of human imagination which makes him go berserk while he holds the sketch marker in hand. Doodling, as a form of art, is meditation for Santanu. His doodle elements are an amalgamation of his minute as well trivial past experiences of life. “For me, it’s a beautiful way of understanding life. But due to social stereotype, I was forced to join the already existing long queue of aspiring engineers of the nation. After years of struggling my way through it, my interest shifted to the metaphysical aspects of Hinduism. I was left awestruck with the immense clarity that the religion gave me. This thought pushed me strongly to give up engi-

privileged one to represent India in the contest and compete along with the representatives from 40 other nations. He was crowned the first ever Doodle Art Champion in the contest. The young artist of Guwahati got an opportunity to be one of the esteemed panellists for the Red Bull World Doodle Art Championship 2017, which was held at San Francisco. While being a member of the event that saw participants from more than 40 countries, he had worked closely with the Redbull, Australia team in making all the creatives used in the competition. He was the man behind all the key visuals of the contest. Talking about his experience, he said, “I was honoured to be one of the judges of the competition. Being a judge, I was invited to the Global Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA. It was a great experience to meet talented artists from all over the globe. The medium of this year’s contest was very new: “Virtual Reality – Google Tilt Brush and HTC Vibe,” but each of the art works were amazing by themselves. He appreciates the rising interest among the youth of Assam to-

Doodle Artist

neering and pursue my passion,” said Santanu about the beginning of his journey. Santanu has been a part of two major doodle competitions so far, the first one being 78 Tarot Card Project in the USA where he was selected along with 78 other artists from across the world, to create a custom tarot card deck. The second competition was World Redbull Doodle Art Championship 2014, which was held in Cape Town, South Africa. Santanu was the

wards doodle art. He believes that his achievement in 2014 has made a noise about the art in the entire region which has compelled the interest of the youth to shift towards this medium. Santanu has been constantly working on creating awareness about this art throughout his state and the entire nation through workshops and master classes. The doodle works of Santanu has garnered appreciation from renowned celebrities and dignitaries like Amitabh Bachchan and former chief minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi among others. Apart from collecting laurels on the global platform, Santanu’s works have been appreciated during multiple projects such as those of Harper’s, Redbull, Metropolis, Majarto (NDTV), Zoom Cars etc to name a few. Recently, he has worked with the comedy group AIB. The artist considers his family to be his strength and inspiration. Down the road, he desires to write a book which he has already started working on. His favourite artists are Kerby Rosanes and James Jean. The travel buff that Santanu is, he laughingly says, “If not a doodle artist, I’d probably have been a travel guide.”

In conversation with Priyadarshini, fbb Femina Miss India 2016 “I have a title, and I used it to get whatever justice I could,” Priyadarshini Chatterjee

orgeous, honest and ex- dabbling in modelling for a career. tremely talented are words “I was already interested in particithat just minimally de- pating in Miss India but there was scribe Priyadarshini Chatterjee, this fear of rejection that was stopping me. However, when the Delhi winner of fbb Femina Miss India World, 2016. This stunning beau- auditions happened, I just knew I ty queen from Guwahati not only had to go for it,” she said. That was her first big step won the coveted crown but conquered hearts as well. Her honesty in the world of modelling after and positivity is very impressive. which there was just no stopping her. She went on to become Miss In a candid conversation with G Plus, Priyadarshini talked about India Delhi 2016, Miss India 2016 her journey, what she thinks and Miss India World 2016, repabout the glamour industry of As- resenting India in the top 20, and becoming the first from northeast sam and much more. India to do so. Presently working with Times Early life Born as a premature baby to a of India and freelancing, this AsBengali family in Dhubri, Assam, sam beauty is not thinking about Priyadarshini was brought up in Bollywood right now but is instead planning to start a travel Guwahati. As a child, she faced blog and complete her graduation many health issues and struggles from Mumbai itself. “I’m not lookand no one would have thought she’d come out so strong from it ing to work in the Assamese film industry. Everyone has certain all and go on to represent India internationally. After completing dreams, aspirations and priorities. her schooling from Maria’s Public And working for the Assamese School, she went to Delhi to pur- film industry has never been part sue higher studies. There, she was of my dreams,” Priyadarshini told G Plus. pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Hindu College, DU. Glamour industry in Assam On being asked what she thinks of the glamour industry Modelling career It was while pursuing educa- in Assam, Priyadarshini said, tion in New Delhi that she started “We’re at a point where we are

constantly changing and evolving. Everything takes time, but I think we’re getting better. I’ve worked with some really good models and stylists from the northeast in Mumbai, and it feels good to see them doing so well at the national level.”

Message for the aspiring models Her only message to all the beauty pageant aspirants is, “We need to know who we are as a person. Everyone’s beautiful for me. So for me the only thing that makes a difference and makes you stand out from the others is your personality. So you need to know yourself and be yourself. You cannot be pretentious in this field.”

Priyadarshini on her letters to the Chief Minister Priyadarshini Chatterjee shot off letters to the state’s Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajit Singh, earlier this year over the sexual exploitation of a 13-yearold girl. Priyadarshini said the 13-year-old girl from Mangaldoi was sexually abused by a professor who

engaged the child as a domestic help for two years. Priyadarshini demanded the abuser’s arrest and action against the Dispur police for not taking the necessary actions regarding the complaint by the NGO, UTSAH so as to “set a progressive precedent around cases of child sexual abuse in Assam.” “I have always wanted to do something for Guwahati, and I have been associated with an NGO here called UTSAH for the very same reason. But as much as I would love to take steps to bring in betterment for Assam, I really don’t want to get into politics,” said Priyadarshini. “I have a title, and I used it to get whatever justice I could,” exclaimed Priyadarshini adding, “I wasn’t expecting such quick reaction to the video. But, if one small step works, there are 100 more steps to be taken when it comes to the Indian government and laws. It’s taking time but I’m glad that he (the CM) took it up. Because thousands and millions of times people don’t even pay attention. So I’m glad that he responded to the video. But yes, if I was any other normal being, and not a Miss India, I’m not sure if he would have seen the video.” n

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Health

State continues to lag behind on family planning issues Nehal Jain jain.nehal@g-plus.in

ssam continues to have one of the highest rates of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the nation. As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) of December, 2011, IMR in Assam (2010) is 58 per 1,000 live births against 47 for the country

World Population Day every year with massive awareness programs on population control measures, very few people actually respond to the same. A National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) in its 201516 report stated that the use of family planning methods adopted by currently married women in the age group of 1549 in Kamrup (Metropolitan) is 46.3%, which is much lower than

Trend in Infant mortality rate in Assam vis-a-vis India

as a whole. On the other hand, as per the SRS (July, 2011), the MMR in Assam (2007-09) of 390 per 1,00,000 live births is the highest in the country; the corresponding national attainment level is 212. Even in 2015-16 data, the figures have not changed much. Even as the state health department gears up to celebrate

the current use of family planning in India (53.5%). Among the various methods used for family planning, the use of the pill tops the chart with 14.4% usage. And while sterilization can still be seen as a widely used method, other methods like IUCD and PPIUCD are being highly recommended by the doctors. “We want the couple to be pro-

tected. Permanent sterilisation is still there, but we have started giving more emphasis on other methods of family planning. A huge increase can be seen in the use of methods like IUCD and PPIUCD in Assam, as well as in other parts of the country. These methods focus on increasing the gap between one child and the other, controlling the increase in population.” – Dr AC Baishya, Executive Director, NHM. One of the measures for improving MMR and IMR is the safe delivery. Incidentally, safe deliveries remain a challenge in the state. The reasons for the same are numerous – transportation delay, inability to meet blood requirements, low doctor-patient ratio as well as lower rates of deliveries by trained

Urban

Total

Any method (%)

48.1

46.3

Female sterilization (%)

11.9

12.2

Male sterilization (%)

0.0

IUD/PPIUD (%)

4.2

4.4

Pill (%)

14.5

14.4

Condom (%)

6.1

5.0

professionals. According to a recent survey, approximately 40% of deliveries in Assam are attended by trained attendants while the corresponding figure for all India is 52.7%.

can be seen adopting methods of their choice without consultation from the doctors. In the rural areas, most couples have 4-5 children and then they seek help from doctors regarding family

Free Health Camp conducted by Dishaa

Team of Dishaa, Swastica Bezbarua (2nd from left), Sussmriti Sarmah (4th from left) & Amrita Sarmah (5th from left)

ishaa, a new entrant in the NGO space, conducted a Free Health Camp on the 9th July, at Pachim Kamakhyagaon Hilltop, Guwahati. Dishaa was conceptualised by Swastica Bezbarua, Amrita

Sarmah and Sussmriti S Sarmah. They started this NGO this year in March and it focuses on women empowerment, social health & welfare and community development as their main work-stream. The health camp was organ-

ised for the people residing in the hilltop who is facing lack of proper medical facility in the nearby area. Dishaa NGO helped the residents of the area with a free medical check-up. Three renowned doctors from Guwahati extended their support for this noble cause. During the camp, it came to light that there was a huge turnout of people suffering from anaemia, general weakness and nutritional deficiencies. The local residents were much benefitted by this medical camp in terms of medical attention and free medicines. Dishaa is aiming to provide such medical camps at other locations where residents are deprived of proper medical attention, guidance and medicines. Dishaa is seeking organizations and people with similar social service mindset to come and join hands. Team members of Dishaa can be reached at 9706865765. n

planning, but by that time, it is already too late. Dr. Joyshree Goswami, a gynaecologist in the city says, “All family planning methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. They’re all suitable for different situations. Family planning is required to prevent abnormal pregnancies and to take care of the women’s health. As doctors, our top priority is the health of our patients. So there are many different factors to be considered while selecting a particular method. We have to see the age of the woman, her health, last pregnancy status, chances of molar pregnancy, etc before adopting any method.” With the advancement in technology, improvement in transportation and medical facilities, and increasing number of doctors in the state, the IMR and MMR can be seen going down. n

Another significant factor leading to such low figures in the state is the lack of proper education. Couples do not know exactly which family planning method to adopt. Either one doesn’t use any methods, or they

SALE NOTICE

Dated the 14/07/2017

This is for general information to all Concerned that under the provision made in Assam Sale of Forest Produce Coupes and Mahal Rules, 1977 (Amendment Rule, 2000) sealed tender affixing non-refundable court fee stamps worth of Rs.8.25 (Rupees Eight and twenty five) only on the tender form are hereby invited for sale of Timber lots under Dhemaji Division. The tender will be received upto 3p.m (IST) on 04/08/2017 by the undersigned or by the Conservator of Forests, Northeastern Assam Circle, Tezpur. If the office remains close for any reason on the date of receiving tender, the next working day will be fixed for receiving tender. Details terms and conditions of the timbers lots shall be available in the sale notice which can be procured from the office of the undersigned during office hours on payment of Rs. 50.00 (fifty) only per copy sale notice and Rs. 5.00 (five) per copy of tender from which is not refundable.

Divisional Forest Officer, Dhemaji Division Dhemaji

Janasanyog : 275/17

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Snippets

First Governing body meeting of MOITRI held Governor launches Greater Green Guwahati initiative

he first governing body meeting of the society for Mission for Overall Improvement of Thana for Responsive Image (MOITRI) under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was held on Wednesday at the conference hall of Brahmaputra State Guest House to transform all the 346 police stations in the state into centres for public service delivery system.

The meeting took stock of the status of implementation of MOITRI which was launched in 2016 and advocated for reorienting policing in the state by rebuilding and strengthening the relationship between police and citizens. It may be mentioned that under MOITRI, the police stations in state have been categorised into metro, town and rural as they will be restructured and refurbished in two

Guwahati’s first ever International Film Festival

phases. In the first phase, 73 police stations have been shortlisted to make them citizen friendly and accordingly an exhaustive plan has been drawn for implementing the system. In the second phase all the remaining police stations would be covered. Under MOITRI, chief minister Sonowal advised to make the police stations more eco-friendly and asked to deck them up with appropriate landscaping and trees. Moreover, MOITRI has envisaged changing the police stations with facilities like reception and waiting lounge, video-conference system, separate women and children cell, separate entry for them, toilets, adequate drinking water, boundary wall etc. Moreover, chief minister Sonowal also asked the concerned authority to chalk out maintenance legacy for the police stations to be restructured with modern facilities under MOITRI. He also emphasised on the need of giving soft-skilling orientation to the police personnel to promote their humane face. n

of Northeast, Tribute and Films from Assam. Turkey will be the country in focus. “There will also be a competition section among films from Assam to be judged by an eminent jury,” said Margherita. Films which have been certified by the censor board between September 1, 2016 and August 31, 2017 will qualify for the competition section. A cash award of Rs 2 lakhs will be given to the producer and director of the winning film. The second best film from the state will be given Rs 1.5 lakhs. There will also be a special jury award for artistic contribution of Rs 1 lakh. Popular actor Jatin Bora, who is also the chairman of the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation said, “The government is keen to ensure that the festival is an annual affair at the same place on the same dates.” n

partment along with other line departments, NGOs and other stakeholders for undertaking the Green Guwahati Project. Lauding the endeavour of the forest department which also conceived a project namely Avenue Plantation Programme from Kaliabor Tri-junction to Numaligarh which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on July 1, Purohit said that these saplings would augur well in making the future of the next generation secure. He also asked the environment and forest department to ensure corresponding actions for sustenance of the saplings. Environment and Forest Minister, Pramila Rani Brahma, also underlined the importance of tree plantation drives and said that since Guwahati is the gateway to the northeast, major plantation drives are being taken to enhance the glitz and grandeur of the city.

Fake note factory busted

rime Branch officials on Monday raided a residence at Odalbakra and seized fake currency notes of the face value of Rs 18,000. The house belongs to one Joydeb Das, who was arrested a few

Eviction drive at Garigaon he logo for the first ever Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), to be organized by the state government between 28th October and 2nd November this year, was unveiled on Sunday. GIFF is being organized by Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society with the support of the state government in association with Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute. The films will be screened at two different places in the city - Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra and Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio. Jyoti Chitraban Society chairman, Pabitra Margherita, said that 72 films from more than 25 countries, including India, will be screened at the 6-day festival. There will be various sections such as Indian Panorama, World Cinema, Retrospective, Cinema

s part of the 68th Vana Mahotsav, Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday, 7th July inaugurated the Greater Green Guwahati programme by planting saplings and distributing them among school students at a function on MG Road, Kharghuli. The Mahotsav entails planting of saplings along the city roads, on the premises of educational institutions, government and non-government offices and reserve forests to increase the green cover of the city. Speaking at the function, Governor Purohit appealed to everybody to take a pledge to increase the green cover of the city by planting more saplings as only trees can sustain lives of future generations. “Trees are the precondition of existence of human beings,” he said, hailing the initiative of the environment and forest de-

istrict Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu on Wednesday directed Kshitish Chandra Pegu, ADC, Kamrup (M) to run an eviction drive at Garigaon near Gauhati University. The drive has been directed after it came to notice that illegal encroachment by some people has blocked the drainage system of the area, leading to artificial water-logging near university hostel numbers 8, 9 and 10, after rainfall. To avoid the water-logging which occurs due to blockage of drainage system, the district administration has ordered the eviction drive to remove all sorts of illegal encroachments in the area and nearby locations. Almost 200 metres of area including the drains were evicted in the process. n

days back along with two others – Paramananda Deka and Chittaranjan – at Patacharkuchi with fake notes of Rs 3.4 lakh face value. “During the raid at the house today, we found a laptop, a printing

machine, ink – all made in China. Also 500 notes were printed on A4 paper sheets, besides the Rs 100 bundle of the face value of Rs 18,000,” Odalbakra Police Outpost in-charge Niranjan Baruah said. n

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Snippets Guwahati’s ace designer Sanjukta Dutta bags Stardust Global Indian Icon Award

enowned fashion designer of Assam, Sanjukta Dutta, who rose to fame for designing exclusive Assamese Mekhela Chador for many Bollywood

actresses, bagged the prestigious Stardust Global Indian Icon Award during an event held on 13th July, at New York. With this award, Sanjukta

has given the region yet another reason to be proud of her artistic skills. It is a matter of pride for the entire state that her contributions in the field of fashion and designing while upholding the cultural roots of Assam have been recognized at an international platform. Sharing her joy at the achievement, Sanjukta wrote in one of her Facebook posts that this achievement is dedicated to the people of Assam, Assamese Mekhela Chador and Assam silk. The designer has earlier showcased costumes for the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, and multiple Bollywood actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta, Zarine Khan, and Bipasha Basu. n

Integrated Directorate Complex to come up in state soon

NCSM to design Guwahati Science City at Sonapur

he site of the proposed Guwahati Science City is going to be designed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) which is waiting for the designated land to be handed over to it by the state government. The 14,000 square metre area on the Sonapur Hills is currently being developed by the state government before installation of

state-of-the-art facilities begin. Sources in the state Science and Technology department said the Assam Government is aiming for the completion of the 1.83 kilometre-long boundary wall and the approach road to the site by March next year. Completion of the basic infrastructure of the site is crucial as the NCSM is currently waiting for land transfer in order to accomplish the main project. n

GOVT. O F ASSAM O FFICE O F THE DEPUTY COMMISSIO NER & DISTRICT ELECTIO N O FFICER BISWANATH CHARIALI ADVERTISEMENT NO.BNE- 72/2017/165:- In pursuance of Govt. Letter No. ELE.97/2013/PT /95 Dated 06/06/2017, applications are invited in Standard Form as published in Assam Gazette in Part-IX from the citizen of India as defined in Articles 6 to 8 of the Constitution of India for filling up of the following posts sanctioned by Government vide letter No. ELE.321/2014/20 Dated 20/03/2015 in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Election Branch, Biswanath & Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer(Civil), Election Branch, Gohpur in the Pay Scale & Grade Pay with other allowances, as admissible under Rule as shown below. SI. No 1

Name of Posts 4 Data Entry Operator— 1(four)

Place of Posting 2 (two) for Biswanath Election District & 2 (two) for Gohpur Election District

Reservation Category UR=4

Scale of Pay Pay Band- 2 (5200-20200) + I G.P. Rs. 2400 P.M.

1. Age limit not lower than 18 years and exceeding 38 years as on 01/01/2017. Relaxation of age is admissible as per existing Rules. 2. Education Qualification. Graduate in any stream with minimum 60% Marks in aggregate with an UGC/AICTE approved/recognized Institution in Computer Science/ Applications/ "0" Level or equivalent certificate from N1ELIT. Or Diploma holder from Polytechnic with minimum 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade from an LJGC/AICTE approved/recognized Diploma in Computer Science/Computer Engineering / Electronics / T elecommunications / Engineering / Information Technology. a. Desirable Conditions: Candidate must have the typing • speed of not less than 8000 key depressions per hour. A certificate of typing/Skill Test is needed. b. Other Preferences: Typing knowledge in languages like Assamese / Bengali / Devnagari would be preferable. c. Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience in data entry operator in needed.

n a major move to improve coordination and ensure effective management of administrative activities, government of Assam will soon construct an Integrated Directorate Complex in the state. A decision in this regard was taken in the 7th Executive Committee meeting of Assam Infrastructure Financing Authority (AIFA), which was held in the Chief Minister’s conference room in Janata Bhawan on Thursday. The proposed complex will be set up at Betkuchi in the city and it is expected that the project will significantly create open spaces for other projects at the existing sites of the directorates apart from ensuring efficient and time effective administrative mechanism. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is also the chairman of AIFA, accorded approval to the project in the meeting and directed the PWD to prepare the detailed project report so that the project takes off at the earliest. AIFA is an agency formed by

the government of Assam with a mandate to support infrastructural development activities. The 7th Executive Committee (EC) meeting saw a wide range of issues being discussed related to infrastructure development and considering the financial strength of AIFA, it was decided to promote innovative ideas amongst government departments apart from taking up several other projects. The EC decided to call for projects from all government departments which would add value to the state’s growth potential. Each department could submit five such projects related to infrastructure and the best projects amongst them would be taken up for construction with AIFA fund. Construction of Tinsukia Medical College, Integrated Office Complex at Majuli, Working Women’s Hostel at Silchar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tezpur etc., Tourism centre at Hajo, Housing Project for state Police are some of the other decisions of the Executive Committee of AIFA today. n

3. Candidates already in Government service should apply through propel Channel. 4. Mandatory particulars to be enclosed with the application are HSLC Admit Card, Pass Certificate & Mark Sheets of HSLC and Graduation, PRC, Caste Certificate. Employment Exchange Registration Card, 4 (four) copies of recent passport size photograph on front side with name of applicant and address of the applicant written on the rear side and 1(one) of which will have to be pasted on appropriate opposition of the application. An envelope affixing postal stamp of Rs. 10.00 and also writing of applicant's fun address shall be submitted. 5. The last date for submission of application is fixed on 21/07/2017. Incomplete and incorrect application will be rejected. 6. Candidate apply for the post of Data Entry Operator will have to appear in a written test of 100 marks comprising General English, General Knowledge, General Aptitude & Current affairs and the date for which will he intimated in due course of time through daily news paper. Call letters for the same shall be issued to the candidates. Successful candidates of written test for Data Entry Operators will be called for an interview and proficiency te st in type writing and computer. The dates of interviews and test of proficiency in type writing and computer shall be advertised and call letters dispatched to successful candidates of written examination. 7. Candidates may also mention Mobile No and E-mail ID in their application. 8. If any eligible candidate does not receive the call letter before through Postal Department, he shall collect his call letter from the office of the undersigned on or before the date of respective interview. No admission to any interview hall would be permitted without production of call letter pasted with attested photograph of the applicant. 9. A selection committee shall be constituted to select the candidates for the said post. Candidature of candidates at any st age of recruitment after proper scrutiny of the documents/testimonials etc. 10. The selected candidates for appointment shall have to give an undertaking that they will abide by the New Pension Rule of Govt. of Assam along with their Joining Report. 11. While considering for appointment, other claims under different Rules and the Govt. instructions as well as cases covered by Hon’ble High Court etc. would be placed before the Selection Committee as per Law. The onus for making various claims as above lies upon the applicant who sha ll submit the same along with applications. The onus for providing proof of special claims lies upon the applicant. Documents relating to various claims have to be submitted directly to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Biswanath (Election Branch) physically on or before the last date of test (either interview or test or proficiency whichever is later). 12. The applications should be sent to the following address through Post or by hand super -scribing the post applied for on top of the envelope. The address of recipient is office of the Deputy Commissioner, Biswanath District,(Election Branch) P0.- Biswanath Chariali , Pin-784176, Assam. 13 No TA/DA will be admissible to the candidates.

Memo No. BNE- 72/2017/165

(A)

Sd/- Md. Parvez Am i n,ACS Deputy Commissioner, i/c Biswanath , Biswanath.Chariali. Dated Biswanath Chariali the 5 th July/2017

Copy to: 1. The Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, Dispur, Guwahati-6 for favour of kind in formation. 2. The Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) & District Election Officer. Gohpur for information & necessary action. 3. Sub-Divisional Information & Public Relations Officer for information & necessary action. He is requested to give wide publicity & to publish the advertisement in a local daily news paper. 4. Office Notice Board. Deputy Commissioner, i/c Biswanath, Biswanath chariali Janasanyog 938/17

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Centre Spread

8 Fi

from Assam tha mark in interna

Xhoihobote Dhemalite 1

Victor Banerjee in a still from Xhoihobote Dhemalite

Directed by Bidyut Kakoty, Xhoihobote Dhemalite (Rainbow Fields) is an insightful depiction of children growing up amidst violence, which leaves an indelible mark on their psyche, and later influences their destiny. The film is semi-autobiographical as it is inspired by true incidents from the director’s life. It stars Victor Banerjee, Nakul Vaid, Naved Aslam, Nipon Goswami and Nikumoni Barua amongst others. The film had been awarded as the ‘Best Foreign Feature Film Award’ in the Hollywood International Cinefest’s 2017 festival edition. This year, the festival received over 400 submissions and was held in Los Angeles in June.

Assamese films have come a lo Many of them have influenced carve a niche in the motion pic times, there have been many fi made a great impact on the have also become keen on w from that, the ideas and con appreciated by cr

Here’s a list of 8 such movie international acclaim. They h

Kothanodi A return to the folk tales that we heard as children, Kothanodi recasts episodes from Buri ai’r Xadhu (Grandmother’s Tales). These are a compilation of oral folk tales by the renowned writer, Lakshminath Bezbaroa. Bhaskar Hazarika, the director pulled out four stories and altered the endings to some of them maintaining their dark ends and dispensing with the happy endings. The cast of the film included Bollywood actors like Adil Hussain, Seema Biswas and other famous actors like Zerifa Wahid, Kopil Bora and Asha Bordoloi. Kothanadi was premiered at the Busan Film Festival, followed by a screening at the London Film Festival. The main idea of the director was to screen the film widely in those parts of the world where stories of ghosts and animal spirits are common. The premiere at Busan was quite successful and was well appreciated.

Seema Biswas in a still from Kotnanodi

Sonar Baron Pakhi Sonar Baron Pakhi is an Assamese biopic based on the life and times of the legendary folk singer of Assam, Late Padmashree Pratima Barua Pandey. Directed by Bobby Sarma Baruah, the plot of the film has been divided into three parts. Three different actors play the role of the celebrated singer, portraying the various stages of her life. Sonar Baron Pakhi won the Audience Award in the Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) that was held from January 12 to 20, 2017, under the theme ‘Better Film, Better Audience, and Better Society.’

Pranami Bora in a still from Sonar Baron Pakhi

Zerifa Wahid, Actor and Producer

The lack of patrons, multiple languages and dialects, the overwhelming thrall of Hindi films have eaten into the legitimate market of Assamese movies. Originality is the most distinguishing attribute of Assamese movies. Rather than poorly remaking stories from Hind and South Indian movies, the indu should concentrate more on quali showcase the plight of the people

1962: My country land 4

Aham Sharma and Ketholeno Kense in a still from 1962 My country land

Written, cinematographed and directed by the young Assamese filmmaker, Partha Borgohain, 1962: My Country Land is an English language feature film based on the 1962 Indo-China war. The story revolves around Luitya, an Army Lance Naik who is given the responsibility for mapping along the Indo-China border. Starring Aham Sharma, Lhakpa Lepcha, Daniel Shin Han and Ketholeno Kense in lead roles, the film showcases the struggle and life of the main characters during the approaching war and how they are able to believe – or not believe – each other. Bringing glory for northeast India, the feature film was showcased at the Cannes International Film Festival, 2016.

P model of South India theatres and making t respo

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Centre Spread

ilms

at have created a ational grounds

ong way since the release of Joymoti. d people and have also been able to cture industry as a whole. In recent films produced in Assam that have e public. Actors from other states working in Assamese movies. Apart ncepts of such movies have been ritics all over the world.

Made by the students of NPS International School, Guwahati the movie shows how the management of the school successfully helps students clear their CBSE Class XII Examinations. Hope had been nominated for an award at the London Film Festival. It had been selected among four movies in the best student documentary short category of the London film festival. It was was the only documentary film from India to be nominated for the list of final selection of awards in the entire film festival. The film was also selected for screening at the Sunlight International film festival, Germany and the International New York film festival.

Hope 5

The cast and crew of short film Hope

es made in Assam that have got have been placed in random order.

Tez Manju Borah, Director and Producer The outcome has been positive in the last few years. Young talents are emerging from Assam and I believe that to have better films, the government must intervene. With the full support of the government, a commercially flourishing film industry can be established.

An Eastern Green Pictures production, Assamese short film Tez had been selected under the Short Film Corner section at the prestigious 69th Cannes International Film Festival. Shot in Guwahati and its outskirts, Tez puts forward the message of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (Save the Girl child, Educate the Girl child) in a very subtle yet cinematic way. Tez also received official selection to the 6th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival of 2016. The film was also selected in the 16th Jaipur International film festival where it was chosen from well over 650 entries from India and abroad.

The poster of the short film Tez

Myna and Asterix

n di ustry ity movies that can e of the region.

Kenny Basumatary, Actor, Director and Producer

The fewer numbers of theatres are also a major problem for filmmakers in Assam. Recovering the budget of films becomes really difficult due to few cinema halls in the state. Probably, by following the a and opening more small the tickets affordable, the onse will be much greater.

Made by the noted filmmaker, actor and writer Kenny Basumatary, Myna and Asterix bagged a prize in the coveted Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in 2015. It won in the festival’s Live Action Short Film segment. The film depicts the impact of materialism on kids. Myna and Asterix, a part of EduMedia’s School Cinema Project, shows the life of Myna, a 12 year old school girl and her pursuit for an Xbox console, which leads to her realization of non-materialistic joys in life. She gets to know the difference between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ in life. The film was highly appreciated by the critics in Chicago and won the second prize in the film festival, among many others that competed.

The Assamese short film Sita had been chosen to represent India at the prestigious 68th Cannes International Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) which started from the 13th of May, 2015. Sita had been selected to be screened in the Short Film Corner section. The film was an emotional take on the relation of a child with his pet. Shot in a village named Niz-Rangamati near Mangaldoi, the film is about the lives of Moina, a nine-year-old boy, his widowed mother and his beloved goat. The producer and director of the film is Kangkan Deka, who had also done the script from Jiten Sarma’s story. All these films have created a wave in the Assamese film industry and have been successful in bringing about a change in the minds of the people. Far away from the glitzy world of Bollywood and its equally sparkling cousins in the south, a certain amount of neglect can be noticed as Assamese films fail to create a greater impact at the national level. The reasons behind this are many.

Children in the short film Myna and Asterix

Sita 8

The poster of the short film Sita

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

G Talk E

Guwahati: a blotch in Nature

Striptease of dignity Humiliating someone is not a criminal offence. But it should be. After all, mental scars take longer to heal than physical ones. imantada’s humiliation which do not meet the norms by spree of the head teach- fudging figures and tweaking facts ers of government schools is something of a scam begging to be made for huge social media enter- unearthed. So, by the same benchtainment. I recall watching a sim- mark, these teachers got what they ilar video long years back when he deserved - gluttons for punishment became the education minister for and humiliation that they are. However, the question that the first time under Tarun Gogoi’s government. He had then decid- comes to the mind is who let the ed to pay a surprise visit to one of cameras in? And why? It appears his departments and kick some from the video which went viral backside. It was a grand show; sus- that the rolling cameras had the pension orders were handed out minister’s nod; rather he wanted ‘Nayak’ Anil Kapoor style to errant it that way so that the world could personnel and the ‘monologuish’ see his teachers being completely low-decibel diatribe of the minister at his mercy. In that same video, made us all ROFL. The latest fracas the minister cleverly indicated that with his head teachers was no differ- the provincialisation scam took ent with Himantada holding centre place under his erstwhile Congress stage, mike in hand, making verbal ministry but given that he was the mincemeat of a hapless group of in- one holding matters to ransom, he efficient bunglers who are drawing shirked from assuming any responhandsome salaries for doing noth- sibility. What was left behind was a wretched feeling of indigestion and ing. The lashing has not gone down distaste by members of a fraterniwell with the teaching fraternity. ty that otherwise command some There are bound to be some grand respect and worth in their own soprotests. But the whole episode was cial circles. Had the same episode a necessity in time. The abysmal not been exposed to the public and performance of the government more stringent practical action takschools requires some deep intro- en behind closed doors, the poor spection by the teachers who teach teachers could have been spared bethere. They need to answer their ing stripped off their dignity in front own conscience when it comes to of the world. The consequent effects the quality of their work. Remem- might actually have made them pull ber, these head teachers were from up their socks rather than wasting schools which had a pass percent- further time in staging protests. I guess the funny striptease only age of zero - necessarily meaning that students of these schools had showed the mirthless humour of learnt nothing at all from them. the minister. Swapnil Bharali Also, provincialisation of schools

Editor

In Times of Crisis ft. Dhinchak Pooja

Brand Ambassador for Assam Tourism, Priyanka Chopra has strangely not Tweeted, said anything about the Assam floods or visited the state in Assam’s time of crisis. A “social media bard” catches up with her... Here is the encounter. Reporter: What are your thoughts on the recent floods in Assam? PeeCee: Well, first of all I am thrilled about this project. I’m flooded with so many requests right now. In fact, I think the last time I got so many requests was only to play Candy Crush; because during Farmville fever on Facebook, I was still struggling. This new flood of fans in Assam was unprecedented. I would personally like to thank Himanta, Sarbananda and the ATDC for giving me this untapped fan base. “Awesome Assam” *laughs*, what a clever play on words! Also now that Dhinchak Pooja is out of the competition, I think I need to take up that space again; maybe sing some more songs, create new videos. I’m thinking I’ll shoot on the Brahmaputra this time. But I’m currently flooded with so many requests. Most of them are asking me to send ideas about cool dress designs after how I dressed up at the MET Gala. To be honest, I’m still folding that extended part of the dress; just looking for a closet big enough to fit that trench coat. Reporter: But... PeeCee: No ifs and buts. My heart is set on Dwayne! I call him ‘The Rock’, you know, because of his big muscles. You want to know my experience of working with him in Baywatch? It was more like Bae-watch! Reporter: But I’m talking about the flooding of the Brahmaputra in Assam that has led to deaths and displacement of lakhs of people! National media is yet to cover it extensively and Modi is yet to declare it a national emergency and find a solution. PeeCee: Well, clearly, we’re living in a great era where Snapchat filters “drown” real problems. *laughs*.

SIDHARTH BEDI VARMA

ore than a decade old tale retold

have never been to Venice. But I have heard that an artist’s impression of our Guwahati is no less than that of Venice─ that beautiful port city, located on a hundred and eighteen islets, on the Adriatic Sea, in the north-east of Italy! As the legend goes, it is our sheer talent that has raised the stature of our capital city from Venice to Guwahati. This is not my opinion. How could a person, who has not seen Venice, relate about it? My friend Binoy Das is a Chartered Accountant. Earlier, he had his office at Kamarpatty on Dr JC Das Road. Stricken by the unbearable stench of human excreta of the road side and of the filthy garbage bin placed in front of his office by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, he had shifted his office to the second floor of a building on the GS Road. I had gone there to have a look at his new office. There he introduced me to the celebrated film-maker Jahnu Baruah. I felt humbled to have made acquaintance with such an illustrious personage. As we talked, our discussion led us to the recurrent floods and the pitiable roads of Guwahati. Das, my friend, expressed his anguish by saying that he felt as if the foreign cities had been crafted by God with his own hands. I retorted saying

that the New York City of 1930 (as shown in a film on Discovery Channel) was like our present day Guwahati only. In due course, our Guwahati might resemble New York one day. Baruah then remarked that New York was not as dirty or as unplanned even in 1930. The roads were wide and straight. There were adequate arrangements for underground transmission of electricity, water, gas, sewerage etc. Thereafter, Baruah, the master story teller, narrated a very engrossing story to us. It ran like this:In those days, he was an official in a department involved with the UNDP. There he had made friends with a French architect and town planner, who had worked in the same department. As the years rolled by, Baruah’s job had brought him to Guwahati. One day, he received a message that his French friend was planning a visit to Guwahati to meet him and to tour Assam. On his arrival, Baruah showed his friend around-- to Kaziranga and other places. The Frenchman expressed his desire to spend the rest of his stay in Guwahati. On day one, Baruah went around Guwahati with his friend. On seeing the hills in the midst of the city, the friend wished to climb those hills. Accordingly, they went up the hill to Gandhi Mandap. The friend seemed not at all interested in small talks; he rather began to observe Guwahati gingerly from various points of the hill. If he was looking down from the top of the hill at one moment, he would in the very next moment descend a little to look up at the hill itself. This way his medley of observations continued for a very long time. Baruah was gradually getting bored. Boredom multiplied as his friend had continued with his prolonged observations at other places like Nabagraha and Kamakhya as well. Early morning, the next day, when his friend was once again ready for his discovery of Guwahati, he simply made the car along with the chauffeur available to the friend and encouraged the latter

r Who is paying the bills?

Opinion

Uttam Kumar Borthakur to proceed with his mission in and around the city. Baruah did not accompany him thereafter. Two days had passed by in this manner. The friend would go out in the morning and return exhausted at night. Neither Baruah expressed any interest in taking stock of his friend’s activities during the day nor would his friend venture any information. They kept on talking about other things. It was on the eve of the Frenchman’s departure that both the friends sat together in the evening for supper. Just then, the foreigner put such an odd question to Baruah that caught him unawares. The query put him at great unease. The question that immensely pained Baruah, a well-groomed person belonging to the world of art and culture, was in fact pretty simple. “Nature had planned your city. Even with great effort, it was simply beyond the powers of man to make this gift of God so filthy, untidy and ugly. How on earth could you make even this possible?” Though Baruah was rattled a little, he palmed it off with a smile. After all, Guwahati was the only city of the Assamese nation. It would obviously hurt if someone had hinted that we had made her ugly. Paying no attention to Baruah’s discomfiture, the friend continued with his soliloquy about a Guwahati of his dream from the point of view of an architect. He was of the opinion that a beautiful city needed three elements: a flowing river, some hills thrown in and the plains amidst those hills. Guwahati had all these in her. Most importantly, the captivating beauty of the sights on both sides of the Grand Old River Brahmaputra near Guwahati is a rarity on the planet earth. Yet the sleight of our talented hands had made Guwahati a blotch in the face of nature Uttam Kumar Borthakur is a John Doe. He quarrels on Facebook. Otherwise, his profession is a lawyer on the taxation side.

Letter to the Editor

arun Gogoi has been occupying the luxurious Koinadhara guest house for the last sixteen years or so. While he was the chief minister he made that guest house his permanent address. As far our knowledge goes, that particular guest house is the property of neighbouring Meghalaya government. It is well understood that the exchequer of government of Assam had to bear the lodging bills of the then Chief Minister. Even after the change of guard at Dispur in 2016, the former Chief Minister is refusing to vacate the Koinadhara guest house for reasons best known to him. Presently, Tarun Gogoi is just an ordinary MLA and he should have shifted to the MLA hostel at Dispur. When all the elected MLAs can reside in the hostel campus then what for is the current Titabor MLA given undue benefit of staying in a luxurious resort and that too at the cost of state exchequer? By having a glimpse of the magnificent Koinadhara guest house one can well imagine what an exorbitant bill one has to pay for putting up there. Lanu Dutta Chowdhury, GNB Road, Guwahati

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

In Focus

Rajdweep

Journalist, Lyricist, Story teller, Playwright

good lyricist uplifts a good tune, a great lyricist makes it unforgettable and a humble one makes for some great conversation. Rajdweep falls under all three categories. Hailing from a small village of Nagaon, Rajdweep feels fortunate to have had all the privileges of a typical Assam village – the paddy fields, greenery, mandir, a small library, namghar – to enrich his early life. After completing his schooling from a local school at his village, Rajdweep moved to Guwahati to pursue masters in

Economics from Gauhati University. It was only after he moved to Guwahati that he realised his true passion in life – journalism. So he took admission in Journalism in Gauhati University and studied Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism. Rajdweep started his career as a journalist in a reputed Assamese daily ‘Axomiya Khabar’ where he continues to work as a sub-editor. “I always had an interest in writing lyrics and stories. I used to write poems for school magazines and local weeklies during my school

days. To be honest, I used to love seeing my name in print form. I still get goose bumps seeing my name in the newspapers, hoardings or big screen,” Rajdweep mentioned during a conversation with G Plus. Rajdweep stepped into the field of entertainment as a lyricist and then into the field of mobile theatre as the youngest playwright soon after he joined Axomiya Khabar. Meanwhile, he also put his mark on the big screen with the popular Assamese film ‘KhelThe Game’, for which he wrote the script, dialogues and the screenplay. In spite of being a newcomer in the industry, Rajdweep found a fare space in mobile theatre despite the existing lobby system. “The arrogance of a fraction of people and the lobby system prevailing are the major aspects why this industry doesn’t allow newcomers to prove themselves. Often the new playwrights are sabotaged. But instead of giving up and quitting like many others did, I chose to fight and thankfully garnered positive results. Actually, the problem with any industry is that nobody wants to

accept change and nobody wants to break the monotony. Some of them are even scared to speak their heart out. But change is inevitable and I am just going on with this hope,” he explains about marking his space in the industry. The young writer, through his passion and persistent efforts in various fields of mass communication, has paved his way to the biggest film industry of the country – Bollywood - becoming the name behind the first Assamese song to feature in Bollywood. His song ‘Jiri Jiri Noi’ is not just the first Assamese song in Bollywood, but also the only song in the critically acclaimed film ‘A Death in the Gunj’. On being asked about the release of the movie in Guwahati, Rajdweep explained, “Being an indie-film, we have different strategies to release it. The film has been screened in various parts of the globe. In India, the film has released in various states and has been appreciated all over. It will release in Assam and northeast very soon, but the date has not been finalized yet.” Rajdweep also has to his credit some of the most popular songs of the Assamese film industry, including ‘Pokhi Pokhi Mon Mur’, sung by Papon and Rupjyoti Devi. His songs have also featured in the

popular TV show, ‘The Dewarists.’ His song ‘Memories’ was sung by Papon and produced by Nucleya - two of the biggest names in the Indian music industry. “Every artist has a dream to be associated with Bollywood. Obviously, I had that dream too – the dream to work in the biggest industry of the country. But now it becomes more exciting as I represent my own language and culture, that too in such a path-breaking Bollywood movie like ‘A death in the Gunj.’ I feel privileged to have gotten the opportunity and I’ll definitely try to portray our cultural assets on bigger platforms in the future too,” the writer told us. Currently, Rajdweep is busy with mobile theatre play rehearsals. He’s been travelling from Pathsala to Marinoni to Dharapur, from one theatre camp to another. He’s also writing plays for Hengool Theatre (Boliya Draupadi), Kohinoor Theatre (Best of Luck) and Chiranjeev Theatre (Bindass), and thinks that the audience will get a fresh stories and concepts in each of these. Meanwhile, some of his new albums, along with various artists, are in the making. While a lot of artists move to Mumbai in search of new opportunities, Rajdweep wants to stick to his roots and work from Assam for as long as possible.

“Sex is choice, Periods are Not”

With the new GST regime in place, Sanitary Napkins will be taxed at 12% and condoms at 0%. Do you think this is a smart move? Churchill Marak I do not appreciate this move. Millions of girls who can’t afford pads miss school or other events during periods. Instead of making it easily available, the government has made it more unreachable for the poor. Ishita Dhar The question is wrong in actual sense. The proper question should be like - “Is it justified to impose 12% tax on sanitary napkins?” Why the hell compare it with 0% tax on condoms? Both are different and important too. Condoms do prevent STDs. And please consider the population in India before asking questions on making condoms tax-free. That’s one good move by the government. But, also not only a relaxation of 1.68% on sanitary napkins is enough. When many girls are still adopting the traditional use of cloths because they can’t afford sanitary napkins, government should have tried making it tax free and easily available for all. Markand Vyas Sanitary napkins should be free and directly sanctioned through all tax payers money. If they end up giving it to the wrong supplier it can be further be used in other different forms. Nayan Moni Condoms prevent AIDS and other STDs. Both are different and used for different purposes. Condom save your life, but a woman can live without buying sanitary napkins. Most women still use cloth. Tax on anything major useful product is incorrect. But comparison between anything with something is irritating.

Ashish Goel Neither a correct step nor a wrong one because India is the second most populated country in the world and it will not take much time for it to be the most populated one. So, making condoms taxfree will help our country to lower the population growth rate. But making pads taxable, which is a necessity and not a choice, is not right. Taxing women for their biological process is nothing short of a human rights violation. Hrishikesh Baishya Axom It’s not a smart move. Rather, it’s a very disgusting move. Why such types of move by our government? This matter should be viewed properly and tax imposed on both or just remove the tax and make everyone feel free to use as sanitary napkins are most important for females. Due to the recent implement of tax on sanitary napkins, most of the underprivileged females won’t be able to afford and thus will miss schools, colleges, different events etc. Make this things cheaper and easily available rather not making them costlier. Hrishikesh Talukdar The issue is not with 12% tax on napkins because tax was paid earlier as well. Their issue is 0% tax on condoms because they think it is just a man’s thing for the sake of sex. Next issue will be what, tax on latrine pans because shitting is not a choice? Sucheta Sanyal No, it is not justified at all. Sanitary pads are necessary items as are condoms. It is because of the price of pads that lower income families use wood husk and things which cause serious infection, even death.

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Trotter

Luckiest Teen in the World Wins Lottery Twice In One Week

California teen has finished the week richer by more than half a million dollars after winning the state lottery not once, but twice. Rosa Dominguez, 19, was driving home from Arizona to the Golden State when she decided to try her luck on some $5 lottery scratch offs at Eagle Energy, a gas station in Paso Robles, California. On her very first ticket, the lucky teen won the top prize of

$555,555. After that win, she said

Impressive Stag Beetle Who Creates Art

she was nervous and “just pike, a stag beetle from Japan, wanted to cry.” is capturing the hearts and Still fresh from her first minds of people around the win, Dominguez bought world with his original drawings. another lottery ticket ― a Spike and his owner, an English $5 Lucky Fortune Scratch- teacher named Mandy, skyrocker ― a few days later at a gas eted to internet fame on Monday. station in Greenfield, a Mandy told Buzzfeed News she city in Monterey Coun- was experimenting with the kinds ty. Again, the teen scored of things Spike could grasp with the top prize for the ticket: his strong mandibles when she $100,000! Dominguez says gave him a marker. she plans to buy a new car “He moved it around on the with some of her winnings. page, so I took some photos of his (source: mirror) ‘work’,” she said. This talented creepy crawly is creating artwork which is selling at auction for hundreds of dollars. Buyers can bid on original Stag art pieces on eBay but they’re expensive (the first is already over $300). huge storms erupt According to Spike’s official Twitfrom sunspots. Such a storm could create stunning auroras around the world, as well as play havoc with power grids, holipotentially causing dayblackouts in some maker areas. has died after In a statement, being blown NASA said: ‘A new off her feet by sunspot group has a powerful rotated into view and jet blast from seems to be growing a passenger rather quickly. It is the first sun- plane at a spot to appear after the sun was beach famous spotless for two days, and it is the for aircraft only sunspot group on the sun at flying just metres above tourists’ this moment.’ heads. (Source: Daily Mail) The woman, aged 57 who died, reportedly hit her head after being knocked over as people held onto a chain link fence at an airport on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. A local official confirmed she was standing near the fence. Maho Beach is well-renowned for attracting tourists to watch

A 75,000-mile wide hole has opened up on the sun and it’s getting bigger

huge spot has appeared on the sun that could send dangerous solar flares down to Earth. The sunspot, dubbed AR2665, is 74,560 miles (120,000 kilometres) wide – big enough to be seen from Earth. Experts have warned that the spot is large enough to produce ‘M-class’ solar flares, which can cause radio blackouts on Earth, knock out communications satellites and create radiation storms. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory first detected the huge spot last week, and it appears to have lingered through to this week.

Tourist dies after being hit by jet blast at beach

Sunspots are darker, cooler areas on the surface of the sun, caused by interactions with the sun’s magnetic field. They tend to appear in regions of intense magnetic activity, and when that energy is released, solar flares and

‘Racist’ soap dispensers don’t work for black people

here are automatic bathroom soap dispensers that don’t really work for black people. ‘Racist’ soap dispensers in public bathrooms are not giving up their soap for black people, according to a viral YouTube video. The revelation could come as a relief for countless darker-skinned people if they thought they were going mad or being ignored. Richard Whitney, from tech-company Particle, explained why soap dispensers and other technology have problems with darker skin types. He said, ‘The soap dispenser uses near-infrared technology, which sends out invisible light from an infrared LED bulb for

ter account, 15% of the proceeds will go to stag beetle conservation. (source: mirror)

planes land and take-off at Princess Julian Airport, which is known as one of the ‘scariest’ in the world due to low-flying aircraft. The woman was with her family and holding onto a fence near the runway as a Boeing 737 took off for Trinidad on Wednesday; although the aviation safety experts had told of the dangers of standing in the way of a plane’s jet blast. She and others were blown backwards, causing her to fall and hit her head on the pavement. (Source- The Mirror)

Michael Phelps is racing a Great White shark and people are pumped

wo of the

hands to reflect the light back to a sensor. The reason the soap doesn’t just foam out all day is

because the hand acts to, more or less, bounce back the light and close the circuit. If the reflective object actually absorbs that light instead, then the sensor will never trigger because not enough light gets to it.’ However, Mr Whitney also said there could be all kinds of reasons dispensers do not work correctly. (Source: metro.co.uk)

world’s finest athletes will square off in the name of good television. Michael Phelps and an as-yet-unidentified great white shark will race each other for a very special Shark Week event fittingly entitled Phelps vs. Shark: Great Gold vs. Great White. Because what else do you do after you win 28 Olympic medals for swimming like a fish? Michael Phelps is actually taking on a Great White shark in a bi-

zarre race for ocean supremacy. A shark swims at around 25 mph. But they’ve been known to notch around 35 mph during an attack. Phelps, on the other hand, comes in at around 6 mph. Let’s not forget that he’s the fastest human on the planet in water. He’s basically a fish, and still coming off major short of a shark. It’s not known exactly how the shark race will work, but people are PUMPED! (Source: metro.co.uk)

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Buzz

Headway Literary Fest Concludes

ith the advancement of technology, it is a no-brainer that we are tuning into the slaves of communication gadgets. Kid and school children are increasingly suffering from isolation and losing out on interpersonal skills. To ensure kids get a real feel of one-on-one interaction, book reading, enacting characters from novels and in the process hone up their real time much needed communication skills, the Headway, d’ intel club had organized an intensive four day communication and

and limelight,” said Ms.Dritshmita, an enthusiastic mother who had travelled all the way from Sualkuchi to get daughter to attend this workshop. Kids performed masterfully a skit depicting characters from Greek Mythology using flawless dialogues. There was intense debate session on the heated topic “Guwahati is not ready for a smart city”. The children showed a great enthusiasm in speaking for and against the motion placing smart arguments. They were extensively trained on how to make a great stage presence and overcome book reading workshop that end- public speaking and stage anxiety. “It is wonderful to see how well ed with the event “The Headway the children spoke, debated anIntel. Confer’ today. The workshop was attended chored. These activities reminded by kids and teens from many ma- me of my school days and my early days as a child actor, said notjor schools of Guwahati including Shankar Academy, Maria, Royal ed anchor and actor Tinat Asifa Massod who was one of the main Global amongst others. “Kids got a real time feel of guests. Neetu Sarawgi Founder of togetherness, creativity and fun Headway expressed satisfaction while learning. Competition has on the successful completion of the workshop. Addressing stuincreased so much and we are from the outskirts of the city and dents, she motivated them to emas such our kids are often left brace the leadership qualities of a out. I am happy to see my kid get Lion so as to become future leaders of new India. a real time feel of stage presence n

Meeting held against recent racial abuse at New Delhi

how she had recently survived severe racial discrimination at the said club. Citizens of Guwahati shared their experiences and offered valuable insights into how we can collectively address mainland India’s prejudice against the northeast Indians. The gathering collectively stood against the prejudice. n

ailin Lyngdoh, a victim of serious racial slur recently at a posh club in New Delhi, spoke her heart out about the humiliation and hurt she had to suffer. The club in question was the Delhi Golf Club. At “Fighting Prejudice”, a small informal conversation at Brown Bean Café, Guwahati, Ms Lyngdoh detailed on

Training programme under Skill India/NSDC held at Guwahati

ndiana Group of Institutions, a premier educational institute of Guwahati is organizing the first ever Certified Trainers Programme of 6 days duration (Training of Trainers - ToT) for Professional Skills, Entrepreneurship Skills, Office Management and Training Skills, which includes assessment by master trainers from 12th to 17th July 2017 in its own campus. Indiana Group of Institutions is the only affiliated training provider under Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) in Assam and North Eastern region. The objectives of the programme is to initiate activi-

International Fide Rating Chess Tournament begins

Awadhi Food Festival at Vivanta by Taj

ivanta by Taj Guwahati will host the Awadhi Food Festival from 14th to 23rd July at the hotel’s all day dining - Restaurant 7. Awadhi cuisine is native to the city of Lucknow which is also famous for its association with Nawabi food. Awadhi food is greatly influenced by Mughal

the variety of cuisine but also in the ingredients used like mutton, paneer, and rich spices, which also include cardamom and saffron. Chef Shamshad from Taj Lucknow, Gomti Nagar will cook up delectable flavours from the royal kitchens of Awadh which include Mutton Shammi Kabab, Bhindi Gosht, Dhaniya Wala Dum Aloo, Tandoori Chicken Pulao, Dahi Arbi ki Salan to the traditional Lucknawabi Romali to the Shirmal. n cooking techniques. This cuisine also bears close resemblance with the cuisines of Central Asia, Kashmir, Punjab and Hyderabad. The spread will consist of elaborate dishes such as kebabs, kormas, biryanis, kaliyas, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis, and parathas. The richness of Awadh cuisine lies not only in

Date: 14th to 23rd July Venue: Restaurant 7 Dinner Buffet: @ 1600 AI Awadhi Lunch Thali: @ 1400 AI (Veg) 1600 AI (Non Veg)

ties towards skill development through training in the management and entrepreneurship sector in the NE Region based on the skill needs of school/college dropouts/retraining of govt./ semi govt./PSUs employees, etc. Anand Prakash Tiwari, IPS, Mission Director, Assam Skill Development Mission, inaugurated the programme as the Chief Guest and Wg Cdr MK Borah (Retd) graced the occasion as Guest of Honor. The programme was attended by 16 participants from Meghalaya, BTAD area and upper & lower Assam as stated by Dr TK Bharali, Managing Director, Indiana Group of Institutions, Guwahati, Assam. n

uwahati Chess Association in cooperation with Chess Players Parents’ Forum

has organised ‘International Fide Rating Chess Tournament’ from 12th July to 16th July at Jubilee Hall, Sector III, Noonmati. The tournament is recognised by World Chess Federation (FIDE) and All India Chess Federation (AICF). The event was officially inaugurated by the President of Guwahati Chess Association, Manoranjan Basumatary. The event witnessed participation of 257 players from all over India. n

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Fun Horoscope of the week

The present picture reveals that you may have a long to-do list, but if it involves fulfilling other people’s needs and neglecting your own, then something needs to change. While the ongoing focus in your social zone could incline you to help, the cosmos is also encouraging you to forge ahead and do what you have to do. You can’t please everyone. On another note, an intuitive nudge could give you insight into how to make positive headway regarding a key goal.

With Mercury in your social sector aspecting Jupiter in your sign, the time may be ripe for moving in new circles and exploring activities you’ve never tried before. While you may sometimes find yourself at odds with other people’s ideas, this can be a positive learning curve that encourages you to reconsider your plans and perhaps take on even bigger challenges. A focus on goals and ambitions can boost your resolve to do the best you can.

Any new information you’ve uncovered can give you inspiration for the future and could see you envisioning all sorts of possibilities. This might be an excellent time to expand your horizons, either by studying or networking and making friends with those on your wavelength. Your instincts can also play a part in any key decisions and shouldn’t be ignored, especially as a positive tie between Mercury and Jupiter hints at a golden opportunity if you remain alert and ready.

As Mercury angles toward Jupiter in your social sector, you might want to try on a new experience for size, especially if you can involve your friends, too. However, another influence suggests that if you think about this issue too much, you may end up in a state of analysis paralysis and get nowhere. Asking a friend for advice or researching the pros and cons might help you decide more easily. When it comes down to it, what have you got to lose?

There’s a focus on relationships, especially with the affable Sun and Mars lighting up your relationship zone and enticing you to explore the potential in a new friendship or budding romance. What interests you about another might be a story they tell or an experience they’ve had that captures your imagination and leaves you wanting more. But business affairs also look lively, as another positive connection encourages a meeting that could lead to a new project or contract.

To overcome any reservations concerning a bold idea, you may benefit from chatting with someone who has been through a similar situation. The influence of Venus in your creative zone might help you see things from a more positive perspective, perhaps putting things in a new light and bringing you hope. Later in the week, a tie to Jupiter can bring on a mood of optimism that entices you to go ahead anyway, even if the outcome is uncertain.

Although pleasure plans may be firmly on the agenda, other factors indicate that you may be eager to make changes to your lifestyle. With Mercury moving through your sector of habits and routines, you might want to reorganize certain aspects of your day so you can accomplish your health goals and be more productive, too. From July 20, you may find it a lot easier to stay true to your new regimen. Be patient with yourself until then.

curio-city

Book cover for the Bengali translation of Jim Corbett’s book, Man-Eaters of Kumaon.Who designed this lovely book cover? 1. Satyajit Ray. 2. Nankhatai 3. Umiam Lake, Borapani, Shillong 4. Beyoncé, an American singer, songwriter and actress

2 This soft crumbly biscuit brings back many a fond memory. The word ‘------’ comes from the Persian word for bread and ‘------- probably comes from ‘Cathay’, the older name for China. Thus, translating as ‘Bread of Cathay’. Another version from Northeast Iran or Afghanistan is a type of biscuit, also referred to as Kulcha-e--------. Name it

curio-city

Australian firm Elenberg Fraser has won planning approval for a 226-metre-high Melbourne skyscraper. The new Premiere Tower at 134 Spencer Street will boast a series of curves and bulges designed to make it as structurally efficient as possible .Who is the real life inspiration behind this lovely design? Abhra Das; Ace Quizmaster of Assam This quiz has been brought to you by Brain Jam, a property of Priya Communications

Garfield by Jim Davis

3 6

5 7

8 31 9 78 4 2 2 71 3 4 9 7 2 5 6 4 29 3 4 4 3 7 8 6 7 8 5 43 2 2 9 6 5 9 6 Daily Sudoku: Thu 6-Jul-2017

8 3 9 1 4 2

Daily Sudoku: Thu 13-Jul-2017

4 3 1 4 6 38 29 72 85 57

6 5 9 5 7 6 2 11 39 84 42

2 8 7 7 3 8 5 46 95 62 11

8 3 7 6 4 2 1 9 1 4 6 7 29 5 18 8 33 4 57 9

1 9 5 2 8 54 33 66 97 42

5 1 8 3 4 79 86 27 52 93

9 4 6 9 2 23 47 15 61 88

7 2 3 6 5 1 1 85 44 97 63

8 9 7 3 1 6 Daily Sudoku: Thu 6-Jul-2017 hard 4 1 3 9 2 7 6 5 8 2 6 7 4 5 8 1 http://www.dailysudoku.com Word of the week3 9 5 9 8 3 6 1 4 7 2

Harrumph

Daily Sudoku: Thu 13-Jul-2017

hard

verb [huh-ruhmf]

To clear the throat audibly in a selfimportant manner http://www.dailysudoku.c

Crossword

The legend suggests that two sisters from heaven once decided to come down to earth. Therefore, one day both the sisters made their way to Meghalaya. But, unfortunately, both of them could not reach the earth together: only one of the sisters could reach Meghalaya. Therefore, the sister who reached the destination cried her heart out for the loss of dear sister. The tears of that sister resulted to form what?

You may have felt like taking a back seat lately, especially with your ruler Sun in a more secluded sector of your chart. But you may still feel very compassionate toward others and willing to lend your support. You would probably feel put out if they didn’t ask. If there have been issues between you and another, don’t take them personally. This person may have their own problems to contend with. Finally, you might be called on to help someone who needs some guidance.

Vitality is strong with the golden Sun and ruddy Mars moving through your sign. You may feel more courageous and inclined to stand up for what you believe in. But you’ll also be eager to reach out and connect with old and new friends. Mercury in your financial sector could see you doing some organizing and getting up to speed with bills and other money matters. But if you spot a bargain for the home, you might not be able to resist it.

Sudoku

Although you may be in the process of taking stock of financial matters, recent efforts to set matters right could help you feel more optimistic and secure. But the presence of Mars here could see you adopting a can-do approach to earning extra money and perhaps starting a small business that helps take care of everyday expenses and gives you funds for vacations and other treats. An upbeat aspect later in the week could coincide with a delightful invitation, too.

Across

Down

1. Profit (4) 3. Female child (8) 9. Connection (7) 10. Accumulate (5) 11. Wood nymph (5) 12. Not present (6) 14. Crush flat (6) 16. Concealed (6) 19. Artificial waterways (6) 21. Aspect (5) 24. Large passenger aircraft (5) 25. Rower (7) 26. Saviour (8) 27. Inflamed swelling on eyelid (4)

1. Award for selling a million records (4,4) 2. European country (5) 4. Yearly (6) 5. Be an informer (5) 6. Coached (7) 7. Stratagem (4) 8. Incidental remarks (6) 13. Example (8) 15. Without weapons (7) 17. Impart knowledge (6) 18. Onto dry land (6) 20. Solitary (5) 22. Heavenly body (5) 23. Partly open (4)

Making new connections can be very beneficial and even help you get further ahead with a project or receive some useful advice. This trend will last until July 20, and it could see you making new friends online and off. Meanwhile, you might be eager to get organized at home, and this could lead you to remove clutter and sell or give away items you no longer need. Finding a good deal or a gadget that makes life easier could also prove very satisfying.

last week solution

As Mars continues its journey through your home zone, you may be quite eager to get ahead with DIY projects and get things shipshape in general. And with last week’s difficulties out of the way, you might be ready to tackle any chores that are overdue. In addition, Mercury in your leisure sector makes a lovey tie to Jupiter, which might encourage you to take time out to relax and invite friends or loved ones along for the ride.

Last week’s solution

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Entertainment

In Conversation with Hollywood CineFest awardee Bidyut Kotoky “If we can enjoy an Iranian film or a French film with subtitles, there is no reason why a good Assamese film can’t be appreciated by the world” – Bidyut Kotoky, Filmmaker Nehal Jain jain.nehal@g-plus.in

idyut Kotoky, a phenomenal writer/director from Assam has, to his credit, directed over 100 short films on human interests, lesser known facts and unsung heroes from all over India and abroad. His new movie “Xhoihobote Dhemalite” about children growing up in violent places is expected to release towards the end of this year. The film has won

least it will allow me to look into my daughter’s eyes unflinchingly.

When will the movie be available for audience viewing in Guwahati? The irony is that the movie has won an international award, but we don’t yet have the money to get it out of the post production studio. We can’t release it due to lack of funds. I don’t want to earn sympathies but that’s

time in Assam than you two put together. And yes, I won’t say a single word against my people in any film” – that was the first reaction we got when I and my wife Pallavi met the legendary actor Victor Banerjee for the first time. This was for my last film ‘Ekhon Nedekha Nadir Xipare.’ I knew him as the only actor in the world who worked with three of the all time great directors: Satyajit Ray, David Lean & Roman Polanski. But as time progressed, I got to know him more. Working with Victor Banerjee, I realized that he’s a great actor and an even better human being.

What do you think is the potential for film makers from this region on the international front? It’s such a beautiful region, but what we have turned it into, shatters me emotionally. I want our voices to be heard, because not many people know or care about the problems that exist here. Not many creative endeavors have been attempted on them either. I mean, some of the best books and movies the

Victor Banerjee(Grandfather) in a shot from ‘Xhoihobote Dhemalite’

the ‘Best Foreign Film’ award at the prestigious Hollywood CineFest and has been selected for screening at the prestigious Kids First! Film Festival. G Plus had a small chat with the filmmaker as he opened up about how the cookie crumbles.

What is the movie ‘Xhoixobote Dhemalite’ all about? ‘Xhoihobote Dhemalite’ is a film that deals with the effect of violence on the children growing up in a conflict zone. Having come from a strifetorn region in India, I have always felt deeply about these issues. This has gone deeper after the birth of my daughter some three and half years ago - when the father in me was born. I am under no illusions that my films will change the world. But at

Bidyut Kotoky

world over have come from conflict zones. Through our films, we may not be in the position to offer any answers or solutions, but that doesn’t mean that we stop asking questions.

What, according to you, should be the main

thrust of a movie maker? For me, it is absolutely essential to feel passionately about the story of my film. If I don’t believe in the story of the film myself, it won’t be possible for me to convince my audience about the story I’m telling. n

Sangita Das’s ‘Baat Sai Rou’ released

romising singer Santhe truth about Assamese film gita Das recently industry today. Now to release released her first Asthe movie, I may have to go for samese audio-video song, crowd-funding. But I’m hoping ‘Baat Sai Rou,’ at the Guwato release it by the year end. hati Press Club. The song That’s why it is even more was formally released by important for us to make films noted journalist Ajit Kumar that transcend geographical Bhuyan, actor Kopil Bora boundaries and reach out to a and popular singer Zublee wider audience. If we can enjoy Baruah among other dignian Iranian film or a French film taries. The song, ‘Baat Sai with subtitles, there is no rea- Rou,’ produced and preson why a good Assamese film sented by Soulmusic.rocks, has can’t be appreciated by audi- been written by Jagajit Das and ences from different nooks and Sangita Das. It has been musically corners of this world. arranged by Mamani Kalita (Band of Hurricane Girls); mixing engineer is Ibson Lal Baruah. The song How was it working has been beautifully rendered by with Victor Banerjee? Sangita Das in her soulful voice. “Have you heard of born The key roles in the video, concepagain Catholic? You must be tualized and directed by Mumaware that they are more con- bai-based director Arunjit Borah, servative than many Catholics. have been essayed by popular acIn the same way, I’m a convert- tors Utpal Das, Priyam Pallabee ed Assamese. I have spent more Kashyap and Sangita Das. The cinematography has been done by

Kalyan Kumar Kalita Pradip Daimary, edited by Prodip Paul (Mumbai), DI and VFX by Biswajit Paul (Mumbai), costume designed by Jitumoni Teron and make-up has been done by Abhijit Bhuyan. The song’s video is completely different from the other released videos. The depth of the lyrics is beautifully expressed through the video. Notably, before releasing the complete video, one making-video of this song went

viral on social networking sites. Sangita, daughter of Manindra Singha and Gauri Singha, was deeply attracted to music during her childhood because of her mother who comes from a musical background. She has learnt singing and dancing equally and was later involved in singing winning a number of prizes in competitions held during her school and college days. She has also performed in various cultural stage programs held at various places in India including Assam and has earned a lot of name and fame. Though she is currently a working lady in Bangalore, she is practicing her music equally. Besides these, she is also a state level gold medalist in taekwondo. ‘Baat Sai Rou’ is her dream project. She is hoping that Assamese music lovers will accept the song and encourage her in her musical journey. n

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Reviews Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Adah Sharma, Sayani Gupta Director: Anurag Basu

vie Mo view Re Jagga Jasoos

anbir Kapoor and Anurag Basu’s collaboration clicked in Barfi (2013), and the audiences have been waiting for Jagga Jasoos since then. After much delay, Jagga Jasoos has finally hit the theatres. Jagga Jasoos is a musical romantic comedy that takes us on the adventures of a teenage detective. Played by Ranbir, Jagga Jasoos is on a quest to find his missing father. He is accompanied by his companion Shruti (Katrina), who is also a journalist. Together they promise to take us on a rollercoaster, fun ride in this film. Another important detail is the fact that Jagga stutters since birth and

therefore sings in situations. The film has been co-produced by Disney and is a musical with nearly 30 songs. Pritam has composed the score for the film, promising a different experience of musical narrative altogether. The chemistry between the lead pair gives out the feel of Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani and the treatment feels similar to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. Luckily for the makers, the songs have created a good buzz and some of the visuals are absolutely breathtaking. In fact, it seems like Ranbir and Katrina are operating in a dreamland.

Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn Director: Matt Reeves

icking up a few years after the harrowing events of the previous film, War puts us right into the conflict between the Apes who have become natural habitants of the planet and the increasingly destructive humans fighting the apes to reclaim their supremacy. It’s best not to read much about the plot as the thrilling sense of discovery and adventure is best enjoyed walking in blind. The film cements Caesar as an iconic cinematic character, and Matt Reeves as the only contemporary filmmaker who uses giant VFX to exercise thoughtful and surprisingly emotional social commentary rather than the popcorn entertainment of explosions

and mindless action. The best thing about this film is how it constantly surprises you at every turn, subverting your wildest expectations of what a commercial entertainer, and potentially the end of a trilogy should be like. Despite the bombastic title, there is little action in the film, which, shockingly works in its favour. Reeves is not concerned with delivering epic battles between Apes and humans — because it’s already been done twice in the earlier films. Brilliantly, the narrative is a moody, bleak, character drama — almost seeming like an epic slog through nightmarishly harsh conditions as Caesar goes on a vengeful quest.

vie Mo view Re

Jagga Jasoos 09:00 AM 05:15 PM Gold Mine 11:00 AM War for the Planet of the Apes 12:00 PM 08:30 PM Haunted House 01:00 PM 05:00 PM Forest Adventure & Aero Bike 02:00 PM 08:00 PM Spider-Man: Homecoming 02:45 PM

PVR Cinemas Dona Planet 08800900009 Mom 03:05 PM War for the Planet of the Apes 03:20 PM 09:00 PM Jagga Jasoos 06:05 PM 09:20 PM Spider-Man: Homecoming 06:10 PM

Galleria Cinemas HUB 09706989143 Jagga Jasoos 02:45 PM 09:00 PM Mom 05:45 PM

Grande Cines Paltan Bazar 09854017771

War Of The Planet Of The Apes

otorola has launched the Moto E4 Plus and Moto E4 in the Indian market. At Rs 8,999, the Moto E4 goes up against the likes of the Yu Yureka Black and offline-only models from Samsung and Vivo while at Rs 9,999, the Moto E4 Plus squares off against the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 and big battery monsters like the Asus ZenFone 3 Max. Motorola is trying to bring things like the latest Android Nougat 7.1.1 along with the improved Moto Display to the budget market where competition does not provide such things. So, let’s have a quick look at how Moto E4 Plus stands in the crowd-

Anuradha Cineplex Noonmati 0361 2656968

Jagga Jasoos 03:00 PM 05:45 PM 09:00 PM Spider-Man: Homecoming 03:10 PM Mom 06:15 PM War for the Planet of the

adds some much needed design flair. There are antenna bands on the top and bottom of the device with a fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button up front. On the negative side, the Moto E4 Plus is quite bulky - the smartphone feels quite heavy in the hand and is quite thick at 9.5mm.

Apes 09:15 PM

Gold Cinema Paltan Bazaar 09854066166 Jagga Jasoos 11:00 AM 02:00 PM 05:00 PM 08:00 PM Love Icon 11:15 AM Mom 02:15 PM 08:15 PM Dooronir Nirola Poja 05:15 PM

Gold Cinema Narengi 08811001898 Dooronir Nirola Poja 02:00 PM Mom 05:00 PM 08:00 PM

Gold Cinema Lakhtokia 0361 2735367 Love Icon 11:00 AM Mom 02:00 PM 05:00 PM 08:00 PM

Apsara Cinema Paltan Bazaar 0361 2541335 War for the Planet of the Apes 11:00 AM 05:00 PM 08:00 PM Spider-Man: Homecoming 02:00 PM

Pragjyoti Cinema Maligaon 0361 2570777 Guest iin London 11:00 AM Mom 02:00 PM 05:00 PM

As for the optics, the Moto E4 Plus sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, autofocus, and single-LED flash support. At the front, there is a 5-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 aperture, fixed focus, single-LED flash, and a beautification mode for better selfies. The biggest USP of the Moto E4 Plus is its 5000mAh non-removable battery that supports fast charging as well.

Moto E4 Plus

Features ed smartphone market.

Design and Build On the design front, the Moto E4 Plus comes with a metal unibody design which has much more in common with this year’s

Moto G5 Plus and Moto G5 than its predecessor - the Moto E3 Power . The smartphone looks quite premium and classy and reflects Lenovo owned Motorola’s new design direction. There is a silver ring around the front fascia which

The smartphone sports a 5.5-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) display. It is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MTK6737M SoC paired with 3GB of RAM. The smartphone offers 32GB of internal storage options as well - with the option to expand via microSD card (up to 128GB).

Verdict It is too early to give a verdict on how the new Moto E4 will perform alongside its competitors, but with the looks and specifications being provided at such a price, it does look like a clear winner. n

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Lifestyle

Gardening Tips for the Monsoon Season

Nehal Jain jain.nehal@g-plus.in

hile every season has its own importance in the world of gardening, Guwahati’s monsoon has its own charm. The lush green countryside towards Sonapur is all natural and makes for a fantastic drive on weekends. There are several nurseries that you can pick up plants from and so, here are some cool gardening tips that you can use. 1. Remove the weed: A major problem you might face during monsoon is the growth of unnecessary weed. They affect the nourishment of the plants and tamper their growth. This happens more commonly in vegetable gardens owing to the soil bed that it has. Constant de-weeding is one of the most important activities of this season. 2. Avoid water stagnation: Yes, rains are a natural source of water and they act as natural sprinklers. However, water stagnation causes the natural nutrients of the soil to wash away thus considerably de-

o you know when it is just the right time to invest in markets? If at all I come across this question, my instinct tells me to reply, ‘Any time is a good time.’ Equity markets move largely on the basis of sentiments rather than logic. Timing the market is all about ‘getting in’ and ‘moving out’ at the right time. Mathematically, it should denote equal chances of getting right and getting wrong. The success mantra to investing in stock markets is to buy low and sell high. But investors across the globe tend to do exactly the opposite. They buy high when the stock is experiencing euphoric buying and sell at low prices when the stock is undergoing panic selling. This is why the best way to create wealth in the market is to spend time in the market, rather than timing the market. By assigning time to your goals, you are no longer affected by daily price volatilities. Further, equity investments are known to pay off well in the long run. If you would have invested an amount of Rs. 1 lakh in BSE Sensex way back in 1979, you would have been richer by Rs. 3.12 crores today, giving you 312x returns in just a period of 38 years. That’s the power

of staying invested in equities, reaping the benefits of compounding. When you invest in certain stocks/portfolio, you often have some time frame in mind for the stocks to achieve their targets. Hence, the daily price movements and the embedded volatility should not affect us. Watching the port-

folio on regular basis does one of the two things - makes us overconfident, or fearful. Any of these two will push us to make another move based on emotions rather than logic. The odds are mostly in the favor of us doing something wrong. Therefore, the most suitable way for long term investing is through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), wherein you deposit a fixed sum on monthly/periodical basis to save money and earn some interest. Systematic investments average out your cost of investment over time and equity markets are known to fetch positive returns over longer tenure. You need not

worry if a part of your money gets invested at period highs for some time because it does not matter in the long run especially when you are investing across the highs and lows of the markets. SIPs offer you potential for higher returns. For example, a monthly investment of SIP in an equity MF fetching 12% p.a. return accumulates to Rs. Rs. 82,486 over 5 years, offering a staggering 61% additional returns. Further, registering a SIP takes away the liberty of investing at our own will which only helps in investing consistently. Otherwise, in the back of the mind, the investment proposal gets postponed endlessly for the wait of further lower prices when the market is falling, or just waiting for prices to lower when the markets are rising. One must start investing in a diversified portfolio consistently over a period. Being into the equity market, the second best thing to do is to have a plan. The first thing is, of course, sticking to that plan. So, the next time you are stuck into timing the market to invest, you should definitely consider these principles to master the art of investing. n Pallav Bagaria CEO, Brand New Day – one of Northeast’s leading Mutual Funds Investment Consultancy and Portfolio Management Services

5 Simple Yoga Poses to Wave off Neck Pain

ervicalgia, as neck pain is better known as in medical terms, arises mostly from long, continuous hours of sitting in the same posture or a rough night of sleep and reduced workout. When the causes of neck pain are simple, why not the cure? That’s the point! To do away with the ‘pain in the neck’, we bring to you Seven Simple Steps (asanas or yoga postures) that are easy-todo and won’t eat into your daily busy schedule.

priving plants of the required nutrition and nourishment for growth. You should check the drainage system in the compound and garden to avoid water stagnation. Having shallow pits around the plant will prevent too much of water-logging. 3. Welcome the frogs and toads: This is the breeding period of insects and worms. Frogs and toads are insect eaters, and help the garden to be free from the unwanted insects. Allow these creatures to enter the garden by the way of a running stream or flowing water. Allow earthworms to enter the garden too, as they bring along natural fertilization for the soil. 4. Use natural fertilizers: During the monsoon season, the pores in the plants open up and spraying natural fertilizers helps the plants to absorb them immediately. The best time to spray the fertilizer is as soon as the pores open up. Application of pesticides should be done immediately after fresh shoots appear after the pruning process. Here’s to taking the first step towards a greener Guwahati.

Timing the Market or Time in the Market?

Balasana or Child pose: Kneel on the floor/Place your shin on the floor with toes touching each other. Sit on your heels. With hands by your side, exhale and lay your torso down between your thighs/bend from the waist laying your torso between your thighs. Slowly allow your head to touch the ground. Do as much as possible and don’t strain yourself. Stay in this pose for as far as possible and slowly while inhaling lift yourself back to the same position. Place

your hands on your thighs with palms facing the ceiling as in a state of surrender to God. This pose not only relieves neck pain and back pains but also calms your brain.

Natrajasana or Reclining Twist: Lie on the floor with your back straight. Slowly lift your right leg and bring it over your left leg. While the left leg remains straight, make sure that the right leg makes a right angle on the floor. Stretch your hands either ways and face rightwards. Take few deep breaths, while being in this pose for thirty seconds. Repeat the same with your left leg. While making your muscles more flexible, it takes

you to that state of contentment and bliss.

Bitiliasana or Cow Pose: Start with your shin placed on the floor and the rest of the body postured in a table-top position (that is with your thighs, torso and hands). Make sure to have your knees directly below your hips and your wrists, elbows and shoulders

must be in line, perpendicular to the floor and so should be your thighs. Your torso must be parallel to the floor. Being in this posture, inhale and pull your tummy inwards towards the floor and lift your head upwards. Remain in this posture for a while and follow with the Cat posture (given below).

Marjariasana or Cat Pose: Sequentially, exhale and round your spine towards the ceiling and bring your head inwards. Gently bring your chin towards your chest. Continue these two poses (cow and cat pose) in sequence while you inhale and exhale. Doing this would provide a gentle mas-

sage to your spine and belly organs absolutely free of cost, while also relieving you of neck pain!

ViparitaKarani asana or Legs-up-the-wall pose: This one’s simple. Just lay on your back with your legs straight against the wall. Feet must face the ceiling and your legs should be touching the wall. Rest with your arms out to the sides and palms facing upward. Take deep long breaths and breathe out at least fifteen times before you switch to the next pose. This yoga pose gently stretches the back of the neck, relieves mild backache and eases fatigue, helps in avoiding cramps and feet. We hope that you bid your neck pain a goodbye by following these simple yoga poses and live a relaxed, stress free life. Till then happy posing in these yoga poses.

shri shri ravi shankar Founder- Art of Living Foundation.

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Catching Up Most shared story of the week

New

Chick on the block

About Me Greetings to all the readers! I am Kiran Laishram from Guwahati. I did my schooling from Godwins school, and currently pursuing graduation from Handique Girls’ College. I am very passionate about modelling, and I’ve won many beauty pageants, including Fbb Femina Miss India Meghalaya. I’m very jolly by nature, and I believe in simple living.

enny Basumatary, who is best known for his roles in the Local Kung Fu series, will play the role of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the Bollywood movie, Raag Desh. G Plus recently shared some “first-look” photographs from the sets of the movie which the people loved a lot.

6.8K

346

GYAN

facebook.com/guwahatiplus twitter.com/guwahatiplus

Did you know?

Rudreswar Temple in North Guwahati

Mojo I consider Gigi Hadid as my inspiration. She’s my role model who inspires me to do better in this industry. My journey in the industry has not been easy but my determination has helped me reach my goals. For me, fashion is not just about dressing up and modeling, it is about carrying yourself with grace. Route in Woods I want to pursue my passion in modelling to bring laurels to the state. At present, I am only into modelling but I plan to explore new verticals with time. Vitals - 34/26/36 Height - 5’7”

Kiran Laishram

PIC OF THE

WEEK

he Rudreswar Temple or Devaloya in the village of Rudreswar, is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is a fine example of a mixed style of Ahom-Mughal architecture. In the latter part of his reign, Swargadeo Rudra Singha announced his desire to expand Assam westward as far as the Karatoya River in present-day West Bengal and Bangladesh. An army of approximately 400,000 soldiers gathered in Guwahati, in which various tribes from the hills and plains came together, including the king of Cachar and the king of Jaintia from present day Meghalaya. But before he could go ahead with his plans he

died of a mortal illness in August 1714 in his camp at Guwahati. His second son, Pramatta Singha, after ascending the throne, decided to construct a temple to Lord Shiva in memory of his father. The site of his father’s death was selected for the construction of the temple. The temple was completed in 1749. After the completion of the temple, Pramatta Singha established a Shiva Linga in the temple and named it Rudreswar Shiva Linga, after his father Swargadeo Rudra Singha. The temple was named Rudreswar Devalaya and hence the village in which the temple was constructed is also known as Rudreswar. n

Boat on the ‘land’...towards Chandrapur | Photo: Surajit Sharma

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

Events

Event: Saturday night with Mr. Doss Date: 8 July, Saturday Venue: Terra Mayaa, Guwahati

A group of friends strike a pose at Terra Mayaa.

Guwahatians enjoying the Saturday night at Terra Mayaa

The highlight of the show was Femina Miss India World 2016 Priyadarshini Chatterjee walking the ramp during the fashion show

A model walks the ramp

Priyadarshini Chatterjee walking the ramp at JD Excellence in Design Awards 2017

NYX is largely getting popular for its Ladies Nights

Event – Ladies Night Date – July 12, Wednesday Venue – NYX, Hotel Palacio

Event: 12th JD Excellence in Design Awards - “THE DIFFERENTS” Date: July 8, Saturday Venue: Vivanta By Taj

Actress Nishita Goswami at the launch of her new Traditional Bengali Restaurant “Ichchapuron”, posing with her team. The restaurant was inaugurated by Barsha Rani Bishaya and is located at BK Tower, 1st Floor, Ganeshguri

G PLUS | JUL 15 - JUL 21, 2017

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