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ASSENG/2015/64205
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Vol. II
Issue 51
JUANITA KAKOTY REVIEWS THE CHILD LABOUR BILL
Dibrugarh, Monday, August 8, 2016
Price -
5.00
THAIS VOTE ON NEW CONSTITUTION THAT COULD DILUTE DEMOCRACY
Pages- 12
ENGLAND VS PAKISTAN: JOE ROOT HAILS 'BRILLIANT' JONNY BAIRSTOW AS ENGLAND SEIZE CONTROL IN 3RD TEST
Page - 12
Page - 6
Page - 9
PAGE 12
ITBP IG calls on HCM CM Sonowal visits Kokrajhar,
interacted with victim's members
A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Aug 7 Shri Manoj Singh Rawat, Inspector General, ITBP called on Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister here to discuss on expanding ITBP establishments in the state and on improving security in the state and in the borders.
ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Aug 7
ITBP has proposed for a permanent stationing of one battalion of its paramilitary personnel at Hollongi in Itanagar. This is is viewed as being essential to base the ITBP command in the state capital rather than in the existing location far-away in Shillong and Tezpur for efficiency in command control.
Further, the ITBP conveyed its plan to open new sectors across the state in towns like Likabali, Pasighat and Aalo. ITBP official informed that
ET CAPSULES
Centenary Celebration Golaghat, Aug 7: Informal Get Together of All Aluminis of Christian High School Golaghat is scheduled to be held on 21.08.2016, Sunday at 9.00 am at the school campus regarding " C E N T E N A R Y CELEBRATION 2019 ". Principal Mrs Trinity William and Vice Principal Mr Subodh Horo have requested all to take part in the same. (Correspondent)
Child Killed by Wild Jumbos Golaghat, Aug 7: The human elephant conflict is again on rise in some places in Golaghat. On Saturday at midnight a group of wild jumbos entered at Sundarpur area under Bogijan PS in Golaghat. The group demolished four houses and attacked the people. In the attack a child named Asha Ekka (8) was killed and her father Dakhalsai Ekka was injured. However other members of the family somehow escaped from the attack of wild jumbos. Today a wave of panic and mourn seems to be prevailed in the area. According to the sources the group is still taking shelter in nearby tea gardens and there are chances of attack. The concerned authorities are trying to prevent the jumbos from entering into people's living area. (Correspondent) Classifieds at Rs. 10/- per word
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ITBP IGP during his meeting with Arunachal CM Pema Khandu besides guarding the borders, the paramilitary force will also be deployed to guard all essential government installations, offices and institutions in the state.
development and to transport PDS and other essential items to the borders so that stress migration from borders can be prevented, informed the official.
The expanded ITBP resources can be of use to facilitate
Chief Minister agreed to extend all possible
cooperation to the paramilitary force in expanding its establishment in the state. He appreciated the role of ITBP in maintaining peace and security in the state, and also lauded the humanitarian assistance extended by it during natural calamities.
Attack me if you want but not dalits PM, slams cow vigilantes PTI Hyderabad, Aug 7
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today came down heavily on the perpetrators of violence on dalits, telling them, "if you have to attack, attack me" but stop attacking "my Dalit bretheren". Facing increasingly bruising opposition assault on him and BJP over attacks on Dalits and on the issue of cow vigilantes, Modi also lashed out at "fake cow protectors", denouncing them for the second day running for trying to create "tension and conflict" in the society and asking the states to take stringent action against them. Making an emotional appeal at a meeting of BJP workers in Hyderabad, Modi asked people to protect and respect Dalits who have for long been neglected by the society. Questioned repeatedly over his 'silence' on the sensitive issue of attacks on Dalits by
He was accompanied with cabinet ministers Rihan Daimary, Atul Bora, Pallab Lachan Das. Later, he had a meeting with the BTC leaders and also held a high level security meeting with senior officials from administration, police, army and others at Circuit House in Kokrajhar. CM Sonowal interacted with victim family members who were lost their dear ones in the firing. CM Sonowal said the government is zero tolerance on militant and whoever responsible will be booked. "Stern actions will be initiated by government against militant outfit organization who were involved with anti society activities",Sonowal said. CM discussed thoroughly on the security alertness activity in BTAD as well across the state with strengthening security deployment ahead
In an emotional appeal, the PM asked people to protect & respect Dalits who have for long been neglected. PTI alleged Hindu right-wingers, Modi said, "I would like to tell these people that if you have any problem, if you have attack, attack me. Stop attacking my Dalit brethren. If you have to shoot, shoot me, but not my Dalit brothers. This game should stop." Modi's choice of Hyderabad to denounce the attacks on Dalits was significant as his government had come under opposition fire following the
suicide by a Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula in the city which had triggered campus unrest in several parts of the country. Modi said at times some incidents come to notice which give us "unbearable pain". "It should be our responsibility to save and respect them (Dalits)," he said without referring to any particular incident. Contd. on Page 4
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal during his visit to Kokrajhar today. DIPR Photo Independence Day celebration. Sonowal promised for restorations of peace and tranquility among different communities in the state with gaining thrust and faith among all sections of society. "We discussed security issues and subjects with CM during his visit to Kokrajhar. The meeting emphasized to gain security strengthening to stop militant and anti social activities in the region", said a senior army officer after a meeting CM Sonowal. DGP Mukesh Sahay told that police administration has been intensified counter insurgency operation against
militant outfit organizations in the state. "There was handi work of NDFB-S behind Balajan Tinali market attacked because a cadre of the organization was death in the encounter firing", Sahay said. Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Rihan Daimary termed the incident unwanted incident where innocent peoples lost their lives. 'We hope involved culprits would be booked in earliest manner', Bora said. Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma condemning the incident said that it was shock
incident which claimed of innocent citizens in Kokrajhar during weekly market day. BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary said CM Sonowal promises to step stern action against firing situation in the region. CM met victim's family members and promises for early arrest of involved culprits, Mohilary added. BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary, MLAs Rabiram N a r z a r y, Maneswar Brahma, BTC executive members Rajib Brahma, Doneswar Goyary, Lwmsrao Daimary were prominent attendees during CM visit.
AASU warns NHPC against resumption of work at Gerukamukh ET Correspondent Dhemaji, Aug 7
A day after the CMD of NHPC stated before the media in Guwahati that work on the 2000 mega watt Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric project, which came to an halt since 2011, will resume once the National Green Tribunal
(NGT) clears it, the All Assam Students Union, Dhemaji district committee today warned of a massive agitation if the NHPC authorities does not fulfill its demand and goes ahead with the project. "Apart from the NGT, the has to be necessary clearance from the Expert Committee. Without making the report of the Expert Committee public, we will not allow them to resume
work",Dhemaji District unit of AASU President Bhagyawan Doley and General Secretary Krishna Ranjan Chutia stated through a press release today. The NHPC CMD had also stated that it hopes that work on the mega project would be completed by 2020. The AASU leaders also warned the state government as well as the company that the
organisation will organise a massive protest if the company resumes the project without the Expert Committee report being made public. "At any cost we cannot compromise the future of Assam. We have already witnessed the devastation created by mega dams in countries like China. We cannot allow the same thing to happen in Assam", the AASU leaders said.
Arunachal's very own dance group G7 Loyals wins many a hearts after becoming 1st runners up in NEGT-2 ET Bureau Itanagar, Aug 7 Though Arunachal Pradesh is late starter in the field of entertainment shows but the number of talents are innumerable and many are yet to get limelight. Arunachal Pradesh Dance Group popularly known as G7 Loyals is one such talented group who won the first runners up in recently concluded Northeast Got Talent Season-2 (NEGT-2) who staged an energetic performance. The contest, which saw participation of all Northeastern States, was won by Sikkim versatile singer Prakash Sundas, followed by the G7
Loyals. Sikkim’s Prakash Sundas won the talent hunt competition after beating the other finalists from North East States in the grand finale held recently in Guwahati to take home the prize money of Rs.1 lakh. G7 Loyals, though could not win the contest but they have won the hearts of millions for their versatile and energetic stage performance. Their scintillating dance performance was loved by all and on many performances the group received standing ovation from the judges and people. G7 Loyals Dance Group initiated by Amar Darnal had performer likes of Lishi Yaba, Lham Chotten Miji, Haorangbam
contention and reach the grand finale of North-East Got Talent Season-2 to win 1st Runners up and take home cash award of Rs 50 thousand with trophy and gift hampers.
Memikar and Rahul Deka, their race to reach the finale
was not easy as there were so many tough competitors. But
despite that, the group put-up a tough fight to remain in the
“Though we are sad but our dreams are not over yet, we will come back stronger and more prepared next time, it is rightly said that failure is the pillar of success and we have learnt where we went wrong, we will improvise on it and come back stronger,” said Amar Darnal. After auditioning for NEGT, G7 Loyals were called for quarter-final round in Guwahati where over 200 talents from different parts of the North East participated.
In the semifinal round the G7 Loyals along with 20 other contestants were selected for the Grand finale. With the intention of exploring and providing a platform for “hidden talent” of the North East, Sanchita Production, a Guwahati based media production house, had conceptualized this new show titled “North East Got Talent”, a multi talent hunt reality show in North East. This show featured singers, dancers, musicians, cook, players, riders, actors, magicians, comedians, artist (drawing, painting), and other performers of all ages starting from four to sixty which was telecast in Rengoni Channel.
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The paramilitary force has also proposed for establishment of 54 border outposts along the McMahon line, which will be of useful assistance to the Army as well.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today visited Kokajhar to take stock of the situation arising out of Friday's firing at Balajan Tinali market after 48 hours of the incident. Sonowal landed in a chopper at Patharghat at army camp helipad by 11.15 am and straight visited firing site at Balajan Tinali market which claimed 14 civilian and a militant cadre. 18 persons who suffered bullet injuries are under going treatment at Kokrajhar RNB civil hospital and Barpeta medical college since incident.
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
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ASTRO FOR YOU Aries Today is an ordinary day, it is business as usual, but there will be some progress. You can while away your time doing petty chores. While day-dreaming think about that coveted home, as that's how the first plans materialise. Taurus Religious sentiments will be ruling your thoughts today. This is a great day for making a trip to a temple or a popular religious destination. You should take your parents and other family members along on this auspicious journey. Your parents are sure to pray shower their love and blessings upon you and pray for your well being. All in all, the day will turn out to be a hectic, and tiring one; but, very satisfying and enjoyable. Gemini Today, you may encounter unusual challenges. You will come up with new thoughts and tactics, which will bring about positive changes and results. Avoid any confrontation with those living around you. Cancer Today, there is a strong possibility that you may face unexpected job changes. You are likely to spend lavishly to please family and friends. You may feel we make money to spend on loved ones. Still it would probably be a good idea to count every penny before using it. Leo Persist in fulfilling your duties without bothering about the fruits of your labour. Put in some extra effort to finish off whatever you undertake today. Patience bears its fruits and they are always sweet. Also, anybody can enjoy pleasure, but only few can handle pressure. So, take your pick! Virgo You better identify your worth in the realms of emotions, feelings and sentiments. You shall warm up to and about everything - from play to colleagues to family. Simultaneously, you may realise where your limitations are. Libra Call it red-tapism, or bureaucratic procrastination, but it is highly unlikely that such tasks shall be fruitful today. This may test your patience, and in doing so, bring out your competency and efficiency to the fore, especially if you happen to be a public servant. TouchĂŠ! Scorpio Do not get carried away by sentiments and act like an emotional fool. Today, you will be in a dilemma as you have to choose between two best things. But, as they say, right choices are always tough to make. Be practical and take the right decision. Sagittarius Today, find yourself driving all your thoughts and actions towards your family. You will also spend some superb time with your dearie and discuss intimate matters. A relaxing day today as you spend time with your friends and family, chilling out and having a good laugh or two. Capricorn You are a bighearted person and you love to help others in every possible way. But, people may take you for a ride. You may realise that if you would have been extra careful, you could have stopped others take advantage of you. By the end of the day, you will shake off such negative feelings and be grateful to the God for blessing you with all the nice things in life. Aquarius You will try everything to please your colleagues and bosses, but they will still have something negative to say about your performance. In order to be in the good books of everyone you end up hurting your own interests. The second half of the day promises to be relaxing, thanks to your sweetheart who will make special efforts to lighten your burden of work. Pisces For you, today may all be work and no play. This, however, will not stop you from putting in extra efforts to finish your pending projects and to meet your deadlines. But then who else but a Pisces is known to handle the pain nonchalantly without bemoaning the lack of pleasure?
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Mahanta travels by train in Kokrajhar ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Aug 7: Former two-time chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today traveled to Kokrajhar by down Rajdhani Express trying to visit Balajan Tinali market firing situation in Kokrajhar district. Mahanta, accompanied by senior party leaders Phani Bhushan Choydhury, Ramendra Narayan Kalita, Bhupen Roy stepped down at Kokrajhar railway sta-
8-8-16 (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) 2-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-"Jaagaa Grahak Jaagaa" 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 Anushthan 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani 7-45 P.M-Aadhunik Geet 8-00 P.M-Drama-Khirikiyedi,Written by Ali Haidar 8-30 P.M-Talk in Assamese 10-00 P.M-Question Hour in Parliament Sd-/H.O.P
Police conducting checks in the run up to the Independence Day. Pic - Amit Nagori
Mahanta termed the firing incident was unfortunate and government should take stern action against situation. Emphasizing of strong investigation into incident, Mahanta said the incident should be investigate through neat and clean so that involved culprits be nabbed in earliest manner.
State Institute of Open Schooling Starts in Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat , Aug 7: With a view to decrease in number of school dropouts Board of Secondary Education, Assam or the SEBA has taken an initiative under which State Institute of Open Schooling was set up. Like the other parts the Golaghat centre of State Institute of Open Schooling was started at the premises of Golaghat Government Bezbaruah HS School.
Assam flood situation improves Guwahati, Aug 7 (PTI) Though the flood situation in Assam showed considerable improvement today, over 36,000 people in 54 villages of four districts of the state continued to be affected, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said.
The classes of this Golaghat centre was formally started today. More than thirty students from different parts of the district who could not succeed in the HSLC Examination have taken admission in this open school. The Principal cum Course Co ordinator SP Rahman inaugurated the classes in presence of several other teachers, parents and students.
Ledo Shramik Mukti Sangram Samity formed ET Correspondent Margherita, Aug 7: Today at Vimal Bhattacharjee Memorial Ledo Sakha Sahitya Sabha Bhawan Premises under the presence of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity Tinsukia District Commit-
tee President Lakhyajyoti Gogoi and Secretary Pappu Dutta with the presence of more than 100 Coal Mining workers of Ledo for the First time Ledo Shramik Mukti Sangram Samity was formed. Where Jivan Bora
as President, Vice President Sujoy Acharjee and Mujibur Rehman, General Secretary Biswajit Gogoi and Birenda Lodh along with 50 members Ledo Shramik Mukti Sangram Samity was formed.
Legal Services authorities endows flood effected people with relief goods in Sivasagar
Till yesterday, nearly 70,000 people were affected by the flood across 84 villages in eight districts. The death toll in the current wave of flood stands at 34 across the state. As of now, the affected districts are Jorhat, Morigaon, Kokrajhar and Goalpara. Among them, Jorhat is the worst affected with over 25,000 people still suffering, followed by Goalpara with nearly 6,500 and Kokrajhar with nearly 3,000 people hit by the flood at this moment, ASDMA said.
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tion at 9.50 am this morning and straight visited to firing site Tinali market.
Authorities are running eight relief camps in two districts, where 1,493 people have taken shelter. Nearly 2,500 hectares of crop area are still under flood water across the state, it said. Currently, Brahmaputra's tributary Dhansiri is flowing above the danger mark at Numaligarh in Golaghat.
Spl Correspondent Sivasagar, Aug 7: Keeping their regular hectic judicial duties aside, all the magistrates of Sivasagar Sadar Court under the banner of Legal Services Authorities came forward to offer a helping hand towards the flood effected people in Sivasagar district on Sunday. The members of the authority distributed relief goods con-
taining food items lie rice, dal, edible oil, biscuit and kitchen appliances like pan, ladle, bowl, dish, mug, bucket etc. among the people of flood hit areas of Ofola village at Desanmukh and Loraputa Luruki village at Panbecha region in the district. It may be mentioned that the as per the instruction
of the Supreme court of India, Assam State Legal Services Authorities had undertaken a mission to provide flood relief in six districts of Assam and as a part of the same had undertaken the relief camps in Sivasagar in which along with the CJM A.B.S. Laskar, Disrict Session Magistrate Satyajit Khound, Addl Session Judge Aditya
Government not serious on BTAD situation: Ripun Bora ET Correspondent Nalbari,Aug 7 : The officiating president of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee Ripun Bora said that the Kokrajhar massacre is resulted as the state Government withdrew the additional security forces deployed in the insurgency infected BTAD areas.The state Government,he said failed to realise the gravity of insurgency problems in BTAD.Addressing a press conference at Nalbari today Bora said that the inteligence agencies of the government miserably failed to gather the information in advance even the police arrived the spot after 45 minutes of the incident.He added that the BJP lead state Government lost its credibility as soon as two month at power.Bora expressed his confidence of returning to power in the state after five years. Refereeing to the notice served to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi by a lower
court regarding a defamation case Bora said the party will approach the High Court in this regard.He added that Rahul Gandhi will not appear in the Court himself on September 29 as per the notice.Addressing the press conference the leader of the opposition of Assam Assembly Debabrata
Saikia said that the State's BJP lead Government failed to control the prices of essential commodities as per their promises given in election manifesto.The Congress give them a scope to control the price rise otherwise we will resorted to agitational programme, Saikia said.The press con-
ference was attended among others by MLAs Wajed Ali C h o u d h u r y, R u p j y o t i Kurmi,former ministers Dr B h u m i d h a r Barman,Nilamani Sen Deka among others.The APCC leaderships came to attend a party meeting at Nalbari to review the poll debacle in the district.
Saikia and secretary of Legal Services authorities of Sivasagar district Rupok Rajak, Ram Saikia, the President of Guwahati High Court Lawyer's Association and Mansah Sarania, he VC of the same body took active part. The Legal Services authorities have decided to organize a medical camp for the flood affected people in the coming days.
Kamrup District Sports Association reconstituted ET Correspondent Rangia, Aug 7: Kamrup District Sports Association was reconstituted in the Annual convention held at Saraighat High school Amingaon, on Sunday. The convention was presided over by Adil Shah former President of the Union. Dilip Chowdhury Secretary Rangia District Sports Association was the observer of the convention. RajibSarma was elected as President of the Association. The newly elected other office bearer were BasudevThakuria as working president, Secretary PranjalBorgohain, Joint Secretary Biren Das, treasurer Dr.Kartik Chandra Medhi, and Dharanidhar Das elected as football secretary . All total 41 members were elected as executive member of the Association.
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
PAGE 3
AAPSU express gratitude towards state govt. for providing emergency Medical Aid to Darasing Tayeng A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Aug 7: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) had expressed its gratitude to the State Govt. for providing emergency Medical Aid to Shri Darasing Tayeng who is suffering from severe medical complications and is currently undergoing treatment at Guwahati. Darasing Tayeng is the present Federal Speaker of AAPSU and one of the senior students’ leader in the state hailing from East Siang District who has sacrificed his entire youth age till date for the cause of the students’ community of the state. The union members including family members for Darasing had been running from pillar to post for grant for medical aid lately. But today, an amount of Rs.5 lakhs was formally handed over to the union members by the Hon’ble
Chief Minister for treatment of Darasing Tayeng. "The union is thankful to the state govt. particularly the chief minister for promptly responding to the appeal of the Union", Kamta Lapung, President, AAPSU said. Further, in exercise of the powers enshrined in the AAPSU Constitution, the undersigned has put a blanket ban on all forms of donations in the name of AAPSU by any executive members. No appeals for financial aid/donations shall be given to any businessmen, legislators, officers and other well wishers etc without prior confirmation and approval from the President, AAPSU. Business communities, officers and other well wishers are strictly requested to endorse the appeal made by AAPSU.
First meeting of Tai Khampti Literature Committee held ET Bureau Namsai, Aug 7 : The first meeting of the Tai Khampti Literature Committee, TKLC was held today at Kongmu Kham, Noi Cheynam under the chairmanship of Sri Chow Khamsen Namchoom, the President of Tai Khampti Singpho Council. The meeting began with briefing of the aims and objects of the meeting by Sri Chow Meokhun Mongmaw, Chariman of TKLC, followed by detailed discussion. Among other members, learmed Bhikkhu Vimalatissa, the Abbot of Kongmu Kham, Bhikkhu Pragyasila of Arunachal Pali Vidyapith, Sri CT Mounkang, DDSE cum Principal, Sri CK Longchot,
HM and Sri CN Namchoom, Momong Village Chief also spoke and shared thier valued opinions. Amongst other important points, the meeting resolved to take immediate necessry action for resumption of teaching of the Tai Script as third language in all the schools, both government and private, in Namsai District. The government and all concerned authorities would be approached and requested for taking appropriate steps in this regard. It also, formally, endorsed and acknowledge the Tai Khampti revised tonal Script which was accepted in the general public meeting on 4 April'2016 at Kongmu Kham.
14 shops gutted in major fire incident at Hayuliang market ET Bureau Hayuliang, Aug 7: A major fire accident broke out at Hayuliang market last night around 12.00 mid in which 14 (fourteen ) nos of shops selling articles ranging from electronic items to paan gumtis were completely gutted down.By grace of Providence, there was no fatality. However samaritans duo Md Nizamuddin Tapadar of Govindpur village and Md Nizamuddin of Tarinipur village running small shops opposite the fire ridden area , while trying to help douse the fire suffered injuries .Both have been given immediate medical treatment and administration is facilitating treatment of both injured. The fire was doused around 1.45 am. while Two nos. of army water tanks also reached from 5 kilometres away. Besides 14(Fourteen)nos. of shops one dwelling house also was completely gutted. One shop had to be broken/ completely demolished to
BJP concludes its State Level Pt Deen Dayal Upadhaya Maha prashikshan varg
control further spread of fire. Immediate relief of Rs 3000/- has been provided along with 50 Kgs of rice each to all affected families by District administration to tide over. Immediate crisis Shelter has been arranged for 1 dwelling house that's been gutted. A committee has been formed to assess cause of damage and assessment for further relief. Incidence Commander cum ADC in charge Mr Tojum Ete and Deputy Commissioner Mamata Riba who rushed to Hayuliang from Hawai are on the ground managing meeting the affected families and Monitoring the situation . Deputy Commissioner Smti M. Riba conveyed full support and empathy of Honourable Member of Legislative Assembly Shri Kalikho Pul , who she I formed has been constantly monitoring the situation and announced relief of Rs 1 Lac to each of the affected household on account of the devastating fire.
A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Aug 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party, Arunachal Pradesh concluded its State Level Pt Deen Dayal Upadhaya Maha prashikshan varg at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ashram (pagatara Jullang) Itanagar here today with enthusiastic participants across the state. The State level parshikshan varg was attended by the representations from Dist President , Dist General
Secretary, Special invitees , Senior Leaders, Ex-MLAs, Former Minister, Hon’ble MLAs and State Office bearers B.J.P respectively among the who and who attended the parshikshan varg are Shri Tamiyo Taga, Hon’ble MLA & Leader of BJP Lagislature Party, Shri Gegong Apang, former Chief Minister, Shri Tesam Pongte, Hon’ble MLA, Shri Japu Deru, Hon’ble MLA & Dy Leader BJP Legislature Party, Shri Tamar Martem,
Hon’ble MLA, Shri Kaling Moyong, Hon’ble MLA, Shri Olom Payang, Hon’ble MLA and Dr. Mohesh Chai, Hon’ble MLA, Respectively. Mean while, Shri Ajay Jamwal Zonal Organization Secretary, BJP, Shri Sunil Deodhar, National Executive Member BJP and Incharge Tripura, Shri Nido Sakter, Pranth Karywa, RSS, Shri Panchant Raut, National Coordinator, BJP and Shri Prashant Aorora
National Co-ordinator BJP North East were attended the Second Day of the Pt Deen Dayal Maha Prashikshan Varg BJP as the resource persons. The Second day Maha Prashikshan Varg was conducted on four sessions comprised of session (V) by the Shri Ajay Jamawal, NE Zonal Secretary, on our working system, BJP, session (VI) by Shri Sunil Deodhar, National Executive Member BJP, In-charge
Claiming that the shop was opened in KotlaMukabarpur despite protests from locals, Swaraj Abhiyan, an organisation led by expelled AAP leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, said if it is not shut by August 10, a movement will be
them and further strengthening the party across the state. He is also extorted that the BJP is a cadre base party and a Party with different having a committed ideology for the nation first organization second and self last. In entire parshikshan Varg, Smti Kenyir Ringu, State Vice President and Sah Pramukh, parshikshan anchoring the entire functions from day one and day two.
Many gets benefited from 2 day free health camp at Mebo & Borguli Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Aug 7: As a part of social responsibility toward the society, two days free health camp was organized by All Mebo Constituency Students’ Union at both Mebo and Borguli on 5th and 6th August in coordination with District Medial Office, Pasighat, CHC, Mebo and PHC Borguli besides supports from Range Office, Mebo Forest Range. In total of 50 patients were benefited at Mebo camp while around 90 got benefited from Borguli camp. The patients from villages like Borguli, Ngopok, Kiyit, Seram, Mer and Namsing availed the free health camp at Borguli, while patients from Mebo village and Town reaped the free opportunity. While sharing about their objective of organizing such free health camp, AMCSU Convener, Samuel
Mitkong said that, during these monsoon periods when village folks are most involve in agricultural works, various kind of diseases engulfs many poor families which has prompted us to organize this free health camp. “We are
so grateful to DMO, East Siang, Dr. Mandip Perme, MO CHC Mebo, Dr. B. Ratan, MO PHC Borguli, Dr. JK Tayeng, Dr. K. Yirang and Range Officer, Mebo RF, Obang Tayeng for their whole hearted supports by proving medicines,
staffs and other basic requirements to make the two days health camp successful” added young student leader Mitkong. Meanwhile, it is worth adding here that, villages under Monggu Banggo
After PM, RSS asks people to expose cow vigilantes New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) The RSS today asked people to "expose" a handful of anti-social elements spreading violence and trying to disturb social harmony in the name of cow protection, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused them of creating "tension and conflict" in the society.
Some anti-social elements at a few places are taking law into their hands and perpetrating violence to disturb social harmony. This has raised questions about the pious work of 'gau raksha and gau sewa' (cow protection and service), RSS General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said in a stateIt asked people not to ment. link such "condemnable efforts" of "a few oppor- "RSS appeals to all cititunists" with those truly zens that they should serving and protecting not link these condemcows. nable efforts of a few
launched. "The AAP came to power promising that wine shops would be allowed only after consensus among the people. But there are several areas where such shops are being set up despite people's
protest," Swaraj Abhiyan's media incharge Anupam said. It alleged that AAP had claimed to make Delhi liquor-free but it has not been supporting the same and the excise department has spent only Rs
(Lower Mebo) are most prone to several kinds of diseases during summer season and communication bottleneck at this period of time adds more woes to the poor villagers. Hence, state health department need to provide adequate medi-
cines and other required items in the CHC Mebo (Mebo Banggo/Upper Mebo) and PHC Borguli and PHC Namsing (Monggu Banggo/Lower Mebo) for the betterment of common public living in these far off villages.
WASE takes up cleanliness of roadside High Region Park
opportunists with those devoted to the pious work of serving and protecting cows and expose them," he said.
lems because of increasing use of pesticides, the importance of organic farming, in which livestock play a crucial role, has grown "We also request the further, the statement state governments to quoted him as having take strict action against said. such elements and not let the good work of 'gau The appeal from BJP's raksha and gau sewa' get ideological mentor hampered," the state- came after Prime Minment said. ister Narendra Modi came down heavily on Noting that India is pri- "fake cow protectors" marily an agricultural at a public meeting in country, Joshi said at a Telangana and asked time when the whole states to take stringent world is facing prob- action against them.
Swaraj Abhiyan demands closure of wine shop New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) Alleging that 58 wine shops have opened up in Delh ever since the AAP government came to power, Swaraj Abhiyan today demanded closure of a liquor outlet in KotlaMukabarpur.
Tripura, on integral Humanism (EKTAM MANNAVBAD), Session (VII) by Shri Nido Sakter, (Prant Karyawa) State Secretary RRS, on Sang Vichar Pariwar, and session (VIII) by Shri Panchanan Rout, National Co-ordinator BJP, on our Principles and challenges before the country. Shri Tapir Gao, in his Marg Darshan, he called upon the karyakartas to best uses of Parishikshan imparts to
7.76 lakh on advertisements for de-addiction awareness but there are no details about its spending. The leaders, on the basis of RTI information, claimed that in the first term of the AAP govern-
ment, the number of liquor shops was 595 and revenue earned was Rs 830 crore while in the second tenure from February 14, 2015 to June 4, 2016, new licence for 58 shops were issued and revenue earned is over Rs 1,500 crore.
Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Aug 7: Yet again, while showing their great zeal to do something for the common public, the Women Against Social Evils (WASE) has volunteered themselves to clean the roadside bushes and other untidy things along the High Region Park road today. The WASE team who are mostly known for their crusade against social evils like drugs, IMFL menace and child abuse and trafficking etc, have also often been seen and
doing such clean drive by even wading themselves in a muddy and untidy nalah and stream along market as a part of clean drive. Today’s clean drive along the High Region up-road besides High Region Park in association with Miss Earth India top 20 finalists, Chum Darang (a home town girl) was praiseworthy. The clean drive was led by Yadi Gao Moyong and Opening Osik Social Service Secretary and Asst. Social Service Secretary respectively.
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
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PM urges people to use more handloom products New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the growth of the handloom sector would not only ensure employment to countless weavers but will also serve as a means of women empowerment as he asked people to use more handloom products in their daily lives. "Our handloom sector is diverse, eco-friendly and is a source of employment for countless weavers, who will be very encouraged by our support," he said in a series of tweets on occasion of Handloom Day. Since there are many women associated with the handloom sector, the growth of this sector is an important means of women empowerment also, he added.
Narendra Modi "...Let us affirm that we will give an impetus to the handloom sector and use more handloom products in our daily lives," he said.
Noting that the textile sector is one of the major drivers of economy in rural areas, the Prime Minister had urged 125 crore Indians to use "Khadi for nation and khadi and handloom for Khadi for fashion, this five per cent of their must be our guiding clothing needs. principle," Modi had said yesterday while Rural economy will speaking at the Town change if the sector is Hall-style address to provided holistic supmark the second anni- port, e-platform for gloversary of his bal marketing and fagovernment's MyGov cilities to weavers, he initiative. had added.
AJYCP stages 2 hour sit in hunger strike at Bajali
A Correspondent Bajali, Aug 7: Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Satra Parisad (AJYCP) observed a sit-in strike today at Pathsala as per AJYCP's resolution to demonstrate 2 hour sit-in hunger strike throughout the state from 1st Jan 2016 to 31st Dec 2016. Their demand is to
provide complete autonomy to Assam, dual citizenship and Inner Line Permit for the non indigenous people of the state. Today it was the 220th day of the 366 day resolution. Led by Bajali Zila Samiti AJYCP Joint Secretary Kankan Talukdar,the two hour hunger strike was observed in
Pathsala from 10am to 12pm. Bajali Zila Samiti General Secretary Pranjal Das,Kishor Patgiri along with AJYCP leader Lakheswar Das and the leaders of Bajali College unit Prince Talukdar, Rajib Kalita,Niranjan Malakar and many more noted personalities were present.
DC orders to restart classes in flood hit areas before Aug 15 ET Correspondent Golaghat, Aug 7: After a month long summer vacation in July the schools were opened and classes commenced from the first day of this month . But in several parts of Golaghat the classes in schools are yet to be started as these schools are in the areas that were badly affected by the recent floods . Now Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat Varnali Deka has taken the matter seriously and issued orders to restart classes in these schools before Aug 15.
August 7 was notified by the Centre as National Handloom Day with the objective of generating awareness about the importance of handloom industry and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country in general and to promote handlooms, increase income of weavers and The DC ordered District El"enhance their pride" in ementary Education Officer particular. to look into the matter and The date has been chosen due to its special significance in India's freedom struggle; it was on this day in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was formally launched, at a massive meeting in the Calcutta Town hall. The movement involved revival of domestic products and production processes.
take immediate measures to restart classes before Aug 15. Varnali Deka also ordered Assistant Commissioner Ashutosh Deka to conduct a survey in the schools of flood affected areas and to submit a report . Also orders were issued to clean the schools where relief camps were set up during floods and if in any school where there is no atmosphere of taking class at present then it should be taken in nearby Community Halls or Naamghars for the time being , ordered the DC.
Flood relief materials collected by Facebook friends being distributed in Sivasagar. Pic - Parash Moni Sarmah
Attack me if you want but not dalits Contd. from Page 1 Modi asked what right the perpetrators had to exploit Dalits and said the unity in society should be our priority. "I know this problem is social. It is a result of sins which have crept into the society... But we need to take extra care and save society from such danger (of social strife)," he said. Modi said the society should not be allowed to be divided on the basis of caste, religion and social status. Deprecating those who try to make political currency out of such issues, the Prime Minister said attempts to politicize those would only aggravate the
problem. "Those who want to solve this social problem, I request them to leave politics that divides the society. Divisive politics will not do any good to the country," he said. Earlier in the day. the prime minister took on cow vigilantes at a public meeting in Gajwel in Telangana after laying the foundation stones for a raft of development projects. "I want to tell everybody beware of these fake cow protectors. These handful of vigilantes have nothing to do with cow protection, but want to create 'tanaav' (tension) and 'takrav' (conflict) in the society," Modi said.
"In the name of cow protection, these fake cow protectors are trying to disturb the peace and harmony of the nation. I want the real cow protectors to expose them (fake ones) and the state governments should take stringent action against them," he added. In his first public denouncement of cow vigilantes, some of whom flogged dalits in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, Modi yesterday said in Delhi he felt enraged at such "anti-social elements" who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day.
Seminar on the prospect of tourism in Tezpur held Shambhu Boro Tezpur, August 7 : “Tezpur inherited the valuable treasure of ruined unique Siva Temple at Da-Parbatia which is the oldest till now in Assam. These ruins lead us historically to link Tezpur with the period of early Gupta civilization within the kingdom of Pragjytisha-Kamrupa in the 5th century AD.t DaParbatia which is the oldest till now in Assam. These ruins lead us historically to link Tezpur with the period of early Gupta civilization within the kingdom of Pragjytisha-Kamrupa in the 5th century AD.” This was observed by noted writer and historian, Kanak Chandra Sharma while addressing a mammoth gathering in a seminar on “Tezpur as a place of tourist destination: Retrospect and Prospect” organized by Tarun Asom Sangha here at it’s meeting today. Sharma in his long discourse with the title “Tezpur Through the ages: It’s History, Legends and Myth” stating Tezpur as a city of antiquity since the days of early Aryan settlement in the kingdom of pargjyotisha-
Kamrupa, on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra, enriched with the sites of architectural, sculpture and culture treasures of ruins and remnants in and around, possessed the history, particularly from the 5th century AD. He also said that the first kings of Bhauma Vermana-Dynasty of Pragjyotisha-Kamrupa has been referred to in the light of records of Allahabad stone Pillar inscription (350 0r 360 AD) of Samudragupta, the mighty emperor of the Gupta period. “The glorious historical era of Tezpur during the early mediaeval period with the kings of Salastambha dynasty ruling from the seventh century AD to the tenth century AD established it’s headquarter at Hatappeswar or Hadappeswara (and not as Haruppeswara, as was wrongly deciphered earlier) has been discussed. The shifting of the capital from Pragjyotishpura to Hadappeswara by the kings of Salastambha dynasty shows the importance of proud stature of Tezpur.” He said adding the cultural and material progress of Tezpur region in this long
period of history was achieved tremendously and temple building activities reached a culminating point. Stating on the Tezpur in the Medieaval period Sharma further stated that Tezpur in this period became the part of Ahom administration and in view of political and strategic situation in the period, the Ahom kings shifted its attention more to places like Bhomoraguri, Sootia, Biswanath etc. than in Tezpur area. “But it is however, very pleasant to mention that Ahom kings followed the policies of previous rulers in respect of maintenance of cultural heritage. They rebuilt some temples where possible, repaired them where necessary and constructed fresh temples. Not only that they patronized them but also promoted Vaisnavite movement by issuing fresh land grants to the institutions in the entire area of Tezpur.” He maintained. Taking part in the day long programme, Dr. Satish Chandra Bhattacharya in his speech said that the importance of studying the history of Tezpur can never
be under-estimated. The administrators of the erstwhile east India company statined here like EV Westmacot, ET Dalton, William Robinsonand T, Bloch among other, were the pioneers in studying the ancient ruins lying scattered in and around the town. In the period that followed a host of Indian scholars and researchers came forward and did a lot in unearthing the heritage of Tezpur. Prof. Chandan Goswami, Tezpur university in his speech stated that the mythological stories related to Tezpur are intriguing and these make Tezpur a very prominent place for development as a tourist destination. Asstt. Prof. Department of tourism, Tezpur College, Pranab J Bhuyan in his speech stated that economists frequently put stress on the development of the tourist infrastructure as it is the pre-requisite for it’s accelerating the economic growth. “Destination with excellent infrastructure are very popular which have few or no barrier.” He mentioned. It needs men-
tion here that, dignateries including asstt. Prof. department of history, LGB Girls’ college, Pallab Bhattacharya, Papori Hazarika, researcher on archeology, upcoming writer, Santanu Baruah, former curator of state museum, Gwuahati, Dr. Saharabuddin Ahmed among others who were present in the programme also delivered lecture on the issue. Earlier, president of Tarun Asom Sangha in his welcome address spoke on the importance of the programme while, the deputy commissioner, Sonitpur Laya Madduri in her inaugural speech laid stress on giving a unique face lift to Tezpur as a tourist destination. Also attended by students from various institutions was the day long programme was chaired by Bhupendra Nath Hazarika. The event divided into inaugural and technical session was later followed by a discussion where in few resolutions regarding future course of action in this venture were adopted.
Priyanka Bharali, eminent Assamese singer, who adopted one of the Kaziranga flood rescued rhino calves for the first three (3) months is visiting the large animal nursery of Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), the joint wildilfe care facility of Assam Forest Department and IFAW-WTI on Sunday,7th August 2016.Photo: Subhamoy Bhattacharjee/IFAW-WTI
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Police conduct probe into Cannabis, heroin worth over Rs 90 proof tampering slur lakh seized, two held
Tripura to have 2nd Integrated Development Complex
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
Shillong, Aug 7: An inquiry has been conducted into the allegation that a staff of Jhalupara police outpost had asked Juntina Lyngdoh Marshillong, a close friend of the girl from umlyngka whose body was recovered recently, to delete the last Whatsapp calls made between her and the victim. Informing this here on Saturday, East Khasi Hills dis-
trict police chief M Kharkrang said that Juntina during interrogation revealed that she had misinterpreted what the police personnel at Jhalupara Outpost told her. “Our police personnel are not so dumb that they will ask the close friend of the victim to delete the messages when we are investigating a murder case,” he
added. It may be mentioned that the deceased girl’s family had alleged that police personnel at Jhalupara Outpost asked Juntina to delete the last Whatsapp calls stating that those were not relevant to the investigation. The family had also written to the Home Minister Roshan Warjri seeking her intervention in the matter.
NSG expertise for GH cops in fight against IEDs Tura, Aug 7: Garo Hills police at the frontlines battling against rebel groups who use improvised explosive devices (IED) at will now have an edge. As many as 40 personnel from the state police force and the BSF successfully completed a special training on bomb disposal that was supervised by explosive experts from the elite National Security Guards at the 2nd MLP Battalion headquarters in Goeragre, 12 kms from Tura, on Saturday. The training is of utmost importance for police personnel in Garo Hills given that several rebel groups have the expertise
to assemble IED bombs which they have seldom hesitated to use with devastating effect leading to loss of human lives- both police and civilian. The dreaded GNLA is known to have mastered the art of IED preparation and several police personnel have been victims to their attacks. Early part of this year, security forces in their operations against the GNLA in East Garo Hills recovered as many as sixty explosive devices (IEDs) including half a dozen from the grounds of a village school. The training provided by the NSG for the bomb detection unit includes
ways to detect hidden IEDs, diffusing the device and safe detonation. Speaking at the concluding programme, DIG S S Kynjing highlighted the role bomb squads played in ensuring safety of civilians and security personnel. “Bomb squads have the trained expertise to deal with scenarios where militants and terrorists threaten the lives of innocent people,” Kynjing said. West Garo Hills district police chief Mukesh Kr Singh in his address to the bomb squad said that their standard operating procedure would play a vital role in deterring the threat from IEDs.
Shillong, Aug 7: Huge caches of contraband worth more than Rs 90 lakh have been seized from different parts of the city in the last two days. The customs department seized a truck carrying 850 kg of cannabis worth Rs 42.50 lakh at Shillong Bypass on Friday. Deputy commissioner (Preventive)IR Kharkongor said on Saturday the contraband was hidden in a special chamber behind the driver’s seat. The driver has been detained under the NDPS Act. The preliminary investigation has indicated that the cannabis belonged to the
owner of the vehicle Kishan Malhorta, who is still at large. The driver told the customs sleuths that the cannabis were procured from Tripura and were scheduled to be delivered to someone in Guwahati. In another incident, the narcotic cell of the customs seized half a kilogram of heroin worth Rs 50 lakh from a person at Police bazaar on Saturday. The sleuths said the person, who has already been arrested, is from Chandel district of Manipur and has been residing in Nongthymai for the past 17 years.
SC to hear plea on FIR against CMJ sons tomorrow Shillong, Aug 7: The Supreme Court will take up the FIR filed against Govind Jha and Gopal Jha, the sons of the Chancellor of CMJ University, CM Jha, which was subsequently quashed by High Court of Meghalaya, on Monday. Informing this over phone from Delhi, Supreme Court lawyer and the government counsel Ranjan Mukherjee on Saturday said that after the alleged anomalies in the functioning of the University came to the fore, in addition to the cases lodged against the Chancellor and others, police had also filed a separate FIR against the sons of Jha Subsequently, they had moved the High Court challenging the FIR and the Court quashed the FIR. The state government, how-
ever, challenged the High Court order in the apex court. “The appeal of the state government will come up for hearing on Monday in the apex court and our contention is that the FIR filled by police cannot be quashed as proper investigation is necessary to know whether there is serious financial irregularities as money was taken in lieu of providing degrees,” Mukherjee said. The High Court had used CrPC 482 related to the inherent power of the court to quash the FIR to prevent abuse of the process of any court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice. However, the appeal of the state government is that the FIR was lodged to carry out proper investigation.
IED found near AAP gearing up for polls Imphal blast site Shillong, Aug 7: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is gearing up to explore its chances in the 2018 Assembly election in the State. According to spokesperson of AAP’s state unit, Iuklit Uriah, the party is keen to contest in all 60 Assembly seats in the upcoming polls. The AAP, however, is in no mood to get into any political alliance.
Imphal, Aug 7: A day after an IED exploded near the highsecurity Raj Bhavan in Imphal city, another bomb was found in the area on Saturday. The IED, which weighed around 2.5 kg, was found inside a flower-pot near a sentry post on the northern side of the governor's residence on Saturday morning. The spot is close to Friday's blast site and the women's (Ima) market. Bomb experts safely defused the device in the presence of police, Army, Assam Rifles and CRPF
officers. Denouncing frequent incidents of bomb blasts, vendors of the Ima market staged a protest demonstration here on Saturday. Friday's blast injured CRPF head constable SM Naik, 48, from Uttarakhand and a twoyear-old girl from Kwakeithel in Imphal West. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. tnn Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
AR seizes 7 kg gold in Manipur
“We want to emerge as the single largest party and form the next government
in the State,” he said, adding that the party has already started the process of selecting candidates for the 2018 state polls.
people in politics”. “We are looking for candidates aspiring to do something positive for the state and the country,” he said.
Stating that the party needs to be strengthened at the grassroots level, Uriah added that the AAP is laying special emphasis on the representation of women in politics with 3800 of its 8000 members enrolled in the State being females. The AAP spokesperson said that the party wants “fresh
Reacting to a query on uranium mining and implementation of Aadhar in the State, Uriah said that the party was averse to external forces trying to impose things on the people of Meghalaya. “Consultation is necessary before implementing anything,” he added.
PTI Agartala, Aug 7 : The second Integrated Development Complex (IDC) of Tripura will come up at Manughat Land Customs Station in Unakoti district, bordering Moulavi Bazar district of Bangladesh, to boost trade with the neighbouring country. "The state government has got a sanction of Rs 12.62 crore from the Ministry of Commerce to set up the Integrated Development
Troops of the force's 2nd battalion seized the gold bars from a van approaching Imphal from the border town of Moreh along the Manipur section of the of Asian Highway on Tuesday,
the statement added. Expounding upon the swift operation, the statement read that the mobile checkpost set up by a joint team of the troops and Thoubal district police commandos intercepted the van, conducted a thorough check and found the gold. Two persons were subsequently apprehended, read the statement. The duo, along with the gold and vehicle, were handed over to customs officials.
public utility services. The IDC is seen as a vital business point between the state and Sylhet region of Bangladesh. Union Commerce and Industries Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had inaugurated the first IDC at Srimantapur in Sipahijala district in January. Of the total 31 Land Customs Stations in the NorthEast with Bangladesh, Tripura has eight.
Missing minor girls traced in Delhi Shillong, Aug 7: The two students of BSF Primary School at Nongmynsong who had gone missing on Thursday were found at the Old Delhi railway station on Saturday evening. The officer in-charge of the railway police in New Delhi said the duo, Pema Sherpa and Anisha S Bhagat, both students of Class IV, were found on one of the platforms around 4pm. The railway police contacted the Border Security Force control room in the Capital after one of the girls told them that her father is in the BSF. Later, they came to know about the FIRs which were filed in Shillong on Thursday. The officer in-charge said the girls reportedly took the Avadh-Assam Express from Guwahati, but added that the police were trying to find out more details from the duo. “One of the NGOs working for children is with
them. Medical examination and other formalities will be done before the girls are handed over to either the BSF or the Meghalaya police,” he said. Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills district police chief M Kharkrang said they would have to talk to the girls once they reach Shillong to know how they reached Delhi. The two FIRs mentioned that both Pema and Anisha went missing from school on Thursday. However, contradicting this, BSF IG PK Dubey told The Shillong Times that the two students did not go missing from the school campus at Umpling, but away from the BSF campus after the school got over. The BSF official said the duo had planned to go to Punjab as one of the girls’ father was posted there. The other girl’s father is posted in Chhattisgarh. “Anisha came home to change her
school uniform and later met Pema near a temple outside the BSF campus where she too changed into casuals,” he said. “One of the girls had arranged money from her friends to go out of Shillong. We also came to know that her mother had scolded her recently,” he said adding that they took a taxi to Guwahati. Dubey said BSF personnel, who have been blamed for negligence, “are in fact working hard to find the girls” after they were informed by one of the girls’ mother on Friday. The FIR was, however, lodged a day before. “The parents should have informed us on the same day they went missing. That would have helped in detecting them early,” the BSF official said, adding that Anisha’s mother told them that her daughter had gone missing once in the past too.
COMPAT quashes anti-competitive American educators visit Kolkata allegations against IJMA, GTA Kolkata, Aug 7 : In a move that could bring relief to the jute industry, COMPAT has set aside allegations of bag price manipulation and rigging levelled against officebearers of Indian Jute Mills Association and Gunny Trades Association by synthetic and plastic bag users. "We are happy with the judgement," IJMA chairman Manish Poddar said in reaction to the recent order. "COMPAT Justice G S Singhvi in his order said there was no express or tacit
agreement or understanding between IJMA and GTA for fixing the price of jute bags and the DG and the commission committed grave error by holding that IJMA has acted in contravention of Sec 3(3)(a) and 3(3)(b) read with Sec 3(1) of the Competition Act," the association quoting the appellate order said in a statement. In 2011, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Facto-
ries Ltd (NFCSF) and All India Flat Tape Manufacturers Association (AIFTMA) had alleged before the Competition Commission of India (CCI) that IJMA and GTA had cartelised and violated monopoly sections under Section 3 of the Competition Act of 2002. The Commission in its order held that impugned acts of IJMA and GTA are in contravention of the provisions of the Competition Act. Describing the Competition
Appellate Tribunal's order as a "landmark judgement", former chairman of IJMA Sanjay Kajaria said it will have a positive impact on the jute industry. IJMA and individual IJMA committee members expect to get a refund of the amount deposited in the tribunal, the release stated. BSM SUS MM ARD Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
Underprivileged children treated with exotic cuisine Imphal, Aug 7: Assam Rifles soldiers have recovered 42 gold bars, weighing 7 kg, from a van at a military check post in Thoubal district, a statement of the paramilitary forces said on Friday.
Complex. The commerce ministry would bear 90 per cent of the cost while the Tripura government will bear the rest. Works for the project have started," Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) GM Shyamal Deb said. TIDC is the implementing agency of the project. The IDC would be built on six acres with facilities like Customs, immigration, banking with currency exchange, warehouse and
Kolkata, Aug 7 : Twenty underprivileged children from two city shelters run by CINI, an NGO working for poor children, were provided with a sumptuous treat at an upscale city restaurant on the eve of World Friendship Day. "What matters is the realisation that they are no less important than others in society. They can also enjoy the friendship day with gusto," a
CINI spokesperson said. Afreen, Ruksana, Rini, Sampa, Raju, Saraf, Imtiaz and 13 others were yesterday taken to the three-star multicuisine hub, where an entire row was reserved for them to savour the food, specially made for them. They were treated to Chicken Thai Green Curry, Royal Harabhara Kebab, Fish Amritsari and Murgh Hyderabadi
Dum Biryani. Asked which delicacy they liked the most, the children said in chorus "the chicken preparation with thick greenish gravy." Actor Mumtaj Sorcar spent time with the children and cut a 'Friendship Day' cake with them. "I want to be someone in life with enough money so that I can come to such
places on my own. I need to study hard for that," Rini, one of the 10 girls, told Mumtaj "We don't wish to share details about their past ... some of whom having been rescued from trafficking. The boys are all housed at our Sealdah shelter and the girls are lodged in CINI Amader Bari after being rehabilitated by our volunteers", the spokesperson said.
Kolkata, Aug 7: A group of 16 American secondary school educators visited Kolkata under the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program-2016 from August 1-4. Titled "Sustainable Development and Social Change in India" this dynamic exchange provided inperson opportunities for them to learn about Indian life, society, the education systems and resources available. The program was hosted and administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). The program provided a unique opportunity to the American educators to explore issues, challenges and strategies related to India's developmental goals and to better understand the impact of it on local communities and on Indian society at large. Their Kolkata programs included a panel discussion on "Sustainable Development and Social Change in India" which exposed the educators to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the country. Apart from this, the participants visited
Kolkata Sanved where they interacted with NGO professionals and watched performance by rehabilitated girls through dance therapy. They had a glimpse of the work of NGO CINI on health, nutrition and education. They enjoyed participating in 19th century Calcutta Walk including Kumartuli. They also visited SAFE project sites at Bantala and Chingrighata. The American educators were excited about the heritage walk and said that the walk was extremely insightful and gave them a glimpse into the architectural history of Kolkata. They also found the innovative approach to therapy during Kolkata Sanved visit very interesting. "Traveling to India has been an eye-opening experience, providing a real-world context of learning that will directly influence my school curricula in the States," said a participant. Besides Kolkata they visited New Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Pune and Madurai over a period of five weeks. They will also visit Varanasi after Kolkata trip.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
After deaths rock Raj, ministers flock to Hingonia Jaipur, Aug 7: After facing flak over the deplorable conditions of bovines at the state-run Hingonia Gaushala where over 500 cows have died in the last 10 days, a battery of senior ministers and officials flocked the centre on Saturday. Local self goverment minister Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, animal husbandry minister Prabhu Lal Saini, chief secretary OP Meena and Mayor Nirmal Nahata along with other officials reached the centre in the morning. "Hingonia is a rehabilitation centre, not a gaushala. Here we bring ailing cattle that have been rescued by the civic body. Many of them are already ill and die a natural death," Shekhawat reasoned, defending the government on the issue that has hit national headlines. The situation at `gaushala' worsened after working labourers joined striking contract workers who have not been paid for the last three months. This led to the accumulation of dung, the rains created
a five feet inch pool of slush and muck where the cattle got stranded. Several of these bovines died as there was nobody to feed them. The minister said that workers returned to the gaushala on Saturday and work to clear the slush has started. "We have asked the contractor to make contingency plans so that in future such problem does not arise. Also cheque payments have been issued to workers who have joined the work," he added. The pictures of carcasses of cattle being carried on trucks, kicked up a major controversy in the state politics with the Congress alleging BJP of showing `apathy that led to deaths." State Congress chief Sachin Pilot tweeted, "500 cows dead at government shelter in Jaipur."Gau Prem" of the BJP only for votes. Raje govt making lame excuses.Their double speak totally exposed". Responding to the opposition's allegations, Shekhawat said that for the BJP cow is not a mat-
ter of vote bank politics. "The cow is a matter of conscious and not an issue of vote bank politics for us. The cattle died in the Congress regime too, the only differ ence is that we are working to improve the situation," he told TOI. The minister said that there are 23 wards at the reha bilitation centre. Due to workers'strike, the dung was not lifted from the center and accompanying rains created muddy slush in which several of these cattle's were stuck. He also said that cows died as they were brought ill and severely injured. "We have started the work to clear the slush and mud. The issue of the payments to workers has also been resolved. Whatever the loopholes are left would be re solved," he added. However, the state chief minis ter Vasundhra Raje said that she discussed in detail the situation of Hingonia Gaushala and no laxity would be tolerated in the matter, "We will not tolerate any negligence in the care of cows," she tweeted.
Thais vote on new constitution that could dilute democracy
PAGE 6
Close aides of Anand Pal Singh arrested
Jaipur, Aug 7: In a major breakthrough in catching the dreaded fugitive Anand Pal Singh, the Rajasthan ATS during early hours on Sunday arrested Singh's sharp shooter Aazaad Singh. Aazaad had a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head and is seen as right hand man of Anand Pal who had fired just one bullet to get the chasing police vehicle punchered and during September last year when Anand Pal escaped from Nagaur. One more person Mahipal
Singh who is seen as right hand man of Anand Pal has also been arrested by ATS/ SOG team from Udaipur. He too had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head who had also assisted Anand Pal Singh in escaping. The Anand Pal's escape has given sleepless nights to Rajasthan police and state's home minister who always maintained that fugitive will be arrested soon. Though majority of ATS/ SOG officials remained tight-lipped since Saturday evening, Biju George Jo-
seph, Inspector General of Police, ATS/SOG, said, "Let it be surprise. All what I can tell you is that it is a big catch for us to get close to Anand Pal Singh." Interestingly, the sleuths of ATS and SOG kept the operation as secret in the backdrop of a mock drill in Udaipur to give a slip to mediapersons. A senior officer of Udaipur police when asked on the arrests, said, "We just had some mock drill." ATS/ SOG was due to address the mediapersons on the arrests on Sunday morning.
Energy minister: Iran has respected ‘bad’ nuclear deal Aug 7: The agreement, which was signed in July 2015 and came into force in January, saw Tehran accept curbs to its nuclear program in exchange for a lifting of economic sanctions by world powers. “It’s a bad deal but it’s an accomplished fact, and during the first year we spotted no significant breach from the Iranians,” said Steinitz, who is close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Bangkok, August 7 : Thais voted on Sunday in a referendum on a new constitution that critics say is tailor-made for the military government to stay in control for several years and entrench a new, quasi-democratic system that gives vast powers to appointed officials. The junta, which came to power in a May 2014 coup and ordered the constitution rewritten, says the new version will usher in a new era of clean politics and stable democracy in a country chronically short of both in recent years, sometimes sliding into violent internal political conflict. Still, the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired army general, used its sweeping powers to ban political rallies, independent campaigns against the draft constitution and virtually no debates on it. Opponents say this was done to ensure that people would have little knowledge about the constitution’s provisions, even though 1 million copies are claimed to have been distributed to the public in a nation of 64 million people.
More than 100 people who tried to campaign against the referendum on social media have been thrown in jail, and open criticism has been made punishable by up to 10 years in prison. At a polling booth in Bangkok where Gen. Prayuth is scheduled to vote, officials displayed an empty ballot box to reporters and sealed it before letting the first voter a young woman enter the booth. She first registered at a desk and signed a paper before casting her ballot. People are being asked to check “yes” or “no” for the constitution and related provisions on the ballot paper. Final results are expected late Sunday. The draft constitution lays down at least five years of a transitional period and a 250-member appointed Senate that includes the commanders of the army and other security services. A deadlock in the 500-member elected lower house could trigger a selection of a prime minister who is not an elected member of parliament. Also, emergency decrees
enacted by the junta without any parliamentary consent remain valid. So-called independent bodies, stacked with conservative appointees, would hold “disproportionately broad and unchecked powers” over elected politicians, said the international human rights consortium FIDH and the Union for Civil Liberty in Thailand. “The draft charter creates undemocratic institutions, weakens the power of future elected governments, and is likely to fuel political instability,” they said in a report. Even if Thais vote “no,” the military will remain in control for the foreseeable future. Gen. Prayuth has promised to hold elections next year, without elaborating on how that would happen if voters reject the draft constitution. Thailand has endured 13 successful military c o u p s a n d 11 a t tempted takeovers since it replaced absolute with a constitutional monarchy in 1932. If passed, this would be Thailand’s 20th constitution.
“But it’s still too early to conclude that this 12-year deal is a success,” he told Israel Radio.
Ministry, led by the Yisrael Beytenu party’s Avigdor Liberman, on Friday compared the deal with Iran to the 1938 Munich Agreement, which allowed Nazi Germany to annex parts of then Czechoslovakia.
and Israeli governments have been negotiating the terms of a new 10-year defense aid pact to replace the current one, which expires in 2018 and is worth more than $3 billion per year.
Steinitz’s comments came after US President Barack Obama on Thursday defended the accord, and claimed Israeli security officials now back it.
Netanyahu the same day repeated his country’s rejection of the Iran deal, but stressed that Israel and the United States remained great allies.
In response, the Defense
For several months the US
The Netanyahu government wants the United States to increase the annual amount of military assistance it provides. The renewed row over the Iran deal comes as the 10-year aid package is being finalized.
Rupani to be sworn in as Gujarat CM today Gandhinagar, Aug 7: Vijay Rupani will on Sunday be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where BJP is grappling with unrest due to the Patel quota stir and attacks on Dalits ahead of the high-stake Assembly elections scheduled next year. 60-year-old Rupani today met Governor O P Kohli and staked claim to form the government, a day after he was elected by BJP legislators to succeed Anandiben Patel, with the central leadership playing a vital role in the choice. After the meeting with the Governor, BJP state incharge Dinesh Sharma said Rupani will take oath tomorrow at 12.40 PM. While Rupani was accompanied by Deputy CM designate Nitin Patel and other state leaders, outgoing Chief Minister Anandiben Patel
was conspicous by her absence. “We have told the Governor that the BJP Legislature party has endorsed the names of Vijay Rupani as new Chief Minister and Nitin Patel as Deputy Chief Minister,” Sharma said after the meeting. “The Governor has given his go ahead for the oath taking ceremony which will be held tomorrow at 12.40 PM,” he said. He, however, evaded a direct reply to a question on Anandiben’s absence, saying, “She was present when she resigned. Today those who have been chosen are present.” In a dramatic turnaround the BJP central leadership yesterday decided on Rupani, an Amit Shah loyalist and state party chief, to replace Anandiben as the chief minister, instead of Nitin Patel who was the front-runner till the last moment. (PTI)
Stage set for Modi’s maiden visit to Telangana Hyderabad, Aug 7: The stage is set for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Telangana on Sunday. He will inaugurate Mission Bhagiratha, the piped drinking water scheme, in Gajwel, Medak district. He will remotely inaugurate or lay foundation stone for various projects in different parts of the state. The prime minister will also address a public meeting at Gajwel. Modi will address BJP workers’ meeting at L.B. Stadium in Hyderabad to wrap up his day-long visit. The Prime Minister will reach Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad at 2.20 p.m. He will then fly to Gajwel by helicopter to attend the programme organised by Telangana government. Visiting Telangana for the first time since the formation of the state in 2014, the Prime Minister will unveil a pylon at Komatibanda village to launch Mission Bhagiratha, the flagship scheme of the state government aimed at provide piped drinking water to every household. He will formally turn a tap in the village located in Gajwel, the assembly constituency represented by Chief Minister K.
Chandrasekhar Rao. Modi will remotely inaugurate the 1,600 Megawatt National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) power plant and FCIL fertilizer plant, both in Ramagundam in Karimnagar district. He will also inaugurate Kaloji Narayanrao University of Health & Sciences in Warangal district. He will also lay the foundation stone for Kothapally-Manoharabad railway line. On this occasion, Modi will address a public meeting, for which Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has made elaborate arrangements. Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, said that over two lakh people would participate in the Gajwel programme. Modi will fly back to Hyderabad at 4.30 p.m. and address a meeting of BJP workers before returning to New Delhi. Police and other security agencies have made elaborate security arrangements for both Gajwel and Hyderabad programmes. Special Protection Group (SPG) examined the arrangements made by police and state administration and has taken the venues of the two meetings under its control. (IANS)
FIR lodged against Union Minister Anupriya Patel for violating PTI Lucknow, Aug 7 : An FIR was on Sunday registered against Union Minister Anupriya Patel under various sections of IPC for violating prohibitory orders during her visit to Lucknow. The FIR was lodged against Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and others under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful restraint), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) at Hazratganj police station, SHO Hazratganj, Vijaymal Yadav told PTI. The Apna Dal MP from Mirzapur during her
visit in Lucknow on Saturday was received by supporters at the airport and her cavalcade comprising scores of cars created massive traffic jam in Hazratganj — the city’s fashionable commercial hub — and other areas. This was her first visit to the city after being inducted in the Narendra Modi cabinet last month. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been enforced in the Hazratganj area by the district administration to prohibit assembly of more than five persons, holding of demonstrations or carrying of weapons.
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
NEIGHBOURS
Vijay Rupani is an RSS member since school days Ahmedabad, Aug 7 : Vijay Rupani, who today became the Gujarat Chief Minister, has been a devoted member of RSS since his school days and has apparently been rewarded for his proximity to BJP chief Amit Shah. The 60-year-old first time MLA is known for his hard work and keeps a low profile. His elevation to the top post is also seen as recognition of his Jain community, which was recently accorded minority status by the state government. Rupani, who wields considerable influence in
Saurashtra, a politically significant part of Gujarat, celebrated his birthday on August 2 with his wife and son at their house in Rajkot, his native town. He was born in Rangoon, now Yangon, in Myanmar in 1956 and grew up in Rajkot where he joined RSS as a school boy. He pursued BA and then LLB. As the chairman of the state tourism corporation, he headed "Khushbu Gujarat Ki" campaign to popularise the state as a tourist destination. As a Rajya Sabha member from 2006-12, he was part
of various parliamentary committees on water resources, food, public distribution, public undertaking, among others. He was appointed the chairman of the Gujarat Municipal Finance Board in 2013. In October 2014, he won the Assembly bypolls from Rajkot West with a good margin after sitting MLA Vajubhai Vala resigned on becoming the Governor of Karnataka. He had on February 19 become the state BJP chief, replacing R C Faldu, which was seen as a victory for the Amit Shah faction in the
party's state unit. Rupani, who served as the Transport Minister in Anandiben Patel's Cabinet cut his teeth into politics in his college days when he joined ABVP, and got involved the Navnirman student's agitation against corruption in public life in the 1970s. He was among the first to join the agitation on the call given by Jayprakash Narayan and had also spent nearly one year in Bhuj and Bhavnagar jails during the Emergency. Rupani was elected as Rajkot civic body corpora-
tor for the first time in 1987, and was later appointed as the president of the city's BJP unit. Between 1988 and 1996, he served as the chairman of the Standing Committee of Rajkot Corporation and in 1996-97, he became the Mayor. His is also recognised for his efforts to develop Rajkot as an industrial hub in the Saurashtra region. Rupani has the distinction of serving as the state BJP's general secretary four times on the trot. He was also the party spokesperson at the state level. KA PD GK GVS SC GVS SMJ
Amarinder warns Odisha govt moves to step Badal against up iron ore, chrome output polarising people Chandigarh, Aug 7 : Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today warned Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal against alleged attempts at polarising people along the religious lines ahead of elections in the state. Referring to yesterday's murderous attack on a RSS leader in Jalandhar, Amarinder said, it did not portend well for Punjab and was a cause of grave concern. He said, there was a pattern in the incidents beginning from the desecration of Guru Granth Sahab Bargari to the recent attack on a RSS leader. "This is a deliberate attempt at polarising people and Badal believes that polarisation will help him in elections, without realising how dangerous and disastrous it can turn to be", he said. Amarinder held Badal "responsible" for the current state of affairs where people are allegedly feeling insecure. The PCC president also questioned the silence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the attack on the RSS
leader. "They have not even condemned the attack and I don't know whether they are trying to please someone or are ignorant about the seriousness of the matter", he said. About the announcement of the Chief Ministerial candidates by the Congress, Capt Amarinder clarified, that given the rise of regional parties across the country in almost every state, it was necessary for the Congress to declare CM candidates before the elections. He said, this had become important as people want to know as, besides the party, who is the person that is going to lead them. The PCC president reiterated that the Congress party will announce tickets well in time and the process had already started. He said, the applications will be accepted till August 15. He said, since it was a comprehensive process it was taking time. He said, to rule out the nonserious candidates the party has asked the aspirants to give names of two persons from each booth.
Joint Maoist ops to thwart rebel activities RANCHI, Aug 7: The police officials of Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla and West Singhbhum are set to conduct joint anti-Maoist operations in the districts. The decision was taken during a review meeting convened by Ranchi DIG R K Dhan here o Saturday. The SPs of Khunti, Simdega and Ranchi were present in the meeting. "We will continue with combing operations in the identified areas to weaken the rebels. The SPs have been asked to work in tandem to ensure the same," said Dhan. The meeting was held in Khunti, which has a strong presence of Maoists and their splinter group - People's Liberation Front of India. The ongoing month-long 'Operation Cocoon' was also reviewed at the meeting. "It has dealt a big blow to the extremists in Khunti. The operations were based on last mile intelligence inputs. Despite thiss, we were successful in giving the rebels a huge setback," said SP (Khunti) Anish Gupta. The joint operations will be conducted in the interdistrict border areas so that the extremists do not get enough space to hide in poorly patrolled areas. All the operations will be conducted by the CRPF, the dis-
trict police and other forces would be included as and when required, he said. "We will identify informers, sympathizers, civilian supporters and the cadres of the outfit. These districts will witness one of the largest operations against the rebels in the next 30 days, ," said a police officer. SP (Simdega) Rajiv Ranjan said the monsoon will not affect the operations. This is not considered an ideal season for operations because of dense vegetation in the forest areas. This hardly leaves the security forces twith any option to get some rest and reenergize after exhaustion. "The same problems are faced by the extremists. Therefore, this is the right time to strike at them," said SP (rural) Raj Kumar Lakra. In southwest Jharkhand, the PLFI has managed to extend its base significantly in the last few years. The region used to have a strong Maoist presence, but the PLFI have managed to replace the them. "The PLFI does not follow any ideology other than the ideology of levy. The ideologyless outfit has posed a bigger challenge to the police than the Maoists," said the police officer.
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Bhubaneswar, Aug 7 : As part of its efforts to raise raw material output in the state, the Odisha government has set a target of 8.64 mt of iron ore and chrome in 2016-17. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting where Chief Secretary A P Padhi reviewed the activities of the state-run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) last evening, officials said today. "The chief secretary has directed to scale up the activities and ramp up production of OMC. Target was set to enhance production of iron ore and chrome to 8.64 million tonne during 2016-17," said OMC MD Vineel Krishna.
To a question, Krishna said, "We have put in place the action plan to enhance production. By the end of July this year, around 2.41 mt of iron ore and chrome had been produced against the target of 8.64 mt. I am optimistic that we would reach our target." The iron ore production target for 2016-17 has been set at 3 mt for Daitari, 2.4 mt for Kurmitar and 2 mt for Gandhamardan-B mines. As for chrome, the target is to produce 1.1 mt from South Kaliapani, 0.13 mt from Sukrungi and 15,000 mt from Bangur mines during the same year.
The various issues relating to mining were discussed in the meeting. OMC is yet to get environmental clearance for raising annual production from these mines. The application in this regard has been pending with the Ministry of Environment and Forest. The meeting also deliberated on production for 2017-18. Matters such as forest clearance, conduct of Gram Sabha, sales policy of OMC, extension of railway line for evacuation of coal in Talcher coal field and other problems were discussed and action points decided, Krishna added.
Rape survivors' kin 'refuse' flats Noida, Aug 7: The family of the Bulandshahr gang rape survivors has refused to shift to the new flats allotted to them by the district magistrate "as of now" because they do not like the area where the flats are located. The Bulandshahr district magistrate had asked the family members to shift to the new houses in 10-15 days, they said. The father and paternal uncle of the minor survivor told TOI that they did not intend to shift to the new place immediately. Their decision, however, has not been conveyed to the district magistrate. "We have been allotted two flats and the allotment letters have been handed over to us, but I don't think it is a suitable area. As of now, we
Vaishnodevi pilgrimage suspended, landslide claims 5 lives Jammu, Aug 7 : The Vaishnodevi pilgrimage was today suspended following landslides triggered by heavy rain in Jammu and Kashmir, even as a 10-yearold boy injured yesterday succumbed to injuries, taking the toll in the mishaps due to inclement weather to five. "The pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Vaishnodevi was suspended after a landslide triggered by the ongoing rainfall hit Ban Ganga area situated on the tracks of the shrine," Additional SP, Reasi, Sanjay Rana said. He said the police and the Shrine Board authorities were monitoring the situation and would allow the pilgrimage after the weather improves. "We are waiting for the rains to stop. The decision
to allow the Yatra to proceed will be taken only after the weather improves," Rana said. Meanwhile a boy, who was injured on the track of the cave shrine after he was hit by a falling object, breathed his last yesterday. "A boy identified as Abey (10) who was injured after he was hit by a falling object succumbed to his injuries in the hospital last evening," the Additional SP said. Four persons including three pilgrims were killed and nine injured yesterday in a landslide triggered by heavy rains enroute to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi in Reasi district. The toll of those killed in the mishaps due to harsh
weather has risen to five, police said. The landslide occurred on Banganga-Ardhkuwari road around midnight and the debris fell on a shelter where the pilgrims were sitting, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Ajeet Sahu had said. The other deceased were identified as 29-year-old Shashidhar Kumar of Banglore, 30-year-old Bindu Sahni and her 5-yearold son Vishal from Chhattisgarh, besides 32year-old Sadik of Reasi who was a 'ponywalla', he said. TSS AB SRY RT SRY Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
Uber cabbie shot at in Greater Noida Noida, Aug 7: A 25-year old Uber cabbie was shot at by two unidentified criminals when he was waiting outside Radisson Hotel in Greater Noida on Saturday night. The victim Yogesh Kumar received injuries in his right hand. He, however managed to drive away the car and reached a hospital. He was later discharged from the hospital after primary treatment. The incident took place at around 8:14 pm. Kumar said that he had parked his Wagan-R at service lane near the Radisson Blue. "I was waiting in the cab for a person who had booked the cab. Two persons reached there and asked me to go for Noida. I told them to book the cab through App. One of the criminals immediately took out a pistol and pointed at
me from the windshield glass. The other person dried to open the gate and enter the cab," Kumar said. The driver suspected trouble and moved away the cab. "The criminals opened fire and I received injuries in my right hand," he said. The driver drove away the cab and reached a private hospital.
Abhishek Yadav, SP (rural) Gautam Budh Nagar, said that a case has been registered in this regard in Kasna Police station. "The victim received injuries through the broken windshield glasses. He had no bullet injury. We are investigating CCTV footage of cameras installed around the area to identity and arrest the criminals," he said.
40 injured as protesters clash with cops in Kashmir have no plan to move in," the father said, although the brothers admitted to have signed the allotment letters. Meanwhile, there was no news till Saturday of the family meeting the chief minister. "There has been no such invitation yet. We still want to meet him and seek
his assurance on speedy investigation," the uncle told TOI . On July 29, criminals gangraped the teenager and her 35-year-old mother near Bulandshahr after waylaying the vehicle in which their family of six was travelling.
Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani's father new face of stir, offers daughter to 'struggle' SRINAGAR, Aug 7: The father of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani+ is emerging a leader of the protest movement in the Valley, overshadowing established separatist voices like Syed Ali Shah Geelani+ and the Mirwaiz. On Friday, Muzaffar Wani led a procession of thousands in Pampore as more people turned up to hear him, ignoring a call by the Hurriyat factions to march to Hazratbal in Srinagar. A recently formed umbrella separatist group, which includes Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik of the JKLF, had given a call for 'Dargah chalo' on Friday. However, the response was thin. In contrast, thousands from south Kashmir defied curfew, imposed in the entire
Valley+ , to reach Khrew in Pampore. Wani, who was the main attraction at the protest, was escorted by several armed militants, according to eyewitnesses. While most people walked to Khrew, Wani arrived in a Bolero. He told protesters he was ready to offer his only daughter for the fight against "Indian occupation" after "sacrificing" his two sons, eyewitnesses told TOI. Burhan Wani's brother Khalid was killed in crossfiring between militants and security forces in a forest in Tral in 2010. One of the militants who accompanied Wani also addressed the gathering at Khrew and asked protesters not to pelt stones+ at security forces and private cars. He said this would lead to
police action and more killings. Though Hurriyat leaders were not associated with the Khrew protest, sensing the mood of people from south Kashmir there, Geelani's supporters later played out his address through a mobile phone. On July 31, Hurriyat had taken part in a protest at the graveyard at Kareemabad in Pulwama where several slain militants are buried. Wani was also invited to this event, which was attended by nearly 50,000 people, and it was here that his supporters had given a call for the protest at Khrew on Friday. However, Hurriyat leaders decided to organise a separate protest and later gave the call for "Dargah chalo" on the same day.
SRINAGAR, Aug 7: Forty people, including seven women, were hurt in various parts of Kashmir on Saturday morning as people clashed with police to protest the killing of two youths in police firing a day earlier. Thousands attended funeral prayers for 21-year-old Sameer Ahmad Wani and 22-year old Danish Rasool at their villages in Budgam and Baramulla districts, respectively. Sameer was a resident of central Kashmir's Budgam district while Danish was from north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Their bodies were laid to rest amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. Residents of Jawahar Nagar offered zuhar (afternoon
prayers) on the road to protest the killings. Curfew and restrictions were imposed in Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, parts of Srinagar as well as other districts. More than a dozen were injured in Chee village of Anantnag when youths clashed with police after being forced to call off a seminar. The locals had raised a tent for the event. Police fired teargas to disperse the youths, who retaliated with stones. A health department official said at least 13 persons, mostly women, were injured. One of them, Muhammad Maqbool Dar, reportedly had pellet injuries and was referred to
Srinagar's SMHS Hospital. Protests were reported from southern Kashmir where the arrangements for a rally in Babgam-Chandgam village were broken up hours before its start. "At least nine people were injured during the clashes. Five had pellet injuries," witnesses said. South Kashmir DIG Ghulam Hassan Bhat said at least five cops and seven civilians were injured during clashes in Chee. Protests were also reported from north Kashmir where authorities imposed restrictions in Pattan after four civilians, including a girl, sustained pellet injuries. In Wagoora, protesters burned an abandoned police post.
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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
India's Next Free Trade Partner: Peru? Rajnath's Pakistan visit Will the friendship survive? What could be worse than India's home minister Rajnath Singh visits to Pakistan as a guest and comes back insulted - his speech censored, hotel surrounded by protesters and official luncheon ruined by a sulking government taking dictation from a banned terror outfit. With its churlish behaviour, Pakistan ended up doing exactly what it wanted to avoid: Giving publicity to the Indian home minister's words, denying him media space. Singh's speech is now almost everywhere, it is being quoted by international agencies, talked about in India and, to Pakistan's misfortune, being debated in its own country. Under normal circumstances, Singh's address to the Saarc leaders would have passed off as a normal speech. But the controversy and curiosity around it has given it a life and legend of its own. The entire episode reminds us of the story of Hanuman's visit to Ravana's Lanka. Eager to spite the messenger, the demon king sets Hanuman's tale on fire and ends up burning down his own capital. During Singh's visit to Pakistan for the Saarc summit, Islamabad acted almost like a B-team of Jamaatud-Dawa chief and outlawed terrorist Hafiz Saeed, following the agenda he had set. As if to ensure Saeed was not seen as a paper tiger, the Pakistani government allowed protesters to camp near Singh's hotel and turn it effectively into a staging area for protests. To Singh's credit, he did decided to visit Pakistan in spite of threats of mass protests by Saeed. Once
India had taken the decision, was not it Pakistan's responsibility to behave like a good host, if not a gracious neighbour. It is a shame it did not. Not attending the lunch was a new low. Adding some more icing to the cake, the Pakistani media, while debating Singh's walkout, has imparted to a different spin to the story. It claims the Indian home minister walked out in a huff after losing a war of words with Chaudhry. That is like saying Hanuman walked out of Lanka with his tail burnt. Moreover Singh's speech at the Pakistan parliament during the meet was blacked out. Members of the Indian media, who had come from New Delhi to report on the conference, were not allowed to cover the speech. They were reportedly kept at a distance by Pakistani officials. This country of 1.2 billion should not tolerate the home minister's insult either. This is not the first time that media issues have overtaken the larger purpose of a visit. Ask SM Krishna, who as External Affairs Minister, was left bewildered six years ago when what his much awaited visit to Pakistan after the 26/11 attacks turned on its head at a post-talks press conference. His Pakistan counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi went on the offensive over some pointed questions as a mild mannered Krishna watched. It seems that Pakistan is really bad at hosting guests. But we as Indians do always welcome any guests whole heartedly irrespective of the country or state he belongs to.
Food prices soar India is worst hit Over the past decade, India has seen a prolonged period of high inflation, to a large extent driven by persistently-high food inflation. Inflation in general and food price inflation in particular has been a persistent problem in India over the past few years. Price stability is crucial for sustainable growth as persistent inflation implies higher demand relative to supply. Food inflation in India is growing challenge and it is becoming increasingly difficult for governments to control the same. The reasons are very obvious. There is lack of planning and resource allocation for the same. It is estimated that every year the country's human population increases by 15 million and animal population by another five million on an average. It means we need more food than last year to feed these growing mouths. Price stability is crucial for sustainable growth, as persistent inflation implies higher demand relative to supply. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand this problem and to respond with appropriate agricultural policies to keep food prices stable if we are to reduce hunger and poverty in India. One reason for the rising food prices could be increasing demand for food, as income levels increase with rapid economic growth. Another reason could be supply and distribution problems.
Another factor could be the increasing diversion of cereals such as corn to production of bio-fuels, especially in USA, that eventually also reflect in other countries through international food markets. However, imports of food, especially cereals, are relatively small in India's case, so food inflation is likely to be driven mainly by domestic factors. If there is inflation it makes things expensive and our purchasing power goes down and our quality of life suffers. In order to maintain the quality of life, our income, either from salary or from interest on savings, must improve to compensate the inflation. The RBI has acknowledged the problem of persisting high food inflation in its latest monetary policy announcements, even when it has drawn comfort from the decline in overall inflation. Part of the reason for the negative WPI is the plunging crude prices besides the slowdown in global markets but the reason why it is not reflecting on the food and vegetable prices is the fact that it is more of a supplyside reason. This would also mean that monetary policy has no big role to play in dealing with this problem. Besides the nearly stagnant growth in pulse production for several years, dealing with failed monsoon in consecutive years compounds the problem.
Sooraj Aurora India established diplomatic relations with Peru way back in March 1963. Starting in the early 1990s, there have been increasing economic and business interests between both nations. The enhanced interest in increasing bilateral trade ties between India and Peru is primarily because of India's rise as a technological and economic power along with the strong growth of Peru's economy in the past decade. Peru's interest in enhancing bilateral ties with India is driven by a desire to maintain its presence in the Asian region, bolstered by Peru's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) membership. India's interest in the South American nation is mainly due to the fact that Peru, the seventh largest in Latin America in terms of nominal GDP and sixth in terms of GDP (PPP), is now classified as one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America, thanks to its aggressive free trade strategies. With an increasing GDP growth rate over the years, along with stable currency exchange rates and low inflation rates in recent years, this has led to extensive economic growth and rapid industrial expansion in Peru. On top of this, both the nations are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77 (G-77). Good diplomatic relations thus make it easier for both countries to cooperate and work closely on multilateral matters as well. Both India and Peru are hoping to increase their bilateral trade ties in the next three to four years by exploring the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As stated by the current ambassador of Peru to India, Jose JG Betancourt, last year, "The FTA will just not be for goods and services, it will be a comprehensive one that will have a holistic impact with even movement of people eased." In other words, both nations will try to not only reach agreement on an
Highlight: As mentioned earlier, both India and Peru aim to reach $2 billion in bilateral trade. However, for that to happen, India needs to transform its market to allow it to absorb this massive trade figure. Peru has managed to successfully transform itself politically and economically, making it one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America in a very short span of time. India can surely take some pointers from the past experience of Peru, and how they have successfully managed to sign FTAs with 53 countries. FTA, but also make an attempt to take their relation a step forward by opening up their borders, encouraging private individuals in Peru and India to explore business opportunities in both the countries. Another official of the Peruvian Embassy in India explained further: "the FTA will be crucial and will focus on trade, investment, mining, energy besides IT and pharma sectors which will aim to increase the bilateral trade from $1.5 billion to $2 billion between both the countries." The Scope and the Opportunity of an India-Peru FTA Commercial exchange between India and Peru has almost doubled in the last few years, which has made the possibility of an FTA relevant. Currently, Indian investments have been made in the mining, informa-
Peru is going through a virtuous circle of economic growth. Over the period 2002-12, the size of the Peruvian economy has almost doubled and real GDP grew at an average annual rate of 6.3 percent (the highest 10year average growth in Peru's history). With a sustained high growth rate and low inflation, Peru is referred to as the "macroeconomic star of South America" by many experts.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is also pouring into mining, hydrocarbons and big infraTrade between India structure projects in tion technology (IT), and pharmaceutical sectors. and Peru has grown at 25 Peru. FDI in 2012 The Peruvian govern- percent year-on-year amounted to $12.2 bilment has further invited without an FTA. With lion, an increase of 49 Indian businessmen to the expected trade agree- percent from 2011. The invest in infrastructure ment, trade growth Peruvian mining sector construction (roads, could soar up to 60-70 alone expects to see an highways, ports, and air- percent. Thus, it will be investment of $52 bilports), telecommunica- fair to say that an FTA lion in the next 10 years. tions, and energy and agreement between In- On top of this, the potenfurther to take advantage dia and Peru could result tial for oil and gas is also of Peru's tourism spots in a win-win situation being explored, and Peru to boost bilateral tourism for both the counties. has already started exAs mentioned earlier, porting gas to its partner ties. Peru is also keen on tapping into India's ex- both India and Peru aim nations. pertise in relation to to reach $2 billion in bispace technology and IT lateral trade. However, India's exports to Peru and in other raw prod- for that to happen, India should cross its target of ucts, especially agricul- needs to transform its $2 billion soon, given market to allow it to ab- the high rate of growth tural produce. sorb this massive trade in recent years. HowFor India, Peru's natu- figure. Peru has man- ever, India's exports are ral resources are of par- aged to successfully at a disadvantage vis-aticular interest. Peru is transform itself politi- vis the exports from the world's sixth largest cally and economically, Peru's existing FTA partproducer of gold, second making it one of the fast- ners. It is in India's inlargest producer of est growing economies terest to initiate negotiasliver, and the third larg- in Latin America in a tions to sign an FTA with est producer of copper, very short span of time. Peru to address the distin, zinc, and lead. Peru India can surely take advantages of Indian received permission to some pointers from the exporters to the Peruvian sell gold to India in past experience of Peru, market. 2011; by 2013, Peru had and how they have sucAreas of Mutual Interexported 270 million cessfully managed to est between India and ounces of gold to India. sign FTAs with 53 coun- Peru tries.
Food Security Act Sir, Public Distribution System (PDS) has been, as usual enriching a section of officials and businessmen. It is reported in a section of the press that more than 300 non-existent Gram Panchayat Samabay Samity and fair-price shops have been collecting rice to feed a sizeable number of fake beneficiaries. Incidentally, the number of such Pseudo beneficiaries is almost 25% of the total genuine ones. This is detected recently in the process of digitalization of data relating to beneficiaries and those agencies responsible for distributing food. Under National Food Security Act, online allocation of food is a must. Narendra Modi led NDA deserves Kudos for the implementation of the Act in letter and spirit. But despite digitalization of data, despite detection of irregularity, we must point out one Achilles Heel to the government of India about its failure to check black marketing of Kerosene. We humbly accept the fact, there are myriad of people living below the poverty line and that we (those who can afford) must pave the way for ensuring survival of these poor people. But we (middle class) people are
ruthlessly deprived of Kerosene by the Government of India, prompting us to go for collecting the commodity in the black-market. If at least three liters of kerosene is made available for us in a month that will be enough to tide over the crisis whenever we face it. We appeal to the Union Food and civil supply ministry not to encourage black-marketing of kerosene that sells in our locality at Rs. 50/- to Rs. 60/- per liter.
Yours etc. Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh
There are several areas of mutual interest which can be explored once the FTA agreement does come into force between India and Peru. There are huge investment opportunities in Peru for Indian companies in mining, pharmaceutical, energy, and in the services sector. The foreign investment policies of the Government of Peru are positive, transparent, predictable, and stable. Individual entrepreneurs from both countries would also get the opportunity to increase their business activities in both countries once the FTA comes into existence. In terms of mining, Peru is the sixth largest gold producer in the world, with production over 200 tons of gold. On the other hand, India is the largest consumer of gold, making it an area of mutual interest which could be explored further. Another area of mutual interest is energy, as Peru is rich in hydrocarbons and manages to produce over 100,000 bpd of crude oil. Moreover, Peru has access to natural gas, which it exports to Brazil and Argentina. Joint energy exploration projects between India and Peru are another area of mutual interest, and this in turn may allow India's to reduce its dependence on the Middle East for oil. Furthermore, Peru has one of the finest manufacturing sectors in textiles and the iron and steel industry. Recently, Peru has emerged as a popular tourist destination also. These other areas of mutual interest are possibilities for further exploration. Meanwhile, with India having a strong Information technology sector, Peru can gain substantially from India in this field of work. India can share expertise and technology relating to IT and even space technology, as Peru needs a strong IT sector in order to sustain and manage its current economic growth. Moreover, both countries can mutually collaborate in the defense and agriculture sectors, as there are plenty of opportunities that may be explored by both. 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 8
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Juanita Kakoty reviews the Child Labour Bill Juanita Kakoty I recently received the news that President Pranab Mukherjee has approved the child labour Bill - this when activists are voicing their concerns about what disturbing status quo the Bill would protect. About a few weeks ago, in July, Ruchira Gupta was almost in tears when we met at the India International Centre in New Delhi. "This country will never think about its poor, especially its children who are from poor communities. They will never matter," she said. The Rajya Sabha had just passed the child labour Bill that day. Ruchira, who is an abolitionist, an Emmy award winning journalist, an academic and the founder of the antisex trafficking organization Apne Aap Women Worldwide, immediately called for a consultation thereafter to discuss the Bill and come up with suggestions and feedback to be shared with the Parliamentarians before it was placed in the Lok
Sabha, apprehensive at the same time that the Lok Sabha, where the government has its strength, would pass the Bill without a cough. And that's what happened the following week. Abolitionist and activist Tinku Khanna, who is the director of Apne Aap, told me that a few Parliamentarians had protested this Bill, though nothing happened. Soon after, a campaign was organized by key activists like Harsh Mander (of Aman Biradari), Bharti Ali (of HAQ - Centre for Child Rights), Malini Bhattacharya, who heads AIDWA, the women's wing of CPI(M), Gloria Steinem (eminent feminist organizer), Alice Walker (Pulitzer award winning author), Vimal Thorat (of All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch), Chitra Sarkar (of All India Women's Conference), Ruchira Gupta, Tinku Khanna and thousand other activists to reach out to President Mukherjee with a petition requesting the review of the Bill before it becomes an Act. The petition had not yet
Image for representational purpose. (Photo: rediff) reached the President, when he approved it. All this when Delhi has been abuzz with the campaign by activists protesting the Bill. It's a shame that the country has come to a time when the people who have been working relentlessly, fighting odds, to better lives are not consulted before a Bill is drafted, and are ignored when they comment about
a Bill. Talking of the Child Labour Bill, activists point out how it will continue to trap children from the socially, politically and economically disadvantageous communities in the cycle of poverty and helplessness. A press release by Apne Aap Women Worldwide on the passage of the Child
Prohibition Paradox
Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 states: 'The Act has legalized 90 % of India's child labour by legalizing child labor in "family and family-based enterprises" and "audio-visual entertainment". In a shameless hoax, the Act claims to have made child labour illegal under 18 and to have imposed fines up to Rs 50,000 on employ-
ers, but in reality it has removed all age limits in the so-called "Family and Family-based enterprises". Tragically, it has shortened the list of hazardous occupations for children. Now children can be employed in mixing dangerous chemicals, working as sharecroppers in fields, on construction sites, brick kilns, circuses, orchestra parties etc.
will be punished for something they have no control over. Compounded with the government cut of 50% of its budget for women and children and 28% for education, leading to the closure of mid-day meals and boarding schools for poor low caste children, this will have a devastating impact on India's children for generations.
In contradiction to the Juvenile Justice Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Act has no provision to protect children in need. On the contrary, it does not define number of work hours for children. This will result in poor, low caste children being pushed to long work hours and an increase in school drop-out.
There are 1,01,28,663 child labourers in the country between the age group of 5 to 14 years as per 2011 Census (43,53,247 as main workers and 57,75,416 as marginal workers, i.e. working for less than six months in a year). 80 per cent of them are Dalits and the rest 20 per cent are from backwards castes. Many of these children work with families who are in debt bondage, enslaved by contractors and unscrupulous landlords. They have no bargaining power to keep children at home or send them to school. This Act will lock our children in castebased occupations further.' Looking at the situation
Sadly, poor low caste parents are to be fined Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 for not sending their children to school, after/before these working hours. Since these parents are already debt slaves of contractors, landlords and employers they
at hand, I want to echo what my father (who is not a social activist, has not been trained in the social sciences) said in the morning today. An Act like this is possible only when we think of our 'own' children; and don't care if others' children are not going to schools, will never have an opportunity to step out of traditional caste based occupations. And it has to be pointed out here that some family based occupations can be very dangerous like prostitution among certain caste communities in India, beedi-making, etc. Isn't it time that we raised our voices for each and every child? So each child is entitled to certain hours of school, certain hours of play in a day? In family based enterprises (especially when most children as domestic help or in the tea stalls and dhabas by the highway address the employer as mother, father, uncle and aunt in India) and in the entertainment industry, who would be monitoring these factors? Courtesy: thethumbprintmag
Cartoon Crazy
Samhita Barooah Prohibition is such a mirage that seems real but actually it is like a prism which refracts light into another direction. Prohibition is always coercive and restrictive. It has done more harm than help in the Indian context. There is always a human endeavour to test the limits of strictures and survival instincts can compel any human to unleash the bindings of prohibition. Negative connotation of the world has always attracted positive reactions. Somehow inverse correlation gets established through a reflexive association. Socio-cultural sanctions in every society are the gatekeepers of prohibition. In India, law and social media seems to be some of the vibrant and potent channels of prohibition these days. But prohibition without regulation and innovation is detrimental to both human and natural contexts. In Nagaland, there is prohibition of liquor sale and use in public and private spaces. Ironically, most of the causes of liver failure and stomach cancer are alchohol abuse. Prohibition is directly linked to abuse also. Since people do not find alchohol easily there is a tendency to abuse its intake. Prohibition of liquor in Naga Hills is welcome move from the state and church bodies but its impact on people seems to be extreme. Accessibility and affordability of alchohol becomes very difficult in the open so there is a huge market roaring and surviving on those who can afford and those who are trapped in the debts due to alchohol. People mortgage their shoes, coats, mobile phones and any such expensive items to buy alchohol at exorbitant interest rates not less than 10 percent. Alchohol use has led people to abuse their own family members, kith and kin. Sometimes fights get so extreme that people cannot afford to pay the fine also. 'Abuser pays' principle also applies in some villages which can be considered to be a deterrent but most of the times, it
Puspita Das Barbara analyses the runaway success of cartoons like Doraemon among today's kids Nobita ko test mein zero milta hain, main bhi zero launga (Nobita gets zero in his tests so will I) declares four year old Titu confidently. An exasperated and worried father wonders what next. If you are not nodding your head in similar exasperation and wondering Nobita who, then lets get introduced to this fictional character who has taken today's cartoon world by storm.
Image for representational purpose. (Photo: dreamstime)
backfires and the pressure of payment falls on the abuser's families and supporters. For some people alchohol is part of the status symbol, so if a rural youth has not tasted alchohol, it is below the standards of social constructs and his masculinity. Prohibition without monitoring is making the rich richer and the vulnerable groups are getting embezzled in the traps of prohibition. Most addicts whose life depends on minimum use of alchohol are leading inhuman lives, socially excluded and financially doomed. Neither do they have enough resources for de-addiction, counselling support for constant follow nor are they getting any treatment after multiple relapses which affect them both mentally and physically. All that pseudo prohibition has done is to create a label and stigmatise persons who are under the influence of alcohol. Hence the paradox of religion, class, ethnicity, gender and race is literally wiping out generations of potentialities from Nagaland through easy access to illegal trade, fine system, aggression in
dealing with addiction issues and lack of communication with youths. Everything is practiced, yet under the veil of prohibition. Prohibition is such an invisible order which has shielded only the powerful and disrobed the powerless. Such a paradox has led to gender based violence, women are much more marginalised within their home spaces and excluded further from the social, cultural and political decision-making. Women face even more pressure from the customary construct of a closed community when they get into addiction. Some women face persecution and public shaming when they drink and lose their senses. Some commit suicide to avoid any form of character assassination and social alienation and others gets labelled as mentally challenged even when they are minor drinkers. Prohibition has never done any positive change rather a holistic and multipronged approach with adequate social responsibility is the need of the hour. Legislations and strictures need amendments and repositioning when society is in
constant transition. Without a proactive and pragmatic approach to address age-old critical social problems, only prohibition in the name of a larger cultural ideal is going to silence the voices of the unheard masses. Cultural complexities coupled with religious diktats strengthen prohibition norms and also make oppressors out of the commoners whose morality tangents are defined by prohibition orders. Such oppressors take pride in cleansing society from the ills of alchohol and conflicts which follows from its abuse through their most inhuman acts of coercion. The whirlpool of poverty, disillusion, despair and disruption affects an individual, a family, a neighbourhood, a community and a state in a multi-dimensional process due to prohibition paradox. It is time that the consciousness of the community is raised to address the critical implications of such strategies which are making a few rich and powerful while millions are left crippled and indebted. C o u r t e s y : thethumbprintmag
Master of an oversized robot cat, Doraemon, he bungles through all his tasks, is lazy, hates homework, does poorly in school and depends solely on Doraemon to bail him out of all his troubles. Doraemon is a 22nd century robot cat that has landed in today's world and now lives as a member of Nobita's family helping them with his 22nd century gadgets. The place of origin of this cartoon show is Japan and he took that country by rage when he arrived in their world. Today Japan has moved on and Doraemon has found a new home, India. Gone are the days when cartoons meant a sweet looking mouse and a cackly voiced duck. Gone are the days when a cat chased a mouse and brought the house down. Yes, Mickey mouse and 'tom and jerry' are now vintage cartoons that adults still reminiscence about and enjoy watching occasionally as it brings back sweet memories. Ask a child of this century who his favorite cartoon character is and pat will come the response, Doraemon.
for representational purpose. (Photo: hdwallpapersfreedownload)
asking. How come the children today can barely sit through an episode of Mickey and Donald while they can watch re runs of Doraemon?
The analyst in me just could not rest till the answers to these questions were found. And some answers I did find, not totally satisfactory perhaps, not resting all my doubts yet but a fair assumption of why the psyche of today's child is drawn to a cartoon where they have a fumbling character over the sweet and simple cats and mice of yesteryears. Let's first understand the world of today's children. In comparison to our childhood they have an exposure to much more facets of the world today. Their competition is tougher, their survival skills much more developed and their understanding and grasp way ahead of where we were as children. This awareness of the world also What is the draw of means that they underthis cartoon I wonder? stand in some subconAs a mother and an adult scious level the competiwhose childhood was tion out there, and that is spent in the company of why a character that is so Goofy, Mickey, Donald incompetent perhaps and chipmunks I was touches their heart. It puzzled by my children's probably helps reassure lack of interest in those them that its okay to be cartoons. Were they not less than perfect. timeless? I found myself
It perhaps helps ease the tension of being perfect children or maybe it just takes them into a fantasy world where it's okay to be imperfect. Perhaps they are no different from us after all. As children cartoons were about make believe, about a child's imaginary world of fun. Perhaps today they find that make believe imperfection just as much food for fantasy as we did then. And then again, maybe it's not so deep after all. Maybe its just that times have changed and so have tastes. What was sauce for the geese is no longer sauce for the gander. They have moved on, grown up into a different world and so their cartoons have changed. A more real cartoon easier to associate to in a more real world today, compared to the simpler cartoons belonging to an era when childhood was simpler. Not that they mind the occasional Tom and Jerry. No, they enjoy them too. But given a choice between seeing a cat chase a rat, and seeing a robot bring out his high tech gadgets, todays high tech savvy children just find it more interesting. What will Doraemon's gadget be today, must be the
highlight of their fantasy. A secret wish perhaps to own such a gadget master? Childhood is the same after all. Remember your secret wish to be the princess in the fairy tale or the knight in shining armor? Doraemon just helps them live their fantasy. Times have changed, its only fair that fantasy worlds do to. In the meanwhile, as parents we can just hope that Doraemon the helpful cat robot with fantastic 22nd century gadgets is the one they hero worship and not Nobita the bungler. Ne, children today are too well grounded to do the latter I say. Or are they? Guess some questions will never have a definite answer. And perhaps, its better this way. Let the child be I say. Let him find his own world and let him build on his own dreams. We have lived ours, been the princess to the prince. It's their turn now to be the tech savvy gadget guru to some poor bungler who needs their help to survive. I end with two images from each generation, very different from each other; or if you look closely, just the same - a child's favorite fantasy coming to life. Courtesy: thethumbprintmag
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
TRAI for strict quality norms New Delhi, Aug 7: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India issued a consultation paper seeking to tighten the benchmarks for measuring the quality of service offered by telecos. While the regulator has sought stakeholders' view on an appropriate way to calculate call drop rates, it has suggested that instead of measuring it for an entire service, the call drop rate be measured for smaller locations to identify problem areas. TRAI also elicited a debate for imposing financial disincentives in case of below par performance. (Agencies)
Car prices of Hyundai to be increased upto Rs.20,000 Gurgaon, Aug 7: Hyundai Motor India said it will increase prices of its vehicles by up to Rs.20,000 from August 16 to offset rising input costs and impact of rupee depreciation. "The rupee depreciation and increase in raw materials cost have impacted our overall costs. We have been absorbing most of the costs but now we are compelled to consider the price increase," Rakesh Srivastava, Sr. Vice President (Sales and Marketing) at Hyundai Motor India said. He added that the increase, effective from August 16, will be in the range of Rs.3,000 to Rs.20,000 across models. (Agencies)
BUSINESS
Production of pulses rises amid rain cheer Haryana, Aug 7: Farmers across the country have planted summer (kharif) crops on 885.29 lakh hectares as against 841.65 lakh hectares a year earlier, according to government data released. As per the data, area under pulses has gone up to 121.10 lakh hectares
till now as against 89.72 lakh hectares of the corresponding period of last year. Higher acreage for pulses have been reported from Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujrat among
Kochi, Aug 7: Gold prices inched up Rs 50 to Rs 31,100 per 10 grams, largely on the back of positive global cues and increased buying by jewellers to meet festive demand at the domestic spot market. Silver rose to touch the Rs 47,000 mark by rising Rs 250 to Rs 47,200 per kg due to increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers. Bullion traders attributed the rise in gold prices to a firming trend overseas as investors focus on a key jobs report in the US. Bank of England announcing an interest rate cut and fresh stimulus package to counter the fallout from Britain's vote to quit the European Union meant more upside, raising demand for the precious metals. Globally, gold rose 0.2 per cent to USD 1,363.67 an ounce in Singapore. Be-
Image for representational purpose. (Photo: vetrade) sides, fresh buying by jewellers to meet festive demand at the domestic spot market supported the upside. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity recovered Rs 50 each to Rs 31,100
Image for representational purpose. (Photo: i.ndtvimg) body graphics and the limited edition 'Style' logo. On the inside, the Japanese manufacturer offers a choice between a dual tone black and beige upholstery and a piano black centre instrument cluster with silver chrome. Apart from these new additions, features like follow-me-home headlamps, speed sensitive electric power steering, powerful air conditioning, front power windows, universal mobile phone holder, auxiliary-in and USB charger, central locking and full wheel covers will be carried forward from the T style variants. There are no changes on the mechanical front as
both the cars continue to be powered by the same 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that churns out 68PS of maximum power and 104Nm of peak torque. Power is transmitted through a five-speed manual gearbox and the company claims a fuel economy of 20.6kmpl in this state of tune. Both the cars come with two year/unlimited kilometres warranty with Free Road Side Assistance that can be extended up to a five years. The Datsun GO and GO+ 'Style' limited edition cars will be on sale from August through October 2016 and can be booked at company dealerships across the country. (Agencies)
TECHNOLOGY
Micromax Canvas Unite 4 Plus launched Domestic smartphonemaker Micromax launched Unite 4 Plus smartphone for Rs 7,999, thus extending its successful regional language-based Canvas Unite Series in the country. The Unite 4 Plus comes with Indus operating system 2.0 that offers smartphone ecosystem in 12 regional languages and is packed with features such as Indus
276.10 lakh hectare of the 2015-16 season. Sowing has picked up well after monsoon rains covered the entire country on July 13. India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts rainfall in the June-September monsoon season this year will be above average. (Agencies)
Price of gold shine on global cues, silver above Rs 47,000
Datsun GO and GO+ special editions unveiled
Mumbai, Aug 7: After launching the redi-GO to tap India's small car market earlier this year, Datsun has now launched special editions of two of its other offerings, GO hatchback and GO+ compact MPV, as well. The cars will come with the limited edition 'Style' moniker and have been priced at Rs 4.06 lakh and Rs 4.77 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively, informed a press release. The Style edition GO and GO+ will come in a new colour option called the 'New Blue,' in addition to the existing White and Ruby colours. Further options to accessorise the cars include new roof rails, a rear spoiler,
other states. Planting of rice (paddy) has also picked up in various states including West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Haryana and Maharashtra and it has been sown in 281.95 lakh hectares across the country in the current season against
swipe, hybrid keyboard, text-to-speech, and Indus` regional language app marketplace -- App Bazaar. With the upgraded Unite series smartphones, Micromax is targeting 300 million firsttime users in the country who are willing to move to smartphones over the next three years but have not because they are uncomfortable using a device in
English. Canvas Unite 4 Plus features 5-inch HD IPS display, 1.1GHz quad-core processor paired up with 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal memory, fingerprint sensor and runs on Android Marshmallow operating system. The 4G LTE-enabaled smartphone sports 8MP rear camera, 5MP rear camera and houses 2500mAh battery. (Agencies)
and Rs 30,950 per 10 grams, respectively. It had lost Rs 200 on Thursday. Sovereign, however, held steady at Rs 23,200 per piece of eight grams in scattered deals. Silver ready, too, rebounded by Rs 250 to Rs
47,200 per kg and weeklybased delivery by Rs 395 to Rs 47,625 per kg. Silver coins, however, remained steady at Rs 76,000 for buying and Rs 77,000 for selling of 100 pieces. (Agencies)
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4% inflation goal confirmed by Centre
New Delhi, Aug 7: The Centre on Friday formally reaffirmed the 4 per cent inflation goal that the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had earlier agreed to target. As part of the formal notification of the statutory and institutionalised framework for a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the government has set an upper limit of 6 per cent and lower limit of 2 per cent as the bounds that monetary authorities need to aim at while taking policy actions. The present target will be in effect till March 31, 2021. "The key advantage of a range around a target is that it allows the MPC to recognise the short run trade-offs between inflation and growth but enables it to pursue the inflation target in long run over the course of business cycle," the government said in a statement, following the tabling of the notification in the Rajya Sabha by junior finance minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The government
D.K. Joshi, Chief Economist at Crisil. (Photo: ytimg) also notified what would constitute a failure of monetary policy, and the actions to be taken following such a failure. "It is a good idea to have a band in a country where food is such a large part of the inflation basket and is so volatile,"said D.K. Joshi, Chief Economist at Crisil. "It gives enough flexibility to the central bank." The RBI had in June kept benchmark
interest rates unchanged citing among other factors influencing its policy stance, "a sharper-than-anticipated upsurge in inflationary pressures emanating from a number of food items (beyond seasonal effects)." Outgoing central bank Governor Raghuram Rajan is scheduled to present the next bimonthly statement on August 9, before his three-year term ends on September 4. (Agencies)
Production capacity to be increased by Asian Paints
Q1 profit of Tata Chemical jumps 33% to Rs 280cr Mumbai, Aug 7: Higher other income and lower finance costs helped Tata Chemicals register a growth of 33% in profit at Rs 280 crore in the first quarter of fiscal 2016-17. In the yearago period, profit stood at Rs 211 crore. Revenue slipped nearly 9% to Rs 3,652 crore, while operating margin improved from 13.4% to 17%. Tata Chemicals, which is into a variety of businesses such as soda ash, salt, pulses and fertilizers, saw a mixed performance of its portfolio. Soda ash clocked higher sales while fertilizer reported lower volumes. Lower fuel cost assisted in expanding the margins of soda ash whereas a temporary shutdown of one of its fertilizer units due to high raw material cost impacted the fertil-
izer business. The fertilizer business continues to be under pressure due to outstanding subsidy of Rs 1,479 crore. The delayed onset of monsoon impacted the results in the first quarter, however "we remain positive and expect conditions to improve in the next quarter", said Tata Chemicals MD R Mukundan in a statement. Inorganic chemicals business comprising soda ash and salt are the biggest contributor to Tata Chemicals revenue. Revenue of its inorganic chemicals unit increased slightly from Rs 2,172 crore to Rs 2,204 crore in the three months through June in 2016-17. Fertilizers, the second largest contributor to the company's revenue, declined from Rs 1,203 crore to Rs 761 crore. (Agencies)
Image for representational purpose. (Photo: haymarketindia) Pune, Aug 7: Asian Paints would expand the manufacturing capacity of its two units based at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu and Ankaleshwar in Gujarat. "The company is proposing to increase its water-based paint manufacturing capacity at its plant situated at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu from 1,40,000
kilolitre (KL) per annum to 2,00,000 KL per annum," Asian Paints informed BSE. Besides, the company is also proposing to alter product mix to augment the manufacturing capacity of synthetic resins and emulsions at its manufacturing facilities at Ankaleshwar, Gujarat by 35,000 MT. However, both the proposals would be subject
to necessary approvals, the company added. The company, however, did not share any details of capital expenditure on both the units. "The details of the capital expenditure for the aforementioned expansion would be intimated on receipt of necessary approvals from the regulatory authorities," said Asian Paints. (Agencies)
More earnings from online than offline sales: Study
ICICI Bank's credit profile lowered down by S&P' Mumbai, Aug 7: Ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) said that it has lowered ICICI Bank's standalone credit profile (SACP) to 'BBB-' from 'BBB'. This reflects the agency's views that the bank's loan quality will remain under pressure over the next 12 months. S&P said that loan defaults were expected to remain high given the tough operating conditions for capitalintensive corporates in India. ICICI Bank is vulnerable as 53% of its loans on a stand-alone basis are to the corporate and small- and mid-sized enterprise segments. However, the ratings agency said the credit profile could be raised again if the bank maintains a riskadjusted capital ratio of 10%, which is possible if it sells stake in its subsidiaries as planned. The bank said that its gross non-performing assets have risen to 5.7% of total loans as on June 30, 2016, from 3.8% as on March 31, 2015. More loans may turn bad because of the bank's exposure to power, metal/mining, and rig
companies. These are the sectors that are going through stress currently. The bank also has a large portfolio of restructured loans amounting to Rs 7,200 crore. These are loans where borrowers are facing financial difficulty and have been given more time to repay. S&P has affirmed the bank's 'BBB-' long-term and 'A-3' short-term foreign currency issuer credit ratings. The outlook on the longterm rating is also stable. "We affirmed the ratings because we expect ICICI Bank to maintain its strong business position supported by its good business diversity, and its satisfactory capitalization and funding, despite weakening asset quality," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Amit Pandey. "We expect ICICI Bank's earnings to remain well above the industry average despite the elevated credit costs," said Pandey. "This is because of the bank's competitive net interest margins, sizeable fee income, and low cost-to-income ratio." (Agencies)
Image for representational purpose. (Photo: bankbazaar)
Melbourne, Aug 7: Retailers offering customers an option to buy products online earn more revenue than those who only sell their goods offline, according to a new study. The study suggests that customers spend more online because it is easier to locate items through the search function. Junzhao Ma, a lecturer at Monash University in Australia studied how a larger selection of products available online affects consumer spending, using data from a large US retailer that specialises in apparel and offers both printed catalogue and internet shopping. In particular,
he examined the effect on the retailer's main products, offered in the catalogues and for which there was high demand, and the less-popular niche items that were available on the retailer's website but hard to find in its catalogues.
per cent of the total spending of online shoppers. Ma suggests that customers spend more online because it is easier to locate items through the search function, especially the less mainstream items.
Ma found that online shoppers spent significantly more than catalogue shoppers on both popular and low-demand products, almost 11 per cent more per customer per year on the main offerings and 250 per cent more on the hard-to-find niche items. Catalogue shoppers spent only 2.5 per cent of their total on niche items, yet the category accounted for 8.4
"Low-selling (niche) products are regularly pruned from the product line to reduce operational complexity and corresponding cost, but as shoppers grow more accustomed to the idea of searching for niche items online, carrying these niche products can not only yield additional revenue but also help retailers recruit and retain customers," said Ma. (Agencies)
DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
Features
PAGE 11
ENVIRONMENT
The Eco- Friendly Olympics at Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro opened South America's first-ever Olympic Games on Friday with a pared-down ceremony that put the environment to the forefront and celebrated Brazil's rich and diverse culture. Hampered by budget cuts enforced by an economic crisis gripping the world's fifth-biggest country, Rio eschewed the high-end production of previous opening ceremonies yet still managed to delight a packed crowd of 78,000 at Maracana Stadium with a carnival of lights, music and dancing. "With the Olympic Games as a catalyst, you have achieved in just seven years what generations before you could only dream of," said International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. "You have transformed the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro into a modern metropolis and made it even more beautiful." Under the gaze of the city's iconic Christ the Re-
deemer statue, former marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lit an ecofriendly Olympic cauldron designed to draw attention to the damage caused by fossil fuels and greenhouse gases. Cordeiro was leading the 2004 Olympic marathon when he was tackled by a spectator and missed out on a gold medal. The green theme was extended by the parade of over 10,000 athletes entering the stadium, with each given a seed and cartridge of soil to be planted to form an "athlete's forest" at one of the competition venues. Brazilian Interim President Michel Temer declared the 31st Olympiad open, becoming the first acting leader to preside over proceedings and prompting boos from the crowd in a country still deeply divided by impeachment proceedings taking place against suspended President Dilma Rousseff. Bach delivered a speech that made no explicit men-
Representational image Photo: turner tion of a Russian doping scandal that rocked the IOC on the eve of the games, drawing attention instead to a 10-athlete refugee team competing in Rio under the Olympic flag. "We are living in a world where selfishness is gaining ground," said the German, a former Olympic champion fencer. "Where certain
people claim to be superior to others. "Here is our Olympic answer: Dear refugee athletes, you are sending a message of hope to all the many millions of refugees around the globe. You had to flee from your homes because of violence, hunger or just because you were different. Now, with your great talent
and human spirit, you are making a great contribution to society." Rio 2016 Committee president Carlos Nuzman sounded a triumphant note after a seven-year buildup to the games that was plagued by problems, including rising crime, health scares, pollution worries and severe financial hard-
Brazil Leads World in Reducing Carbon Emissions by Slashing Deforestation Brazil's success in slowing rain forest destruction has resulted in enormous reductions in carbon emissions and shows that it's possible to zealously promote sustainability while still growing the economy. A second study out this week also underscores Brazil's success and shows that deforestation has also slowed in several other tropical countries. Since 2004, farmers and ranchers in Brazil have saved over 33,000 square miles (86,000 square kilometers) of rain forest from clear-cutting, the rough equivalent of 14.3 million soccer fields, a team of scientists and economists from the U.S. and South America report in Science. At the same time, production of beef and soy from Brazil's Amazon region rose. The country has reduced deforestation by 70 percent and kept 3.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, because forests use carbon as they grow and release it when they are removed, often through burning. That makes Brazil's the biggest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of any country in the world; the cut is more than three times bigger than the effect of taking all the cars in the U.S. off the road for a year. "Brazil is known as a leading favorite to win the World Cup, but they also lead the world in mitigating climate change," the Science study's lead author, Daniel Nepstad of the Earth Innovation Institute in San Francisco, said in a statement. Brazil's success in saving about 80 percent of the original Amazon serves as a model for other countries around the world and represents a "completely different trajectory for forest areas over the last few centuries," says Toby McGrath, a senior scientist at the institute and another of the study's co-authors. "For the first time in history, we are stopping the process of forest loss on a frontier before it gets seriously depleted, while continuing to develop economies that still have substantial forest cover," says McGrath.
Globally, deforestation is responsible for about 10 percent of all climate emissions, says a study released Wednesday by the Union of Concerned Scientists. That's down from 17 percent of emissions in the 1990s, thanks to falling rates of deforestation. "Brazil is most notably lauded for their deforestation reductions, but the report found numerous example of successfully saving forests in unexpected locations," study author Doug Boucher, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' Tropical Forest and Climate Initiative, said in a statement. Mexico, El Salvador, and six countries in Central Africa, in particular, have shown decreased rates of deforestation. Measure of Success For the Science study, scientists and economists analyzed how Brazil was able to reverse decades of high rates of deforestation in the Amazon, starting in 2005, when then-president Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva announced the ambitious goal of slashing the rate by 80 percent over the previous year. After that, things turned around due to a number of factors coming together, says McGrath. One important element was the advancement of remote sensing technology. Although Brazil first passed a forest code requiring landowners in the Amazon to protect at least 50 percent of native forest in 1965, enforcement was spotty. "Officials didn't have good information on where deforestation was occurring and who was on the ground," says McGrath. Over the past few years, satellites have given officials a more precise picture of the forest, often in real time. Another boost to deforestation efforts: The forest code was updated in 2012 and now requires landowners to preserve 80 percent of the Amazon's virgin forest, as well as protect watersheds. Those that have violated the rules have increasingly received fines and even jail time in extreme cases. Nonprofit groups, meanwhile, have helped publi-
cize data on rule breakers and have built support for enforcing the law. Campaigns by Greenpeace, Conservation International, and others put pressure on companies that buy products from the Amazon, especially beef and soy, shaming those that have been found to contribute to deforestation. Market agreements signed by companies took that a step further, prohibiting practices that lead to deforestation. "In Brazil, there was rising awareness of the value of nature and how essential it is to our society," says Fabio Rubio Scarano, the vice president of Conservation International's Americas Division, who is based in Rio de Janeiro. In a tough regulatory approach called "critical counties," the Brazilian government also prohibits government loans to all agricultural producers in a county if there's a lot of deforestation going on there. There has been rising opposition to this program, but it has been effective, says McGrath. "It increases internal pressure to make everybody fall in line." The Brazilian government has also created new protected reserves of forest in the Amazon, especially along frontier areas where deforestation had started. Managing these new areas has effectively stopped its tree loss, says McGrath. Keeping Production Up Although landowners in the Amazon face restrictions on how much land they can clear, overall production of beef and soy has risen over the past decade, the scientists and economists note. McGrath says producers have been focused on increasing their efficiency and productivity, in part because they often don't have the option of clearing more land. As a result, many have successfully adopted better management practices. That process can go further, says Scarano. If land that is currently not very productive could be managed better, then Brazil "could double food production without cutting a single tree," he says.
But farmers could use more support from the government, with a policy that encourages efficiency, he says. Emerging Threats and Next Steps Scarano and McGrath both note that 2013 saw a slight uptick in the rate of deforestation in Brazil's section of the Amazon, although the rate remains much lower than it was decades ago. The cause of the recent changes is unclear, but it could be related to weather patterns, which can encourage more land clearing, as well as rising global demand for food. It also highlights the need for further improvements, both men agree. A new government program that requires landowners to register their usage plans should help, says Scarano. McGrath adds that another step should be to strengthen the system for incentives for landowners who follow good management practices. They could receive payments from emerging carbon markets for the amount of greenhouse gases they prevent, or for other "ecosystem services" like protecting water quality.
implementation, says Gustavo Diniz Junqueira, the president of the influential Brazilian Rural Society, which represents agricultural producers in the country. Junqueira says large producers in the Amazon have effectively ceased deforestation, although some smaller producers are still removing trees. To help reduce that, small-scale producers need more access to technology. They also need insurance coverage, he says. The Brazilian agribusiness industry is trying to shake its reputation as being "an enemy of the environment," says Junqueira. "Instead of expansion in new areas, we are looking at how to produce more in the same areas," he notes. In that way, over the past few years, soy production has been rising six percent a year. Scarano adds that despite Brazil's success on deforestation, many other environmental problems remain. The country faces big challenges in "reconciling nature conservation with the needs of human well-being," he says.
A few pilot projects have been under way, some funded by a one-billion-dollar grant from Norway and others, tying in to California's growing carbon market.
Planned development of large-scale hydroelectric plants in the Amazon and elsewhere in the country could erase some of the gains that have been made in protecting forests, he warns. The country also hopes to build additional infrastructure as the economy grows.
In a suggestion that some environmentalists might find counterintuitive, McGrath also says international food companies that are committed to preventing deforestation should consider working in additional areas in the Amazon. "If they don't move into those areas because they are afraid of getting accused of deforestation, then other groups that don't care will move in and will exploit the resources," says McGrath. "Because it is going to get developed somehow." Brazil's agricultural lobby had battled with environmentalists over the most recent updates to the Forest Code. But now that the law is in place, the next step has been trying to figure out
Some environmentalists, such as celebrity Bianca Jagger, have criticized Brazil for not doing enough to protect indigenous rights and for poor living conditions in vast urban favelas, including water quality issues. As the world looks to Brazil for the World Cup and Olympics, those issues may come into sharper focus. "Planning must take into account many factors, including nature," says Scarano. And when it comes to stopping deforestation, "there's no one right way," said Boucher of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "But rather a smorgasbord of options." C o u r t e s y : nationalgeographic
ship. "I'm talking to the whole planet," said Nuzman, a former volleyball player who competed at the 1964 Tokyo Games. "Five continents, billions of people. We welcome you to Rio, the Olympic city. Here we stand to deliver history. I'm the proudest man alive. I'm proud of my city, my country. "We are opening the Olympic experience to new regions of the world. Rio is proud to be the Olympic capital of the world, enlightened by the transformation that we promised and we delivered. A job that we could only finish with the help of our people." Japan's 142-strong delegation was led by flag bearer Keisuke Ushiro, a 30-year-old decathlete competing in his second Olympics. "It's a great honor," Ushiro said before the ceremony. "I want to do my best to lead the team out in style at the opening ceremony. I want to show what
I am capable of doing, when it comes to both carrying the flag and competing in my event." Russia was threatened with blanket expulsion just weeks before the start of the games after a World Anti-Doping Agency investigation revealed state-sponsored doping on a massive scale. The IOC decided instead to delegate responsibility to each sport's international federation, and the 271 Russian athletes that avoided suspension put on a brave face as they marched around the stadium. "It was a difficult situation," said Russia's flag bearer, volleyball player Sergei Tetyukin. "We were ready for the worst. The whole Russian team could have been banned, but there were reasonable people that took the right decisions." The opening ceremony charted Brazil's roots from forest-covered jungle to modern industrial nation, taking in the first contact with Europeans and acknowledging its history of
African slavery that lasted almost 400 years. The show also paid tribute to the arrival of Japanese immigrants in the 20th century. Brazil has the largest population of people of Japanese descent in the world. The country's close relationship with song and dance was also well represented, with singer Paulinho da Viola crooning a delicate acoustic version of Brazil's national anthem, and bossa nova standard "The Girl From Ipanema" drawing a huge cheer from the crowd. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen added further glamour to the occasion, but the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the entrance of the Brazilian team. "It's wonderful," said sailor Robert Scheidt. "Walking into a stadium in the opening ceremony is a magical moment. To do it in Maracana, in Brazil, and feel all that energy, is breathtaking." Courtesy: japantimes
Bamboo Toilets for a Change
Bamboo toilets
Bamboo does not need any introduction; it has been an integral part in all spheres of life such as social, cultural and tradition. Besides traditional household uses, Bamboo has been a basic material for building construction since aged old. There are more than 75% of the rural habitats built with Bamboo in this region. In fact, Bamboo in housing would be the biggest sector commonly practiced as a whole. Therefore, Bamboo housing offers an enough scope to the local populace towards the employment generation in a large scale as well as adaptation of the technology while looking at the abundant resource and the existing traditional skills. Since times immemorial, the general trend of practicing in bamboo construction has been traditional; beyond that, much change and development could not evolve to a large extend. Moreover now, due to the advent of new building materials and industrialization, bamboo has become the least used material amongst the rural and local people. Beyond the above facts, bamboo has also to offer other advantages as
a building material. Bamboo as a material is very light and has a high tensile strength for which the construction with bamboo is much relevant in the areas falling under earth quake zones like North-East India. Also, with the advent of new technology Bamboo has become an alternative material to wood thereby substituting the rapidly depleting wood resources. Altogether, Bamboo is not merely a material for construction but also sustains the local economy in the process, balances our environment and generates local employment. To promote the idea in a mass scale and familiarize the people as to the importance of Bamboo and its appropriate use with the advanced techniques in construction sector particularly, Auroville Bamboo Center and SABF has pioneered in the last few years by constructing bamboo based structures at several locations. The main and basic idea is to bridging the gap between the traditional skills and the appropriate advanced technology. Thus, since its inception has undertaken a wide range of model demonstration construction activities
for rural habitats, ecotourism projects, pre-fabricated modular structures, community buildings and much other bamboo based projects to showcase and familiarize the products in strategic locations of the region in NER and South India. The plan is to develop various models of Public and Community toilets using bamboo both round bamboo, treated bamboo and engineered bamboo like bamboo ply and bamboo boards as construction materials. India's first bamboo toilets were formally inaugurated in Dimapur, Nagaland on 16th July, 2015 by Governor P.B. Acharya. The two prototype bamboo toilets were inaugurated as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) and were the outcome of a five day training on "bamboo toilets for private use and the community" jointly organised by the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) and South Asian Bamboo Foundation (SABF) in partnership with Building Material Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation. Courtesy: pao
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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8
PAGE 12
Despite loss in women's mixed doubles, Sania Mirza confident about medal chances
French gymnast breaks his leg during vault routine at 2016 Rio Olympics
The Hyderabadi also defended her teammate Thombare after the tough loss before saying it will be equally tough in the mixed doubles
In a tragic vault routine at 2016 Rio Olympics, French gymnast Samir Ait Said broke his leg during men’s qualifications on Saturday
Rio de Janeir, Aug 7: Tennis player Sania Mirza remained confident of winning a medal for India in the mixed doubles after losing in the first round of the women's doubles alongside inexperienced teammate Prathana Thombare.
in Sachin Tendulkar in the stands. "I am honoured. He is our goodwill ambassador for the Olympics. It is so good for him to come and watch. Hope he is here for a few more days to watch a bit more tennis."
"India always wants gold for me no matter what I play. At the end of the day, we can just try. There is no guarantee in a sport. We can just try and give our best," Sania told reporters after she and Thombare lost to China's Shuai Peng-Shuai Zhang 7-6 (8-6) 5-7 7-5 in a two hour 44 minute battle. The team of Rohan Bopanna and Sania would now play mixed doubles, the only event left for India after the loss in men's and women's "Stop attacking her guys, she is 190 in the world. She has just played against the guys who are in top-50. Don't be so hard on her. We just played a two hours 44 minutes match against the people who are the best in the world. So are the other 15 teams. Rafael Nadal is also top 10. Everybody has equal chance. Sure we have a shot at it.
Sania Mirza
"It is a tough competition that is why it is Olympics. We will try whatever we can to win a medal for India. If we don't win that is unfortunate but we will give our heart and soul," said Sania.
Bopanna.
great experience for her.
Thombare's inexperience in backing up came to fore as they lost the third set after 4-4 and then 5-5.
"As athletes we can fight our hearts out. That is what we did. You come up short on some days but I am happy that we are able to share this experience, especially for her. We tried our best. "At this stage, my Olympics is still there. I have mixed doubles. I hope she realises that she can play against the best in the world and match them," Sania said further. The duo had a special fan
"You must encourage her at the moment. She is playing against higher ranked players. All three people in that court are higher ranked. There were two former number one. One (Shuai Peng) was former number one and the current number one (Sania herself). It is a
Leander Paes may have just played his last Olympics with a record seventh straight appearance but Sania insisted never write him off. "It is very good. He is a great inspiration for all of us. To play one Olympics is a big achievement, it is unbelievable. I congratulate him but I don't think we should write him off. Everybody thought London 2012 was his last Olympics. Maybe he will be back. He is a great inspiration for all the athletes," Sania added. Thombare said the experience would come handy in future.
New Delhi, Aug 7: In a tragic vault routine at 2016 Rio Olympics, French gymnast Samir Ait Said broke his leg during men’s qualifications on Saturday.
awkwardly, breaking his left leg below the knee.
Said, 26, was competing in the qualification of the Men's Vault when he landed
Ait Said, who has taken home gold, silver and bronze medals from the
The cracking noise was so loud it could be heard over the coverage.
European Championships since 2010, was set to also compete in the horizontal bars, the parallel bars, the rings, the pommel horse, the floor exercise and the individual and team allarounds, but it’s unclear at the moment if that will be possible.
Mugaphi Vijaynagar thrashes Ranglungkan FC 5-1, enters quarters England vs Pakistan: Joe Root hails 'brilliant' Jonny Bairstow as England seize control in 3rd Test After a tight first set, the Indian pair dominated the second to take a 5-2 lead before levelling the match with goodwill ambassador and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar in attendance alongside Paes and
"It was a great experience for me. I got to learn a lot today. It was a great match I wish I could help her (Sania) out a bit more," she said.(PTI)
Battle lines drawn for the exciting football tournament organised by Miao Sub -Division Youth Organisation
England captain Alastair Cook refused to enforce the follow-on despite a first-innings lead of 391 in the second Test at Old Trafford England started Saturday on 120 for none but soon lost openers Cook (66) and Alex Hales (54). Root (62) and James Vince (42) kept Pakistan at bay with a stand of 95 before Bairstow and Ali cashed in against a tiring four-man attack. "The way we applied ourselves throughout this whole innings has been a magnificent effort," said Root. "It started off last night really, with the way Halesy and Cooky took the initiative and built that platform.
England, Aug 7: Joe Root praised a "brilliant" batting display by Jonny Bairstow as England took charge of the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday. The two Yorkshiremen made contrasting fifties in an England second-innings total of 414 for five come stumps on the fourth day. Bairstow was 82 not out and Moeen Ali 60 not out, with England leading by 311 runs.
the series opener at Lord`s. The highest fourth-innings score to win a Test at Edgbaston is South Africa`s 283 for five in 2008. England captain Alastair Cook refused to enforce the followon despite a first-innings lead of 391 in the second Test at Old Trafford. He was eventually vindicated by a 330-run win as England drew level at 1-1 after Pakistan`s 75-run victory in
Whether Cook will declare on England`s overnight score, with the fourth and final Test of the series at The Oval starting on Thursday, remains to be seen. But that England are in a position to press for a 2-1 lead at all owed much to Bairstow`s latest counter-attacking knock since his return to Test duty at Edgbaston during last year`s Ashes triumph.
"It would have been very easy, if we`d lost a couple of wickets then, to feel under pressure going into today. "We had to absorb a little bit of pressure this morning, me and Vincey -- to get through that was really important...With any four-man attack, that`s what you look to do -- take it deep." "Then the way Jonny and Moeen played tonight was fantastic." As for Bairstow`s recent En-
gland form, Root said: "I think the way he has applied himself to Test cricket over the last 18 months has been great."As for when England might declare, vice-captain Root said: "I`m sure Cookie will want a night to mull it over...But we`ve just got to rock up tomorrow with the right mentality to take 10 wickets." Meanwhile Pakistan bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed remained confident the tourists could still save the game. "When you`re in, it`s a flat pitch ... and you can see there`s nothing happening," he said. The former Pakistan legspinner lamented the dropped catch by first slip Mohammad Hafeez that gave Root, then on 25, a reprieve in the midst of a superb spell by luckless left-arm quick Rahat Ali. "We were actually one wicket away from the game -- when we dropped Joe Root, Rahat Ali was bowling beautifully. However, he added: "Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali played brilliantly. They took the game away." (AFP)
Indrajit Tingwa Miao, Aug 7: The last match of the second round of the Independence Cup Football Tournament - 2016, Miao was played today between Mugaphi Vijaynagar and Ranglungkan FC. The tournament which has drawn lot of excitement till now is organised by the Miao SubDivision Youth Organisation. Mugaphi Vijaynagar pumped in as many as 5 goals while Ranglungkan FC had to retreat from the tournament having scored only 1 goal in the match. Ball possession was almost equal by both teams
throughout the match. Mugaphi Vijaynagar also made a few beautiful attempts which were near misses. However the solitary goal in favour of Ranglungkan FC was scored through a terrific shot from the sides. Ranglungkan FC had directly entered the second round through a bye. Mugaphi Vijaynagar will next take on Mpen United in the last quarter final matched which will be played on 11 August.Whichever team wins in that quarter final will face the winner of tomorrow's first quarter final match. Meanwhile, it has been noticed that
the number of spectators are growing everyday. "It is really a positive thing that people are coming to the playground to watch the matches", one of the organisers said.
Today's Result Mugaphi Vijaynagar 5 Ranglungkan FC 1
Tomorrow's match Scorpion Returns will meet Civil Power FC in the first quarter final match.
Sadio Mane inspires Liverpool to a CRUSHING 4-0 victory over giants Barcelona Barcelona, Aug 7 : New signing Sadio Mane scored one goal and made another as Liverpool slickly defeated Barcelona 4-0 in a one-sided friendly match at a sunsoaked Wembley on Sunday. A 34 million pounds ($44.5 million, 40.1 million euros) capture from Southampton, Mane struck a 15th-minute opener and then supplied the cross from which exLiverpool player Javier
Mascherano scored an own goal. Divock Origi added a third seconds later and substitute Marko Grujic chipped in with a stoppage-time header as Jurgen Klopp`s side registered their sixth win in eight pre-season games. They play Mainz, one of Klopp`s former clubs, in a friendly in Germany on Sunday before tackling Arsenal in their Premier League opener
next weekend. Barcelona`s defeat meant that Paris Saint-Germain won the International Champions Cup friendly tournament for the second year running. Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was missing Neymar, who is on duty with hosts Brazil at the Olympics, but fielded both former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, who hit the post in the first half. Barca play Sampdoria at the
Camp Nou in their final preseason friendly on Wednesday and face Sevilla in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on August 14. The glamour tie drew 89,845 spectators to Wembley -- the stadium`s second-highest attendance -- and it was Liverpool`s fans, comfortably in the majority, who went home with smiles on their faces. With seven friendly games be-
hind them to Barcelona`s two, Liverpool were the sharper team and they took the lead with a slick goal. After winning possession on halfway, Adam Lallana surged forward and exchanged passes with Roberto Firmino before teeing up Mane, whose rising shot beat goalkeeper MarcAndre ter Stegen. Klopp reacted with a flurry of fist pumps, but his side had to weather a succession of
Barcelona chances before half-time. Suarez, facing his former club for the first time, teed up Messi to roll a shot against the righthand post, while Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved from Arda Turan and Suarez. James Milner, who announced his England retirement on Friday, was again deployed at left-back for Liverpool, but
had to give way to Alberto Moreno before half-time. Within three minutes of kickoff in the second half, the game was as good as over. In the 47th minute, Origi`s flick released Mane and his low cross from the right was bundled into the net by Mascherano. Barely a minute later, Kevin Stewart caught Jeremy
Mathieu dawdling on the ball and freed fellow halftime substitute Origi, who coolly beat Barcelona replacement goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Grujic, a January recruit from Red Star Belgrade, put the cherry on the cake in added time, meeting fellow Serbian Lazar Markovic`s scooped pass with a fine header that looped over Bravo.(AFP)
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