11 december 2015, friday

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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 186

Whither tourism in Northeast?

Dibrugarh, Friday, December 11, 2015

Management of Disaster

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Page 10

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Tuki breaks news exclusively to ‘The Eastern Today’ after his arrival from New Delhi

RIPUNJOY DAS Dibrugarh, Dec 10

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today heaved a sigh of relief as All India Congress Committee President Sonia Gandhi assured him that ‘there would be no change of guard at the helm of affairs in the Arunachal Pradesh government’. Breaking this news exclusively to ‘The Eastern Today’, Tuki who met Mrs. Gandhi at her residence in the national capital to

ET CAPSULES Murder accused arrested Tinsukia, Dec 10: Tinsukia police on Thursday apprehended the fifth accused in the famous dacoity and murder case that took place just near Tinsukia police station a couple of months back. Mon Ahom, believed to be the mastermind behind the incident was absconding from the day incident took place and was finally apprehended at Hijuguri area of Tinsukia Police acting on a tip-off. The total number of arrests in the dacoity-murder case has risen to five. (Correspondent)

Nabam Tuki wish the AICC President on her 69th birthday said that the Congress Supremo had advised him to continue and to focus upon good and people friendly governance. Tuki was accompanied by his ministers Tapang Taloh, Jomde Kena,

Takam Pario and Parliamentary Secretaries Karya Bagang and Dikto Yekar during his meeting with the AICC Chief.

“Although, the meeting was short, she asked me about the situation in the state and assured me all kind of guidance”,

Diyun represents Arunachal Pradesh at International Trade Fair ET Bureau Diyun, Dec 10

Telahi BDO’s Balero stolen Lakhimpur, Dec 10: Making a mockery of the supposed tight security of the Lakhimpur Police, car lifters have stolen the Bolero of the Block Development Officer of the Telahi Development Block last night from his rented house located at the Ward No. 12 of North Lakhimpur town. The Registration No. of the Govt supplied Bolero is AS 07G 8052. In this regard a case was registered at the North Lakhimpur Police Station by the BDO Rangalal Sinha.

Relief materials Aalo, Dec 10: NSS Wing of SFS College NSS led by its Programme Officer, Mr. Reyom Ete along with staff and volunteers visited Doji Jeko Village and met the fire victims. They distributed blankets and other essential commodities to all 13 households. The team expressed their deep shock and inability to help them physically due to ongoing semester exam as well as house test. (DIPRO)

Dead body of aged man Golaghat, Dec 10: A dead body of an aged man was recovered today at Rangajan in Golaghat under mysterious circumstances. According to reports, a man named Bhuban Bora of Rangajan area has gone missing since last Sunday. Today near a pond at a paddy field his dead body was found. The legs of the deceased were tied using clothes.

But it is not clear whether it is a case of suicide or murder. Meanwhile the police have recovered the body and started investigation. (Correspondent)

Tuki said. It might be mentioned that ‘The Eastern Today’ had exclusively broken the news under the headline It’s almost certain: Nabam Tuki will continue as Arunachal Chief Minister Pro-Tuki camp waiting for final nod by Sonia after her return from foreign trip’. A senior Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee leader had said: “We are just waiting for the arrival of All India Congress Committee President Sonia Gandhi from her foreign trip to put the seal on the AICC decision not to go for any change”, and accordingly as Sonia Gandhi arrived from her overseas tour, Tuki and his

The Arunachal Pradesh stall at the International Trade Fair, New Delhi.

To sustain the artisan needs, continuous up-gradation, and product diversification and design development is important to suit modern taste. Indian Institution of Entrepreneurship (IIE) took an initiative in association with IIFCL and NSTFDC and collaborated with the Tribal Women Handloom Products of North Eastern States – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura for exposure before contemporary global audience.

Pages- 12

Salman Khan acquitted in hit-andrun case

Page 9

Tuki who met Mrs. Gandhi at her residence in the national capital to wish the AICC President on her 69th birthday said that the Congress Supremo had advised him to continue

5.00

Exports to Europe soon to begin by Ford

Tuki to continue as Arunachal CM as AICC Chief Sonia Gandhi gives final nod to party high command’s decision BIG BREAKING NEWS

Price -

ET EXCLUSIVE ministerial colleagues met her and that too on her birthday after which the AICC President put the final seal on the party high command’s decision that Tuki will continue as CM. “Meeting, Mrs. Gandhi on her birthday was just the icing on the cake for Tuki who had passed troubled times while tackling dissidence in his government and party for the last couple of months”, a highly placed source said. When asked whether the dissidents will face any disciplinary action, the Chief Minister said: “It is for the party high command to decide”.

2 mobile phone lifters arrested Spl Correspondent Tinsukia, Dec 10

Two persons have been arrested by Tinsukia police from ASTC bus stand on Thursday on charges of stealing mobile phones from a shop in Tinsukia.

Contd. on Page 4

Assam Assembly passes resolution to make ‘emergency medical condition’ treatment mandatory A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 10

The Assam Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution to adopt the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act 2010, making it mandatory to treat anyone with "emergency medical condition". Health and Family Welfare Minister Nazrul Islam introduced the resolution in the House and it was accepted unanimously. "The House do now resolve and adopt this

resolution for adoption of Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act 2010 in the state of Assam under Article 252 of the Constitution of India," he said. The Minister informed the House that the erstwhile Assam Health Establishment Act 1993 and Rules 1995 has thereof been already repealed. The new Act was enacted by the parliament for better and uniform system of registration and regulation of clinical establishments, Islam said. One of the

salient features of the new Act is that it will be obligatory for clinical establishments to provide treatment and stabilise anyone coming or is brought in an "emergency medical condition". The Act is applicable to all clinical establishments belonging to any recognised system of medicine as well as single doctor units with or without beds. A clinical establishment means a hospital, maternity home, nursing home, dispensary, clinic, sanatorium, etc.

Salman Khan acquitted in hit-and-run case ANI Mumbai, Dec.10

Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Thursday heaved a sigh of relief as the Bombay High Court quashed all the charges in the 2002 hit-and-run case. The court observed that the prosecution failed to establish the case against the actor.

Salman Khan left in the middle of a film shooting at a Mumbai studio after he was asked by the court to be present for the decision on his appeal against a lower court’s order in May that had held him guilty of killing a man with his SUV. He had then been sentenced to five years in jail. Pronouncing the verdict, Justice Anil Ramchandra Joshi said that on

basis of evidences produced by the prosecution, the appellant cannot be convicted, no matter how differently the common man thinks. The court, in its order, said that there been a faulty manner to establish procedure for connecting chain of evidence with regard to biological evidence.

Contd. on Page 4

Contd. on Page 3

Govt sets Dec 31 as deadline for digitization of analog cable services A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 10

The central government has set December 31 as the deadline for the digitization of analog cables services across India. The Gujarat Telelink Private Ltd (GTPL) V & S Cable

Private Limited has constructed a Digital control room in Dibrugarh and it is the first digital control room in Assam.

At a press conference here today, Sanjay Kumar Deb, Managing Director, GTPL, V&S cable private limited said that government has set December

Lakhimpur Medical College continues to be confined in files ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Dec 10

How long can the fate of a proposed Medical College be confined in the file after the allotment of the fund? Inciden-

tally, the Lakhimpur Medical College has been pending amidst the heap of files since a long period of four years.

Contd. on Page 4

Headley confesses of his role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks Agencies Mumbai, Dec 10 David Headley, the Pakistani-American plotter of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, on Thursday accepted the responsibility for his role in the offences. "I accept the responsibility for my role in these offences. I also agree to be available as a witness in

this court,“ he said through a video conferencing in a Mumbai court on Thursday.

Earlier, he had pleaded guilty in US court for the same offences. Headley has been charged in 11 offenses related to 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.

Headley has said that he is ready to depose if he receives pardon.

31 as the last date for analog cable services digitization and from the 1st January the whole process of cable TV would be in digitized form. “We appeal to all the consumers to install set top box before December 31,’’ said Deb. Contd. on Page 3

8 militants, linkman arrested in Kokrajhar and Udalguri districts A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 10

In a major breakthrough the security forces, eight militants and an alleged linkman for insurgents were arrested during sustained raids in the Kokrajhar and Udalguri districts of Assam. This was stated by senior Assam police officials before reporters. Seven suspected militants belonging to various outfits such as NDFB (Songbijit), Contd. on Page 4

Shoddy rig planning results in Rs 8,000 cr loss to ONGC

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State-run ONGC lost Rs 7,995 crore due to shoddy planning for hiring and deploying drilling rigs, the federal auditor has said in a report tabled in Parliament.

Tearing into the flagship explorer's planning and deployment process, Contd. on Page 10

SLIPS ONE TOO MANY State-run ONGC lost Rs 7,995 crore due to shoddy planning for hiring and deploying drilling rigs.

The non-productive time, or 'idling time', of rigs ranged between 19-23% over 2010-14.

The report said there was no uniformity in the company's annual rig requirement plan, it delayed acquisition and hiring of rigs, showed no consistency in their deployment pattern and had inefficient repair and refurbishment policy.

The Comptroller and Auditor General report said the flagship explorer's planning and deployment process smacked of inefficiency and lacked uniformity as well as consistency.

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Dehradun, Dec 10

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Education should reassert its great responsibility of inculcating values in man: Dr. Madan Sharma Shambhu Boro Tezpur, December 10: “Education system of a country grows based on the major aspects designed for the development of a country and its nation. Based on the issues like what type of citizen is expected by the nation, how it will approach its future progress, what is its long term policy etc. the education policy of a particular nation is prepared.”

It was observed by noted academician, professor, Department of English, Tezpur Central University Dr. Madan Sharma while delivering his lecture taking part as the chief speaker of the eight Narendra Dev Sastri memorial lecture programme organized by Sonitpur Press Club today at Tezpur College Conference Hall here. Pointing out defects found in the education system that has failed to give proper education to the children he stated that modern education has neglected concern for human values. It has become a mere professional ground to convert man into a money making machine. It triggers the sense of competition to acquire position and money.

The result is the erosion of moral values in society. The present day education system has to bear the responsibility for restlessness in man, terrorism, corruption,

social irresponsibility, and related such evils. Pleading for a serious change in the objectives of education the noted educationist further said, “Education should reassert its great responsibility of inculcating values in man. A new revolution should bring a change in the present education system and prepare itself to bring out a complete individual in man with noble qualities and necessary skills to be self-dependent and useful to the society.” Criticizing the concerned system makers of the state of Assam in the field of education he also pointed out that during 2001 there were nine crore (9 crore) children in the age group of 14 to 18 years in India. Of this only three crore children went to school and this scene is yet to be changed. Stating education system in our country has totally failed to build human resources Dr. Sharma further said that the political leaders or the so called ruler always want a discrimination in education system. “Privatization of education, alleged discrimination in it etc. have allegedly affected the overall social system. At a time when a section is seen vibrantly busy in establishing privately run-costly educational institution, many budding talents in rural areas

are being deprived of proper educational facility or environment only because of the unwanted discrimination.” He alleged.

“We respect Gandhi or Nehru but we never follow their ideology as it is seen that though great personalities like Gandhiji and Nehru said that a child should be given education in mother tongue we the so called aware guardians are not doing that, rather we are always seriously concerned with how we can send our children to an expensive English medium school.”

He said adding as per the Mudaliar commission aim and objective of the education should be democratic citizenship. Democratic citizenship will instil discipline, cooperation, social sensibility and tolerance.

He further added that Education should combine the scientific knowledge reflecting discipline, intellect, nourish fellow-feeling and develop social responsibility. “We have to stress the system of education which can transform the wholesome personality of the students and prepare them to lead a better life as responsible and useful citizens who can contribute to the welfare of the society thereby developing great levels of insight and moulding them as balanced indi-

FBBWAA claims deprivation ET Correspondent Margherita, Dec 10: Federation of Barua Buddhist Welfare Association of Assam (FBBWAA) in the wake of an RTI report No. AMDB.191/RTI-67/2015/ 130 Dispur dated 23rd November, 2015 which was received on 9th December 2015 from the Public Information officer/Director of the Assam Minority Development Board has alleged

that Barua (Buddhist) minority people who have been residing in Assam since ages have been deprived of facilities and funds from Venerable Acharya Karuna Shastri who has been a member of Assam Minority Development Board since 2007.

Members of FBBWAA have alleged that Venerable Acharya Karuna Shastri has not submitted the list of ben-

eficiaries who have received funds that the Assam Minority Development Finance Corporation has been sanctioning in the form of term loans and micro loans to the minorities. FBBWAA members have said that Venerable Acharya Karuna Shastri should publicly announce how much funds and items have been distributed to Barua (Buddhist) Minority People of Assam.

2 arrested for attempt to murder of trader ET Correspondent Sonepat, Dec 10: A team led by Inspector, Indiwar today arrested Akash and Bittu of Rohna village from Bahadurgarh who were alleged involved in an attempt to murder Yad Ram, a prominent trader of Kharkhoda town in the district on November 30.

The alleged accused fired six rounds on him

Carcass of Rhino recovered at Gohpur Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Dec 10: Sensation prevailed in Gohpur sub division of Sonitpur district after recovery of a carcass of a rhino which was earlier grazing in the area since Tuesday last.

According to forest sources, the carcass of the female rhino was recovered at Pichala Chapari in the morning today. “However the horn of the rhino was intact”, the sources informed. The divisional Forest Officer, Sonitpur (East division) Subhasis Das informed that the rhino was under observation of the forest department for the last three days. “The Rhino horn was recovered which was of 150 gm.” He said adding that the female rhino was of about 35 years and meanwhile the post mortem on the rhino was conducted. “However the reason of death of the rhino is yet to be ascertained as the post mortem report is yet to be available.” He added.

while he was going on a scooty to vegetable market. A case of attempt to murder was registered in Kharkhoda police station on the complaint of Yad Ram’s son Anil. Seriously injured Yad Ram was still undergoing treatment in a Delhi hospital. According to police spokesman, during interrogation, both confessed

that they committed the crime on the directions from the gang leaders Ravi alias Lamba and Rajesh Buwana who were already in judicial custody. The police had earlier arrested Anil of Singhwala village in Uttar Pradesh for selling arms and ammunition to the alleged accused in Rs 10,000.

viduals who can understand and make use of the great energy that flows from their inner spirit. "The present educational system is polluting the social organism with narrowness and crookedness. Education cannot be gained by merely mastering reading, writing and arithmetic. What is learnt in the books must be confirmed and corrected by practicing it in social living.

Then only learning is transformed into true Education.” He also said adding promotion of human values should become an integral part of education. Education should strive to achieve national unity and national integration. Teachers and educationists should shed narrow loyalties and serve the society. By instilling human values in students and teachers, India can become an ideal country and example to the whole world.

Prior to that, welcoming the gathering, President of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Hemanta Kumar Baruah spoke on the importance of the day and gave a lively picture on the unmatched contribution of Late Narendra Deva Sastri towards the society. The auspicious occasion held under the aegis of president of the Sonitpur Press Club and noted social worker Subhas Biswash was attended by

Principal of Tezpur College, Dr. Saru Saharia Nath, faculties and students of the college HoD, Department of the Political science, Dr. Pranjit Hazarika, daughter of Late Narendra Deva Sastri, Himadri Sarma noted educationist, excontroller of examination, Tezpur University, Dr. Bhubaneswar Saharia and office bearers of different social organizations. In the programme a total of eight persons including noted farmer and social worker, Kabul Sarma, noted actor playwright Arpan Bezbaruah, noted litterateur and social worker Mrinali Chetia, Durga Prashad Upaidhyai, Amarnath U p a i d h y a i , Laksmiprashad Parajuli, Dr. Lalu Prashad Upaidhyai and Prof. Gita Upaidhiay having contribution towards the society in their respective fields were felicitated with sarai, phulam gamusa, cheleng sador and citation. Receiving warm felicitation the felicitated individuals also spoke on the occasion and said that such a programme gives inspiration to work more for the society. Earlier, dignitaries present in the programme paid floral tribute at the portrait of late Narendra Deva Sastri.

Manipuri Youth Alllegedly Assaulted by Locals in Gurgaon Imphal ,Dec 10:A 29-yearold man from Manipur was allegedly assaulted by a group of locals in Chakarpur village in Gurgaon, police said today.The victim, identified as Bruce K Thangkhal, is the media in-charge of North East Support Centre and Helpline (NESCH), and a youth leader in Manipur.Thangkhal suffered serious head and eye injuries, and has been admitted to Sanjivini hospital here where his condition is said to be stable, police said.The accused persons involved in the crime could not be identified yet.According to the complaint registered by Thangkhal, he was walking with two of his friends on MG Road here yesterday at around 10 PM when a group of six to seven locals started making taunting

remarks.When he objected, the men, who were said to be in inebriated state, abused and attacked Thangkhal with sticks and iron rods. Later, the victim collapsed on the road, police said.He was rushed to the hospital by NESCH members, who also met East Gurgaon DCP Deepak Saharan in this connection.At least 100 members staged a protest outside Sector-29 police station, they said."We have formed teams and are conducting investigation to nab the accused persons. They are not yet identified."We have registered a case under relevant sections of IPC in sector-29 police station and will take prompt action against the accused persons. No arrest was made till now," Saharan added. (Agencies)

List of hospitals in Dibrugarh with contact details & phone numbers, Assam Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals Bordoloi Avenue, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2302219, 2302225

G M Hospital

Shrishti Hospital & Research Centre Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone: 0373 - 2300024, 2302099

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone: 0373 - 2302100, 2302099

Near Indian AirLines City Office Paltan Bazar Dibrugarh - 786 005 Phone Numbers: 0373 - 2303476

Aastha Hospital Graham Bazar, A.T. Road Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2322547

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2303448, 2303458, 2301904

Sankardev Hospital Mancotta Road, Chowkidinghee Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2327717, 2327715, 2326960

ASTRO FOR YOU You are keenly interested in supernatural and occult phenomena, and today you will indulge in this hobby. You may buy a glossy hard-bound book on tantra or other paranormal things. However, use the knowledge that you gain only for peaceful purposes.

Love is on the cards. Your senses are likely to remain highly active today. Stay alert and avoid drifting into your own world at the cost of work. It is best for you to keep your eyes and ears open to avoid any misunderstanding with your near and dear ones.

You will be filled with concern and sensitivity towards others, and will bestow your blessings upon many. However, being too emotional is not advisable.

Your emotions could get in the way of your progress at the work-front. You need to listen to your head over your heart when it comes to professional matters.

It will be a day of challenge. You will be tempted to plunge into a new venture.

But there is no need for haste or anxiety in this regard. Pending work will be completed. Business deals and transactions will end on happy note. Translocation due to business or domestic reasons is possible.

You will give importance to your work and your style of functioning to get a promotion in the office. You will also increase the amount of work you put in.

While the fruits of your labour may not be immediately available to you, in a very short time you can expect to make more gains than you expected to. Nothing worthy of note is likely to occur in your personal relationships today.

You are renowned for your leadership qualities and today they will be much appreciated for the way you manage your team. You will get a long-due promotion, and will come in for some extra cash. You received all this by wisely balancing work and home, so be careful not to slip up on this front.

You will put everything aside to pay more attention to your outward appearance and your beauty as you will be more aware about it. People will get attracted to your beauty today. You will be able to share your own ideas and thoughts with people, at the same time you will learn about their views and from their experiences.

For Scorpios, love and intense passion are like a way of life. Today will not be any different, for you will put these on top priority, as you mark today’s planner. Well, there is no harm in it, till you know your boundaries. At work, take it easy, for if you fail to resist yourself from making a pass at someone attractive, you may land yourself in serious problems. Instead focus on your creative energies, and find fun in life’s simple pleasures.

You feel highly balanced today. Being a family person, you dedicate your time equally at home and carry out responsibilities towards family. When it comes to work, you are at ease today. Enjoy the serenity of nature in the evening.

You are beaming with optimism and positive energy. Such strong vibes will penetrate throughout the day and maintain the energy level right till the end.

Not everyone is blessed with such spirit, so will certainly have an upper hand at work, be it your profession or business. You will enjoy a smooth, peaceful and beautiful married life with your spouse.

You are an excellent team player and your performance reaches a new high when you are a part of a group. Be an active member of your group, express your opinions, share your knowledge and see how your team becomes the winning team. Wind up your day by hanging out with friends and family.

To get away from your daily tasks you will concentrate on entertainment, fun and rest today. You will feel like a free bird today. In all this also some important task will need your attention today. You will feel nice as things around you change.

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

11-12-15 (FRIDAY)

Assam Medical College

Marwari Arogya Bhawan Hospital Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2302872, 2302051

One horned Rhinoceros graze at the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary.

Pic - UB Photos

Jalan Nagar, Dibrugarh - 786 002 List of Phones numbers: Emergency Room : 0373 - 2300627 Labour Room: 0373 - 2300022 Drug Deaddiction Centre: 0373 - 2302952 Community Medicine: 0373 - 2302994 RIA Centre: 0373 - 2302093

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

Dr Damani's Nursing Home Near Circuit House, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2300928, 2302873

5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti 6-15 A.M-Gandhi Prarthana 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan (Students' Broadcast) 6-50 A.M-Zikir 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Live Phone-In Surar Satsori 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishimi 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 8-00 P.M-Sponsored Programme-"Brahmaputra Swasthya Sewa" (Sponsored

by Brahmaputra Diagnostics and Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.) 9-16 P.M-Barerahaniya 9-30 P.M-North East Collage 10-00 P.M-Question Hour in Parliament Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Himalayan University observes belated World Disabled Day

Participants at the International Day of persons with disabilities observance.

ET Bureau Chimpu, Dec 10: Himalayan University observed the International Day of persons with disabilities though belated on 9th December.

Mr. H Sharma Principal Donyi Polo Special School, Mr. B Saha, Principal, KV2, Chimpu and Mr. Tani Tamang, chairman All Arunachal Pradesh Handicapped Welfare Society joined the programme as chief guests. Differently abled students from Donyi Polo Special School and KV2 Chimpu also attended the programme as special guests. To mark the day, students of the department of special educator, Himalayan University led by asst. professor Mr. Tapas Burman organized various awareness, discussion and cultural programmes. Special guest had also shown

their talents by taking part in the programme. By their singing talents, they mesmerized the audience and dignitaries on the occasion.

Joining the World Disabled Day observation, the chief guests shared their expert views and contributions towards the upliftment of differently abled children and people in the field of education and social life. They highlighted the importance of mainstreaming disability in all aspects of development as well as to further the participation of persons with disabilities. Senior administrator of Himalayan University Mr. MP Singh also spoke on the occasion.

He extended vote of thanks to chief guests, special guests, students and staff for their presence and contributions which made the event a successful one.

Parent's Meet Day at GSS Jia Roing , Dec 10: While attending the Parent's Meet Day as Chief Guest at Govt Secondary School at Jia, Mijum Lego, DDSE Roing advised the students to concentrate in their studies and to respect and love their teachers saying that there is beauty in loving. He also called upon the parents to look into the welfare of their children and to keep an eye on them to see that they are attending the classes regularly and not indulging in unlawful activities. He also appealed to the parents to cooperate and support the teachers in their endeavour to maintain discipline in the school and also to look into the local problems faced by them so that the teachers posted in the area may do their duty sincerely. Starson Saring, Parbuk-Bukkong ZPM guest of honour on the occasion while exhorting the student to study hard said

that there is no alternative to hard work. "You must keep the study as your primary duty above all things", he said to student and urged them to maintain discipline too in the school saying that study and discipline must go hand in hand then only you will achieve success in life. O Gao, Headmaster of the school while highlighting the aims & objectives of the Parent's Meet Day of the school informed that the school is currently facing water supply problem due to which the students have to carry waters from far distance for toilet use. He requested the authorities to look into the problem.

Bassu Perme, Ex-MLA Dambuk, Mamin Pertin and Oyimang Modi, ASMs, Parents and Teachers also spoke on the occasion for betterment of the school.

Taloh conferred Silver Elephant Award by President of India ET Bureau Pasighat, Dec 10: President of India Pranab Mukherjee conferred Silver Elephant award on Tapang Taloh, Chief Commissioner of Arunachal Pradesh Bharat Scouts and Guides, at a ceremony held at Darbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi yesterday on December 9. The award has been

conferred on Taloh for being instrumental in the promotion of scouting and guiding activities and in recognition of his distinguished services of exemplary nature to the movement in the State. He retired from government service as Director of School Education (Retired) of Arunachal Pradesh on 31st October, 2015 last. Tapang

Taloh is a resident of Ledum village of East Siang District, and has rendered service in promoting scouting among the students in the state. During his service tenure as DSE cum Chief Commissioner (S&G) Taloh inculcated the scouting sprit among the students and after receiving the award has conveyed his compliments to all the

senior functionaries of Bharat Scouts and Guides, AP for their untiring efforts to make Arunachal proud.

State’s Education Minister Tapang Taloh, Loksabha MP Ninong Ering, Pasighat MLA Kaling Moyong and former Education Minister Bosiram Siram have congratulated and extended warmest compliments.

AKKDSU observes 17th Foundation Day

A group shot of the youths at the AKKDSU Foundation Day celebrations.

ET Bureau Naharlagun, Dec 10: The All Kurung kumey District Students’ Union (AKKDSU) today observed its 17th Foundation Day. Early this morning, a huge gathering was organised at the martyr statue at Papu Nallah where the execu-

tive members of and family members of Lt Lungyuk Tajit paid floral tribute and observed a two minute silence as a mark of respect for the departed soul. To mark the day, volleyball tournaments for men and women was organised along with a football

match at Dera Natung Govt College (DNGC) playground. The final match of volleyball tournament in which 7 teams participated, for men’s, was played between Nyapin Nyobia Sangram Phasing Students’ Union vs DNGC while women’s volleyball final

match was played between Nyapin Nyobia Sangram Phasing Students’ Union vs Koloriang Damin Parliparlo Sarli Students’ Union. The lone football match was played between AAPSU team vs AKKDSU which was won by AAPSU 4-1.

Further, early this morning the renovated AKKDSU Marg at Papu Nallah was inaugurated by President AKKDSU Bengia Anthony. The programme was attended by AAPSU president Kamta Lapung, General Secretary Biru Nasi, representatives of ANSU, ALSU among a huge gathering of youths and students.

GHADC delegation submitte memo to the state govt Shillong Dec 10: A delegation of MDCs and officials from Garo Hills Autonomous Distirct Council (GHADC) led

by Deputy Chief Executive Member Mr. Augustine Marak have met and submitted memorandums for release of funds to different departments of the state government.

The GHADC has share in the royalty collected by the State Government from major and minor minerals. The share is

75:25 share between the state and the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) while 40:60 for minor minerals. The GHADC has requested for release of Rs. 10 Crore from its share of major minerals and Rs. 5 Crore from its share of minor minerals for the purpose of salary disbursement. Though the state had released significant amount before the election , detail accounts of share are yet to be

compiled, therefore GHADC had requested state government to release share for salaries purpose to be adjusted if necessary in the future.

At the same time the ghadc also submitted a memorandum requesting release of funds from transport department where GHADC is supposed to receive 100% share of the amount collected from five districts for all vehicle registration. The accounts for

this were also yet to be compiled, but the GHADC had requested a release of 5 Cr only to facilitate payment of salary. The purpose of requesting these funds are solely to pay the salaries of the GHADC employees which has been pending for the last 5 months. The delegation has been in Shillong since Monday and will camp there the whole week to facilitate the process.

Diyun represents Arunachal Pradesh at International Trade Fair Contd. from Page 1

Mrs. Dumgan Roija Singpho (Manchey), Kumchaikha and Mrs. Sunita Pangyouk (Singpho), Kumchaikhamyang represented Diyun Weaving Centre, Diyun, Arunachal Pradesh at the India International Trade Fair, Phoolwari Conventional Centre, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi held from 14th27th November, 2015. At

this IITF-2015, these two ladies promoted their Singpho’s, Khamti’s and other Diyun’s traditional handloom products along with other Arunachal tribal traditional handloom products. Meanwhile, they are hoping to meet again at the GIFT EXPO-2016, New Delhi in the month of February-2016 with contemporary tribal diversification products, so that the rich tribal handloom products can get a grip on the larger market.

Govt sets Dec 31 as deadline for digitization of analog cable services Contd. from Page 1

He added, those who are getting 180 channels after getting the set top box after some days they would get 200 channels. Meanwhile, GTPL has acquired 51 per cent stake in V&S, a Dibrugarh-based multi-system operator (MSO) that has presence in the neighbouring towns of Tinsukia, Digboi, Sivasagar, Demow, Moran, Margherita and Ledo in Upper Assam.

A dominant player in Gujarat, GTPL has also spread across Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar and, most recently, Assam. It has operations in cities such as Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Sangli, Satara and Vidarbha. In Gujarat, it covers over 30 cities. “We en-

sured best quality services in the six district of upper Assam and after some days we will going to start high definition channels,’’ informed Deb. In August 2010, TRAI had worked out a framework for implementing digitisation, enumerating several measures such as fiscal incentives and right of way, among others, and had given its recommendations to implement digitisation of cable systems all over India

by December 2013 in a phased manner. “This is for the first time in Assam that the STM (synchronized transmission module), through which huge data can be transferred at low bandwidth to a set-top box, will be used. GTPL will be providing us infrastructure and technological back-up services,’’ added Managing Director V&S.

Bangkok represents greatest betrayal of national interest: Congress New Delhi, Dec 10 : The Congress Party on Monday lashed out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modiled NDA Government for initiating secretive talks with the Pakistan Government in Bangkok, Thailand, describing it categorically as a betrayal of national interests. Congress Party spokesman Randeep Surjewala told ANI that, "the Congress Party has always stood for peaceful resolution through mutual cooperation and mutual talks, but this (NDA) government did not take us into confidence about the talks in Bangkok."

"The talks with Pakistan have gone through a series of flip-flops and the current talks do not inspire much expectation. Further, it raises the question of whether these talks are being used as a diversion by the Modi government from pivotal issues such as the economic, political or agrarian crisis," he added.

Congress leader and former union minister Manish Tewari said, "Bangkok represents the

greatest betrayal of national interest. What has changed? Another Congress leader P.L. Punia told ANI, "It is difficult to understand the foreign policy of this government.

There should be talks, we are not against it, but there should be some result also. Without any policy and agenda, there is no use of having such dialogues."

Punia further stated that he was surprised that the Kashmir issue had also been raised by the Indian and Pakistan delegations at the talks in Bangkok, adding, "NSA-level is only to discuss on terrorist activities and how to tackle terrorism." Pramod Tewari, another senior Congress leader, said, "I have heard that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is going to Pakistan. I do not know what is happening, but one thing is sure, ceasefire violations and dialogue cannot go hand in hand. We cannot spare terrorists.

These talks in Bangkok should be condemned vehemently." Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told

ANI, "When both India and Pakistan are talking, even then ceasefire violations are continuing along the border against India.

My question is what India is going to achieve through these dialogues.

Terrorism in India cannot take place without Pakistan's support. Pakistan wants to finish off India." He further stated, "We will keep on being sweet with Pakistan, and on the contrary, they will (continue to) kill our soldiers. This cannot happen for long. The reactions came a day after it was revealed that the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan had held a secret meeting in Bangkok on Sunday and discussed a range of issues, including peace and security, terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir. According to media reports, the meeting was agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif when they met in Paris last week on the sidelines of COP21, and Bangkok was chosen as the most convenient

location for both sides to have the discussions. A joint statement issued later said that the foreign secretaries of both countries accompanied the NSAs. The statement said the discussions "covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, other issues including tranquility over the Line of Control." The discussions reportedly lasted for over four hours and that all subjects having a security dimension, including Jammu and Kashmir, were raised and talked about. "It was agreed to carry forward the constructive engagement," the joint statement. It is also being reported, but yet to be confirmed, that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is all set to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday for an Afghanistan-related conference.

NSA-level talks were scheduled earlier this year when the two Prime Ministers had met for a bilateral summit in Ufa, Russia, but that meeting fell through at the last minute after Pakistaninsisted that it wanted to have talks

with Kashmiri separatists in Delhi before going in for official delegationlevel talks. Both sides also disagreed about the agenda of the meeting, with Islamabad pushing for an "open agenda" and India maintaining the talks should be confined to terrorism. (ANI)

Vehicle carrying Illegal Mining seized Roing, Dec 10: 6 numbers of vehicles (dumpers) illegally carrying minor minerals were seized by the Department of Geology and Mining this morning. The seized vehicles were detained in Police Station, Roing and released after the realization of penalty as per the provisions of APMMCR 2002.

A total of Rs. 30,720/ - (Rupees thirty thousand seven hundred twenty) were realized as penalty from the vehicles owner as per the rule, informed Jotin Linggi, AMDO Roing.

Children pay tribute during the inaugural function of capt. Jintu gogoi football tournament in Dibrugarh today.

An action moment from the inaugural match. Pic - ET Photo

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Good news for Diabetics ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 10: Glucotrack – a new innovation which would be of help for diabetics. They now need not give blood or get a prick for estimation of blood glucose in their body. Glucotrack is a new device showcased at the recently held International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) biannual Congress at Vancouver, Canada from 30th November to 4th December, 2015. Dr Mizan Ahmed, Consultant Diabetologist cum Managing Director, Northeast Diabetes Care & Research Centre,

Dr Mizan Ahmed holding the device called Glucotrack.

Golaghat attended the meeting in Canada and reported about the latest innovation. He is the first person to take the initiative to bring this innova-

tion to India in the near future. The device consists of a main unit and one probe which needs to be clipped on to the earlobe and the result is dis-

played in a single minute. One can check the blood glucose as many times as one wishes with no extra cost. “This new innovation will definitely help in better control and better quality of life and thereby delaying the onset of diabetic complications,” said renowned diabetologist Dr Mizan Ahmed of Golaghat. Moreover, Dr Ahmed has recently received the ‘Membership’ of European Association of Study in Diabetes (EASD) of Germany.

campaign drive by Human Tourist Signature Rights Action Council inflow increases ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 10: With the arrival of winter, the inflow of guests is at its peak in Majuli Island in Jorhat District of Upper Assam. This year arrival of winter guests from western countries has been recorded to be more than the previous years.

While some have flocked the riverbeds and sand bars, others have visited the beels of Majuli Island which have become tourist attractions. Tourists from western and south western countries have been arriving at Majuli Island since latter October but these days, the inflow seems to have rendered the tour operators and the guides busy, informed Nabin Sharma, deputy director tourism.

Mr. Sharma further said that this year tourist inflow to Kaziranga National Park, Hornbeel Festival and for Majuli Ras has increased three times more than in the previous three years.

Apart from the Government guest houses belonging to the Tourism department all the private guest houses belonging to Heritage North East Pvt. Ltd. were fully packed by overseas guests.

Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Dec 10: The Assam Chapter of Human Rights Action Council conducted a signature campaign drive in connection with the international human rights day in Sonitpur district today. Director of Human Rights Action Council, Assam Chapter, Dr. Parashmani Sinha while talking to this correspondent said that like in the past many years it has been observing

the day taking up various issues of the society including severe human rights violation cases witnessed in the society, particularly violation of human rights by the police during antiinsurgency operation conducted in the region. “Accordingly to create an opinion against such human rights violation cases by the police we conducted a signature campaign drive today marking the day with the motto ‘Is police

friendly with the Public’” He said adding the signature campaign started with the signature of noted social worker and cultural activist Hemraj Rabha in the column “No” (against) of Lachit Chowk here and continued up to Biswanath Chariali.

During the campaign, signatures of more than 150 noted personalities including leaders of social organizations, political leaders, senior citizens, etc. were obtained.

blockade programme

TAYPA activits during the road blockade programme ET Correspondent Sonari, Dec 10: The Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad, Assam today organized at road blockade programme in Sonari in support of its demand to grant ST status to the Tai Ahoms of Assam.

The two hour long agitational programme was taken up by the Charaideo district committee of the organization from 11 am this morning near the Towkak

river bridge. Hundreds of TAYPA activists and their supporters took part in the agitation. The protestors also organized a protest meeting at the agitation site during which working president of TAYPA Luhit Gogoi, assistant secretary Bhaskar Baruah, president of the Charaideo district committee Bhrigu Hatimuria, general secretary Bijoy Rajkonwar deliv-

ered lectures. The protestors also shouted various slogans against the state and the central government for its failure in initiating steps for granting ST status to the Tai Ahoms. Later the protestors also submitted a memorandum to Dhiraj Das, Circle Officer, Sonari.

Through the memorandum, the organization has demanded ST status for the Tai Ahoms as early as possible.

of Nandanath Saikia College, Titabor was a guest while Professor Amrita Pritam Gogoi, Dibrugarh University, Dr. Apurba Kumar Baruah, NEHU, Dr. Manurupa Sharma Ex-professor NEHU, were the resource persons at the UGC seminar who spoke on Human Rights violation and women rights. Professor Punaram Nath in his speech expressed hope that Human Rights violation would see a radical change in the society

with the change in the mental setup of upcoming youths. He suggested to the upcoming youths to give full concentration at any work they do as they have the right to do adding that every right has its limitation too. One has to be ready to fight to bring the change in mindsets and to bring change in the society and that fight is the fight for the right which is known as Human Right, said the president of Political Science Association, Jorhat.

Professor Amrita Pritam Gogoi during her lecture said basic Human Rights are being violated in many different forms. While basic human rights start from the home itself some may not have freedom of expression and some may not have a place to live rendering them being refugee. That is why this date since 1948 it is being universally declared by United Nations General Assembly as Human Rights Day, she added.

Lakhimpur Medical College continues to be confined in files Contd. from Page 1

It seems that red tapism on the part of the government and the district administration has much to do in this regard. It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Union Government allotted an amount of INR 189 crore to upgrade the North Lakhimpur Civil Hospital to Lakhimpur Medical College. This 200-bedded hospital was selected for the purpose along

Manoj Kumar Ojha Doomdooma, Dec 10: The Maharaja Agrasen Chetna Sadbhawna Rathyatra was welcomed with much enthusiasm on its arrival from Agroha (Haryana) under the guidance of Akhil Bhartiya Agrawal Sammelan. A large number of people from the Agrawal Community attended the function which was organized to facilitate its members along with few other distinguished persons of Doomdooma. Journalist Dinesh Goyal conducted the program. Vote of thanks was given by Bhawani Mandhania. On the occasion, the main convener of ‘Rathyatra’, Radhe Shyam Sherawala addressed the people and said that the journey was organized with the aim of uniting the Agrawal Community residing across India and abroad and to inform the glori-

ous history of its forefathers. The chariot reached here completing a 90 thousand kilometer journey. Sherawala who is also the national vice Prime Minister of Akhil Bhartiya Agarwal Sammelan announced that journalist Dinesh Goyal would be appointed as its convener of the Doomdooma unit. In the function along with Sherawala, co-convener Trilok Chandra Mandala, eastern zone in charge Om Prakash Bansal, chariot journey managerial in charge Bikash Sharma, treasurer Navin Gupta, Priest Suryakant Sharma, senior social worker of Doomdooma Chiranji Lal Goyal, Arjunlal Ginoria, Amarnath Bansal, Jai Narayan Bansal and Prahlad Ray Agarwal were felicitated and greeted. On the arrival of Agrasen Chetna Sadbhawna Rathyatra at Doomdooma, the

Few of the delegates of the Maharaja Agrasen Chetna Sadbhawna Rathyatra.

Doomdooma unit of Agrasen Sewa Samit members organized a parade on bike-scooty with the chariot all across Doomdooma and then at the life-size portrait of

Agrasen Jee which was kept at Marwari Panchayati Bhawan, candles were lit and prayers were offered. The program concluded with the distribution of sweets.

District Congress secretary TAYPA organizes road meets RS MP Dr. Sanjay Singh

World Human Rights Day observed at Bahona College ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 10: As part of World Human Rights Day observance, a national UGC seminar on Human Rights was held at Bahona College here today. Nearly 125 students, research scholars and teachers from the Department of Political Science of various colleges and universities took part in the daylong seminar. Professor Punaram Nath, President of Political Science Association, Jorhat and Head of the Department

Maharaja Agrasen Chetna Sadbhawna Rathyatra arrives at Doomdooma

with that of Nagaon. With this in view, the foundation stone of the proposed Medical College was laid by the Chief Minister of the State Tarun Gogoi in January, 2011. Thereafter, no progress of the construction work of the College Building has been seen since a long time. A good deal of news was published in the past in this regard. Later the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Union Government wrote a letter to the Secretary of Medical Education Department of Assam vide

DO No. UI/2012/46/ 2012-MEP and instructed taking necessary action for the establishment of the Medical College. But the construction of the college building still appears to be uncertain. It came to be known that the District Administration submitted compensation to the tune of Rs 1,60,09,253 to the State Revenue Department against the required land 45 Bigha 2 Katha 14 Lecha. But the DC of Lakhimpur, as per an instruction from the Revenue Department, or-

dered re-evaluation of the land according to the Land Acquisition Act 2013. Moreover the ADC in charge of Health of the District sent a letter to the Joint Director of the District Health Services seeking the submission of the fresh proposal as per Land Acquisition Act 2013 on December 8. In such circumstances, the conscientious denizens of the district have expected proper steps on the part of the concerned department and the Government with regard to the future of the proposed Medical College.

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 9: Recently a team led by Jorhat District Congress secretary (DCC) Pankaj Bilas Kaushik called upon Dr. Sanjay Singh, MP of Rajya Sabha from Assam at his official residence at Lodhi Estate, New Delhi.

Mr. Kaushik, the Jorhat district congress secretary submitted a memo regarding several burning issues of Jorhat and Sivasagar district. The memo further stated about the long pending issue of AssamNagaland border, man-elephant conflict as so far in the district five persons have lost their lives in the

past two months and pressurized the MP to raise questions in Upper House for development in the border village and to raise issues to make these village an arsenic free village so that the people are provided with a drinking water project along the B and C sectors of the AssamNagaland area under Jorhat and Sivasagar district of Assam. The MP assured to take up the matter and raise issues in the Rajya Sabha and suggest the DCC secretary to keep in touch and communicate for follow-up action and development of the border residents.

The Jorhat DCC seen submitting the memo to the RS MP Dr. Sanjay Singh at New Delhi. Pic - ET

AJYCP takes out torchlight rally ET Correspondent Margherita, Dec 10: As a mark of protest against both the Central and State Government alleging irresponsibility towards Coal India Limited, Margherita, Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chaatra Parishad (AJYCP) Margherita Regional Committee today took out a torch light rally from North Margherita Public Ranga Mancha to Central Field Margherita. More than 300 activists of AJYCP were present at today’s protest rally. Meanwhile, Kanchan Bora, General Secretary of AJYCP Margherita Regional Committee alleged that Margherita Constituency MLA Pradyut Bordoloi and Dibrugarh MP Rameswar Teli have won elections to fulfill their interests adding that “We have

AJYCP activits during the torchlight rally. been demanding safeguard of the coal resource at Margherita, increase in the coal royalty, hundred percent local youth recruitment, setting up of mining school, opening of coal based power project

Salman Khan acquitted in hit-and-run case Contd. from Page 1

The High Court also observed that appreciation of evidence by trial court is not proper according to principles of jurisprudence.

There has been a faulty manner to establish procedure for connecting chain of evidence with regard to biological evidence, the court

added. The actor was convicted of all charges by a sessions court earlier this year in the case relating to 2002 when Salman’s Toyota Land Cruiser had crashed into five men sleeping outside a bakery on Hill Road in Bandra in the early hours of September 28. One person was killed and four others were injured.

at Lekhapani but nothing has been fulfilled till today”. On the other hand, Surojit Moran President of AJYCP Tinsukia District Committee slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP Govern-

ment at the Centre and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led Congress Government in Assam alleging step motherly treatment and failure to safeguard the natural resources at Margherita.

2 mobile phone lifters arrested Contd. from Page 1

According to police sources, one of the accused has been identified as Tishu Manpoong, a resident of Chowkham in Arunachal Pradesh while the other has been identified as Sandip

Banerjee of Silchar. The duo had gone to buy mobile phones from a shop in TDA market, added Tinsukia police town incharge Bilong and said that they vanished with two mobiles which have been recovered from their possession after a police complaint in this connection.

8 militants, linkman arrested in Kokrajhar and Udalguri districts Contd. from Page 1

NSCN(IM) and National Liberation Front of Bengalis (NLFB) were arrested last night during a joint operation by police and army in Udalguri district, IGP LR Bishnoi said. The police and army's 40 Field Regiment from Borengjuli launched an operation last night and apprehended NDFB(S) insurgents Ashique Daimary and

Nerswn Boro from Tangla and recovered one Indian hand grenade from their possession, he said. Based on inputs obtained from them, another operation was launched today at Goroibari village under Udalguri police station and NSCN(IM) 'sergeant major' Vihuto Sumi, NDFB(S) insurgent Jipirush Narzary, NLFB 'deputy commander-in-chief' Ajit Biswash and NDFB cadres

Lalchand Mandal and Ratanlal Mazumdar were apprehended, Bishnoi said. One 7.65mm pistol, two magazines and 50 rounds of assorted ammunition were recovered from Narzary with the same type of arms and ammunition having been seized from Biswash as well, the IGP added. Meanwhile, in another raid in Kokrajhar district today, one NDFB(S) militant and an alleged

linkman of the outfit were apprehended by a joint team of army and police from the Jaleswari area, defence sources said. The NDFB(S) cadre and the linkman were identified, respectively, as Agnesh Mushahary alias Kenkra and Nikhil Daimary alias Ajoy, the sources said.

Two factory-made pistols and four rounds of ammunition were recovered from their possession, the sources added.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar meets Narendra Modi

Nitish Kumar meets Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Dec 10: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Bihar CM Nitish Kumar called on PM Narendra Modi," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the first time welcomed the Prime Minister's Bihar package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore on 8 december and the additional investment of Rs 40,000 crore, and demanded their sincere

implementation for development of the state. "I welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's package for Bihar of Rs 1.25 lakh crore with additional investment of Rs 40,000 crore for running projects‌From here onwards I would like sincere implementation of the package," he said in the legislative Assembly while replying to the debate on the Governor's address to the joint sitting of the Bihar Assembly.

(Agencies)

Court convicts three accused in Park Street gangrape case

The quantum of punishment will be announced on Friday, the judge said while passing the order incamera.

Kolkata, Dec 10: Three accused in the infamous Park Street gangrape case were on today convicted by a court here.Two other accused in the case are still absconding. Additional Sessions Judge Chiranjib Bhattacharya of City Sessions Court pronounced Ruman Khan, Naser Khan and Sumit Bajaj guilty of gangrape committed in February, 2012.The quantum of punishment will be announced tomorrow, the judge said

while passing the order in-camera.The accused were found guilty under sections 376 (2)(g) (gangrape), 120B (criminal conspiracy) 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of IPC, Chief Public Prosecutor Tamal Mukherjee said.The police is, however, yet to apprehend the main accused Kader Khan and another accused named Ali. The victim, who had appeared in public several times and said she had no inhibition in publishing her name, died of encephalitis in March this year. The victim, when she was 40year-old, had been picked up in a car in front of a night club at Park Street in the heart of the city on February 5, 2012, and gangraped inside the moving car before she was thrown off near a road crossing. (Agencies)

NGT likely to extend coal transportation deadline Shillong, Dec 10: The NGT is inclined to grant further extension of time for transportation of extracted coal after the last deadline of coal transportation set by NGT expired on November 30.The matter came up for hearing on Wednesday and the Supreme Court lawyer representing the state government Ranjan Mukherjee urged the tribunal to extend the payment of royalty till March 31 next year and the transportation of extracted coal till June

30.Mukherjee said that NGT was inclined to extend the dates and an order in this regard would be issued by on December 14.

Mukherjee has also apprised NGT that the weighbridges were functioning without any hurdles for the transportation of coal.The government counsel also assured NGT that action would be taken by the state government against any violators of NGT ban on coal mining imposed on April 14,2014. (Agencies)

Miss Luit 2015 winner Khyati Das of Assam (centre) first runners up Sawmi of Mizoram (left) and Second runners up Shreya Borthakurof Assam (right) during grand finale organized by Northeast India Fashion & Design Council at ITA Machkowa, Guwahati . Pic - UB Photos

PAGE 5

REGION

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Political parties seek multi-phase elections Kolkata,Dec 10:The full bench of Election Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi today holding a series of meetings with all the political parties, senior government officials and district administration before initiating measures for the assembly election due next year."We have requested the CEC to ensure that the elections are free and fair and all necessary steps should

be taken to ensure that people can vote with any fear or intimidation.We have not specified any phases as it is too early," CPI(M) state secretariat member Rabin Deb said after the meeting.CPI(M) ally Forward Bloc has demanded elections be held in six phases.The Congress delegation led The BJP delegation demanded elections be held in by senior Congress seven phases in the state leader Manas Bhunia too has requested the ensure presence of tral forces ahead of the Election Commission to enough adequate cen- polls."We have told the

EC to ensure that there are enough central forces in the state ahead of the polls. We want elections in 5-6 phases," he said.The BJP delegation demanded elections be held in seven phases in the state.The ruling Trinamool Congress delegation led by state parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee on Thursday said they have urged the commission to ensure that all the legal

voters are enlisted in the voter list that will be released on January 5."West Bengal is a state which is most tolerant, communal harmony is beyond question. We have requested the CEC to ensure that all the legal voters are enlisted in the voter list," Chatterjee said.State urban development affairs minister Firhad Hakim, who accompanied Chatterjee said, the time is not yet ripe to talk about multi-phase elections.

Manipur CM flags of trial run of Top militants give up arms in Meghalaya Imphal-Mandalay bus service Imphal, Dec 10: Manipur chief minister O Ibobi flagged off the much awaited trial run of the Imphal-Mandalay bus service from Hotel Imphal today. The trial of the bus service was finally flagged off after continuous efforts by the Governments of Myanmar and India. It is expected that once this bus service is activated formally for the public, it will go a long way in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. Twenty-seven officials from different departments of the Manipur Government took part in the first ever trial run of Imphal-Mandalay bus service on Wednesday.

Officials from THE Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Ministry of External Af-

Manipur chief minister O Ibobi

fairs representing Government of India will also take the travel from Imphal to Myanmar. The delegation will also attend a meeting in Naypyidaw in connection with the trial run. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zone 1 Clay Khongsai, from the Public Works Department (PWD), Chief Engineer Moirangjam Lokendro; Additional Chief Engineer-II Kh Temba; Executive Engineer NEC-II Konsam

Premkumar; Executive Engineer National Highway Division No-II Longjam Debendra and Assistant Engineer National Highway Division No-III Yumnam Bochao will also be part of the delegation. Meanwhile, Officer on Special Duty Ksh Shanta; alongwith the officials of the three ministries of Government of India, were present on the occasion. The flagging off ceremony of the trial run was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam; Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam; Works and Transport Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar; and Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur Shahid Ahmad . The delegates will reach Moreh and head towards Tamu then Kalewa before hold-

ing a night at Kalay on December 9. On December 10, the team will return back from Kalay to Kalewa and will head towards Monywa via Yagyi road and then to Mandalay. The team will leave Mandalay for capital Naypyidaw on December 11 and will hold a joint meeting to discuss the Imphal-Mandalay bus service. The Indian officials will stay the night in Naypyidaw after the meeting and will return to Mandalay on December 12. Along with the Indian delegation, an official team from Myanmar will then head towards Imphal on a trial run bus service.The team will reach Imphal on December 14 and the Myanmar delegation members will be felicitated by the Manipur Government.

(Agencies)

Shillong,Dec 10:Three militants of the A'chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF), including its 'chairman' and 'military wing chief', on Wednesday laid down arms before Meghalaya Police in the wake of ongoing combing operations in the Garo Hills.AMEF 'chairman' Sengjan N. Arengh, and 'military chief' Timudh D. Marak, along with 17-year-old cadre Pimp K. Sangma surrendered before Meghalaya Director General of Police Rajiv Mehta.They deposited one AK-47 rifle, one 9 mm Italian pistol, one grenade, a cache of ammunition and magazines besides six AMEF seals."We gave up arms as many of our cadres are being arrested or have surrendered or are being killed in gunfights with

security forces and also because of the ongoing operations against various (militant) factions in Garo Hills," Arengh told journalists.

Police launched an operation against Garo militant groups after the Meghalaya High Court last month took serious note of the law and order situation.

The court had even asked the union home ministry and defence ministry to consider the use of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and deployment of armed and paramilitary forces to control the deteriorating law and order situation in the Garo Hills.The AMEF is a splinter group of the Garo National Liberation Army, a terrorist organisation fighting for a separate Garoland to be carved out of Meghalaya. (Agencies)

Conference on crime against women held

Sangai festival held to promote Manipur as hub of culture and adventure tourism Manipur, Dec 10 : Music, dance, drama and a lot of adventure‌The aim of the Sangai Festival was to bring Manipur to the world tourism map. The mega event was inaugurated on November 21 by Governor V Shanmuganathan in the presence of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

The annual festival aims to promote Manipur as a world class tourism destination by showcas-

ing art, culture, theatre, eco-adventure opportunities, sports and natural beauty. The ten-day long cultural extravaganza, known earlier as Manipur Festival, was renamed Manipur 'Sangai Festival' in 2010 to popularize 'Sangai' a rare species of deer found in the state. The gala event attracted over 500 foreign tourists, including delegations from China, Myanmar, Thailand and other coun-

tries. Thousands of domestic tourists also came to the state during the festival. Artists from different tribes from the Northeastern states enthralled the audience with their performances.

Aimol Dance from Chandel district, warrior dance of the Maring tribe, Khukhuri dance of the Nepalese and dance from Zeilangrong were presented during the event. The Asian Sangai film festival and Asian

theatre festival were also organised as part of the festival. Artists from the Northeast shared their experiences with their counterparts from countries like Thailand and Japan. Manipur has been promoting itself as an adventure tourism destination. As part of Sangai festival, adventure related events like boat race and water skiing at Loktak Lake, and other thrilling events were organised to woo tourists. (ANI)

Thousands march through Delhi against 3 Bills New Delhi, Dec 10 : Over a thousand tribals from Manipur , representing various tribe based student bodies, philanthropic organizations took out a symbolic coffin rally from Jantar Mantar to Parliament yesterday.Chanting slogans and calling for justice to the '9 martyrs' who are lying unburied at Churachandpur hospital morgue, the protesters called for withdrawal of the three Bills passed on August 31 by the State Assembly and demand for a separate administration for tribal areas in Manipur.A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister and President.The protesters were blocked with barricades and lathi charged by the police at Parliament street as they marched towards the Parliament from Jantar M a n t a r. P r o t e s t e r s courted arrest and were detained at the Parliament street police station at the time this report is being filed. About more than five hundred of them were detainedThe huge

rally was carried out after thirty four days of indefinite sit in demonstration at New Delhi under the umbrella of the Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi.Significantly , December 9 marks the 100th day since the uprising against the three Bills, where nine tribal protesters were killed (six of them by firing by the State security forces) in Churachandpur on August 31 and September 1, 2015 and subsequent consistent protest for its withdrawal.The march to Parliament with the 9 coffins was held under the umbrella of Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi. All tribe based student bodies, tribe based philanthropic organisations and welfare bodies, traditional bodies based in Delhi took part in the rally.A release issued by the Tribal Forum stated that in the aftermath of the passage of the Bills which saw unprecedented wave of protests by all tribals of Manipur who came together in unity, demands were put forward to withdraw the

Marching through the roads of Delhi and (R) candlelight vigil at CCpur

three 'anti-tribal' Bills, to deliver justice for the 'martyrs' in terms of meting out punishment to those responsible for their death as per law and for securing the rights and Constitutional protections that justly belong to the tribals, and for the preservation of Constitutional and legal rights of the tribals of Manipur.However, these just and legitimate demands were not addressed, the release said, hence, the nine 'martyrs' continue to lie unburied even after 100 days in a makeshift mortuary in Churachandpur. As a show of sympathy and solidarity, to mourn the nine 'martyrs' and to support the just demands, the Manipur Tribals' Forum

Delhi (MTFD) has been organizing an indefinite sit in demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi since November 4, 2015. The Forum re-iterated that the tribals of Manipur had suffered enough and had been discriminated against. The march to Parliament carrying the 9 coffins is to protest the abject apathy and indifference of the Government towards the just demands."But we ( tribals) will no longer be silent," the release said.With a pledge to defend their rights, the Manipur Tribals Forum demanded that the Government of India should take concrete steps to ensure that the three 'antitribal' Bills are withdrawn in their entirety. (Agencies)

conference on crime against women

Imphal, December 10 : Women Action for Development (WAD), Conflict Widow Forum, Domestic Violence Survivor Forum, North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) and District Women Committee UNMM (Imphal East) jointly organised a oneday women conference on the topic 'Demanding speedy justice on crime against women and children', at Manipur Press Club today.Speaking at the occasion WAD secretary Sobita Mangshatabam stressed the need to check the increasing number of crime against women and children in the State.She said, the committees will jointly submit memorandum to the Prime Minister, Union Minister, Chief Minister, Home Minister and other Ministers concerned on December 10 demanding speedy disposal of highly sensitive sexual assault cases, constitution of a special court for rape victims, effective utilization of paramilitary

forces in aid of civil administration, establishment of fast track court related with children and women cases, speedy and effective disposal of PILs in the High Court, judicial trail, maintaining discretion in granting bail, appointment of judges against the vacant posts in HC and establishment of family and session Court in all hill districts.The memorandum also demands the enactment of appropriate laws for women and children, a separate gender budget in the upcoming winter session of the State Assembly, establishment of working committees to handle crime against women and children.WAD further appealed to the Home Dept to frame charge sheets of all pending cases related with crime against women and children within a three months time frame.The committees, she added, will jointly launch intense forms of agitation in case their demands are not addressed at the earliest.

(Agencies)

High Court Adjourns Bail Hearing of GJM leaders till February 9 Darjeeling ,Dec 10:The Calcutta High Court adjourned the hearing of anticipatory bail prayers of GJM leaders till February 9, 2016 in connection with the Madan Tamang murder case.The hearing on the petitions was adjourned following the unexpected closer of High Court due to death of retired High Court judge MM Dutt. Meanwhile, ABGL and Democratic

Front leaders have expressed their faith in Indian judiciary system. "I respect and believe in Court judgment, my husband late Madan Tamang will get justice sooner or later", said Bharati Tamang, wife of Late Madan Tamang, who was murdered in broad day light in Darjeeling while preparing for ABGL public meeting on May 21, 2010. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

PAGE 6

2002 hit-and-run case: Fans rejoice Salman's acquittal Mumbai, Dec. 10: Salman Khan's fans on Thursday expressed their delight over the Bombay High Court's decision to quash all the charges against him in the 2002 hit-and-run case and described the Bollywood actor as a very good 'human being'. "Salman Khan is a very good human being. It's good that he got acquitted. I watch

his movies. I am waiting in front of his house to see him. I am very happy that he got acquitted," said one of his fans. "It's a big reason for happiness for us.

He is an honest person.

We are happy for him.

Our prayers are with him," added another fan.

Meanwhile, scores of fans of the 'Dabangg' actor have gathered outside his Galaxy apartment in

NESCH member assaulted by locals Gurgaon, Dec 10: A 29year-old man from Manipur was allegedly assaulted by a group of locals in Chakarpur village in Gurgaon, police said on Wednesday. The victim, identified as Bruce K Thangkhal, is the media incharge of North East Support Centre and Helpline (NESCH), and a youth leader in Manipur.

Thangkhal suffered serious head and eye injuries, and has been admitted to Sanjivini hospital here where his condition is said to be stable, police said.

The accused persons involved in the crime could not be identified yet. According to the complaint registered by Thangkhal, he was walking with two of his friends on MG Road here on Tuesday at around 10 pm when a group of six to seven locals started

making taunting remarks.

When he objected, the men, who were said to be in inebriated state, abused and attacked Thangkhal with sticks and iron rods.

Later, the victim collapsed on the road, police said. He was rushed to the hospital by NESCH members, who also met East Gurgaon DCP Deepak Saharan in this connection. At least 100 members staged a protest outside Sector-29 police station, they said. "We have formed teams and are conducting investigation to nab the accused persons. They are not yet identified. "We have registered a case under relevant sections of IPC in sector-29 police station and will take prompt action against the accused persons. No arrest was made till now," Saharan added.

(Agencies)

Turkey accuses Russia of 'ethnic cleansing' in Syria

Turkey has accused Russia of conducting "ethnic cleansing" in Syria

London, Dec. 10: Turkey has accused Russia of conducting "ethnic cleansing" in Syria via its bombing raids in northwestern part of the country. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the bombings were attempting to clear ethnic Turkmen and Sunni Arabs out of the area. The Turkish prime minister's statement comes at a time when the competing interests of his country and Russia across the

Middle East came closer to an outright clash, The Telegraph reported. They have already been the site of sectarian clashes and massacres on both sides as Syria rebel groups, including militants, target the area and Assad regime troops backed by Iran and Russiatry to shore up the base support of ] Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose family comes from Latakia. (ANI)

Salman Khan's fans on Thursday expressed their delight over the Bombay High Court's decision

Mumbai to celebrate his acquittal. The Bombay High Court earlier quashed all the charges against Salman in this case. The High Court said that on basis of evidences produced by the prosecution, the appellant cannot be convicted, no matter how differently the common man thinks. Pronouncing the verdict, Justice A.R. Joshi observed

that the prosecution has failed to establish the case against Salman.

The High Court also observed that appreciation of evidence by trial court is not proper according to principles of jurisprudence. There has been a faulty manner to establish procedure for connecting chain of evidence with regard to biological evidence, the High

Court added. The actor was convicted of all charges by a sessions court earlier this year in the case relating to 2002 when Salman's Toyota Land Cruiser had crashed into five men sleeping outside a bakery on Hill Road in Bandra in the early hours of September 28. One person was killed and four others were injured.

(ANI)

Darishti Seva Samiti 2 arrested for attempt achieves target of 1000 to murder of trader eye donations in 5 years ET Correspondent Ram’s son Anil. SeriSachin Sehrawat Sonepat, Dec 10: Darishti Seva Samiti has become one of the leading voluntary organizations to achieve the target 0f 1000 eye donations in last five years. The Samiti has now planned to motivate the people for body donations.

This was stated by Samiti’s Secretary, Narender Bhutani and member Harbhagwan Raheja while addressing a press conference here today. The oldest among eye donors was an 85 year old woman and youngest was a 10 year old boy, he added. “Inspired by

Ahuti, a Gohana based eye donation organization, we also started it in 2010. After some problems in the initial stages, the efforts got momentum because of awareness among the people,” they said adding that now the organization was getting phone calls from the family of the donors. They added that as numbers of people unfortunately die in road accidents, there is a plan to reach to the families of such victims to convince them for body donation. “We do not take any donation for this work,” Bhutani said.

Sonepat, Dec 10: A team led by Inspector, Indiwar today arrested Akash and Bittu of Rohna village from Bahadurgarh who were alleged involved in an attempt to murder Yad Ram, a prominent trader of Kharkhoda town in the district on November 30. The alleged accused fired six rounds on him while he was going on a scooty to vegetable market. A case of attempt to murder was registered in Kharkhoda police station on the complaint of Yad

ously injured Yad Ram was still undergoing treatment in a Delhi hospital. According to police spokesman, during interrogation, both confessed that they committed the crime on the directions from the gang leaders Ravi alias Lamba and Rajesh Buwana who were already in judicial custody. The police had earlier arrested Anil of Singhwala village in Uttar Pradesh for selling arms and ammunition to the alleged accused in Rs 10,000.

ISRO has launched Remote Sensing Satellites in thematic series, says Jitendra Singh New Delhi, Dec. 10: Union Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched Remote Sensing Satellitesin thematic series - Resourcesat, Cartosat and Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-1). The images acquired by these satellites, in conjunction with field observations, are used for various applications in the area of agriculture development, which includes mapping

and monitoring of agricultural crops and its condition, crop acreage estimation and production forecast, crop phenology and growth; site suitability for crops, cropping system analysis, watershed monitoring and management, command area management and drought assessment, he said. These satellites are also used for varied applications in natural resource management, infrastructure planning and disaster management, he said. He added

that Space observatory ASTROSAT, recently launched by ISRO, carried five payloads to study the stars and galaxies in ultraviolet, optical and X-ray wavelength bands. Various functions performed by ASTROSAT are pointing the instruments to view stars and galaxies; measuring the intensity and spectra of the source using onboard detectors; storing the measurements from the detector in the onboard

Union Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh storage; and transmission of the data to the Ground station for scientific analysis. (ANI)

SC tells Centre to operationalise OCIA by Dec.1, 2016 New Delhi, Dec.10: In a bid to curb inter-state and international trafficking of girls for sexual exploitation, the Supreme Court has asked the Centre to operationalise by December 1, 2016, the Organised Crimes Investigating Agency (OCIA) which will probe human trafficking cases across the nation.

The apex court has also asked theMinistry of Women and Child Development to complete the consultation process in six months on the issue of making a comprehensible legislation to deal with is-

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to operationalise by December 1, 2016 sues like prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of the victims of trafficking for commercial and sexual exploitation. Earlier, it had asked all states and Union

Territories to provide the data of FIRs registered between 2014 to September 30, 2015 with regard to girl child trafficking under certain provisions of the IPC

and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) within a fortnight.

The Ministry had set up a panel, headed by its secretary to deliberate upon a new legislation and informed the court that consultation has to begin soon. The Centre had earlier told the apex court that instead of amending certain provisions in existing statutes, there is a need for a comprehensive legislation to tackle all aspects of human trafficking. Issuing the directions on Wednesday, the court disposed of a PIL which was filed in 2004. (ANI)

Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till Friday

New Delhi, Dec.10: The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till tomorrow as the Congress members continued to protest against the government on the National Herald issue. Raising slogans against the ruling dispensation, the Congress leaders alleged that dictatorship on part of the government would not be accepted. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi have been asked to appear in a Delhi Court on December 19 in connection with this case.

The summons were is-

sued to them on a criminal complaint lodged by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy for alleged cheating and misappropriation of funds in acquiring ownership of now-defunct daily National Herald. The Congress leaders own a stake as directors in YIL, registered as a charitable company, as per the complaint. The complaint alleged corruption in the assigning of loan worth Rs. 90.25 crore owed to the Congress by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), publisher of the National Herald, to YIL for Rs. 50 lakh. (ANI)

HC refuses to pass interim order on Delhi govt's odd-even vehicle plan New Delhi, Dec. 10: The Delhi High Court has refused to pass any interim direction on the PILs filed against the AAP government's odd-even car formula to combat pollution. Terming the PILs as premature, the court said, the Delhi Government has proposed an idea, which will be applicable from the January 1 on a trial basis for 15 days, so let them try it. It said it was too early to pass an order. The court said it would take up the matter on December 23, by when the suggestions may also reach to the

government. It added that the PILs should not be used to pressurise the Delhi government. The court's oral observation came during hearing of the PILs which sought directions for restraining implementation of the policy. One of the petitioner claimed that imposition of such a policy would be contrary to public interest and has been imposed without any public debate or discussion. It also questioned whether the AAP government has the power to modify vehicular movement in the national capital. (ANI)

Parliament logjam: Congress running away from debate: Telecom Minister New Delhi, Dec. 10: Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday criticized the Congress Party for disrupting the proceeding of the House and running away from debating issues. "Firstly, they should answer us why are they not letting the parliament to run. Second is why are they running away from the questions, we are ready to debate on all issues," Prasad said while addressing a press conference here. "Though the fodder scam was making headlines it was not discussed in Parliament.

Congress party is blam-

ing us that we are misusing the government missionary, than it doesn't suit the congress party. If there was no involvement of the Supreme Court then the 2G scam, 3G scam would never had been investigated," he added. Prasad alleged that the Congress is unsure about what stand it should take in the Parliament. "Because they know when discussion will begin everybody will know their allegations are baseless. It is very unfortunate that they are running away and that their true face will be exposed," he said. (ANI)

Made in Pakistan ISIS song and music to attract Chinese youth to global jihad Islamabad, Dec.10 : A made in Pakistan song in Mandarin language has been released by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) with the aim of attracting Chinese youth to join its global jihad. The song has been produced in Pakistan by the media wing of the ISIS, using Mandarinspeaking artists. In a sensational report appearing on various media-related platforms more than two weeks after its first known execution of a Chinese hostage, the ISIS has published a war chant in Mandarin that calls on Muslims in China, or at least Muslim men in that country to take up arms.

Reportedly prepared by the Al-Hayat Media Center, the Islamic State’s media arm, the fourminute-long song has

been released and distributed through Twitter and messaging app Telegram, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors and tracks radical groups online. The group’s chants, according to the Wall Street Journal, are known as “Nasheeds” (a cappella song extolling Islam). This Mandarin Chinese Nasheed urges Muslims to “wake up after a century of humiliation”, take up weapons to “rebel” in accordance with Allah’s command.

The song has been slickly produced and hypnotically infectious, with lyrics that extol death in the service of Islam. An article published in The Diplomat says that while it is unusual for the ISIS to produce recruiting materials in Mandarin Chinese, this isn’t the first time they

have mentioned China. It says that ISIS has identified China as one of 60 countries that is part of a “coalition of devils”. The United States remains the most obvious target and the focus of the video.

The ISIS also sees China’s Muslim-dominant Xinjiang Province as one of the areas it would like to have territorial control over. Last year, ISIS leader Abu Bakr AlBaghdadi had mentioned China first in a list of states where “Muslim rights are forcibly seized.”

It was a fact that was quickly picked up on by Hong Kong-based Phoenix Weekly. Recruitment efforts by Middle East jihadist groups are an increasing cause for concern in the world’s most populous country, though it’s rare for such materi-

als to appear in Mandarin.

Most instead target members of China’s Turkicspeaking, mostly Muslim Uighur minority. A sporadically violent separatist movement made up of Uighurs seeks to establish an independent state in Xinjiang, which they consider as their homeland.

The recording of a nasheed in Mandarin “is yet another example of the IS seeking to broaden its reach and support base,” The SITE said. The Chinese foreign ministry, however, has said that it is unaware of the song, but has said that it retains the hope that all countries will cooperate to safeguard their citizens. It is unclear which groups of Chinese Muslims are being targeted by the ISIS. There is the Hui ethnic group, which is predomi-

nately Muslim and numbers over 10 million, and speaks Mandarin. But it has traditionally practiced a moderate form of Islam.

Mandarin is also the dominant language of the younger generation of Uighurs. The Chinese Government says that the ISIS threat is serious enough and estimates that about 100 of the country’s citizens are associated with the group.

The Global Times, however, claims that the figure is closer to 300. China has been on guard against terrorism since knifewielding extremists killed more than 30 at a train station in the southwestern city of Kunming in 2014.

In November this year, the ISIS Islamic State announced that it had murdered Fan Jinghui, a Chinese national it had been

holding for ransom.

A rough translation of the lyrics is as follows: “We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us.To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. A century of slavery, leaving that shameful memory. Deep in ignorant slumber, the nightmare continues on. A century of slavery, leaving that shameful memory.

Deep in ignorant slumber, the nightmare continues on. Wake up! Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. Wake up!

Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. We

are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. To this day we guard the Koran and the Sunnah. No power can stop our progress. To this day we guard the Koran and the Sunnah. No power can stop our progress. To fight against those who fight you is Great Allah’s command. To take up weapons in rebellion is Muhammad’s order. To fight against those who fight you is Great Allah’s command. To take up weapons in rebellion is Prophet Muhammad’s order. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. The brilliance of Islam is etched in history.

The purpose of our struggle is to let it shine

again. The brilliance of Islam is etched in history.

The purpose of our struggle is to let it shine again. Wake up! Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. Wake up!

Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream.”

China’s narrative of historical glory, humiliation, and the struggle to return to glory has been co-opted

by ISIS in this video, but in a more violent manner.

It is difficult at this stage to assess the impact it will have on Chinese Muslims, as China has blocked Twitter and Telegram.

(ANI)

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Human Rights Day programme aims at protecting women 7 robbers lynched by Yangon, Dec 10: UNFPA, Finland and Sweden are launching a 3-year US$11.8 million joint initiative to protect the rights of women and girls in Myanmar, according to a press release on December 10.Working with local and international partners, the focus is on the most vulnerable women and girls in the remote and conflict-affected areas of Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan states. The initiative is a commitment to prevent and respond to violence perpetrated against women and girls in Myanmar, and to realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights.The agreement is signed in conjunction with

Afghan Govt. agrees to resume dialogue with Taliban Karachi, Dec. 10 : The Government of Afghanistanhas agreed to resume dialogue with the Taliban with the assistance of Pakistan, the United States and China.

According to the Dawn, the move came following bilateral and trilateral meetings involving the four countries on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia ministerial meeting where other regional countries also pledged support for the dialogue.

The announcement was made by Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani.The declaration issued at the conclusion of the Heart of Asia meeting, meanwhile, urged all Afghan Taliban groups and other armed opposition groups to enter into peace talks with the Afghan government.

(ANI)

Patients bear brunt of doctors strike in Nepal Saptari, Dec 10: Patients are suffering in Nepal's Saptari district as doctors went on strike after they were beaten up by police for supporting the Madhesi community that has been protesting against country's new constitution since it was adopted in September 2015.

Doctors and medical staff of government and private hospitals and clinics have been on strike for the last 16 days, protesting the act of police officers who thrashed few doctors of Gajendra Narayan Singh Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital for supporting the protesting Madhesi community. People from ethnic Madhesi groups living along the border with India began protests saying Nepal's first republican charter did not accommodate their interests. They have called the seven-province model of the new constitution discriminatory.

The medical staff demanded suspension of top police officers of the district to end their strike. (ANI)

Human Rights Day, marked on December 10, and the culmination of the global campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gend e r - B a s e d Violence."Women and girls of childbearing age in Myanmar carry extraordinary burdens as deep poverty and gender discrimination are compounded by armed conflict and inter-communal violence," says Janet E. Jackson, UNFPA Representative for Myanmar.In last month's election, when the National League for Democracy party, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won a majority, people cast their votes in the hope for change. With a staggering 645,000 people displaced inter-

Kachin women in traditional dress perform a dance as they welcome ethnic leaders at the Ethnic Armed Organizations Conference in Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar

nally - the highest number in Southeast Asia - the challenges ahead are daunting. For women and girls affected by conflict and forced displacement in Myanmar, these include conflict-related

sexual violence and domestic violence.

Called "Women and Girls First", the UNFPA/Finland/Sweden joint initiative will provide comprehensive reproductive health care as well as

emergency assistance, including post-rape treatment, along with counselling and support to survivors of gender-based violence. The services will be delivered through mobile and stationary clinics, and through Women and Girls Centres. The initiative aims to increase understanding among women and girls of their rights, and to mobilize men and boys for gender equality. It seeks to create avenues for women and girls to voice their issues, concerns and expectations to decisionmakers. Working with a broad range of stakeholders, it will strengthen the capacities of individuals, communities and institutions to better prevent and

respond to violence, and to support expanding access to quality sexual and reproductive health services."During crisis, women and girls have virtually no access to protection, security or justice, including legal aid. Perpetrators of sexual violence - whether they are family, community members or armed forces - act in an environment of impunity. Against this backdrop, access to justice and rule of law is essential to improving the safety of women and girls. It is an underlying aim that cross cuts all programme areas," says Silja Rajander, Counsellor, Diplomatic Mission of Finland in Myanmar.

(Agencies)

Pakistan 26/11 case: Witness turns hostile, claims Kasab is alive Lahore, Dec 10: Prosecution in Mumbai attack case faced embarrassment when a key witness turned hostile and said that Ajmal Kasab, the lone gunman caught alive after the assault and later hanged, was alive."Mudassir Lakhvi, the headmaster of a primary school in Faridkot, where Ajmal Kasab studied for three years told the court that he taught Kasab and he is alive," a court official said. The hearing of the case was held by the Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad judge at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi on Wednesday, the same day when Pakistan assured India of "steps being taken to expedite the early conclusion" of the Mumbai attack trial during a meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan Prime

Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz."The headmaster caused a lot of embarrassment for the prosecution team by claiming that Ajmal Kasab is alive. He was supposed to present the record of the period during which Ajmal Kasab studied in the school and other relevant record but talked otherwise. The prosecution also failed to properly examine him," the official said.The official said the headmaster belongs to the native town of accused Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and there is a possibility that he testified under his (Lakhvi's) pressure.

In May 2014, the headmaster told the court that Kasab was still alive.The prosecution moved an application to examine him again on the ground that the witness turned 'hostile'. He

was summoned on Wednesday but he stuck to his last statement. The headmaster made no reference to Kasab (hanged in India) and did not mention if he (Kasab) was the same person who studied in the school in Faridkot.The witness earlier had also claimed that Kasab could be produced in court if needed. The next hearing in the case would be held on December 16.India blames Pakistan-based terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba for orchestrating the attack that killed 166 people.Initially, Pakistani authorities had denied Indian claims of Kasab being a Pakistani national but had later confirmed that the only surviving attacker belonged to Pakistan. Kasab was hanged in November 2012 in a Pune jail.The trial

India blames Pak based terrorist belonging to Lashkar-eTaiba for orchestrating the attack that killed 166 people

against LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Sadiq, Shahid Jamil, Jamil Ahmed and Younas Anjum has been underway since 2009 for their alleged role in the Mumbai attacks.Lakhvi secured bail in December

2014 and was subsequently released from the Adiala Jail on this April after the Lahore High Court set aside the government's order to detain him under a public security act. He is currently out on bail and living at an undisclosed location.

(Agencies)

mob in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Dec 10:Seven suspected robbers were lynched and four others were injured on Thursday by an angry mob on the outskirts of the Bangladesh's capital as they broke into a rice depot of a village market, the police said today."We recovered seven bodies from the scene early today and sent four other suspected robbers to the (local) Araihazar health complex with critical wounds," a police official told media.He said residents of the

neighbourhood raised an alarm using a megaphone as the robbers came in a truck and broke into the rice warehouse late last night and began to load the rice sacks in the vehicle."The villagers encircled the marketplace and caught the robbers four of them appeared to have died instantly," official said.The mob, he said, threw the bodies into a pond from where the police recovered them and those injured have been sent to hospital. (Agencies)

Nepal mulls government-to-government deal with China Kathmandu ,Dec 10: Senior government officials have started discussions for signing a government-to-government (G2G) deal with China to import petroleum products from the northern neighbour after talks between the oil entities of the two countries failed to make any headway.The Nepal Oil Corporation and PetroChina Company Limited, the listed arm of state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation which is China's biggest oil producer, had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on October 28 to import petroleum products from the northern neighbour, following which China had provided 1,333 kilolitres of petrol to Nepal in grant.Encouraged by the MoU between the NOC and PetroChina, the government then planned to sign a com-

matters.Officials said the B2B agreement between NOC and PetroChina could not move forward after the Chinese side sought "political commitment at the highest level". "This means we need to sign a deal at the highest level," said the government officials who were privy to the development and meetings between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) on Tuesday and Wednesday. "The B2B pact signed with China earlier will automatically convert into G2G after signing the new commercialdeal," said an official, adding that it will ensure ownership of the two governments.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa is expected to travel to Beijing, most probably at the

Made in Pakistan ISIS song and music to attract Chinese youth to global jihad Islamabad, Dec.10 : A made in Pakistan song in Mandarin language has been released by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) with the aim of attracting Chinese youth to join its global jihad.The song has been produced in Pakistan by the media wing of the ISIS, using Mandarins p e a k i n g artists.Reportedly prepared by the Al-Hayat Media Center, the Islamic State's media arm, the four-minute-long song has been released and distributed through Twitter and messaging app Telegram, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors and tracks radical groups online.This Mandarin Chinese Nasheed urges Muslims to "wake up after a century of humiliation", take up weapons to "rebel" in accordance with Allah's command.The song has been slickly produced and

hypnotically infectious, with lyrics that extol death in the service of Islam.The ISIS also sees China's Muslim-dominant Xinjiang Province as one of the areas it would like to have territorial control over.Last year, ISIS leader Abu Bakr AlBaghdadi had mentioned China first in a list of states where "Muslim rights are forcibly seized."It was a fact that was quickly picked up on

by Hong Kong-based Phoenix Weekly.The recording of a nasheed in Mandarin "is yet another example of the IS seeking to broaden its reach and support base," The SITE said.The Chinese foreign ministry, however, has said that it is unaware of the song, but has said that it retains the hope that all countries will cooperate to safeguard their citizens.It is unclear which groups of Chinese Muslims are being targeted by the ISIS. There

ISIS releases slick Mandarin song to lure Chinese recruits Dec 10,

is the Hui ethnic group, which is predominately Muslim and numbers over 10 million, and speaks Mandarin. But it has traditionally practiced a moderate form of Islam.The Chinese Government says that the ISIS threat is serious enough and estimates that about 100 of the country's citizens are associated with the group.

A rough translation of the lyrics is as follows:"We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream.

We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics

before us.To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. A century of slavery, leaving that shameful memory. Deep in ignorant slumber, the nightmare continues on.A century of slavery, leaving that shameful memory.

Deep in ignorant slumber, the nightmare continues on. Wake up! Muslim brother now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. Wake up!

Muslim brother now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. To this day we guard the Koran and the Sunnah. No power can stop our progress. To this day we guard the Koran and the Sunnah. No power can stop our progress. To fight against those who fight you is Great Allah's command. To take up

weapons in rebellion is Muhammad's order. To fight against those who fight you is Great Allah's command. To take up weapons in rebellion is Prophet Muhammad's order. We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us. To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream. The brilliance of Islam is etched in history.

The purpose of our struggle is to let it shine again. The brilliance of Islam is etched in history.

The purpose of our struggle is to let it shine again. Wake up! Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken. Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine. Wake up! Muslim brother, now is the time to awaken.

Take up your faith and courage, fulfill the lost doctrine.

We are Mujahid, our shameless enemy panics before us.

To die fighting on this battlefield is our dream."

(ANI)

Senior government officials have started discussions for signing a government-to-government (G2G) deal with China to import petroleum products

mercial deal with China to import at least one third of Nepal's total petroleum demand from China, as the country continued to reel under acute crisis of fuel in the wake of protests in the Tarai and blockade from India. In the fiscal year 201415, Nepal imported fuel worth Rs110 billion, according to Nepal Rastra Bank.A government technical team comprising NOC officials visited China in the third week of November in a bid to negotiate a business-tobusiness (B2B) deal with PetroChina. However, the process could not move forward in view of a host of issues, including tax related

end of this month, to sign the deal. The G2G pact, according to MoFA officials, will stand as political commitment from Nepal, assuring the Chinese side that the government "is serious about importing fuel from the northern neighbour". Nepal for the last four decades has been relying on Indian Oil Corporation to meet its fuel demand. The MoU in October-end was seen as the prelude to ending the four-decade monopoly of the IOC to supply fuel to Nepal, but only a commercial deal can ensure that Nepal can commercially import petroleum products from China.

(Agencies)

Lanka committed to international human rights law Colombo, Dec 10:Addressing the plenary of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in Geneva, has said there is renewed political commitment and will in Sri Lanka, to strengthen the national International Human Rights Law (IHL) compliance mechanism as well as on advancing measures to prevent and respond to all forms of violence including Sexual and Gender Based Violence (GBV), in a holistic manner. He further noted that this is reflective in the clear

policy of the current administration to engage positively with the international community, including international organizations, Sri Lanka's Permanent Mission to Geneva said.

Ambassador Aryasinha recalling that this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the proclamation of the fundamental principles of the ICRC, which has enabled the movement to carve out a clear identity and a distinctive role for itself, said "the guiding principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntariness, unity and universality has enabled the ICRC to be an accept-

able party to intervene in situations of complex emergencies, and to win the confidence of the global community", including during the difficult times of the internal armed conflict in Sri Lanka.The ongoing Conference which is held under the overarching theme 'Power of Humanity; the Fundamental Principles in Action', aims at agreeing on several key resolutions covering issues related to strengthening IHL compliance, setting up guidelines for protection of detainees in particular in non-international armed conflict (NAICs) and legal frameworks for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sexual

and Gender Based Violence etc. In this context, Ambassador Aryasinha said, the possibility of nuclear accidents and the resulting catastrophic humanitarian consequences, called for accelerating efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminating all nuclear weapons.

At a parallel event on 'Contemporary Challenges for International Humanitarian Law', Dr. Rohan Perera, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in New York intervening during the panel discussion shared Sri Lanka's national experience with regard to some of the pressing challenges faced by Sri Lanka during its long drawn out NIAC.

He highlighted the challenges posed to legitimate governments when there is open rejection of IHL, in particular by non-state armed groups. He underlined the importance of generating greater awareness of IHL obligations not only among non-state armed groups but also within a wider audience including the Diaspora, Civil Society and religious leaders who could exert influence on such groups.The International Conference of ICRC is a quadrennial meeting of all the State Parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Laws of armed conflicts and also for the na-

Addressing the plenary of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha

tional Red Cross & Red Crescent World around.

Currently there are over 196 States Parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Laws of armed conflicts.

Deputy Permanent Repre-

sentative Mrs. Samantha Jayasuriya and First Secretary Mr. Chatura Perera of the Sri Lanka Mission in Geneva were also part of Sri Lanka's delegation to the Conference. (Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Whither tourism in Northeast?

Chennai Begins Clean-Up A lesson to be learnt by all Now that the flood waters of Chennai are receding and the sun is out, it's time to heave a sigh of relief for every single life living in Chennai. A major cleanup operation is under way in Chennai (Madras) after a week of devastating floods. Water levels are receding from most parts of Tamil Nadu state, where at least 280 people are now known to have died in floods since last month. Garbage and sludge have collected on the streets and sewage has entered homes, damaging properties. The rains, the heaviest in 100 years, are being blamed on climate change. People have begun cleaning up their houses, offices, shops and showrooms, all of which had been submerged. Soldiers and emergency workers are now rushing food, clean drinking water and medical supplies to floodhit residents, reports say.

As the flood water recedes in Chennai, serious questions are being raised about reservoir management in the city. Much of the flooding and subsequent waterlogging was a consequence of the outflows from major reservoirs into swollen rivers and into the city following heavy rains. The release of waters from the Chembarambakkam reservoir in particular has received much attention. Official data from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board for the last 20 days suggest that the high precipitation and reservoir outflows on November 16 and December 1 respectively were primarily responsible for swelling the rivers. On November 17, 18,000 cusecs was released from the reservoir in Chembarambakkam.

However, from November 24 to November 30, when the city experienced minimal rainfall, the outflows from the reservoir were limited, even as the storage levels were maintained at almost 85-88% of the total capacity of 3645 mcft. When heavy rains to the tune of nearly 48 cm fell on the reservoir on December 1, 29,000 cusecs was released over 12 hours. Experts raise the question as to why storage was set at such high levels. If storage levels were set at less than 75% and sluice gates were opened to allow for outflow from the reservoir in a way that it exceeded the inflows in the last week of November, the blow in the form of the high outflow on December 1 could have been softened. Officials formerly with the PWD say if the risk of releasing a particular volume prior to the heavy rainfall day had been taken, there would have been lesser floods in places like K.K.Nagar. It is reliably learnt that the government is considering a move to further reduce the set storage level in the reservoir. Now the level is at two feet below the brim, and discussions are under way to change this to four feet. An official said there are 6,605 relief shelters in the state currently housing 17.16 lakh people. He said about 1.22 crore food packets had already been distributed and 25.65 lakh patients screened at 26,270 medical camps. As many as 49,329 people were screened through 222 medical camps and 97 mobile clinics on last Wednesday. The Chennai city corporation is continuing a massive operation to clear over 1 lakh tonnes of sludge and garbage, said an official.

In the last three days, an official said, more than 20,000 tonnes of garbage has been removed from the city.

Environmental Degradation Breathe uneasy India may be lagging behind China on several economic indicators but when it comes to environmental degradation, the country has definitely outsmarted its giant neighbour. Of the world's top 20 polluted cities, 13 are in India compared to just three in China.

Air pollution slashes life expectancy by 3.2 years for the 660 million Indians who live in cities, including Delhi. In China, the corresponding dip is marginally lower at three years.

The Ganga and Yamuna are ranked among the world's 10 most polluted rivers. China has just one.

An evaluation in February ranked Vapi in Gujarat and Sukinda in Odisha among the 10 most environmentally-degraded zones in the world. China had no entries on the list. The two nations have seen furious economic growth in the past decade fuelling a rapid rise in pollution. China leads the world in carbon emissions and India is in third position. But one important difference between the two emerging economies lies in China's ability to manage the impact of breakneck economic growth on its environment much better than India. The effect of China's success is most visible in its air and water, both of which have a direct bearing on public health.

Both countries were saddled with almost identical environmental concerns a decade ago, but China cleaned many of its polluted rivers and managed to check the spiralling urban air pollution through stringent rules.

The results are showing. Beijing's air pollution has dipped 40% since 2000 as China have taken steps to phase out polluting vehicles and put checks on building heating systems. Similarly Delhi too will follow the same in the coming year. As in contrast, Delhi's air pollution has steadily climbed by 20% in the same period with successive governments reluctant to act. The story is the same in cities across the country. Coimbatore is the only exception as the air there was found to be fit for breathing. The impact of rising toxins in the air is clearly visible on an average Indian's life, as proved by a Lancet study in 2012 that ranked air pollution as the sixth biggest killer with an annual estimated toll of 66 million. A 2015 report by the Centre for Science and Environment, a Delhi-based NGO reported that the decline in the country's overall environmental standards was because of river pollution, which is worse now than it was three decades ago, piling garbage in cities and increasingly toxic urban air. No one knows how long the change will take. Lots of bright ideas exist for tackling air pollution.

Few days ago, the 'Times A deputationist who ran ing tourism. Babus are of India' ran a brilliant the Assam Tourism ofthe same everywhere piece by Rajasthan chief fice a few years back did and it is the drive and Vasundhara Raje on how splendid work to promote imagination of the politishe plans to cal leaders that makes Assam as a take the Subir Bhaumik tourism site the difference. Why state's burcant the Assam Tourism in Bengal. geoning industry to its Before every festival brainstorm with local third stage to generate like Ambabuchi, Bihu or businessmen involved in huge revenues. Her en- Durga Puja, this official tourism for a niche packthusiasm was infectious would get her friends in age to be offered to high, her logic undeniable, her the Calcutta press run end tourists like overvision redeemingly fresh. stories on the glory and worked IT and industry I wish the chief ministers grandeur of Assam. If executives, business of all Northeastern one calculates the length leaders and foreign dipstates and the great Didi of these articles in publilomats . People outside in charge of West Ben- cations such as Ananda the region often deride gal read Raje's article Bazar Patrika , the offiAssam for its 'lahe lahe carefully. I am sure they cial would saved her ' (slow laidback )work won't, hence I am insist- government lakhs of ruculture. ing they do. Tourism is pees , that would otherBut can't we develop a an industry bigger than wise go into paying for wonderful 'lahe lahe' most manufacturing and advertisements. These tour package that would it creates more jobs at savings would be so ensure the overworked less investment. In a re- much more than the pitexecutives and diplomats mote place like North- tance the government a total hassle free week east, manufacturing will paid her as salary. And to 10 days rest with have many reservations she did this drill year afsome lovely experience to invest but with the ter year. But while her like angling in the Jia right kind of infrastruc- bosses made money on Bhorali . It would mean ture and initiative, tour- setting up the counter , locating an anchor base ism industry will have this Calcutta-based ( some resort) that is 'far none. from the madding Assam Tourism officer Not that money is not did not get enough budcrowd's ignoble strife'. made in tourism in get to set up stalls in the Then just allowing the cliNortheast. Government departments tasked with I am sure if China can attract a developing tourism may have failed but some of huge tourist inflow into Yunnan by its officials, in league organizing few events around the with contractors, have 70th anniversary of the End of not missed out on money making opportunities. I War in Asia , Northeast India am aware of few major could have done the same. While such scandals but will the huge parade in Beijing which not detail them because attracted world leaders helped I don't have all necessary documents. But President Xi project China as a there is one example I world power, the events in Yunnan cannot resist giving. boosted the tourism industry of the As part of its campaign to promote Assam as a remote Chinese province. But tourist site in West Bennothing happened in Delhi. gal, a counter of Assam Tourism was set up a few years ago in Tourism Fairs. Inspite of ent to laze out with a few Calcutta airport. I am that, with sheer imagina- visits to places like told the expenses for the tion , she managed to win Kaziranga (an elephant counter ran into several awards in such fairs for safari) and a visit to a lakh rupees. But what do Assam Tourism. temple like Kamakhya . you find in the counter , Whereas Andhra Tour- If the clients pay up, small which is rather a small ism would end up con- helicopters could be used one ! A table or two, a structing a Char Minar in to spare them the trouble few chairs , few Japis the Netaji Indoor Sta- of travelling the potholed and Xorais . I dare say dium, the Assam Tourism roads. all that you find there would have to make do a There is a time in the life would not even cost any- few Japis and Xorais and of everyone - surely once one anything more than some of the stuff for sale or twice a year - when a few thousand rupees. at the Emporium on loan. they need to break away But the bill ran into lakhs. The Tarun Gogois and from the daily routine and A section of officials and Manik Sarkars should just take it easy ( Lahe contractors pocketed the learn from Vasundhara Lahe , should I say). That bill.

Raje in how a govern- is where there is a marThis is not to say offi- ment goes about - or ket to turn 'Lahe Lahe' cials don't always work. should go about develop- into a money spinner

Courtesy: nezine.com rather than to heap derision on the Assamese way of life.

But should we only blame the states ! No. Modi's government has been all big talk and his tourism minister has spend more time on fixing Indian history and culture than on developing tourism.

In 2014, France and Belgium made millions by showcasing First World War battlefields on the centenary of the outbreak of First World War. I got the idea from that and suggested in two conferences that India should join hands with Myanmar to show case Second World War battlefields. If Myanmar did not fall in line, we could showcase Imphal and Kohima and the Stillwell Road to attract thousands of foreign tourists . The Second World War was both an European and an Asian war - it was won and lost as much in Stalingrad and El Alamein as in Imphal and Kohima.

"We don't have an infrastructure to support a high tourist flow," said one Indian government official at the Asian Confluence seminar in Shillong last year where I made the proposal. To which I said that Indian security forces have tents which could be pitched in thousands at an identifiable location on the Imphal-Kohima highway and at Ledo in

Upper Assam. The local authorities should be able to provide clean drinking water, ensure basic hygiene and safe local food and provide more basic healthcare.

War nostalgia tourists don't look for five star hotels - a good tent in a war field to encounter the 'ghosts of war' with trips lined up for battlefields and cemeteries and topped up with relevant war films and documentaries in the evenings with drinks is enough to provide the experience.

I am sure if China can attract a huge tourist inflow into Yunnan by organizing few events around the 70th anniversary of the End of War in Asia , Northeast India could have done the same. While the huge parade in Beijing which attracted world leaders helped President Xi project China as a world power, the events in Yunnan boosted the tourism industry of the remote Chinese province.

But nothing happened in Delhi.

It was Delhi's job to accord permission and plan out the broad contours of such a festival and I am sure state government would have cooperated.

It would have given the Indian military the chance of an image makeover if they were involved in the exercise as someone who could put round a basic tour-

ism infrastructure with tents and medical teams.

I got the KolkataKunming (K2K) Forum to adopt a resolution to explore joint IndiaChina-Myanmar celebrations. But Delhi did not show any enthusiasm for what could have been a game changer event for developing tourism in Northeast.

Once someone came to see the battlefields, there would be option to attract them by the great landscape, the natural environment, the ethnic diversity and so much more.

But the babudom in Delhi and their minister who has been parachuted from the 7th century to protect Indian culture did nothing. Neither did the state governments. We missed a huge opportunity of a global history landmark to draw tourists from regions near and far to the Northeast.

If such an attitude continues, we will never become a tourism region and waste funds on seminar that will only discuss our potential.

(Subir Bhaumik is a former BBC Correspondent and now works as Senior Editor of Dhaka-based bdnews24.com. His books on Northeast "Insurgent Crossfire" and "Troubled Periphery" are well acclaimed. His forthcoming book "Agartala Doctrine" is being published by Oxford University Press. )

Gloomy Scenario In Government Hospitals

Sir, Hospitals are where people go for healing, getting cured from diseases. But if the patients end up ag-

gravating their wounds, getting maimed for life, there arises a big question about the efficacy of such hospitals, when such Hospitals happen to be governments ones, the matter is still more serious. That is what exactly happens in Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and Mahendra Mohon Choudhury Hospital (MMCH). It is reported in a section of the Press that in GMCH a good number of women after delivering child have been infected with septic. Another report suggests that due to shortage of ICU beds,, number of preventable death is on the rise. The GMCH being the Premiere government Hospitals of the NE regions many patients, poor and rich alike throng for treatment. Naturally, there is a high demand for ICU beds, shortage of which causes more deaths. In the MMCH Hospitals, five hapless patients undergoing treatment after cataract operation, end up being blind for life. It is reported that the surgeon performing the operation Bindu Singla Goyal and OT attendant Bhanu Roy have been put under suspension till the enquiry is over. Whosoever is found to have done wrong must be given exemplary punishment. Can anyone bring them back their lost vision? The GMCH's shortage of ICU beds and other loopholes could be plugged by a sincere exertion of the government. But infecting septic to other fellow patients needs an introspection. The authority should see that such serious lapsation should not recur. We feel that rehospitalization in MMCH is an eyewash.

What they need is a lifelong subsistence allowance so that they donot have to be a parasite on others.

Incidentally, the present incumbent at the helm of the Health-ministry miserably fails to live up to the expectation of the people. Instead of taking the bull by the horns, he sends some emissary like Bhanu to diffuse the situation.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

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.

Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh-786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

Op

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Page 9

ed

Management of Disaster Disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses.

A disaster oc- Nidhi curs when community or society cannot cope using its resources due to occurrence of a sudden hazard. It occurs when a hazard impact on the vulnerable people. Hazards that strike in area with low vulnerability will never become disaster.

Disasters are natural or human-made. Recent flood in Assam, or currently prevailing flood in the state of Tamil Nadu, or earthquake that occurred in Kathmandu a few months back are natural disasters. Bhopal gas tragedy is one of the worst human-made industrial disasters. On the night of December 2, 1984, Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, accidentally leaked methyl isocyanate and other highly toxic gases in to the air, killing thousands

of largely poor Indians in the neighborhoods nearby. Other forms of human-made disaster are wars, terrorist attacks, nuclear explosion, etc.

Nowadays is beGarodia world coming more and more vulnerable to disaster. The sudden climatic changes and other natural fury, sudden outburst of deathly diseases, raising tension of war and terrorist attacks, or financial crisis, the world vulnerability towards disaster is raising pace. In order to reduce their vulnerability the people move towards insurance.

Across the globe in order to control the impact of disaster and manage the hazards, governments of different countries have employed trained teams on disaster management, to manage the preparedness of disaster. In India, it is the State governments that are primarily responsible for disaster management including prevention and mitigation, while the Central

government provides assistance where necessary as per the laid norms. To strengthen the disaster management mechanism National Disaster Management Authority and State Disaster Management Authority for different states are established.

Also the Institute for Disaster Management has been set for the upbringing of trained disaster management personal.

These bodies are set with the objective of minimizing risk and maximizing awareness. It is better to create awareness towards hazards and reduce risk or reduce the impact of hazards, then doing the aftermath.

Capacity building for effective disaster management needs to be linked to the community and local level responders along with state and country institutional mechanism. Community comprises of local people, neighbors, local bodies, who are the initial lives supporters until the help from external sources come. Disasters

are sudden events occurring in odd hours with uncertain time intervals.

Community involvement and awareness generation, particularly that of the vulnerable segments of the population and women has been emphasized as necessary for sustainable disaster risk reduction. This is a critical component of the National Policy on disaster management. Communities are the first respondents to disaster, they are in the position to best identify their immediate needs, coordinate preparations, supplement official response efforts, implement emergency response programs, and contribute to local decision-making for future events. And, therefore, unless they are empowered and made capable of managing disaster, any amount of external support cannot lead to optimal results.

Most death in a disaster occurs due to lack of first aid, as the communities lack the knowledge of providing right first aid

possible at the time of emergency. Communitybased disaster management programs facilitates- formation of village disaster preparedness committees, development of awareness raising campaign, training programs on disaster preparedness, community first-aid, installation of drinking water, food storage, and many more.

These training programs are not one time learning sessions, but need frequent revision as disaster occurs at indefinite time intervals. Mock drills and other learning sessions at regular intervals will increase remembrance and people self-help capabilities.

Effective community responses connect diverse groups existing in our community and develop action plans to meet common needs. To facilitate citizen involvement training at all level is important. These training include skill development such as asset mapping, assessing local power structures, need assessments, conflict-resolution

A scene after the Nepal earthquake which occurred on in the month of April this year. Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com

skills, management methods, and community profile development. Community educated on disaster risk reduction policy can voluntarily help in number of ways before, during and after a disaster as they are able to- coordinate a more successful evacuation and transportation effort, provide structure and order in times of chaos, aid in organizing resources for distribution before and after disaster, decrease the isolation and sense of abandonment that quickly engulfs disas-

ter victims in the affected areas, and contribute to local connections and interaction that signals resiliency within the community.

Facilitating local involvement in disaster preparedness and response ensures that local voices are heard, local struggles are recognized and dignity of local people is respected. (The writer is a Research Scholar in the Centre for Management Studies of Dibrugarh University) Reference: " h t t p s : / /

edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy840 " www.theatlantic.com " inclusion.skoch.in/story/ 598/disaster-management-inculcating-a-culture-of-preparedness898.html " Hossain.A., 2013. Community Participation in Disaster Management: Role of Social Work to Enhance Participation, Antrocom Online Journal of Anthropology, vol.9, no.1, ISSN 1973-2880

10 Steps To Survive A Terrorist Attack Promoting mountain

Multi-method terrorist tend to be well-proattacks-like the ones in tected, such as parliaParis on November 13- ment, financial instituare becoming more fre- tions, an international quent and deadly, while sports game or a major official authorities are concert hall. Terrorists struggling to protect adapt by targeting sites their residents. So, how of medium value-those can we protect our- that are not as well-proselves? tected but with capacity Terrorism is still ex- for hundreds of people, tremely and with rare com- Bruce Newsome some local pared to political or other crimes, but its risk economic significanceis increasing. Also, ter- such as local judicial rorism tends to be more buildings, town halls, consequential than other schools, theaters or shopcrimes, particularly ping and dining centers. "new terrorism", defined You can minimize your by religious motivations exposure by spending and networked struc- less time in significant tured. Moreover, our ex- sites, just the same as posure is widening under you can minimize your the pressures of global- exposure to road traffic ization: more open bor- accidents by spending ders, easier travel, urban- less time on the roads. ization, more leisure Exits time and the diffusion of As you enter crowded technologies, ideologies spaces, identify your exand malicious skills. We its, particularly the nearare all exposed, so we est, quickest, widest, should not reproach our- non-electrical exit. Idenselves for thinking of tify these exits as you sensible precautions, enter, so that you don't most of which are appli- need to search for them cable in any emergency. during an emergency.

Don't use the elevator or Exposure Chances are that you are escalator, which tends to not important enough for be a chokepoint and may a terrorist to target you lose electrical power. personally, or that you Use fixed steps. If you will ever coincide with a have a choice of stairs, terrorist target, but if you use the building's main still worry about your ex- staircase, rather than the posure, then avoid narrower stairways that poorly protected, are more frequently and crowded sites with po- conveniently located. litical, economic or religious significance. New Practice terrorists are seeking to If you visit a site repeatmaximize fatalities in- edly, practice entering side the most significant and exiting by the safest sites, in order to terror- route, so that you train ize people where they yourself to it. If you must flee, don't get sucked into feel most comfortable.

At the same time, the fleeing the way you most significant sites came in just because it's

the way you came in, or get sucked in the direction that the crowd is moving. Comply with your prior evaluation of the safest exit, unless a threat gets in the way.

Act Decisively Once you've identified a threat, flee immediately and don't consider any other action. In other words, don't think about it, just react. Don't take time to consider what happened. Some people will do nothing-they may be cognitively overloaded. Some people will question what is happening. Some people will panic without completing a single choice.

If you're confident of an emergency, act immediately, stick to your emergency plan and get out via the best exit as soon as possible. You're helping everybody else by removing your body from the crowded space, after which you can consider helping others.

Shield If you can't flee, then lay down behind the hardest cover available, ideally reinforced concrete or masonry. Forget everything you've seen in the movies. Don't rely on tables, cars, chipboard/ pasteboard walls, appliances or furniture-except to hide from view or to shield you from falling objects. Don't err toward metals: Most metals in buildings and automobiles are thin sheets of soft aluminum or mild steel, which are easily perforated by bullets and blown into secondary projectiles by blast.

Get out of the way of

windows, which are easily blown into hundreds of projectiles. Bulletproof walls are 7-8 inches (15-20 cm) of reinforced masonry or concrete; most load bearing walls in that material are only 6 inches thick; most non-load bearing walls are of thinner, inferior materials. Be aware that even if the material is bullet-proof, bullets can flow through joints in masonry or paneling, bounce around corners and even bounce backward with enough energy to kill, while objects overhead can be dislodged by blast, so don't be complacent about the many directions in which you need protection.

Stay prone on the ground: A standing target offers more surface area to projectiles traveling horizontally; blast tends to travel upward; and collapsing structures can be held up by objects around you.

Hide If you can't find hard cover, at least hide from the attackers' line of sight. If you find a good hiding place, barricade yourself in, wirelessly communicate with officials if safe to do so, be patient in waiting for official help and be wary of threats that pretend to be official helpers. Popular culture tends to describe modern multimethod attacks as "simultaneous" or "coordinated", as if they finish in seconds to minutes, but in fact they can be consecutive over a period of many hours, as terrorists strike at different responders in the same area or move to different locations.

At the Stade de France in Paris, the second bomber blew up around 20 minutes after the first, while the third bomber blew up nearly 60 minutes after the first. The gunmen in central Paris were still fighting about 200 minutes after the first bomber. Accomplices escaped overnight, and some remained at large days later.

Escape If, while hiding, you

identify an exit, take it as soon as the attackers are distracted or reloading. To be discovered or taken hostage by a new terrorist is usually fatal.

If you're confronted by official personnel as they approach to rescue you or to confront the threats, keep your hands open, up and away from your body. If you can, point out the threats with an open hand and verbally identify the threats. Obey official instructions to get out of the way and exit.

Separate Once you've exited, follow any official instructions to a safe area, or keep putting distance between you and the threats, or put taller buildings between you and the threats. Don't just stop in the open.

Blast, blown objects and bullets can travel more than a kilometer (1,000 yards) with enough energy to kill.

Be mindful that terrorists sometimes prepare a second attack on the route by which survivors are likely to flee the first attack. Get away from any further chokepoints or confined spaces until you find official help, and then calmly describe to the officials what you observed-your accurate observations could save lives. Don't embellish, assume, exaggerate, conflate or imagine: Inaccurate observations could waste time or misdirect resources.

Remain Safe Don't be tempted to leave a safe area in order to see what is happening at the attack site, and don't go back to help unless you are sure that security personnel have made the site safe and will not mistake you for a threat.

Fight If you are confronted with an unavoidable threat without an exit or cover, fight with everything available and encourage the crowd to overwhelm the attackers. Some may die, but eventually the majority must triumph.

products for better livelihoods @ Ranjan K Baruah Mountains have been integral part of the human civilization. A mountain is a large landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area, usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. Mountains have an extremely important role in influencing global and regional climates and weather conditions. It covers around one-quarter of the earth's land surface and are home to millions of people around the world. Indirectly, billions more living downstream also benefit from mountains.

Mountains are the reservoirs of many resources. It provides us with freshwater, energy, food, biodiversity, etc.

It is also a place for many human beings apart from other flora and fauna. Mountain ecosystems are found through the world but some areas have more mountain ecosystem while others have less.

An estimated one-tenth of the human population derives their life-support directly from mountains. It is also important for people living in low land.

Mountains are the sources of fresh water that we drink and it is also source of hydroelectric power. They are also very prone to climate changes, land degradation, deforestation and natural disasters. In addition, mountain people very often face marginalization, poverty, and the lack of basic services such as health and education.

The economic relation-

ships of mountain communities are also undergoing transformation.

Even the most remote mountain community has always been linked to regional or global markets for crucial commodities such as salt. But the communication is a challenge in many mountain areas.

The United Nations General Assembly designated 11 December "International Mountain Day (IMD)". As of 2003, it has been observed every year to create awareness about the

tainable opportunities that can bring benefits to both highland and lowland communities and help to eradicate poverty without contributing to the degradation of fragile mountain ecosystems. Tourismrelated services such as skiing, climbing, cultural heritage or nature trails that allow visitors to discover distinctive biodiversity are also some of the offerings provided by mountains and mountain communities. If sustainably managed, tourism can

importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.

Promoting mountain products is the theme chosen for this year's celebration of IMD. Globalization offers opportunities for mountain producers to market their high quality mountain goods, such as coffee, cocoa, honey, herbs, spices and handicrafts at the national, regional and international levels.

Though mountain agriculture may not compete with the prices and volumes of lowland production, it can concentrate on high value, high quality products to enhance local economies.

The challenge is to identify new and sus-

offer an opening for development in mountain regions.

IMD 2015 provides an occasion to highlight how mountain communities are protecting biodiversity by producing a large variety of typical products and providing crucial goods and services to all of us.

It is important for all of us to protect the mountain ecosystem as it might be under threat due to climate change.

This day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to make partnerships that shall bring positive transformation to the world's mountains.

(Published on the occasion of International Mountain Day and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)

BUSINESS Exports to Europe soon to begin by Ford

PAGE 10

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Ahmedabad, Dec 10: Ford India will soon start shipping cars to Europe from its Sanand plant from early next year. The Sanand plant, Ford's second manufacturing facility, was commissioned in March this year. Manager of Ford India's Sanand plant Kel Kearns said, "The company is currently exporting to Mexico, middle-east and South Africa from Sanand plant, and will soon begin shipping cars to Europe from Gujarat plant." Kearns was speaking at the opening of Canada-based Magna International's auto components plant here in Sanand. He said that at Sanand plant initially 250 units were being manufactured per day which

has now increased to 400 units per day. Currently, the Ford plant is operating on a single shift and will expand depending on the demand. Ford Motors India Pvt Ltd dispatched the first lot of its new Ford FIGO built in its Sanand plant in Gujarat for exports in August this year. The first RORO vessel, MV Grand Dahlia, berthed at Pipavav on August 26, had loaded 1,300 vehicles. Ford has invested $1 billion in the Sanand plant which will help the automaker triple exports from the country in the next five years. Ford currently exports cars to 40 countries from India. The Sanand plant spread over 460 acres has an instal led capacity of 2.4 lakh

Response on GST options awaited by Cong: PC

Former finance minister of India, P Chidambaram.

Source:www.sarkarimirror.com

New Delhi, Dec 10: Former finance minister P Chidambaram said the Congress party is awaiting a response from the government on some of the options that were discussed by PM Narendra Modi on GST during his meeting with Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi. "I have discussed the GST Bill with the Congress president and the vice-presi-

dent (Rahul Gandhi).

Let me make it clear.

We have three major concerns with the present Bill. We have given our formulations on the three issues to the government. Government gave its views at the meeting called by PM and attended by Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh," Chidambaram said.

(Agencies)

Shoddy rig planning results in Rs 8,000 cr loss to ONGC Contd. from Page 1

the Comptroller and Auditor General report said it smacked of inefficiency and lacked uniformity as well as consistency. The report said there was no uniformity in the company's annual rig requirement plan, it delayed acquisition and hiring of rigs, showed no consistency in their deployment pattern and had inefficient repair and refurbishment policy. The non-productive time, or 'idling time', of rigs ranged between 19-23% over 2010-14. "The bulk of idling time costing Rs 6,418 crore was due to factors which could have been controlled by the company," the report said. CAG said the situation where one out of every three wells drilled was unplanned needed to be corrected.

The controllable non-productive time of past periods should not be loaded to future rig requirement plans and efforts should be taken to reduce such nonproductive time. The report noted that ONGC did not adhere to safety procedures and continued with drilling/ testing operations even after one anchor of its rig Sagar Vijay had snapped.

As a result, another anchor of the rig snapped, which caused the rig to drift away from its location. Consequently, the well had to be closed and abandoned. Expenditure of Rs 1,577.27 crore incurred by ONGC on drilling at the original lo-

cation and drilling of a relief well by using another rig, thus, could have been avoidable. "The insurer did not honour the claim of ONGC on the ground that the latter had not followed recognised safe operating practice," the report said.

Also, the company did not adhere to the repair schedule for dry dock management and major lay-up repairs of jack-up rigs, which was against an efficient operational practice. Failure on the part of the company led to a situation wherein rigs were being operated with outdated/obsolete equipment, the auditor said.

CAG said ONGC had prepared five-year rig requirement on the basis of RRP, which included non-operational idling time of rigs that was entirely controllable by the company. Annual Rig Deployment Plans (RDPs) were prepared on the basis of RRP. "Therefore, the annual rig deployment plans had an in-built inefficiency," it said. While there was no uniformity in preparation of annual RDPs among the assets and basins of ONGC, the company failed to decide a policy on acquisition of new offshore rigs for over a decade from 2002 to 2015. Meanwhile, four out of six owned offshore rigs outlived their economic usable life of 30 years. CAG asked ONGC to ensure that the plans (five-year plan, annual plan, rig requirement plan, rig deployment plan) are complete and consistent with each other and are complied with. (Agencies)

INTER-COUNTRY EXPORT ¨ Ford India will soon start shipping cars to Europe from its Sanand plant from early next year.

¨ The Sanand plant, Ford's second manufacturing facility, was commissioned in March this year.

¨ The company is currently exporting to Mexico, middle-east and South Africa from Sanand plant, and will soon begin shipping cars to Europe from Gujarat plant.

¨ Sanand plant initially 250 units were being manufactured per day which has now increased to 400 units per day.

¨ Ford Motors India Pvt Ltd dispatched the first lot of its new Ford FIGO built in its Sanand plant in Gujarat for exports in August this year.

¨ The first RORO vessel, MV Grand Dahlia, berthed at Pipavav on August 26, had loaded 1,300 vehicles.

¨ Ford has invested $1 billion in the Sanand plant which will help the automaker triple exports from the country in the next five years.

¨ Ford currently exports cars to 40 countries from India.

vehicles and 2.7 lakh engines annually. With the auto plants of Tata Motors and Ford India already operational and Maruti Suzuki's plant under construction, the auto hub of Sanand and Mandal -Becharaji SIR is estimated to attract investments upto Rs 20,000 crore over the next three years from various auto component makers. During the inauguration of Ford India's plant in Sanand, chief minister Anandiben Patel had said, "Gujarat government plans to take the share of automotive industries in its overall engineering output to 10% by 2020, from the current 3.7%." (Agencies)

Sanjiv Goenka firms on fear of IPL jinx brings in cold breeze over market Mumbai, Dec 10: If stock market's reaction to Sanjiv Goenka lapping up the Pune franchise is anything to go by, equity markets are not too enthused about listed Indian companies getting into the Indian Premier League frenzy. Investors are seeing it as an unrelated and risky diversification for Goenka's flagship firm CESC Ltd, which has steady cash flow from power distribution.

Shares of CESC as well as other group companies like Phillips Carbon Black and Saregama took a beating. CESC was down 5.6%, Phillips Carbon 5% and Saregama dropped 5.3% at BSE during

Wednesday trading. Sentiment towards the power utility firm turned negative on Tuesday during the close of the trading time when Goenka disclosed to the exchanges that New Rising Promoters, which won the bid for acquiring the Pune franchise for two years, is a subsidiary of listed entity CESC Ltd. A press conference of Board of Control for Cricket revealed that Pune and Rajkot teams have been auctioned off through reverse bidding process, meaning it is the team owners Goenka and Intex mobile owner Keshav Bansal respectively - who would be paying the BCCI and

not the other way round.

While Intex is an unlisted, cash rich entity, CESC is widely traded. Goenka's had also bought stake in Indian Super League's Kolkata franchise, Atletico de Kolkata.

However, that investment was made from his personal wealth and jointly with partners like former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, Ambuja Neotia group head Harshavardhan Neotia and investor Utsav Parekh. While Goenka tried to assuage investors' concerns during the day, his ambiguous comments only added to the fear of investors with memories of how scrips like Indian

Cements, Kingfisher Airlines and Deccan Chronicle suffered partly because association of the respective promoters with IPL. Goenka's comments indicating that the IPL franchise might not remain a CESC subsidiary and could get transferred to some other company and that it's not CESC but another group outfit Phillips Carbon that might see cash outflows only added to the confusion. Goenka would be paying Rs 16 crore to BCCI for each of the two years of contract and he can additionally spend Rs 66 crore for buying team members. (Agencies)

5 lakh more CNG vehicles can be fuelled by IGL daily Mumbai, Dec 10: Indraprastha Gas Ltd, the near-monopoly supplier of natural gas as automotive fuel in the National Capital Region, has enough spare capacity to refuel 4-5 lakh additional vehicles in case there is a sudden rush of CNGrun automobiles in anticipation of exemption from the Delhi's government's proposed odd-even norm.

According to the Delhi government proposal, only vehicles with odd number as the last digit in their number plate would be allowed to ply on odd dates. Similarly, only even numbered vehicles would ply on even dates.

A section of Delhi policymakers are seeking exemption for CNG-run vehicles, since the fuel is considered 'green' - an euphemism for least polluting. If that happens, it is expected to work as an incentive for motorists to

Oil minister of India, Dharmendra Pradhan. Source: www.gstindia.com

convert their cars or opt for CNG vehicles altogether. "IGL services 89 lakh CNG vehicles of all makes daily in the NCR. We can add 4-5 lakh vehicles easily with our existing compression capacity," company MD Narendra Kumar said in reply to a TOI query. IGL has an installed compression capacity of dispensing 68 lakh kg per day and sells 22 lakh kg every day

through 324 stations. It can ramp up the servicing rate by another 12-13 lakh kg with the existing capacity. Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan had asked IGL and staterun fuel retailers to add 200 more CNG stations to their network in the NCR with a view to boosting efforts to clean up Delhi's sky. Kumar said IGL can set up 50 stations immediately

since the company has the inventory of compressors and other equipment.

"We have already initiated steps to procure the equipment for the remaining pumps and taken up the issue of land with authorities in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida and Gurgaon," he said. IGL has identified the spots in Delhi and given a list to the Delhi authorities.

"The ministry has also asked for the list and promised to take up the matter with the state governments," Kumar said. Kumar said south, central and east Delhi needed more stations.

Essentially, land has to be provided by the government to keep operations economically viable. While it takes Rs 56 crore to set up a CNG station, excluding land which can cost up to Rs 50 crore in Delhi.

(Agencies)

NSE, LSE signs MoU for research centre New Delhi, Dec 10: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) to set up a joint research centre. The MoU was signed by Chitra Ramkrishna, managing director and chief executive officer of NSE, and Xavier Rolet, chief executive officer of LSE. The MoU also covers subsidiaries of NSE, with the objective of harnessing mutual synergies across various NSE and LSEG initiatives. The joint research centre, as proposed in the MoU, is

expected to launch products and services on a range of capital markets matters. It also aims to explore further collaboration between the group companies including in indexes and debt market development, within the prevailing regulatory framework. "India is one of the world's fastest developing economies.

Investors across the world are keen to increase their involvements and benefits from its growth story. The coming together of the two world-class exchanges, NSE and LSEG seek to establish strategic long term col-

laborations. NSE is committed to broaden and deepen financial markets through such partnerships." said Ramkrishna.

The MoU, NSE said, can significantly contribute towards the growth of the government's SEZ initiative in the GIFT City in Gujarat, which has been notified as India's first International Finance Centre (IFC).

NSE and LSEG will conduct a joint feasibility study on the opportunities for collaboration in the GIFT City and will also explore setting up a trading platform there.

Xavier Rolet said, "The Indian prime minister's

landmark visit to the UK opened up a new chapter in the India-UK financial partnership. We are honoured to welcome Chitra Ramkrishna and her team to sign this MoU. The NSE has an ever increasing global footprint. London Stock Exchange Group offers the world's most international financial market and through a true partnership with NSE, we can support the development of India's capital market infrastructure and financing opportunities for Indian corporates and infrastructure companies."

(Agencies)

Tiger Global, Milner funds BlackBuck

Mysore, Dec 10: Online freight-booking startup Black-Buck has roped in heavyweight investors like Tiger Global and Russian internet billionaire Yuri Milner in his personal capacity for a fresh $25-million fund infusion. E-commerce major Flipkart and venture fund Accel, BlackBuck's existing investors, were also part of the Series B round in the Bangalore-based company. Black-Buck, which works as an online marketplace, helps corporates and other businesses move full truck loads between cities. The latest financing round is by far the

largest sum being mopped up by any startup in the online freight transportation space. Rajesh Yabaji, cofounder & CEO, BlackBuck, said in a prepared statement, "In India, the freight industry is estimated at $100 billion and contributes to 6% of GDP. A majority of this is inter-city logistics. However, the commerce of this industry is unorganized, fragmented and conducted offline.

BlackBuck has been formed to re-create logistics commerce with technology at its core, which would enable logistics to be simple and effective." (Agencies)

'15-20% fall in housing prices' Pune, Dec 10: Housing prices have fallen by an average 15-20% across the country in last 18 months and there is no scope for further reduction, said Getamber Anand, developers' apex body Credai's national president. He said that housing sales have improved by 15% during the festive season, helped by fall in prices and lower interest rates on home loans, still about 25-30% of the total units launched are unsold. He, however, maintained that in the completed projects, the unsold inventory is less than even 5%. Anand said if the governments do not improve the environment of doing business so that supplies of fresh houses increase, the prices will go up once

the existing inventories are absorbed. "Existing supply will be absorbed in the next four quarters.

But as no fresh land is available within the existing cities and that no infrastructure is being created to connect new areas to the main cities, the supply of new houses will dry up. This will push the prices up," said Anand.

Rohit Raj Modi, Credai vice president, said around Rs 27,000 crore is lying idle with the government against the ESI cess and hardly any benefits are being claimed by the labourers. Manoj Gaur, Credai NCR president, said "We want ease of doing business. Unnecessary compliances are too many, which delay the projects.''

(Agencies)

FALLING HOUSE PRICES Housing prices have fallen by an average 15-20% across the country in last 18 months and there is no scope for further reduction.

Around Rs 27,000 crore is lying idle with the government against the ESI cess and hardly any benefits are being claimed by the labourers.

In the completed projects, the unsold inventory is less than even 5%.

Housing sales have improved by 15% during the festive season, helped by fall in prices and lower interest rates on home loans, still about 25-30% of the total units launched are unsold.

TECHNOLOGY Microsoft Lumia 550

Price- Rs.11500/- (approx) Display- 4.70-inch Processor- 1.1GHz Front Camera- 2-megapixel Resolution- 720x1280 pixels RAM- 1 GB OS- Windows 10 Mobile Storage- 8GB Rear Camera- 5-megapixel Battery capacity- 2100mAh

Processor make- Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 Colours- White, Black The Microsoft Lumia 550 is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM, 4G. Sensors on the phone include Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Features

PAGE 11

TRAVEL & TOURISM Orange County: Amazing Tura of the Garo Hills Tinti, the cook at the Cen- clear sunshine, unaltered tral Agricultural University by pollution, haze or mist!

(CAU) - Tura campus On the roadside or the guesthouse, though a lo- bazaar, on the left or the cal Garo boy cooked great right one would see orPunjabi food. He had no anges all around. Big and formal culismall in basnary training kets or piled, though. Tinti Raza R Haque these oranges carefully are mostly atdecorated the mess table tended by women. Like with oranges at every the Khasis, the Garo meal. "Tinti - oranges at women too are fond of breakfast; oranges at kwai, betel leaf with a lunch; oranges at dinner - dose of areca nut. They what kind of table plan- would smile with the kwai ning is this?" I teased him. laden red lips in a welI did not let him know that coming gesture and one I loved those oranges. just can't wait negotiating "You will not get oranges the price of the oranges. like this anywhere - that They sell oranges in lots taste like real oranges. of four, eight or 12 and This is the real taste of display the lots in pyramiorange. What else we dal patterns. No bargainhave in Tura to serve you ing! But on buying more excepting these oranges?" one could get baksis, boHe smiled. nus of extra number of "Ah, these oranges taste oranges. The Garos are great, Tinti!" I told him simple people and so is having gobbled one. "Re- their obvious way hanally Sir, I must get more dling business. for you then", Tinti ex- A Khasi friend at CAU livclaimed. I love oranges. ing there for some time, There is something great Mr Lingdoh, told me about this citrus fruit. The about the endemic orgreen ones are hard and anges of Garo Hills tangy, and the ripe are Memang Narang. Garos sweet yet fresh! call oranges as narang.

I was in Tura, the HQ of Mainland India's narangi, five Garo Hill districts of right? Is there a connect Meghalaya, last Decem- between the Garos and ber. Tura boasts to be the the mainland Indians abode of oranges. If you through the nomenclature love oranges then do not of orange? miss to be there around Memang has ethno-meChristmas - Tura would dicinal values. It seems be gaudily painted orange. researchers make freSo, good to correct the quent visits to the Garo visual senses - how the Hills to explore its bioactual orange colour prospects and research synthesised naturally by potentials. I went around green plants appear under looking for memang but

had to return without success. A student of Home Science told me that women from far off villages bring memang to Tura market. I kept my eyes open all through my time in Tura and through my return journey, till the Meghalaya-Assam border, for memang. Women sitting with piles of oranges by the roadside do not sell memang for its extremely sour taste, which visitors do not like.

I had to, therefore, console myself for not getting to see memang and buy a few.

Tura is a clean and green city. Lovely roads, no smelly solid wastes around the municipal dustbins, unusual of typical Indian cities! Governments after government, year after year India's efforts have shown a bit of change yet just marginal.

My driver, a smart Manipuri boy, and I entered the newly built municipal shopping complex (Urban Hub). Meat, fish, veggies and groceries on the ground floor, and garments and other fancy items on the first. No plastics. Vendors use banana leaves for packing meat, fish or vegetable.

Banana leaves come in nicely packed rolls for the vendors. This reminded me of the banana market of Darangiri, known to be the Asia's largest, just down in the plain of Goalpara district. The banana growers would definitely get some incremen-

tal revenue from the leaves if plastics could be kept away from our society.

Solid waste management of cities is a difficult task due to too much of waste production in too little time, which also becomes all the more difficult due to unscrupulous mixing of various types of wastes together with plastics. Plastic has been a major challenge before mankind today for its resistance to biological degradation. Segregation of degradable and non-degradable wastes at source is the key to better management of municipal wastes.

Therefore, citizen's individual participation is imminent to help civic authorities.

"I did not know this Tura without plastics!" I murmured. "No, people of Tura are law abiding." My driver corrected me.

- "They obey the municipality orders happily."

We hurriedly returned to the guesthouse since the Dean of CAU-Tura, an astute lady administrator hailing from South India, was waiting for us there after the day's work. She took good care of me and ensured that Tinti cooked good food, and the hot water geyser was working. In fact Tinti was picked and brushed by her for taking care of the kitchen at the guesthouse.

"Just to get some oranges, Madam." - I told her joyfully on reaching. "Only oranges. What else you

get here? No good food.

No good shops. It is just waste of time." She responded with a bored expression. I enquired with a teacher accompanying the Dean if anything wrong happened. "Her car remained unlocked till the end of the office hour. So, Madam was upset." He said to me quietly.

Just then my friend Mr Lyngdoh came to the guesthouse. "So many oranges! What are you going to do with these oranges? Let us go to the city. I will show you a few good shops." Mr Lyngdoh tendered a warm offer.

"I am going to eat a few of these and take the rest home for my family and friends." - I replied. "Okay. Let us go for few more oranges. I did not get enough. Need few more for my scholars."

Mr Lyngdoh and I headed the Urban Hub again.

Shops are modern, mostly run by women.

There at the Urban Hub I met Nelorie Marak, a young educated entrepreneur. She speaks fluent English, cogent enough to aid her work. I could forsee a successful bigtime business person in her because of her sharp entrepreneurial sense and confidence. I was surprised to learn that she makes frequent trips to Thailand to buy assorted items for her shop.

Nelorie understands the mind of the trendy Garo young generation.

Revisiting Historical Town of Dharmanagar Located in hilly terrains cities. It is ideal for tourof the North East India, ists with a penchant for Tripura is among the revisiting heritage and most beautiful mountain- past of places. The town ous regions is surof the counrounded try. The vast Arnab Ghosh

by Assam, stretches of Mizoram rugged tera n d rains, lush green forests, Bangladesh. Earlier it amazing wildlife and was quite large in size but breathtaking architecture over time, its boundaries of Tripura lure plenty of have been curtailed. tourists. While the wild- The climate is more or life and natural beauty is less pleasant though sumawesome, Tripura also mers tend to be humid boasts of a rich heritage. and quite hot. There are The palaces and monu- thundershowers in monments of dynasties of soon. Winter temperamonarchs stand as wit- ture can be quite low. nesses of history. The nearby airport is at Steeped in history, Silchar or you may opt Dharmanagar is one such for the Agartala airport. town of Tripura that at- The city is also connected tracts visitors. by rail to Agartala and Nuances of Assam. The majority of Dharmanagar visitors prefer traveling to Tripura's second largest the city by road. It is concity Dharmanagar is also nected to Guwahati and one of its most beautiful Shillong by bus service.

Activities and sightseeing options The city has some famous temples that are thronged by religious inclined visitors. The Kalibari Temple is a prime example. Situated on banks of the famous dighi lake, it witnesses plenty of footfalls over the years. The pristine surroundings are soothing on eyes. Other popular religious places in Dharmanagar are the ISKCON temple, Hari Mandir, and Shiva Bari.

Both Durga puja and kali puja is celebrated with gusto in the city.

The Dighi lake placed at middle part of the town is one big attraction for visitors. On its banks, some temples are located and there is a fountain at the middle part which is illuminated at night.

Sightseeing around

Source: nelive.in Dharmanagar Dharmanagar is also close to some important tourist attractions in Tripura. You can visit the famous Jampui Hills from the town. It is quite enticing in the monsoon months. Many tourists visit during the Orange & Tourism festival which takes place in November.

It is especially appealing to the shutterbugs who just cannot get enough of views of sunset and sun-

rise here.

Another nearby attraction is the famous Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary. Tourists can explore the awesome wildlife and natural splendor at this sanctuary.

Some visitors also head to the nearby Halflong tea garden. Often called "Switzerland of the East" it offers visual refreshment to the eyes and the calm serene atmosphere soothes the mind. Courtesy: nelive.in

Trekking in Nagaland

Source: nelive.in

For the young at heart and the adventure lover, there is no dearth of places to go to.

Nagaland, with its inherent beauty of natural resources, offers some incredible places to trek for those who thrill to scale mountains and view the world from the top, or simply with a desire to explore the woods.

Dzukou Valley is one of the most popular trekking sites in the North East region. It is located in the south-western part of Nagaland and stands at the height of 2,438 m above sea level.

Saramati Peak is the highest peak in

Nagaland at an altitude of 3,840 m. Located in Kiphire district, the peak remains snow covered throughout winter.

Japf端 Peak At an altitude of 3,014 m, this is the second highest peak in the state. It is also known for the world's tallest and biggest Rhododendron which can be found at the base of Mount Japfu.

Puliebadze is a wildlife sanctuary near Jotsoma village, located just a few kilometres from Kohima.

It is also a popular hiking site for youngsters and serves as an ideal place to be in the midst of nature.

Kapamodz端 Peak, located in Zhavame village (bordering Manipur state), stands at 2,620 m above sea level, and gives a spectacular view of the village, the Saramati Peak, Japf端 peak, Kohima as well as several other neighbouring villages.

Western Dzukou is one of the most ideal places for trekking, and is located a few kilometres away from Khonoma.

Mount Pauna is the highest peak in Peren and stands at an altitude of 2,500 m along Benreu range.

Courtesy: nelive.in

Source: thethumbprintmag.com Nelorie told me that Tura youths are very fashion trendy. Price is not a factor. As long as she had chic and fashionable stuff in her shop, which she collected from several destinations, she never had to worry about her business.

The people of Tura start Christmas celebrations much ahead of Christmas. Decorative lights are seen in most houses. Folks sing and celebrate through the nights. While returning to the guesthouse Mr. Lyngdoh who is a Christian from Shillong told me that the people of Tura celebrate Christmas with greater vigour. The loud songs

and music from the neighbouring village kept me awake through the night. As I had to leave for home next morning I did not mind lending my ear to the rhythms of the songs that were characteristically unique.

Exclusivity is typical of folk songs, which was obvious in the rhythms.

Tura to Tezpur is a long distance by a cab. So, I started early. After we crossed the inter-state border, I dozed off for some time. When I woke up and enquired with the cab driver about the distance we had covered, he told me that we were just about to get Guwahati in another 4045 km or so. We stopped

at a small highway side bazaar - Bamunigaon for tea. A few women selling oranges caught my eyes.

Ah, those oranges!

"What are these smaller ones with the branch stick tied in bundles?" I asked the ladies curiously. " Memang" - one of them replied.

"Memang narang?" I went ahead asking.

"Oh, you speak Garo?

We all are Garo women from nearby village." One among them looked at me amazed and said to me in Assamese. "Yes, Memang narang.

These are special oranges. You will love them."

Courtesy: www.thethumbprintmag.com

Top 5 Charted Places in Assam Assam is perhaps the most prominent state in North East India. Its capital city, Guwahati, is considered the gateway to the. Assam is a beautiful state located south of the eastern Himalayas.

You can marvel at the undulating hills as well as miles of plains. There are several places of interest and probably one visit isn't enough to cover the entire state. We highlight 5 of the best for you.

Guwahati - Guwahati is located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra and is the largest city in North East India. The city is an emerging commercial city and yet is culturally rich and vibrant. Historically, Guwahati was known as Pragjyotishpur which meant 'light of the east'.

One of the must-visits in Guwahati is the famous Kamakhya Temple which is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas according to Hinduism. The temple is perched on top of the Nilachal Hills and is about 7 km from the city centre. Another temple of importance is the Umananda Temple located on Peacock Island. You can also visit the Zoological Gardens, Vashistha Ashram, Navagraha Temple and Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

Kaziranga - Assam is almost synonymous with the one-horned rhinos found in the Kaziranga National Park.

The national park is also a declared tiger reserve.

The park remains open from November to May so you have to plan your trip accordingly.

Majuli - Majuli is the biggest river island in the world and the seat of

Source: nelive.in neo-Vaishavinism in Assam.

Surrounded by the mighty Brahmaputra, Majuli is famous for its culture and religious activities. The place has about 25 Satras or socio-cultural institutions which were promoted by the revered Assamese saint Srimanta Sankardeva and later by his disciple Madhavdeva.

Sibsagar - Sibsagar literally translates to 'ocean of Lord Shiva' and is a historical town. It used to be the capital of the Ahom kingdom for over 100 years. The town is built around a 129-acre artificial tank, with three temples around it. Other

roof of which resembles an upside down boat.

Jatinga and Haflong Jatinga is famous because of an interesting phenomenon. The locals believe that every year, migratory birds commit suicide here. The story has now spread far and wide, though in reality, the birds are killed by the locals. Jatinga is situated in the Dima Hasao District, about 330 km south of Guwahati. While in the area, you should also visit Assam's only hill station, Haflong. Headquarters of the North Cachar district, Haflong town is set between rolling mountains.

Source: mass.in places of interest here are the Talatal Ghar, Kareng Ghar and Gargaon Palace. You should also visit the amphitheater called Rang Ghar, the

The picturesque hill station is the perfect getaway from the hum-drum o city life. Courtesy: nelive.in

cmyk

cmyk

"I was thrilled on hearing about the Pro Wrestling League and Bengaluru Yodhas. I am no stranger to the city of Bangalore and it is wonderful that I can extend my association by way of the Yodhas."

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Indian Test Skipper Virat Kohli

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Chelsea trounce Porto 2-0; Giroud's treble fires Arsenal into CL knockout stages ANI London: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho heaved a sigh of relief after his side swept aside Porto 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. Mourinho’s team needed a draw to progress through to the

knockout stages and avoid the embarrassment of dropping into the Europa League, but Ivan Marcano's own goal and Brazilian striker Willian's goal ensured the Blues finish top of the Group G. Mourinho was report-

edly under immense pressure of being sacked after Saturday's loss against Bournemouth which condemned the Premier League champions to their latest humiliation in a dismal season.

Olivier Giroud produced a scintillating perfor-

mance by netting a hattrick as Arsenal overcame Olympiakos 3-0 to progress through to theChampions League knockout stages. The Frenchman put Arsene Wenger's side ahead in the 29th minute before doubling the lead four min-

utes into the second half.

Giroud completed his hattrick when he dispatched a clinical penalty to ensure that Arsenal reach the last 16 of the competition for the 16th year in a row.

Arsenal finished as runners-up in Group F behind Bayern Munich.

Chelsea's John Terry and Bruno Martins Indi of FC Porto challenge for a cross;

From left, Arsenal's Petr Cech, Per Mertesacker, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott celebrate their teams win.

B11 Division beat 17 Garhwal rifles

BCCI lends support to Afghanistan with home ground in India

Avik Chakraborty Dibrugarh, Dec 10: B11 Division(DDSA) defeated 17 Garhwal rifles 5-3 via tie-breaker in the inaugural match of the 12th edition of Jintu Gogoi football tournament 2015 organized by Dao Division, Army in association with Dibrugarh District Sports Association here today at Chowkidinghee playground. Altogether, 16 teams participated in

the tournament. Earlier, the regulation time ended in a goalless draw.

Both the teams tried hard but could not break the deadlock. For B11 Division, Nitu Sonowal, Antony Saikia, Gayandeep Gohain, Bidyut Barua and Ronal Kachari converted their spot kicks.

On the other hand, Sunil Kumar, Ajit Ramdula and Manish Negi managed to convert theirs

for 17 Garhwal rifles.

Last year, Barekuri Football Coaching Centre had won the tournament. The tournament was inaugurated by Honorary Flying Officer TR Gogoi, father of late Captain Jintu Gogoi and Deputy GOC, Dao Division and Commander, Laipulli Army Camp. Tomorrow, Khowang Sports Football Club will play Rupjyoti Sangha.

Voges, Marsh lead Aussie charge to pile on misery for Windies ANI Hobart: Contrasting centuries from Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh helped Australia reach a dominating 438 for three at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies in Hobart on Thursday. Opting to bat first, Australia made a brisk start as David Warner and Joe Burns (33) built a 75-run partnership for the opening wicket before the dismissal of the latter.

Warner was at his aggressive best as he scored a quick-fire 64 off 61 balls before West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican claimed two wickets in quick succes-

Dibrugarh, Dec 10: Tinsukia Town Club Blues thrashed Saptarshi Club by 91 runs in the first ever Chandra Dutta Memorial Cricket Tournament organized by Tinsukia District Sports at TDSA stadium in Tinsukia today. Opting to bat, after winning the toss, Tinsukia Town Club Blues managed 196/9

19, and A sides. However, it needs to meet a few more requirements for hosting an ICC-event match," BCCI honorary secretary Anurag Thakur told reporters here. "Greater Noida authorities have ensured us that they will deliver in quick-time so that Afghanistan cricket board can host their future international matches at this ground in Noida," he added.

Thakur asserted that the agreement would not only strengthen the cricketing ties between the two nations but also improve their political relations.

ANI Dunedin: Opener Martin Guptill made a stunning return to form with a sublime century as New Zealand reached a commanding 409 for eight on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday. Put in to bat first, New Zealand made a brisk start before the dismissal of opener Tom Latham (22). Guptill then shared a 173-run stand for the second wicket with the ever-reliable Kane Williamson before raking up a quick-fire 89-run partnership for the fourth wicket with captain Brendon McCullum. McCullum, who is playing the last test of his career in his home town, scored 75 off 57 balls, including 13 boundaries and one six. Meanwhile, Guptill secured his third Test century in the process

New Zealand's Martin Guptill celebrates scoring century during Day 1 of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka. and was eventually dismissed by Angelo Mathews for 156. Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner will resume innings on their respective

scores of 32 and 0 tomorrow. For Sri Lanka, bowlers Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera claimed two wickets apiece.

GVM Girls College overall champions in shooting

ICC names OPPO as new Global Partner

Participants take shots in Inter Women College Rifle and Pistol Shooting championship concluded at Sonepat on Thursday.

SachinSehrawat Sonepat, Dec 10: Local GVM Girls College has bagged the overall championship of the two-day Inter Women College Rifle and Pistol Shooting championship of MDU Rohtak concluded here today at the shooting range in GVM college.

Local Hindu Girls college finished runners up in the championship. According to college principal, Dr Jyoti Juneja, in individual events, Rakhi of GVM in pistol shoot-

ing and Neetu Hooda in Rifle shooting bagged the gold in the final round. In Rifle shooting team event, GVM girls got the first position and Government Women College. Rohtak finished runners up. In pistol shooting team event, GVM remained at top and the second position went to local Hindu Girls College.

Devender Dhull, Director of Sports, MDU Rohtak distributed prizes among the winners.

ANI Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced OPPO, one of the world's leading mobile telephone device companies, as their new global partner in a four-year deal from 2016 until 2020. Reflecting on the new partnership, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said, "The ICC is delighted to welcome OPPO on board as a Global Partner and we are excited about the opportunity to team up for the next four years.

OPPO is one of the market leaders in its field with an impressive worldwide presence, especially in territories where the game of cricket continues to grow and, in a lot of cases, flourish. He stressed that their new partnership would help in extending cricket's reach even further and they are looking forward to it. "OPPO has strong brand values on innovation and integrity, which are closely aligned with the ICC's, and we believe that by partnering with OPPO, we can extend cricket's reach even further. We look forward to working closely with them for the foreseeable future," he added.

Time running out for IndiaPakistan cricket series (ANCHOR)

Australia's Adam Voges celebrates with team mate Shaun Marsh after completing his century on Day 1.

sion to put a brake on the run flow briefly.

Warrican removed Australian skipper Steve Smith for 10. Subse-

quently, Voges and Marsh batted through the last two sessions in an unbeaten 317-run fourthwicket stand.

Tinsukia Town Club Blues win Sports Correspondent

ANI Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in order to help the latter with a 'home' ground in India. The newly-constructed Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida is widely seen as a potential venue for Afghanistan cricketers to play their international matches. "The ICC has inspected the ground and found it eligible to host matches of the associateaffiliate teams, Under-

Guptill anchors Kiwi runfest against Sri Lanka in Test opener

in the allotted overs.

Pranjal Dutta topscored with 97 runs off 99 balls, hitting fourteen boundaries and two maximums. Rinku Rai contributed 24runs with the help of three boundaries.

For Saptarshi, Avinash Sharma bagged four wickets for 23 runs while Piyush Bansal claimed two for 26.

Chasing the target,

Saptarshi club could manage only 105 runs before being bundled out in 27.5 overs.

Michael Singhphou scored 31 off 28 balls with the help of seven boundaries while Narendra Prasad chipped in with 19 off 21 balls. For Tinsukia Town Club Blues, Aran Saikia scalped four for 14. Bhaskar Sonowal and Subham Sharma took two wickets each.

Agencies Mumbai: Conceding that time is running out for the proposed India-Pakistan bilateral cricket series to take place, Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Anurag Thakur said the BCCI is still waiting for the government's approval. "Media were hoping that Sushma Swaraj's visit will decide the fate of the cricket series, but when it comes to relations between countries a lot is at stake and many things are taken into consideration before coming to a definite conclusion. Whenever the Indian government will take a decision on this we will let you know," Thakur told reporters on the sidelines of the signing of an MoU between the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority.

With the Indian team departing for their tour of Australia on January 5, there is hardly any time for the high-profile series. According to a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two nations, the PCB was supposed to host India in December for a bilateral series, but a series of flip flops from the two boards has resulted in confusion.

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