10th april

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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 303

Dibrugarh, Sunday, April 10, 2016

Price -

Arunachal Congress questioned JAC’s silence on the state overdraft, alleges to have got equal share ET Bureau Itanagar, Apr 9

during the previous govt.?

Where are they now?”, state the Congress committee.

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today slammed the Jan Andolan Committee (JAC) of BJP over its complete silence on the reported state overdraft of Rs. 500 crores. “JAC which was formed during April last year spearheaded the protest against Tuki led govt for financial crisis, but we are surprised that the same JAC have ignored the present reported overdraft as it is not one of their concerns”, stated APCC in an official release.

Saying that Tuki had maintained financial discipline, APCC stated that it was misused by Pul govt. which led to the overdraft. APCC urged the Governor J. P. Rajkhowa to conduct an enquiry if he really feels as consider himself as a neutral constitutional head of the State.

While alleging that the JAC become quite after getting an equal share at the beginning of the financial year APCC said that the BJP has shown its heights of playing a double standard to befool the public.

“APCC wants to call the JAC at this time. Where are those people who arranged many rallies, many press conferences and said that they were concern for the public in those days

ET CAPSULES 2 cadres arrested Golaghat, Apr 9: Another militant outfit formed in the state. It has come to light when two leaders of the outfit named ' Asom Suraksha Bahini' was arrested by Golaghat police. Two leaders namely Rabul Bora and Dulal Lahon of the militant outfit Asom Suraksha Bahini was arrested by a team of Golaghat police and a .22 calibre pistol, three rounds of live cartridges, extortion letter, fire crackers were recovered from their possession. But the most remarkable part is that the arrested duo are notorious car lifters though they gave statement regarding their organisation that the organisation was formed to raise voice against corruption. However, the police has stated about the organisational structure and activities of Asom Suraksha Bahini in other parts of the state.

(Correspondent)

One commits Suicide Dergaon, Apr 9: One Menaka Kurmi (30) allegedly 'hanged' herself at 3 o'clock this evening in the residential premises of one Partha Pratim Phukon, a resident of Phukon Nagar area, here. Police said that Menaka's daughter works as a maid at the residence of Phukon and she has come to visit her daughter on Friday. Since, the body of the woman was reportedly found to be hanging from a relatively low tree, police suspect that there might be other reasons which might have led to the death of the woman. "Her daughter unknowingly unlocked the rope which the deceased might have used before the arrival of the police team", a police official said.

An investigation is being conducted after magistrate and Circle Officer, Dergaon revenue circle Lakhimi Dutta visited the spot. (Correspondent)

APCC further stated that the PPA leader, Kalikho Pul and BJP leader Tamiyo Taga have said very clearly in the assembly session last year that most of the development fund is being concentrated only in Itanagar but it is again surprised that the same man (Pul) is rampantly sanctioned fund, issuing LOC to the tune of crore of rupees and cheques to undeserved individuals in the capital complex. This money is supposed to be taken to respective constituencies.

“While visiting toilet and bathroom, he has announced to

pump money to these in crores of rupees. He also arranged good numbers of media team for his publicity stunt. He just announced it out of enthusiasm not out of strategy and planning. (Hosh mein nahi, Josh mein). This Govt. has no manifesto from the party and hangs in the air which shows that it will not last”, said the press statement.

In a democratic set up, APCC states, everything is guided by the bye laws of the constitution but this Govt. has no strategy and guidelines and it is being formed without the mandate of the people. Pul is copying from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who knows only to throw dialogues but zero in practical. (Bhashan hi bhashan, ration hi nahin.)

Intelligent people and civil citizen will judge this illegal Govt. whether it its service to the people is judiciously served or not or giving satisfaction only to the vested interest individuals.

BJP dissolves all committees, including JAC A Staff reporter Itanagar, April 9

Bharatiya Janata party, Arunachal Pradesh in the extended State Office Bearers meeting held here today at State BJP Headquarter, Itanagar dissolved all subcommittees such as – State BJP Vigilance & Monitoring Committee; Jan Andolan Committee; State BJP RTI Committee etc. constituted during the time of the incumbent State President with immediate effect following the change of guard so that the succeeding State President. The meeting resolved that Tapir Gao, the new leader may

reconstitute as per requirement of the party in Arunachal Pradesh.

The meeting was presided by the outgoing State President, Tai Tagak. The Extended meeting was attended by the state office bearers and all Morcha heads.

The meeting reviewed the progress of party programmes announced earlier including the three phases BJP Executive Meetings - State Executive on April 16, 2016; District Executive on April 23, 2016; and Mandal Executive on April 30, Contd. on Page 3

Very soon, inner-line permits and restricted area permit for Arunachal at entry check gate “on Arrival” ET Bureau New Delhi, Apr 9

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul called on Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr Mahesh Sharma on Thursday to discuss on ways to develop tourism in the state and informed that state government is making efforts to make easily available innerline permits (ILP) and the restricted area permit (RAP). For that to achieve, he informed

TOURIST FRIENDLY PLANS Development of tourist circuit from the entry points along Assam-Arunachal border upto the tourist destination.

At every entry points, an integrated border check posts Check posts to equip with tourist facilita-

tion centre, hotels, motels, drinking water facilities, way side amenities, parking lot, cafeteria, toilets, and police beat post and handicraft emporium and parking place.

Emporium at check gate to sell local products to encourage local artisans, craftsmen and farmers

that entry check gate at the state’s border will have provision to issue the permits “onarrival”.

According to the CM, tourism promotion could not be achieved by merely building guesthouses and circuit house at the tourism site. Such efforts have to keep in mind the kind of facilities detailed along the tourist circuit.

5.00

Gogoi must see face in mirror before accusing anybody of corruption: Amit Shah A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 9

As intense canvassing for the second and last phase of polling in 61 constituencies on April 11 of the Assam assembly comes to end at 4 p.m on Saturday, going hammer and tongs at Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, BJP national president Amit Shah said nobody could be more corrupt than Gogoi and it was time for the people to decide the future of Assam and north-eastern states for the next 25 years.

“Nobody can be more corrupt than Gogoi ji. And, Gogoi ji accusing anybody of corruption is laughable in itself. He must see his face in the mirror and the character of his government,” said Shah when told that the chief minister has accused the BJP of joining hands with corrupt people in the state.

Calling upon electorates to vote for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), he said, “In every state elections come and go and governments are made and changed, but this election holds importance and is decisive for Assam and the north-eastern states. The election will decide the future of Assam and north-eastern states for the next 25 years.”

grants, which is a serious issue as they are a danger not only to national security, but also, to the future of Assamese youth.”

He promised that the BJPled NDA government would provide them the much-needed relief from illegal Bangladeshi migrants. “Besides sealing the border, the NDA government will also ensure that the work of national citizen registration moves forward rapidly,” he added.

Taking a dig at the Congress party for its “failure” to deal with the illegal migration problem, Shah said, “At various stages, our leaders asked the Congress party, its president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi to clear their party’s stance on the issue, but their silence is raising so many questions.”

Pointing out the problem faced by the people of the state due to illegal Bangladeshi migrants, Shah said, “In our vision document, we have talked about illegal Bangladeshi mi-

“Once, Tarun Gogoi has given a statement that there was no Bangladeshi intruders in Assam; if this is the case, I think the Congress could never solve this problem,” he added.

Accusing Gogoi of being responsible for the backwardness of the state, Shah said, “Fifteen years are big time in the life of a person, a society or a state. In those 15 years many states marched on the path of development, but nothing has happened in Assam.”

“Over one crore people are still living under the Below Poverty Line (BPL), there is no clean water for drinking for 42 percent people, 35 percent people are deprived of electricity and the number of jobless people are growing with every passing day, because of the prevailing corruption in the state,” he pointed out.

He promised the electorates that the BJP would give a corruption-free transparent government.

In the meantime, he also recounted a slew of developmental measures taken by the NDA government during the regime of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and now undertaken by the Narendra Modi government.

Contd. on Page 3

Arunachal CM unveils plan for Centre assures to provide financial package strengthen friendship with Assam for ongoing DONER projects in Arunachal A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 9

ET Bureau New Delhi, Apr 9

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has asked for one-time financial package to support all the ongoing development works in the state funded by the Department of North Eastern Region (DONER), which till date remains incomplete.

Calling on Union Minister of State for DONER (I/C) Minister Jitendra Singh here on Thursday, the CM said all the ongoing works under DONER ministry are critical projects and require continued funding for completion of the project; else all pending infrastructures would be wasted.

Contd. on Page 3

In an effort to strengthen peace-building efforts between Assam and Arunachal, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today asked for further cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two states.

Speaking to the activists of Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad here today, the CM expressed his intend to give renew thrust on efforts to promote cultural interaction and strengthen friendship between the people of the two states.

Kalikho Pul called on the Union Minister of State for DONER (I/C) Minister Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Thursday,

Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, Apr 9

cmyk

Amit Shah BJP National President addressing media persons at Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos.

“The objective of our alliance is not just to form a government in Assam. We want to give a government that can ensure overall development of the state. Hence, the next government in Assam should be a majority government, a decisive government,” he added.

The motivation behind

Advanced poll parties move towards remote areas in Darrang to ensure free and fair polls The responsible polling officials are the real backbone of the free and fair polling and success of the mega democratic process in the country.

In other words, they are the men who work day in and day out to keep the spirit of democracy flying high. After a series of training and preparations it is now the time for these polling personnel to prove themselves in the practical field.

These polling officials in

Page 11

Pages- 12

Darrang Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar

every election period counter with some rare experiences and for some of them who are deputed to remote polling stations like at Nangli Char, Gusbari etc under Mangldai LAC, the experiences are undoubtedly an adventurous one.

Like the polling stations in Nangli Char or Gusbari, other such 22 polling stations under the LAC has been identified as the remotest polling stations in Darrang district.

with three different phases – first in four wheeler vehicle then in boats and then again on bikes or in tractors. Polling officials along with security personnel have already left for these 24 polling stations in advance on Saturday afternoon after collecting EVMs, relevant polling documents and materials from temporary strong room campus in Mangaldai College.

To reach these polling stations most are in chars there is every possibility of journeys

Talking to this correspondent Manoj Kumar, District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner informed that

in addition to four wheeler vehicles 12 nos of mechanized boats, equal nos of tractors and motor bikes have been provided for the officials to reach their destinations within time.

It may mentioned that there are a total of 795 polling stations in four assembly segments under the district for which 372 nos of vehicular traffic have reportedly been made ready for polling personnel as said officer in charge of transport cell and ADC Bidyut Bikash Bhagawati.

Arunachal CM speaking with activists of Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad in Guwahati today. such promotion of peace and harmony, according to the CM is that “our existence in this eternal world is only temporary. This earth has existed much before we came and will remain so after we

leave it. So what are we fighting for that we intend to take away with us when we die?”

Contd. on Page 4

APPEAL Dear/Respected Citizens I on behalf of the District Administration of Darrang, feel elated to offer my hearty congratulation and compliments for the ensuring “Rongali Bihu” to all of you.

Here, I have the pleasure to call upon all, to cast your valuable vote in order to make the foundation of our Democracy strong and stable in the forthcoming Assembly Election scheduled to be held on 11 April, 2016.

Cordially yours, Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Darrang, Mangaldai

cmyk

Page 12

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

PAGE 2 ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You will bring out your maps and magnifying glass today as you want to explore and investigate. Also, you remain touchy. Anyone who gets in your way will face your ire. Be sensitive to your loved ones.

Taurus Physical and mental fitness will top your priority list today. You are likely to take special interest in working out and doing mental exercise. Keep up the hard work and the efforts of today will pay rich dividends in future. You will have a fabulous time with your loved one tonight.

Gemini You will have an emotionally turbulent day. In the afternoon, you will be extra touchy about what others think of you. But by evening, your aesthetic sensibilities will overcome your insecurity and you will be back to your cheerful self after being witness to an exquisite display of performing arts. In fact, you may even want to propose to your sweetheart.

Cancer Today you will be forced to make quick decisions. At workplace, you will probably refuse to yield to any kind of pressure. You will ace every test that your boss will throw at you.

Your quest for fame will restart in the evening.

Leo Today, you shall have the unique ability to put up with any disparity and inequity. Blessed with this, you can look forward to a seemingly endless number of favours and wonders later in the day. Speaking of love, your partner can expect a lot of serene words from you, even as you live up to his/her expectation.

Virgo The day promises to be full of surprises and twists and turns, each of which you will handle with maturity. If anyone makes the mistake of taking you for granted, they will repent for their poor judgement as you are not one to be pushed around. Determination to find solutions to prolonged and unsettled issues will yield results before the day ends.

Libra It’s not the Olympics, but for those associated with sports, today, you may come across the opportunity to stake your claim to fame. Also, expect the unexpected and be prepared for a lot of different turn of events in the afternoon. You are brimming to the top with energy and enthusiasm in the evening. Keep it so, as it will help you strike a great balance between business and pleasure. It’s like you are in top form today!

Scorpio There is a strong prospect that you will be buying a state-of-the-art motor vehicle. In the afternoon, you may finalise deals regarding your dream house. In the evening, you are likely to buy a household item to please your life partner.

Sagittarius It is very likely that you will pay enough attention to your family members today. Take time out to validate the efforts of others and show consideration when and where required. At workplace, people will admire your honesty. Romance is in the air in the evening.

Capricorn For this one day, you will be the master of your own fate, assigning work and cleverly getting it done without having to move a muscle. Incidentally, you will put in efforts to get along well with those around you, and unknowingly impress many by dint of your stupendous management skills.

Aquarius This day will play an important part in your future! The much-needed funds for business or education may fall your way today. Your seamless happiness will reflect in the playful mood in which you will interact with your loved ones.

Pisces You will be in pursuit of educational and intellectually stimulating activities today. Novel business proposals are likely to crop up in the afternoon. Your magnetism is likely to net you a date later in the evening.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 10-4-16 (SUNDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bhajan From Films 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-00 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 9-20 A.M-Seuji Chora (Children Programme)-1.Talk-"Prakritik Poribesh Sangrakshan Aaru Bohag Bihu" by Satish Chutia 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori (Request Programme of Assamese Songs) 1-10 P.M-Gharjeuti -1.Talk-"Asomiya Sanskritir Obicchedya anga Gamocha" by Punya Probha Gohain, 2.Talk-"Pahoronir Garbhat Dhekishall " by Premalata Bhattacharya 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya 9-30 P.M-Feature 10-00 P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P

Ajay Kumar Narzary eyes social change ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 9: Independent candidate for 30-Kokrajhar east LAC Ajay Kumar Narzary has eyed of building social change and integration among all sections of communities in the region.

Speaking the reporters today at his residence in Kokrajhar, Narzary said that he has been

contesting the assembly election from Kokrajhar east to establish social change by bringing consciousness of human resource development among society.

'Creating social consciousness, corruption free society and people's welfare activities is the prime job of

his contesting election.

Peoples across the different communities extended support to his candidature, so his winning is sure from the Kokrajhar east LAC', Narzary said.

He has appealed to all sections of communities to vote for his candidature to meet bring social uplift and integrated society.

Campaigning for Assam assembly second phase concludes ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 9: The election campaigning from different party and organizations in support of their candidates to the second phase of Assam assembly polls for 61 constituencies scheduled on April 11 has concluded by 5 pm this evening all over the state, including Bodoland region as well lower Assam districts.The second phase of polls for 61 seats out of 126 member assembly would take place on April 11,Bodoland region has also been witnessing of strong contesting from different party and organistaions, included Bodoland Peoples Front(BPF) contesting in 13 seats,United Peoples Party(UPP) in 14 seats,the Congress in 8 seats all over the region,besides AIUDF contesting in 14 seats.On the concluding day of campaigning,APCC president Anjan Dutta campaigned for alliance partner UPP candidate for Kokrajhar west Urkhao Gwra Brahma at Monakocha Fakiragram.

Dutta appealed to all sections of communities to vote UPP candidates in the election to meet social change

contesting seats in the state.

This time peoples from all walks of life are supporting the UPP party and expectation of the winning large number of seats is confirmed'.

The BPF party this time will be facing suffered of defeats in very bad manner, because they are winning only in 23 seats.We are forming government at Dispur to gain more social change and fulfillment of peoples’ hopes and aspiration among all sections of communities, Brahma added.

The crowd which attended the election campaign at Monakocha on Kokrajhar district on Saturday. and integration. BPF president and BTC chief Hgarama Mohilary campaigned for party Pramila Rani Brahma for Kokrajhar east seat at Kokrajhar Santinagar where thousands of party supporter and voters thronged.Mohilary promised of social development among all sections of communities,because this BJP-BPF-AGP alliance party is forming government at Dispur with no doubt.

Anjan Dutta,APCC president said,’We are(Congress party) forming government

for fourth consecutive term in Assam,because we have won 42-45 seats in the first phase of polls, and in the seduled second phase that to be held on April 11,would be winning 30-35 seats’.

‘It is required only 64 seats to claim forming government,but we are winning over 70 seats,so our government formation is sure and cleared because common publics are voting to the Congress party.In Bodoland region,We have poll pact with UPP party,whose public based is

very strong,therefore the alliance government is sure in between Congress-UPP. The BJP led BPF-AGP alliance party is ‘Kishiri’(mixed),so common publics are not giving support to these Kishiri alliance in the state.They have lost masses based,so their dream of forming is not to be come true’.he said.

Urkhao Gwra Brahma,UPP candidate for Kokrajhar west said 'My candidature is winning from Kokrajhar west seat,besides his party winning 7-8 seats all over the

Techniche celebrates the successful completion of “Wake Up and Vote” Campaign A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 9: With only two days left for the D-day in Guwahati, the flash mob organized by Techniche, IIT Guwahati was well received by the crowd gathered at FoodVilla for the weekend. The event was a successful conclusion to Techniche’s “Wake Up and Vote" Campaign which started in January 2016.

The initiative was taken up by the IIT Guwahati students in a bid to create awareness among citizens about voting rights and the responsibility to vote. The campaign kicked off on a high note with students covering the villages in Hajo region to help voters enroll to voters list and make corrections in their voter cards. This was followed by another event on

a much bigger scale in Palasbari region in North Guwahati totally receiving over 500 applications that have been submitted to the Election Commission for processing.

and Trade fair to make a survey from the companies about how elections influence their marketing strategies and what techniques would they be following during this period.

"We received a lot of support from the SVEEP team of Election Commission.

We are grateful to them for their support and we wish them all the best for Phase II of the elections.

Techniche celebrates the successful conduction of the first phase of election with a whopping 82.2% turnout and wishes better results for 11th April” expressed Revanth Chetluru –Head of National Events Techniche.

As a part of the campaign earlier Techniche put up shows in various public gatherings during the South Asian Games 2016

Teaming up with the Election Commission of Kamrup rural, the campaign reached the youth in colleges of North Guwahati – B. P. Chaliha College, Nagarbera, Suren Das College, Hajo to name a few where team Techniche encouraged and took the views of the students who are utilizing their vote for the first time.

Across all the outings, Techniche received pledges from 3000+ pledges from citizens of Guwahati to vote responsibly which have been uploaded techniche.org/ wakeupandvote

The campaign received great applause from all and was highlighted by the media. Techniche also received support from celebrities like Dia Mirza and Mary Kom who have expressed their concern about the Assam elections and encouraged people to take part in the voting process.

The campaign - "Wake Up and Vote" - launched by the students of IITGuwahati in the city, is part of the institute's Techno-Management festival Techniche. The right to vote campaign is aimed at spreading awareness that voting builds a healthier nation and strengthens democracy. The 18th edition of Techniche will be organized from 1st September to 4th September, 2016.

Hagrama Mohilary said that irrespective of caste,creed and languages are want social change as well integration,that is why this BJP-BPF-AGP alliance party is winning in large number of seats through which government would be formed in the state.

‘The BPF party is wining in all 13 contesting seats in Bodoland region,no party candidate could not be won because they have no public based.The alliance party has been gaining its mass based in the region and social uplift would be brought to the state’,Mohilary added.

18 Polling Parties left for Polling Station in Kamrup ET Correspondent Rangia, Apr 9: For the smooth conduct of the ensuing Assembly Election in Kamrup Election district, eighteen Polling Parties comprising of Presiding Officers, Polling Officers and Police personnel left today for their designated Polling Stations in advance after receiving the EVMs and other poll related documents from distribution Centre set up at Rajib Gandhi Indoor Stadium, at Amingaon. Among these eighteen Polling Stations, eight are in Boko LAC and ten are in Chaygaon LAC under Kamrup Election District. This advance movement of Polling Parties has been done as these Polling stations are located in comparatively remote area.

‘Selfie with Sarbananda’ an instant hit among youths mobilized the groundlevel connect of the party with people getting the option to print their photos with the leaders through a printer present in the vans.

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Apr 9: The BJP’s ‘Selfie with Sarbananda’ campaign, launched on April 6, became an instant hit among the youths as data shared by the party suggests that more than 3,500 people clicked selfies with the party’s CM candidate Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi through the new application.

The application, installed in mobile vans campaigning across over 100 locations daily that go to polls on April 11, saw enthusiasm among the youngsters who tried the new technology and took print outs of the selfies instantly.

While Aniket, a student, couldn’t meet Shri Narendra Modi in Guwahati, where the prime minister was on Friday for election campaigning, he could take a selfie with Shri Narendra Modi with the application and uploaded on Facebook. “BJP’s tryst

While launching the campaign in Guwahati on Wednesday, Union road transport, highways and shipping minister Shri Nitin Gadkari said, “The best thing about this campaign is that one can click a selfie with Shri Sarbananda Sonowal or the Prime Minister without them physically being present there. This is technology.” with technology gives me the belief that the party’s agenda of development will yield fruit in Assam. I am looking for a positive change and I am happy that I could show my support to the party with newage tools like virtual augmented reality and click a selfie with the prime minister,” said Aniket who shared two selfies on Facebook – one with the prime minister and an-

other with CM candidate Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.

The campaign is one of the first such initiatives by a political party in Northeast India. The campaign gels with Shri Narendra Modi’s youth connect initiatives, and has garnered amazing popularity in such a short time-frame.

Through the unique campaign, conceptualised by

the BJP’s IT cell, over 100 locations are being tapped in a day through poll campaign vehicles moving across 61 constituencies that will go to polls in the second phase. The app has given a chance to the young voters to click pictures with a virtual replica of the party’s chief ministerial candidate Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. It has

In the app, whenever an individual is clicking a selfie, a transparent wall of Shri Narendra Modi or Shri Sarbananda Sonowal comes up overlapping the selfie thereby giving a perfect photograph which will have one of the two politicians with the selfie clicker in spite of the fact that the politicians are not personally present at the spot. The instantly printed photograph acts as a memoir of the election.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

PAGE 3

“I am willing to travel the proverbial extra mile to streamline the functioning of Education department in the state.” – Lowangdong, Education Minister ET Bureau Khonsa, Apr 9: While addressing a mammoth gathering of chiefs, GBs, PRI leaders, HoDs and public of 57 Borduria-Bogapani Assembly constituency on 9th April at Borduria village Education Minister Wanglin Lowangdong said that he was willing to travel the proverbial extra mile to streamline the functioning of Education department in the state adding that he was ever committed with a clear intention to work for the uplift of the people of the state.

While underscoring the importance of quality education in the state Lowangdong told the gathering that the present government was according top priority to Education and Health sectors for which maximum fund allocation had been made for those two vital sectors in this year’s Budget.

The Minister emphatically

spiration for Tirap district because apart from being a Minister he was the Nocte chief who is the true custodian of Nocte traditional systems.

He said that Lowangdong was the 3rd Education Minister from Tirap district after late Nokmey Namati and Wangpha Lowang.

Earlier, in his welcome address Lonhang Wangha described the occasion as historic and thanked HCM Pul for inducting Lowangdong as the Education Minister, the post which was tailor-made for him by virtue of his shining academic backgrounds. said that he would leave no stone unturned to improve the over all education scenario in the state for which he sought the willing cooperation of all the stakeholders in the state.

While clarifying about his long absence from his con-

stituency Lowangdong said that he was busy along with his colleagues to bring about a political change in the state under the able leadership of the Chief Minister Kalikho Pul to do away with the stereotyped and redundant policies and programmes practised earlier and to embark on

a new and innovative; truly people-friendly paradigm shift to ensure faster development.

While lavishly showering praises on the CM, Kalikho Pul for his clear vision and far-sighted policies the Minister said that Pul was very

Itanagar-Capital complex land affected people protests against eviction order A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 9: Taking strong exemption to eviction orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar-Capital Complex, the Capital Complex Land Affected People’s Forum (CCLAPF) held a mass protest meeting today under the chair of Takam Dari Sojik.

The CCLAPF said that the government constituted committee in its first meeting held on 13 February, 2014, had unanimously adopted a resolution that all on-going unauthorized constructions and eviction processes in the Capital Complex area would be stopped immediately till further order. Accordingly, the forum asserted that it had passed directives to all its members to maintain status quo and not to indulge in any fresh encroachments henceforth.

The forum claimed that it had also taken up the issue of preventing further fresh encroach-

ments with various authorities earlier and expressed its willingness to cooperate with the district administration or any other authority to prevent any further fresh encroachment.

Alleging the administration of indulging in the “deplorable” practice of conducting the eviction processes in “pick and choose” manner, the forum opined that it would be more appropriate if the Capital Administration resumes the uniform verification drive for all the sectors and colonies in the Capital Complex immediately and accordingly take some appropriate decision in respect of this issue in its entirety.

On reports that approximately 7000 indigenous families of the state have encroached upon government lands and hence should be evicted now, (especially when most of them are in occupation for more than last 10 to 15 years) –without any compensations–is

TBS conduct Social Service

a far too simplistic presumption, the CCLAPF said.

“We seriously feel that a comprehensive scientific study should be conducted on the cause (origin) and the effect (ramifications) of such a mass phenomenon, which we believe the government constituted committee is doing”, said the members.

The CCLAPF, along with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) had earlier submitted representations on several occasions and held a series of joint meetings with the government in order to hammer out an amicable, logical and permanent solution to the protracted land occupation and allotment imbroglio of the Capital Complex.

The forum also reminded that due to the persistent persuasion made by the AAPSU and CCLAPF, the state government had duly constituted a high level committee vides Government

ET Bureau Itanagar, Apr 9: The Theravada Buddhist Society (TBS) Itanagar conducted one day cleanliness drive in the Temple premises today. The cleanliness drive was conducted as part of the forthcoming popular water festival Sangken. This year the Sangken festival will be cel-

ebrated from April 13 to 16 next.

During the cleanliness drive, the members of the society cleaned the temple premises and the temporary shrine where the statues of Lord Buddha will be placed for three days besides colouring and preparing the loungkoong (water sprinkle tree).

Centre assures to provide financial package for ongoing DONER projects in Arunachal Contd. from Page 1 He said let enquiry on the entire ongoing work take place, while there be no stoppage on funding. The CM regretted the misuse of resources earlier that had led to several DONER funded projects languishing without proper completion.

Justifying his appeal for grant of one-time financial package, he said that in this current financial year, there were no single developments projects funded by DONER ministry in the state and added such financial package would compensate those gaps.

He assured the minister that all DONER funded works would be completed on time, and all utilization certificates submitted. The CM also ensured on judicious and efficient use of the financial package, which would be used for du-

rable asset creation with quality work. On monitoring of works, he called for independent monitoring agencies.

The CM further sought support to alleviate the financial burden borne by the state on construction of State Assembly building and Civil Secretariat. The DONER funded Assembly and Secretariat building couldn’t complete on time earlier with all the funds gone exhausted.

So for completion of the buildings, the state government had to take over as state’s project. He informed that work is now on full swing with Secretariat building to complete by April last and the Assembly building by August.

The minister informed that PM Narendra Modi is supportive of development cause in Arunachal and assured that all requests will be met.

The CCLAPF expressed its strong anguish against the unilateral act of issuance of eviction orders despite clear-cut resolution passed by the government constituted committee, and made it clear that they would not remain mute spectators to any unilateral and arbitrary move by the capital administration, and that it shall be opposed rigorously.

They categorically stated that in the event of any human casualties due to any misadventure by the capital administration, the latter shall solely be held responsible for it.

Meanwhile, the forum also met Deputy Chief Minister Kameng Dolo and submitted a memorandum requesting status quo maintenance till the government takes the final decision.

BJP dissolves all committees, including JAC Contd. from Page 1

The Theravada Buddhist Society (TBS) Itanagar conducted one day cleanliness drive in the Temple premises today

Order No. LR-101/87(Vol-II)/ 1658 Dtd 22/10/2013 to look into the land occupation and allotment imbroglio of the Capital Complex.

2016 where the social economic and political resolutions will be taken up, as well as strengthening of the organization across the state as per the National Executive decision on March 19-20, 2016 in New Delhi. The meeting decided to go ahead with the party programmes announced and the proposed State Executive will be held on April 16, 2016

here at Naharlagun, and for which constituted 05 (five) sub-committees have been constituted for the purpose.

The newly appointed state President, Tapir Gao is scheduled to take over charge formally from the incumbent State President, Tai Tagak on the first day of the State Executive in a handing over and taking over programme according honourable exit to Tai Tagak by the new State president, Tapir Gao, a tradition of the party.

Very soon, inner-line permits and restricted area permit for Arunachal at entry check gate “on Arrival” Contd. from Page 1 Unveiling his plan, the CM proposed to develop the circuit from the entry points along Assam-Arunachal border upto the tourist destination. At every entry points, there will be an integrated border check posts, equipped with tourist facilitation centre, hotels, motels, drinking water facilities, way side amenities, parking lot, cafeteria, toilets, police beat post and handicraft emporium and parking place. Also to encourage local artisans, craftsmen and farmers, the check gate will also have an emporium to sell local products, he said.

eral places in Arunachal get cutoff and it is during such critical time, air service is highly essential to lift emergency patients, stranded passengers and immediate evacuation of flood and other disaster victims.

Also the CM requested the minister for one-time waiver of all pending dues for helicopter service in Arunachal, to which the minister agreed to consider it.

The CM further informed that proposed tourist circuits would provide wayside amenities at every 50-60 km points with all facilities to assist the travelers.

These waysides amenities will be set up at vantage points in potential areas with scenic beauty.

Speaking on to promote art & culture, the CM said all efforts are being made in promotion of the state’s unique culture and traditions. These traditions when given adequate exposure to outside world can bring back good economic returns for the state, he said. Therefore, the CM requested the minister to help develop cultural centers at all district headquarters, where the local cultural items could be showcased for outside visitors and tourists.

On improving air services in Arunachal, the CM requested to expedite the process of connecting and improving helicopter services for all the district headquarters. During monsoon, sev-

Appreciating the novel plan of the state government in tourism sector, the minister assured to provide all financial support in developing tourism industry in the state.

keen to take the state in the path of all round progress and prosperity for which he was working round the clock.

While describing education as panacea for all ills, Lowangdong lamented that the education scenario in Tirap district was abysmally grim and exhorted the youth

and parents to pay adequate attention to education.

In his address senior public leader of the 57-BorduriaBogapani constituency T. Tongluk appreciated the wisdom and acumen of the CM for allocating the most important portfolio of Educa-

tion to Lowangdong who was highly educated and well-informed which would do a world of good for the state.

Manwang Lowang, public leader in his speech said that Lowangdong had always been a constant source of in-

The meeting was also graced

by Tirap DC, SP, DDSE, DMO and a host of other distinguished invitees. Cultural programmes and a grand feast marked the occasion.

The ASM Wangren Lowang in his vote of thanks appreciated the organizers of the event.

While Dy.CC alleges CC of fund misappropriation, CC slams the allegation as mere accusation out of frustration Floor test for CC PMC to be held on 13th April Maksam Tayeng Pasighat, Apr 9: When Dy Chief Councilor Kaling Darang has alleged Chief Councilor Denong Tamuk of misuse of official power, position, misappropriation of municipal fund and lack of transparency in official dealings, Tamuk has also slammed the allegation as baseless routed out of frustration.

Darang had alleged Tamuk of awarding work orders and supply orders to near and dear ones and the cash has also been withdrawn from the bank through PMC

cheque illegally and doing everything in a self style manner thereby raising question on his integrity, transparency and capability.

But in a press statement today, Tamuk has slammed Darang’s statement as completely baseless and said out of frustration. “The allegation levelled against me is complete baseless and a mere accusation to defame me which has no substance in it. I have never appropriated PMC funds and there is no question of lack of transparency as whatever decisions we take, we take

it jointly in the empowered standing committee sittings.

And the PMC doesn’t have any funds of which I could award to any of my relatives as funds from Thirteen Finance Commission, Fourteen Finance Commission are yet to be released” said Tamuk.

legation against me by questioning my integrity too. If he is at all right, Darang should have raised the question even before and as a Dy. Chief Councilor, he is also equally responsible for any good and bad thing that happens in PMC, lamented Tamuk today afternoon.

The question of misappropriation and drawing of cheaque will be brought before the floor test of PMC on 13th next. After our (majority of the congress councilors) merger with BJP, the two lone congress Councillors are making baseless al-

Due to infighting between Councillors which led to an attempt to impeach incumbent Chief Councilor and then merger of Tamuk with his Councillor supporters with BJP, the final floor test of the same will be held on 13th April next.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

PAGE 4

“We will form the government of Ram and Rahim”, Himanta Biswa Sarma ET Correspondent Mangaldai, Apr 9 : On the last day of campaigning for the second phase of poll BJP leader and star campaigner for the BJP-AGPBPF alliance Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today addressed mammoth rally in favor of BJP candidate for SC reserved Mangaldai seat Gurujyoti Das at Neheru Maidan , Chapai here.

Speaking on the occasion he said that during this election period he has visited all round the state from Sadiya to Dhubri and the whole state witnesses a total wave of change, not simply wave, it’s a Sunami of change.

Referring to the two different way of election campaigning of both BJP and Congress , he strongly criticized Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his congress party of indulging in nega-

44 illegal arms seized in Kokrajhar ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 9: As many as 44 illegal arms were seized in the district during the intensified check and search ahead assembly election, besides recovery of 13 grenades and seized 6731 liters of liquors.

Madhav Prasad Sarma, Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner and District election officer told that there have been 648 license arms deposited, out of issued 743 license arms in the district under the guidelines reached from election commission of India.

The flying squads of the election commission has been seized cash Rs.43,23500 in the district, who were carried on the way by different individual and vehicle owners. The flying squad has also able to seized 44 numbers of illegal arms, thirteen grenades, 30 live ammunition, besides seizure of 6741 litres of liquors in the district, Sarma added.

144 CrPC promulgated ET Correspondent Kokrajhar, Apr 9: The Kokrajhar and Chirang district magistrates promulgated today an order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting movement of any persons, materials, vehicular traffic of any description from either side of the boder across the Indo- Bhutan falling under Kokrajhar and Chirang district from 6PM of April 10 to 6AM of April 12.

This order has been imposed after considering likelihood of subversive activities to be carried by the anti social elements in the district on the day of poll, i.e on April 11, 2016. However, the vehicles of the District Administration, Magistrates, Police, Army and Paramilitary forces are exempted from the purview of this prohibitory order.

District magistrates both from Kokrajhar and Chirang have also said that the district administration have fully prepared to conduct the poll free and fair in the districts.

whether in the states like MP, Gujarat etc ruled by BJP , the Muslims don’t go to Mosque for Namaz like Hindus for prayer to temples ?

BJP Leader Himanta Biswa Sarmah taking part in an Election campaigning rally on last day of campaigning for 2nd phase of Assembly Elections at Nehru Maidan in Mangaldoi. Pic - Mayukh Goswami

tive campaigning maligning personal image of Sarabananda Sonowal in stead of the developmental agenda as carried in the

campaigning of BJP led alliance .Citing the publicity against the saffron party as the anti Muslim , he reacted , “ Is Congress is the con-

tractor of Muslims . If so, why Tarun Gogoi could not arrange jobs for TET qualifying Muslim candidates ?” . He further pointed out that

He added that if BJP forms the next government it will be the government of Ram and Rahim. Appealing all sections of voters including youths serving outside the state irrespective of political ideology to come out and vote for a change and press the button of symbol lotus of BJP in such was that Badaruddin Aj mal can be kept 300 kilometres away from the boundary of Dispur as this is the election where fight is not between BJP and Congress but Rockybul , Badaruddin and Tarun Gogoi in one side and the 3 crore people of Assam in the other side.

Society condemns officials A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Apr 9 : The Tagin Welfare Society (TWS) today extended its condolences on the demise of Achu Lida, who was found charred to death in a fire accident that broke out on April 6 last.

On reports that the deceased was locked inside the room before the fire broke out, the TWS suspected foul play and alleged that it was a case of

murder.

The society strongly called for the police to expedite the case and book the culprit(s) under appropriate sections of law to set a good example to the society.

Further, the TWS also condemned the police and fire departments, particularly the Capital Complex superintendent of police for poor man-

agement of fire tending vehicles.

“Several fire incidents take place in the Capital Complex, yet the department fails to maintain its defective vehicles. This is a failure in discharging duties and deserves a departmental inquiry”, said TWS chairman Rudham Sindhu.

The society has strongly

urged the authorities concerned to initiate a probe against officials responsible for the technical defect to gain public confidence and maintain law and order in the state.

Earlier, the TWS met and kept two-minute silence as a mark of respect and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Moyong welcomes remaining two councillors into BJP But speculation for Chief to grow more Spl Correspondent Pasighat, Apr 9: Following the merger of four INC councillors into BJP three days ago, the two remaining INC councilors, Kaling Darang, Dy. Chief Councilor and Ponung Lego, Ward 10 councillor has also merged with BJP in the presence of local BJP MLA Kaling Moyong and Mandal President Obit Tamuk at Moyong’s residence today.

Both Moyong and Tamuk has

welcomed the merger of two councillors and opined hope that development will take place in speedy manner in Pasighat Municipal Council by taking up joint effort from both municipal and legislator's side. When asked by this correspondent about his say on the Chief Councillor post and whom does he personally supports, as speculations are still being made within councillors to impeach incumbent CC Denong Tamuk, local legislator Kaling

Moyong said that, he don't have dictation on this and he will leave the choice among the councillors. We have welcomed the councillors’ merger with us on sole development agenda as working from one party will unite us more, added Mandal President Obit Tamuk in his acceptance letter being forwarded to Dy. Commissioner here today.

However, the speculation over Chief Councillor post are being made to grow more as just

merged 2 councillors with the support of 3 independent and 2 existing BJP councillors the incumbent CC Tamuk is likely to be impeached with their majority 7 councilors out of 12 total councillors. According to internal sources, Kaling Doruk from BJP who was bye elected recently from the ward no.5 after the demise of former Dy. Chief Councillor late Atik Pertin is said to be choice for Chief by these 7 councilors which if true will unseat incumbent CC Tamuk.

DRCDC demand Dimasa Regional Council Sushanta Roy Diphu April 9: ‘Dimasa Regional Council Demand Committee’ a Karbi Anglong based organization under the leadership of ex. Militant leader Pranab Nunisa has placed a memorandum to the Governor of Assam on last Tuesday demanding creation of regional council in Dimasa

dominated regions of Karbi Anglong.

Nunisa told the media that both socially and economically Dimasas have remained backward even today, to develop them a separate administrative setup within the rule of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council is needed. He

mentioned that Dimasa localities settled in bordering areas flanked by Assam and Nagaland if brought within the proposed administrative system of ‘Dimasa Regional Council’ border of both the state will be more secure.

Nunisa mentioned that Assam Government has already announced the creation

of such councils for various scheduled tribes of Assam except the Dimasa community who are declared sixth scheduled hill tribes of the state, and sparsely populated people of this community are settled all over the state and needs socioeconomic development under government patronage.

Sonitpur district administration ready to welcome British royal couple Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Apr 9 : Amidst the busy electioneering process, the Sonitpur District administration is all set to welcome Prince William and his wife Catherine at Tezpur airport here on April 12 working out on every possible security arrangement. District administration sources here said that the British Royal couple who is coming for special visit to Assam with a special focus on the culture and heritage of the region will land at the Tezpur airport as per the security arrangement of the Ministry of Defence and home affairs, Government of India at 5 pm. State chief minister, Tarun Gogoi and the top officials of the state as well as district administration here will welcome Prince William and his wife Catherine and they will have an interaction with the Prince and his wife. Following it they will move to

Rangali Bihu preparation are in full swing in Sivasagar

teract with the forest officials and the journalists at National Park entry gate.

A file picture of a group of one horned Rhino seen in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Kaziranga National Park camp at the “Dipholu” River Lodge located near Kaziranga and besides other schedule the royal couple will enjoy various ethnic cultural events especially arranged for them and have an interaction with the media persons. Next day in the

morning at 7 am they will visit the National Park. Inside the Park they will have a brief interaction cum introduction function with the dignitaries and the Journalists.

They will be escorted by British Police Indian Security Force and accompanied

by one publicity officer, two journalists, one Indian and one British Photographer.

At 8.30 Am there will be an interaction with the forest officials regarding Kaziranga and threat faced by it over the years. Concluding the jeep safari at 9.45 am they will again in-

On April 14 in the morning by 6.30 am Kate-William will leave for Tezpur airport by surface communication and leave for Guwahati airport at 8.15 am and land at the Guwahati airport at 8.45 am. After passing about 45 minutes at Guwahati airport the prince and his wife will leave for Peru. It is pertinent to mention here that though Ministry of Home affairs, Government of India and the British Police will be here for every possible security arrangement of the “Yubaraj” of the British family the District administration of Sonitpur, Biswanath and Golaghat are seen busy for all sort of the schedule including security arrangement for William and Kate so that they wouldn’t face any unwanted situation.

Pic - Nekib Ahmed ET Correspondent Sivasagsr, Apr 9: Preparations for Rangali Bihu are in full swing in Sivasagar.

In old day's Bihu was celebrated at the banks of rivers and cultivation fields.

Later it was brought to Ranghar premises as a pride of Assam by the Ahom kings.

During the Ahom rule, Swargadeos(kings) watched Bihu performance , Buffalo fights, wrestling and other sports from Ranghar and tried to United all tribs of Assam, for making a greater assamese community.

By keeping this historical tradition of Bohag Bihu, "Brihattar Ronghar Rangali Bihu" committee of sivasagar, starts preparations for Bohag Bihu func-

tion, which will be held at Ronghar premises on April 14 as past years with a day long cultural programme.

According to the agenda, Aswini Chetia, president of Bihu celebration committee, will be hosting flag at 8 am. After that, Bihu celebration committee working president, Monirul Islam Bora and Secretary Basanta Gogoi will paid "Moidam Tarpan" at 8.30 am . After that, a colourful cultural rally will be flag of by ADC Tapan Gohain, which starts from Talatal Ghar to Ranghar premises along with a symbolic 'Sargadeo' (a symbolic Ahom King).

Following the rally, cultural functions will be

Arunachal CM unveils plan for strengthen friendship with Assam Contd. from Page 1

As part of peace-building exercise, the CM said development efforts along the inter-state boundaries will resume side-by-side with encouragement for people-topeople interactions.

He revealed that efforts would be on to mobilize all the ethnic organizations from the two states to build a common platform in the form of ‘committees’.

This committees would work on organizing games and sports, literary events, and cultural and language exchange programmes.

On development efforts, the CM revealed that the state government would build schools, hospitals, police stations and other service institutions close to the Assam borders, which would serve people from both the state.

He said Assam counterpart would also be en-

couraged to take up similar activities along its border.

Also, the CM revealed that statue of legendary Assamese singer, Bhupen Hazarika, would be erected on major entry points along the Assam-Arunachal boundary to celebrate the centuries of cultural bonding between the two states.

“Late Bhupen Hazarika” he said “made great cultural contribution not only to the world but also to Arunachal”.

The CM said he would visit all-important places in Assam-Arunachal boundary to get firsthand information on the ground situation and to monitor the progress of his initiative.

He, however, warned people not to fall prey to “bad politics” of the organizations promoting hatred and enmity between the two states, which thrive on such commotion for their own existence.

inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Birendra Mittal, where Superintendent of police Anand Prakash Tiwari,Executive Director of ONGC Budhin Deori and other leaders from various organisations will be present as chief Guests.vTo mark the occasion, a souvenir will be released by prominent writer, Anuradha Sharma Pujari.

After that, Barpeta's 'Thia Nam', Tiwa and Mijo folk dance, Jhanji poria bihu, Husori of Nimaijan and seven sister Bihu along with other tribs cultural programme will grace the function . On the other hand,presence of Assamese heroine Barkha Rani Bikhoya, singer Debojit Bora and Bhigu Kasyap will icing the occasion.

Golaghat DC Visits Assam Nagaland Border ET Correspondent Golaghat, Apr 9: Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat Varnali Deka visited the Assam Nagaland Border areas on Friday. The DC visited Chetiagaon and Uriamghat villages under Dhansiri Sub-division and reviewed the present situation in the areas.

She was accompanied by the SDO of Dhansiri Subdivision N C Basumatary. The DC also hold meetings with the Commandants of SSB and CRPF deployed at the B Sector and C Sectors in the border. Later DC Varnali Deka interacted with the local people and reviewed the problems and suffering of the people. She assured the local people to take steps for the solution. She also visited two NSKs located at Uriamghat and Haldibari and monitored the ongoing process of NRC upgradation.

Rainstorm causes devastation Sushanta Roy Diphu April 9: Strong wind of about 70 kilometer per hour speed accompanied by rain caused intense destruction at Kheroni and vast adjoining areas of West Karbi Anglong yesterday during wee hours.

Tin roofs of huts were blown off and trees were uprooted, people retrieved their tin coverings from hundreds of meter distance after the squall was ended. Many families escaped certain death taking shelter below bed when the hut collapsed on their head.

Twisted electric poles and dig up trees fell on residential houses; amazingly no one was injured in the incident. Roof of a church located at Tharve Hidi village was blown off, maximum houses of village Majgaon have been flattened and walls collapsed due to the impact of rainstorm.

A view of the Inter School Science Exhibition and Competition organised at Golaghat Reliance Junior College. Pic - Amit Nagori

REGION

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

PAGE 5

Manipur Celebrates Asean business summit focuses on Manipur Sajibu Cheiraoba

Manipur Celebrates Sajibu Cheiraoba

Imphal, April 9: Manipur celebrated Sajibu Cheiraoba, the New Year of the Manipuris celebrated on the first day of the Manipuri month, Sajibu.

The occasion is marked by praying and offering of flowers, fruits and other traditional dishes to the Gods, family feasting etc.

Special dishes are prepared which are then offered by the elders of the family to the deities for

the protection of the family. Married women give gifts to their parents and brothers on the occasion.

The young seek the blessings of the elders.

On the occasion of the festival which also heralds the Meitei New Year, President Pranab Mukherjee, Manipur Governor V Shanmuganathan, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and others have extended warm greetings to the people. (Agencies)

GSU Urges NSCNIM: Accommodate Garos of Nagaland Kohima, April 9: A delegation of the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Central Executive Committee (CEC) met the MIP Kilonser of the NSCN-IM, V Horam in Nagaland wherein the former requested that the Garo people residing in Nagaland are accommodated along with the other recognized tribes of Nagaland.

In the meeting which was also attended by the Kilo Kilonser of GPRN, Rh. Raishing, the GSU pointed out that the Garos residing in Nagaland are also an aboriginal tribe of the State and urged for their ac-

commodation after the final settlement of the Indo–Naga peace process.

Earlier the GSU delegation along with the members of the GSU Nagaland Zone conducted a public meeting at Erabil village wherein the problems faced by the Garo people living in Nagaland were discussed at length. This meeting was chaired by the president of the GSU Nagaland Zone, Cliff Marak who was instrumental in apprising the GSU delegation from Meghalaya of these problems.

(Agencies)

Mizoram govt sets condition to hold talks with Hmar militants

Imphal, April 9: The three-day NE-Asean Business Summit focused on the northeast, particularly Manipur, as the key trade point between India and South East Asian countries with Bangladesh focussing on the need to sign an MoU with Manipur chamber of commerce.

Bangladesh commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, ambassadors of Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, Asean representatives and about 140 Indian delegates, including entrepreneurs, are taking part in

the summit that kicked off at the City Convention Centre here on Thursday.

The primary objective of the summit is to attract Indian and foreign investors to boost economic development and employment generation in the northeast.

It is being jointly organized by Manipur commerce and industries department and Indian Chamber of Commerce and ICSI, Addressing the opening session, Tofail underscored the importance of the summit for his country.

Asean business summit focuses on Manipur

He said Bangladesh and India's northeast region have a close relation since a long time.

The minister also

stressed the need to ink a memorandum of understanding with Manipur to boost trade and commerce.

He also invited Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh to visit Bangladesh with a trade delegation soon.

Manipur commerce and industries minister Govindas Konthoujam said that northeast, especially Manipur, because of its strategic location, has become the key point of India's ambitious 'Look East Policy'.

He said the region can make rapid progress if India directly links its economic activities with the other Asian countries.

Manik rejects CBI probe into ex-health minister's death Agartala, April 9: The Tripura government has rejected the demand for a CBI probe into the assassination of former health minister Bimal Sinha under mysterious circumstances in March 1998 at Abhanga in Kamalpur of Dhalai district in North Tripura.

During a short discussion on the issue in the assembly on Friday, chief minister Manik Sarkar said that there was no need for further inquiry into the case. He was responding to Congress legislator Sudip Roy Barman's allegation that the state government did not extend adequate support to the one-member factfinding commission, headed by Justice M Yusuf. The commission

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar was constituted three months after Sinha's death and it had submitted its report in 2000.

The state government was supposed to table the report in the assembly within six months, but it did not so.

Following the high

court's directions, the report was finally tabled on March 23, this year. Giving in to opposition pressure, the speaker allowed a discussion on the report on Thursday where the CM and the ruling party were attacked by opposition members.

Alleging that the state government had tried to suppress the report for 16 years, Roy Barman called for a CBI probe into the case. "In its report, the commission has said that the government did not extend adequate help in probing the case," he added.

Referring to the commission's observation, Ray Barman said that it was not the first time that the former health minister had gone to the militant hideout on March 31, 1998. In fact, he used to visit the hideout to get abducted CPM leaders released from militants and this revealed that he directly or indirectly had links with extremists.

"The commission has

expressed its doubt over role of the then confidential assistant of Bimal Sinha, Sukha Ranjan Sinha. There should have an FIR lodged against Sukha Ranjan soon after the report was tabled," he said.

However, Sarkar said, "Sinha was murdered in a political conspiracy only 20 days after I became CM and I did not know about his association with militants. The commission neither blamed the state government nor the state police for the tragic incident."

Congress has called a statewide general strike on April 18, demanding a CBI probe and the chief minister's resignation for his alleged involvement in the case. (Agencies)

Four Tripura Congress leaders quit after party allies with CPI(M) for West Bengal elections Agartala, April 9: Four leaders of the Tripura state Congress unit, including two senior functionaries, resigned on Friday after leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Sudip Roy Barman handed in his papers. This follows the Congress’ decision to form an alliance with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in West Bengal, ahead of Assembly elections in the state.

The four leaders who resigned were working president of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee Asish Kumar Saha, State Youth Congress chief Sushanta Chowdhury, Youth Congress president of

the West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency Viki Prasad and Youth Congress chief of the East Tripura Lok Sabha seat Rantu Deb. In his resignation letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Saha said “innumerable lives of Congressmen were taken away by the CPI(M) party while Left cadres raped women for their allegiance towards Congress party”. Calling the alliance unethical and opportunist, he added that he “cannot support this decision of the high command to tie up with the Left", PTI reported.

In the 60-member Tripura Assembly, the CPI(M) holds a huge

Congress leaders Rahul and his mother Sonia Gandhi majority, while the Congress has just 10 seats.

In more trouble for the Congress, Assam

Pradesh Congress spokesperson Pramod Swami on Saturday quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, ANI

reported. The decision comes two days before the second phase of state elections that are scheduled for April 11. (Agencies)

No state bus service to Jowai, Nongstoin

Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana

Aizawl, April 9: Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana on Saturday said that the state government would hold talks with the Manipurbased Hmar People's Convention (Democrat) (HPC(D)) militants only on compliance of the conditions set by the government.

Talking to media persons, Lalzirliana said that if the HPC(D) militants lay down arms and give assurances that no armed militant groups would be formed in the future, the state govern-

ment would consider holding peace parleys.

He also said the Hmar militants should return all the arms taken from the state policemen in an ambush, including those taken away by a police deserter.

The HPC(D) had been indulging in violent activities from across the Manipur border since 1997 and had been demanding a separate autonomous council comprising the north-eastern part of the state adjoining Manipur.

(Agencies)

Shillong, April 9: Despite the state increasing the city transport coverage with the help of Central projects including the deployment of SPTS buses, the outskirts and the district headquarters of East and West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi are a neglected lot.

Though there are a large number of Sumos with packed passengers plying

to Jowai, Nongstoin, Khliehriat, and Mawkyrwat areas, there is no dedicated bus service to these headquarters.

An official with the Transport department admitted that there is no dedicated bus service to even Nongpoh as the people have to depend on Guwahati bound buses to stop at Nongpoh There are many office-

goers from Shillong working at various offices in Nongpoh, the headquarter of Ribhoi, but in the absence of dedicated bus services, there have to depend on other mode of transport especially Sumos.

However, this not the case with the Garo Hills region as there is regular bus service to Tura, Williamnagar and other areas.

Asked about the reason why the transport department cannot start more bus services to KhasiJaintia Hills region, the Transport department official said that since the parking lot was taken over by MUDA at Anjalee, there are no suitable places for the buses to park.

“We are finding it difficult to get parking spaces for the buses not only in

city but also in other district headquarters,” official said.

Currently, only Sumo services are operating to various destinations in Khasi-Jaintia Hills from Anjalee.

Moreover, another difficulty is to set up offices of MTC in Jowai, Nongstoin, Mawkyrwat and other district headquarters in Khasi-Jaintia Hills. (Agencies)

ASAK cadre in police net Shillong, April 9: Police on Friday arrested the East Area Commander of Garo rebel outfit — ASAK David S Sangma alias Rikai following a raid on his hideout near Dakopgre, outskirts of Tura town.

Police seized one 9mm pistol, seven rounds of

ammunition, and as many as 18 SIM cards, all supplied from Assam via Rajabala.

Garo Hills police wanted Rikai several a b d u c t i o n s cases,extortions and other heinous crimes committed by him.

Police said that after he

ASAK cadre in police net

circulated demand notes in Williamnagar forest area recently, he came to Tura via Baghmara and was secretly hiding in a house at Dakopgre.

ASAK was formed by Reading T Sangma, the former Finance Secretary of GNLA for the re-

fusal on the part of GNLA leader Sohan D Shira to part with the loot, police said.

According to police, Reading was involved in the killing of central intelligence official on October 24,2015 at Panda Reserve Forest, Baghmara. (Agencies)

He added that Manipur has a huge potential of growing aromatic and medicinal plants, developing floriculture and organic farming and this can be exploited for rapid economic development.

The state has also many things to learn about the growing textile and garment industries of Bangladesh.

A technical session on the topic "development through infrastructure and connectivity in NEASEAN: trade and commerce and tourism' was also held. (Agencies)

Readymade apparel unit inaugurated in Tripura Agartala, April 9: Tripura's first readymade apparel manufacturing unit at Bodhjungnagar industrial estate, about 20 km from here, was inaugurated today by Union Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

The unit is the first of its kind in Tripura and second in Northeast, Gangwar said, adding that the Textiles Ministry spent Rs 18 crore to set it up.

Apparel and Garment Making Centres (AGMCs) would be set up in all the eight states of the region, he added.

The first AGMC was inaugurated by the minister in Nagaland on Wednesday.

Readymade apparel has good demand in domestic as well as international markets like neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh. One such unit would provide employment to 1,200 to 1,500 people, he said.

Sarkar said his government is keen to provide incentives to small and medium industries in the state and has provided soft loans to different self-help groups.

(PTI)

Three die after consuming wild mushrooms in Mizoram Aizawl, April 9: Three people including a child, were killed and four fell sick after consuming wild mushrooms in Mizoram, official said here on Saturday.

"Three of a family died in Mamit district (in Western Mizoram) after eating wild mushrooms on Friday. Two children, a woman and a man also fell sick and admitted to Aizawl Civil Hospital," an official from health department said.

The official said that the mushrooms were brought from the forest and might be poisonous or not cooked properly before eating.

The dead people included an eight-yearsold boy, a ten-years-old boy and a 34-years-old man. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

PAGE 6

Centre releases Rs.12, 230 crore to states for MGNREGA New Delhi, Apr.9 : Union Minister for Rural Development Birender Singh has said that is ministry has released a central share of Rs. 12,230 crore to the states for implementation of its flagship programmes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Singh also underlined that this fund release will take care of the pending wage liability of the states for the previous Financial Year (2015-16) and help them to run the programme during fiscal 2016-17.

He reiterated that the government is commit-

ted to ensuring the flow of adequate resources for fulfilling the objectives of the programme.

The ministry has also decided to maintain 60:40 wage-material ratio at the district-level now to ensure creation of good quality assets in the rural areas.

Rebutting the reports published in a section of media that there are arrears of wages of over Rs. 8000 crore under MGNREGA for the 2015-2016 financial year, Singh said, in fact, the year 2015-16 has registered expenditure under MGNREGA to the tune of Rs. 41,371 crore, which is the highest ex-

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) penditure under the programme since its inception.

Out of this expenditure Rs.30,139 crore has gone towards payment of wages. This has allowed for the highest employment generation over the

past three years and the best achievement on key parameters over the last three years such as works taken up, women participation (55 percent) and 95 percent of payments through electronic fund management system.

The minister further emphasized that the Ministry of Rural Development has brought large scale reforms in the implementation of the programme in such a manner that it is oriented more towards combating the agrarian distress and meet the demand for work in drought affected areas creating durable and income generating assets mostly linked to augmentation of irrigation potential.

In the year 2015-16, states were asked to provide employment where needed, particularly drought affected areas, with the assurance of making required re-

sources available.

The ministry expanded the entitlement from 100 to 150 days of work to households in drought affected regions of ten states. 20.48 Lakh households in these regions have availed this opportunity and completed more than 100 days of work.

At the national level 44 Lakh households have completed 100 days. To further bring down the delay in payment of wages, the Ministry in line with the Cabinet decision has introduced National electronic Fund Management System (NeFMS) in the current financial year. (ANI)

Treat Kashmir a bit Congress criticises Maneka Gandhi for different to other states: making 'insensitive' marital rape remark Mehbooba to Centre New Delhi, Apr.9 : The rape, Maneka Gandhi

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Jammu, April. 9 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has cautioned the Centre about the ground realities in Kashmir, and said the northern state should be treated differently in comparison to other Indian states.

Insisting that J&K deserved "special attention and care", Mehbooba told ETV in an interview, "While dealing with Kashmir, we should always keep one thing in mind that Kashmir is different, it is not another Indian state, here the ground realities are a bit different, and therefore, the state deserves a special attention and care."

The Chief Minister, however, expressed her "complete trust and faith" in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "who wants to change the development face of the Valley".

She also appreciated Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for praising her late father's vision and statesmanship during the interview and for his assurance that the Centre would provide "all possible help" to rebuild the economy of the state.

She said only massive all-round development of Kashmir could change the sentiments of Kashmiris towards the BJP and the Centre.

(ANI)

Mallya seeks new court appearance date in May

Congress Party on Saturday criticised Woman and Child Development (WCD) Minister Maneka Gandhi for making an 'insensitive' statement on marital rape, saying that it is high time that the country looks into new laws to protect women.

"A rape is a rape, whether it is done by a husband or any other person. It should be criminalized. It is very unfortunate that the minister has given a very insensitive reply in the Parliament with regard to this issue. It is high time that the country looks into new laws to protect women," Congress leader Shobha Oza told ANI. In her first statement following her ministry's controversial reply in the Rajya Sabha on marital

has said that her ministry could consider taking a step towards criminalising marital rape if there are enough complaints.

The ministry came under fire last month over its reply in Parliament to a question on whether it plans to criminalise marital rape.

The government had last year said that the concept of marital rape cannot be applied in India as marriage is treated as a sacrament or sacred as per mindset of the Indian society.

"It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various factors, including level of education, illiteracy,

Congress leader Shobha Oza poverty, myriad social customs and values, religious beliefs, mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament," Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary had said while replying to a written question of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP

Former home secretary R.K. Singh During the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on April 18 in Moscow, India is likely to take up the issue of China blocking the move to include Azhar in the United Na-

Princess Charlotte chrysanthemum Washington D.C., April 9 : Princess Charlotte now has a flower named after her and it is called the Princess Charlotte chrysanthemum.

When the princess was born, a Dutch flower company Deliflor delivered a bouquet of the blooms to Kate Middleton and Prince William. Powder-pink with green tips, the version of the flower was

named after the little royal, reports E! Online.

The princess will celebrate her first birthday next month, but she already has a clothing line by designer Seraphine inspired by her and even has a lipstick by Marc Jacobs named after her.

She was even ranked No. 1 on the Tatler list of people who really matter. (ANI)

North Korea claims successful ballistic missile engine test Kanimozhi in the Rajya Sabha.

Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with rape, makes an exception for such instances within marriages.

It holds that "sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape". (ANI)

Pakistan will not allow Masood Azhar to be put on international terrorist list: RK Singh New Delhi, April.9 : With India likely to send a second request to United Nation's Sanctions Committee to put Masood Azhar on the banned terrorist list, former home secretary R.K. Singh on Saturday said that Pakistan will not allow Azhar to be put on that.

"Let see how China takes it. But I don't see China agreeing to this until and unless they get a say so from their close friend Pakistan. They will exactly do what Pakistan says because they are strategic allies," Singh told ANI. "Pakistan is not going to allow Masood Azhar to be put on the international terrorist list," he added.

Princess Charlotte gets flower named after her

tions' terrorist list.

Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China are due to have a trilateral meeting in Moscow.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, "India is in constant touch with China on the matter. The

issue has already been taken up at the high level. There cannot be two sets of rules for judging terrorists."

Replying to a media query on consular access for former Indian Navy official, Kulbushan Yadav, who is Pakistan's custody, Swarup said India is yet to get access.

Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit, meanwhile subscribed to the Chinese view on Azhar.

China maintains that the designation of any individual as terrorist by the U.N. is a serious issue, and therefore, there was a need for more evidence from India for a better understanding to the ban JeM chief. (ANI)

Seoul, Apr. 9 : North Korea has successfully tested a new engine for an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), its state media has claimed.

According the Pyongyang's KCNA news agency, the engine was ignited at Kim's command and with a fiery blast, the rocket fulfilled all required conditions.

"Dear Comrade, now we can mount an ever more powerful nuclear warhead on a new intercontinental ballistic rocket and put the den of evil in the United States and all over the world within our strike range," the Guardian quoted the KCNA news agency, as saying.

The test was conducted at the country's missile station near its west coast where in February a longrange rocket was launched that put an object into space orbit.

Since, the nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch by Pyongyang earlier this year, tension in the Korean peninsula has been high.

Despite toughest UN sanctions last month against the regime, it continues to conduct various ballistic tests and remains undeterred.

North Korea last month had said that it had miniaturised a nuclear warhead to be mounted on ballistic missiles and conducted a simulated reentry test of a ballistic missile, which could indicate advances in its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile programme if true.

South Korea has however questions its assertions and said that Pyongyang was several years away from developing an ICBM. Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and the rocket launch in February in defiance of international warnings and landed with new UN sanctions on it.

However, the claim of successful hydrogen bomb test in January has raised questions among experts about its success.

(ANI)

Kim Jong Un Vijay Mallya New Delhi, April. 9 : Former UB group chairman and liquor baron Vijay Mallya won't appear before the Enforcement Directorate today and has sought a new date in the end of May. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on April 2 had issued fresh summons to Mallya, asking him to appear before it on April 9.

Mallya, who is wanted by law enforcing agencies for a default of over Rs. 9, 000 crores, did not appear before the ED on April 2 and sought an extension up to May. This is the third time that Mallya had sought an extension from the ED. The ED had earlier issued summons to Mallya to make

a "personal appearance" on March 18 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Following Mallya's extension request, the ED last week had issued a fresh summons to the liquor baron asking him to appear before it on April 2 in the money laundering case.

Mallya is currently in the United Kingdom and is being sought out in India over charges of money laundering. But he has claimed that the banks gave him loans after evaluating all aspects and asserted that he is not trying to evade law enforcement agencies, but is on a personal visit. (ANI)

UN chief offers good offices to resolve Indo-Pak issues United Nations, Apr 9 : With Pakistan announcing that the bilateral peace process with India has been "suspended", UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that the offer of his "good offices" to help resolve the conflict stands but it is up to both nations to seek it.

"Whenever there is a conflict, an issue, between Member States, the Secretary-General's offer for good offices stands as a matter of principle. But, that has to be agreed on and asked for

by both parties," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

Dujarric was responding to a question at his daily briefing yesterday about whether the SecretaryGeneral would like to offer his good offices given that the peace talks between India and Pakistan were "interrupted" again.

Introducing a fresh chill in Indo-Pak ties, Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit on April 7 said the bilateral peace process stands

"suspended".

He also poured cold water on India's expectations that a team of NIA investigators would be allowed to visit Pakistan in connection with the Pathankot terror strike probe on the basis of reciprocity, a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) having just concluded a visit to India.

India, however, countered the Pakistan High Commissioner's assertion that the visit by Pakistani JIT was not on reciprocity and said that before the team's visit, both sides

had agreed that it would be on the basis of reciprocity.

Reacting to Basit's remarks that the Indo-Pak peace process stands "suspended", External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup referred to the press conference of Pakistani Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nafees Zakaria in which he had said, "I have stated this many times that both countries are in contact with each other and it has been reiterated from both sides that modalities are being worked out.(PTI)

TMC leader murdered in West Bengal Sabang (West Bengal), April.9 : Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Joydeb Jana has been murdered by some unknown assailants in West Midinapore District of West Bengal.

The incident occurred last night when Jana was returning back to his home on his motorbike after addressing an election campaign.

When he reached Purba Dubrajpur village, he was attacked by some unknown people.

Local villagers found

Trinamool Congress (TMC) him on the spot and took him to hospital where he was confirmed dead by doctors.

(ANI)

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Myanmar Frees Over 100 Political Prisoners, But Jails 2 Yangon, Myanmar 9 : More than 100 political prisoners in Myanmar have been freed under an amnesty ordered by the country's new de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, as her first official act.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Saturday cited police as saying that 113 political detainees were freed across the country. Their freedom came along with a general amnesty for ordinary convicts ahead of Myanmar's traditional New Year festival, often the occasion for prisoner releases.

The move was praised by human rights advocates, but a jarring note was struck when two peace activists the same day Friday were each sentenced to two years with hard labor for activities bringing them into contact with an armed ethnic rebel group that has been

Air forces of China, Pakistan launch joint training exercise

Muhammad Ashfaque Arain Islamabad, April 9: China's air force on Saturday began joint training exercises with that of Pakistan, China's defense ministry said, as the two nations' militaries strengthen operational ties.

The countries call each other "all-weather friends", with ties underpinned by long-standing wariness of their common neighbor, India, and a desire to hedge against U.S. influence in Asia.

"China's Air Force hopes to widen the scope of cooperation and dialogue with all countries and regions," the Chinese defense ministry said in a statement on its website, adding that the exercise, called " Shaheen V," would run until April 30.

China has long urged Pakistan to weed out what it says are militants from its far western region of Xinjiang who have holed up in lawless ethnic Pashtun areas on Pakistan's Afghan border, home to a mix of groups, including the Taliban and al Qaeda.

For its part Pakistan wants to upgrade its air force, now dependent on a mostly outmoded fleet of US, French and Chinese fighter jets that Pakistani officials fear can do little against Indian craft or help target domestic insurgents.

In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Pakistan Air Force second-in-command Muhammad Ashfaque Arain said the bulk of the burden was now borne by a fleet of U.S. made F-16 aircraft.

He saw the purchase of more F-16s as economically unfeasible, however. Instead, Islamabad plans to invest in a joint fighter built with China, the JF-17.

battling the central government.

A court in the central city of Mandalay sentenced Zaw Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt under a law barring associating with an unlawful organization for their contacts with the Kachin Independence Army, a guerrilla group in the country's far north.

Both were already sentenced in February to two years' imprisonment for immigration law violations.

The two are members of an interfaith religious organization and said that they had been seeking to help refugees from fighting. Both are also Muslims, a minority that has faced increasing pressure and violence in recent years in overwhelmingly Buddhist Myanmar.

Their case was generally overlooked in the euphoria over the release of prisoners, especially more than 60 students and activists in central

Myanmar Frees Over 100 Political Prisoners Myanmar who had been held for a year pending trial after being arrested for their protest against changes in education policy.

Photos from the scene showed some of the freed prisoners being presented with bouquets and garlands by well-wishers.

Rights groups estimated that 100 political detainees remained in prison when a military-backed government was suc-

ceeded by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party late last month. About 400 others were being held pending trial, including the 60 students in the town of Tharrawaddy. Different procedures are required for the release of people from the two groups.

"Today's release of most of the student protesters is a huge step forward for human rights in Myanmar, and we are delighted that these men

and women will walk free. It sends a strong message about the new government's intention to end the cycle of political arrest and detention in Myanmar," said Laura Haigh, Myanmar researcher for the human rights group Amnesty International.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner commended the government's "early demonstrated commitment to human rights."

He told reporters that the U.S. stands ready to support Myanmar on further democratic reform. However, he had no announcement to make on removal of the remaining sanctions that Washington has in place against Myanmar - which mostly target officials of the former ruling junta.

Under the previous government that took power in 2011, more than 1,100 political detainees were released. The junta that

held power before then kept Suu Kyi under house arrest for a number of years, and jailed hundreds of her supporters and other critics.

Suu Kyi, who holds the specially created post of state counsellor, announced Thursday in a statement on the Facebook page of the office of President Htin Kyaw that the release of political prisoners was a priority. It was her first official act in her new job, which is akin to that of prime minister.

By agreement of her party, Suu Kyi is the de facto head of government, though the militaryera constitution does not allow her to be president because her two sons have British citizenship.

Shortly before her party won a landslide victory in last November's election, she announced her intention to run the government by being "above the president."

China taking the lead on addressing North Korean nuclear issue Beijing, April 9: While acknowledging some of the assessments that related countries have made about North Korea's nuclear capability, China is trying to take the lead in resuming negotiations with related countries about the North Korean nuclear program, even including North Korea.

"North Korea has made substantial progress in its efforts to complete its development of hydrogen bombs. The North's missile and nuclear technology is at a considerable level," Wu Dawei was quoted as saying by Japanese media.

Wu, China’s special representative for Korean Peninsula affairs and its chief envoy to the six-party talks, made the comments when he met with Sadakazu Tanigaki, secretary-general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, on Apr. 7 during a trip to Japan. Wu and Tanigaki were talking about North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and missiles.

"Wu seemed to think that North Korea could carry out another provocative action around the time of the Korean Workers’ Party Congress [next month],” the Mainichi Shimbun re-

ported.

While China has confirmed its opposition to North Korea's nuclear program through numerous channels, it is highly unusual for a high-ranking official to make an assessment of North Korea's nuclear capability.

But the Japanese newspapers that reported Wu's remarks did not explain the grounds that he had for making these assessments.

When a question was asked about these remarks during the regular press briefing by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Apr. 8, Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei only replied that he did not have any detailed information about the remarks in question but that China's opposition to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs was very clear.

By acknowledging North Korea's nuclear ability, China may be hoping to echo the assessments and attitude of the South Korea and the US in order to set the mood for dialogue, some analysts say.

"The assessments that South Korea and the US have made about North Korea's nuclear capabilities represent preconditions for

Wu Dawei the North Korean nuclear issue," said Zheng Jiyong, director of the Center for Korean Studies at Fudan University. "China appears to be acknowledging the facts in line with what South Korea and the US are discussing with the aim of resuming the Six-Party Talks about North Korea's nuclear program."

Wu's comments coincide with a statement by South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-goo on Apr. 6, that "North Korea is believed to have reached a considerable level in its miniaturization technology."

Even while taking a proactive stance toward the sanctions against North Korea that South Korea and the US have been insisting on, China has continued to push for a parallel campaign for denuclearization and a peace treaty, an approach that it proposed this past February.

On Apr. 5, China's Ministry of Commerce officially announced that it was banning North Korean imports and exports of coal, iron and jet fuel in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution No. 2270. In regard to items connected to North Koreans' livelihood -

which are classified as exceptions to the resolution China has decided to review applications submitted by its customs authorities.

The US State Department welcomed the announcement, noting that China had made clear its commitment to implementing the resolution.

Nevertheless, China is drawing the line at claims that North Korea's nuclear capability poses a real threat to the US. "The US is aware that North Korea's nuclear weapons cannot reach the US mainland," said Xiakedao on Apr. 7.

Xiakedao is a social media account operated by the People‘s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party.

"Considering that the SinoNorth Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty is still in effect, China will guarantee that North Korea is not invaded from the outside," the newspaper said. "If North Korea has nuclear weapons, the legality of its regime cannot be approved, and it must give up its nuclear weapons in order for its legality to be approved."

The time has come for India to be firm with Pakistan Islamabad, April 9: Pakistan has bared its fangs towards its larger and overly indulgent neighbour for the nth time. Many, including some in India’s security establishment, had predicted no matter how much one reaches out to them, nothing will change as long as the Deep State (the army, ISI and their terror tanzeems) rules the roost in Pakistan. India again succumbed to its neighbour ’s machinations, thanks to the naïveté of the Indian establishment.

PM Narendra Modi’s supposed master stroke in diplomacy by making an unscheduled stopover in

Pakistan’s high commissioner to India, Abdul Basit

Lahore to felicitate his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday was reciprocated by the attack in Pathankot within a week.

More intriguing was India’s decision to allow a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) into the

airbase – something like asking a thief to investigate his own theft!

This gesture met with no success as the JIT, reportedly leaked views hardly accurate or palatable to the Indian side. It appears they alleged India at-

tacked its own base – absurdity bordering on insanity as far as this insinuation is concerned.

On Thursday, Pakistan’s high commissioner to New Delhi Abdul Basit took it upon himself to unilaterally announce the “suspension” of dialogue between the two nations.

Discomfiture to India could not be more pronounced, when India has gone out of its way to accommodate Pakistan’s concerns. Presumably, Pakistan’s Deep State exercised its veto power on dealing with India!

India must carry out a reality check for its policy towards its belligerent, terror-exporting

neighbour. Modi must come out forcefully in warning Pakistan that there are limits to India’s patience and largeheartedness. It must be conveyed to Pakistan that India is prepared to answer all its provocations and Pakistan better desist from its evil ways for we are in full knowledge of its many fault-lines.

Let us keep engagements with Pakistan to the barest minimum and downgrade our diplomatic representation. We do not need Pakistan anyway.

Importantly, India will have to influence the US not to play games with us as regards its terrorist protégé Pakistan.

China Begins Construction Of Market Complex In Tibet Beijing, April 9: China has commenced the construction of a USD 30 million commercial complex in Tibet near the Indo-Nepal border aimed at boosting trade with Nepal.

A ground breaking ceremony was held at the Tibet's Burang County,

which is also located close to the Indian border.

According to the local government, the Tanggar International Border Trade Market covers an area of 72,403 square meters and will receive a total investment of 195 million yuan (USD 30 million).

The market, once built, will become a commercial complex that incorporates merchandise trade, business, leisure, logistics and storage.

Burang borders Nepal to the south and India in the southwest, state-run Xinhua news agency re-

ported.

Statistics from the local port management committee showed the total trade volume reached 54.2 million yuan by last November and 557 foreign merchants have set up offices at Burang Port.

China has opened up it border with Tibet to supply pe-

troleum and other essential products to Nepal during recent agitation against the new Constitution by Madhesis that restricted supplies from the Indian side.

Both countries singed an transit treaty during recent visit of Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.

Bangladesh Al-Qaeda Claims Responsibility For Student Death

Bangladesh Al-Qaeda Claims Responsibility For Student Death

Dhaka, April 9: A banned Islamist group in Bangladesh tied to the alQaeda in the Indian Subcontinent has claimed responsibility for the killing of a student opponent of radical Islam.

The killing of 28-yearold Nazimuddin Samad on Wednesday night follows a string of similar attacks last year, when at least five secular bloggers and publishers were killed allegedly by radical Islamists.

According to SITE Intel-

ligence monitoring group, Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh division of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, or AQIS, said in a statement posted online on Friday that its members carried out the attack in "vengeance." It says Samad "abused" God, the Prophet Muhammad, and Islam.

Bangladeshi Investigators declined to make any comment about the statement Saturday, but said they were investigating.

Taiwan Prez visits small island in show of sovereignty

President Ma Ying-jeou Penjia Islet, Apr 9 : President Ma Ying-jeou on today visited a small island in the East China Sea to reassert Taiwan's sovereignty and its role in the contested region, one of the key issues of his administration that ends next month.

Ma's visit today to Pengjia, roughly 56 Kilometres north of Taiwan proper, comes four years after he last visited the island to propose a plan to address territorial disputes between China, Taiwan and Japan over the nearby chain known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyutai in Chinese.

Pengjia, considered the northernmost part of Taiwan's territory, is not contested and is home to about 40 residents, a weather station and coast guard facilities. It lies some 120 kilometers west of the Japanese-controlled Senkakus, which are hotly disputed by China, in particular.

Taiwan also claims the islands, although its conflict with Japan has been considerably less heated, having reached fishing agreements in 2013.

Ma planned today to tour a weather station and un-

veil a monument to maritime peace at a ceremony and also mark Taiwan's fishing deal with Japan. It was his second propaganda trip to an island in three weeks.

During his eight-year term, Ma has sought to position Taiwan as a mediator in the region's numerous territorial disputes while asserting its own claims.

In January, he flew to Taiping Island in the South China Sea's intensely contested Spratly group to demonstrate that Taiping is a self-supporting island entitled to an exclusive economic zone rather than a rock, as the Philippines claims in an international lawsuit.

Washington, a crucial ally, called the trip "extremely unhelpful" to efforts to maintain stability in a region widely considered a potential military flashpoint.

While Taiping is the largest naturally occurring island in the Spratlys, it has been dwarfed by manmade features created by China by piling sand atop coral reefs and topping them with lighthouses, airstrips, harbors and other infrastructure.(AP)

Kathmandu girl Asmi Shrestha wins Miss Nepal crown Kathmandu, April 9: In the first beauty pageant held after the devastating earthquake of April last year, Asmi Shrestha was crowned Miss Nepal 2016.

The 22-year-old business administration graduate, from the capital city, defeated 19 contestants in the final round.

Asmi received a cash prize of Rs 100,000 and a scooter along with other gift hampers.

Roshani Khatri, 20, has been declared the first runner up and she will represent Nepal in the Miss Earth beauty pageant.

Barsha Lekhi, 22, is the second runner up.

The first and second runner ups have received Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively, along with gift hampers.

The show was choreographed by Rachna Gurung Sharma. (PTI)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

Assam Poll 2016 - NRC may be the Game Changer in the Second Phase Cattle smuggling Cattle slaughter is wrong, cattle smuggling for slaughter is worse As of March 2015, a total ban on slaughter of cow and its progeny (cow, calf, bull, bullock) exists in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Photo: hindutva Jharkand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Odisha and Tamil Nadu have banned cow slaughter too, but permit bulls and bullocks to be killed if they are certified as "fit for slaughter".

However, no ban exists in the north-eastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, as also in Sikkim and West Bengal. Kerala falls in this category albeit cow progeny under 10 years cannot be killed in the state. Implementation (rather non-implementation) of the law where bans exist, is of course the bottom line, and is of grave concern. Unfortunately, the varied bans on slaughter of cattle in India do not cover buffalo whose meat/beef is internationally called carabeef and is legally exported. Cattle-smuggling is flourishing, particularly from Assam and West Bengal, so much so, that beef processing and leather units have been established along the border in Bangladesh. Some estimates have put the annual turnover from leather and meat of cattle smuggled from India to Bangladesh at over Rs 25 billion. A footwear manufacturer stated that there was no duty on importing leather into India and that better quality leather could be brought in from Bosnia, Italy, Taiwan - and Bangladesh: ironically the leather of cattle smuggled from India. The first step to help such cattle would be to stop them entering states adjoining Bangladesh, thereby halting them from being smuggled out. Cattle are mainly transported in railway wagons to Uttar Pradesh from Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. From Uttar Pradesh they proceed to Bihar, and continue on to West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura. Animals from adjoining states that land up in Assam and West Bengal are the ones that are mainly smuggled out of India. BWC has also particularly requested the Chief Ministers of both these states to stop the entry of cattle and to step up security along the Bangladesh border. The Meghalaya government imposed section 144 CrPC on the movement of cattle along with IndoBangladesh border which may have curtailed the smuggling from that section of the Indo-Bangladesh border.

According to an official estimate, smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh has come down by more than 70 per cent, resulting in a sharp increase in the price of beef in Bangladesh. According to figures provided by the BSF, in 2013, about 22 lakh cattle were smuggled to Bangladesh. This dropped to 18 lakh in 2014. In 2015, till July, this figure stood at 4.5 lakh.

These figures, sources said, were based on the Customs duty collected by Bangladesh on each cattle smuggled across. Incidentally, even as the cattle trade has dipped substantially, seizure of animals on the border has remained almost constant in the past three years. In 2013, it stood at 1.22 lakh. In 2014, it was 1.01 lakh, and in 2015, up to October 31, it was 1.19 lakh.

Women Soldiers Assam Rifles make history The 181-year-old Assam Rifles, India's oldest paramilitary force, is no longer a male bastion. This week the Assam Rifles (AR) inducted 100 women among 212 recruits who were put through a year-long training programme and graduated in the passing-out parade at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School in Nagaland's Shokhuvi. The AR, under dual control of the home and defence ministries, broke tradition last March to admit 127 women for training at its school in Dimapur town. They were selected through recruitment rallies conducted across the country. Of the 100, 27 trainees didn't clear the programme either on medical grounds or failed to clear basic tests.

As per reports three lady army officers were specially posted to the Dimapur school in March 2014 to plan, raise and institutionalise a separate training company for women recruits.

The newly-inducted women soldiers will be posted to various battalions of the force and be used for frisking and interrogation of women when needed, dispersing female mobs, controlling crowd and tackling agitations involving women. They will also be employed for relief and rescue operations and play a crucial role in avoiding human rights violation and projecting a clean image of the force. Besides these they would be employed at Mobile Check Posts (MCP) and road opening operations apart from Cordon And Search Operation (CASO), Relief and Rescue Operations during communal and natural calamities and help in dealing with women over ground workers/protesters so as to avoid violation of human rights and project a clean image of the force.

Initially constituted to protect British tea planters' estates from tribal raiders, the AR was called Cachar Levy when it was formed in 1835. It was later called Assam Frontier Police in 1883, which changed to Assam Military Police in 1891, Eastern Bengal and Assam Military Force in 1913 and finally Assam Rifles in 1917.

The AR is the only Indian paramilitary force that has taken part in both the World Wars. Since independence, its 46 battalions have been involved in counter-insurgency operations and vigil along the India-Myanmar border.

A huge turnout of 82.20 and central Assam in a per cent in the first phase bid to retain power for the of polling on April 4 in fourth consecutive term.

Assam has baffled poll The AIUDF has high watchers and triggered stakes in the second speculations if it has sig- phase and 17 of the 18 nalled the much hyped seats won by the party in "change" in the Con- 2011 assembly polls gress-ruled state. came from these 61 seats.

Both the major players -- The Congress won 24 the ruling Congress and seats, BPF- 9, AGP- 5, the three BJP-3, party al- Sushanta Talukdar Indepenliance of dents -2 the Bharatiya Janata and Trinamool CongressParty (BJP), Asom Gana 1.

Parishad (AGP) and the The Congress hopes that Bodoland People's Front the National Register of (BPF) claimed to have se- Citizens, currently being cured the lion's share of updated, will be the game the people's mandate in changer and it will help the first phase of polling. the ruling party to get the The BJP claimed that the required number by rehigh turnout indicated gaining the support base that the people had voted among the Muslim voters for "change" to end the of erstwhile East Bengal Congress rule while the origin which had it lost to Congress claimed that the the AIUDF in 2006 aspeople had cast their sembly polls. votes to extend their sup- Maulana Ajmal floated port to the "changes" the AIUDF in 2005 after brought in different the Supreme Court struck spheres by the Congress down the erstwhile Illegovernment over the past gal Migrants (Determina15 years. tion by Tribunals) Act, Such claims and counter 1983 by playing upon the claims have put the spot- perceived apprehension light on the second and that absence of a legal the final phase of polling protection would leave scheduled for April 11 in them vulnerable to posremaining 61 seats. sible harassment in the The Congress is now des- name of detection and experate to strike at the bas- pulsion of foreigners tion of Maulana (read as Bangladeshis enBadruddin Ajmal-led All tering Assam without India United Democratic valid travel documents Front (AIUDF) in lower and staying illegally in

the state). Ajmal's aggressive campaign among the Muslims voters of erstwhile East Bengal origin that the Congress had used the erstwhile IM(DT) act only as a political weapon to keep them in fear and use them as vote bank, helped it cause heavy erosion in the traditional Congress strong hold among these voters.

Incumbent Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his party promised these voters that Congress government would not allow any genuine Indian citizen to be harassed but it failed to convince them and they pledged their loyalty to AIUDF. The ruling party hopes that that the political situation has changed now as the process of updating the NRC has removed the fear and these voters are now convinced that an updated NRC would insulate them from undue harassment and therefore it is most likely that these voters might not need a political force like the AIUDF to protect them from harassment in the name of identification of "illegal Bangladeshi migrants." Congress spin doctors have also articulated the campaign that these voters are now looking for bigger party which would be able to

AIUDF Chief Badaruddin Ajmal and Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi (Photo: cloudfront) insulate them from Sangh parivar's "Hindutva agenda."

Political observers say that the BJP making a poll promise that Hindu Bangladeshis would be treated as refugees and they would be given Indian citizenship once the party gets majority in the Rajya Sabha but Muslim Bangladeshi migrants would be sent back to the neighbouring country, is likely to polarise the votes on religious lines.

In bid to fuel fresh hopes of AIUDF getting a share of the power pie this time, Maulana Ajmal has been making claim that no party would be able to

form the government at Dispur without AIUDF's support.

The Congress hopes that its ally United People's Party (UPP) led by former Rajya Sabha member Urkhao Gwra Brahma will put the spanner in the BPF's wheels to shatter the BJP ally's dream to become the kingmaker and the BJP Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal's dream to wear the crown. The Congress has extended support to the UPP in four of the 12 seats in Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) and fielded its own candidates in the re-

maining eight seats. In 2011, the BPF won all the 12 seats in BTAD. In this election, the UPP and the Congress hope to wrest some seats from the BPF but the BPF Chief Hagrama Mahilary is confident that the BJP-AGPBPF will form the next government in the state.

Stakes are very high for all the key players in the second phase and all stakeholders will have to keep their fingers crossed till the votes in the Electronic Voting Machines are retrieved and counted on May 19 to find out as to who is going to have last laugh.

Courtesy: nezine

Back to Square One: Pakistan Calls Off Peace Talks With India After months of uncomfortable diplomacy after the Pathankot attack, Pakistan puts bilateral progress on hold.

Pakistan's high commis- porters in New Delhi. The sioner in India, Abdul Indian Ministry of ExterBasit, said that the India- nal Affairs, seemingly Pakistan comprehensive contradicting Basit's debilateral dialogue would scription of the bilateral effectively be "sus- dialogue as "suspended" pended" in the wake of a said that New Delhi and Pakistani Islamabad Joint Investistill tryAnkit Panda were gation Team's ing to coordi(JIT) visit to nate a date for India. "I think at present a meeting between their the peace process between foreign secretaries.

India and Pakistan is sus- Basit's remarks also dispended," he said, conclud- counted the idea of Pakiing months of uneasy di- stan offering any reciprocplomacy. Basit's remarks ity toward Indian investicame shortly after the JIT gators for New Delhi alinvestigated the Indian Air lowing the JIT to visit Force base at Pathankot, Pathankot. "[The Indian in Punjab, where terrorists Ministry of External Afthat India alleges were Pa- fairs] would like to clarify kistani nationals staged an that on 26 March, 2016, attack in January. before the visit of the JIT, "As of now there is no the Indian High Commisdate for the foreign secre- sion formally conveyed to tary talks. I think you can the Pakistani foreign minsay for now that the Com- istry that the Terms of prehensive Bilateral Dia- Reference 'are broadly logue is suspended. Let's agreed to with the proviso see if we can commence that these would be on the the process," Basit told re- basis of reciprocity and

followed in accordance with extant legal provisions,'" Vikas Swarup, the Indian foreign ministry's spokesperson, said, responding to Basit's remarks. Pakistan's decision to prohibit India's National Investigation Agency from visiting Pakistan appears to have eroded the little diplomatic capital that remained after the JIT visit.

Toward the end of 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government initiated a period of outreach to Pakistan, beginning with a November meeting between the national security advisers of the two countries and culminating in December with an unannounced stopover by Modi in Lahore, to visit his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. Though the two countries ended 2015 on an optimistic note, the goodwill was quickly

scuttled after terrorists attacked the Pathankot air base in early January.

India and Pakistan postponed scheduled foreign secretary-level talks after the attack, as Indian waited for Pakistan to take action against the Pathankot terrorists. Indian intelligence suggested that the terrorists were members of Jaish-eMohammed, an anti-India terror group led by Masood Azhar. In response to the Indian allegations, Pakistan reportedly took Azhar into "protective custody," and raided Jaish-eMohammed facilities. Pakistani authorities additionally filed a case against "unknown persons" involved in the attack in February.

In March, Sushma Swaraj, the Indian foreign minister, and Sartaj Aziz, adviser on foreign affairs to Pakistan's prime minis-

ter, met in Pokhara, Nepal, at a ministerial summit for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. However, the benefits of that meeting were short-lived.

In the final days of March, Pakistani authorities arrested an Indian national, whom they claimed had carried out espionage activities for India's external intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Kulbhushan Yadav, the alleged Indian spy, confessed to having worked for RAW on video, but Indian authorities denied that he was a spy and suggested that the video demonstrated that he had been tutored.

The sequence of events in India-Pakistan bilateral diplomacy, going back to the initial Bangkok meeting between their national security advisers, suggests a familiar pattern. Despite

Freedom Unlimited

Actress Pratyusha Banerjee (Photo: media2.intoday)

Sir, Actress Pratyusha Banerjee's death is a manifestation of the fact, how gullible and vulnerable our young girls are.

Their audacity, over smartness and disobedience to parents are normally the prime factors behind their misfortune.

There are instances galore where girls are cheated and are getting entrapped by the human traffickers, or Pseudo lovers, some of them sold at a hefty price elsewhere. Assam too is not lagging behind as far as such affair and cheating is concerned. But unlike states like Kerala and Punjab the number of married NRIs marrying girls masquerading as bachelor is not there in Assam.

In fact, some of to-days young generation are prone to 'Living together' showing little respect to what their parents/ guardians advise. Young girls despite knowing their vulnerability fall easy prey to the greed of the salacious young

bona fide interest in talks and a return to the comprehensive bilateral dialogue on both sides, subconventional actors, operating with the implicit imprimatur of the Pakistani military and InterServices Intelligence (ISI), manage to spoil any sustainable attempts at peace.

Modi gambled considerable diplomatic capital on an overture to Pakistan, first with his stopover in Lahore and again with his government's decision to work with the JIT at Pathankot. As Rohan Joshi, wrote in the Business Standard, the JIT visit was marred with difficulties and did not seem to restore any hope that post-Pathankot attempts at normal diplomatic talks would succeed. With Basit's remarks, it appears that India and Pakistan are back to square one. Courtesy: The Diplomat

Best Letter The best letter of the month in the Letter to the Editor section will be awarded an amount of Rs 200.

So please keep writing.

boys. Along with Guwahati, other premier towns and even the somnolent places are sonorous with the activities of the young pairs. These pairs show sheer disrespect to the passersby. Our residence is located in a small lane of Amolapatty, Dibrugarh where the District computer centre is located, if one Letters to the goes by the saying, 'Seeing is believ- editor and articles ing', one is sure to remain appalled to should be sent to : see the pairs roaming about with imThe Eastern Topunity. Despite our 'Senior-Citizen' staday tus, we are used to seeing these pheChowkidingee, nomena. Society cannot bridle them and to be 'Moral Police', too, is not free Near Sankardeva from danger.

Hospital Mancotta

Road, Dibrugarh786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Yours etc.

Web : Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

General Insurance Corporation of India Assistant Manager Recruitment General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) Last Date: 11/04/2016.

Online Applications are invited for the post of Specialist Officer (Assistant Manager) Scale-I in General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) : Name of post: Specialist Officer (Assistant Manager) No of posts : 20 posts in various streams/ disciplines (Gen - 10, SC- 3, ST-1, OBC - 6) (PH-1) Educational Qualification: Graduate Degree in respective stream.

Pay : Rs.32795-62315 Age : 21-30 years as on 23/03/2016. Relaxation in ages as per rules.

The selection for the above post shall be on the basis of shortlisting of the candidates based on Written Test and performance in Group Discussion and interview. Written Examination wil be held on 15/05/2016.

Application Fee : Rs.500/- to be paid online. No fee from SC/ST/PH/ Employee of GIC. How to Apply : Apply Online at GIC website from 23/03/2016 to 11/04/2016. only.

NABARD Assistant Manager & Manager Recruitment National Bank for Agricultural Development (NABARD) Last Date: 13/04/2016.

Applications are invited from Indian citizens for the post of Assistant Manager (Grade 'A') and Manager (Grade 'B') in the Rural Development Banking Service (RDBS) in National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

1. Assistant Manager (Grade 'A'): 100 Posts i. SC: 15 Posts ii. ST: 08 Posts iii. OBC: 27 Posts iv. UR: 50 Posts 2. Manager (Grade 'B'): 15 Posts i. SC: 02 Posts ii. ST: 01 Post iii. OBC: 04 Posts iv. UR: 08 Posts Age : Candidates age limit should between 21-30 years as on 31-01-2016 i.e., candidates should born not earlier than 01-02-1986 and not later than 31- 01-1995. Age relaxation is applicable SC/ ST/ OBC/ PwD/Ex-Servicemen/ other eligible candidates as per GOI instructions.

Educational Qualification: Candidates should possess Bachelor's Degree in any discipline of Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Technology, Horticulture with a minimum of 50% marks for post 1, First class Master's Degree in Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Technology, Horticulture with minimum of 60% marks for post 2 with relevant experience.

Selection Process: Candidates will be selected based on preliminary examination, main examination & interview.

Application Fee: Candidates have to pay the fee through online by using only Master/ Visa/ Rupay Debit or Credit Cards or Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash cards/ Mobile Wallets.

For Grade 'A' Posts: Candidates have to pay Rs. 750/- (Rs. 100/- for SC/ ST/ PwD candidates).

No Fee for Staff.

For Grade 'B' Posts: Candidates have to pay Rs. 850/- (Rs. 100/- for SC/ ST/ PwD candidates).

No Fee for Staff.

How to Apply: Eligible candidates may apply online through the website www.nabard.org on or before from 23-03-2016 to 13-04-2016.

General Insurance Corporation of India Assistant Manager Recruitment General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) Last Date: 11/04/2016.

Online Applications are invited for the post of Specialist Officer (Assistant Manager) Scale-I in General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) : Name of post: Specialist Officer (Assistant Manager) No of posts : 20 posts in various streams/ disciplines (Gen - 10, SC- 3, ST-1, OBC - 6) (PH-1) Educational Qualification: Graduate Degree in respective stream.

Pay : Rs.32795-62315 Age : 21-30 years as on 23/03/2016. Relaxation in ages as per rules.

The selection for the above post shall be on the basis of shortlisting of the candidates based on Written Test and performance in Group Discussion and interview. Written Examination wil be held on 15/05/2016.

Application Fee : Rs.500/- to be paid online. No fee from SC/ST/PH/ Employee of GIC. How to Apply : Apply Online at GIC website from 23/03/2016 to 11/04/2016. only.

JOBS & career

Page 9

Constable Jobs in Railway Protection Force, ECR East Central Railway (ECR) Last Date: 11/04/2016.

Applications are invited from eligible Male/Female Candidates for filling up the posts of Constable (BAND) in Railway Protection Force (RPF) / Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) under East Central Railway (ECR): Name of post: Constable (Band) No of posts : 246 posts (UR-137, OBC-56, SC-29, ST-24) Pay : Rs.5200-2000/- Grade Pay Rs.2000/Educational Qualification : Matriculation or equivalent from recognised board.

Age : 18-25 years as on 01/07/2016.

Application Fee : Rs.50/- in the form of Indian Postal Order/ Bank Draft in favour of Financial Advisor & Chief Accounts Officer, East Central Railway, Hajipur. No fee for Women/ SC/ ST/ Ex. SM candidates.

How to apply : Apply in the prescribed format should be send to IG-Chief Security Commissioner, East Central Railway, Hajipur, Pin Code844101, Bihar on or before 11/04/2016 For more information and application form, please visit http://www.ecr.indianrailways.gov.in

Military Engineer Services Tradesman Recruitment,[463 posts] Military Engineer Services.

Last Date: 26/04/2016.

Military Engineer Services has issued notification for the recruitment of following posts of Civil Motor Driver, Chowkidar, Safaiwala, Meter Reader, Caneman, Store Keeper-II and Peon.

Name of the Post: Mate (Tradesman) No of Posts: 463 1. Civil Motor Driver (Ordinary Grade): 81 Posts 2. Chowkidar: 85 Posts 3. Safaiwala: 49 Posts 4. Meter Reader: 52 Posts 5. Caneman: 24 Posts 6. Store Keeper-II: 86 Posts 7. Peon: 86 Posts Educational Qualification: Candidates should possess Matriculation or equivalent exam with valid Civil Driving License for post 1, Matriculation or equivalent exam for post 2, 3, 6, 7, (10+2) examination for post 4, Matriculation or equivalent exam or ITI for post 5.

Age: Candidates age should be between 18-27 years as on 19-04-2016. Age relaxation is applicable 5 years for SC/ ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PH (OH/ HH), 13 years for PH (OH/ HH)+OBC, 15 years for PH (OH/ HH)+SC/ ST & for others as per Central Govt rules.

Selection Process: Candidates will be selected based on written examination & skill test.

How to Apply: Eligible candidates may send their application on plain paper in the prescribed format along with admit card in duplicate affixing self attested passport size photograph on it, self attested copies of relevant certificates, two self addressed envelope of size 28 cm X 12 cm with postage stamp of Rs. 60/affixed on each envelope for CMD, one self addressed envelope of size 28 cm X 12 cm with postage stamp of Rs. 60/- affixed on each envelope for remaining all posts to the concerned address as given in the notification on or before 19-04-2016 by 1700 hrs & 26-04-2016 by 1700 hrs for remote areas. Superscribe the envelope with Name of the post i.e., D'Man, Store Keeper-II, CMD (OG), Peon, Chowkidar, Safaiwala, Meter Reader & Caneman along with Category (UR/ SC/ ST/ OBC/ PH) in BlockCapital letters.

Various Jobs in Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, March 2016 [17 posts] Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Last Date: 5 days.

Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education & Literacy, Govt. of India, invites applications in the prescribed format, from eligible Indian nationals for filling up the following 24 posts for its Hqrs. Office at Noida and Regional Offices located at Bhopal, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Pune and Shillong.

1. Audit Assistant : 03 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 9300-34800 grade pay Rs. 4200/2. Hindi Translator : 05 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 9300-34800 grade pay Rs. 4200/3. Stenographer : 06 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 5200-20200 grade pay Rs. 2400/4. Lower Division Clerk : 03 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 9300-34800 grade pay Rs. 4200/Application Fee : Rs. 400/- (no fee from Women/ SC/ST/PH/ Women and Ex.- Servicemen candidates) in the form of Bank DD in favour of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti payable at NOIDA. How to Apply: Application in the prescribed format should be send within 30 days (published on 12/03/2016 i.e. last date is 09/04/2016) and 40 days for the candidates from far-flung areas to The Deputy Commissioner (Admn.), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Hqrs., B-15, Institutional Area, Sector-62, Noida - 201307, District Gautam Budha Nagar (UP).

Engagement of Apprentice Trainees in BSNL, Assam Graduate Engineer Apprentice Qualification: The applicant must possess a B.E/B.Tech degree from a recognized engineering college/ university in anyone of the following disciplines. i Telecommunication, ii.

Electronics, iii. Radio, iv. Computer, v. Electrical. vi. IT (Information Technology) vii. Instrumentation OR M.Sc (Electronics)/M.Sc. (Computer Science) from a recognized institution/university No.of Posts: 05 Stipend : Rs. 4984 Diploma Holder in Engineering Technician Apprentice Qualification: The applicant must possess Three years Engineering Diploma in Telecommunication/Electronics/Electrical/Radio/Computer Engineering ,Instrumentation, Information Technology from a Central Govt./State Govt. recognized institution or B.Sc (Electronics)/(Computer Science) in Electronics from a recognized institution/university.

No.of Posts: 35 Stipend : Rs. 3542 Period of Training : The period of Apprentice training will be limited to one year only.

Age Limit : 18 years Reservation of seats: The reservation for candidates belonging to SC/ST category will be as per Rules applicable for the State of Assam

Career Planning after Class X Textbooks are Appearing in High School dier (General Duty) (All cooks for the Class X Leaving Certificate Ex- Arms) for the matric pass pass candidates. Aspiramination is crucial in the candidates securing more ants aged between 17 to life of a student in Assam. than 45 % and 32% sepa- 21 may apply for those HSLC Exams or matric rately in all subjects. In posts. There is age relaxexam is case of ation for international very cru- Ranjan K Baruah c a n d i - players who wished to cial as this dates join- join Indian Navy in reis the being after quired vacancies after ginning of board exams in senior secondary then Class X. Indian Coast the life of a student. Many there is no such cut off Guards also has provision students appear in the marks . Candidates aged for taking aspirants after board exam of CBSE or between 17 years and 6 passing class X. They ICSE in the state. We are not going to discuss about the exam but we shall certainly discuss about career opportunities after class X and beyond.

We have to take proper care while selecting our career as it decides our future. Proper planning and proper counselling might help a student to choose a good career. We need to have proper information about various opportunities before selecting any career. Most of the students completing their 10th standard are confused about deciding a right career path. It's difficult for a student to Image for representational purpose only (Photo: judge everything and images.gig ) hence the role of teachers and parents are very month to 21 years and 6 may be Navik in Domesimportant. months may apply for the tic Branches and the age Students getting good recruitment. Aspirants limit is in between 18 to marks shall continue for may visit the website of 22. There are opportunihigher studies but some Indian Army for further ties in other para military may not be able to con- details and advertise- forces. Aspirants may tinue due to many prob- ments. Like Indian Army, visit the website of differlems. There are some lim- there are some provisions ent forces and advertiseited careers opportunities as Airmen in the Indian ments are published in after passing class X as Air Force. Aspirants may leading newspaper. many are after senior sec- join as musician and the There are some other opondary or after gradua- age limit is in between 17 portunities like Animation, tion. Some of the options years to 25 years. There Beauty Care, Jewellery after Class X are are opportunities in Indian Designing, Video Editing, Indian Army recruits Sol- Navy as Steward and Patient Care Assistants,

ITI Courses, Modeling, Video Jockey, Radio Jockey, etc. But most them also prefers senior secondary pass now a days. Students may also take skill development courses which are provided by different institutes and choose their profession though skills.

Students may also opt for the polytechnic institutes which are situated in different locations of Assam. Polytechnics in Assam are as follows : Assam Engineering Institute, Guwahati ; Assam Textile Institute, Guwahati; Girls' Polytechnic, Guwahati ; Silchar Polytechnic, Silchar; H.R.H. the Prince of Wales Institute, Jorhat ; Dibrugarh Polytechnic, Dibrugarh; Nowgong Polytechnic, Nagaon ; Bongaigaon Polytechnic, Bongaigaon; Residential Girls' Polytechnic, Golaghat ; Diphu Polytechnic, Diphu.

Online Applications are invited from the candidates who are permanent Resident of Assam for appearing in the Polytechnic Admission Test (PAT2016) for admission into Diploma Courses in the above mentioned Polytechnics of Assam / outside Assam (against seat allotted by Govt. of India) for the session 2016-17 [including Modern Office Management Course of Girls' Polytechnic, Guwahati] Though there are some opportunities after Class X but one may complete

Class XII and then seek for employment opportunities or continue further studies. Some student also helps their parents or guardians in traditional or family business. In rural areas some drop out from regular schools due to other responsibilities. In some cases some may opt for the open schooling and complete the course till senior secondary level.

A student may also seek advices from career counselors or experienced teachers while choosing subjects after class X. There are some personality tests available online which are free. Some may also go for the paid tests and assess the type of personality to choose the best career option. It depends on authentic information and a good planning if a student wants to shine in the future. Students must be careful and choose their best career options. Parents or guardian should not force their kids to take up science if they are not comfortable. Good planning would help in building the career and future and students may also contribute for the development of the society by becoming a human resource for the country.

(Ranjan K Baruah is a social entrepreneur and career mentor who has conducted career awareness programme in different parts of Assam and North East and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com for any career related queries )

here to stay

Will advancing technology edge the trusty old text book out of the schoolroom? Avnita Bir, awardwinning Principal of RN Podar School (Santacruz) shares her views "Various kinds of books are used for reference and learning, but textbooks will Pooja be around for a while, as they spell out the curriculum and also provide some kind of

tial to have textbooks to help decide what topics to teach. Textbooks set standards and norms for academics, and for students across the nation or the world for that matter. We certainly need a point of reference. A student, a teacher, an Patel educationist, a school principal or any individual needs concrete guidance to know what constitutes the

very difficult to implement and I do not see it materialising anytime soon. The major shift in the future, would be that textbooks would not be the only source of reference and learning would not be limited to textbooks.

Additionally, textbooks won't remain the way they are now (i.e. in the printed format). There is a huge possibility they could go

Image for representational purpose only (Photo: magicnews24) structure to the syllabus for schools across boards.

Right now, there is no curriculum laid down for schools. The National Curriculum Chamber prescribes the syllabus in a very broad manner and doesn't have specifications. We get curriculums only for classes 10 and 12 from the board, not for other classes. In order to set a benchmark for rest of the students, it is essen-

curriculum, what needs to be taught to the students, how much needs to be studied and so on.

Currently, all of this is decided by our school textbooks. Consequently, as long as there is a need to define the curriculum, we would need textbooks in schools. A lot of people are suggesting that we do away with textbooks altogether and use gadgets instead. But this would be

online, become video books or even e-books.

Nonetheless, even if their form changes, the textbook would still define the curriculum. In conclusion, I feel that gradually learning from reference books and online portals will be more openly adopted; but school textbooks will continue to remain sacred for a very long time." Courtesy: DNA.

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

BUSINESS

DataWind launches first Intel powered tablet 'PC i3G7' in India ANI New Delhi, Apr 9: Leader in providing affordable mobile Internet connectivity in emerging markets, DataWind, Inc. has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of its new Intel powered tablet 'PC i3G7'. In addition to regular voice calling functionality, this tablet supports 1.2 GHz IntelQuad Core X3 64 bit processor, which will offer breakthrough Internet-delivery platform covered by 18 US and international patents allowing the devices to deliver the fastest mobile web experience on regular GSM-EDGEbased (or 2G) networks.

This unique technology reduces bandwidth consumption by up to 97 percent, allowing the delivery of web pages across even

Yamaha Motor exhibits 04GEN at first 'Vietnam Motorcycle Show' ANI New Delhi, Apr 9: Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd., announced recently that it will exhibit the 04GEN scooter design concept model at the Vietnam Motorcycle Show2016.

To be held in Ho Chi Minh City from April seven to 10, the show will be the first motorcycle show event held in Vietnam. The 04GEN was designed based on the runway concept, which evokes the image of women with an air of dignified elegance and grace in mind and body. Compared to regular scooter body structures, which hide the frame with exterior parts - the 04GEN only covers the frame with semi-transparent exterior parts. Showcasing the beautifully-engineered interior structure brings a lightness to the majestic body, creating a new design, which synthesizes the interior and exterior to achieve a rare beauty. Yamaha Motor, which has positioned design as a central pillar of product creation from its founding, established Refined Dynamism as its design philosophy in 2013, and is putting energy into developing products that realize the unique style of Yamaha. Based on this philosophy, Yamaha Motor has announced three design concepts to date: The 01GEN in 2014, a crossover motorcycle with two wheels at the front, the 02GEN, an alluring electrically powerassisted wheelchair, also in 2014, and in 2015 the 03GEN, mobility enhanced by optional colors, materials, and finishing for the Tricity.

Yamaha Motor will continue exhibiting and advancing our GEN design concept whenever the opportunity arises.

Cairn faces prospect of Rs.10,247 cr in penalty following tax demand Mumbai, Apr 9: British oil explorer Cairn Energy Plc. faces up to Rs.10,247-crore penalty over and above the Rs.29,000 crore in tax and interest demand slapped on it by the I-T Department using a retrospective legislation. In a circular to shareholders, the company said it had on February 4 received "a final assessment order from the Indian Income Tax Department in amount of Rs.10,247 crore plus interest back dated to 2007 totalling Rs.18,800 crore. "The aggregate amount of Rs.29,000 crore excludes any applicable penalties which may also be applied to the final assessment (potentially up to 100 per cent of the final assessment order, excluding interest)." (Agencies)

congested 2G networks in five to seven seconds with even faster speeds on 3G and 4G networks.

Priced at Rs. 5999, the tablet comes with free Internet browsing for one year with Reliance Communication on prepaid GSM sim cards. Exemplifying great style combined with superior technology, the device aims to be the perfect companion for people who wants to stay connected while on the move. The tablet comes with the latest software offering seamless and enhanced user experience.

The tablet will debut in the market with a partnership with gadgets360.com, the largest technology news and product review website in India, which recently launched an ecommerce website. "With

FIRST OF ITS KIND The tablet will debut in the market with a partnership with gadgets360.com, the largest technology news and product review website in India, which recently launched an e-commerce website.

Priced at Rs. 5999, the tablet comes with free Internet browsing for one year with Reliance Communication on prepaid GSM sim cards.

In addition to regular voice calling functionality, this tablet supports 1.2 GHz IntelQuad Core X3 64 bit processor, which will offer breakthrough Internet-delivery platform covered by 18 US and international patents allowing the devices to deliver the fastest mobile web experience on regular GSMEDGE-based (or 2G) networks.

this new product, we are offering Indian consumers a unique combination of superior technology and unmatched style. Like its predecessors, the tablet offers the right mix of features and on-the-go

connectivity," said CEO DataWind, Suneet Singh Tuli. "The launch of our new tablet reinforces our commitment to empower consumers with the best and most unique technology at a great value. Our

low cost Internet-enabled products enable more people to join the digital age.

Our focus on introducing technologically advanced devices at the most affordable prices is our way of contributing to the Digital

Leader in providing affordable mobile Internet connectivity in emerging markets, DataWind, Inc. has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of its new Intel powered tablet 'PC i3G7'.

The DataWind Tablet PC i3G7 comes with 8GB of builtin storage that is expandable via microSD card-up to 32GB. It also has an Android Lollipop 5.1 and supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Micro-USB connectivity options.

India Vision," added Tuli.

The DataWind Tablet PC i3G7 comes with 8GB of built-in storage that is expandable via microSD card-up to 32GB. It also has an Android Lollipop 5.1 and supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Micro-USB connectivity options. The tablet also supports 3G via SIM. The tablet PC is lightweight and delivers terrific performance with talk time of up to four hours and standby time of up to five days. It also features HD playback and comes with the DataWind proprietary web delivery technology that offers high speed Internet browsing at the lowest data costs possible.

All-in-all, DataWind's Tablet PC i3G7 is an affordable, complete infotainment package for the discerning Indian customer.

MIPTV's top television award received by Zee leaders Mumbai, Apr 9: Punit Goenka and Amit Goenka, the top leaders of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel), have received the highest television honour at MIPTV -- the MĂŠdaille d'Honneur Award.

The award recognises executives who have made an exceptional contribution to the international television business and who, through their talent, leadership and passion, continually drive the global TV industry forward.

This is the first time any Indian broadcast executive has received the prestigious award. Amit Goenka, CEO - international broadcast business, Zeel accepted the award from Paul Zilk, Reed MIDEM's chief executive

Punit Goenka and Amit Goenka, the top leaders of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel). (Photo: indiantelevision)

on behalf of both. The awards were presented in Cannes, France at a gala event held. "The MIPTV MĂŠdaille d'Honneur is presented to industry leaders who have had a real impact on the international television business. Punit

and Amit have taken Zeel worldwide, with Zee channels now reaching a global audience of almost one billion viewers. Their vision for making Zee one of the world's leading global media conglomerates by 2020 is truly exciting

and I hope MIPTV and MIPCOM help them achieve their goals," said Zilk. Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, Zeel, said, "We wouldn't have been able to achieve this level of success without the continuous support and commitment of all our stakeholders that comprise the Zee family. The Indian media and entertainment industry is going through a period of enormous change, boosted by key technology advancements and a conducive environment.

As the industry witnesses a wave of digital disruption, we at Zee are ready to lead the next phase of growth. Being content focused, we have diversified into new areas of content such as movie

production, music publishing and theatre production." Amit Goenka, CEO - international broadcast business, Zeel, said, "Zee is a major player on the global television landscape and we are honoured to be recognised as the first Indian broadcaster to receive this prominent award. Today, we have gone beyond the SouthAsian diaspora and are reaching out to local viewers globally. As a company our aim is to continually bring Zee content to new audiences.

Going ahead, we are focusing on Germany, APAC, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East as key markets for expansion." (Agencies)

LeEco launches high blitz radio campaign for LeEco Day ANI New Delhi, Apr 9: Global Internet and technology conglomerate, LeEco has created ripples in the Indian market for being a disruptive and innovative brand, and maintaining the same, it has launched its first radio campaign nationally. The radio campaign spots have been conceptualized by Orchard, a unit of Leo Burnett Ad agency and implemented by Madison and will run across seven radio channels in tier one and tier two cities. LeEco Day v2.0, the company's second super offer carnival in India will be held on April 7th and 8th, and will offer unprecedented gifts and discounts to its customers on Flipkart. From

a chance to win Mahindra KUV 100 as a bumper prize, to an easy exchange offer, the carnival will be an exciting day for Indian buyers. To promote the same, LeEco has collaborated with major radio channels across the country like Red FM, Fever 104 FM, Radio Mirchi, Big FM, Radio City, My FM, and Radio Tadka.

Channels across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Indore, Lucknow, Patna, Surat, Jaipur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai and Hyderabad will air details on offers and discounts, users can avail on LeEco day.

Through this campaign, the company aims to target the age group of 15-

COO LeEco India, Atul Jain. (Photo: files.prokerala) 30 years by enticing them to upgrade from their existing smartphones to LeEco's Superphones.

Talking about the campaign, COO LeEco India, Atul Jain said, "LeEco's philosophy has been to provide customers with

1.5 crore gas connections to be provided to BPL families by centre

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. (Photo: petrofed) Vadodara, Apr 9: The Centre will provide 1.5 crore gas connections to women members of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families during the current fiscal, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said.

"We will provide 1.5 crore gas connections to women members of BPL families in fiscal 2016-17 and our target is to provide gas connections to five crore women in the next three years," Pradhan told reporters here last night. "It is a new initiative of our government led

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide cooking gas to women members of BPL

families with state support," he said. "After Prime Minister requested people to give up gas subsidy, 96 lakh people have surrendered it and this amount is being used to give LPG connections to women in BPL families," he added. "The government has set aside a sum of Rs 2,000 crore in Union Budget 2016 to meet the initial cost of providing these LPG connections," Pradhan said.

According to him, the scheme will free women in rural areas from the curse of smoke while cooking and also will reduce the time spent on it.

The scheme - 'Christened

Ujjwala' provides a financial support of Rs 1,600 for each LPG connection to BPL households. The identification of eligible BPL families, as proposed in the Budget for 2016-17, will be made in consultation with the state.

Terming the Budget announcement as historic, Pradhan said the scheme will not only have immense health benefits for women and their children by providing a clean cooking fuel but will also provide significant ecological dividends. Quoting World Heath Organisation estimates, Pradhan said, "About 5 lakh women die in the country due to unclean cooking fuels. Most of these premature deaths are due to non- communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer." "While providing the new connections to BPL households, priorities would be given to the uncovered states and pockets, particularly in the eastern region of the country.

"This will benefit about 1.50 crore lakh households below the poverty line in 2016-17," Pradhan added. (Agencies)

an encompassing and unprecedented experience.

Our initiatives like the LeECo Day are part of our efforts to go-beyond customer expectations and provide them with the 'Le experience' we are known for globally." "Considering

most of our users are millennials and listen to radio which commuting, we decided to promote the LeEco Day at such a large scale over radio. We are sure that customers will make use of the LeEco Day 2.0 to the fullest and join the family of superphone users," added Atul. Since the launch of its phones the Le 1s and Le Max, LeEco devices have established themselves as the phone of choice among users, with their best in class performance and competitive pricing. LeEco has been aggressively marketing its devices in India and has already been present across traditional and new media outlets since January 2016.

325,000 orders hit

by Tesla Model 3 Washington, Apr 9: Orders for Tesla`s Model 3, its first mass-market electric aimed at taking the upstart automaker into the mainstream, have reached 325,000, Tesla said. The mark was hit just one week after the car, which will not be available until late 2017, was unveiled by Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk in Los Angeles.

"This interest has spread completely organically," Tesla said on its blog. "Unlike other major product launches, we haven`t advertised or paid for any endorsements." Consumers interested in the car must pay a deposit of $1,000.

Tesla has viewed the Model 3, which starts at a base price of $35,000, as key means to transitioning the auto market to zeroemissions. But it is also Tesla`s key to transitioning from a niche luxury automaker to a real indus-

try player selling a large volume of cars. "This has been a true grassroots effort driven by the passion of the Tesla team that`s worked so hard to get to this point, and our current and future customers who believe so strongly in what we are trying to achieve," Tesla said. "We are all taking a huge step towards a better future by accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation."

The huge number of orders will necessitate a big rampup in Tesla`s manufacturing capacity. First started in 2003, Tesla built just 50,000 cars in 2015, but has set a target of 500,000 a year by 2020. Tesla is expected to expand its production base beyond its current plant in Fremont, California as it builds more of the Model 3, which is priced at about half the level of its first two models. (Agencies)

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Emraan Hashmi launches 'The Kiss of Life'

'Your Son A Bigger Star Than You Are', Arvind Kejriwal said to Emraan Hashmi. (Photo: indianexpress)

New Delhi, Apr 9: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on recently launched actor Emraan Hashmi's book "The Kiss of Life: How a superhero and my son defeated cancer" in Delhi. The book tells about his struggle with his sixyear-old son Ayaan's cancer treatment. The book is co-written by Emraan and author Bilal Siddiq who was also present at the launch.

The book has been published by Penguin Books India in three languages.

Arvind Kejriwal said at the launch, "I want to congratulate Emraan and Bilal for writing this book. More than that I want to congratulate Emraan over the battle that he fought with his son. I haven't read the book, but from what all I have heard, I would like to say that Emraan's son is a bigger superstar than his father." Arvind Kejriwal added, "As a chief minister, I feel Emraan had the money to take his child to Canada for treatment. But there are a lot of people in India who don't have money for treatment. In that case, the government needs to help them financially. I wish Ayaan was here as I really want to meet him." About his struggle with Ayaan's cancer, Emraan Hashmi said, "It

all started before 2013 when I was at the top of the game and had a lot of success in the film industry. On January 13 that year, me with my wife Parveen and Ayaan were having lunch at a restaurant and that's when we noticed peculiar symptoms in my son. Born in February 2010, Ayaan, who is Emraan and wife Parveen Shahani's first child, was diagnosed with first stage cancer at the age of four in early 2014. Emraan said that though he was doing everything for Ayaan financially, his chemotherapy treatment created a kind of fear in him. Bilal Siddiqi, who was present at the launch, thanked Emraan for letting him tell about his personal life to the public. "I want to thank Emraan sir for giving me this opportunity to write this story. I met him slightly over a year ago when Hussain Zaidi took me to his house. It took us around three and half to four months to do it," he said.

This book is about hope.

When a cancer patient loses hope, his/her body starts to give up. All cancer patients should read this book. Not only them, even we should read it to defeat all the struggles that we go through in our day-to-day routine. (Agencies)

Home loan interest rate of SBI cut to 9.45%

Image for representational purpose only. (Photo: srghousing)

Kolkata, Apr 9: State Bank of India has lowered its lending rate for home loans to 9.45% and further to 9.4% for women customers following implementation of a new interest rate calculation regime mandated by RBI. The lending rates of other banks may also fall soon with the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) system coming into force with effect from April 1. If the banks decide to pass on the latest 0.25% policy rate cut announced by RBI on April 5, the rates for borrowers may go down further. SBI in a statement said that it has fixed its home loan interest rate at 9.45%, which is 0.25 percentage point more than its one-year marginal cost of fund-based lending rate of 9.20%. However, women borrower would get the loan 0.20% above the MCLR at 9.40%, it said. The new rate is applicable from April 1, it said. As per the information available on SBI website, the

earlier home loan rate 9.5% for women borrowers and 9.55% for others. Similarly, car loan would be available at 0.60% above 1 year MCLR. Thus, it would be 9.80%, the statement said.

Student loans of up to Rs 7 lakh would be available at 2% above MCLR, currently 11.20% while 1.70% above MCLR at 10.90%. While SBI Skill loan will be available 3.90% above MCLR at 13.10%. Besides, other loans like personal loan, loan against securities etc have also been linked to MCLR. The base rate or the minimum lending rate of the bank is 9.3%. RBI had asked banks to price fixedrate loans of up to three years based on their marginal cost of funds from April 1. All banks have to follow MCLR system, a new uniform methodology which will ensure fair interest rates to borrowers as well as to banks.

(Agencies)

CUTTING RATES State Bank of India has lowered its lending rate for home loans to 9.45% and further to 9.4% for women customers following implementation of a new interest rate calculation regime mandated by RBI. SBI in a statement said that it has fixed its home loan interest rate at 9.45%, which is 0.25 percentage point more than its one-year marginal cost of fund-based lending rate of 9.20%.

However, women borrower would get the loan 0.20% above the MCLR at 9.40%, it said. The new rate is applicable from April 1.

As per the information available on SBI website, the earlier home loan rate 9.5% for women borrowers and 9.55% for others.

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India beat Canada for first win at Hawke's Bay Cup Old Boys’ Club teams created several opportunities without finding the back of the net.

In the 43rd minute, Lilima Minz finally broke the deadlock with a brilliant bit of individual play, as she dribbled into the circle and beat the keeper with a sharp shot to give India the lead.

Both teams squandered opportunities in the fourth quarter, with the game edging to a close, as India eked out a vital win. The victory meant they next play for the 5th6th place, an improvement on their last showing at the tournament.

Speaking after the match India's Chief Coach Neil Hawgood said, "Today's game was vital for us, another loss would've left

in Final

Indian women's hockey team us competing for the wooden spoon, so I am glad we got the victory."

"We controlled the ball well and held posses-

Saina Nehwal bows out of Malaysia Open ANI Shah Alam (Malaysia), April 9 : Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal crashed out of the Malaysia Open Super Series Premier after losing the semifinal contest against Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying in the women's singles event on Saturday.

The Olympic bronze medallist, who slumped to eighth in the latest world rankings, was beaten 21-19, 21-13 by Tai in a contest that lasted 34 minutes.

This was Tai's sixth consecutive win over the top-ranked Indian and more importantly, she has improved the head-

Saina Nehwal to-head record against Saina 9-5.

Earlier, Saina had lost in the

semifinals of the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold and India Super Series.

Consistency key as Ranieri eyes Champions League AFP Sunderland, April 9 : Claudio Ranieri has called on Leicester to maintain the consistency that has made them favourites to be crowned Premier League champions and carried them to the brink of the Champions League.

While a seven-point lead over second-placed Tottenham is not enough to persuade Ranieri to discuss Leicester's chances of winning an historic first topflight title, the Foxes boss is now willing to contemplate a top four finish and a place in Europe's elite club competition.

They could seal a Champions League berth at Sunderland on Sunday and Ranieri highlighted the consistency in performances and results that his previously unheralded players have produced this term.

While the rest of the football world has been swept away by the Foxes' success, their manager has refused to join in and only this week, with a Europa League spot already secured, was he willing to look ahead to the next goal, with title talk still effectively off limits.

"Of course the Champions League would be fantastic," Ranieri said. "Can you imagine if next season Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and so on came here?

"That would be unbelievable for our fans and for everybody. It's a good experience. But now, it's about Sunderland."

A top-four place will be confirmed this weekend if Ranieri's side win at the Stadium of Light, Manchester United lose to Tottenham later on Sunday and West Ham drop points against

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Babies Nursery defeat Hindusthani Vidyalaya by 5 wkt Sports Reporter two boundaries.

Dibrugarh, Apr 9: Ba- For Babies Nursery, bies Nursery Co Ed High Rounak Singh calimed School defeated three for 15 in 3 overs and Hindusthani Vidyalaya by Uday Das took two for 7 five wickets in the Kamal in 3 overs.

Hazarika Inter school In reply, Babies Nursery cricket tournament scored 88 losing five wickorganised by ets in 11.1 T i n s u k i a TDSA cricket overs. Farhan District Khan reSports Association at mained unbeaten on 18 off TDSA stadium in 24 balls with one boundTinsukia today. ary while Uday Das conOpting to bat first, tributed 13 off 5 balls.

Hindusthani Vidyalaya For Hindusthani were bundled out for 84 in Vidyalaya, Abhishek Patel 15.4 overs. Manoj Kumar took four for 9 in 4 overs. scored 20 off 27 balls with Tomorrow, Guru Teg a lone boundary, while Bahadur Academy will Rakesh Patel chipped in play Saumarjyoti with 12 off 11 balls, hitting Vidyalaya.

Sports Reporter balls, while Nupur Dibrugarh, Apr 9: Old Phukan contributed 12 off Boys’ Club registered a 11 balls with one six. four wickets victory Dudul Sharma chipped in over Anupam Sangha in with 12 runs. the first semi-final of For Old Boys’ Club, Debo the Veteran cricket tour- Buragohain, Rameshwar nament Das and organised Veteran cricket N a b o j y o t i b y M o h a n Dibrugarh District claimed two wickets a Sports Association piece conceding 17, 18 (DDSA) at DDSA here and 30 runs respectively. today.

In their chase, Old Boys’ Put into bat, Anupam Club achieved the target Sangha scored 95 in in 17.4 overs by scoring 24.1 overs before being 98 for six. Debo bowled out. Dilip Buragohain remained unChetri scored 19 off 47 beaten on 32 off 23 balls,

Arsenal on Saturday.

That would come just a year after Leicester sat at the bottom of the table, seemingly doomed to relegation. While he refuses to concede his side are favourites despite some bookmakers already paying out on the title for a team who were 5,000-1 outsiders when the season began, Ranieri says they have given hope to other clubs and players outside the traditional heavyweights.

"I think now we have opened the heart to everybody, the little normal teams and the normal players," Ranieri said.

"How many of our players were playing in non-league or small leagues a few years ago?

"And that is good for football. It's good publicity for everybody.

sion in key areas at key moments, a factor that helped decide the outcome of the game."

India next play Ireland in the classification

game tomorrow.

The Hawke's Bay Cup is an invitational eightnation tournament as part of the festival of hockey in New Zealand.

McIlroy cuts Spieth's lead at Augusta Masters

Boosted by Manpreet's return, India look to dominate PTI Ipoh (Malaysia), Apr 9 : Bolstered by the return of midfielder Manpreet Singh, India will seek to dominate the hard-tackling Canada tomorrow and boost their standing in the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here.

The bereaved Manpreet last night returned from India after his father's funeral to join his teammates for a training session this morning, giving coach Roelant Oltmans some options of tackling the rivals, who today overtook India on the round-robin league standings.

Canada defeated Japan 3-1 to take their points tally to four from three outings, having lost 1-3 to Pakistan and holding defending champions New Zealand to a 1-1 draw.

mise reached Manpreet just hours before India's opening fixture on Wednesday. He left for home just as the Indian team stepped on to the turf wearing black arm bands and observed a minute's silence.

In Manpreet's absence, the Indian midfield lost its semblance of competitiveness against World champions Australia in the last outing.

The Canadians have often proved to be troublesome to the Indians as they pack the defence and bank on quick counter-attacks to exert pressure on the rival citadel.

Defending against the quick turnovers has been problem for India and coach Oltmans is seeking to teach the young players in the squad ways to plug the gaps when falling back to defend on counters.

Manpreet Singh India have three points from two matches, having defeated Japan 2-1 in their opening outings and then suffering a 1-5 defeat by World champions Australia.

Manpreet brings a lot of stability to the India's game-plan as he often takes up the centre-half's duties from Indian captain Sardar Singh when the team is seeking to dominate.

When under pressure, Manpreet is adept at playing a deep defender's role and falls back to be the third full-back.

The news of his father's de-

Oltmans was today seen observing the Canadians from the sidelines, trying to get acquainted with the opponents, whom India do not get to play often. India's last encounter with Canada was a year ago here at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup when India prevailed 5-3.

This is the first time the Indian team under coach Oltmans will be taking on Canada, who no longer claim to be the Pan American champions, but are among the four teams at this tournament to have qualified for the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro.

hitting three boundaries and one six. Nabojyoti Mohan contributed 32 off 32 balls with four boundaries and one six.

For Anupam Sangha, Rajiv Dutta scalped three for 29 in 4 overs and Dilip Chetri took two for 21 in 3 overs.

Nabojyoti Mohan was adjudged man of the Match for his all round performance.

Tomorrow, Pioneers Sporting Club will lock horn with Duliajan Veteran XI in the second semi final.

Jordan Spieth

ANI Johannesburg, April 9 : Defending champion Jordan Spieth struggled to a two-over 74 as he maintained a one-stroke

lead after Rory McIlroy staged a spirited comeback in the second round of the Augusta Masters.

Four-time major champion McIlroy, aiming to

complete a complete a career Grand Slam by winning the green jacket, fired three birdies in the final six holes to move to three under par.

Spieth had been leading by five shots before the Northern Irishman posted a one-under 71, Sport24 reported.

Spieth will join the list of stalwarts featuring Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo to win the Masters for a second year on the trot.

Meanwhile, ace Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri made the cut and finished at a total of five-over 149.

Brazil wants Neymar for Copa America and Rio Oly AP Rio de Janeiro, Apr 9 : Brazil's football confederation has told Spanish club Barcelona that it wants to have star striker Neymar available for both the Copa America Centenario in June and the Rio Olympics in August.

E a r l i e r o n F r i d a y, Barcelona's chairman Josep Maria Bartolomeu sent a letter to the CBF saying the club would release Neymar for only one of those tournaments.

In a statement the CBF said it would make "every possible e ff o r t t o c o u n t o n N e y m a r J r. a t t h e Copa America and at the Rio 2016 Olympic

Neymar

Games."

The Barcelona star has already said he wishes to play for Brazil in both tournaments.

"We count on his efforts with the club," the

CBF said.

Brazil has never won gold in Olympic football, and the Copa America is key for Brazil coach Dunga's future.

Maharashtra stand to lose Rs 100 Cr if IPL is shifted: Thakur PTI Navi Mumbai, Apr 9 : A day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he is fine with the IPL moving out of the drought-affected Maharashtra, his party colleague and BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur today warned that doing so will result in a loss of Rs 100 Cr for the State.

"Maharashtra gains Rs 100 Cr from IPL and if the tournament goes out of the state, it will be a loss for the state," Thakur told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

He said the figure is based on a study done by the Board of Cricket

Control in India (BCCI) after the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Faced with criticism over huge quantity of water usage for pitches for IPL, Fadnavis had yesterday said "we do not have any problem, if IPL is shifted from Maharashtra this season. No potable water will be provided for IPL this year."

Thakur suggested the money earned from IPL can be better utilised by the Maharashtra Government for tackling drought and taking relief measures for the affected population.

It can be noted that Maharashtra will be

Anurag Thakur

hosting 18 matches, spread across Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, during the this year's season of the popular domestic T20 tournament.

He clarified the Cricket

Board, too, is very concerned about the water crisis in the State and does not want to use potable water for maintaining the grounds.

It is also mulling to

adopt drought-hit villages along with the franchises, who have been asked to prepare a report on what else can be done on the droughtmitigation front, Thakur said.

The franchises and BCCI will be presenting their side to the Bombay High Court on April 12 during hearing of a petition on shifting the IPL matches out of the State in the wake of water scarcity, he said.

A city-based NGO has petitioned the Court challenging the use of over 60 lakh litres of water to maintain pitches and sought shifting of IPL matches out of the State given

the second successive drought it is experiencing.

Thakur acknowledged the cash-rich tournament has always been dogged by "unwanted controversies" in its nine- year history but stressed the league does a lot of good by helping "talent meet opportunity".

The multi-city event, which is spread over nearly two months, helps the country's youth find right cricket opportunities and also boosts the tourism sector, said the 41- year-old BCCI Secretary, who is also a Lok Sabha MP.

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PTI Hastings (New Zealand), Apr 9 : The Indian women's hockey team ended its winless streak by notching up a close 1-0 triumph over Canada in a classification game of the Hawke's Bay Cup here today.

India had come into the match searching for their first victory against the Canadian team and the first half was played out evenly between both teams.

Both teams had their share of penalty corners but failed to convert any to break the deadlock.

Rani came closest, when she was unmarked in the circle with only the keeper to beat but failed to hit the target.

The second half saw more of the same, as the

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Arunachal Pradesh Monumohan Boruah's 'Parichay' released impresses Adnan Sami Popular singer Adnan Sami who was in Arunachal Pradesh to take part in the 'Mopin' celebrations says that he was blow away by the region and its hospitality. Sami, who was in Aalo at the invitation of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijuju, said that he have had the most amazing experience visiting the beautiful & loving Arunachal Pradesh. He added that the sheer beauty, warmth, love & the purity of smiles of the wonderful people is something that touches the heart beyond words and the greatest quality in their persona is their devotional & spiritual connection with their roots & traditions that they have held

Adnan Sami, a leading Bollywood singer was awestruck when he saw the beauty of Arunachal Pradesh. (Photo: upload.wikimedia)

onto despite a rapidly expanding exposure to the mod e r n w o r l d . T h e beauty of the landscape is unmatched. Saying that he is blessed by the holy occasion of Mopin,

Sami thanked the warm hospitality of Kiren Rijiju & the local administration adding that he would love to visit the state again and again.

Jacqueline makes her dad proud A lot of people may not be aware of the fact that Jacqueline Fernandez' dad is a former DJ who used to play at night clubs. Though he has retired and now plays only at special events, there is one more interesting thing that people are unaware of. Recently, when the actress' dad was playing at a special event in Dubai, a bunch of girls kept coming up to him and requesting him to play Jacqueline's songs, Sooraj Dooba Hai, Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan, Jumme ki raat, Latt lag gayi etc. While they do not know that he is Jacqueline's father but a popular DJ, the actress' father feels very proud when these song requests come to him and he smiles. Jacqueline has made her way into the industry with a lot of struggle and the fact that people in Dubai too are requesting for her songs is something that makes her father very happy. He Jacqueline Fernandez is one of the hot and leading called Jacqueline after the actress of the B-Town. (Photo: wallpapersdsc) event and spoke to her at length telling her about Jacqueline confirm the are very popular at dance and shares, parties. Her father felt how these requests keep news coming. She was abso- "Jacqueline has a slew of very proud when he got lutely thrilled to hear hit songs to her credit requests to play her this. Spokesperson of and these are songs that songs."

Monumohan Boruah (Moon), a singer who has risen in the ranks of popularity by sheer hard work and dedication, is not only blessed with a fabulous voice but backs it up with a solid technique and compelling stage presence. This promising singer cum composer has recently released a new Assamese modern song album titled 'Parichay'. The album, containing seven songs of distinct style, has been musically arranged by Trion Mahanta, Anupam Barua and Poran Borkatoky (Jojo). The first track of the album titled 'Ei Akaakh' is written and tuned by Monumohan, the second track 'Kinu Aaji Aaji' is written by Ranju Moni Mahanta, tuned by Trion

Mahanta, the third track 'Tumi Aaji Kuwa' is written by Sushanta Mon Moran, tuned by Monumohan, the fourth track 'Jag Bujiya Re' is written and tuned by Monumohan, the fifth track 'Ashruxikta Soku Jur' is written and tuned

by Monumohan, the sixth track 'Tumi Jana Jana Tumi' is written by Geet Priyam, tuned by Trion Mahanta, and the last one titled 'Dur Jana Na Tum' is written and tuned by Monumohan.

All the songs are beautifully rendered by Monumohan Boruah with co-singer Pranati Nath Borah, Dhanjita Das and Jugmasman Borah. The songs are recorded at Digital Dreams Studio, Mumbai by Trishanku P. Dutta, Odb

Shahid Kapoor eager to visit Tawang Monastery Actor Shahid Kapoor, who has recently finished a gruelling shooting schedule for "Rangoon" in Arunachal Pradesh, is keen to visit the famous Tawang monastery in the state. On his first visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Shahid was mesmerized by the beauty and the nature of the state. However, because of the extensive shoot and the schedule, Shahid could not get a chance to visit the monastery.

"Shahid is

Monumohan Boruah, son of Bani Kanta Boruah and Junmoni Boruah, started singing at a very young age, underwent training in Indian classical under Sir Paran Ranjan Baruah. (Photo:)

Studio, Guwahati by Udipta Gogoi, D Chimes Studio, Guwahati by Durlav Shankar Bordoloi and Anamika Studio, Guwahati by Pinkal

Pratyush Boruah, whereas mixed and mastered by Bhupesh Saikia at Odb Studio, Guwahati and Bhaskar Sarma at Rudra Digital Studio,

Mumbai. The album is produced by under the banner of Bani Production. The singer, despite knowing that the audio album market is not reliable at present, has released this album with a lot of hope and courage.

The singer has shared his feeling about this album saying that, without going with the flow of current trend, he has tried to give the Assamese listeners some new taste of music through this album. The listeners also, after enjoying the songs, will realize it. That's why he has appealed to the Assamese music lovers to listen to the songs and encourage him in his musical journey. 'Parichay' will definitely be a distinctive addition to the Assamese music world.

TICKLE YOUR TASTE BUDS

Saunfia Chaman

mesmerised with the beauty of the state and he loved every bit of it. The schedule was tight and so he hasn't got a chance to explore the state well," said his spokesperson.

However, once the film's shoot is over, he plans to take some time out and visit the place. Shahid has already begun the film's next shoot in Mumbai.

The actor has gone through an extensive look journey for his character in "Rangoon".

Cottage cheese or paneer is a favourite dish of almost every vegetarian. And this paneer recipe with saunf in it is a must try. (Photo: cdn1.foodviva)

Ingredients 5 Tbsp + 2 Tbsp mustard oil 250 gm paneer 3 brown cardamom 5 green cardamom 1 bay leaf 1 cinnamon stick 1 1/2 cup tomato puree Heeng, a pinch 1/4 tsp dry ginger powder Salt, to taste 1 tsp red chilli powder 1 Tbsp saunf powder (aniseed powder) 1 cup water

Method Cut the paneer into thick rectangular shaped pieces.

In a wok add 5 Tbsp mustard oil. Shallow fry paneer pieces from both sides till golden-brown.

Transfer them in a bowl with 1 cup water. Add a pinch of heeng.

In a wok add 2 Tbsp oil. Splutter brown cardamom, green cardamom, bay leaf, cinnamon.

Add tomato puree, salt, red chilli powder, dry ginger powder. Cook till the masala leaves oil on the sides.

Soak out the extra water from the paneer. Add it to the masala. Now add some saunf powder. Mix. Now add the water in which the paneer was soaked.

Mix well. Let it cook for 1 more minute.

Serve with steamed rice.

Shraddha seems to be a die hard rain lover New single Sagoli by Nabarun Shahid Kapoor, the 'Chocholate Boy' visited Arunachal Pradesh when he was shooting here for Rangoon, which is a Vishal Bharadwaj film and is now he wanted to visit the Tawang Monastery at any cost. (Photo: glamcapture)

Shraddha Kapoor, daughter of Shakti Kapoor and the Ashiqui 2 girl do have a rain romancing scene in her films. Seems like she indeed is a great lover of rain.

(Photo: shortday)

Shraddha Kapoor who created a rage with her rain sequence in Aashiqui 2 continues to Romance in rain. The rain sequence from Shraddha's film Aashiqui 2 is one which was undoubtedly a leftover from the film. Thereon Shraddha's popularity amongst the masses shot up and has been rising steadily thereafter. Shraddha further went on to recreate magic in rain with Ek Villain and ABCD 2. Both her films went on to become big hits with the audiences embracing her characters. Rain has always been a high point in all Shraddha Kapoor films, while the sequence in Ek Villain exuded the lengths of Love, ABCD 2 showcased a dancers passion. Be it an act of romance or Shraddha showcasing her dance moves, the actress sure does know how to set fire to rain. In her upcoming outing Baaghi, Shraddha will once again be seen romancing in the rain. A teaser of the sequence was seen in Sab Tera but in Baaghi there is an entire song dedicated to the sequence. The song titled 'Cham Cham' will feature Shraddha dancing and having complete fun in the rain. This sure will prove to be an absolute delight for all Shraddha Kapoor admirers, with their beloved actress setting all out to mesmerize all in this latest rain sequence.

Nabarun Borkotoky, a very promising singer from the Assamese music industry, is popularly known for his two massive hit albums, 'Ninad' and 'Khamseng'. This singer has recently released a new single track titled 'Sagoli' which is very well received by the Assamese music lovers. The song has been written and tuned

by Nabarun Borkotoky, music is by Bijoy Sankar Das. The song has been rendered by Nabarun and Bipul Chetiya Phukon, mixing is by Diganta Bordoloi. The song has been made using some new concept and trend for which it has received high appreciation. The song has become equally popular on various social networking sites also. Singer Nabarun has shared his

feelings about the song saying that, the song is based on some comic situations that everyone has faced in love. By addressing the name 'Gitali' on the song, the singer has pointed to a goat. He also added that, at present he is busy with his new single 'Teze Teze', written by Somiran Malay, tuned by Nabarun, Music is by Jinti Dutta. It is worth mentioning that Jinti is popularly known as the guitarist in Papon's band. The song will be mixed and mastered by Ibson Lal Baruah at Mumbai. According to the singer, the song will be released before Durga Puja. He has also prepared a song on prostitutes which will be written by Ibson Lal Baruah, tune and music will be done by Poran Borkotoky. Accord-

Nabarun says that the song is based on some comic situations that everyone has faced in love.

(Photo:magicalassam) ing to him, this song will faced in love. By addressmake a positive impact on ing the name 'Gitali' on the society. Singer the song, the singer has Nabarun has shared his pointed to a goat. He also feelings about the song added that, at present he saying that, the song is is busy with his new based on some comic situ- single 'Teze Teze', written ations that everyone has by Somiran Malay, tuned

by Nabarun, Music is by Jinti Dutta. It is worth mentioning that Jinti is popularly known as the guitarist in Papon's band.

The song will be mixed and mastered by Ibson Lal Baruah at Mumbai.

According to the singer, the song will be released before Durga Puja. He has also prepared a song on prostitutes which will be written by Ibson Lal Baruah, tune and music will be done by Poran Borkotoky. According to him, this song will make a positive impact on the society. Nabarun has already performed in various Bihu functions held all over Assam. This time also he has prepared himself to participate in various Bihu functions to be held in different places of Assam.

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