G Plus Vol 7 Issue 39

@guwahatiplus | /c/gplusguwahati www.guwahatiplus.com

INSIDE

Volume 07 | Issue 39 Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020 Price `10 Rifts visible in political parties ahead of 2021 Assam polls

Is incorporating psychological training in school syllabi the need of the hour?

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Explained! Why advertising is even more significant during these Covid times

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EXPLAINED

Why Assam’s floods preparedness do not get the status measures fail of ‘National Calamity’ miserably Saumya Mishra @saumyamishra03

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he government, in collaboration with the Brahmaputra Board - a body established under the central government to mitigate floods in the Brahmaputra - had undertaken some measures with a view to mitigate damages caused by floods.

“We are sharing our flood monitoring information and flood forecast with all concerned stakeholders. Moreover, this year we are also disseminating the flood forecast to the health and family welfare department.

This would be useful for them in knowing if any COVID-19 facility or quarantine centre is at risk of being flooded, and they can take adequate preventive measures in advance,” VD Roy secretary of the Brahmaputra Board told G Plus.

He added that they are also sharing flood-related updates with the railways to manage train movement in a planned way.

This apart, the authorities mentioned that they work on a number of flood prevention measures throughout the year to mitigate the destruction caused by floods.

Some of these measures include construction of embankments which are built to check the spillage of flood water and to control erosion. However, this is only a temporary solution and poorly constructed

Barasha Das @Barasha_mi2

embankments prove to be a problem in itself, say experts.

A few days ago, in a meeting with the water resources department, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal had also directed the officials to fast track repair work of embankments in flood affected areas.

Another step taken by the Brahmaputra Board included placing geo bags in Majuli this year. Geo bags or geotextile bags are filled with sand and placed along the banks of the river to prevent flood water from spilling over and are also used to check erosion, informed officials.

“We have also put in place structures called RCC porcupine screens which are installed to slow down the speed of the river flow, and decelerate the erosion from the bank. Water flows through this structure and thus reduces the flow the river,” said Roy. Another much-discussed step to control floods has been dredging of the Brahmaputra River. Brahmaputra’s dredging was also proposed as one of the solutions for flood control and soil erosion by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its vision document before being elected to power in 2016 assembly polls.

“Dredging the bed of Brahmaputra from Sadiya to Dhubri, the problem of siltation will be identified and addressed at the root,” mentioned the party’s vision document.

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he annual floods unfailingly batter the state of Assam year after year with alarming regularity.

This has been no different.

Despite this, the floods find no mention in mainstream media or does it draw any sympathy from the central government. The problem uniquely remains Assam’s and Assam’s only. All the hue and cry by various pressure groups to treat the same as a National Calamity have fallen on deaf ears. G Plus attempts to elaborate why, despite the annual disaster perpetrated in the state of Assam, the floods have failed to qualify as a national calamity.

Food and erosion

These two natural calamities have been wreaking havoc in the state of Assam year after year.

Even as the state continues to deal with the surge in Covid pandemic cases, the government and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) is forced to balance its resources between the three big catastrophes that have hit the state together.

While the Covid-19 crisis has been accepted as a pandemic world-wide as also in the nation, the annual miseries compounded by the other two calamities are limited to the state. Apart from the regular funding that is kept aside by the Centre (often insufficient), Assam, at times, sees meagre donations from a few ‘celebrities’ and others who decide to throw crumbs at the northeastern state.

Keeping aside the previous years, even in the current year, while the pandemic has affected the lives of thousands, the annual floods have already marooned many areas without succour. While the Covid death toll is 50 (as on 16th July), the death numbers for flood and erosion are at 71 and 28 respectively.

Leave aside the rest of the state, the flood havoc caused in the Kaziranga National Park, home to two-third of the world’s one-horned rhino population and different species of birds and animals, and the gradually decreasing landmass of the world’s largest riverine island Majuli (that has reportedly been reduced to less than half of its actual size) due to erosion, has failed to acquire the sympathy of the Centre.

So despite millions being affected every

year, neither flood nor erosion are called ‘National Calamity.’

What is a National Disaster or National Calamity?

As per the Disaster Management Act, 2005, “disaster” means a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.

A natural disaster includes earthquake, flood, landslide, cyclone, tsunami, urban flood, heat wave; a man-made disaster can be nuclear, biological and chemical.

How can Assam’s problems be considered a disaster?

There is no provision under law to declare a natural calamity as a “national calamity or national disaster.” Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State, once replied to a question in Parliament, “The existing guidelines of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)/ National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), do not contemplate declaring a disaster as a ‘National Calamity’.

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2 Lead Story

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

Rifts visible in political parties ahead of 2021 Assam polls G Plus News @guwahatiplus

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he Covid-19 pandemic has indeed further pushed back the already delayed political activities of the political parties gearing up for the Assam Assembly elections slated for 2021.

Nevertheless, despite the fact that public display of political drama is not as yet visible, the astute political observers can surely observe some rifts within most of the political parties and these are now gaining momentum.

Before every election assembly or parliamentary - many politicos shift parties, priorities and ideologies for better political options; while such shifting processes have not yet begun in Assam, there are rifts which are quite visible.

A source in the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), talking to G Plus under condition of anonymity, said that a prominent leader of the party in the state is pulling strings in New Delhi so that he is made the state president of the party in Assam ahead of the elections.

Subsequently, there are now two major lobbies according to the source - one of the present president Ripun Bora and the other of the leader who aspires to become the president.

As far as Guwahati is concerned, the Gauhati (East)

contesting ticket was given to Bobbeeta Sharma for the 2016 assembly elections; she lost the seat to Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Siddhartha Bhattacharya.

This time there are certain lobbies working against Sharma. Former Gauhati (East) MLA, Captain Robin Bordoloi’s daughter Ashima Bordoloi, is apparently leaving no stone unturned to bag the Gauhati (East) ticket.

Even before 2019 Lok Sabha polls there were serious differences within the Congress Party in Assam over the party’s alleged secret understanding with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

Apparently, the issue continues to persist even now with the polls approaching and certain lobbies are working against each other.

Now, talking about the BJP, the party has lobbies sprouting up within it. Levelling serious allegations against a top party member without taking a name, BJP legislator from Hojai, Shiladitya Dev, recently said, “There is one person in the party who roams around with a bag and will destroy the BJP in Assam soon.” He added that the person he is talking about has become so powerful that he can get anybody killed at any time and this has forced him (Shiladitya) to take the crucial decision of retiring from the party. He would however serve out his term as the MLA.

Dev had also alleged that state BJP is today divided along three camps or factions each headed by Sarbananda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Ranjit Dass.

The Hojai MLA recently announced that he would retire from the BJP as he was upset with the state party’s leadership. But thereafter, taking a U-turn, he claimed that he is reconsidering his decision.

An observable fact is that with the 2021 polls approaching, the grassroots level politics is also intensifying. For Gauhati (East) there are apparently a number of contenders for the ticket in BJP. The sitting MLA and cabinet minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya is an obvious contender but procuring the ticket would hardly be a cakewalk for him with names of other heavyweights doing the rounds. Santanu Bharali, who is the legal advisor to the chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his close aide, is one such name according to party sources.

The regional party and BJP’s ally, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), also has rifts which are visible.

Internal rifts within the AGP over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) escalated since the act was amended in the Parliament with the party’s Guwahati committee staging demonstrations in front of its headquarters here.

Expressing solidarity with the grassroots level workers of the party against the CAA in various districts, members of

the Guwahati city committee of AGP had demanded the resignation of party president Atul Bora, working president Keshab Mahanta and senior party leader Phani Bhusan Choudhury from all party posts.

All happen to be ministers in the current government and their tacit support to the CAA was not missed by anyone.

The committee also demanded resignation of AGP Rajya Sabha MP, Birendra Prasad Baishya, from the parliamentarian’s post, after he voted in favour of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) by going against the party’s general council resolution on the contentious legislation.

The party has two factions now - one led by party president Atul Bora and the other led by founding president and former state chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.

The students’ organisation, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), which gave birth to the AGP post the Assam Agitation, has also planned to pull out its support to the party and form its own political party as, according to the AASU leadership, the AGP ministers have compromised with the party’s ideologies for their personal gains.

Worryingly, the rifts are not just intra-party in all cases.

There are rifts visible in the government alliance as well in Assam. From the looks of it, the BJP is planning to go it all alone in 2021 assembly polls as its

relations with its allies AGP and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) cannot be termed as rosy at the moment.

The Jansamwad Rally (Public Contact Rally) which was kicked off on June 16 in Assam wherein it was planned that two BJP workers will visit every home in every assembly segment, was launched by BJP president Ranjit Dass from Gauhati West constituency which is seat of its major ally in the state, AGP. To start of an election campaign from the voter base of a supposed ally has clearly not been done unknowingly by the state leadership. It is a political message that the party is sending out to its allies that in order to achieve its declared goal of 100+ seats in 2021 it can go to any length and that may well mean ditching its friends.

With the imposition of Governor’s Rule in BTAD after the term of the council expired and elections (scheduled in April last) were postponed due to the COVID 19 pandemic outbreak, relations between the political partners – BJP and BPF – has somehow soured with BPF already hinting that it can walk out of the alliance any time if its demands are not met.

So clearly, with the state’s major political event – the 2021 assembly elections – approaching, the rifts in the political parties are rather visible and could be a rather worrying factor for their voter bases.

Why Assam’s floods do not get the status of ‘National Calamity’

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he 10th Finance Commission (1995-2000) examined a proposal that a disaster be termed “a national calamity of rarest severity” if it affects one-third of the population of a state, but the same was not elaborately defined.

Although in 2001, the National Committee on Disaster Management, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, was mandated to look into parameters to define ‘national calamity’, no fixed criterion was decided.

Levels of disaster

The National Disaster Management Plan 2016, published by the National Disaster Management Authority, categorises disasters into three levels – L1, L2 and L3, based on

“the vulnerability of disasteraffected area, and the capacity of the authorities to deal with the situation.”

Level L1: The level of disaster that can be managed within the capabilities and resources at the district level. However, the state authorities will remain in readiness to provide assistance if needed.

Level L2: The level of disaster which requires assistance and active mobilisation of resources at the state level. At this level, the state is required to deploy its agencies for disaster management.

The central agencies must remain vigilant for immediate deployment if required by the state.

Level L3: This corresponds to a nearly catastrophic situation or a very large-scale disaster that goes

beyond the response capacity of the state and district authorities.

However, the level in which Assam has been categorised under is not yet ascertained.

Relief measures and solutions expected if declared National Disaster:

National support to the state from NDRF, Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) is set up, with the corpus shared 3:1 between Centre and state.

National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF), funded 100% by the Centre, when resources of CRF

proves inadequate.

Grant of concessional loans to people affected if the disaster is declared ‘severe’.

AASU demands Assam’s flood and erosion to be declared as ‘national problem’ Over the years, various organisations of Assam have been pleading with the Centre and making demands that these issues be treated or given the status of ‘National Disaster.’ The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has been demanding the state’s flood and erosion issues to be declared as ‘national problem’ ever since the Assam Accord was signed in 1985 and determine permanent

solution to the problems under Clause 7 of the Accord.

Speaking to a leading daily, Samujjal Bhattacharya, Chief Advisor of AASU said, “In 2005, following a tripartite meeting to review the implementation of the Assam Accord, the Centre made an announcement declaring flood as a national problem, but nothing happened on the ground.”

In the Assam Vision Document 2016-25, the current ruling party had laid special emphasis on “flood and erosion control.”

However, in 2019, Rattan Lala Kataria, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Social Justice and Empowerment, replying to a question by Biswajit Daimary, MP, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), in the Rajya Sabha said, “Assam flood cannot be considered as a national disaster.”

In The News

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

3

Assam’s Covid-19 tally crosses 20000-mark, death toll at 50 Nehal Jain @NehalJain96

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ssam crossed 20,000-mark in COVID-19 cases with 892 new cases reported on July 16. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has gone up to 20,646; of which 7,039 are active and 13,554 have been cured and discharged so far.

Of the 892 COVID-19 cases, 598 were reported in Kamrup (Metro) alone which include 184 from Guwahati Central Jail.

Two male COVID-19 patients, aged 63 and 50 years and hailing from Kamrup Metropolitan district and Baksa respectively, died due to the infection, taking the total death toll in the state due to the disease to 50.

“Disheartening to let you know that we lost two precious lives today to #COVID19. My condolences to their bereaved families and friends”, tweeted state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing the deaths.

The same day, a total of

666 recovered patients were discharged from various parts of Assam. Among those discharged was a 93-year-old woman who was undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH).

Announcing her recovery, the health minister said, “At times, we get opportunity to smile amid adversity too! …An incredible story also of competence of our doctors who handled this delicate case with finest precision.”

Kamrup Metro Records Over 11,000 Total Cases, 5400 Active Cases

Kamrup Metro happens to be the worst affected district in Assam with over 11,000 COVID-19 positive cases of which over 5,400 cases are presently active. The district is now the COVID-19 hotspot of the entire region.

It is noteworthy that over 80% of the total active cases are from Kamrup Metro.

The cases have

been reported from all corners of Guwahati, including Raj Bhavan, Secretariat, and central jail with senior bureaucrats, police officers, doctors and jail inmates contracting the viral disease.

Guwahati, as well as rest of Kamrup Metro, has been witnessing nearly 500 cases every day for the past few days. On Thursday, Assam recorded 892 new Covid-19 cases of which 598 were from Kamrup Metro alone.

According to officials, around 200 inmates of the jail which houses nearly 1,000 convicted and under trial prisoners, have tested positive for the coronavirus disease. Among the convicts who tested positive, are peasant activist and founder of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Akhil Gogoi, who is currently undergoing treatment.

The district has been under a 21-day ‘re-lock’ from June 29 post an ‘unlock’ which had begun at the

beginning of June to bring help the state limp back to normalcy.

Meanwhile, certain relaxations have been announced in Kamrup Metro for people to be able to procure essentials alongside which courier and e-commerce services have also been resumed.

According to an estimate by the state health ministry, the number of COVID-19 cases was supposed to begin to show a downward trend from July 10 but numbers continue to rise despite the prediction.

India becomes third country to reach 10 lakh Covid-19 cases

India, on Friday, became the third country in the world to record more than one million coronavirus cases, behind only the United States and Brazil.

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India reported over 34,956 cases of

coronavirus on Thursday, July 16.

The total coronavirus caseload in the country surged to 10,03,832, while death toll mounted to 25,602 with the highest number of 687 fatalities recorded in a day, stated the data updated at 8 am on Friday, July 17.

While the first case of Covid-19 in India was reported from Kerala, the state of Maharashtra has been worst affected by the dreaded virus. A total of 2,84,281 COVID-19 cases and 11,194 fatalities have so far been reported in Maharashtra.

Tamil Nadu has a tally of 1,56,369 cases and 2,236 deaths due to COVID-19 while Delhi has reported a total of 1,18,645 cases and 3,545 deaths due to COVID-19.

It was for the sixth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 28,000.

With the huge surge in cases being reported every day, many Indian states have re-imposed lockdowns for varying periods.

Flood preparedness measures fail miserably

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he Assam government had planned to conduct dredging along a 891-kilometre stretch of the Brahmaputra River a few years ago.

This project was also sanctioned by the central government and the estimated project cost for this was Rs 40,000 crores.

The process of dredging involves removing debris and silt from the bottom of the river using a dredging machine. The proposed project also included construction of an expressway on both sides of the

Brahmaputra River.

However, the plan is yet to be implemented.

On the other hand, environmental experts claim that dredging is not a viable solution to the floods and have questioned its sustainability since deposition of silt in the river bed is a continuous process.

Since a permanent solution to the floods in Assam is difficult to find, experts say that a combination of different measures and a holistic approach is the only way to deal with floods.

Janasanyog No.1215/20

From Page No - 01

4 Concern

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

Is incorporating psychological training in school syllabi the need of the hour?

Barasha Das @Barasha_mi2

Discussing depression and anxiety in front of children might prove harmful.

Has our education system ever prepared us to deal with untoward circumstances as currently prevailing?

Schools should train parents for healthy, effective, scientific parenting.

Futuristic personality development programs must be a priority.

Proper counsellors must be appointed by schools.

Expertly designed psychological courses lack implementation in government schools.

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he year 2020 might have started on a good note, but within 2 months life had taken an unknown course, unexpected and unprepared for. Never did one imagine that days like the current ones would come when people would spend months locked inside homes, without any social life.

Consequently, matured adults who had till now been boasting about going through many ups and downs of life, have found themselves unable to cope up to the prevailing constraining and home-bound circumstances.

Many are clueless about how to deal with the situation or how to provide comfort to the ones seeking mental help. A beloved celebrity’s death has also impacted the general psyche of the nation as videos and news reports analysing and investigating the departed soul’s death ‘mystery’ are being created and circulated by the hundreds on a daily basis.

Then there are the students.

The academic year had just begun or was about to begin when the prolonged lockdown happened.

For them, the lockdown has proved to be a separation from the only social life they had - the school and college life. Forget about studies, what is the overall impression of all these on their developing mental status?

And so lately, talks on mental health, depression, suicidal tendencies and suicide itself have become part of day-today discussion. While people across media platforms have taken to discuss mental issues on a serious note and experts have been providing necessary advice to the general public in an attempt to keep their spirits up, two questions have emerged that needs to be answered.

Firstly, has our education system ever prepared us to deal with such unprecedented situations?

Secondly, has the necessity of incorporating mental health studies or counselling into the school syllabus being considered?

After all, a quote by someone anonymous holds true, “Crisis is not a time when you fix a culture but it is a reflection of the culture.”

G Plus reached out to a few psychologists and psychiatrists hoping to find answers to these questions.

Renowned psychiatrist Dr Jayanta Das said, “I definitely advocate that mental health related issues and studies must be imparted as part of school curriculum, at least for the higher classes if not for the primary students. And through these, the school authorities should bridge between the students, parents, teachers and the counsellors. They should impart training on the basic ideas for ‘healthy, effective, scientific parenting’ and address issues related to school going children. I feel ‘mental health’ centres are a necessity.”

“Some states have already introduced courses on how to enhance the emotional maturity of our children. That is of utmost necessity. Our current education system focuses on just one area, that is, intellectual maturity by perpetual learning that is reproduced at the examinations.

But we do not consider the child developing as a social component of the community. If the children are equipped with emotional

Representative Image aspects of his or her individuality, social skills, then they will grow as proper, happy and healthy individuals,” he added.

Mentioning about the steps to be taken by the system now to prepare the students for the coming years, Dr Das said, “The way the society is changing in terms of technological growth, if we do not impart a futuristic personality development programme, and if we do not try to equip our students for the coming years, say 2040-50, then it would be difficult for them to deal with rapid changes then. Even teachers’ orientation programs are important.”

We have seen that the lockdown has had adverse effects on students. The school is not just for education but it is also a social institution for the students, where they form play mates, peer groups etc. Experts say that even the fights they indulge in are an import aspect of the developing process as it teaches social skills.

On the other hand, screen timings have increased by the maximum which has also impacted the growing minds.

Sanjeevani Goswami, psychologist and former school counsellor said, “The CBSE has made it mandatory for every school to have life skills classes.

But the schools have not yet taken them seriously, instead using them as extra classes for other subjects.

The United Nations has put up life

skills like how to manage crisis, anger, decision making, interpersonal relationships, etc as a full-fledged course which must definitely be developed.”

“The lockdown and online classes have not just affected the students but also the parents and teachers. It is causing anxiety to all sections alike.

Even experienced teachers, not being tech savvy are feeling that they are underperforming and not being optimal. Parents are stressed out as well. I have students seeking consultation as they had experienced enormous stress, worrying they might not be able to cope with their syllabi,” she added.

Goswami also pointed out that the discussions of anxiety, depression and death around children, be it by parents or the media, create imprints on the young minds that might be harmful and lead them towards similar situations. One must always seek expert help if anything such is felt. But having a school course will prepare them for a more constructive way of self-empowerment.

Dr Sangeeta Goswami, counselling psychologist and president of Mind India, feels that metal education in school curriculums is an absolute necessity.

She said, “My organisation is running such courses in the higher education institutions. I have been asking

the schools to incorporate some wellness centres for students and faculties. It should be allencompassing, even including the management. But very few schools have proper counsellors.

Usually, the psychology teachers are asked to take up the role, which is highly inappropriate.”

“The current situation is the new normal. So, psycho-social skills should be incorporated to help in children’s inter-personal development. A lot of time we are not able to empathize with ourselves. If we can incorporate these than the person will be able to look after their own well-being,” she added.

When asked about incorporating life skills in the school syllabus, Dr Goswami said, “It was supposed to be that way, but schools that did incorporate the same adopted it as a mere grading system. For government schools under the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA), our organisation did develop a manual on life skills for the students of class IX back in 2016, under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). We also trained the teachers at the district level.

But due to lack of monitoring and evaluation the same has not been facilitated. Had it been taken up it would have been implemented in around 4,500 government schools of the state.” n

City

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

5

Idol sculptors’ tales of woe as Festive Season Approaches Rifa Deka @dekarifa

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t is that time of the year when artisans and sculptors stay up all night crafting magnificent idols of Goddess Durga out of clay in response to massive orders placed with them a various Durga Puja Samitis and Committees gear up for the Puja festivities. Yes, festive activities start as early as mid-July. But this year, all their workshops seem to be wearing a deserted look bereft of orders for idols due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year we stayed up working till 2, sometimes 3 am, to complete the work and this year there is no work at all. There is shortage of raw materials and of what is available, the materials are so costly that we cannot afford to buy much,” said Jagannath Saha, an idol maker from West Bengal who sells idols of the Goddess in Assam during Durga Puja Season.

“My family has been in this craft since a very long time.

My entire family members are artisans; my father, my uncles we are all dependent on this for a living,” added Saha.

Idol makers across the country seem to be suffering due to myriad problems, right from unavailability of materials to

their exuberant prices. Costs have gone up exponentially and the demand for idols seems to have taken a dive.

“Raw materials are not just expensive, they are not available anywhere. Floods have rendered the soil unusable; trucks carrying other raw material such as hay and bamboo are also not being allowed to pass through districts,” said Kanchan Paul, another idol maker from Pandu in Guwahati.

“We usually have materials with us from months before the season and commence working on the idols on the auspicious day of Jagannath Rath Yatra. But this year, we have not even begun yet,” added the local artisan.

All our Gods, right from Ganpati Bappa to Durga Maa, will now have to wait for this pandemic to pass till their devotees invoke them in full spirit of festivities.

“Three Pujas have passed from the month of March which is usually celebrated in Bengali homes, and we are sitting idle,” said Mohadeb Paul, Vice President of the state-wide Brahmaputra Valley Rudrapal Samiti and Secretary of the association’s district branch.

“Earlier, we had thought in the month of March that the problem would not last longer than a few weeks. It then extended to a

The halcyon days when Durga Puja preparations started from July month and then two months and now the problem doesn’t seem to end at all,” sighed the secretary of the artisan group.

The Brahmaputra Valley Rudrapal Samiti is an association of idol makers from Assam who have filed their petitions with government bodies and have already requested for help due

to the approaching Puja season to get out of their crisis situation but to no avail.

“Our work is seasonal.

Craftsmen wait all year for the season in which they make money to survive another year.

This year we had thought that the business would be reduced to 50 percent due to the pandemic

but now it appears to us that we will not even be able to make 20 percent of business as compared to previous years,” he added.

At a time like this, when the world is struggling to come out of this pandemic, it seems like both the Gods and the government have turned a deaf ear towards devoted artisans.

The significance of the harlot’s earth to sculpt the Warrior Goddess and other rituals Durga epitomizes energy. The warrior goddess, who is identified as Adi Parashakti, combats all evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity and dharma, which is the power of good over evil.

Each year around this time the preparations for Durga Puja begin in full swing right from the beginning of the Rath Yatra with the Khuti Puja.

of Durga.

The Kathamo Puja marks the worshipping of the first structure of Goddess Durga.

The pandal decorators deck a pole with garlands and plant it at a spot around which the main pandal for the puja is to be built.

It also marks the auspicious beginning of preparations for Durga Puja festivities which begin on the day Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra and is the day on which artisans begin sculpting the idol

Nishiddho Pallis

Kathamo Puja

Chokkhu daan

Traditionally, the Durga sculptures made of clay are known as ‘ek-chala’ (one cover) and the idol’s eyes hold great significance while making the idol of Goddess Durga.

Eyes of the goddess are only painted in presence of the sculptor in a process called the ‘Chokkhu daan’ or offering of eyes.

The deity who is celebrated for her victory over evil epitomised

by Mahishasura for looking down on women is considered incomplete without her idol being made with the soil from outside a prostitute’s land called ‘Nishiddho Pallis’ or forbidden territories inhabited by the “social outcasts” in brothels.

Legend has it that a priest

would have to beg for the soil (Punya Maati) at the doorstep of a brothel and only a prostitute would have to hand it over to the priest and that soil would have to be used in sculpting the idol of Goddess Durga.

Punya Maati

When one visits a brothel, they leave their virtue and piousness at the doorstep to enter a world of sin. Men who visit brothels give in to their carnal desires leaving behind purity and virtue.

The brothel’s soil is also used as a mark of respect for women that have been humiliated or looked down upon by the society.

Some prostitutes also believe that taking soil from brothels to make idols of Goddess Durga purifies their soul as they lead a life of sin.

Earlier the ritual of ‘Punya Maati’ used to be followed but in the modern day world, the

Representative Image tradition has almost disappeared.

Most sculptors say that it is not feasible for them to go and bring soil from a brothel to sculpt idols anymore.

The practice was an ancient tradition which is no longer prevalent on a wide scale; however, there is still some demand for idols made with the ‘Punya Maati’.

Vishvakarma Sashtra

The procedure for making idols and proportions in which soils are to be mixed to sculpt the idols are

described in ancient art-related Sanskrit texts, one of which is the Vishvakarma Sashtra.

Navkanya Worship

According to ancient Hindu scriptures, nine classes of women known as Navkanyas are to be worshipped during Durga Puja. A nati (danseuse or actress), a vaishya (prostitute), rajaki (laundry girl), a brahmani (Brahmin girl), a shudra and a gopala (milkmaid) are some of the Navkanyas who are revered during Durga Puja.

6 Ward Watch

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

Bathou Mandir Path, Ganeshguri remains a stark example of govt neglect and apathy Rifa Deka @dekarifa

Residents express concerns over damaged Bathou Mandir Path Pathetic condition of the road in Kachari Basti, Ganeshguri makes residents feel neglected Residents almost give up after having repeatedly raised the issue with local governing bodies Ex-councillor of the ward narrates his own woeful story GMC gives citizens assurance of help post lockdown

I

ncessant rains, floods, landslides and the COVID-19 pandemic have only added to the troubles of Guwahatians who were already struggling to get access to basic amenities like electricity, water and roads.

Speaking of roads, the condition of a by-lane in Guwahati’s Kachari Basti, Ganeshguri – the Bathou Mandir Path - is so pathetic that one would not believe it to be a road situated in such a close proximity to the state’s capital.

Residents of the locality had woeful tales to tell about how neglected they felt because of the condition of the road that leads them to their homes despite having raised the issue with local bodies several times.

“This road, our by-lane has been like this for many years now. This road is very close to Ganeshguri and Dispur despite which our by-lane is in this condition,” complained Dipjyoti Das, a resident of Kachari Basti, Ganeshguri.

“There is a Bathou Temple here; Bathou Pooja is held every year in this temple. Aged people who wish to come here cannot due to the bad condition of the road,” said Dipjyoti Das. “Even in case of emergencies, we cannot carry any patient out from here. I have stayed here since 2014; ever since I have not seen any one of political prominence coming here either before or after the elections,” the resident added.

Residents have, many a time, tried to fix the road by themselves but come the monsoon season and all their efforts get washed way in the literal sense.

“We had filed a complaint with the ex-councillor of our Ward on June 14, 2013 and had given an application once or twice more and requested for our road to be fixed but nothing has been done till date and we residents continue to suffer,” said Junu Konwar, another senior resident who has been vocal about the problem.

The ex-councillor’s tale of woe

To get to the root cause of where things got stuck despite

The condition of the Bathou Mandir Path as it stands currently | G Plus photo citizens having filed multiple complaints, G Plus got in touch with the Guwahati Municipal Corporation’s ex-councillor of Ward No. 19, Ranjit Das. On doing so, he himself lamented over another problem that he was facing, which he said, made him feel ‘helpless’ at the moment, given the situation.

“A tree fell in the compound of my residence due to heavy rains.

It has been close to 3 weeks and no action has been taken by the authorities yet. When they do not listen to an ex-councillor like me, how will they solve the problems of common citizens?” lamented Ranjit Das. “I contacted the forest

department but they did not pay much heed to my problem. ‘The woodcutter has gone home, so we will not be able to send anyone yet,’ they say. I also contacted the Disaster Management Authorities and they asked me to vacate my home because the roof might collapse,” complained Das. “I was a councillor representing the Congress Party. This is why nobody is solving my problem now,” sighed the ex-councillor of the urban local body.

The ex-councillor had to move out of his house with his family for a few days. His family has currently moved back.

GMC’s Response

Meanwhile, G Plus contacted Debajyoti Hazarika, the Commissioner of Guwahati Municipal Corporation who said that the ongoing lockdown was proving to be a deterrent for him not being able inquire into why the condition of the road has not yet improved. The official however, assured that residents of Kachari Basti, Ganeshguri will be helped.

“At present, the lockdown is there in the state and the lockdown norms do not allow verification at present,” said the GMC commissioner. “When the lockdown is lifted, I can verify and we’ll try to help them,” said Hazarika.

Weather report for the week Guwahati

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In The News

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

7

The Importance of Being There!

Explained! Why advertising and branding has become even more significant during these Covid times.

W

ith the world slowly coming to grips with the Covid-19 pandemic, the overall mood is one of trepidation mingled with hope.

Since the beginning of 2020, the pandemic-induced lockdown has brought the entire country to a grinding halt and all were left wondering whether the world would ever be the same. The narratives drew similarities with scenes which would not be out of place in a movie like ‘Bird Box’ or ‘The Road.’

However, this is the 21st century and the world has developed and gone too far ahead for a virus to undo everything. If not anything, science and medicine has discovered one more deadly virus and the world is probably better prepared now for another health crisis and the economy will limp back to how it was, although slowly.

As with the rest of the industries that have taken a body blow during this pandemic, the same has been the case for the advertising industry as well – the advertiser as well as the media.

The numbers have dropped drastically and the first quarter, which is usually abuzz with new

campaigns, launches and rollouts, saw very little activity this year.

Most brands and advertisers chose to lie low and bide their time. But as is evident, the pandemic has raged on and the country is still under various stages of lockdown, week after week, month after month.

So what should be the way forward for the brands – do they wait for it all to pass? Or should they resume their activities, adapting to the new postCovid world? As of now though, the first option might look the most sensible and logical, because there is some time for it to be business as usual for the world. However, this also presents a real danger of being left behind, because in the midst of all this too, some brands continue to advertise and be visible and available to the consumer – through various media – television, newspapers and most importantly, digital.

It is important to understand that in spite of all that has gone around, the need for communication has not changed.

Any message that needs to go out has to be communicated and this is the very basis of advertising.

Whether it is new products,

changing services, offers, schemes or availability, advertising has become even more paramount now!

Although the times have changed, people’s needs have not.

They still require everything that they have been consuming so far – maybe in a different way, but they still do. Because ‘needs’ and ‘dreams’ of people are never going to die. And that is the very reason why certain advertisers have understood this and continued to ‘be there’ for the consumers. Be it at the global, national or local levels, brands have continued to advertise.

This has also been the case in Guwahati as well where many local

businesses chose to communicate through local mediums like ours.

G Plus has been at the forefront in supporting this group of advertisers that include small, medium and large businesses.

Several cloud kitchens, delivery apps, take-aways, educational institutes, sanitization services and PSUs, just to name a few, have all chosen to advertise and have seen success stories as far as reach, engagement and ROI is concerned. I believe their trust and aggressiveness during these unique times have worked out right for them and they have reaped the benefits.

In times like these, when digital content consumption, be it news or entertainment, has been at an all time high, it provides advertisers a potent time to reach out to consumers because their attention is almost undivided and clutter free. As I had mentioned earlier, this is just a hiatus and the world will get back to being its usual self soon. So why lose ground to be on the consumers’ mind and consciousness? It is important to ‘be there’ so that when the time comes, you are not caught napping!

Whereas this might sound

Koushik Hazarika like a very biased opinion, the fact is that advertising is one of the most important cogs in the giant economic machinery that our world is. It is a cycle which translates into jobs that run lives and families that have needs and dreams and are going to consume what they desire. It is a perpetual cycle that will not end and this in turn will prevent an economic disaster.

So go out, be seen, be audible, be visible and be there!

(The author is a media and advertising professional with over 15 years of experience in news media, creatives, journalism and advertising)

Netizens explain why conducting university exams now in Assam would be a bad idea Yes: 7% No: 93% Rifa Deka @dekarifa

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niversity Grants Commission (UGC)’s new set of guidelines for higher educational institutions sparked debates as to how such an ‘insensitive’ decision could be taken at a time like this given the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Students’ unions such as NSUI and others across the country have alleged that UGC had not held any consultations before taking such a decision.

The HRD Secretary, Amit Khare, was recently found saying that UGC can take action against states if they cancel Final Year University Examinations. The issue had soon taken a political turn with Congress leader Rahul

With Internet connectivity issues, floods and COVID-19, do you think it is feasible to conduct University Exams in Assam?

Gandhi calling for exams to be cancelled and several non-BJP states having already announced the cancellation of final year university exams.

Some states such as Punjab, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal had also written to the Centre citing reasons as to why they would want to cancel the examination and Delhi joined these states expressing concerns over the possibility of spreading COVID-19 further due to the same.

UGC has now allowed universities, colleges and all institutions of higher education to conduct exams in online, offline or blended mode (combination of both). With most universities now opting to conduct online examinations, another challenge presents itself in front of students – the problem of internet connectivity.

Given the present scenario

of COVID-19 and connectivity issues caused by floods, among other crises, to understand what students thought about the feasibility of appearing for online university exams, G Plus asked young netizens to pour their hearts out on this update posted on its various social media handles, in the comments section.

“Why is it so necessary at this moment of crisis? It can be postponed. Do not do it until everything gets normalised to some extent,” commented Hemanta Upadhyay, a Facebook user who also happens to be a Senior Academic Counsellor at Byju’s.

“During form filling itself, websites of GU start crashing.

How are they going to manage exams? And they should check internet availability in all districts and villages of Assam and then think how much injustice they

are doing with us students,” said Radhika, a student of Gauhati University who goes by the name rm_radhika on Instagram.

“No, I don’t think that exams can be conducted under the prevailing situation. Neither we have the required infrastructure nor the environment for the same,” commented a twitteratti on G Plus’ post on Twitter that asked the same question.

“Hypocrisy is at an ultimate stage. This is an unjustified and irrational decision from UGC itself. Risking students’ lives they ultimately proved they don’t care for students, it’s all about getting examination fees and continue the money flow,” opined Arijit Sinha, Assistant Professor of Accountancy at West Guwahati Commerce College (WGCC) and KC Das Commerce College, Chatribari, Guwahati.

A student and instagrammer

hashtag_das_203 alias Priyanka commented on G Plus’ Instagram post saying, “We are suffering from floods, lockdown, electricity problem and many more in Assam. Day by day COVID-19 patients’ number is increasing.

We are not mentally ready for an exam.”

Another student Rasna Lama said, “Looking at the current situation of our state, exams must be conducted. It is important, but while conducting the exam the current situation might get worse than it is now.”

“As a student I would like to suggest that as some of the students are from other states, for them it’s difficult to attend the exams. So offline exams or an assignment should be given to us.

I request our education minister to please take a quick decision on this matter,” Lama appealed to the education ministry.

8 Centre Spread

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

Barasha Das @Barasha_mi2

Let’s have a look at the disaster reports of this year

Besides “just” the world-wide pandemic, Assam has much more to deal with. While the country is busy calculating the numbers affected by the pandemic or observing political machinations in Rajasthan, Assam has added parameters – the annual devastating floods

Assam floods - total affected (as per 16th-17th July report)

Districts: 28 out of 33 districts Population: 39,79,563 Animals (domestic): 20,90,682 Poultry: 12,85,754 Crop area (in hectares): 1,31,368.27 Deaths: 76 Relief camps and centres: 711 Inmates in relief camps: 51,421

Landslide Report (as on 12th July)

Districts affected: 7 - Kamrup (M), Kamrup, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj, South Salmara Population affected: 225 Deaths: 28 Houses damaged (Fully & Partially): 63 Public Infrastructure damage districts: 2 – Cachar, Dima Hasao

Kazirang

(as per 16th -17t

Area affected: 9 Animal Animals r Camps affecte

Centre Spread

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

9

Funds allocated to Assam to tackle the disasters

and the equally destructive erosion. The damage incurred might not be as appealing as news to the nation; the Centre refuses to acknowledge flood and erosion as “national calamity” despite millions being affected every year.

For flood and landslide: As per Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the 15th Finance Commission has allocated Rs. 858 crores under the State Disaster Respond Fund (SDRF).

The total amount is received in two instalments. The first instalment of Rs. 386 crores has already been received by the state and the second instalment is expected by SeptemberOctober, 2020. Apart from this ASDMA also has a leftover opening balance of Rs. 355 crores from the previous financial year.

Out of these, Rs. 52,45,00,000 have already been dispersed to all districts and sub-divisions for utilisation in relief measures. Further amounts are to be provided as per necessity.

For Covid-19 crisis: As the pandemic started in the last financial year, funds for the same have been adjusted in two financial years. Altogether, Rs. 75 crores has been dispersed by ASDMA to all districts, subdivisions and four Assam Bhawans, for maintenance of quarantine centres and relief purpose.

Further, Rs. 51,61,00,000 was given for providing “Greater Relief” (GR) to each reach Non-NFSA (Non-National Food Security Act) card holding poor families who have no other means of livelihood, at the rate of 5 kg per head rice, other than PHH members (Priority Households), government employees and well-off families. Further relief to be provided accordingly.

Erosion in districts (as on 17th July)

Affected: 15 out of 33 districts (Majuli, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Charaideo, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Chirang, South Solmara, Bongaigoan, Udalguri, Nalbari, Baksa, Kokrajhar, Darrang)

ga flood

COVID-19 pandemic

th July) report)

(as on 16th July)

95% of 430 sq kms ls dead: 86 rescued: 125 ed: 99 out of 223

Total positive cases: 20,646 Active: 7,039 Discharged: 13,554 Deaths: 50 Migrated: 3

10 G Talk E

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| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020 T

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Lifting the pall of gloom

I

f I am to gauge Guwahati’s current mental state, ‘gloomy’ is the word that comes to the mind. Along with its hustle and bustle, pragmatism, which was a trait of the city, is today buried under the massive Covid numbers popping up everyday through the current lockdown. Today it seems that Covid-19 is the only disease that the city is grappling with and all other diseases – fatal cancer included – have taken a backseat where treatment is concerned.

Incidents are replete of how even cancer patients need to be Covid-negative first to avail their regular chemotherapies as and when they visit their respective hospitals for the same. Patients requiring dialysis for their dysfunctional kidneys face a similar predicament. Get the Covid test first, everything else will come later!

Actually, we just cannot help this gloomy situation; the thrust of the state government is now on controlling Covid-19.

To add to the gloom is the fact that a negative result today just does not mean negative always and should be no cause for celebration simply because one could turn Covid-19 positive at just the next instant should one be adequately careless. And so, one wonders whether all these tests being undertaken and the

positive results being thrown up – under the strict and depressing prolonged lockdown - are really working towards getting the city back on its normal fast tracks. Yet, the efforts of the government towards controlling what could turn out to be a real epidemiological disaster for the city cannot be undermined or questioned. And this only makes the pall of gloom even wider and thicker.

In such a situation, one wonders how we can demonstrate some more pragmatism and wisdom when the current lockdown is lifted. Certainly, the old normal will not return any time soon and this gloomy situation will continue for a long time. But what we can do as citizens of Guwahati is to perhaps nudge each other really hard, on a daily basis, into observing the behavioural protocols that have been laid down. Beyond this, it is for the government to find ways to ease the Covid situation and give due priority to other patients as also simultaneously open up the economy in a planned and safe manner.

The gloom will remain; we just need to carefully cheerful, find reasons for the same and lift the pall to the extent possible.

Swapnil Bharali (Editor) @swapnilbharali

Where is the money to fight Assam Floods?

F

loods are here in Assam!

Here’s hoping that the statement with an exclamation would make some difference instead of a hashtag. Lakhs of people and animals get displaced, lose their homes, livelihoods and get stranded. This, added with a death toll each year, makes the Assam floods a national calamity.

The disaster that the swollen Brahmaputra brings with it is somewhat perennial – but so are the complaints around it. Lack of media attention, no preventive and mitigation measures – all the Assam governments have all failed to tackle this problem.

We at G Plus get to see some heart-wrenching visuals each year of a whole lot of destruction followed by some photos of relief operations – basically photo ops for some.

With digital media penetrating even more, this year around, there is more ‘volume of search’ for Assam floods. A set of people are interested in learning more, but I highly doubt that would be enough.

In the process, there are a lot

of awareness campaigns run by content creators, individuals, NGOs, media etc and of these, some make an effort to raise funds.

While awareness is a key element, there have also been thousands of crores of rupees ‘donated’ to Assam’s Flood Relief Fund. The question is where is the money?

The spends made in the Assam CM’s Relief Fund continues to elude the public. While people may donate selflessly, it is important for us to find out where this money is going.

After all, we make donations, after having paid our taxes, for the ‘proper functioning’ of the country. The least the government should offer is the transparency in the funds.

Now that my favourite football club also made a post saying, “Assam, we are with you”, I am embarrassed to write to them saying, thanks for the support Arsenal, but the government has a better defence than us. They don’t let anything pass!

Sidharth Bedi Varma @sid_bv

Greening the Highways

T

rees, as we all know, provide us with a multitude of benefits.

Perhaps, collectively more can be done to reap the benefits from these bountiful offerings of nature, in the form of trees.

The suggested initiative on tree plantation has multi-fold objectives–

Creating near term, short duration employment opportunities to tide over these difficult times for a section of the unemployed youth of the state and the returning migrant youth who had left home in search of livelihood; Creating livelihood/income generating opportunities among entrepreneurs, SHGs and cooperatives utilizing locally available material; Creating inputs for Food Processing Industries in the MSME Sector; Bringing about improvement in health of the citizens; and Several benefits.

environmental

The state highways traverse through villages in which reside the major sections of these unemployed/the migrant youth. The government of Assam, through the Directorate of Horticulture, may consider planting fruit bearing trees on either sides of the state highways and possibly also along the major village roads using these unemployed youth.

This initiative could be named “Greening the Highways.” Fruit bearing tree like Goose Berry (Amla), Star fruit (Kardoi), Olive (Jalphai) and Grape fruit (Pomello/Robabtenga) etc having both health and commercial values could be considered for the initiative. Planting saplings, making and providing guard caging around them and subsequent up-keep for a certain period of time to ensure their survival could form the work that could earn these youth some man-days of work. NREGA fund

could perhaps be used to provide this temporary employment.

The local populace could also be encouraged to plant such fruit bearing trees in their backyards.

The local villagers could be made the stakeholders in this asset creating initiative and thereafter the beneficiaries when the trees start bearing fruits.

They could eat and also market the fruits through retail trade or as inputs to Food Processing Industries.

Alternatively, local SHGs, co-operatives or entrepreneurs could add value and market the produce.

The Directorate of Horticulture (DoH) would need to determine which fruit bearing trees should be grown in which parts of the state considering relevant criteria of soil condition, prevalent temperature profile, rainfall and humidity considerations etc. DoH would also need to arrange quality planting material (establishing nurseries in some villages could be another opportunity for local youth) and also provide guidance on procedure of planting and subsequent up-keep.

The approach would be to facilitate optimum quality and yield of fruits. Perhaps, a broad integrated vision could be created among the northeastern states to collaborate and make the region one of the fruit growing hubs in the country with the government of Assam taking the initiative.

A cluster-based approach would be essential so that aggregation of produce, their storage and subsequent movement to the markets or processing centres could be done efficiently and at least cost. This would ensure sustained earning opportunities for the stakeholders. Perhaps, this initiative could encourage some youth involved in associated activities to remain in their villages and earn their livelihood with local produce/material instead of migrating to towns/ cities in search of livelihood.

Intake of fresh seasonal fruits as part of our regular diet has many established positive impacts on our health. This would be possible only with increased availability of fruits at affordable price. Awareness on this would also need to be created among the illiterate in order to benefit the section that needs the most.

rFloods and media coverage

O pinion Barun Barpujari

The Directorate of Horticulture (DoH) would need to determine which fruit bearing trees should be grown in which parts of the state considering relevant criteria of soil condition, prevalent temperature profile, rainfall and humidity considerations etc.

The importance of trees in protecting/invigorating the environment cannot be overemphasized. From acting as sinks to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with resultant release of Oxygen; providing nutrients to the soil (compost fertilizer from the leaves shed); to help control the temperature and also in curbing air and sound pollution, the tree is central to all these benefits. Hence, all round effort needs to be made to plant, protect and nurture trees. The proposed initiatives to grow fruit bearing trees support these and promise more. It would provide livelihood and also promote health benefits.

The Assam government is committed to working towards achieving the ongoing sustainable development goals. “Greening the Highways” initiative is aimed at contributing to several of the stated goals.

(With 38 years of rich and diverse experience in Energy & Sustainability areas, the author retired as Executive Director of IOCL. The views expressed in the article are his own.)

Letter to the Editor

Once again, the state of Assam is drowning in floods. People are homeless and lost in search of hope as flood water seeps into their houses. Regional channels of the North-east give regular updates of the worsening situations of floods in our state alongside the coronavirus cases which are increasing rapidly like wildfire.

Assam is saddened with the problems that it is facing and at a time like this what adds to my sadness is that the National Media totally ignores Assam as if we do not exist. The news of Assam may sometimes make it to the headlines but seldom do we find detailed information of any news related to Assam. These news channels have always kept Northeast India in ignorance and darkness. It is my humble request to all such national news channels to let the nation know about our region as well. Afterall, the Northeast is an unbreakable part of the united country that is India. Without it India’s unity, both its tradition and culture are incomplete. Without Northeast, India will never be called ‘Incredible India’ Neha Singh, Tezpur

In Focus

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

11

Centre approves tunnel under Brahmaputra River

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he Centre has given inprinciple approval to construct a strategic tunnel under the Brahmaputra River.

According to reports, the fourlane tunnel will link Gohpur and Numaligarh towns that are respectively on the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

A senior official of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) said that the construction of the 14.85 km long tunnel will begin in December 2020 in three phases.

The proposed tunnel will also have ventilation system, firefighting mechanism, footpath, drainage system, emergency exit and will be equipped with crash barriers.

The tunnel in India is going to be very important strategically as it will provide year-long connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It will also help in transporting military supplies and ammunition as vehicles will be able to zoom through the tunnel at 80 kmph, Hindustan Times’ sister publication, Hindustan reported.

Guwahatians took to the social media handles of G Plus to share their thoughts on the upcoming

tunnel under Brahmaputra.

Most of the residents complained about the earlier promised projects by the government which still remain incomplete.

Akash Garg said, “Flyovers construction in Guwahati takes 2-5 years at least, Dhola Sadiya Bridge took 8 years, water supply project took almost 10 years (yet to be completed), Bogibeel Bridge took around 17 years. Problem of flood could not be solved since the last 70 years and now this tunnel under Brahmaputra?

Hope to see it in my lifetime.”

Moumita Goswami said, “The government should first focus on flood. People are dying every year. It seems like painting the house from outside while it remains a total mess from the inside. Think about poor and hungry people of Assam. The government came to power because of the votes. Please don’t let humanity vanish. We don’t need this showoff but some work.”

Shanaz Aowal said, “These are all gimmicks. Please don’t forget that Assam is in the earthquake zone. Who would ever think of a tunnel in a river as turbulent as the mighty Brahmaputra? The government first needs to get beds in the ICU, improve health

sector and stop the erosion caused by annual floods.

Questioning the authorities, Ankeet Beriwal said, “What is the use of it?

We already have 3 incomplete projects - Metro, Trade Centre & Bridges including the ropeway. First those should be completed.”

Ishan Das said, “Rather than all these promises, please make some proper shelter for the policemen who have to stay in broken barracks. Give some respect to them who work to keep the ministers safe.”

Pavitro Daimari said, “Leave aside the Covid-19, flood problems, education & health system etc. This government has failed even to maintain and control the drainage system of Guwahati city and now they are speaking of making tunnel road in Brahmaputra?

Questioning the government Shudipta Baruah said, “What has happened to the Centre? We don’t

Representative Image need so much publicity. Just mend the flood situation, dilapidated road conditions, economic distress, unemployment trauma, streetlights, unfinished projects, pending and delayed judgements, price rise, education standard of schools and colleges, and what not? If you can simultaneously work on strategic tunnels during this pandemic, working on the other aspects is definitely not a big ask! Priority needs to be given to all the aspects, nothing in the list is unimportant as of today, especially for #Assam!

While many stood against the

project, a few also supported it.

Krishna Brahma said, “It’s a good initiative as the northern part of Brahmaputra will be developed and an easy way for the army will be constructed to cross and reach the China border.”

Jyotish Saikia said, “Yes there are many issues in Assam right now like floods. But this tunnel is for defence of the country to move the army convoy from Numaligarh side through Gohpur to the border area. The defence of the country comes first always.”

Enough is Enough! Say Rajgarh, Pub Sarania residents after being battered by floodwater entering their homes in #Guwahati.

Gulam Omar Ahmed

This flood is due to the public. This has got nothing to do with the BJP government’s plans and policies for Guwahati. Rain and flood is a natural calamity. So what can the government do about that! During Congress government, it was the fault of Nehru, it was Rahul’s fault, it was Tarun Gogoi’s fault. They are a worthless party. Currently we should focus on Coronavirus, flood will come and go like every year. One needs to see the bigger picture.

Nabajit Sarma

1 People have to stop flooding the drainage systems with garbage. The GMC is working much more efficiently but that alone cannot help. 2) The government has to dig the drainage lines deeper, to accommodate the extra water flow during flash floods. 3) We need water bodies to store water as Guwahati doesn’t have a continuous dip in elevation from one side to another. 4) Last but not the least, the pavements need to let the water penetrate it and get absorbed by ground which will reduce runoff. Added benefit, the ground water level will increase.

Gaurav Choudhary

Syed Parvez Rehman

It’s our own doing. We construct houses, buildings without even taking into consideration the most basic aspects of drainage. Rajgarh and Zoo Road areas, for example, have a water crisis in the dry months. Why can’t they harvest the rainwater so that in the dry months at least some amount of the problem is solved? And also the flooding can be curbed to a certain extent. And one more thing, who dumps the waste into the river? Instead of cribbing and holding the government responsible for everything, people please innovate and renovate.

Then only you guys can solve the problem. It’s our area, our locality, we are the ones responsible for it.

Munner Bakshi

It’s an inherent problem with Guwahati city. To uproot this GMDA needs proper plan and execution of the plan during winters. Like cleaning and excavation of Bharalu, underway sewerage network, sewage treatment.

Another solution is, anyway people who are suffering today will forget this by the end of September, let them forget.

These local residents should have kept earlier a document of record in mass public complaint addressing their concern to the concerned government authorities. That would have made it easier for them now to make them accountable in Court. They can file a complaint in Assam Human Rights Commission, Bhangagarh office also now.

12 Lifestyle

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

What is Brahmasthan?

T he Brahmasthan is the position of the ‘Space or Akash’ element. The other 4 elements in Vaastu are air, water, fire and earth.

The Brahmasthan, the centre of each room and the centre of the building, is one of the most vital features of Vaastu, since it is the area from which energy is selfgenerated into the home. The Brahmasthan of the house should be left open with no walls, beams, heavy weights, or blockages. The centre of the house, workplace as well as that of each and every room is very important as it is connected with health and is considered to be the heart of the house or workplace. This is the meeting point of all the energies from different directions.

If you or any of your family members face health problems, check the Brahmasthan and observe certain precautions and particularly observe the Vaastu defects at house. Brahmasthan should not be depressed. Heavy objects, wells, lifts, stairs and toilets are totally prohibited in the

Brahmasthan. If it is depressed or there is a pit or it is insanity amongst the inmates. A well in the Brahmasthan may lead to health problems for the house owner and affect the prosperity. According to “Manasara”, a temple can be made in the Brahmasthan of the house. You can have a courtyard in the Brahmasthan preferably open to the sky, which can be used as a get-together for the family members. For small houses, have the living room / hall in the Brahmasthan.

A Brahmasthan is a unique feature of Vedic architecture. Vedic architecture is based on Vaastu Shastra, the Indian science of space and architecture designed to create environments that supports physical and spiritual health and prosperity.

The Brahmasthan is a special central zone in a building. It should be free from any obstructions in the form of a wall, pillar or beam, and is often well lit from above, by skylights for instance. This area should also not contain any fixture, cabinets, toilet, staircase

or other distraction.

Vaastu tips for a successful career

1. If the direction of bed is in the northwest, it causes delay in promotions or in getting raises.

Keep it at southwest with head to south.

2. To get timely promotion and success in career sleep in South West bed room.

3. If the main entrance is facing South or South West direction place a Copper Swastika on the entrance.

4. If the main entrance is facing South East direction, place a Silver Swastika on the Entrance.

5. If South direction has to be kept open due to the main door or a balcony, then plant Ashoka trees in south.

6. Place a conch shell in the North West direction of table increases business area.

7. Place Yellow flowers in North direction to increase financial luck.

8. If the kitchen is in North direction of home,it causes financial problems.

Place a handful of coriander seeds in the North direction of Kitchen. You can also keep a statue of lord Ganesha in north.

9. Use light coloured curtains in North direction.

10. Use dark & heavy fabric curtains in South direction.

11. The entrance should have a

Hemanta Kumar Sarmah

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

yellow light.

12. Always go for a white light in the bathroom.

13. If you wish to hang pictures, keep pictures of nature in the drawing room and family photos in the dining area.

How to keep vegetables and fruits fresh for a longer time

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owadays due to the ongoing pandemic situation frequently going out is not possible. We tend to stock up food items which would last for a few days. We wash all food items bought from outside to make them free of dirt, dust, pesticide, infectious elements etc. However, keeping fruits and vegetables fresh for a longer time is not an easy task but here are a few tips which might be of help!

1. Some fruits and veggies produce a gas called ethylene as they ripen. This gas can prematurely ripen foods that are sensitive to it, so we must keep ethylene-producing foods away from ethylene-sensitive foods.

Avocados, bananas, cantaloupes, kiwis, mangoes, nectarines, pears, plums, and tomatoes, for example, should be stored in a different place than apples, broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, and watermelon.

2. All types of leafy greens including spinach, coriander leaves, and parsley are very easily perishable. Thus storing those in a porcelain container or wrapping them in paper towel may keep them fresh for a day or more.

3. Celery leaves may be wrapped in aluminium and stored in the fridge for a few days.

4. Lettuce leaves may be washed with water adding 2-3 drops of

lemon, after that it can be stored in fridge.

5. To our surprise, lemon remains fresh when kept in salt container.

6. Potato, onion, brinjal, tomato, ginger, garlic are best kept outside the fridge, but a few simple tricks

perforated container in the fridge; one can also apply a bit of salt and turmeric to these for keeping it fresh for long.

9. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower can be stored in the cold darkness of refrigerator,

12.

Some also suggest that wrapping bananas in old newspaper or paper towel keeps them fresh for longer.

13. Grapes usually remain fresh for the longest time within the refrigerator without being spoilt.

sometimes make better storage of them like- Potatoes remain fresh longer when an apple is kept along with them.

-Tomatoes can be kept in fridge and remain fresh when kept in a brown bag.

7. Usually carrot, capsicum and most kinds of gourds are best stored in refrigerator.

8. The upper stem of the chillies must be removed and stored in a

but it should be stored in dry condition.

10. Pumpkins may be stored under dry environment outside the fridge after removing seeds.

11. Unripe fruits like pears, peaches, plums, kiwis, mangoes, apricots, avocados, melons and bananas may be stored on the counter. Once they’re ripe, they may be moved to the fridge.

Banana peels will turn dark brown, but it won’t affect the flesh.

14. Citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines and limes, will do fine for up to a week in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, but we can lengthen their lives by storing them in the fridge in a mesh or perforated plastic bag.

15. Cutting the leafy tops of pineapple and storing it upside down helps redistribute sugars that sink to the bottom during shipping and also helps it keep longer.

Sohini Chakraborty Chatterjee

16. Berries also can be kept fresh in refrigerator for a longer period of time, but we should be careful that these should be in dry condition because wetness causes mould growth in them.

17. Cucumbers, star apple etc. can be stored outside the fridge too, as it gets easily rotten inside the fridge due to their high moisture content.

18. Keeping apples in a cool, dark place will help them stay crisp. The best way to keep apples fresh is to store them in the crisper drawer of refrigerator in separate plastic bags. Alternatively, we can place a damp towel on top of the apples to help them maintain moisture.

Apples should be stored as whole because cutting of apple induces browning reaction in them.

19. Watermelons can also be kept fresh within refrigerator.

20. Pomegranates can also be stored in dry, cool, well ventilated space like apple for a long time.

One must remember that we must keep every vegetable and fruit in such a way so that it can breathe. Moreover, whenever you find any single item in your fridge which is about to rot, you must throw it out immediately to prevent further spoilage of any food item.

Feature

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

13

Auschwitz: A point in Evil Having visited Auschwitz, the author, offers a lurid description of what he witnessed and the feelings that overcame him.

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hen I think of the numerous movies and documentaries that I have watched on World War II and the Holocaust, the first one that comes to mind is Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”, a compelling depiction of the pogrom that was the Holocaust. Incidentally, Oskar Schindler, on whom the movie is based, had his factory in Krakow, Poland - the same place where my narration begins.

A thousand thoughts were swirling in my mind when the pickup vehicle arrived at my Krakow hotel on a cold but surprisingly sunny November morning in 2019 for a tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum at the site of the largest of the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz - located in Oświęcim, Poland about 70 kilometers west of Krakow. Now, this was far from a fun expedition! I was going to visit one of the most poignant symbols of the darkest chapter in contemporary human history. A place that epitomized evil, a place of the Shoah! The hour-long ride filled me with a sense of strange excitement and at the same time, a strange trepidation; excitement because I was finally going to tick off a major item off my bucket list and trepidation because I had read that visitors sometimes broke down when narrated the

little did the poor prisoners know the horrors that lay beyond that gate. My mind instantly cocooned itself in a protective numbness the moment I saw that slogan so it wouldn’t crumble when it scoured this place of evil and horrors.

Auschwitz was part of the diabolic German Nazi plan to bring to fruition “Endlösung der Judenfrage” (the final solution to the Jewish question). It comprised three camps - Auschwitz 1, Auschwitz 2 (Birkenau) and Auschwitz 3 (Monowitz).

Auschwitz 1 was the oldest of the three and opened in 1940. The majority of the prisoners sent there were Jews from different parts of Nazi-occupied Europe.

Other prisoners included gypsies, clergymen, homosexuals and Soviet prisoners of war. An estimated 1.5 million prisoners were sent to Auschwitz between 1940 and 1944 and of those, about 1.1 million - including pregnant women and children were systematically murdered by the Nazis. Ninety percent of those killed were people of the Jewish faith. A majority of the killings were effected by gassing them in the “showers”, using Zyklon B crystals, a cyanidebased chemical. But this figure of 1.1 million is disputed because no records were apparently maintained of prisoners who were immediately sent to the

Train tracks and platform

tales of horrors that transpired at Auschwitz.

On arrival at Auschwitz, I and my friends Kalyan Kalita and Partha Gogoi, were quickly and efficiently handed our tickets, our individual battery operated tour guide systems/headphones and we were handed over to our tour guide, a lady of dignified bearing, who welcomed us in perfect English and led us to the entrance of Auschwitz 1. The entrance gate had the sign “Arbeit Macht Frei” (Work Sets You Free) carved in wrought iron on top. To the uninitiated, it would have seemed so deceptively harmless a slogan;

gas chambers on arrival. Other methods of extermination included starvation, bludgeoning and phenol injections. Prisoners were also regularly killed for amusement!

Besides these methods, “Schutzstaffel” or SS doctors regularly conducted inhuman experiments on the prisoners that often resulted in death. The Auschwitz camp also supplied slave labour for the factories of the Third Reich, including ordnance manufacturing units to aid the Nazi war machine. Everything was planned to perfection. The famous German efficiency was in

the service of the Devil.

Auschwitz 1 housed between 15,000 and 20,000 prisoners at any given time. The pebbled path led to the pre-war brick barracks that were requisitioned by the Nazis. There were barbed wire fences throughout the compound.

These fences were electrified when it was a functioning camp.

The Nazi Germans constructed an improvised gas chamber in the basement of the Block 11 (“the block of death”). A larger and permanent gas chamber was later constructed outside. We saw the cramped bunks, in which the prisoners slept, the toilets etc.

Between Block 10 and 11 stood the “Death Wall” against which prisoners were executed by firing squads.

The barrack walls were lined with photographs of the

The resilience of the human spirit: The Jewish people have risen like a phoenix from the ashes of genocide and have created an indelible and powerful identity for themselves.

Rubble of gas chamber

prisoners. Individual photographs ominously mentioned the date of execution of that particular prisoner. I wondered what went through the minds of those tired, battered and innocent souls awaiting inevitable death. Did they welcome it as a way out of the abject misery? It was impossible to fathom. But the most heartbreaking were the pictures of little children who were blissfully unaware of the fate that awaited them. Oh, those beautiful little children! The numbness in my mind which had held so far cracked a bit when I saw the children’s photographs with the

accompanying commentary of the tour guide.

There was a disbelieving quietness among the many visitors as we were led from one barrack to another. We clicked pictures quietly and listened with rapt attention to the tour guide’s commentary.

The museum authorities had converted portions of some barracks into large glass paneled showcases that exhibited large piles of travel gear, utensils, footwear etc that belonged to the prisoners. These belongings represented dreams and aspirations, a hope of a life somewhere. What they received instead is history.

Scrubbed to a gloss as the whole place was, nothing could gloss over the horrific crimes that were committed within those walls and those fences. In the basement of Block 11 we were shown the “Standing Cells” which were basically one square yard concrete cells in which up to four prisoners were crammed in and kept without food and water for days on end. The tour guide requested the visitors not to take pictures inside the Block 11 basement as a mark of respect. Everybody complied without the slightest protest.

From Auschwitz 1 we were taken to Auschwitz 2 (Birkenau), a short drive away. Now this camp was on

Manash K Das wooden barracks that resembled swamps during the rains. The ruins of the gas chambers that were destroyed by the SS guards just before the Soviet army liberated Auschwitz on 27th January, 1945, have been meticulously preserved exactly where they fell.

By this time I felt mentally drained. As my friends and I trudged our way back to our waiting transport to take us back to Krakow I wondered what could drive a person to such acts against another fellow human being. It couldn’t have been just extreme hatred. No! This was unhinged loathing that wasn’t even human.

I unsuccessfully tried to fathom the evil that was Adolf Hitler and his cohorts, and how that evil permeated down to the lowliest SS guard, that carried out the vile deed of cold blooded, systematic extermination, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year.

And then I saw an elusive silver lining – the resilience of the human spirit. The Jewish people rose like a phoenix from the ashes of genocide. They created an indelible and powerful

Entrance to Auschwitz 1.

a different scale altogether, sitting on an area of about 370 acres of beguiling serenity. The train tracks terminated at a very large platform where the prisoners were de-boarded and separated. A train carriage has been preserved on site. The various sections of the camp were divided with electrified barbed wire fences, totaling about 16 kilometers. The scale of operations here were in proportion to its size. There were four huge crematoria, eight gas chambers; forty-six ovens were for disposal of the corpses. It could house about 125,000 prisoners in impossibly overcrowded, leaking

identity for themselves. Today they are leaders in every sphere, be it military, finance, the arts and countless more.

Many believe that the Nuremberg trials of the Nazi/ SS/Gestapo members did scant justice to the murdered millions.

Many brilliant Nazi minds were surreptitiously absorbed by various countries. My thoughts went to the legend of Nazi hunters who sought an eye for an eye. Were they real or merely a fable? Well, I was hoping real, for vengeance and justice can sometimes complement each other. n

14 Guest Column

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

Looking for some comic relief amidst the encircling gloom N otwithstanding the possibility of being branded as an escapist, of trying to run away from sordid reality, one feels that it is time to take a break from the endlessly depressing and disheartening discussions on the Coronavirus pandemic that has enveloped us all well and truly. Experiencing unprecedented, forceful confinement at home being ‘locked down’ and abandoning day-to-day activities is indeed traumatic, melancholic to be precise. To divest yourself of such a dicey, morbid environment, it would be worthwhile to look for

The West Indies victory marks the end of their thirty two year old jinx of not winning any test match in England besides raising hopes for the restoration of their lost glory. and explore the brighter, sunnier side of life just to de-stress oneself. In literature, this is defined as “comic relief” which means “releasing of tension” in the midst of serious or tragic occurrences.

Instances of comic relief are in abundance in all of William Shakespeare’s immortal tragic dramas. In Macbeth, a tipsy Porter, praising the good effects of drinking while Macduff is left stranded at the gate, provides a hilarious effect in an otherwise gruesomely tragic ambience or setting. Brajen Barua’s wicked expression as a villain (he was enacting a double role) evokes laughter and anger simultaneously in Dr Bezbaruah, the iconic Assamese

cinematic suspense thriller.

Similarly, Asrani remains the epitome of comic relief with his dialogues and expressions in Sholay, Bollywood’s premier blockbuster.

The enthralling, exciting first test match at Southampton between West Indies and England that ended the pandemic-induced hiatus in international cricket has provided much needed diversion and respite to cricket connoisseurs from their dull, monotonous stay-home-staysafe life as rightfully advised by the doctors and medical experts.

The pulsating test match saw the West Indies team clinching a scintillating victory bearding the English lions in their own dens on 12th July, 2020. For a change, distressingly negative Covid-19 statistics (read Covid-19 positive cases) emanating frequently on social media were kept at an arm’s length by the cricket lovers so as to enjoy the grueling match with gay abandon oblivious to the Corona apprehensions.

On close scrutiny, the recently concluded first test match stands out significantly for having added quite a few great chapters to the glittering history of test cricket. In the scary backdrop of more than thirty thousand people succumbing to the deadly virus in Great Britain, it speaks volumes of the courage and passion that the West Indies have for cricket to have agreed to undertake the tour. Accolades are due to the English players as well for agreeing to play the game in the face of the haunting life-scare. The game was played in an empty stadium which is a record by itself in the nearly one hundred year old history of test cricket. Social distancing norms ensured players were not hugging each other in the euphoria of a fall of wicket.

Utmost restraint and caution were evident. Lastly, the West Indies victory marks the end of their thirty two year old jinx of

Gautam Ganguly

Baba Ramdev (L) annoucing a cure for Covid made for a comic moment during the Pandemic | Representative Image not winning any test match in England besides raising hopes for the restoration of their lost glory.

Subsequent to the imposition of ‘lockdown restrictions’ across India that rendered millions of migrant workers jobless, a large section of these economically bankrupt people had to walk hundreds of miles to return to their respective native places leaving their work stations. In the midst of the heart-rending sight of poor people walking and walking with their petty belongings, children in tow, a photograph of a migrant family carrying their pets along was heart-touching; a sight that magnified their human values.

Incidentally and interestingly, three Indian cricket stalwarts namely, Sunil Gavaskar, Saurav Ganguly and MS Dhoni, were all born in the month of July. Lavish praises heaped deservingly on these legends on print and electronic media allows one the opportunity to travel down

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memory lane to recapitulate some of their greatest exploits and thereby the luxury to shun the Corona–bickering temporarily.

Among his many splendid innings, one may recall Gavaskar’s swashbuckling innings at The Oval in 1979 when he had hammered the English bowlers to score 220 runs and take India to the brink of victory. Chasing a target of 438 runs to win that no English cricket pundit including Mike Brearley, arguably the shrewdest English captain ever, thought India was capable of, Gavaskar’s superlative innings earned him great admiration from the global cricketing fraternity.

Continuing in the same breath, Team India, under Saurav Ganguly, proved that they were quite the ‘lions abroad’ defeating all teams in their own backyards besides reaching the finals of the 2003 ICC World Cup against all odds.

And ‘Captain Cool’ MS Dhoni’s

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fairy tale performance in 2007 T-20 World Cup and ICC World Cup will remain permanently etched in memory.

The greatest comic relief however, has been provided by none other than Baba Ramdev when he claimed to have invented a medicine that would cure Covid-19 in a flash! When experts, scientists and famous physicians around the world have been burning the midnight oil to find a proper medicine/ vaccine for the dreaded disease with the ICMR and even the much maligned WHO also continuously making all round efforts, the claim of the selfstyled ‘Baba’ to mislead a section of gullible Indians has been pooh-poohed by the ministry of health. The discerning Indians have, however, had a hearty laugh at the absurdity of claim.

(The author is a retired civil servant and a die-hard art and sports enthusiast. The views expressed in the article are his own)

News This Week

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

A quick round up of the news that mattered during the past week

1

Assam: Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji to be upgraded to wildlife sanctuary

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji district would be upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary. Poba Reserve Forest, declared in 1924 with an area of 10,522 hectares, is home to large number of flora and fauna, an official statement said.

CM Sonowal took to his Twitter handle and wrote, “CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal announced upgradation of the Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji to a Wildlife Sanctuary in a meeting with senior officials of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts at Jonai. The CM was reviewing the flood, erosion & #COVID19 situation of the districts.”

2

Meghalaya govt to close entry points

The Meghalaya government, on July 15, announced the closure of entry points into the state from July 21 to 31.

Issuing an order, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the state government has decided to close all entry points at Byrnihat, Ratacherra, Bajengdoba, Tikrikilla, Mirjumla and Hallidayganj from July 24 to 31. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed that except emergency services including medical and essentials, transit movements of Assam vehicles will not be allowed.

3

First container ship between Bengal and Northeast via Bangladesh flagged off

In a historic development, North Eastern region of India is now connected by sea-ports of Bangladesh. Union shipping minister Mansukh Mandaviya, virtually, flagged off the first trial movement of container ships from Kolkata Port to Agartala and Assam via Chittagong port in Bangladesh.“Historical day in maritime relations of India and Bangladesh. North Eastern Region of India is now connected by sea-ports of Bangladesh! Digitally flagged off the first trial movement of container ship from Kolkata Port to Agartala & Assam via Chattogram Port of Bangladesh,” Mandaviya tweeted on July 16.

4

UGC can take action if states cancel final year university exams: HRD Secy

As per the UGC Act, state governments cannot cancel final year university exams. Unlike school education, which is on the state list, higher education is on the concurrent list (both centre and state). University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) directives have to be implemented and UGC has the power to take action against the same, according to the Higher Education Secretary, AmitKhare.HRD secretary also said that if such a decision was taken and if degrees were given out without conducting exams once, then students will cite floods and other reasons and ask for exams to be cancelled in the future.

“Populist action versus long term goals of the education system needs to be considered together,” said Amit Khare, HRD Secretary.

5

Low key Independence Day celebrations in India

In a first, India is to celebrate the 73rd Independence Day without the usual crowd that throngs the Red Fort.As per ANI report, for the first time in its 73 years of independence, Red Fort will be witnessing only 20 percent of the VVIPs and other participants compared to the previous years. 1,500 people, all of whom are corona winners, that is people who have recovered from the dreaded disease, are to attend the celebrations. No regular visitors are to be allowed. The Independence Day Celebration reportedly sees a crowd of around 10,000 people. While no school children are allowed to participate this year, only cadets of National Cadets Corps are to attend the occasion.

6

15

Alcohol-based sanitizers to attract 18% GST despite being essential commodity: Goa AAR

The Goa bench of the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) has ruled that alcohol-based sanitizers should attract a GST of 18 percent. It ruled, “Merely classifying any goods as an essential commodity will not be the criteria for exempting such goods from GST.” Springfields (India) Distilleries had moved the Goa AAR for classification of hand sanitizer and the applicable GST on the commodity.”Hand sanitizers manufactured by the applicant are of the category of alcohol-based sanitizers and are classifiable under heading 3808 of the Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) to which the rate of GST applicable is 18 per cent,” the AAR bench ruled.

7

BCCI appoints Hemang Amin as Interim Chief

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Hemang Amin as the Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cricket Board after accepting Rahul Johri’s resignation on July 11. Amin, who is presently the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the Indian Premier League (IPL), was appointed for the post by office-bearers of BCCI as a constitutional requirement. Amin was the Assistant General Manager – Finance, Commercial & Events at BCCI, and was recognized for successfully handling the management and operations of the VIVO IPL prior to his appointment as COO of IPL. He has been with BCCI for the past decade.

8

Russian Univ. first to complete human trials of world’s first COVID-19 vaccine

Russia has emerged as the first country to have successfully completed human trials of the world’s first coronavirus vaccine at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. The purpose of the trial was to study whether the vaccine is safe for human health which showed positive results, said Alexander Lukashev, Director of the Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases of Sechenov University. “The safety of the vaccine is confirmed. It corresponds to the safety of those vaccines that are currently on the market,” Lukashev told a Russian News Agency. Further, their vaccine development plan is also being determined by the developer, including the complexity of the epidemiological situation with the virus and the possibility of scaling up the production of the vaccine.

9

Google CEO announces $10 billion ‘GoogleForIndia’ digitization fund

CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai announced a $10 billion ‘GoogleForIndia’ Digitization Fund under which Google will invest about Rs 75,000 crores in India over the next 5 to 7 years. “I am glad to announce – Google for India digitization fund – it’s $10 billion dollars for India alone,” Sundar Pichai tweeted. His announcement came in after his virtual meeting earlier today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Google India Digitization Fund will be used for investments in Indian innovations and development of infrastructure and will focus on four major areas like affordable access to Indian languages, building new products and services unique to India, empowering business, and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in health, education, and agriculture.

10

China first economy to grow since Coronavirus pandemic

China has become the first major economy to grow since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, recording a 3.2% expansion in the latest quarter after lockdowns were lifted andfactories and stores reopened. Growth reported on July 16 for the three months ending in June showed an improvement over the previous quarter’s 6.8% contraction which was China’s worst performance since at least the mid-1960s. But it still was the weakest positive figure since China started reporting quarterly growth in the early 1990s. “We expect to see continuous improvement in the upcoming quarters,” said Marcella Chow of JP Morgan Asset Management in a report. The National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement, “The national economy shifted from slowing down to rising in the first half of 2020.”

16 Catching Up

| Jul 18- Jul 24, 2020

Talk Of The tOWN

PIC OF THE

Art of the week

WEEK

#COVIDCOUNTCONFUSION | Art: Rifa Deka

Artist: Sanjeev Handique | Shopping before the lockdown!

Barasha Das @Barasha_mi2

Water Transportation and Guwahati

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ot just road traffic, the city’s administration, one upon a time, had river traffic to worry about.

Strange as it might sound to the citizens of today, our beloved city was once (yes, one upon a time) filled with lakes (jaan in Assamese) and all were interconnected, facilitating river transportation.

Well that explains the flood situation of Guwahati, as most jaans have now been buried and there is not enough drainage.

Guwahati had around 40 lakes.

So, there were also water or river transportation stations or “panisoki.” Uzan Bazar Ghat was one such, then known as Latasil Panisoki.

The Dighalipukhuri was initially used as a port where boats were docked. To the north it was connected with the Brahmaputra and to the

south with the Solabeel near Rehabari. Solabeel, in turn, was connected with the Bharalu River.

One could also travel from the Brahmaputra River to Jorpukhuri (then a single water body until the construction of the road bifurcated it into two) via the Naujaan Canal, then reach Solabeel and move further west to Deepor Beel and again reach the Brahmaputra passing through the Khandajaan (nearGarigoan).

Almost all water bodies were interconnected and there was a city-wide closed circuit water route.

The Khandajaan was dug by the Mughal army to attack the Ahom kingdom. So the Ahom commander, Lachit Borphukan built a ‘garh’ or rampart on the west and south ends of the Bharalu River to prevent passage.

Did you know that Silpukhuri was originally connected to the Navagraha temple? The nonagon shaped lake had small streams at each of its nine corners that were directly connected with the temple. Water and milk poured during rituals at the nine celestial representations at the temple flowed into the lake. Locals claimed that when the lake was dried out a few years back for reconstruction, traces of the old streams could be seen.

The Protector under siege | Photo: Surajit Sharma

Waiting for Jasleen from the coronavirus awareness caller tune to stop talking, feels like watching a YouTube video without the ‘Skip Ad’ button. The worst of all comes when making an emergency call and she won’t stop talking. Like Majnu bhai says “Jasleen tu bolti reh jayegi aur mera koi game bajadega.”

PS. Who else forgets what they were calling to talk about in the first place?

Nepal PM, KP Sharma Oli, recently made it to the headlines with his comment, “Real Ayodhya lies in Nepal, not in India. Lord Ram is Nepali, not Indian.” Later the Nepal foreign ministry issued a press note which said that the remarks by the PM were not linked to any political subject and he had no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments. Further, it stated, “As there have been several myths and references about Shri Ram and the places associated with him, the Prime Minister was simply highlighting the importance of further studies and research of the vast cultural geography the Ramayana represents to obtain facts about Shri Ram, Ramayana and the various places linked to this rich civilisation.”

Printed & Published by Sunit Jain on behalf of Insight Brandcom Pvt. Ltd. and Printed at Janambhumi Press (P) Ltd., Kalapahar, Guwahati and Published at 4A, Royale Arcade, Ulubari, Guwahati - 781007, Editor: Swapnil Bharali.

Phone: 0361 2522444, Email: info@g-plus.in, RNI No: ASSENG/2013/52641