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ASSENG/2015/64205
PAGE 6
Vol. II
Issue 44
Dibrugarh, Monday, August 1, 2016
'UNFINISHED BUSINESS' AT LEICESTER CITY THE REASON BEHIND ARSENAL SNUB: JAMIE VARDY
Price -
5.00
PAGE 12
Pages- 12
TWO SAUDI ARABIAN NATIONALS AMONG THREE KILLED IN PRISON FIGHT IN MANIPUR
GUJARAT DALITS NOT TO LIFT CARCASSES, WANT FIREARMS
Page - 5
Page - 6
Page - 12
Tea tribe community must accord priority to education Air dropping of ration commodities if it wants to forge ahead on different fronts : Sonowal to Taksing circle have been started Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the tea tribe community must accord priority to education if it wants to forge ahead on different fronts. “Knowledge is power and without it you cannot become a powerful person in society. The tea community must realise it and give importance to educating their sons and daughters so that can climb up the ladder of success and make a mark in society. It augurs well that things are now changing for the better and students of tea tribe community are coming out with degrees,” he said while inaugurating a twoday state workshop organised by Assam Tea and Ex-Tea Labours’ Development Association at Silpagram auditorium in Guwahati late evening yesterday. Tracing the 200-year old
rich history and legacy of the tea community in Assam, Chief Minister Sonowal said the tea community has inherent talents and prowess and this must be brought to the fore through proper exposure. “I am sanguine that the tea community’s inherent talents given proper exposure would make them a force to be reckoned with. After all, it is for them Assam Tea is known the world over,” he said. Sonowal said his Government has taken up several schemes for the uplift of the tea tribe community in this year’s budget. The Government wants to take the tea community and other ethnic communities towards equitable growth and development. Harping on peaceful co-existence, brotherhood and fraternity, Chief Minister Sonowal said Assam can become India’s leading State
A strong synergy between industry and universities can contribute to a developed Assam: Governor ET Bureau Guwahati, July 31
The Governor of Assam Shri P. B.Acharya said that modern education should build a synergy between industry and academia which according to him will go a long way in determining the ‘growth trajectory’ of Assam. Addressing the concluding day function of the 20th annual function of the Bharat Sikhan Mandal at Nalbari, Natya Mandir on Saturday, Governor Shri Acharya said that Universities in the State should take lead in building a bridge between the industry and the academia. He also emphasized that the synergy between the industry and universities holds the potential to create employment avenues and address unemployment problems and also contribute to the growth of the State. Creating employment opportunities will act as a tool to check the ever increasing phenomenon of ‘brain drain’. He also urged upon the universities to go for value based professional education. Governor Shri Acharya said
ET CAPSULES
Admitted patient goes missing Golaghat, July 31: In a sensational incident a patient who was admitted at Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital in Golaghat suddenly went missing from his bed in the Surgical Ward of the hospital . According to the report a person who was admitted and undergone a surgery on Friday was today found missing from his bed. Suddenly sensations prevailed in the hospital premises .
cmyk
Later the police patrolling team found him near a drain in Golaghat town and he was brought to the hospital in a critical condition . But surprisingly the hospital authorities could not clarify anything about how the admitted patient could step outside from the hospital premises which reveals the negligence of the hospital authorities . (Correspondent)
that North East is a ‘treasure trove’ of wise and meritorious people and given the right kind of exposure they can do wonders in the nation’s pursuit of development. However, he expressed concern over increasing instances of women trafficking which according to him needs to be addressed by the Government and human right activists. He also said, “Our country has the potential of becoming a Samriddh and Shashakt Bharat” and urged upon all the citizens irrespective of caste, creed and religion to contribute their bit to make India a self sufficient Nation. In the meeting Shri Acharya felicitated three Sanskrit scholars namely Ram Gopal Dev Sharma, Niranjan Bhaatacharya and Achyut Ch. Mishra. The first lady Smt. Kavita Acharya, Deputy Commissioner Nalbari Ananta Lal Gyani along with a host of dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
which it was during the British Raj, if all communities come forward and take part in the development process. “We have to live in peaceful co-existence, unity and amity and rise above petty differences to make the State vibrant and resilient,” he said, adding, “This Government is yours as you have given us your mandate in favour of the new dispensation. You can speak out openly without any inhibition by way of constructive criticism, innovative ideas and suggestions, thus giving us a new direction and impetus.” Pointing out that expectations of people are too high, Chief Minister Sonowal said, “People are already judging our actions whether they are good or bad and the countdown has begun. We are taking brickbats and bouquets in our stride as we go along in our tryst with development. Being the Chief Minister, I too feel it is a litmus test for me as I con-
Sarbananda Sonowal front the myriad problems plaguing the State and how to overcome them. ” In the same breathe, Sonowal requested all sections of society to lend all possible support and cooperation to the new Government and added that he ‘wants to make it (Government) transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the people’. Welcoming people’s active
participation in important issues like auction of oilfields, VAT, special category status etc as healthy signs of democracy, Chief Minister Sonowal said, “So long people voice their concerns on issues vital to the State, it makes the edifice of democracy stronger. If they remain aloof or withdraw themselves from expressing their views, then the signs are not healthy for democracy. The quintessential beauty and essence of our democracy lies in the fact that the people are its intrinsic part and its guiding and driving force.” In this context, Sonowal said his Government would take all the communities into confidence as it aims to ‘encompass transparency, accountability and responsiveness in governance, equity and inclusiveness and participation of people in the development processes’. Contd. on Page 4
from Saturday : Khandu
A Staff Reporter Itanagar, July 31
Reacting to the news report of a leading local daily with the headline “ Taksing cut-off, food crises looms”, Chief Minister Pema Khandu today, informed that air dropping of ration commodities to Taksing circle have been started from Saturday last. The situation is under control, he said while disclosing that more ration sorties would be carried out in the days to come.
On receipt of a memorandum from the representatives of Taksing area, Khandu had directed Secretary Food & Civil Supplies Jokey Angu to take up the matter expeditiously. CM had also been in touch with DC Upper Subansiri to take first hand information of the situation.
have been badly damaged by the landslides in various locations. Chief Minister has sought a detail report from Deputy Commissioner Upper Subansiri so that funds could be made available for immediate restoration work. DC has assured to send the report latest by Monday.
It may be mentioned that the incessant rain for last couple of days have cut off Taksing circle from rest of the world. Reportedly, porter tracks, hanging bridge, mule tracks etc
Meanwhile, under the directives of Chief Minister, Secretary Food & Civil Supplies and DC Upper Subansiri are constantly monitoring the situation.
Over ten thousand rescued from flood-hit areas: NDRF
Majuli ferry got struck in Brahmaputra ET Correspondent Jorhat, July 31
A private ferry carrying 150 passengers with 74 two wheeler and one four wheeler which left from Kamalabarighat in Majuli for Neematighat got struck at sandbar near Miliki Chapori which is 2 km from Neematighat under Neematighat outpost here this morning, said Purna
Gogoi of Inland Water Transport Department here today. The ferry which runs under IWT Department plies between Majuli to Jorhat two times a day. The ferry which was stranded for over five hours with 150 passengers with 74 vehicles. The Department under which the ferry plies could not send recovery ferry for
which the people had to remain at the centre of the river for several hours. Later the ferry was rescued by another vessel of IWT. Meanwhile, water level in mighty Brahmaputra is flowing over the danger level along with the tributaries like Bhogdoi, Kakodunga, Doyang, Jhanji, Puthi etc.
Heavy storm lashes parts of Majuli and Jorhat ET Correspondent Jorhat, July 31
Heavy storm and cyclonic winds blew across several parts of Majuli including North West part of Jorhat taking away roof tops including farm houses this morning.
The storm came as a bolt from the blue for the villagers of Jorhat and Majuli who are still battling the aftermaths of the devastating floods which left behind a trail of disaster behind recently. In Majuli areas like Kakorikota, Soaiari,
Padumoni, Chilakola, Kokilamukh, Dyanigaon etc villages, the cyclonic storm even blew off CISheets temporary relief sheds on the HaldhiariBesamora embankment putting the flood effected people of the area in more dilemma or in mess.
Petrol price cut by Rs 1.42 per litre, diesel by Rs 2.01 a litre PTI New Delhi, July 31
Petrol price was on Sunday cut by Rs 1.42 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.01 per litre, the third reduction in rates this month on global cues.
litre in Delhi from midnight tonight as compared to Rs 62.51 a litre currently, said Indian Oil Corp, the nation's largest fuel retailer. Similarly, diesel will cost Rs 52.27 per litre as against Rs 54.28 currently.
rates this month. Petrol price was last cut by Rs 2.25 a litre on July 16. Diesel rate on that date was reduced by Rs 0.42 a litre. Prior to that petrol price was cut by 89 paise a litre and diesel by 49 paise on July 1.
Petrol will cost Rs 61.09 a
This is the third reduction in
Contd. on Page 4
PTI New Delhi, July 31
Over ten thousand people have been rescued from floodaffected parts of the country, including Assam and Bihar, the NDRF today said. "Fourty-four self-contained flood rescue teams of NDRF have been pre-positioned to assist the respective state administrations in rescue and relief work. 12 flood rescue
teams are relentlessly engaged in relief and rescue work in Assam," the central disaster response force said. It said, till now, over ten thousand persons have been evacuated by it from the flooded parts across the country during this monsoon season.
medical camps at various areas of Assam and Bihar and provided medical care to 1,233 persons. The operation is still in progress," it said. Eight teams are also operating in the marooned areas of Bihar.
"In addition to rescue work, National Disaster Response Force teams also established
A control room of the force is closely monitoring the flood situation in the country on a 24x7 basis, it added.
Threat to Ledo railway station by NSCN-K, security beefed up Rishu Kalantri Tinsukia, July 31.
Three days after an input of movement of a large group of NSCN-K and ULFA (I) near Digboi, another input of threat from NSCN-K to carry sabotage at Ledo Railway Station received by security agencies on Sunday forced the security to step up vigil in entire Ledo town. In the wake of the threat, a joint team of Army, Assam Rifles, police and RPF carried out search operation at Ledo Railway Station. However, no suspected object was found.
Confirming such input, Superintendent of Tinsukia police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said, we have recieved C grade input of threat from NSCN-K to carry sabotage at Ledo. However, we do not want to take any chances and as such all precautionary measures has been taken, he added.
station Pratap Gogoi said, a joint team of army, Assam rifles, police and RPF carried out a search at railway station.
Mahanta said, their is a Sunday bazar at Ledo in which lot number of people from Nagaland community throng.
It may be mentioned that there are intelligence reports of a large group of NSCN-K moving in Tinsukia district past few months. The group is led by SS captain Makam of Himalayan group of NSCN-K.
On the other hand, Officer in - charge of Ledo police
He said, vigil at Sunday bazar was tactfully beefed up so that common man do not get panicked. Check naka's were established and sources were activated, he added.
Mallya assets to go under hammer for Rs 700 cr PTI Mumbai, Jul 31
As the lenders and tax authorities cool their heels for Vijay Mallya to return to India, they will put under hammer next month assets worth over Rs 700 crore of the embattled businessman's long-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.
crore. The items waiting for the right bidders are plenty -- the erstwhile headquarters Kingfisher House near airport here; cars and office furniture; Mallya's plush personal jet along with everything inside that include cushy couches and even a bathrobe; Kingfisher Villa in Goa famous for parties hosted by Mallya; and numerous brands
and trademarks including the famed 'Fly with Good Times'. This would be the second try by the lenders and tax authorities at auction of these assets as part of their efforts to recover thousands of crores worth outstanding dues, after the earlier attempt for each of these properties proved to be a damp squib.
Mallya's personal jet is being put under hammer by the service tax department, while other properties will be auctioned by the lenders whose dues from longgrounded Kingfisher Airlines have ballooned to over Rs 9,000 crore including penal interest. For almost all the
properties, the reserve price has been marked down after the earlier attempts failed to attract bidders. The 17-bank consortium, led by the State Bank of India, is re-auctioning Kingfisher House in Mumbai and the airlines' trademarks and brands, including the 'Kingfisher' logo.
On August 4, the lenders will re-auction Kingfisher House, the erstwhile headquarters of the airline, at a lower reserve price of Rs 135 crore. In the initial attempt in March to sell the property with a built-up area of over 17,000 sq ft in plush Vile Parle area near domestic airport here, not a single bidder came forward at the then reserve price of Rs 150
Banks have also put up some of the movable secured assets worth Rs 13.70 lakh lying at Kingfisher House for sale. These assets will be auctioned separately on August 25 by SBI Cap Trustee, which possesses these assets on behalf of the lenders.
cmyk
A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 31
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
PAGE 2
ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You will be indecisive today, which is not usually the case with you. This could lead you to indulge in speculation, which is not so bad unless you risk all your money in it. Besides, when it comes to matters of the heart, you must exercise a great deal of caution. Taurus Impulsive action kicks in as you work and interact today. Do not let the pressure and strain cloud your thoughts, and instead focus on acting on the things at hand. If you find things spiralling out of control, take a break and listen to some music that soothes your heart. Gemini Today, you will decide to become a bit more conscious about your health. You may or may not join a gym or measure your calories, but you will definitely sit up and take notice of your lifestyle and unhealthy food habits. A new job is also likely, which will open a completely new chapter in your life. Cancer Today, you will put your heart and soul into whatever task you take up. And, that's a great thing to do. Don't lose heart though, if despite the best efforts, the results of your efforts are not too forthcoming. Feeling dejected is only going to hamper your progress. Remember that you'll receive your due sooner or later. Spend some time with your loved ones to revive yourself. Alternatively, a quiet evening tucked in the bed with a nice book is also a great idea. Leo If one were to put an earnest spirit and a frank attitude together, the result would be a Leo; it's like your hallmark. And with qualities like these in your kitty, don't be surprised if you happen to reach a milestone or two today. Will it be marital bliss or career success? No matter what the area is, be assured that your societal standing shall get a heady boost today. Just don't let the success go to your head. Virgo The booster rockets of your ambitions and spirit to work will kick in at the maximum today. Seek recreation after a hard day's work and look to relax at private parties, socialdos and even weddings. Libra "Every man has specific natural abilities", said Aristotle. This seems to be true for you today. Your natural talents will be acknowledged and documented at work. This might prompt your equals to hold you up above the rest, and for your seniors to positively encourage you to scale greater heights. But as always, be careful to make sure that success does not make you heady with arrogance. Keep yourself firmly grounded, and remember that, 'pride cometh before the fall'. Scorpio You will find yourself thinking with your heart rather than your head today. You may not be able to repress your feelings, and you should not even try. But you should be careful about how you express them, particularly in public as people may judge you wrongly on the basis of it. Sagittarius Today, your superiors at work are going to trust you with many complicated assignments. But, after exerting yourself, you are sure to come out with flying colors and have your work appreciated. Do not be surprised if cash incentives come your way. Such may indeed be your fortune.
AASU expressed deep concern over mass casualty of wild animals, demands central government's intervention over the situation ET Correspondent Morigaon, July 31: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) has expressed its deep concern over the sordid situation of all National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of the state in current wave flood and demanded adequate measures to stop the mass casualty of wild animals including one horned rhinos due to the
flood. A high level AASU team led by its president Dipankar Nath today visited the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary in Morigaon district and expressed apprehension over the deplorable plight of wild animals as well as forest protection staff addding that there is every possibility of casualty of rhinos ,buffaloes etc. The AASU president said that the wild-
life protection staff at Pobitora have been performing their valuable duties without food, drinking water above all without logistic support. They are not getting even their remunerations, alleged AASU president. The most horrible thing is that both Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora WL sanctuary are completely under water
RSS Prathamik Shikha Varga Programme held ET Correspondent Margherita, July 31: Raastriyo Swam Sevak Sangha (RSS) seven days Prathamik Shikha Varga Programme was held at Margherita Town High School premises which started on 22 July and concluded on 30 July early morning hours.Youths from all Tinsukia district came to participate in the seven days RSS Prathamik Shikha Varga. Total 50 youths participated in this seven days Prathamik Shikha Varga Programme of RSS and total 25 organisers were present at Prathamik Shikha Varga to look after the youths. Bauddhik training were taught to the youths such as
physical exercise, Lathi and Karate. Sahha Prantiyo Pracharak Sri Gauranga
Rai from Hojai came at the programme as Keynote Speaker.
Aquarius For a moment, it seems that you're swamped with problems. But you are brave enough to deal with any ugly issue that crops up suddenly. A romantic evening, which may just be time together in a jacuzzi, or simply preparing a meal together. Pure ecstasy! Pisces You are fond of traveling and are always looking for an excuse to set off. Hence it comes as no surprise if you pack your bags and decide to embark upon a journey on a whim today. It is a much needed break too, from the daily stresses of earning a livelihood. While you are seeking solitude, you will take your friends and relatives along with you on the trip.
Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 1-8-16 (MONDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-30 P.M-Hindi Film Songs 1-50 P.M-Adhunik Geet 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani (Youth Programme) 7-45 P.M-Daakpakhili 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (Sponsored Programme of K.K Handique State Open University) 9-30P.M-Radio Serial in Hindi-"Marudhar Ke Phool" Sd-/H.O.P
materials. The organization donated Veterinary food 50 bags, Baby Food 300 packet, 600 biscuit packets in huge quantity. In the programme Cabinet minis-
ter Atul Bora , DC Varnali Deka along with members of UCC Dip Kalita, Ganesh Pal ,J.K Malpani , D.Mishra , Ajay Kanoi and Pawan Baheti were present .
C o n t a c t 9401931666.
ET Correspondent Mangaldai, July 31: In connection with a case registered in Kharupetia Police Station in Darrang on the basis of a complaint lodged by an ADC of the district one Ibrahim Ali (32), a Siksha Karmi under SSA who had been running a stationery shop at Bahabari village under the PS has reportedly been arrested on Sunday on charges of selling fake educational certificates par-
ET Bureau Guwahati, July 31: Honourable Governor of Assam Shri P. B.Acharya observed that recurring floods in Assam have had a regressive effect on the State, its people and economy and said that a permanent and long term solution based on modern technology can help the state in harnessing its hydrological resources.
Visiting the flood affected areas at Barkhetri Revenue Circle in Nalbari on Saturday Shri Acharya said that a long term measures using advanced technology can pose solutions to recurring floods in the State. The Governor Shri Acharya visited 2 No. Kaplabari char area and took stock of the damages perpetuated by the
current wave of flood and inspected the relief and rescue operations being carried out. He also interacted with the camp inmates and assured all possible help from the administration. He also asked the district administration to provide necessary relief materials in adequate quantity to the flood affected people taking shelter in the camp. Her also appealed
FLOOD RELIEF
ET Correspondent Guwahati, July 31: Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA) welcomes the decision of Ludhiana girl Jhanvi Behal to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk of Srinagar in J&K, where the Tri-colour was insulted in various occasions by the anti-nationals, on the occasion of 70th Independence Day. Challenging the anti-national and separatist elements of Kashmir, high school student Jhanvi dared them to stop her initiative to hoist the Tricolour on 15 August and paid tributes to the known & unknown martyrs of India’s freedom struggle. “We salute the spirit of teenage Jhanvi and urge each & every patriotic Indian national to support her in the mission. Jhanvi has shown the emerging trend of patriotism generated among the Indian
the NGOs and conscious citizens to come forward and extend assistance to the people in distress at this moment. Governor Shri Acharya also distributed baby foods, mosquito nets, sarees to camp inmates and asked the administration to take special care of the children, lactating mothers, pregnant women and aged people.
youngsters in the recent past,” said a statement issued by Rupam Barua, Nava Thakuria, Pramod Kalita, Jagadindra Raichoudhury, Anup Sarma etc for PPFA. It may be mentioned that since 1998, a group of city based scribes and patriotic citizens have been defying the diktat of separatist northeastern militants to hoist the national flag at Guwahati Press Club on every Independence Day and Republic Day.
Today flood relief camp organised by Zubeen friend club at sivsagar. Pic - "Neelam Kakoty Mazumdar
The first lady Smt.Kavita Acharya who accompanied the Governor also distribted food items and other essential materials among the camp inmates. MLA Borkhetri Shri Narayan Deka and Deputy Commissioner Nalbari Ananta Lal Gyani were also present during the Governor’s visit.
Rangia Haj pilgrims felicitation ET Correspondent Rangia July 31: Rangia Sub division Haj reception committee felicited Haj pilgrims in a function held at Rangia Darul Ulum Ashrafia Madrassa Rangia on Sunday with day long programme.
ticularly used in application for NRC. This is the third case in the district when a person related to any government institutions have been arrested on charges of dealing fake certificates produced with NRC applications. Earlier on Village headman and an ASHA health worker were arrested by police from Dalgaon and Kharupetia Police Stations respectively.
curity forces conducted a search operation against militant outfit and able to arrest a cadre of NDFB(S) under Kokrajhar PS.The cadre was identified as Puken Borgoyary,23; of Amguri village,was actively involved with militancy activities in the area. A pistol along two live round and a mobile handset was recovered from his possession.
Governor advocates long term measures to tame state flood
Franchise One held in fake Required NRC certificate case IT Lit Computer E d u c a t i o n Acaedmy ISO 9001:2015 Certified, Requires Franchisee from all over Assam . Fees @ 10000 Life Time Charge.
ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, July 31: Security forces belonging to Police, Army and Cobra battalion of CRPF apprehended a cadre of NDFB (Songbijit faction) from Mainaguri area in Kokrajhar district on Sunday morning.
PPFA supports Jhanvi’s Tri-colour initiative at Lal Chowk
Contributed to Flood Victims
ET Correspondent Golaghat, July 31: Golaghat United Chambers of Commerce contributed to flood victims of Bokakhat circle with various relief
government to take needful steps to protect the forest wealth both flora and fauna in this unprecedented situation. The AASU also criticised the top braases of forest department of state government who never think of those forest guards of Assam Forest who devoted their times and energy to protect the wildlife of Assam without food and logistic support.
NDFB(S) cadre arrested in Kokrajhar
Getting an input about presence of militant cadres in the area,a joint team of se-
Capricorn You will be a live wire, today. With amazing exuberance you have completed mammoth tasks and have spread the energy around. It will give you tremendous job-satisfaction. Everything seems well and good the personal front, too. Spending some quality time your spouse will relax your mind and keep you in an upbeat mood.
PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz)
and all the wild animals including one horned rhinos are groaning under starvation. The forest department is playing the role of mute spectators said Dipankar Nath at a press conference at Morigaon today adding that there will be mass casualty of wild animal if this situation is going on. The AASU demanded the Forest and Environment Ministry of Central
The function was presided by Kailash Karthik SDO civil Rangia. Bhabesh
Kalita MLA Rangia, Maheswar Basumatary Executive Member of BTC, Debobrata Kalita President Kamrup Zila Parishad were the guests of the function. Earlier the 59 Haj pilgrims attended the training progm. Jiyaur Rahman and Afjal Hussain were the resource person. They will start Mecca on 4th of August with other pilgrims of Assam
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
PAGE 3
Stakeholders Attend Coor'Mann Ki Baat': What all PM Narendra Modi said during his radio dination Meeting To Solve Power Woes Of Pasighat programme - All statements here technology... future is going to be technology driven, we need to embrace it: PM
New Delhi, July 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared his thoughts and ideas with the nation through his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. This was the 22nd edition of the Prime Minister's popular radio programme.
- Let us AIM to innovate, when I talk about AIM, I am talking about "Atal Innovation Mission": PM Modi - When we remember Dr. Kalam we think of science, technology. Future is going to be technology driven, we need to embrace it: PM
Here is everything what he said:- I will address the nation on 15th August. I seek your ideas for my address. Please share them on the Mobile App or MyGov: PM
- Technology changes with every passing day, you can't catch it..it keeps on transforming. Research and innovation is important: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi "Raksha Bandhan"is approaching,can't brothers gift Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana or Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana to their sisters?-PM Modi - Want to congratulate people behind beautification of Aligarh railway station: PM Modi - Met a team of people who worked on beautification of Aligarh Railway Station: PM - One needs to be cautious and alert of the digital fraud which is quiet rampant these days: PM Modi - Some people get enticed into it.These are latest methods of loot.Several conmen have come to the fore.You must keep away from such things:PM - These days we get messages on our phones promising huge profits on investments: PM Narendra Modi - The Prime Minister is talking about cheat and fraud that may occur on the Internet.
Notorious thief apprehended ET Correspondent Rangia, July 31: Kamalpur police apprehended one Khaleq Ali one of the most notorious thief of Kamrup district acting on a tip off at wee hours of Sunday. Earlier police apprehended two thieves and recovered 20 big batteries from their possession. A case has been registered at Kamalpur police. But Khaleq Ali is being interrogating at Rangia police station.
- Everyone has different needs and priorities but there is only one way and that is 'development': PM Narendra Modi - When we talk about South Africa, it's natural to think about Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela and their great work: PM Modi - Recently I had the opportunity to visit South Africa for diplomacy purposes, but for me the visit was a"teertha yatra" (pilgrimage): PM Modi - Let us create a mass movement of planting as many trees as possible: PM - The state of Rajasthan has decided to plant 25 lakh trees. This is a very big thing and must be appreciated: PM - State governments and centre are working closely to help the flood-affected people: PM Modi - We have started Surakshit
Matritva Abhiyan. Free check-up will be given in govt health centres to pregnant women on 9th of every month: PM - Concerned about health of pregnant women, the Govt has started Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) : PM Modi - There is a debate in the world, and concerns over Climate change, global warming: PM Narendra Modi - In the last one decade, there is a decline in MMR but we are not able to save many pregnant women's lives: PM Modi - We are concerned about health of pregnant women: PM Modi - When it comes to antibiotics, please complete the full course. Not completing the course or an overdose, both are harmful: PM - Stop taking antibiotic without consulting the doc-
tor. This shortcut should not be used. It can only give you momentary relief: PM Modi
- In this, your PM is ready to become your postman, share your best wishes to the athletes on the 'Narendra Modi App': PM Modi
- Happy about monsoon but with that also comes some illnesses.We've to b careful & take precautionary measures to fight those illness: PM Modi
-We extend out best wishes to the Indian contingents who will be representing India at Rio, this year: PM Modi
- Few days back we were worrying about drought situation, now where on one side we hear about monsoon, on other side, we hear about floods: PM - We are happy with the rains but with the rains also come some illnesses, about which we have to be careful & which can be prevented: PM
- Today in Delhi, "Run for Rio" was organised, we will organise many more programs to encourage our athletes: PM Modi - Prime Minister Modi is talking about the Rio Olympics and urging the people to encourage our athletes - PM Narendra Modi begins his radio programme
- Know more about the Atal Innovation Mission, Atal Tinkering Labs and the Atal Grand Challenges.
- PM Modi to address nation at 11 AM - The last edition of the show was aired on June 26.
- There there be an ecosystem of innovators and encourage innovation, experiment, entrepreneurship: PM - When we remember Dr. Kalam we think of science,
PM Modi had urged the nation to join the programme. "Do join #MannKiBaat programme, tomorrow at 11 AM," PM Modi tweeted.
Goof up! Assam govt includes famous photo of Bangladesh's Noakhali floods in report to Rajnath Singh Guwahati, July 31: Its definitely a major goof up. The Assam government on Saturday included a twoyear old world-famous photograph of Bangladesh's Noakhali flood in its interim report on floods to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was on a daylong visit to the state. The report was handed over by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to the HM who was there to survey the flood condition in the state. The report comprised of nine photographs. Out of this, one turned out to be the famous picture of Noakhali flood, where a
young boy rescues and carries a baby deer amidst water. The photo has been taken by wildlife photographer Hasibul Wahab. It was given by Caters News Agency in February 2014 and was said to have got global appreciation at that time. In the picture, the boy named Belal and in his 20s risked his life to rescue the baby deer. Flood waters reaching his eyes can be seen in the photo. "It is a big mistake. We accept it. Actually some DCs have forwarded this to us because of similarity with situation in Kaziranga Na-
tional Park," a senior official said on condition of anonymity, as per PTI. Another official said residents in and around Kaziranga have been rescuing animals during current wave of flood and this might have 'misled' officials to include the picture. Meanwhile, Singh, said that the flood situation in Assam was "grave and challenging", even as the deluge claimed 26 lives and affected nearly 37 lakh people. Singh, flanked by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh among
others, added that the state already has Rs 620 crore and the Centre will provide more funds if need arose. "I did not imagine that the situation is so grave. I have spoken to the Chief Minister and his officials. The problem is a big challenge," the Home Minister said at a press conference after undertaking an aerial view of some places in the state. On the other hand, Singh, who visited a relief camp in Morigaon district and made an aerial survey, praised the state government for its efforts in handling the problem. (With PTI inputs)
Sanitation program in ward no. 11 Jewel of India Award ET Bureau Itanagar, July 31: Smti Higio Aruni, Councillor Ward no 11 had on 23rd July convened a meeting of her ward to come up with ways and means to make the ward a cleaner and greener place. Issues concerning the disposal of garbage and household waste were discussed primarily. The denizens of the ward were requested to dump the household garbage only in the pick up vehicle, which would arrive three times a week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday between 9 am to 9:30 am. Initially Aruni would bear the expenses to dispose off garbage for the month of August 2016, after which it
would be collectively done by the residents. An awareness campaign from door-to-door of the same had also been carried out. Aruni appealed to everyone to be a responsible citizen since cleanliness cannot take place without the individual effort. Only an active and conscious society would beable to contribute to this task. Few other resolutions were also taken up in the meeting. These initiatives would firstly be concentrated on F sector and then to other sectors of the ward. It was decided to revive the erstwhile F-Sector Women Welfare Association and restart the functional ac-
tivities of the recreational hall that had earlier been the pride of the sector. It was also decided to restore the street lights of the ward. This entire sanitation program would start from 1st August. The week long program ended by a tree plantation program today at 30th July, that observed the Vanamahotsava month. All the shopkeepers of the ward who owned a shop along the national highway were urged to plant and adopt a tree each, which would serve the twin purpose of shade as well as greenery. The residents of the ward actively took part in it.
for Fr. Thomas ET Bureau Jorhat, July 31: Fr. K. A. Thomas, sdb, founder-director of Institution for Culture And Rural Development (I-CARD), Jorhat, was awarded the "Jewel of India Gold Medal Award" and a Certificate of Excellence, by the International Institute of Education and Management (IIEM), New Delhi. The award was presented by Dr. Bhishmanarayan Singh, former Governor of Assam, for his excellent community development services. The award ceremony was held during a seminar on "Education and Socio Economic Development" at the Indian Society of International Law, on 25th July, 2016.
On the same occasion, the Indian Solidarity Council, New Delhi, presented Fr. Thomas "Vijay Rattan Gold Medal Award" and a Certificate of Excellence for his outstanding achievements. It is to be noted that Fr. K. A. Thomas, sdb, was given a fellowship by Ashoka Innovators for the Public, a USA based organization. Thus already in 2002, he had became one of 250 specially selected social entrepreneurs of India for his work with school dropouts. Ashoka thus recognized him as a high caliber entrepreneur by this award into a global Fellowship.
ET Bureau Pasighat, July 31: With the common objective of finding a permanent solution for regular and reliable power supply and mitigating the issues and problems of the chronic power woes of the centurion town of Pasighat and its adjoining areas , a coordination meeting was chaired here today by the DC East Siang, Isha Khosla, which was attended by the Local MLA Kaling Moyong, ZPC Kaling Dai, Authorities of Power Department led by the CE (Transmission, monitoring and Planning) , A. Perme and CE Power Central Zone, T. Mara and members of Pasighat Peoples' Welfare Committee (PPWC) led by its President Okom Yosung and GS Oyin Moyong among others. The meeting was held consequent to an earlier meeting held on July 28th last, where it was decided for holding a coordination meeting with the Power Divisions of Aalo, Rumgong and Pasighat, particularly coordination in terms of prompt restoration of line fault of 33 KV line between Pasighat and Aalo. The erratic power supply in Pasighat is largely attributed to delay or time taking restoration works of faultlines and the meeting has given due focus for enhanced and better coordination of the EEs(Power) of the three Divisions. Chief Engineers ,Power Department, Shri A.Perme and Mara assured to resolve the issues and problems for mitigating the chronic power woes and committed for expediting the works of the much awaited 132 KV Tower line from Aalo to Pasighat for its time bound completion by December 2016 . The CEs, who were deputed by the Commissioner ( Power) , assured to convey the messages and place the demands of the Memorandum,
submitted by the Pasighat Peoples' Welfare Committee(PPWC). Perme also decided to take up the matter of 3 MW to 5MW for East Siang with concerned authorities of Assam. The proposed 133 KV station at Napit, Niglok will also help to make power supply reliable and regular, he added. Further 3 grid substation will be set up in Pasighat and hoped that in near future with the completions such projects including 132 KV line , Pasighat can be become an agro and industries hub. The meeting discussed on the timely completion of 132 KV line from Aalo to Pasighat,for improvement of the low voltage within Pasighat Township and its adjoining areas, enhancement from the current supply of 3 MW to 5 MW for the district from 33/11 KV Jonai Substation, co-ordination for prompt restoration of faultlines between Aalo to Pasighat, dissemination of information through Social and Mass Media to general public on the power situation , monitoring committee for including other issues and steps taken on the Power scenario in Pasighat. Dist Aminstration will also put forward more proposal for transformers in the meantime, the DC informed. Local MLA, Kaling Moyong, said that that Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) under which Pasighat town has been selected will really benefit the power scenario of Pasighat and issue of low voltage . He also assured to take up at his level for enhancement of 3 MW to 5 MW. He also informed that a joint inspection along with PPWC will be taken up soon on to inspect the ongoing works of the 132 KV line . DC , Isha Khosal said that the since the 132 KV line is
an interlinked project , she requested the Power Department to endorse a copy of the report of District level Monitoring Committee of West Siang and Siang Districts to her, and she also stated that she would request the counterparts DCs of West Siang and Siang for the same and, who head the District level Monitoring Committee, for better coordination in the monitoring process of the quality and progress of the project. The issue of low voltage will be solved with the completion of the 132 KV line and asserted that quality check procedures will be put in place and stern action will be taken if quality works is compromised. For immediate redressal transformers have been installed priotising the General Hospital and on need based in many areas. SP, Pranav Tayal also called for active cooperation of all stakeholders for solution to the collective goal of proper and sufficient power supply and urged to sustain such dialogue. Earlier, The President PPWC , Shri Okom Yosung submitted a Memorandum with a five point demand viz. prompt action to be taken to restore power supply in case of faultline between Aalo to Pasighat 33 KV line, to improve low voltage within pasighat and its adjoin areas, early completion of 132 KV line from Aalo to pasighat , to enhance 3 MW to 5MW and for constitution of Monitoring commiittteee expediting completion of 132 KV tower line from Aalo to Pasighat. SE, (Power) D. Tacho said that the rough terrain and natural calamities particularly during Monsoon ,also affect repair works adding that the department will work on faster dissemination of information on such power snags through various social and mass media.
Major setback for Assam govt as union home minister declines to declare Assam floods as national problem A Staff Reporter Guwahati, July 31 In a major setback and embarrassment for the Assam government, the Union home minister Rajnath Singh dismissed demands for declaring the Assam floods as a national calamity, and said by declaring flood as a national problem will not solve the matter. “Simply declaring the floods in Assam as a na-
tional calamity cannot help solve the problem unless we take up a series of longterm measures,� the Union home minister said today. Asked about any financial package for Assam to deal with the floods, the Home Minister said that there state government has an amount of Rs. 620 crore under the State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) and that more funds will be
given to the state as per the requirement to deal with the flood problem. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday made an aerial survey of the flood-hit Nagaon and Morigaon districts and Kaziranga national park area. Meanwhile, 36 lakh people of the state have been affected by the current wave of floods in 28 districts of the state.
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Ripun Bora visited flood hit Two soldiers killed in mine areas in Barpeta district blast in Kargil: Army ET Correspondent Barpeta, July 31: "The state government showed partiality in distributing the flood relief in Barpeta district," said Ripun Bora, president (I/c), Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and MP Rajya Sabha while visiting flood hit areas of Barpeta district. He also opined that state government did not supply food, medicine or tarpaulin
to the flood victims properly. The state government took this flood issue lightly and have not taken any initiative till now. At this specially the minority people of char areas who were taking shelter in higher places or embankments were deprived of getting their reliefs, stated the MP. Bora vehemently criticised the act of central
home minister Rajnath Singh who visited flood hit area only for two hours and visited only a relief camp which was made or managed over a night. Along with Ripun Bora, Jania MLA Abdul Khalek and Jamie Hussain Sikdar, MLA, Sarukshetry also visited the flood hit areas. The MLA of Chenga Sukur Ali also visited the char areas of his LAC affected by flood.
Efforts on to modernize Indian railways: Prabhu Agartala (Tripura), July 31 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who inaugurated the muchawaited Agartala-Delhi broad gauge passenger rail service in Agartala, today said this has been possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the development of northeastern states, adding the latter‘s dream is to make this region one of the highest per capita income-richareas in the country. “Due to connectivity, more employment and income will be generated in the northeast. IRCTC would be advised to explore possibility of developing tourist packages for the northeast and Bangladesh for wider connectivity of the region,” he added. The Railway Minister further said the railway budget has increased every year during the rule of Prime Minister Modi’s government, adding the budget will be more than 7,000 crore rupees for the region
next year. “More actions are to be taken by the ministry to improve the facilities of the Railway and efforts are being made to modernize it,” he added.
MPs of Tripura were present in the inauguration programme.
The train was flagged off from Agartala railway station in presence of Prabhu’s Bangladesh counterpart Minister Mazibul Hoque.
The new train will stop at Ambasa, Dharamnagar, Karimganj, Badarpur, New Halflong, Lemding, Hosai, Jagi Road, Guwahati, New Bongwai, New Jalpaiguri, Katihar, Barauni, Patliputra Junction, Mughalsarai, Allahabad and Kanpur Central.
They also laid the foundation stone for the 15-km railway India Bangladesh rail link between Agartala and Akhwara in the neighouring country.
Meanwhile, India will fund for the total 15 kilometer international rail project between India-Bangladesh, which is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 580 crores.
The new weekly train Agartala-Anand Vihar (Delhi) Tripura Sundari Express (14019-14020) will leave every Sunday from Agartala station and in 48 hours reach its destination Anand Vihar station.
Recently the Ministry of Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has already released the first installment of Rs 150 crore for the 5 kilometer overhead portion inside India and for which land acquisition work has already started. The remaining 10 kilometer inside Bangladesh will cost Rs 360 crores to be funded by the India External Affairs Ministry.
Tripura Governor Tathagata Ray, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Railway Minister of State Rajen Ghowai and several other Ministers and
Petrol price cut by Rs 1.42 per litre, diesel by Rs 2.01 a litre Contd. from Page 1 Prior to the reductions in July, rates had been hiked on four occasions since May 1. Petrol prices in the four hikes had been raised by Rs 4.52 a litre and diesel by Rs 7.72 per litre. "The current level of international product prices of petrol and diesel and RupeeUS Dollar exchange rate
warrant decrease in selling price of petrol and diesel, the impact of which is being passed on to the consumers with this price revision," IOC said in a statement. Barring an exemption on April 16, when price of petrol was cut by 74 paise a litre and diesel by Rs 1.30, the upward trend in rates had been a phenomenon since March 17. After discounting the April
16 reduction, petrol prices have jumped by Rs 9.04 per litre since mid-March and diesel by Rs 11.05 per litre. The movement of prices in the international oil market and Rupee-USD exchange rate shall continue to be monitored closely and developing trends of the market will be reflected in future price changes, IOC added.
Jammu, Jul 31 (PTI) Two soldiers were killed during a land mine blast in the Kargil sector along the LoC during a routine patrol duty, the Army said today. "The soldiers were martyred on July 29 while patrolling when they were caught in a mine blast," Udhampur based defense spokesman Col S D Goswami said. He said due to the effect of the blast Subedar Basappa Patil, who was the patrol leader and Sepoy Hasansab Khudavand, the leading scout, suffered injuries which proved to be fatal. Army today paid homage to
the two soldiers, both hailing from Karnataka, in a wreath laying ceremony held at Leh, he said. "The brave hearts were honoured by all ranks of the 14 Corps. The mortal remains of the two are being flown to their native places where they will be accorded military funerals with full ceremonial honours," Goswami said. Subedar Patil is survived by his wife a daughter and a son. "Sepoy Hasansab is survived by his mother, father, a younger sister and brother," he said.
Bulandshahr gangrape: UP CM Akhilesh gives 24-hr deadline to police to crack the case, victim identifies rapists
sibility to grant state to them just before their departure from India. But the Boro people were way-laid empty handed and were forcibly shoved into Assam just to be dominated, neglected and ridiculed by the chauvinist Assamese. Thus the Boro people were denied their historical rights and were subjugated as the stateless people despite having a distinct history. After having independence lndia re-organised its states to meet the demands of the people's the new states were created on the basis of language or ethnicity. Each time the ill-fated Boro people unlike other compatriots were denied their legitimate right to have a state despite having distinct identity with uniqueness of language and culture. The Boro and other indigenous tribal people became restive since the last part of the colonial rule to assert their political right. They launched a vigorous democratic movement with demand for separate state Udayachal in the northern bank of the Brahmaputra for
the plain tribal of Assam in 1967. Their movement continued f or 27 years but the Government of lndia did nothing to redress their demand. Instead their democratic and peaceful movement was crushed by repressive measures. When the movement for Udayachal took momentum Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh states were created in 1971 and 1972 respectively. By that time the tribal people of Assam were happy that since their immediate neighbours have been granted states without any movement so their dream of Udayachal was not far away from their door step. But their dream for having a state remained elusive. The movement was later carried out by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) from 1987 to 2003. In between three new states, namely Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand were created which were India's New Millennium's gifts to the down-trodden people of the Eastern, Central and Northern India. Telangana state
ET Correspondent Tezpur, July 31: Remembering Natasurya Phani Sharma on it’s 46th death anniversary organized by Tezpur Sahitya Sabha at Sahitya Sabha Bhawan here, son of the cultural icon Ajit Sharma today said that among the three cultural icons, Natasurya Phani Sharma, Kolaguru Bishnu Prashad Rabha and Rup Kwonar Jyoti Prashad Agarwala, Natasurya Phani Sharma is yet to achieve adequate recognition. Expressing his total dissatisfaction over the sever negligence to the noted playwright he also said that though in memory of Bishnu Prashad Rabha and Jyoti Prashad Agarwala a lot of works have been executed till date, Phani Sharma who was by no means lesser than the duo cultural doyens is yet to be honoured in real sense. “The proposed Phani
Sharma crematorium is yet to come up only because of alleged negligence towards him.” Ajit Sharma alleged. Urging the authority concerned to do the needful for keeping alive the memory of the noted playwright he also stated that Natasurya Phani Sharma had an unmatched contribution towards the cultural world through a tough challenges of poverty. Meanwhile, President, Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Hemanta Baruah paying rich tribute to the cultural icon said that people of the state have been trying to confine within plays and acting. “It is felt that we have always been showing insincerity towards giving adequate recognition to his creation of literature. Phani Sharma who began his journey of acting at the age of 11 years old had sacrificed everything only for the sake of drama.” He said adding he
had done a lot including writing of eight plays, direction to five short successful films etc. “It is our immense pleasure to mention that Phani Sharma who even couldn’t pass HSLC stage his popular play “Siraj” is read by the students in Degree Course today.” He mentioned. The programme was also held by Dolphin Kola Niketon, with the presentation of Nagara naam. The students of Sonitpur Silpa Sangam paid rich tribute to the cultural icon at the proposed crematorium of the “Natasurya”. On the otherhand the Baan Theatre family also paid rich tribute to the cultural icon. Meanwhile, an audio-visual CD comprising few special scenes of plays by the Natasurya and song made under the aegis of Assam Reparatory and with the arrangement of lyrics, music by Pulak Kumar Deka was also released in connection with the day.
Army organises career counselling mela at Army Public School, Narengi New Delhi, July 31: Taking serious note of the gang-rape in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav gave an ultimatum to SSP to crack the case and book offenders. "SSP, Bulandshahr has been given 24-hour deadline to arrest the culprits. Orders have been issued to initiate the proceedings against the officers of the concerned police stations," the UP CM office said. "Culprits must be arrested at the earliest and strict lawful action must be taken against them to set an example. DGP has been given strict instruction to dig into the case and arrest the criminals," CM Akhilesh said. Reacting to the allegations of dereliction of duty by the Bulandshahr police, the Uttar Pradesh administration on Sunday suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) following the shocking rape incident. Uttar Pradesh DGP Javeed Ahmed addressed a press conference today and said, "Three suspects have been taken into the police custody, who have been identified by one of the victims." Ahmed further stressed that the family which was on their way to Shahjahanpur from Noida
were robbed by a gang of miscreants. However the motive behind the crime remained unclear. "We have asked the state police to act against erring officers. Also, a massive manhunt has been launched to nab more culprits. They will be arrested soon. We are looking for for other suspects who were involved in the crime," he added further. The state DGP also requested the government to set up a fast track court for a speedy trial into the matter. "We will demand for a fast track court to expedite justice in the case," Ahmed said. Meanwhile, the UP DGP denied any laxity or delay on part of police in the aftermath of the gangrape incident and said that 'the police received a call about the incident at 5:30 am after which they soon reached the site of the incident and took the victims to a hospital'. A three-member team of National Commission for Women (NCW) today reached and inspected the scene of the crime where the 35-year-old woman and her teen daughter were robbed and gangraped on National Highway 91 on Friday night.
NDFB-P appeals for supporting Boroland issue ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, July 31: The National Democratic Front of Boroland-Progressive (NDFB-P) made an appeal to all Tribal Member of Parliament(MPs) to support and raise the issue of separate state demand of Boroland in the ongoing summer session of the Indian Parliament to meet speedy up of development and good governance. S Sanjarang,Information and Publicity Secretary, NDFB (P) in a press statement said the Boro people, the sons of the soil of Assam were once ruler of the entire North East region. They were a free and independent nation. But gradually they lost their territory and freedom in course of time due to partly external aggression and partly because of internal conflict. The British annexed their kingdoms to the British Empire on flimsy grounds, such as - enforcement of the Doctrine of lapse, usurpation of power by taking the charge in the form of a protectorate state, invasion etc. Since the British had snatched away the independence of the Boro people it was their respon-
Natasurya Phani Sharma remembered
was declared at midnight of the 9th December, 2009 and despite stiff opposition from large section of people of Andhra Pradesh Telangana state formally came into being in 2014. Instead of granting statehood the Government of India was attempting to console the Boro people by granting Bodoland Autonomous Council and later Bodoland Territorial Area District (in 1993 and 2003), which practically are paralysed and impotent kind of administrative set up, incapable to address the very fundamental questions of the Boro and other indigenous tribal people. The National Democratic front of Boroland (Progressive), being on peace process for the last ten years is having 14 rounds of dialogue with the Government of lndia on the issue of separate state. Due to lack of political will on the part of the Government of lndia the dialogue is not in progress. The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) resumed their movement again together with the NDFB (P) since 2010. Till
now five rounds of talk have been held so far with the ABSU and its allied organizations but with no progress. The last talk with them was held on the June 9, 2015. The Boro people have distinct history because they were an independent nation and have a distinct identity with unique language and culture. Not only that they have the largest number of population among the indigenous peoples of the region. Despite all these the Boro people have been repeatedly denied and deprived of their legitimate right to have a state. This is a gross historical injustice,said Sanjarang. The militant outfit leader earnestly appeal to the tribal MPs to raise the issue in the Indian Parliament and extend support in order that the long standing problem of Boroland demand can be resolved under the provisions of Article 2 & 3 of the Indian Constitution for permanent peace in the region,press statement added.
ET Correspondent Rangia, July 31: Based on the instructions of HQ Eastern Command and HQ 101 Area, HQ 51 Sub Area organized a ‘*Career Counselling Mela’* in the premises of Army Public School, Narangi on Sunday 31 July 2016. A large number of Indian Army personnel retire from active service very early in life with the transition commencing as early as 36 years of age. In an endeavor to sufficiently skill such armymen and their dependents prior to this transition to a second career / entrepreneurship, efforts have been underway at Naranagi Military Station for some time now to work together with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) accredited Training Providers of assorted Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) to offer various types of NSDC programmes leading to evaluation and their subsequent accredition. With an aim to expose the ‘*target audience*’ of army personnel and dependents residing within the precincts of the Military Station to the various levels and types of training programmes available as also the opportunity to avail of such training within the premises itself, the Career Counselling Mela was organized which witnessed huge footfalls. As major part of the infrastructural and other day to day expenses
were taken care of by the Indian Army huge discounts extending upto 60 % of training fees were on offer. Due to a huge publicity drive undertaken the Mela also witnessed participation from large number of servicemen from other military stations as well. Prominent training providers like Gram Tarang Employability Training Services and Drishtee Development & Communication Ltd were among the 15 number of such accredited companies who showcased the programmes on offer. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest Major General A K Jha, General Officer Commanding exhorted the service personnel and their dependents to get trained with accredition which would serve them well post retirement. It would be a satisfying tenure for each individual if they get benefit from such training and certification. Post the inaugural ceremony which was witnessed by over 1,500 servicemen of all ranks and their depen-
dents, the Chief Guest went around the various stalls and was briefed in detail on each of the programmes on offer by Col Zahl Tantra the Nodal Ex-serviceman Coordination Officer . In addition to these participants’ prominent institutions like DHFL Pramerica, Uber etc had also been invted to participate to educate the audience about the jobs on offer post retirement. A large stall of the Army Placement Node, Guwahati working under the aegis of Army Welfare Placement Organisation was also set up apart from stalls for medical treatment facilities, that of Veterans Cell, Guwahati and a health display by Station Health Organisation, Narangi besides that of Army Welfare Education Society etc. Prior to the event , over 1500 personnel and families had been briefed, in small batches, of the requirement to enhance educational and skilling standards while being in service, to create necessary awareness of the same amongst them.
Tea tribe community must accord priority to education if it wants to forge ahead on different fronts : Sonowal Contd. from Page 1
Sonowal said that if Assam has to forge ahead on the development front, each and every community together with the officials and employees have to work with utmost sincerity and dedication in the days ahead. Pointing to the hard work put in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sonowal said, “Modiji is a workaholic who puts in 18 hours a day. For him there is no holiday. I have at times worked till 14 hours. We have to put in at least 10 hours every day. If we change our mindset and improve upon our work culture there will be a ma-
jor transformation in our lives and the State too will march triumphantly on the path of progress and prosperity,” he said, adding that there is no short cut to success. Sonowal said the present Government wants to change the rural face of Assam and ease out the unemployment problem with the newly introduced ambitious scheme vis-a-vis Chief Minister ’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana. The Chief Minister asked the tea community and all sections of the society to be on alert in the backdrop of jihadi threats
vis-a-vis ISIS sinister activities in neighbouring Bangladesh and presence of illegal foreigners in the State. “To nip in the bud the sinister designs of forces inimical to India, we have to be on vigil and not let our guard down,” he added. Earlier, MP, Kamakhya Prasad Tassa also spoke on the occasion. The inaugural session was attended, among others, by Minister for Water Resources, Keshab Mahanta, MLA, Sanjay Kishan, actor Pranjal Saikia, Member, Tea Board, D. Tassa, leaders of the tea community A. Tanti and G. Kurmi.
REGION
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
Body of missing girl found Shillong, July 31: The body of the minor girl, who went missing on July 24 from Umlyngka, was found at Dam site, Ri-Bhoi on Friday. The mother of the victim, suspected to be murdered, had filed a missing complaint on July 25 and subsequently lodged another FIR on July 28. The second FIR was filed after it came to her knowledge that one Juntina Lyngdoh Marshillong (20 years), her daughter's friend, who also went missing on the same day (July 24), had come back the next day. She urged police to find out if Marshillong was involved in the disappearance of her daughter. The mother received the group photo of both Marshillong and her daugh-
ter and another minor girl taken one or two days before the disappearance of her daughter. According to the mother, Marshillong also gave a photograph of a boy to her second daughter. The victim was last seen wearing multi-coloured pants, a brown Khasi apron and slippers. However, the body which was recovered from Umiam did not have clothes. Moreover, the relatives said that the minor girl had long hair. Her hair was cut short and the face was blackned. Meanwhile, expressing shock over the death of the minor girl, chairperson of State commission for protection of child rights( SCPCR), M Kharkongor urged the police to book the culprits at the earliest.(Agencies)
Efforts on to modernize Indian railways: Prabhu Agartala (Tripura), July 31 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who inaugurated the much-awaited Agartala-Delhi broad gauge passenger rail service in Agartala, today said this has been possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the development of north-eastern states, adding the latter‘s dream is to make this region one of the highest per capita income-rich-areas in the country. “Due to connectivity,
more employment and income will be generated in the northeast. IRCTC would be advised to explore possibility of developing tourist packages for the northeast and Bangladesh for wider connectivity of the region,” he added. The Railway Minister further said the railway budget has increased every year during the rule of Prime Minister Modi’s government, adding the budget will be more than 7,000 crore rupees for the region
Mixed World Heritage site Khangchendzonga National Park to give boost to Sikkim eco-tourism Gangtok (Sikkim), July 31 (ANI): Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), which Unesco has declared as India’s first “Mixed World Heritage Site, is set to give a major boost to Sikkim’s eco-tourism sector. The state government has set for itself a target of attracting at least 12 lakh tourists by 2025 to see the breath-taking view from India's highest mountain peak Kanchenjunga (28,169 feet or 8,586 metres). Kachenjunga is also the world’s third highest mountain peak. The KNP is popular for both its beauty and majesty and has been on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites since 2006. It represents India's unique traditional links between nature and culture, fulfilling the nomination criteria under both natural and cultural heritage. As India’s least populated state, Sikkim is a Himalayan wonderland, rich in mountain peaks, lush picturesque valleys, hills, pine forests and fast flowing rivers that offer opportunities for rafting, forest-trail trekking, monasteries and incredible flora, all required ingredients to declare it a tourist haven. “Sikkim, with a highest forest cover of 47 per cent in the country, is a favoured northeastern tourist destination. In the last decade alone, tourist arrivals have doubled,” said Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. He added, “Sikkim registered 347650 domestic tourist arrivals in the year 2005, which increased to 705023 in the year 2015. There were 16518 foreign tourist arrivals registered in the year 2005, which increased to 38479 in the year 2015 .The number of domestic and foreign tourist arrivals have more than doubled in the last ten years. The state has set a target of around 12 lakh tourist arrivals in the state by the year 2025.” Sikkim is a wholly mountainous state, with one third of its area lying above 3,000 meters to the highest point of India,
M o u n Khangchendzonga.
t
The Khangchendzonga National Park, which is located in the eastern Himalaya was set up in a 850 square-kilometer area in August 1977 and was subsequently enlarged to 1784 square-kilometers in May 1997 by including surrounding areas for the purpose of protecting and developing wildlife or its habitat The KNP has the widest altitudinal range of all the protected areas of the world. This park has an enviable altitudinal variation varying from 1,220m to 8,586 metres within an aerial distance of just 42 kilometres with p e r m a n e n t l y snowcapped mountains, glaciers, high altitude lakes, grasslands, cold deserts and varied forest types and consequent floral and faunal diversity to delight the visitor With an altitudinal range of 7,366m (1,220 m to 8,586 m) within an area of only 1,784 km2 , KNP is endowed with one of the highest ecosystems in the world. There are 20 peaks, which are above 6,000 metres within the KNP. Of these peaks, 11 are between 6,000 to 7,000 metres, eight between 7,000 to 8,000 metres and one above 8,000 metres. The KNP along with the adjacent reserve forests is home to some 22 endemic and 22 rare and threatened plants. It is listed as one of the 14 “eightthousanders,”independent mountains on Earth that are more than 8,000 metres high above sea level , . Its name, “Khangchendzonga” literally means the “abode of Gods consisting of five treasure houses.” Mt. Khangchendzonga is flanked by Mt. Narsing (5,825m) Mt. Pandim (6,691m) and Mt. Kabru on the southern side, the Twins (7,350 m), Nepal peak (7,150 m) and Tent peak (7,365 m) on the northern side, and Mt. Simvo (6,811 m) and Mt. Siniolchu (6,886 m) on the eastern side. All these mountains and peaks lie wholly or partly within KNP. Mt. Khangchendzonga is
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perhaps, the finest example of an independent mountain having its own glacial system radiating from its several summits. There are eighteen glaciers. Among them, the huge, fearsome and turbulent looking Zemu Glacier which is at its widest point 300m and 26 km in length and ice reserve of 22 km is one of the largest in Asia. Similarly, 73 glacial lakes occur within the KNP which are all above 4,000 metres. Together with the mountain peaks, KNP has a claim to some of the most magnificent snow and ice scenery in the world. The white snow leopard, jet black Asian black bear, red fox, blue sheep, blood pheasant, yellow throated marten, red panda, Tibetan argali (wild sheep), leopard cat and colourful high altitude pheasants are few of hundreds of species that enrich various niches in this unique hill range. The emerald waters of eighteen high altitude lakes dot this snow clad hill range and host more than a hundred species of birds. Numerous waterfalls which cascade down the hill slopes with their sonorous music also create hundreds of rainbows as the sunrays filter through the valleys between lofty hills. The KNP has 18 sub-forest types . It has a large diversity of species of higher plants (1,580), mammals (124) and birds (300). There is no other protected area found in the Indian Himalaya with such variety of sub-forest types and species diversity. Though KNP has less than 0.1 percent of the total area of India, a significant number of mammals are found here. , 124 species of mammals (31 percent of the estimated 400 mammal species found in India), 300 species of birds and 400 species of butterflies have been reported in KNP. More than 100 species of medicinal plants are found in KNP and its surrounding areas. The KNP along with the adjacent reserve forests is home to some 22 endemic, rare and threatened plants. There are a total of 313 glacial lakes throughout
next year. “More actions are to be taken by the ministry to improve the facilities of the Railway and efforts are being made to modernize it,” he added. The train was flagged off from Agartala railway station in presence of Prabhu’s Bangladesh counterpart Minister Mazibul Hoque. They also laid the foundation stone for the 15km railway India Bangladesh rail link between Agartala and
For trekking, there is the popular YuksamDzongri-Gochela trek or the expedition to the Green Lake. Tourism has also improved the living standards of local communities, especially at Pelling, Yuksam, Gangtok and Rabongla. Tourism-related activities such as running pack animals, portering, guiding and lodge management have become major economic activities and now determine the way of life. There are no major developmental projects like roads, buildings or public places which can affect the integrity of KNP. The only colony that existed within KNP comprising 10 family units of Tibetan refugees at Tshoka in its south-west part was relocated outside the park. The mean minimum and mean maximum temperatures vary inversely with altitude with January being the coldest month and August the warmest . Due to altitudinal variation, the temperature distribution shows a north-south change. Average temperature of the warmest month is indicated as 22°C in the temperate area in Aug, 15°C in the sub-alpine area in July and 12°C in the alpine area in July. Average temperature of the coldest month is indicated as 3.8°C in the temperate area in January, -3°C in the sub-alpine area in January and - 17 °C in the alpine in January. (ANI)
The new weekly train Agartala-Anand Vihar (Delhi) Tripura Sundari Express (14019-14020) will leave every Sunday from Agartala station and in 48 hours reach its destination Anand Vihar station. Tripura Governor Tathagata Ray, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Railway Minister of State Rajen Ghowai and several other Ministers and MPs of Tripura were present in the inaugura-
tion programme. The new train will stop at Ambasa, Dharamnagar, Karimganj, Badarpur, New Halflong, Lemding, Hosai, Jagi Road, Guwahati, New Bongwai, New Jalpaiguri, Katihar, Barauni, Patliputra Junction, Mughalsarai, Allahabad and Kanpur Central. Meanwhile, India will fund for the total 15 kilometer international rail project between India-Bangladesh, which
is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 580 crores. Recently the Ministry of Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has already released the first installment of Rs 150 crore for the 5 kilometer overhead portion inside India and for which land acquisition work has already started. The remaining 10 kilometer inside Bangladesh will cost Rs 360 crores to be funded by the India External Affairs Ministry. (ANI)
Heavy flooding continues to wreak havoc in north-east Guwahati, July 31 (ANI): Heavy flooding continues in north-eastern and eastern parts of the country as most rivers in the region are flowing above the danger mark.
the Teesta basin of the Sikkim Himalaya covering an area of 21.5 square kilometers. Of these, 73 glacial lakes occur within the KNP covering an area At least 26 people have of about 3.34 square kilometers. All the lakes within the KNP are above 4,000 metres and are classified as glacial lakes. The Prek Chu and the Zema Chu watersheds have the maximum number of 16 lakes each, while the Rangit Chu watershed has just two lakes. In terms of area, the Lhonak Chu watershed contains 43 percent of the total area under lakes, primarily due to the presence of South Lhonak Tsho which has an area of 0.71 square kilometers.
Akhwara in the neighouring country.
been killed in heavy rains and floods in Assam. Soil erosion at many places has forced the villagers to take shelter in camps. Heavy rains this month have inundated hundreds of villages, displacing
thousands of people in the asked the people living in tea-growing state of low lying areas to shift toAssam. wards higher areas. At least 1,75,000 people in The June-September monMeghalaya have also been soon this year has so far affected by flooding. delivered at least four percent higher rainfall than Local authorities have average. (ANI
Two Saudi Arabian nationals among three killed in prison fight in Manipur
Two Saudi Arabian nationals among three killed in prison fight in Manipur
Imphal, July 31: Three prisoners including two Saudi Arabian nationals were killed in a fight in a jail in India`s remote northeastern state of Manipur, officials said.
the incident other inmates counter-attacked and killed the two foreign jail inmates," P. Doungel, the state`s additional director general of police told reporters.
A police spokesman said the incident took place just before dawn at the Manipur central jail in the state capital Imphal.
The two Saudi nationals — Sushak Yusuf Ahmed and Abdul Salam — were facing trial on charges of entering the country without valid travel documents after being arrested in 2013.
"Two Saudi prisoners attacked and killed another inmate lodged in the same cell, and on hearing about
The other deceased inmate has been identified as
Thangmilian Zou, a local and one official were also tribal member from injured when they tried to Manipur`s Churachandpur intervene and stop the fight. district. The Saudi government has Doungel said it was not im- sought a report from the Inmediately clear what trig- dian home ministry about gered the fight. the deaths of their nationals, police sources said. "Autopsy of the three is being done. We are investigat- Manipur, which borders ing the incident and trying Myanmar, has long been to find out if any crude mired in separatist vioimplements were used by lence, with some 20 rebel the inmates in the attack," g r o u p s f i g h t i n g f o r Doungel said. greater autonomy or secession from India. At least two prison guards (AFP)
Court dismisses complaints against Nagaland CM's educational qualifications Kohima, July 31: A lower court in Peren district of Nagaland today dismissed two complaints against Chief Minister T R Zeliang's educational qualification saying these were time barred. The judicial magistrate heard the arguments yesterday and delivered the order today observing the "instant case is in the shape of a political vendetta". The Supreme Court had on June 15 last directed the lower court to first determine the question of
time limitation about the two cases filed in November 2015 and this month. The magistrate court dismissed the twin complaints on the ground of being time-barred and said these should have been filed by February, 2014. Maziezokho Nisa of Jotsoma village had filed the first complaint against an alleged offence punishable under Section 125 A of the Representation of People Act, 1951, purported to have been committed by
Zeliang while filling educational details in his affidavit for 2013 state elections. A similar case was filed against Zeliang by K K Kulimbe alias Kengim of Jalukie town this month. As the facts were identical, both the cases were taken up together and disposed of by the common order issued today. The magistrate observed that "the punishment for infringement of the offence under Section 125A of the Representation of People Act is impris-
onment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both. As such, by virtue of clause (b) of the sub section (2) of section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the period of limitation for institution of the two instant complaint cases is one year." Accordingly, the court ruled that both the complaint cases are timebarred and also finding no satisfactory ground to condone the delay in filing the complaints, dismissed them. (PTI)
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
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Gujarat Dalits not to lift carcasses, want firearms
IANS Ahmedabad, July 31: Gujarat Dalit leaders on Sunday asked the government to give them firearms in view of atrocities by Hindu activists as thousands of Dalits pledged not to lift carcasses from the streets. The mass pledge was taken at a rally called by as many as 30 Dalit groups from across Gujarat and backed by the quasi religious body, Jamiat-e-Ulema-Hind. Three Muslim leaders from Ahmedabad attended the rally and sat on the podium. Many Muslim activists could be seen in the rally.
Researchers develop ultra-thin transistors for wearable display IANS Seoul, July 31: A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed ultra-thin and transparent oxide thin-film transistors (TFT) that can be used to make high performance wearable and transparent displays. With the advent of the "Internet of Things" era, strong demand has grown for wearable and transparent displays that can be applied to fields like augmented reality and skinlike thin flexible devices. But flexible transparent displays developed in earlier studies face challenges like poor transparency and low electrical performance. Led by Keon Jae Lee and Sang-Hee Ko Park from KAIST, researchers set out to overcome these challenges by using the inorganic-based laser lift-off (ILLO) method, according to the study published recently in the journal Advanced Materials. "By using our ILLO process, the technological barriers for high performance transparent flexible displays have been overcome at a relatively low cost by removing expensive polyimide substrates. Moreover, the high-quality oxide semiconductor can be easily transferred onto skin-like or any flexible substrate for wearable application," Lee said. The team fabricated a high-performance oxide TFT array on top of a sacrificial laser-reactive substrate. After laser irradiation from the backside of the substrate, only the oxide TFT arrays were separated from the sacrificial substrate as a result of reaction between laser and laser-reactive layer, and then subsequently transferred onto ultrathin plastics. Finally, the transferred ultrathin-oxide driving circuit for the flexible display was attached conformally to the surface of human skin to demonstrate the possibility of the wearable application. The attached oxide TFTs showed high optical transparency of 83 per cent.
The State "must provide us licensed firearms to protect ourselves since the government has failed to provide us security", said Jignesh Mevani, the convenor of the joint front of the 30 Dalit organizations. "We have had enough. We will break their hands and legs if the upper caste exploiters torture us anymore," he asserted. The government should also help Dalits learn martial arts, he felt. Referring to the controversial 2012 police attack on Dalits that killed three persons in Dhangad area of
Surendranagar, speakers at the rally complained that nothing can be expected from a government that has not even filed a chargesheet. Family members of the three were present. They demanded that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act should be invoked against the culprits in the July 11 thrashing of Dalit youths by self-proclaimed cow vigilantes for skinning of dead cows. This is the first time in Gujarat that as many as 30 Dalit groups from across the
state have come together to raise a plethora of issues facing the community for decades. They have rallied under the banner of 'Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti' (Una Dalit Fight against Atrocities Committee), with Mevani as the convener. Mevani is a young lawyer who has been singlehandedly fighting several court battles for the Dalits. Although the Acher ST Depot ground here can accommodate only about 5,000 people, the venue was swelling by noon, with thousands taking up every
inch of space available in the vicinity. Organisers said the show of strength was meant to protest against what they said were growing atrocities against the community in Gujarat. Speakers released a charter of demands for Chief Minister Anandiben Patel including action against everyone who was even tacitly involved in the July 11 incident. They also sought alternate employment to Dalits who give up the "undignified" job of skinning dead animals and safai karmacharis engaged in the "inhuman"
job of manual scavenging. This is besides providing housing units to Dalits in urban areas because they are even today "socially boycotted, discriminated against and exploited socially, economically and sexually in villages". The organisers said they kept the political parties at bay at the rally as all of them exploited them for narrow political gains. One speaker said "bangles and ghaghras" should be couriered to Dalit MLAs and MPs to denounce their apathy towards the community's cause.
Tokyo elects former environment minister Yuriko Koike as city’s first female governor IANS Tokyo, July 31: Former environment minister Yuriko Koike of the Liberal Democratic Party was elected the capital’s first female governor on Sunday, exit polls and media predictions said. Despite defiantly running without the LDP’s consent, Koike, 64, defeated her two top rivals and will now oversee a city of more than 13 million residents. “I would like to implement new policies that no one has ever seen,” Koike told supporters as she learned victory was imminent. Her main rivals were former internal affairs minister Hiroya Masuda, the preferred choice of the LDPKomeito ruling coalition, and veteran journalist Shuntaro Torigoe, who was backed by the main opposition bloc led by the Democratic Party and the Japanese Communist Party. As of 7:30 p.m., turnout reportedly stood at 40.14 percent, up 6 points from the previous election in February 2014. As the capital’s first female governor, Koike vowed to pursue policies that will promote better conditions for women. “I believe that pushing policies for women will be good for Tokyo and bring happiness to the capital,” she said. “I received so much support from women this election. The support made me think deeply that I have a responsibility to work on the issues of waiting lines for day care
centers, elderly care and work-life balance,” Koike told reporters. Torigoe told reporters that he failed “because of a lack of ability,” despite support from the four major opposition parties. Still, he emphasized that the opposition parties should nevertheless join forces in the next Lower House election. “Cooperation of the four opposition parties is needed from now on, too,” Torigoe stressed. The three top contenders promised to alleviate the chronic shortage of day care and nursing facilities, and beef up disaster preparedness in the quake-prone capital. They also said they would study how to rein in the bal-
looning costs of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if elected. Among her competitors, Torigoe, 76, was the only one to explicitly stand opposed to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, president of the LDP. The former journalist also pledged to work toward halting or decommissioning all nuclear reactors within 250 km of Tokyo. Masuda promised to bolster steps against cyberattacks and terrorism ahead of the Tokyo Games in 2020. As part of her platform, Koike said she would strive to return Tokyo to its position as Asia’s leading international financial capital by making full use of the city’s “special economic zone” strategy. The former Diet member, who has served in both
chambers since 1992 and held Cabinet portfolios ranging from the environment to Okinawa affairs and, briefly, defense, angered the LDP’s Tokyo chapter in June by defying custom and announcing her candidacy before receiving the party’s blessing, prompting the ruling bloc to endorse her lesser-known foe, former Iwate Gov. Masuda. The opposition meanwhile decided to support Torigoe just days before the filing deadline, after several names had emerged. Koike tactically stressed that she was “fighting alone” without any backing. She even referred to herself as the 15th century French war heroin Joan of Arc, vowing to march on even if
Flood situation in Bihar worsens, 2.6 million hit IANS Patna, July 31: The flood situation in Bihar worsened on Sunday, with many rivers breaching their banks and affecting hundreds of thousands of people, officials said. More than 2.6 million people have been hit by the floods in the state including half a million who have been displaced across 12 districts, the officials said. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadavvisited the flood affected Supaul district on Sunday and said: "We are fully prepared to provide relief and rescue the affected people." Senior officials said relief and rescue operations were going on in full swing. He said the flood situation was grim in some districts following rising water level in rivers. The government has deployed 587 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force and the state disaster response force in the worst
hit areas. A Water Resources Department official said 2,034 villages had been affected by the floods. Of the five lakh people displaced till Sunday, nearly 2.50 lakh are living in different shelters. "Thousands have taken shelter in higher areas, on national highways and in schools and other buildings," an official said. The government has set up 412 relief camps and de-
ployed 1,019 boats in relief and rescue work. The worst hit districts are Purnea, Kishanganj, Araria, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Katihar, Supaul and Saharsa. Unconfirmed reports say at least 28 people, including women and children, have perished in the floods. The authorities have asked people living in low-lying areas to move to higher ground. Major rivers in the state including the Koshi, Gandak,
Bagmati and Ganga are in spate following heavy rains, officials said. "With heavy rainfall in the catchment areas in (neighbouring) Nepal, the water level of these rivers has been rising for several days," one officer told IANS. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered officials to survey the damage to houses, crops and other properties. He has asked the health department to arrange for medicines to check the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Officials said crops worth crores of rupees had been damaged. Road links have snapped at several places. Bihar Water Resources Development Minister Lalan Singh said the eastern Kosi embankment, which had breached in 2008, was safe. In 2008, more than three million people were rendered homeless in Bihar when the Kosi breached its banks upstream in Nepal and changed course.
it meant being burned to death. The approach apparently worked in her favor. Koike entered politics after working as a TV Tokyo news anchor. Thanks to her TV exposure, she won the first Upper House seat in 1992 for the now-defunct Japan New Party (Nihon Shinto). She switched to the Lower House the following year, and retained her seat for eight consecutive terms. Fluent in Arabic, Koike also worked as a translator before appearing on TV. As an LDP lawmaker, she served as environment minister from 2003 to 2006 under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and initiated the Cool Biz campaign, encouraging office workers to dress casually during the summer to reduce electricity use. She was also state minister in charge of Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs. To stress her environmentfriendly image, Koike donned a green headband and asked her supporters to wear something green as well. Sunday’s race was the fourth since 2011, after the three previous governors stepped down before their four-year terms ended. In June, Yoichi Masuzoe stepped down over widespread questions about his spending of political funds, including his alleged purchase of expensive artworks with taxpayer cash.
India will do well at Rio Olympic Games: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi IANS New Delhi, July 31: Assuring “all possible help” to the Indian contingent at the Rio Olympic Games 2016 scheduled to begin on August 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hoped that Indian sportspersons will be able to win hearts of people from across the world. “I hope these 119 sportspersons will perform well (in the games), and they will be able to win hearts of the people, who come there from different parts of the world,” Mr. Modi said while flagging off “Run for Rio” in New Delhi at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction over the fact that India, this time around, was able to send a strong contingent of 119 sportspersons to the Rio Olympic Games. “India has been associated with the Olympic Games for over 100 years, but only this year we were able to send 119 sportspersons to Rio,” he said, adding that the entire contingent was prepared well and government took special care of their training. “We allotted special budget for their diet and training this time around,” he said, adding that players were asked where and under whom would they like to be trained,
and all arrangements were made accordingly for every selected individual with government spending from Rs. 30 lakh to Rs 1.50 crore on a player. Mr. Modi said that care has also been taken to provide good Indian food to the visiting contingent. Speaking about how a player needs time to settle down in new conditions of a host country, he said the sportspersons need time to come out of the jet lag and that is why India sent its contingent to Rio well in advance. The Prime Minister also urged people to start preparing about the next Olympic Games, to be help in Tokyo in 2020, saying every district of the country must send a sportsperson to the international games. “Our government will do everything to support and prepare sportspersons for next 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo,” he said. Wishing well to the Indian contingent in the Rio Olympic Games, Mr. Modi said that as India celebrates its 70th anniversary of independence on August 15 this year, the tricolour will also be going up in Rio as they perform well in the international event.
Anti-India slogans raised as Mehbooba visits exam centre in Srinagar IANS Srinagar, July 31: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was on Sunday greeted with antiIndia slogans when she visited a common entrance test (CET) centre here. Parents waiting outside the Government Women's College on M A Road in Srinagar raised the slogans. Their children were inside, writing the exam for selection for the MBBS course in the state. The parents from Kupwara, Baramulla and Shopian dis-
tricts were waiting for their children to come out when they saw Mehbooba Mufti's motorcade. The government had made special transport arrangements to bring the candidates to Srinagar from various district headquarters. The candidates would be dropped back in the evening after the exam. Many people, however, used their own vehicles to bring their children to Srinagar for the exam. Caption: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti
Genetic link between rare heart disease, seizures identified trols.
IANS New York, July 31: Researchers have identified a genetic link between a rare heart rhythm disease and an increased risk for seizures proving a clear association between the heart and the brain of such patients. Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare heart rhythm condition that can potentially cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. These rapid heartbeats might trigger a sudden fainting spell or seizure. The findings showed that patients carrying LQTS genetic mutations were three times more likely to have experienced seizures in their past, compared to their family members who did not carry those mutations.
Further, people with LQTS who experience seizures are at greater risk of sudden cardiac death. Seizure status is the strongest predictor of cardiac arrhythmias - the abnormal heart rhythms characteristic of LQTS, said lead author David Auerbach from University of Rochester in New York, US. In fact, about 20 per cent of the LQTS patients in the study who had a history of seizures had survived at least one lethal cardiac arrhythmia. For the study, the team analysed of more than 18,000 people affected with LQTS as well as their affected and unaffected family members, who provide a nearly ideal group of con-
"In essence, they have the same genetic makeup, except theoretically, the LQTS-causing mutation," Auerbach added. Analysing patients' genetic information, the team found that among the three different types of LQTS (LQTS13) patients with LQTS1 and LQTS2 had much higher prevalence of seizures than LQTS3 or no mutation with LQTS2 at the greatest risk. Further investigation of the LQTS-causing mutation showed that the specific location of the mutation greatly affected the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and seizures. In one location on the gene, the mutation protected against these symptoms, but in another location on the same gene, the mutation increased the risk of those symptoms. Understanding what each of these mutations does may shed new light on a basic mechanism of seizures and may provide viable therapeutic targets to treat LQTS, the researchers cocnluded. The results were published in the journal Neurology.
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
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NEIGHBOURS
Nearly 400 baby crocodiles seized in China
Lahore eatery renders apology after waiter assaults customer
IANS Beijing, July 31: At least 399 baby Siamese crocodiles, a protected species, were seized by the border police in China's Guangxi Zhuang region.
IANS Lahore, July 31: A "hot headed" waiter at a Lahore restaurant allegedly assaulted a guest before fleeing the place, the restaurant's management issued a media release on Saturday and extended an apology in this regard. A government officer, Ahsan Anwer Khokar — who visited Rina's Kitchenette in the city's Defence Housing Authority (DHA) with his family — was reportedly attacked by an un-
They were found in a rented house in Dongxing city on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported. The crocodiles, each around 25 cm long, were about 15 days old. They were very likely trafficked from Vietnam. The police noticed three nervous men carrying goods in front of the house and approached to question them. Two suspects escaped while the third, who also tried to flee, was caught. In January, 70 frozen wild Siamese crocodiles were seized from a seafood truck in Fangchenggang. Siamese crocodiles are a critically endangered species in Southeast Asia. Their skin is used as a raw material for luxury leather products.
Pakistan bus accident toll rises to 26 IANS Islamabad, July 31: The deaths among a wedding party, whose bus was swept away by flash floods in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agency on Saturday, have risen to 26, an official said on Sunday morning. As many as 11 more bodies were recovered from a ravine, Xinhua news agency quoted an official as saying. At least 26 bodies and three injured have been retrieved so far while one person is still missing, the official said. The accident occurred on Saturday morning when a vehicle carrying 30 wedding guests was washed off a mountainous road and plunged into a gorge in remote Tabai area. The injured were shifted to a hospital in Landi Kotal area. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the accident. Sharif also directed that effective relief be rendered and medical treatment given to the survivors.
Case against two in Pakistan for Facebook hate posts
was sitting. The client's face was bleeding profusely and everyone was traumatised and is still shaken," said Shayan Azmat, the eye witness who recorded the whole incident on video. "The victim only wanted to meet the manager because they kept him waiting for 40 minutes for their order and then said that the particular food was not available," another eye witness wrote in a post on social media. People commenting on the post, however, are also say-
ing the waiter reacted after he was verbally abused the customer. The restaurant's management, in a post on its Facebook page apologised and claimed that they have submitted a request to the police to register an FIR against the waiter on eatery's behalf. "In our industry there is no excuse for something like this. People will say that the waiter was provoked, that he was baited, a few will ask for the other side of the
story. The truth is that there is no other side of the story; there is no excuse for violence. The waiter was hot headed and acted in rage and we strongly believe that there is no amount of provocation that justifies his act." reads the post. The restaurant management claimed that "there is no other side of the story.The waiter was hot headed and acted in rage and we strongly believe that there is no amount of provocation that justifies his act."
PTI Beijing, July 31: A rare yew tree whose extract is used to treat cancer and is believed to be about 3,000 years old has been discovered in China, authorities said today. The living tree is located in Huanggou Forest, in northeast China's Jilin Province. It is more than 40 metres tall and has a diameter of 1.68 metres, said Yang Yongsheng, head of the forest administration.
3,000 years old - and the best-preserved Chinese yew in Jilin. It is among more than 30 Chinese yew trees discovered recently, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Called a "living fossil" of the plant world, the Chinese yew has existed for 2.5 million years. Since many of the trees have been harvested to extract taxol, used to treat cancer, the species is now under first-grade national protection for endangered plants.
Murdered Pakistani-ori- Cleric, 60, Marries gin woman committed 6-Year-Old Girl In AfSri Lankan opposuicide, claims father ghanistan; Arrested sition aims to deAccording to the provincial forestry department, it is the oldest - believed to be about
IANS Islamabad, July 31: The father of a Pakistani-origin British woman, who was allegedly killed for "honour" in Punjab province on July 20, has reportedly changed his statement by saying that his daughter had committed suicide. In his initial statement, Chaudhry Shahid had told police that his daughter Samia Shahid died of a cardiac arrest, Dawn online reported on Sunday. His fresh statement was given before a four-member investigation team, headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police Abubakar
Khuda Bakhsh on Saturday. Police officials told Dawn online that Chaudhry Shahid, a suspect in the case lodged by Syed Mukhtar Kazim, Samia's second husband, had told the investigators that his daughter had committed suicide.
The investigation was launched on the orders of the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday to complete the inquiry into the matter within 72 hours. According to the reports, the 28-year-old woman had bruise marks on her neck which suggested she had been strangled to death.
Chinese living Buddha funds construction of pagoda in B'desh IANS Beijing, July 31: A Chinese "living Buddha" in Tibet has raised one million yuan (about $150,668) to fund the construction of a pagoda in Bangladesh, sources said on Saturday. Drukhang Thubten Khedrup, the seventh D r u k h a n g livingbuddha and vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, had given the money to an association of Buddhist monks in Bangladesh, Xinhua news agency reported.
teacher from Bengal who lived in Tibet preaching and translating scriptures in ninth century BC. The pagoda, which includes a pedestal, a tower and spire, will stand nearly as tall as a three-story building. In 2013, Abbot Chunyi, another vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, donated $400,000 for construction of the pagoda.
A "living Buddha" is a Tibetan Buddhist monk believed to be the reincarnation of an important religious The money will be figure. There are curused to build a pagoda rently 358 living Budfor Atisa, a Buddhist dha in Tibet.
IANS Kabul, July 31: A 60-yearold cleric has been arrested for allegedly marrying a sixyear-old girl in Afghanistan's Ghor province, police said. The cleric, Mohammad Karim, has claimed that the girl was offered to him as a gift by her father while he was teaching her, Tolo news reported on Friday. The girl's family claims the cleric abducted her. Police said the victim was kidnapped by the cleric from Herat a month ago. Karim, who is now in police custody, told police they married on the first night of Eid ul-Fitr.
the incident. "We formally got engaged, her family told me to take her anywhere you want," Karim said. Police officials have said the girl's family accused the cleric of abducting their child a month ago from Obah in Herat. "The family of the girl rejected the claims that they married; the family said that the girl had been lost, the victim's father and mother are now on their way to Ghor and we hope that they arrive soon so that the police can get to the bottom of the issue," a police official said. Ghor women's affairs department has condemned
The victim is being cared for at a safe house and children and women rights groups have pledged to seek justice for the victim, Tolo news reported.
The reports come amid a rise in violence against women and girls. Reports indicate that in the past 15 years, 95 per cent of all criminals involved in such acts in the country were not prosecuted.
28 killed as floods hit van with wedding party in Pak Peshawar, Jul 31 (PTI) At least 28 people, including 18 children, were killed when a vehicle carrying a marriage party was swept away by flash floods in northwest Pakistan, officials said today.
Afridi, Line Officer Landi Kotal Khyber Agency.
The incident took place yesterday when the ill-fated vehicle was caught in flooding in Tabai area while travelling from Bara to Bazaar Zakha Khel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Flash floods triggered by torrential rains have badly affected Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in recent years.
The dead include 18 children, eight women and two men. The injured are all men, said Subedar Hikmat Khan
Rescue teams have retrieved the bodies and shifted them to a hospital in Landi Kotal, an official said.
According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), about 55 people have been killed and 35 others injured due to heavy rains in different parts of the country.
“We found Tamim Chowdhury to be the mastermind of the two (back-to-back terrorist) attacks... a manhunt was launched to track him down as we think, he now lives in Bangladesh since his return (from Canada)
three years ago,” he said. The officer added that evidence gathered from the scene of the July 26 raid at Kalyanpur, in which nine militants were killed, led police to identify Chowdhury, believed to be in his mid
30s, as the mastermind of the July 1 attack on the Holey Artisan restaurant and the assault on an Eid congregation at northern Sholakia six days later. A Bangladeshi newspaper earlier reported that Chowdhury appeared as the leader and main financer of a reorganised Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Bangladesh earlier attributed the two attacks to the clandestine outfit. The report suggested that Chowdhury was working as the link between the reorganised JMB and the ISIS, which claimed the responsibility for the July 1 attack when the terrorists killed 22 people, among them 17 foreign-
feat government
"For now, the department of women's affairs cannot issue a verdict on the case, we are determined to make the case clear," said Masooma Anwari, Head of Ghor Women's Affairs Department.
Annual spring and monsoon rains claim many lives each year in Pakistan, especially in rural areas where poorly built homes are susceptible to collapse. Over 120 people were killed in rains and landslides killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, GilgitBaltistan region in April. Over 80 people were killed and almost 300,000 affected due to heavy rains last summer in Pakistan. Nearly 2,000 people were killed and millions others badly affected in the worst flooding in 2010 that covered almost a fifth of the country's total land mass.
Dhaka cafe attack mastermind identified as Bangladeshi-Canadian
PTI Dhaka, July 31: A Bangladeshi-Canadian was on Saturday identified as the mastermind of Bangladesh’s worst terror attack at a cafe in Dhaka’s high-security diplomatic zone that killed 22 people mostly foreigners, police said following new information from a raid on a militant hideout. An overnight security raid at Kalyanpur area in Dhaka four days ago provided police the clue to identify Tamim Chowdhury as the architect of the recent IslamPolice registered the case ist assaults, a police ofunder the Anti-Terrorism ficer familiar with the inAct and are yet to make vestigations told PTI on anonymity. any arrests. IANS Islamabad, July 31: A case was registered against two people in Pakistan'sPunjab province for uploading alleged hate posts on a social media giant Facebook. The complainant Mateeullah, said Rozi Khan and Muhammad Nadeem Gul Qadri of Toba Tek Singh city posted objectionable contents on their Facebook pages targeting a religious school of thought, Dawn online reported on Sunday.
ruly waiter with a tray after he complained about his order being too late in the incident which occurred Friday night, eye witnesses said. The video of the incident, recorded by an eye witness, went viral on social media before being removed by the up-loader on victim's request. "One of the waiters just slashed a wooden board on a customer’s face right across our table three times and then broke a glass on the other table where another family
'Rare 3,000year-old tree found in China'
ers including an Indian and two police officers. The attack on the Eid prayers left two policemen and a woman dead while the officials said a total of seven terrorists were gunned down immediately after the assaults. Police’s counter-terrorism unit’s chief Monirul Islam had said investigators got names of several suspected masterminds behind the two “interlinked attacks” but efforts were underway to confirm their true identities. Bangladesh earlier said they found no proof of ISIS link to the country’s terrorist attacks.
Maithripala Sirisena IANS Colombo, July 31: Sri Lanka's "Joint Opposition", staunch supporters of former President Mahinda Rajapakse, on Sunday said it will defeat President Maithripala Sirisena's government in the coming months and form a new regime. Joint Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila told Xinhua news agency that a procession by the Joint Opposition that had begun from Kandy in central Sri Lanka on July 28 had received "tremendous support" from the public. Thousands had already joined the procession which will conclude in capital Colombo this week, Gammanpila said. "Despite the hindrances by the government to stop this procession, we are going to
go ahead and make sure we gain a majority in parliament soon." Certain members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) who are part of the existing coalition government had also shown their support and had informed their supporters to join the procession, he said. Sirisena, in a statement on Saturday, said any street protests would not shake his regime and the government formed between the SLFP and the United National Party (UNP) would continue for the next five years, reversing an earlier decision of working together for two years. Sirisena said his government has dedicated itself to fulfilling the mandate given to the people and would continue with its economic and development plans.
7 militants killed in Pakistan, major terror attack bid foiled PTI Lahore, July 31: A major terror attack in Pakistan was on Sunday foiled, with security forces killing seven militants who were plotting to target key government installations in Punjab province, the latest in a series of similar assaults. According to the Counter— Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab Police, it had received information that around 10 to 12 militants were planning to attack sensitive installations and buildings of law enforcement agencies here. “A CTD team along with police commandos raided a house in Chak Char Rasala Sheikhupura district some 50 km from Lahore in early hours today. The team asked them to surrender,” the CTD said. “But instead they opened fire on the raiding team which returned the fire, killing seven militants on the spot. The remaining three managed to flee,” it said. Explosives, hand grenades,
Kalashnikovs a large quantity of bullets, three motorcycles and maps of sensitive buildings have been recovered from their hideout. The CTD has shifted the bodies to a mortuary for autopsy and the outfit to which the militants belonged is yet to be ascertained. On July 23, five Taliban militants who were plotting to attack government installations and personnel of law enforcement agencies were killed in an encounter by security forces in Punjab province. At least six militants were killed on July 13 in a shootout with police in Punjab’s Okara city. In April, the Pakistan Army launched a targeted operation against militants in the province, days after a deadly attack in Lahore in which at least 70 people were killed and over 200 injured when a suicide bomb ripped through a crowded park in Lahore where Christians were celebrating Easter.
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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
Dalit Protest Over Gujarat Attack New Reforestation Law Ignores indigenous people in India
A recent incident has sparked outrage Padmapriya Govindarajan
A new Indian law to boost reforestation across the country ignores the importance of indigenous people in conserving land and tramples on their rights, analysts and activists said. The Rajya Sabha passed a bill that would give state governments more than 60 billion rupees ($895 million) a year to conserve and protect forests and wildlife. The new law would help to focus reforestation efforts in a concerted way. Most of the funds under the Compensatory Afforestation, Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) law would be used to restock denuded forests. The law would also help to create employment, especially in poor regions and areas that are traditionally home to indigenous communities, he said. However, critics of the law said the money would be better spent on helping local communities who are already engaged in conserving their habitats.Whereas analysts said the CAMPA bill ignores the landmark 2006 Forest Rights Act (FRA) that aims to improve the lives of impoverished tribes by recognising their right to inhabit and live off forests where their forefa-
thers settled. Under the FRA, forest dwellers cannot be removed from their land without consent of village councils, which are made up of local residents. Under the CAMPA bill however, authority to earmark land for development and assign compensation for it, lies solely with forest and state officials. India's new law facilitates displacement without any accountability to the people whose forests, lands and lives will be damaged or destroyed. India's plans to develop infrastructure, mining and renewable energy threaten to force more of the most marginalised groups from their homes, widening inequality and fanning tensions, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) said this month. According to the Geneva-based research group, between 1950 and 2005, about 65 million people were displaced in India by dams, highways, mines and power plants of which, at least 40 percent were indigenous people. The bill, which was initially drawn up in 2008 by the previous Congress government, had lapsed after delays in its passage. It was passed by the Lok Sabha in May.
Fourteenth state to join UDAY Manipur aims to derive net benefit of rs.263 crore Manipur has joined the Ujwal DISCOM (distribution company) Assurance Yojana (UDAY) scheme meant for revival of debtstressed power distribution utilities and will get benefits of around Rs 263 crore. Manipur is the 14th state to join the UDAY and it is also the first North Eastern state to opt for the UDAY for improving the efficiency of the DISCOM. The power ministry in a statement said that the government of India, Manipur and the DISCOM of Manipur signed a Memorandum of Understanding under the UDAY scheme for operational turnaround of the DISCOM. The combined DISCOM debt (including CPSU dues) that would be restructured in respect of these states is around Rs 2.16 lakh crore as on September 30, 2015. The reduction in AT&C losses and transmission losses by Manipur to 15 per cent and 3.20 per cent respectively is likely to bring additional revenue of around Rs 208 crore during the period of turnaround. The state would also gain around Rs 32 crore due to coal reforms. Besides demand side interventions in UDAY such as usage of energy-efficient LED bulbs and agricultural pumps would result in gain of around Rs 17 crore. Manipur would have an overall net benefit of approximately Rs 263 crore by opting to participate in UDAY. The gains will be in the form of cheaper funds, reduction in AT&C and transmission losses, interventions in energy efficiency, coal reforms etc. during the period of turnaround. The healthy DISCOMs in Manipur would also be in a position to supply more power. Thus, the scheme would
allow speedy availability of power to around 188 villages and 2.43 lakh households in the state that are still without electricity. Availability of 24x7 power to hitherto unconnected villages/households etc. would boost the economy, provide more employment opportunities for the people of the State and thereby, improve the standard of living of the people of the State. The Central schemes such as DDUGJY, IPDS, Power Sector Development Fund or such other schemes of MOP and MNRE are already providing funds for improving Power Infrastructure in the State and additional/priority funding would be considered under these schemes, if the State/ DISCOM meet the operational milestones outlined in the scheme. The State shall also be supported through additional coal at notified prices and in case of availability, through higher capacity utilization, low cost power from NTPC and other CPSUs. Other benefits such as coal swapping, coal rationalization, correction in coal grade slippage, availability of 100% washed coal would help the state to further reduce the cost of Power. The State would gain around Rs.32 crore due to these coal reforms. Demand Side interventions in UDAY such as usage of energy-efficient LED bulbs, agricultural pumps, fans & air-conditioners and efficient industrial equipment through PAT (Perform, Achieve, Trade) would help in reducing peak load, flatten load curve and thus help in reducing energy consumption in the State of Manipur. The gain is expected to be around Rs.17 crore
On July 11, in the Una municipality of the Gir Somnath area in Gujarat, four members of a Dalit caste family were thrashed by a vigilante mob. They were removing the carcass of a dead cow when the attackers, who were self-proclaimed 'gau rakshaks' or cow protectors, launched upon them. The men were tied to an SUV then stripped and beaten with iron rods for allegedly killing the cow whose carcass they were attempting to dispose of. A video of this attack was uploaded online by one of the attackers as a warning to anyone who wished to slaughter a cow. The video went viral and sparked outrage from Dalit groups - beginning on July 12 and expanding statewide within a week. There are two dimensions important to understanding the implications of this incident - the first is the caste that the victims belonged to and the second is the reason they were flogged. Dalit caste groups have historically faced discrimination and continue to do so across the country despite regulations attempting to prevent the same. Deep-seated prejudices against members of this group result in outbreaks of violence against them, often supported by other members of the caste groups which in-
stigate it. This incident, in terms of its violence, is one of many that occur on a daily basis against Dalits, but is particularly inflammatory because it was sparked off merely by a family that was attempting to do its job. Disposal of carcasses is often viewed socially as 'unclean' and thus traditionally solely relegated to members of lower castes. On the one hand, the men were attempting to complete work assigned to them, but on the other the very same task thrust upon them, resulted in the attack. The question of the dead cow itself is important to this case. Gujarat is a state that has imposed a complete ban on the slaughter of cows. When the investigation into this attack began, policemen also allegedly looked into the reasons behind the death of the cow, ultimately finding it to have been natural. This is not the first instance of a mob acting out against a group of people accused of killing a cow. Last year, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, a 52year-old man was killed by a mob, and his son was seriously injured, when crowds nearby heard that they had been consuming beef. The mob attacked after finding meat in their refrigerator and refusing to believe that it was
A file photo of protests grow over attack on Dalits in Gujarat (Photo: cloudfront) not beef. The family in that case was Muslim, and all the members present at the household were attacked, as were neighbors who tried to stop the violence. The incident, which similarly sparked outrage, brought up important questions regarding the Modi government's commitment to protecting cows - on grounds that they are sacred animals in India. While some Hindu caste communities entirely refrain from consuming beef (even if they consume other forms of meat) this is by no means universal. Some Dalit communities have always included beef in their diets, as have other non-Hindu communities. The incident was highlighted as symptomatic of the Modi government's extremely straitjacketed notion of what constituted tradition
and sacrality in India. The recent Una incident set off one of the largest Dalit uprisings the state of Gujarat has hitherto seen. On July 18, seven young Dalit men attempted suicide by consuming pesticide, in protest of the delay in delivering justice to the family and the state's tolerance of such atrocities. One of the men was Congress party member Anil Madhad. On the next day, more suicide protesters joined the fray, and one died. Protests erupted across the region of Saurashtra and a National Highway connecting the cities of Rajkot and Porbander was blocked by the demonstrators. State transport buses were set on fire and pelted by angry mobs; in a couple of districts truckloads of cow carcasses were dumped outside the district collector's office
with declarations that none would be buried until action was taken against the attackers. Dalits across political lines, from both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), united to join the protest and the 'Dalit Swabhiman Andolan,' a temporary federation for those unaffiliated to a party was formed. A group known as 'Dalit Panthers' called for a strike across the state midlast week. The state Chief Minister Anandiben Patel was jolted into action as the protests escalated. The state agreed to bear the costs of treatment and offered compensation of about $15,000 to each injured person. A specially designated court for speedy trial of this case was set up - with a promise that a chargesheet would be filed within sixty
days. Four policemen have been suspended on grounds of negligence concerning this case and nine attackers (including members of right wing group Shiv Sena) have been arrested. This case has also created furor in the parliament with opposition parties losing no opportunity to point fingers at what the Congress called the BJP's "failure to protect the rights of such communities." Prominent political leaders have met with the family of the injured, whose head, Balu Sarvaiya, has expressed fear at the possibility of continuing this occupation. Even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a prominent right wing group, closely associated with the BJP, has spoken out condemning the incident. With all political factions rushing to condemn this incident and with the BJP scrambling to appease the angry protestors, calls have been made to increase the compensation provided and also strongly clamp down against such flowering cowprotection vigilante groups. As the crowds show no signs of letting up, the government's hand is being forced - this time they will have to make significant moves towards procuring justice for victims of a scarily and rapidly growing movement to protect a misplaced notion of tradition. Courtesy: The diplomat
Why New Delhi Should Revise Its Nuclear Doctrine It's time for India to rethink its no first use policy Amit R Saksena A nuclear doctrine is a pretty important document. While most military white papers or laid down doctrines serve the exclusive purpose of guiding a nation's defense forethought in matters of strategic and national security, a nuclear doctrine offers an additional function - deterrence, by making a nation's position and retaliatory intentions publicly known to its adversaries. As such, a robust nuclear doctrine, which is in tune with pertinent geopolitical narratives and national posturing, is to be desired by any nation state. It's also advantageous to carry out a calculated revision of nuclear doctrine within time-stamped periods, or on an ad hoc basis as required. This will ensure that the doctrine continues to fulfill its intended functions in the dynamic environment of global and regional security, and signal a nation state's intention to remain relevant. However, for the very same reasons, a nuclear doctrine should never be revised just for the sake of revision, lest it sends out a contrary message. This also becomes an issue when a nation state like India, whose nuclear doctrine is inherently restrained in nature, takes a call to revise that doctrine. Unfortunately, that is a risk New Delhi should be willing to take, and sooner rather than
later. The present world order offers India sufficient buoyancy from international backlash and insulation from any potential trade embargoes. India's Nuclear Suppliers Group bid is, to put lightly, in cold storage for now. Furthermore, even though India's restrained development and deployment of nukes contributed somewhat to its accepted status as a responsible nuclear weapon state, it is ultimately its stellar non-proliferation record which affords India this recognition. Revising India's nuclear doctrine will not result in an absolute U-turn from the international community. All nuclear weapon states, including the ones which subscribe to no first use of nuclear weapons (NFU), face an inherent conundrum. Nuclear weapons are not conventional weapons, to be used in a war; they are a last resort option. As such, for the state concerned, it is pertinent to demonstrate that it possesses a nuclear war fighting capability - that after absorbing the damage of a first strike, it possesses the ability and resolve to inflict massive destruction on the attacker. Various caveats of the Indian nuclear doctrine have been criticized time and again since the Vajpayee government of 2003 unveiled the first (and only) public statement on the salient features of the doctrine and the operationalization of nuclear deterrence. The Indian doctrine revolves around three
core pillars: developing and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent; an unconditional pledge of no first use (of nuclear weapons); and a warning of massive punitive retaliation. These are further augmented by the government's decision to put all nuclear authority into the hands of a civilian leadership, and working toward deploying a substantial second strike capability. While its doctrine allows New Delhi to retain its long standing abolitionist stance on nuclear weapons, it does not make for a credible deterrence policy. Whatever intended functions India's nuclear doctrine served 15 years ago have been rendered redundant by the dynamically evolved regional and global geopolitical narratives. If nukes were weapons of polity back then, they are anything but that now. The most inveighed component of the nuclear doctrine is New Delhi's vow of no first use. NFU makes for a compelling argument against nuclear weapons in general, and, by extension, against proliferation in the wider sense. It only stands to reason that a nation state that abhors the concept of nukes would ensure non-proliferation as a priority. India has stuck to this covenant through the war of 1999, the stand-offs in 2001 and 2008, and countless other border skirmishes. Unfortunately, NFU comes with a chilling caveat: should
perceived deterrence fail, a nation state is guaranteed massive loss of human life and infrastructure. As per the doctrine, for the clause of massive punitive retaliation to kick in, an aggressor must actually nuke Indian territory first. Given its high density cover and widespread infrastructure and settlement establishment, India is certain to be subjected to unjustifiable loss of life in that first strike. Add to that the uncertainty of the strike coverage and the damage incurred, and there is the significant possibility of New Delhi not having enough surviving assets operational to retaliate, let alone chase punitive damages. If an aggressor does take the nuclear option first, it will only be in their interest to inflict maximum damage, rather than leaving retaliation to chance. Following this argument, a case is evident for New Delhi to ditch NFU, and adopt a policy for retaining the option to strike first. This does not necessarily signal a shift toward a more belligerent stance on India's part. Rather, this will afford New Delhi a strategic ambiguity, which will further accentuate its intended deterrence. Furthermore, it is critical for India to make this switch in times of relative peace, instead of bringing it about as a knee-jerk reaction to another one of Islamabad's cross-border terrorism antics. Will this hamper the bilat-
eral peace dialogue, or further the arms race in the subcontinent? Of course it will. But the impact would be akin to the fallout from any other incident of perpetrated terrorism or border skirmish. Timing is of the essence. And the sooner it is done, the more space it gives New Delhi to dictate the regional security paradigm on its terms. The argument for shifting to a first use policy is also tied in with the state of India's deterrent asset development and deployment. The essential prerequisite for nuclear deterrence is as much the sufficiency of retaliatory capacity as the surety of response. This hinges on the size and nature of the arsenal and delivery systems, their survivability in the event of a preemptive attack, and the realization by a potential adversary that the costs of attack outweigh the gains. To ensure a true second strike capability, India aims to operationalize a nuclear triad - the capability to launch nuclear warheads from aircraft, extensive rail and road launching silos, and deep-deployment submarines. Currently, India has only two out of three operational legs of the triad. A Strategic Forces Command (SFC), acting under the auspices of India's Nuclear Command Authority, is responsible for maintaining its delivery options. It presently consists of the short-range Prithvi missile series and the medium range Agni-I and
Whiter Dibrugarh Municipality
Image for representational purpose (Photo: media.newindianexpress)
Sir, Normally, it is seen that when the ruling dispensation of the state and that of the centre is the same, there should be no dearth of fund, despite the Center's claim that it would make no discrimination with all the states irrespective of their party affiliation. But Dibrugarh municipality does not at all reflect what is contended above. Almost all the dustbins whether cement-plastered or of tins are in a dilapidated condition. Matter has come to such a pass that all the people are compelled to throw garbage here and there near the dumping place and to make matter worse, the rag pickers put the garbage at sixes and sevens, the way a cock does. Passersby crossing the spot have to hold their finger on the nostrils to get rid of the foul odour.
This is the happy situation prevailing in the Dibrugarh Municipality run by the BJP. There is no iota of doubt in the minds of the citizens that the much hyped Prime-minister's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' is followed scrupulously by the municipality.
Yours etc. Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh
Agni-II. A more intermediate, as well as an intercontinental, range version of the missile has been developed, but not yet deployed. Thus, the SFC's primary mode of delivery is still fighter aircraft capable of carrying a nuclear payload. However, all of these aircraft (squadrons of Dassault Mirage 2000H, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MIG-29, and SEPECAT Jaguar) do not belong exclusively to the SFC, and are instead borrowed from the Air Force when required. India's first indigenous ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arihant, has reportedly finished sea trials and is now awaiting commission. However, the K-4 SLBM developed for the Arihant is still undergoing tests, while the Sagarika K-15 SLBM, although ready, only has an operational range of 700 km, greatly diminishing its intended utility as a second strike option. Also, given its 7,500 km long coastline, India will require a whole fleet of SSBNs to actually deploy a credible second strike capability. This will arguably take a considerable amount of time. In the meanwhile, India continues to depend on a deterrence rhetoric which it does not yet fully command. Given the readiness of its operational and intended nuclear assets, it is all the more important for New Delhi to shift its stance from a defensive deterrence to an offensive one. Courtesy: The diplomat
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of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200. So please keep writing. Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786001 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Email : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com
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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
Work on the Bangladesh Sujit Chakraborty Liberation War memorial in Tripura likely to be completed by the end of the year. The liberation war of Bangladesh is considered one of the most brutal chapters of the sub-continent's history. The hard earned freedom of the people of erstwhile East Pakistan also saw the loss of many Indian soldiers who fought alongside the Bangla freedom fighters to liberate their country from Pakistan in 1971. Now, after nearly four and a half decades, Tripura, which sheltered about 15 lakh displaced Bangladeshi during the nine-month-old war, is building an ambitious edifice and a memorial park to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers and Bangladeshi freedom fighters. The venue of the memorial park will be at Chottakhola. Situated 10 kms from the IndoBangladesh border, Chottakhola was one of the most strategically located war fields from where Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini (the liberation forces) fired the first salvo at the Pakistani army to establish a nation based on the language, Bengali, rather than the common religion it shared with West Pakistan - Islam. After completing an operation in East Pakistan, the Mukti Bahini warriors would return to a bunker made in Chottakhola before taking fresh weaponries for
the next attack. Subsequently, Chottakhola become the centre of attack of the Pakistani forces. However, it was successfully silenced by the Indian soldiers. Operation Cactus Lily, launched on December 3, 1971 by the Indian Army in East Pakistan, was a brilliantly planned and meticulously executed military operation, culminating in the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani troopers in East Pakistan. In 1968, the Pakistan Government initiated the famous Agartala conspiracy case with Mukti Bahini leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the main accused. Besides the East Pakistan Awami League chief, a host of Bengali servicemen were accused of involvement in a "conspiracy" to secede East Pakistan from West Pakistan with the help of the Indian Government. Former Tripura Chief Minister Sachindra Lal Singha approached the then eminent lawyer Snehangshu Achariya to fight the legal battle for Mujibur Rehman. Agartala thus played a significant role in mobilising public opinion against the Pakistani misrule. While the largest influx of refugees from East Pakistan was in West Bengal, Tripura sheltered more than 15 lakh of them - more than the State's total population at that time. Its jungles were the hub of Mukti Bahini's activities. The first Bangladesh Government-in-exile was formed in Agartala. A radio office
was also established in the State then. As per the Tripura Government's plan, the commemorative park at Chottakhola will have a 52feet tower from which parts of Comilla, Feni and Noakhali districts of eastern Bangladesh will be visible. Funded by the State Government, the estimated cost of the tower is Rs. 2.3 crore. Recalling the times, State Health and PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury said, "The training camp of the Mukti Bahini set up in the border village still has the remains of bunkers, trenches and graveyards." Chowdhury completed his primary school education in East Pakistan before Partition. He said, the park, overlooking seven hillocks, will cover an area of 20 hectares between the Trichna Wildlife Sanctuary and a 500 yearold popular mosque bordering Bangladesh's Comilla district. Every December 6, after the demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya in 1992, the Tripura Government and the people of the State observe solidarity day at the mosque. Apart from the tower and the park, the plan also includes a museum which would exhibit arms and ammunition, rare photographs and books and other literature based on the war. Besides, the park would also have a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, populary known as the Bangabandhu, the the ar-
ed
A place to park memories
Work on the Bangladesh Liberation War memorial in Tripura (Photo: Pinaki Das) chitect of Bangladesh, who on March 25, 1971, gave a call to the people of East Pakistan to prepare themselves for an all-out struggle against the Pakistani forces. Later that evening, resistance demonstration began in Dhaka and elsewhere and the Pakistani military started full-scale retaliation with Operation Searchlight,
which continued through May, 1971. A half-bust of then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would also be installed as a reminiscent of her far-reaching decision to associate with Bangladeshi Mukti Bahini against the Pakistani military and later recognising Bangladesh as a sovereign country. India
While We Remember The Martyrs At Kargil, Let's Not Forget Those Who Perish In Kashmir Shafey Anwarul Haque Unlike other days, the nation's heart became home to a kind of superpatriotism and allegiance. The Indian Army would have exercised their open palm gesture to salute the martyrs of the Kargil War and commemorate the Kargil victory or 'Operation Vijay'. Those un-
armed are more likely to have observed two minutes of silence and bowed their heads down to pay homage. Like every year, the nation, however, groomed that one day as symbolic of its grand victory over Pakistan which every 'nationalist' keeps fanaticising about the rest of the year. But, unlike erstwhile celebrations, few events, which are used as a source to enrich the glory of the day, were organised. The occasion hardly witnessed anything apart from the usual wreath laying ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial in Jammu & Kashmir, pipe band and brass band displays, beating the retreat ceremony, etc. Besides that, there were tweets by the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Virendra
Sehwag, V.V.S. Laxman and others, paying tribute to martyrs. And this patriotic flood, akin to the celebrations last year, succeeded in capturing spaces in newspapers and news channels. And finally, the hearts and minds of common folk and especially these uncommon men silently
cherished the victory. And amid all the celebrations, terror and misery thrived among the people in the Valley. Why is it that even after seventeen years of the Kargil victory, every Indian finds it obligatory to salute those brave souls and cherish the everlasting victory? Because Kashmir, since 1957, has been considered as an integral part of the Indian Union and no troops or intruders are to be tolerated on the Indian side of the de facto border. This appears to be the most simple and justifiable reason. In fact, prior to 1957, the accession of the state to India had been confirmed by the state's constituent assembly in 1954. However, Kashmir still hounds on the dispute despite former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee's offer in 1999 that both the states should extend their sov-
ereignty to their respective portions, i.e., India to 'Indian Occupied Kashmir' and Pakistan to 'Pakistan Occupied Kashmir'. It is needless to discuss in detail how Kashmir after 1947 entered into an unending dispute. The first Indo-Pakistan war in 1948 over the Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir planted the seeds
which gave birth to other wars in 1965, 1971 and 1999. After the second Indo-Pak war, the Tashkent Declaration and Simla Agreement in 1966 and 1972 respectively, appeared as treaties to maintain friendly and harmonious relations. Nevertheless, Pakistan dissented with the Indian government in 1974 over the Kashmir state government's affirmation that the State is a constituent unit of the Union of India. Irrespective of the number of wars and agreements, pellets and explosives still surround the lives of thousands of Kashmiris. It must be noted, however, The Express Tribune on August 10, 2011, reported that there was a significant decline in the violence across the Himalayan region after a peace process began between India and Pakistan in 2004.
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But this peace process conceivably crumpled in 2010 when approximately 100 people were killed in Kashmir, many in Srinagar. But here the question that arises is this: after all this, do the people in Kashmir have the right to live peacefully? The currently prevailing situation does not allow me to say 'yes'. Earlier, the state oscillated between two nations and now it is being thrashed by its own people. The savagery of the Indian army and uninspiring role of the leaders is actually making things incongruous. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the Awami Action Committee, one of the two key factions of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, in an open letter wrote, "The Kashmir issue continues to destroy life and obliterate the rights and aspirations of our people in Kashmir who desire only to live free, peaceful and dignified lives. The continuation of this tragic conflict is also a direct threat to your interests and wellbeing as a people. In one way or another, this tragic conflict directly affects all the other issues that are currently being discussed and debated‌." Since the everlasting Kargil victory, India has led a number of peace talks and initiatives with Pakistan, although subdued or failed. In July 2001, then 2004, followed by the discussion on antiterror mechanisms in 2006 and the list goes on. Considering the critical situation, one may expect similar visits and agreements in the near future. But, ironically, people in Kashmir could hardly bridge the gap between their life and their right to life and personal liberty. Suppression, menace, that too perpetual, turmoil, propaganda, violation of rights, mass killings, harassment, barbarism etc. are some really crude terms which involuntarily
strike the mind when Kashmir comes to the table. Writer and activist, Arundhati Roy in 2008 wrote, "For all these years the Indian state, known amongst the knowing as the Deep State, has done everything it can to subvert, suppress, represent, misinterpret, discredit, interpret, intimidate, purchase - and simply snuff out the voice of the Kashmiri people. It has used money (lots of it), violence (lots of it), disinformation, propaganda, torture, elaborate networks of collaborators and informers, terror, imprisonment, blackmail and rigged elections, to subdue what democrats would call 'the will of the people'." The situation since then has hardly changed and the people of Kashmir, even today, are forced to play the game of violence. The continuous unrest in Kashmir over the dispute on local autonomy compels everyone including the democrats, anti-nationals and the 'super-nationalists' to think about what could bring peace to the people of Kashmir. Had Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir in 1947, acted differently, could the situation prevailing since 1947 have spared those innocent lives? The context hardly requires raising questions over the legitimacy of Hari Singh's decision, but it consistently rattles the senses of the common man regarding what could have been a reasonable step, if not the one taken by Hari Singh? And what if this dispute persists for some more decades? The valley would certainly come to be called as arsenal (of weaponry). Therefore, let's pray and rejuvenate the demised hope of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' before the valley perishes. Courtesy: youthkiawaaz
was the first country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent nation. "This memorial park has long been a cherished demand of the people of Tripura as they were actively involved in the 1971 war. They provided all-out support to the freedom fighters and also sheltered around 16 lakh people,"
said Jitendra Chaudhary, former state Forest Minister and a current Member of Parliament. He felt, "The park and the memorial would help future generations know the history of liberation of Bangladesh and the bond between the people of two friendly neighbours and of how they helped each other to gain independence." Chaudhary, a student in 1972, recalled seeing the displaced Bangladeshis in Tripura and their never say die spirit then. He said, "We discussed having a memorial on the war several years ago with the then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Though he appreciated the initiative, we did not get any funds from the then Central Government for the park." Sudhan Das, a legislator in the state assembly since 2003, was among the first to conceive the idea. Das told this correspondent, "We first thought of a memorial at Chottakhola during the Vijay Diwas on December 16, 2009. Subsequently, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar discussed the matter with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when he went to Dhaka in March 2010. Then the project was undertaken in a big way." The foundation stone of the park was laid in November 2010 by the then Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni. Sarkar, who played a significant role during the Bangladesh Lib-
eration War, was invited by the Hasina Government to attend the Independence and National Day celebrations in Dhaka in 2010 as a special guest. Das said, "Though we sent a Rs. 12-crore project to the Union Government for the park, the Centre did not respond. The Tripura government has already spent around Rs. four crore to develop the park." According to him, the park would be ready for visitors in another three months. Well known artists from both Tripura and Bangladesh, he said, are a part of the project who will add their creations -- from statues to paintings - to the park. He named Prof Mesbah Kamal of Dhaka University, artist Hashem Khan, architect Mobassher Hossain, and Prof Muntashir Mamun as technical advisers to the Tripura Government on the project. During a recent visit to Tripura, Bangladesh Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque thanked the State Government for constructing the park and the museum. "We are grateful to the Indian soldiers who fought for liberation of our country and sacrificed their lives. Our government has decided to organise events in eight places across India to honour them," the minister said. Tripura shares 856-km border with Bangladesh, which constitutes 85 percent of total border of the State. Courtesy: Nezine
How Farmers From This Village In Bihar Are Making Sure That You Eat Healthy
Agriculture is essential and an indispensable part of nature. (Photo: krisbih.nichi) 'eco-ag' model and where food is grown. After Manjari Sharma unique support it. spending a few days in Kedia, like every farm Kedia, I realised the farmers community in India, was don't see that distance at all. You and I, in our daily earlier plagued with the use In fact, they wonderfully lives, have often heard of toxic pesticides. Two spoke about how providing about India's agricultural years ago the village de- safe food to people is their crisis. There's no denying cided to break the chain of responsibility. Our health that agriculture is essential chemical abuse in farming. depends on how our food and an indispensable part Today, Kedia has managed is grown, and farmers in of nature. It provides us with to ace it. It's incredible the Kedia are growing fresh, food, churns the soil and amount of perseverance, chemical-free and healthy safeguards species of passion and joy with which food for us every day. plants, animals and micro- the farmers are adopting Wouldn't it be amazing if this model is adopted across organisms. But it is an un- new eco-practices. The farmers there have India? fortunate reality that the problems our farmers have completely stopped using Our farmers need people been facing in the last few pesticides. Instead, they are decades often get lost in the using homemade ecological like you and me to hold their pest management solutions hands and support them in din. I have read a great deal by making concoctions us- this journey to make agriculabout ecological farming ing cattle dung, cow urine tural practices in India susand, recently, I got the op- and various plant extracts. tainable and safe. My expeportunity to visit These ecological practices rience in Kedia was more Greenpeace India's eco- have zero negative impact than trail walks, and discovfarming model village Kedia on the environment, and ering new friendships with in the Jamui district of Bihar. have helped biodiversity people and animals alike. Living a fast-paced flus- return to this village. One Kedia told me a really importered city life, it was time to can find sparrows and king- tant story, of hope and conslow down and experience fishers flying about the viction. If you hear it too, fresh line of trees being then support Kedia and proall that Kedia had to offer. tect #OurFoodOurFuture. I promptly boarded the planted by villagers. Almost all the families Greenpeace India is runearly morning Patna-Jamui have a ning a crowdfunded project express and instantly fell now asleep. Two and a half hours vermicomposting unit and to provide Kedia with a solater, I woke up to a whole biogas plant. The idea of lar-powered cold storage new world and perspective. ecological sanitation is al- unit and water harvesting Scintillating colours of the ready established with one structures to overcome the occurring corn field under the sun- working model of eco-san frequently light, the sound of birds (ecological sanitation) toi- droughts. This is an opporchirping and children climb- let. Their courage to partici- tunity for you to make that ing branches of a big mango pate in this ecological ex- one contribution to this tree - the village Kedia is one periment, putting their live- movement and watch it go of a kind. The positivity I lihood at stake is commend- a long, long way. By supporting and contributing to felt in the air was beyond able. Agriculture and my three such sustainable agriculimagination. I can incessantly go on but what is square meals always felt far tural solutions, you and I are more important to under- apart, maybe because of the ensuring healthy and safe stand is why every Indian physical distance between food for all. Courtesy: needs to know about this my kitchen and the farm youthkiawaaz
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
BUSINESS
25% declination on ICICI Bank Q1 net Mumbai, Jul 31: ICICI Bank, the largest private sector bank in the country, reported a 25 per cent drop in its net profit for the quarter ended June 30,2016, to Rs.2,232 crore, due to an almost three-fold rise in provisioning for bad loans. The bank has made a provisioning of Rs.2,515 crore during the quarter as compared to Rs.955 crore during the same period of the previous year on the back Rs.8,249 crore slippages in the nonperforming category. In April, the lender had declared loans worth Rs.44,000 crore as sub-investment grade and indicated a part of it could slip into non-performing assets. In the first quarter, more than Rs.4,500 crore has slipped from that watch list, while there was a rating upgrade of Rs.419 crore. "The list now stands at Rs.38,723 crore," said Chanda Kochhar, Managing Direc-
BAD DAYS Ø ICICI Bank, the largest Rs.44,000 crore as sub-in- asset reconstruction comprivate sector bank in the country, reported a 25 per cent drop in its net profit for the quarter ended June 30,2016, to Rs.2,232 crore, due to an almost three-fold rise in provisioning for bad loans.
ØThe bank has made a provisioning of Rs.2,515 crore during the quarter as compared to Rs.955 crore during the same period of the previous year on the back Rs.8,249 crore slippages in the non-performing category.
vestment grade and indicated a part of it could slip into non-performing assets.
panies, which it will provide for in four quarters starting from April-June.
ØIn the first quarter, more ØFor this quarter, the prothan Rs.4,500 crore has slipped from that watch list, while there was a rating upgrade of Rs.419 crore.
Ø The gross NPA, as on
June 30, was Rs.15,308 crore, which was 5.9 per cent of the gross loan, as compared to Rs.6,333.10 crore or 3.9 per cent, a year ago. Gross NPA was 5.82 per cent as on March 31.
vision was Rs.132 crore. The provision coverage ratio of the bank slipped to 57 per cent in June, as compared to 69 per cent a year ago.
Ø While the bank's do-
worth
crore of bad loans to the
mestic book saw a 17 per cent increase year-onyear, mainly due to 22 per cent growth in retail advances, its net interest income grew marginally to Rs.5,159 crore due to loans that have slipped to NPA.
tor and Chief Executive Officer, ICICI Bank. The gross NPA, as on June 30, was
Rs.15,308 crore, which was 5.9 per cent of the gross loan, as compared to
Rs.6,333.10 crore or 3.9 per cent, a year ago. Gross NPA was 5.82 per cent as on
total income of Rs.254 crore for the first quarter of the current fiscal against Rs.234 crore, marking an increase
of nine per cent. Earnings before interest, depreciation, taxation and amortization (EBIDTA) improved by 11 per cent year-on-year basis at Rs.62 crore. The company's profit after tax stood at Rs.30 crore, which was 20 per cent more than the corresponding year-ago period. Talking to reporters, MHRIL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kavinder Singh said they are putting up two green field resorts and expand two existing ones over the next two to three years at a cost of Rs.550 crore to Rs.600 crore. (Agencies)
ØIn April, the lender had ØThe bank sold Rs.2,232 declared
loans
March 31. The bank sold Rs.2,232 crore of bad loans to the asset reconstruction companies, which it will provide for in four quarters starting from April-June. For this quarter, the provision was Rs.132 crore. The provision coverage ratio of the bank slipped to 57 per cent in June, as compared to 69 per cent a year ago. While the bank's domestic book saw a 17 per cent increase year-on-year, mainly due to 22 per cent growth in retail advances, its net interest income grew marginally to Rs.5,159 crore due to loans that have slipped to NPA, she said. As a result, the net interest margin declined to 3.16 per cent in Q1 as compared to 3.37 per cent in the previous quarter. Ms. Kochhar said margins would continue to be under pressure. Total advances were at Rs.4.49 lakh crore as of June end, of which 46 per cent were retail loans. (Agencies)
PAGE 10
4.6 per cent contraction in Tata Group's revenue
Bhubanewswar, Jul 31: Tata Group, which gets 69 per cent of its sales from international perations, saw its FY16 revenue decline 4.6 per cent in dollar terms to $103 billion from $108 billion a year earlier due to global political uncertainty, a steep reduction in commodity prices, and currency volatility. In rupee terms, the revenue grew two per cent to Rs.672,408 crore from Rs.658,432 crore in the previous year. Cyrus Mistry told Tata Group senior leadership at an annual group leadership conference (AGLC): "Sixteen companies in the group registered a turnover of over $500 million, with 10 of these registering a turnover of over $1 billion. International revenues at around $70 billion constituted 69 per cent of the group's revenue." The group invested around $9 billion worldwide during the year, contributing to a $28 billion capital spend over the last three years. "This substan-
A file photo of Cyrus Mistry. (Photo: s4.firstpost) tial capital investment programme has delivered a number of growth-oriented projects, including the Tata group's largest greenfield infrastructure project, the new steel plant at Kalinganagar in the Indian state of Odisha, which commenced commercial production on May 25, 2016," said Mistry. The group closed financial year ended March 2016 with a
market capitalisation of its 29 listed companies at Rs.771,191 crore ($116 billion). This reflected a decline in market capitalisation compared to the previous year of 7.4 per cent, as compared with a decline in the BSE Sensex of 9.4 per cent. The AGLC is held to commemorate the birthday of former Tata Sons Chairman, J.R.D. Tata. (Agencies)
9 per cent rise in Mahindra 21% stake picked Demand notices on telcos for Rs.12,400 cr. loss to be Holiday's total income in Fino PayTech smacked by Centre by BPCL
Pune, Jul 31: Leisure holiday provider Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd., (MHRIL) has posted
Prices rise witness by gold, silver witnesses loss Chennai, Jul 31: Gold prices spurted to Rs 31,340 per 10 grams, a 29-month high, by surging Rs 540 in the bullion market tracking a firm trend overseas amid increased buying by jewellers at the domestic spot market. Silver ready took losses forward on easing demand from coin makers and lost another Rs 220 to Rs 47,080 per kg, while silver week-based delivery recovered by Rs 680 to Rs 47,480 on speculative buying. Bullion traders said sentiment bolstered after gold gained overseas as the dol-
lar weakened and the US economy grew less than expected in the second quarter, boosting demand for safe-haven assets. Globally, gold rose 1.2 per cent to USD 1,357.50 an ounce in New York yesterday. Prices have climbed 2.8 per cent this month. Besides, persistent buying by jewellers following pick up in demand for ornaments at domestic spot market, supported the upside, they said. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity soared
Rs 540 each to Rs 31,340 and Rs 31,190 per 10 grams, respectively, a level last seen on February 26, 2014, when it had stood at Rs 31,530. Sovereign, also shot up by Rs 300 to Rs 24,300 per piece of eight grams. On the other hand, silver ready fell further by Rs 220 to Rs 47,080 per kg, while weeklybased delivery surged by Rs 680 to Rs 47,480 on speculative buying. Silver coins, however, continued to be traded at the previous level of Rs 76,000 for buying and Rs 77,000 for selling of 100 pieces. (Agencies)
Dehradun, Jul 31: Oil marketing firm BPCL has decided to pick up 21 per cent stake in Fino Paytech - an entity which had received a licence to start a payments bank - for Rs.251 crore. The transaction, which is an allcash one, is expected to be completed by December 31, 2016, BPCL informed the stock exchanges. These two companies have entered into a strategic business and investment partnership by which a customer of BPCL would be able to transact through FINO's payment solutions. "BPCL is in the process of rolling out various customer service initiatives in its core retail fuels business using the emerging technology solutions. This investment
Strong revenue on video market posted by Alphabet Washington, Jul 31: Alphabet Inc, Google's parent, revealed that efforts to push its vast advertising business toward mobile is paying off as second quarter earnings handily beat Wall Street's expectations. The results put to rest lingering concerns about how the rise of mobile might impact Google, which has a strong mobile presence with its Android smartphone operating system but has long relied on desktop search traffic to power its profits. Advertisers typically pay less for user clicks on mobile ads than on desktop ads, Google's traditional strength, but the strong earnings performance suggests that is beginning to change, said Colin Gillis, an analyst with BGC Partners. "They're doing an excellent job of pulling the mobile landscape through to being more efficient," Gillis said.
Alphabet said revenue grew by 21.3 per cent to $21.5 billion, while earnings jumped to $4.88 billion from $3.93 billion for the comparable period a year ago. Robust gains in the red-hot video market also drove the company's growth, Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai said during a call with investors. Over the past year, Google, Facebook and Twitter have all doubled down on video, a format where advertisers are willing to pay a premium for a few seconds of users' undivided attention. Google has used artificial intelligence to improve video recommendations to users, driving more engagement on the site, Pichai said. "Video is a huge component of digital content, and YouTube continues to shine," he said. "It's a thriving home for creators." Google and other tech play-
users, including more 18-34 and 18-49 year-olds than any U.S. cable network. Google faced heightened pressure to deliver after Facebook, its chief competitor in mobile advertising, reported a 63 percent increase in total advertising revenue on Wednesday, sending its shares to an alltime high.
ers are hoping to siphon advertising dollars from traditional television, where advertisers will spend a projected $70.6 billion in the U.S. this year, according to market research firm eMarketer. YouTube is in a prime position to strike, with an audience of more than 1 billion
The rivalry between the companies has intensified as advertisers shift more of their budgets toward mobile. But Google's healthy performance shows there is room for both to thrive in the burgeoning market, said Bob O'Donnell of TECHnalysis Research. "The back-to-back, stellar earnings by both Google and Facebook highlight the continued growth of online advertising and its impact on more traditional media," he said. (Agencies)
provides an excellent base for supporting and strengthening these initiatives," the oil marketing firm said. Some of the other shareholders of Fino Paytech are private equity form Blackstone and ICICI Bank. "The extensive reach of BPCL distribution allows FINO Payments Bank to substantially improve its reach, especially in rural India," it said in a statement. "BPCL will be able to offer a variety of payments bank products to its customers and partners," Rishi Gupta, CEO& MD, FINO PayTech said. In the last two months, three applicants for payments banks dropped their plans after being given the licence. (Agencies)
New Delhi, Jul 31: The Centre is in the process of serving demand notices to telecom companies based on the CAG report alleging a loss of more than Rs.12,400 crore to the exchequer due to under-reporting of revenue, Parliament was informed. The CAG report, tabled in Parliament in March, had indicated that six telecom operators, including Airtel, Idea and Vodafone, under-reported revenue by Rs.46,045.75 crore. It had a corresponding impact of Rs.3,752.37 crore on licence fee (LF) and Rs.1,460.23 crore on spectrum usage charge (SUC) paid to the government. The interest on this short/non-payment of LF and SUC, the CAG said, worked out to Rs.7,276.33 crore. The audit was for the four-year period from 200607 to 2009-10. "The demands on the basis of CAG report are being issued taking into account license agreement and pronouncements of judicial foray," Minister for Communications Manoj Sinha said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. In a separate reply, the minister said the demands are being raised after recalculation, taking into account the CAG report, previous demands, and terms and conditions of the licence agreement. DoT has collected an amount of
U.S. Q2 GDP growth restricted to 1.2 per cent by Inventory drop New York, Jul 31: U.S. economic growth unexpectedly remained tepid in the second quarter as inventories fell for the first time in nearly five years and business investment weakened further, offsetting robust consumer spending. Gross domestic product increased at a 1.2 per cent annual rate after rising by a downwardly revised 0.8 percent pace in the first quarter, the Commerce Department said on Friday. In addition, the GDP growth estimate for the fourth quarter was cut by five-tenths of a percentage point to a 0.9 percent rate. The three straight quarters of growth rates around 1 percent suggest a significant loss of momentum that puts the economy at the risk of stalling, but economists expect an acceleration in the second half against the backdrop of strong con-
sumption. Though the inventory drawdown weighed on GDP growth, that is likely to provide a boost to output in the coming quarters as businesses order merchandise to restock depleted warehouses. "The U.S. economy just went through a meaningful inventory correction cycle," said Harm Bandholz, Chief U.S. Economist at UniCredit Research in New York. "In the past, those developments have even led to recessions, but given that potential growth is slower these days and that other headwinds occurred at the same time, one may actually be tempted to highlight the economy's resilience." Excluding inventories, GDP growth rose at a 2.4 percent rate and domestic demand increased at a 2.7 per cent pace. (Agencies)
Rs.1,40,281 crore as LF and Rs.47,374 crore as SUC since 1999-00 up till March 31, 2016. In addition, the department had issued demands for Rs.22,233.61 crore for LF and Rs.5,353.88 crore for SUC as on March 31, 2016. Asked whether the government was not satisfied with the audit by CAG and had directed to get the audit done by other institution, Mr. Sinha replied that CAG and Department of Telecom have the independent powers to audit the telecom companies and both the audits were independent of each other. "CAG conduct the audit of
licensees under Comptroller and Auditor General (duties; powers and conditions of service) Act 1971. Department of Telecom has the powers to conduct an audit and/or special audit as per the clause 22.5 and 22.6 of the Unified Access Service Licence or equivalent clauses in other licences," he said. The Department had conducted a special audit in 2009, after which demands of Rs.1,847 crore and Rs.1,118.54 crore as LF and SUC were raised against five telecom companies. However, these demands are subjudice, the Minister said. (Agencies)
Rs.100 crore to be invested by ITC's packaging business Bengaluru, Jul 31: ITC's Packaging and Printing Business will invest Rs.100 crore to expand its existing product lines at its plant in Tiruvottiyur, according to a top official. "The proposed investment is being made in new product lines of ITC's Tiruvottiyur Plant, Chennai, to cater to the growing packaging volumes in various Fast Moving Consumer Goods segment," R. Senguttuvan, Chief Executive Officer of ITC Packaging and Printing Business said in an interview. The investments which will be made during the current financial year including in the rigid box line and the flexo-
printed fluted carton. Rigid box line will provide superior packaging solutions to mobile phone devices and explore opportunities in products such as liquor and chocolates. The flexo printed fluted carton line will meet the packaging needs for a range of products in the pizza, fruits, shoes and consumer durables market with more protection, value and enhanced appeal. The flexibles segment will gain with the addition of a specialty pouching line for new structures, formats and features in liquid packaging, ready-to-eat and other niche products. (Agencies)
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
Features
PAGE 11
ENVIRONMENT
Biologists home in on paleo gut for clues to our evolutionary history For all the anxiety today about the bacteria in our gut being under constant assault by antibiotics, stress and bad diets, it turns out that a lot of the bacteria in our intestines have been with us for at least 15 million years, since we were pre-human apes. A new comparison of the gut microbiomes of humans, chimps (our closest ancestor), bonobos and gorillas shows that the evolution of two of the major families of bacteria in these apes' guts exactly parallels the evolution of their hosts. This shows that the microbes in our guts are determined in part by our evolutionary history, not just external factors like diet, medicine and geography. Obesity, cancer and some inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes and Crohn's disease, have been linked to imbalances in the mix of microbes in our stomach and intestines. "We are showing that some human gut bacteria are the direct descendants of gut bacteria that lived within our common ancestors with apes," said lead researcher Andrew Moeller, a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow in UC Berkeley's Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. "It shows there has been an unbroken line of inheritance or trans-
fer from one generation to another for millions of years, since the dawn of African apes." Moeller is beginning to assemble a snapshot of the microbes in the guts of our ancient ape ancestor -- in essence, a paleo gut that fit our paleo diet -- and hopes to go even further back in time if, as seems likely, all mammals have evolved their unique microbiota from a common ancestral population in the distant past. "We now have samples from all the major groups of mammals, and we're working on tracing the evolution of the microbiome all the way back to when we were tiny carnivorous creatures 100 million years ago," he said. Moeller and his African and American colleagues, including corresponding author Howard Ochman at the University of Texas at Austin, will publish their findings in the July 22 issue of Science. "It's surprising that our gut microbes, which we could get from many sources in the environment, have actually been co-evolving inside us for such a long time," said Ochman, who noted that the microbes were passed down over hundreds of thousands of host genera-
A bonobo, formerly called a pygmy chimpanzee, is eating fruit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bonobos, chimps, gorillas and humans have all evolved their own gut microbes based on an ancestral gut flora in our most recent common ancestor. Photo: sciencedaily
tions. Microbes are us The importance of the human microbiome -- the microbes that live on our skin, in our bodily orifices and in our intestines -- has become evident over the past decade as scientists have sequenced the microbial populations from healthy and unhealthy people, from newborns to seniors, and of peoples
around the world. There are about as many microbial cells in our body as our own cells, and they appear to be transmitted from mother to child during birth and continually altered by the home environment, type of diet, medications and even the family pet. Gut bacteria, in particular, guide the early development of our intestines, train our immune sys-
tems to fight pathogens and may even affect our moods and behavior. "We know that gut bacteria are really integrated with our biology, and this reseach gives us a framework for investigating how that has come to be," Moeller said. Most researchers studying
the gut microbiota of humans or animals have identified the specific microbes present based on a distinctive bit of DNA that codes for a piece of RNA in the bacterial ribosome, which manufactures proteins. This piece of DNA, called the 16S subunit of ribosomal RNA, does not change quickly over time, however, so it gives a very coarse timeline for the evolution of bacteria. Its slow rate of change does not allow researchers to determine which individual bacterial strains -- different variants of the same species -- are present, only the genus and sometimes species. Moeller and his colleagues decided, instead, to look at a more rapidly evolving gene that varies even in different strains of bacteria, allowing them to identify individual bacterial strains. The gene, called gyrase B, codes for a variable subunit of the DNA gyrase protein, which helps DNA coil and uncoil. He and his colleagues obtained feces from 24 gorillas living in Cameroon, 47 chimpanzees from Gombe National Park in Tanzania, 24 wild bonobos from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 16 people from Connecticut. They isolated
bacterial DNA from these samples, amplified the DNA of the gyrase B genes present and catalogued the variations within three major bacterial families to create a microbiome family tree for three families of bacteria -- Bacteroidaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae -- that together comprise about 20 percent of all the microbes in the human gut, including both bacteria and their cousins, the Archaea. Only bacteria in the Bacteroidaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae families showed cospeciation with their ape hosts, with gut microbial diversity lowest in humans and highest in gorillas. "Once we calibrated the molecular clock, we were able to date the split of human and chimp bacteria at around 5.3 million years ago, and the human-gorilla gut bacteria split at around 15.6 million years ago, which are roughly in line with what we know from fossil and genomic data of the hosts," Moeller said. "It is one more line of evidence that gut bacteria have cospeciated with humans." "In a way, host speciation is like continental drift: When two continents drift apart, whole biotas begin to diverge," Moeller said. "Here,
as the hosts are splitting, a good chunk of their microbiota is also splitting and diversifying." The third bacterial family tree, the Lachnospiraceae, was more complicated. There were apparently at least four times when these bacteria were transferred between different host species. The researchers speculate that because these bacteria form spores and can thus survive outside their hosts for long periods, they were easily passed between species. "We have shown that the microbiome is a composite of microbial lineages, some that have cospeciated with us, and some that have been passed around from one host species to another," he said. They also looked at the microbial metagenomes of Africans from Malawi, and saw distinct differences between the African and the U.S. human microbiota, with some lineages seeminly lost by Americans. "It will be interesting in the future to do a full study of human populations using this strain-level method to see whether we can use bacteria to reconstruct the history of human migrations," he said. Courtesy: sciencedaily
Disappearing Majuli, India's Tropical forests overexploited first river island district by unsustainable logging sive erosion. The government has made several efforts to control erosion by raising embankments and installing geo-bags and porcupines. But these measures have not proven as effective as expected. Locals also claim that the embankments have made erosion worse as they impede the flow of the river. "Today, flood has become a curse. Instead of the fertile silt, now the flood brings sand that destroys the soil. Whatever efforts the Brahmaputra Board has made in Majuli, those have led to more erosion, instead of controlling it," says Jamini Payeng, an awardwinning handicraft artist and activist from Majuli, in an interview to India Water Portal. : Majuli has suffered extensive erosion since the 1960s Photo: downtoearth In its first Cabinet meeting after being elected to power a month ago, the BJP-led government in Assam has declared Majuli as India's first river island district. Formerly a sub-division of Jorhat district in Upper Assam, Majuli is the state's 35th district. The priority accorded to Majuli is understandable. Assam's chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, was elected as MLA from Majuli in the state assembly elections. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally for the BJP and Sonowal in Majuli in the run up to the polls. Today, the island is home to 22 Vaishnava Satras or monasteries and serves as the seat of Assamese Vashnavite culture. It is also vying for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its cultural and natural heritage. The island was formed
over a period of time due to frequent major earthquakes, causing the Brahmaputra to change course, as well as high floods, both common phenomena in Assam. Annual flooding carried silt from the upper reaches, making the land fertile and creating marshes on the island. Majuli is also a biodiversity hotspot, with more than 260 species of birds, both resident and migratory, being recorded on the island and in its surrounding waterbodies. But Majuli is a fast-disappearing island. Once the largest mid-river deltaic island in the world, with an area of 1,256 sq km, it has now shrunk to less than half its size, to 515 sq km. Regular floods in the Brahmaputra inundate the island and cause erosion, washing away villages and displacing residents. The rate of erosion is so severe that it is likely to submerge
the island in the next 15-20 years, according to Majuli Island Protection & Development Council, a nonprofit. A study published in open access e-Journal Earth Science India in 2010 states that Majuli has suffered extensive erosion from 1966 to 2008. The mean annual rate of erosion over the four decades was 8.76 km2/year. But the intensity of erosion from 1998-2008 was much higher than that of the period from 1966-1975 to 1998 due to the shifting of the bankline of the Brahmaputra towards the north. This indicates that the threat to the existence of the island has increased in recent years. According to an article on India Water Portal, a website on water-related issues, around 67 revenue villages of Majuli have been washed away due to mas-
What's in store for Majuli? One of Sonowal's poll promises was to build a bridge connecting the island to Jorhat if he became chief minister. Presently, the island can be accessed only by ferry and the construction of a bridge has been a long-standing demand of its residents. Sonowal had also promised to preserve and promote Majuli's cultural wealth. But preserving the island itself will also be a priority for the government. During his speech in Majuli, Prime Minister Modi had blamed the previous state governments for their failure to contain the erosion of the island. The Sonowal-led government will now be expected to find new ways to protect Majuli from being lost to the floods in the Brahmaputra. Courtesy: downtoearth
Widely hailed as a renewable natural resource, tropical timber from old-growth tropical forests is selectively logged worldwide at an unprecedented scale. But research from the University of East Anglia reveals that these sources of timber are far from sustainable or entirely environmentally friendly. A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that once prime tropical hardwoods -- such as Brazilian cedars, ipe (Brazilian walnut), and rosewood -- have been logged, they do not grow back to commercial levels and are at risk from disappearing altogether. Lead author Dr Vanessa Richardson, from UEA's School of Environmental Sciences, said: "Slow growing and commercially valuable species of all kinds have been overexploited over the course of human history -- just look at the whaling industry or fisheries. "Yet many tropical timber species are still thought of as a renewable resource. We are only beginning to see over-exploitation parallels in tree species. "Our research shows that many high-value timber species are logged until their populations collapse altogether." The research team studied 824 forest sites scattered throughout the 124 million hectare Brazilian state of Parรก. They analysed data from legal logging operations that harvested approximately 17.3 million cubic meters of timber across 314 tree spe-
Deforestation environmental damage destruction of rainforest Photo: sciencedaily cies in the state of Parรก. Timber harvests in Parรก equate to almost half of all native forest roundlog production in Brazilian Amazonia -- the largest oldgrowth tropical timber reserve controlled by any country. Brazil accounts for 85 per cent of all native neotropical forest roundlog production. They found that loggers can no longer depend on areas where high-value species were formerly abundant, to fetch high economic returns. This means that logging operations are continuously forced to extract timber trees from new areas of unlogged primary forests. Prof Carlos Peres, an author on the study from UEA's School of Environmental Sciences, said: "Our analysis shows that even socalled 'reduced-impact logging' in tropical forests can rarely be defined as sustain-
able in terms of forest composition and dynamics in the aftermath of logging -never mind the greater susceptibility of logged forests to catastrophic fires.
ging operations, which are furthest away from heavytraffic roads, are the most selective, concentrating gross revenues on a few high-value species.
"Environmental licensing and market certification of logging concessions need to take this into account, and review minimum preconditions in terms of volumetric quotas of roundlogs harvested per species and regeneration standards over multi-decade logging cycles."
" Managing yields of selectively-logged forests is crucial for the longterm integrity of forest biodiversity and financial viability of local industries.
Key findings: " After selective logging, there is no evidence that the composition of timber species and total forest value recovers beyond the first-cut. This suggests that the most commercially-valuable timber species become predictably rare or economically extinct in old logging frontiers. "
Only recent log-
Dr Richardson added: "Previous studies in Asian markets suggest that current commercial agreements could lead to 'peak timber' and then widespread economic extinctions across other tropical regions. "Our study adds a Neotropical body of evidence to support this. We can already see a market shift, in which loggers in old depleted logging Amazonian frontiers are forced to depend on fast growing, softwood timber species." Courtesy: sciencedaily
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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 1
PAGE 12
Independence Cup Football Tournament 2016 Miao
'Unfinished business' at Leicester City the reason behind Arsenal snub: Jamie Vardy The 29-year-old scored 24 league goals to help Leicester win the title last season New Delhi, July 31: Rejecting a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal was an easy decision for Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy because he has "unfinished business" with the champions.
Indrajit Tingwa Miao, July 31 : Two matches, first the last of first round and the second the first match of second round were played out today. In the first match, Songking A (United Songking FC) beat Nongtham FC 2-0. In the first half Songking was successful in netting a goal in a penalty kick. In the next half too they made good use of a free kick in their favour with the scorer beautifully sliding the ball dodging the five men wall. Both the goals were scored by Enok Lungphi. Nongtham FC, inspite of desperate at-
tempts could not score any goals. In the second match,which is also the start of the second round,UMFC dominated the entire match beating Tikhak FC scoring 7 goals to 1. UMFC turned both their penalties into goals during the start of the first half. The result till the end of first half was 3 goals in UMFC's kitty while Tikhak FC could not open their account. All the 3 goals of the first half in UMFC's favour were a hatrick by Vivek Gurung (Jersey No.18). In the sec-
ond half too Vivek scored a hatrick taking his and the team's total to 6 goals. The Tikhak FC got their solitary goal when the goalkeeper of UMFC failed to stop a bouncing stray ball. In the last part of the match,UMFC scored their seventh goal. Thus UMFC knocked out Tikhak FC for 7-1. 2 yellow cards were given to the Tikhak FC players.
Claudio Ranieri`s men, who lost 4-0 to Paris St Germain in the International Champions Cup in Los Angeles on Saturday, start their title defence with a trip to promoted Hull City on Aug. 13.(Reuters)
Paul Pogba to make Manchester United even more interesting: Zlatan Ibrahimovic pletes his much discussed move to the English Premier League club and that his arrival will make the club "even more interesting".
Songking B faces Civil Power FC (Single match from tomorrow)
Ravichandran Ashwin ?grabbed 5 for 52 in 16 overs against West Indies on first day of the second cricket Test. starting to attack, was fooled by Ashwin's flight lobbing a simple catch to KL Rahul short-leg. Six overs later, Shane Dowrich (5) edged one behind from the toe-end of his bat, the batsman in half mind whether to leave or play at the ball. At the other end, Shami got rid of Chase, and he should have had Devendra Bishoo's scalp too. But the batsman was twice given not out off successive deliveries in the 39th over, even though he seemed to have edged behind off both. He was on 2 then, and added 10 runs to his individual score, before Ashwin trapped him into playing a sweep shot that leapt up in the air and was safely pouched by Shikhar Dhawan at short fine leg in the 44th over. The off-spinner celebrated his second successive five-wicket haul in the series two overs later then, as Jason Holder (13) was out caught bat-pad at forward short leg. At the stroke of tea then, Amit Mishra (1-38) wrapped up the West Indies' innings, but not before Miguel Cummins (24 not out) and Shannon Gabriel (15) threw their bats around to add 38 runs for the last wicket. Earlier, Blackwood scored an attacking half-century and put on 81 runs Samuels for the 5th wicket as the two local boys rescued their team from a precarious position of 7/3. This was after West Indies won the toss on a damp pitch and elected to bat. They made one change to their line-up, bringing in debutant Miguel Cummins in place of Carlos Brathwaite, while India were forced to make a change as well. KL Rahul came into the side in place of the injured Murali Vijay. Ishant and Shami then started proceedings for India, and the two bowlers were right on the money from the word go. The former in particular was impressive with his line and length, a marked improvement from the Antigua Test, as he pitched the ball further up and got it to move about. He also used the bounce on offer, and the rewards came quickly. Kraigg Brathwaite (1) was unable to fend off a short
"It`s not been put out there that I have always said the boys, the close-knit broth-
"I feel that the club is only going one way and that is forward, that`s why I want to be a part of it. It wasn`t that big (the decision) when I think about it. It was quite easy and this is where I want to be."
Tomorrow's match..
2nd Test, Day 1: Ashwin's five-for, Lokesh ?Rahul's 75 enables India to seize initiative against West Indies Kingston, July 31: Ravichandran Ashwin continued to bamboozle the West Indies batsmen with another five-wicket haul while Lokesh Rahul scored an unbeaten halfcentury as India took firm control on the first day of the second cricket Test, here on Saturday. Ashwin grabbed 5 for 52 in 16 overs en route his 18th fivewicket haul in longer format as West Indies were all-out for 196 in 52.3 overs. The off-spinner took centrestage after initial breakthroughs from Ishant Sharma (2/53 in 10 overs) and Mohammed Shami (2/23) as rival skipper Jason Holder had decided to make first use of a lively pitch. The visitors then further consolidated their position by reaching 126 for 1 as they are now only 70 runs short of the West Indies first innings score. Opener Rahul (75 batting) coming in place of an injured Murli Vijay made full use of the opportunity as he not only looked compact but also scored runs at a fair clip. Rahul's innings had 10 boundaries in 114 balls as he added 87 runs for the first wicket with a subdued Shikhar Dhawan (27, 52 balls, 5x4). Giving company was Cheteshwar Pujara batting on (18 batting). Earlier, in the West Indies innings it was Jermaine Blackwood, who showed some counter-attacking instincts with a run-a-ball 62 that had seven fours and four sixes. Along with Marlon Samuels (37, 88 balls), Blackwood added 81 runs for the fourth wicket after the Caribbeans were reeling at 7 for 3 with Ishant and Shami polishing off the top-order. However Ashwin held sway in the second session where West Indies lost six wickets for 108 runs to get all-out for a score of less than 200 runs. Ashwin now has 188 victims in 34 matches. He also has the disticntion of four five-wicket hauls in successive matches. He is only the third Indian spinner to do so after Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and Anil Kumble. The slide in the post-tea session began when Samuels
The 29-year-old, who scored 24 league goals to help Leicester win the title last season, spurned the advances of Arsenal, after the north London club had triggered a release clause in his contract, in favour of extending his stay with the Foxes.
erhood, is unbelievable and for me, there`s a lot of unfinished business here," Vardy told Sky
delivery in the 3rd over, lobbing an easy catch to Cheteshwar Pujara at forward short leg. Off the very next ball, Darren Bravo (0) was forced to fend an incoming delivery and skipper Virat Kohli completed a brilliant diving catch at second slip. Three overs later, Shami got Rajendra Chandrika (5) to drive, only to find KL Rahul at gully as West Indies were struggling within the first 30 minutes of play. Blackwood then joined Samuels in the middle, and suddenly there was a momentum shift as the former brought out his attacking shots. It was in the 11th over that things stepped into high gear, as he smacked Ishant for 14 runs, the last boundary a streaky four that Mishra missed at backward point. He was batting on 23 then. Spin was introduced in the 12th over as Ashwin came on, but Blackwood went after him as well, smacking 10 runs off his second over. Samuels continuously egged him on at the other end. He played some attacking shots as well, including a cut six off Umesh Yadav (0-30), though he was tight enough in his defence too. It seemed as there was a continuous barrage of sixes, five of them coming in this first session of play, four from Blackwood alone as West Indies raced past the 50-mark in the 16th over despite their poor start. Their 50-partnership had come off just 75 balls, and in doing so Blackwood reached his 7th Test fifty off only 47 balls. India didn't seem to have any answers to this assault, and both spinners had been introduced within 17 overs, with Mishra coming on to bowl as well. There were some interesting shouts against Blackwood, who lived dangerously. And just when it seemed that West Indies had managed to sneak into the lunch break without any further loss, Ashwin trapped Blackwood LBW to bring an end to his hectic stay at the crease. (PTI)
Gothenburg (Sweden), July 31: Newly-signed Manchester United star
striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is hoping that Paul Pogba com-
He said sports cannot be evaluated in loss or win,
adding that the players fight for the pride of the nation, which is the biggest challenge. "Every player has worked hard to get here. They will surely give their best. This time it is 119.let`s make this resolution to make it more than 200 the next time," he added.Prime Minister Modi asserted that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre in the last two years has so far focused tremendously on sports. "This time we are sending the contingent in advance, so that players are familiar with local conditions. Earlier they got only few days. Two years ago itself, we
The three-time Macau Open winner will be participating in her maiden Olympics.
The French midfielder scored his first United goal just four minutes into his debut in Saturday`s 5-2 friendly win over Galatasaray here. Reports say that the Red Devils are set to seal a 100 million pound deal for Pogba, with the ongoing transfer saga expected to come to an end in the near future.
PM Narendra Modi optimistic of Indian athletes' performance at Rio Olympics New Delhi, July 31: Expressing optimism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Indian athletes would win the hearts of the world and would show it what India is about. "Our athletes will win hearts of the world and will show the world what India is about, I am sure about it. When the 2020 games take place, let every district affirm that one athlete from our district will represent India at those games. Every player has worked hard to get here. They will surely give their best," Prime Minister Modi said at the `Run for Rio` event.
Rio Olympics: On-court strategy and conditions will be key to success, believes PV Sindhu
started to study the reasons why our sportspersons were criticised so that we had enough time to work on them," he added. Conveying his best wishes for the Rio Olympics, the Prime Minister said the games give a message of brotherhood. "Sports is a necessity of life. Let everyone play and shine," he added.Prime Minister Modi flagged off the `Run for Rio` at the at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium to celebrate the Olympic mood in the country, at a time when India is sending its largest ever contingent of athletes to participate in the Games.(ANI)
INSPIRATIONAL! Athlete fulfills TWEETED 5-year-old goal; joins USA team for the Rio Olympics
New Delhi, July 31: Adapting to the conditions in Rio and changing on-court strategy in match situation will be the key to success, according to ace Indian shuttler P V Sindhu, who is aiming to add an Olympic medal to the two World Championship bronze she has won. "Adapting to conditions is important. The conditions need to be suitable for us. So we are leaving early. We don't know how it would be. There will be drift and we will be practising for a week so we will be used to the court. So it will be an important week in Rio," Sindhu, who won two bronze medals at World championships in 2013 and 2014, told PTI. Asked about the competition in women's singles, the 21-yearold from Hyderabad said: "There is no particular person who is a favourite. Anybody can beat anyone and it is all about giving your best on that day. "I have beaten all of them in the past and it gives me confidence but then it gets tougher and tougher as we play them again because they know our strokes and we know there game, so it is all about changing the strategy on the court. That would be the key," she said. The three-time Macau Open winner will be participating in her maiden Olympics.
New Delhi, July 31: Morolake Akinosun, a track & field athlete, is selected as part of the Unites States' contingent for the Rio Olympics. The 22-year-old will be representing her nation the 4x100m relay pool event.
Though making it to the Olympics is in itself one of the greatest achievements of a sportsman's career, Akinsosun's mention as one of the athletes representing USA is all the more special considering she had made her goal public 5 years ago.
And this is what she tweeted on 30th July, 2016 on being selected for the Olympiads: Akinosun is set to graduate from Texas this year, and she already won gold representing the U.S. in the 2015 Pan American Games.
Asked how important is experience in a big event such as Olympics, Sindhu said: "Experience is important but then how you play on the given day also matters. Sometimes even the experienced ones make mistakes. Experience matters but luck also matters. "This season, I played so many tournament as it was a crucial year. Sometimes I was playing well and sometimes not. I
learnt from my mistakes. I played against all of them, all the top players. Everybody has a different style of play and it was a good learning experience and I think it will help at the Olympics." From watching Saina Nehwal win a bronze at London Olympics to carrying India's medal hopes at Rio, Sindhu has come a long way. Asked if she feels the pressure, Sindhu said: "Pressure is always there. But we need not get bogged down by that. It is part of an athlete's life. I am really excited to play at Olympics. We are leaving on August 2nd. The draws are also out." Sindhu has been clubbed with Commonwealth Games champion Michelle Li of Canada and Hungary's Laura Sarosi in Group M. If she crosses the league stage, the Indian will have to overcome Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei and China's Yihan Wang to just make it to the semis. "It is not an easy draw. It is going to be tough from the first round itself. I've Li Michelle and another girl in my group. After the league, I think I will play Tai Tzu Ying. So it is one by one for me," Sindhu said. Talking about Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying, Sindhu said: "She is a difficult opponent, her game is very different from others and she has good strokes. It is not that she is unbeatable. If I am ready for it I can beat her." Sindhu said from now on, the training and preparation will be specific to the players that she would be facing in the mega-event. "We will train accordingly. My coach will decide. We will analyse the videos of the players and the training will be player's specific. It would be important two weeks." (PTI)
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