12th 2016

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ASSENG/2015/64205

Page 12 Vol. 1

Issue 275

Dibrugarh, Saturday, March 12, 2016

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Page 11

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Dignity of labour dignifies Gogoi slammed Central Government every kind of work: Pul A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 11

“

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 11

The Chief Minister today paid a surprise visit to the tempo and auto stand near Mithun gate in the capital city.

Interacting with them, he acknowledged their contribution in keeping the city on move by providing the much convenient mode of conveyance to the city dwellers, in absence of public transport services within the city. During the interaction, the chief minister was elated to meet two auto drivers, who informed that they were college graduate.

Speaking on their grievances, the workers informed that there is huge liability to be

ET CAPSULES High alert in Tinsukia district on intrusion of militant groups Tinsukia, Mar 12: A high alert has been sounded in Tinsukia district following reliable input of a group of 11 militants from various terrorist organizations, armed with sophisticated weapons, entering Tinsukia district from Myanmar. The group compromising of Ulfa (I), NSCN, KYKL and PLA is suspected to be led by Ulfa commander Lt. Prodip Gogoi has raised security concerns.

Confirming this input to this correspondent, a top level police officer said, reliable inputs have come that a group of 11 militants have come from Myanmar and already sneaked into Tinsukia district. The militant group, armed with sophisticated weapons, is somewhere behind the Tekri jungle, the officer said.

He said, although the input has not spoken about their plan but as the group draws militant from several different terrorist organization we suspect that they are planning a major attack.

“Hence, high alert has been sounded and a massive combing operation and area domination have been launched with the help of army and SSB forces” added the officer.

It is important to mention that because of upcoming assembly elections the situation is already tough for policemen.

(Spl Correspondent)

Pul in a surprise visit in the capital city. paid to the transport department, and appealed the chief minister for a one time-waiver.

“Many of the vehicles were purchased as second-hand that came with huge tax liability of from the previous owners of which many were not aware of,” said the workers.

The CM responded with the assurance that the matter will be taken up in consultation with the concerned depart-

ment.

Further, Pul assured to provide all basic facilities and amenities for designated auto and tempo stand such as parking lot, toilet and sanitary facilities, CCTV, high mast light and also provision for hotel/ motel and rest room. Similar steps would also be initiated for Bus stands and Sumo counters, he added.

having a detailed map with a complete road network of the capital city in the auto stand where information on time required to reach the desired destination, will be on display.

The CM advised the auto and tempo drivers to carry with them the concept of “Athiti Devo Bhawa” to present a good picture of the state and the capital city to the visitors.

He also brought the idea of

Contd. on Page 3

cmyk

The duo filed their nominations before the Assam Legislative Assembly's Principal Secretary MK Deka, an Assembly spokesperson said.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Assam Pradesh Congress

president Anjan Dutta were also present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister claimed that both the candidates will sail through as the Congress enjoys an absolute majority in the state assembly with more than 80 legislators to vote for the party nominees.

Contd. on Page 4

APPSCC declares the results after more than 2 years A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 11

The much-awaited list of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Combined Competitive (APPSCC) Main Examinations has been declared on Friday evening with 51 candidates recommended for appointed to the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (EG) and Arunachal Pradesh Police Service (EG).

After much delay and some dialogue, the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) conducted the mains examinations from

17 to 25 July, 2015 and subsequently held the viva test from 8 to 11 March, 2016. The results should give much relief to the candidates, who had been waiting nearly two years and five months since they first appeared for the preliminary examinations on 22 September, 2013.

The APPSC examinations was shrouded under controversy as allegations of the General Studies Paper-II paper leakage surfaced on 16 September, 2014 –almost a year later after the preliminary examinations.

The allegations marked the beginning for a series of agita-

EXAMINATION HIGHLIGHTS Preliminary examinations held on 22 September, 2013 Mains examinations held from 17 to 25 July, 2015 Viva test held from 8 to 11 March, 2016 Allegations of leakage of the General Studies Paper-II surfaced on 16 September, 2014 An aspirant, Ujum Perying sat on a 72-hour hunger strike at Indira Gandhi Park.

Special Investigation Team constitutes, where five officials get arrested in connection

tions against the APPSC as several aspirants out of the 623 eligible candidates claimed that the General Studies Examination 2014 held on 14 September, 2014 were the exact replica of the reserved APPSCCE (Mains) 2011 set ‘B’ question papers, with added allegations that some candidates had acquired the same question papers since October 2013. An aspirant, Ujum Perying had also sat on a 72-hour hunger strike at Indira Gandhi Park, which was followed by several others joining her. A Special Investigation Team was also constituted and five officials were arrested in this connection.

Jan Congress Party announces first list of 18 candidates A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Mar 11 A new entrant in the political arena, the Jan Congress Party (JCP), announced its first list of candidates for 18 assembly constituencies here today. JCP state president Abhijit Rajkumar said that the party will contest in 80 seats across the state and the final list will be announced on May 18.

“Jan Congress Party stands for the common people and their aspirations. Our party symbol is the electric pole. Our battle is against the Congress, BJP and AIUDF who have betrayed the people of the state time and again. Our poll agenda is about the state’s burning problems like unemployment, illegal migrants, insurgency, flood and erosion,” Rajkumar said. The Jan Congress Party was formed in Nagaon on May 18, 2014.

The names in the first list are: Dandeswar Koch (Titabar), Manoj Sawasi (Doomdooma), Jugal Majhi (Digboi), Boga Kumar Nag (Lahowal), Sunit Kumar Mahanta (Mahmora), Lalit Phukan (Mariani), Mohan Chandra Bhuyan (Jorhat), Md Nazibur Rahman (Golaghat), Madan Mohan Sarkar (Mangaldoi), Md Zakir Hussain (Dalgaon), Md Naushad Ali (Kalaigaon), Begum Azmira Akhtar (West Bilasipara), Md Hazrat Ali (Borsola), Bikha Takvi (Bokajan), Dhan Singh (Boithlangsu), Mary Krampsapi (Diphu), Md Nurul Haque (Jamunamukh) and Kamarul Islam Borbhuyan (Lumding).

Jan Cong. announces first list of 18 candidates Dandeswar Koch Manoj Sawasi Jugal Majhi Boga Kumar Nag Sunit K. Mahanta Lalit Phukan Mohan Chandra Bhuyan

Md Nazibur Rahman Madan Mohan Sarkar

Md Zakir Hussain Md Naushad Ali

Titabar Doomdooma Digboi Lahowal Mahmora Mariani Jorhat Golaghat Mangaldoi Dalgaon Kalaigaon

(All India Rank - JEE Main)

NEIGRIHMS

Begum Azmira Akhtar West Bilasipara

Md Hazrat Ali Bikha Takvi Dhan Singh Mary Krampsapi Md Nurul Haque Kamarul Islam Borbhuyan

Borsola Bokajan Boithlangsu Diphu Jamunamukh Lumding

(All India Rank - IIT) JEE-Main

(GENERAL CATEGORY)

ASHMITA MAZUMDAR (GENERAL CATEGORY)

Assam CEE Medical

SAURAV SHAKTI BORAH KAUSHIK R. HAZARIKA SAURAV JYOTI BORAH DEEPANKAR D. BHARALI BHANUJYA SAIKIA

Few JEE-Main QUALIFIERS

50 villagers from two villages were kept captive in Nagaland Jorhat, Mar 11 : 50 members of bamboo and firewood traders of Assam where two villages under Mariani Revenue Circle were kept captive by suspected NSCN men at Chairman Gasti under Mokalamga sub-division of Mokokchung district here today, informed senior police officials here.

According to police the reason behind for keeping in captive to the innocent villagers is yet to be known and it is yet to know how many and at what time they were taken. But according to families and local sources, that around 50 bamboo and firewood traders are missing, who went to collect bamboos and firewood items and it informed from the Basti side over mobile that they have to clear certain dues for collecting bamboos and firewood.

The people those who were kept captive are mostly from Marongial gaon and Balijan Tea Estate. (Correspondent)

Narah was a Union minister in the previous UPA government. Bora will be the party's

first preference candidate and Narah will be the second preference candidate.

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Total JEE-Main Qualifiers : 55 Nons.

NITUPAN DIHINGIA (T.MARK:161)

SHRYA BORUAH (T.MARK:143)

ANMUN CHETRY (T.MARK:134)

AMLAN JYOTI DUTTA PORITUSH BAILUNG SHUBHAM DUTTA (T.MARK:124) (T.MARK:87) (T.MARK:127)

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SANDEEP SONOWAL (T.MARK:82)

Few STAR PERFORMERS IN MEDICAL Total Selection in Medical, 2015 : 12 Nons.

NEIGRIHMS Rank - 8th Assam CEE Med. SR-51

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ANSHUMAN GOGOI (Assam CEE Medical State Rank-608)

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Appreciating the drivers’ strong sense of work culture, Pul said, “Dignity of labour dignifies every kind of work.

There is no work as superior or inferior. It is improper to think that a certain kind of work is undignified or below one’s status.”

The CM advised them to carry with them all the concerned documents of the vehicles, and to report any threat to police for their safety during the working hours. He also advised them not to charge exorbitant rates to the customer.

Finally what it seems like ages, a Tarun Gogoi loyalist got his dues. This is none other than senior Congress leader and former cabinet minister Ripun Bora who has been named among the Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha

election which will be held next month.

Bora and Ranee Narah today filed their nominations for the two Rajya seats in Assam which will fall vacant next month.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

PAGE 2

ASTRO FOR YOU Aries Today, you may wake up with your nose in the air. Though you may feel bossy and important, others may not feel that way about you. Avoid giving orders that sound like insults.

Otherwise, the whole thing may fall flat on your face.

Taurus You will hear the division bell beckoning you to strike a balance between your personal and professional life. Today is an encouraging day for big business deals and new projects. In the afternoon, you may fall victim to iniquity. Safeguard your money from green-eyed monsters.

Gemini A marathon brainstorming session with your colleagues, a scamper for meeting deadlines, and a demanding spouse will leave you quite stressed out by the end of the day. You, however, are an expert in dividing time between business, home and pleasure. The answer to your prayers is a late-night party, at least that’s what you think.

Cancer This is your big moment. You are going to deal with a huge amount of money — the kind of amount you would want to fill your swimming pool with and swim in it. Statutory warning: Don’t dive in it, for you may hurt yourself as something or someone is likely to pull the plug, draining out most of the wealth that was amassed overnight. However, you will regain some of that lost money by the end of the day.

Leo Call it a day with a positive difference, but today, you are more keen and inclined towards entertainment and relaxation. Everybody needs a break from the routine, so make the most of today. On a more personal note, you are required to make subtle moves as there are hints that you may want to give your love life a more definite turn, like a marriage. You and your beloved will spend the evening in passionate embraces. On a more cautionary note, take extra care while travelling, especially if you are alone.

Virgo It is quite probable that today will be an action-packed day for you. It is going to be a progressive day for your business. Later in the day, you may retreat into your shell, and refuse company.

Libra It’s now or never for you, as today, you may finally take out time to do some sound thinking for your future goals and success. Things seem to go your way, and all your plans are beautifully executed towards the afternoon. Also, find time in the evening to be with the ones dear to you. A movie and dinner sounds like a good idea. Enjoy life in all its goodness!

Scorpio Armed with a good sense of judgement, you will make a number of encouraging changes in your behaviour today. Habits die hard, but all the effort that you put in to refine your routine will pay off brilliantly by the end of the day. Close friends and family will be pleasantly surprised by your efficiency and decisions.

Sagittarius Today, you will probably emerge as the victorious gladiator in the arena of sports and games. But later in the day, some hurdles may come across your path. At your desk, your bosses might just lend you a helping hand to assist you to finish off pending jobs.

Capricorn It’s not every day that you wake up with a positive feeling, one that pushes you to make right everything that has been going wrong around and within you. Today, you may be in one of those high-spirited moods. At home, you will strive to gain the confidence of your family members while at work, you will slog hard the entire day and get adequately rewarded for the same.

Aquarius You are fully charged and raring to go! Your friends are supportive of your new schemes, and your bosses are pushing you to complete pending projects. This shouldn’t be a problem, considering your current levels of energy and enthusiasm.

Pisces You will feel like King Midas himself today because everything you take up will fructify into something successful and rewarding. You will be alight with incredible ideas and abuzz with stupendous energy. Feel free to skip the coffee!

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 12-3-16 (SATURDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Songs) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-30 P.M-Hindi Film Songs 1-50 P.M-Adhunik Geet 2-30 P.M-Western Music 3-45 P.M-Programme in Miju Mishmi 4-05 P.M-Programme in Khamti 4-25 P.M-Programme in Wancho 4-45 P.M-News for Arunachal Pradesh 5-00 P.M-Programme in Idu 5-20 P.M-Programme in Tangsa 5-40 P.M-Programme in Nocte 6-15 P.M-Ganya Raijor Anusthan (Rural Programme) 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani (Youth Programme) 7-45 P.M-Daakpakhili 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (Sponsored programme of KK Handique State Open University) 10-00P.M-Classical Music Sd-/H.O.P

CPI to contest in 18 seats in Assembly Poll ET Correspondent Morigaon, Mar 11: Communist Party of India(CPI) will contest in 18 seats of Assam Legislative Assembly in forthcoming election said Munin Mahanta, veteran leader of CPI in a press conference here today. Mahanta further said that 6 left democratic parties are to fight in 59 constituencies of the state in a consensus manner.

Mahanta said that CPI

will go to the people appealing to strengthening the third alternative force barring Congress and BJP. He said that te people must aware of the fact that Congress is Corrupt and BJP is communal.

Veteran CPI leader alleged that BJP with the help of capitalists of the country show the money power in the forthcoming election. He said that AGP- BJP alliance in the

state is unfortunate as the communal force captured the regional party for their gain.

Polarisation on the basis of religion will lead the state into a disastrous situation and people will for this in near future, Mahanta added. He further said that there will be a hung Assembly in forthcoming election it is sure that no party will get absolute majority in this poll.

Activists burns effigies of BJP leaders in Margherita ET Correspondent Margherita, Mar 11: Today more than 300 BJP activists of 124 No Margherita LAC burnt the effigies of State BJP President Sarbananda Sonowal, Honourable Member of Parliament of 13 HPC Dibrugarh Rameswar Teli and New Comer BJP leader Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma at Changlang Tiniali Margherita in NH-38.

In a same time Sanjay Kumar Deb Senior BJP Leader of Margherita today formally resigned from the Primary Membership of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“In the year 1996 I have joined BJP because I thought that only BJP can bring change in the Society and whole country but I was wrong today BJP State Leaders have no ideology and Principles and today there is no difference between BJP and Congress party. The difference just mere words used by state leaders for their Vested Interest because today BJP State leaders are now busy giving Tickets to Corrupted Persons, Secret Killers, Murderer, Thieves, SULFA

ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Feb11: The midterm general body meet of Tinsukia District Journalist Association (TDJA) will be held at Doomdooma Press Club which is located near Hoonlal Higher Secondary School on March 13 at 8 am on Sunday. TDJA President Anuj Kalita and Secretary Manoranjan Das have urged all the members of TDJA to attend the meeting.

Science laboratory at doomdooma

BJP activists burns effigies of BJP leaders in Margherita to Contest in this Forthcoming Assembly Election of Assam. It was I who made 1,28,000 new BJP members at Tinsukia District” alleged Sanjay Kumar Deb. Meanwhile a new floated political party of Assam name Trinomool BJP where Lakheswar Moran will Contest from 124 No Margherita LAC and Sanjay Kumar Deb may contest

Non-Provincialized Teacher-Employees' Joutha Mancha decides to stand against Congress in Assam Assembly Poll ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Mar 11: Assam NonProvincialized TeachersEmployees' Joutha Manch has decided to stand against Congress Party and vowed to teach a good lesson in the ensuing State Assembly Poll. "Assam CM Tarun Gogoi and Education Minister Sarat Barkataky allegedly hatched conspiracy against thirty thousand nonprovincialized to go dying in hunger without provincializing their posts and violating the 'Assam Venture Educational Institution (Post Provincialization) Act2011, Ammendmend2013.

The ruling Congress Government of the State must suffer the loss in the Assembly Poll for this anti-teacher principle"thus declare Girindra Nath Bhorali and Seemanta Sut, the Presi-

Tinsukia District Journalist Association holds mid- term scribes' meet

dent and the secretary of the organisation respectively.

from 122 No Tinsukia LAC said a source.

Many Senior BJP Leaders of Margherita such as Margherita BJP Sadar Mandal Committee President, Bhim Karmakar, Debnath Boro, President of Tinsukia District BJP ST Morcha, Santanu Borthakur, President of Margherita BJP Block Mandal Committee, Ashim

Das Tinsukia District BJYM, Nabo Dutta, Khamai Gudung and more than 300 BJP workers were present today.

Puran Chetry who have recently resigned from Secretary of Margherita AGP District Committee got ticket from newly floated political party AGP(Ancholiktadi Manch) to play election at 124 No Margherita LAC.

Consumer Forum orders compensation for negligence in Surgery

Sanjeev Borah the Assistant Secretary of the organisation informed through a press release that the organisation had decided to stand against the Congress in the Assembly Poll.

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 11: A private nursing home in Golaghat has been ordered to pay a compensation of one lakh fifty thousand rupees by the Consumer Forum in The organisation would Golaghat. prevent the party and its election candidates from According to the report arranging and attending a private nursing home political meeting on the in Golaghat named Nursing occasion of the election. Golaghat Home was alleged to be These teachers and their family members would negligent in performing cast their vote against a surgery of a woman Congress in addition to who was admitted in the circulating wall poster, nursing home. leaflet and organizing protest meeting.

The woman named The organisation con- Mridushmita Dutta demned the Govt's inten- Saikia delivered to a girl tion to divide the organi- child in the year 2005. zation by circulating a After her delivery her rumor of granting fixed condition became critipay and financial assis- cal and later she was tance.

taken and admitted at Down Town Hospital in Guwahati where it was proved that some elements were remained in her uterus while performing surgery in Golaghat Nursing Home.

After that the victim's husband Rajeev Saikia filed a case against Golaghat Nursing Home in Consumer Forum on June 11 in the year 2007.

After long six years the victim finally got justice. The Consumer Forum gave the judgment on March 5 to give an amount of one lakh fifty thousand to the victim and her family by the nursing home authorities.

ET Correspondent Dumdooma, Mar 11: The foundation stone of the proposed Science Laboratory of Doomdooma Bangiya Vidyalya was laid by the President of the managing and development committee of the school, Dr Prafulla Medhi.

Addressing the people who were present on the occasion, Dr Medhi told that he hopes that the students of the school would be benefitted when the laboratory would be started.

Eye Check up Camp on March 16 ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 11: An Eye Check up Camp will be organised under the able aegis of Golaghat Blindness Control Society and with the support of Jai Hind Club and Library of Kamarbandha in the club premises on March 16 at 10 AM. After check up a Cataract operation will be done at Golaghat Eye Hospital eventually. The Convenor Prakhyat Duwarah has asked the people to take part in large number.

Gaurav Gogoi to participate in a convention in Lakhimpur ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Mar 11: A Mass Convention is going to be held at the play ground of North Lakhimpur Govt. Boys' HS School tomorrow covering the No. 111 Lakhimpur Legislative Assembly Constituency. Spokesman of All India Congress Committee and MP of Kaliabor Parliamentary Constituency, Gaurav Gogoi will take part in the convention as Chief Guest along with several high profile leaders of the party. Ex-MLA Ghana Burhagohain appealed the people of the LAC to attend the convention in order to make it a grand success.

Kidney Day marked with free check-up camp at city hospital ET Correspondent Guwahati, Mar 11: A northeast India based hospital marked the World Kidney Day 2016 with various activities including a free check-up camp for common people on 10 March last.

Over hundred people arrived at the hospital premises in the city from different parts of Assam for the kidney check-up and consultation camp.

The health camp, which witnessed the participation of around 120 people from Sibsagar, North Lakhimpur, Dimapur, Nagaon with the city of Guwahati provided the participants a number of relevant laboratory tests free of cost.

Dr TA Choudhury (Nephrology), Dr PM Deka (Urology) conducted the camp which started at 10 am. A host of paramedical staff under the guidance of Dr Abhishek Debnath and

Roughly 10% of the world populace is affected by various kidney related diseases.

Most of the chronic kidney disease cases are caused by diabetes & high blood pressure. The family history of chronic kidney diseases may aggravate the condition for the patients.

Kidney Day marked with free check-up camp at city hospital Ujjal Saikia assisted them in the process. Earlier senior Assamese journalist Nava Thakuria flagged off a walkathon from the hospital in the morning.

It may be mentioned that the World Kidney Day is observed on second Thursday in March every year. The

International Society of Nephrology and International Federation of Kidney Foundations initiate for the celebration of the day with an aim to raise awareness about the importance of the amazing kidneys to human health.

Moreover creating aware-

ness about various preventive measures to reduce the risk factors for the important organ that purifies the blood & remove wastes from the body is also emphasized on the day in addition to pledging necessary supports for the surviving kidney patients to maintain the quality of life.

The physicians hence advise everyone to adopt safe & preventive behaviours and also a systematic screening of patients with diabetes and hypertension.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to all the participants for their cooperation in making our mission to create awareness about various kidney related diseases a success,” said Dr Jayanta Bardoloi, CMD of Dispur Hospitals Pvt. Ltd, which is recognized identified as the only private health institution in the region with a DNB status for its Urology department.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

PAGE 3

Chief Minister calls on the Governor A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 11: The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Kalikho Pul called on the Governor JP Rajkhowa at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar today.

In the first ‘one to one’ privilege meeting after induction of ministers in the State Cabinet, the Governor felicitated the Chief Minister with ‘Team Arunachal’ lapel pin and Governor’s pen for the new inning with his Cabinet Ministers. He expressed his hope that under dynamic leadership of Pul, the State will touch new heights of development and prosperity.

The Governor advised the Chief Minister to take all precautions and measures to ensure fruits of development reach to the poorest of the poor and sense of security and participation prevails amongst the people in the State. He appreciated Pul for expediting the process of improvement in road communication particularly in State Capital. He wished that the work of progress and development spreads all over the State and corruption is eradicated.

Arunachal Govt. places renewed thrust on developing infrastructure ANI Itanagar Mar. 10: Arunachal Pradesh is making renewed efforts to develop roads and infrastructure to give an economic fillip to the state.

Being strategically located, the government at the centre and in the state are working towards the goal of improved connectivity and infrastructure development.

Growth and development are the foundation stones of modern economies.

CM Pul with the Arunachal Governor The Governor also shared his experiences in the recent district tour. He called for sincere and dedicated approach to address the challenges in health and education sectors and at the same time to harness the tourism potential of the State, particularly adventure and wildlife.

Assuring the Governor that State Cabinet will work as a ‘Team’, the Chief Minister briefed him on the initiatives and steps taken by the State Government. He also briefed him on

the future course of actions in the special priority areas of his government.

It may be recalled that immediately after assuming the charge of the Chief Minister, Pul has sanctioned financial remuneration for Police personnel and contingency staffs and is giving special focus on Health, Education, water supply & sanitation and power sector along many other vital sectors. He also assured to continue the initiative of the Governor towards eradication of corruption.

“To get the sanction for the Khandwa and Itanagar four-lane project, I will go to every ministry, official, and if needed, I will even meet the Prime Minister. I will ask them for early sanction of this project, as Arunachal is strategically located, and this needs immediate action,” said Chief MInister Kalikho Pul. The Trans-Arunachal Highway, a mega two-lane highway project in

Arunachal which extends from Tawang in the western part of the state to Kanubari in the east has given hope to many people.

Covering a distance of 1,559-kilometer, the highway is envisaged to touch eleven district headquarters.

Work on the Papu-Potin section of Trans Arunachal Highway is complete and it will soon be formally inaugurated.

“Now, as the road has been constructed it will be much easy for us to travel anywhere. Initially, we had a lot of problem as walking was the only solution. But, now it is very convenient for us to travel,” said a local.

“Initially, to reach Sagali it took around three-and-a-half hours, but now, it takes only one and half hours.

Though, the work is not completed yet but still maintenance of other roads has significantly reduced our time,” said another local.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has set

April 20 and August 14 as deadline for the completion of the Secretariat and the Assembly building respectively.

Also, the Passport Seva Kendra has established its branch in Itanagar.

Launching its last branch, Pardeshi, Joint Secretary Passport Seva Portal stated that Ministry of External Affairs had fulfilled its promise to set up Passport Seva Kendra in every state of Northeast.

“We are all are very happy today as with the opening of Passport Seva Kendra in Arunachal, MEA’s dream of establishing a passport Kendra in every state of Northeast is accomplished,” said Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi, Chief Passport Officer, Ministry of External Affairs.

Northeast with its huge potential both in physical and geographical terms forms the backbone of the country.

The region’s strategic location demands fast pace growth and development.

Arunachal Vikas Parishad conducts free health camp at lamsa ET Correspondent Khonsa, Mar 11: A Free Health Camp was conducted by Arunachal Vikas Parishad at Lamsa on March 10 in which 72 patients were benefited during the health camp.

The treatment was carried out by Dr. Anil Joshi, MD, Dr. Jyoti Joshi from Pune Maharashtra and Dr. K. Thingnok from District Hospital Khonsa.

The villagers of Lamsa and nearby villages appreciated AVP and Khela_Lamsa ZPM for conducting the health camp. The over all health camp at Lamsa was monitored by Khela_Lamsa ZPM Sontung Bangsia.

Medical camp in Barap is being carried out on March 11 by AVP. DIPRO

CM Pul visits Nyishi Indigenous Special outreach Program on 7 Flagship schemes Cultural Centre and terms Nyishi concluded by Directorate of Field Publicity community as ‘big brother A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 11: Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today gave a spirited call to Nyishi community to guide the rest of the community in Arunachal, terming them as the ‘big brother’.

During a surprise visit to the Nyishi Art and Culture Archive and Nyishi Indigenous Cultural Centre here, the Chief Minister said Nyishi being the largest community in the state, their role in the cultural and spiritual upliftment of the state has become highly crucial.

“Nyishi brethren have since time immemorial played a pivotal role in guiding the state into right direction and they have high responsibility to set good examples for rest of the

state to emulate” Pul said.

Yesso Naik.

Calling for preservation of art and culture, he said due to advent of modernity, the community’s ancient culture and traditions today faces the risk of annihilation. The chief minister underlining the importance for preservation of cultural relics said the establishment of a cultural centre is the best way to preserve the tangible cultural assets of the community.

Since then with the support of few local organisations, the local community people were able to raise few tangible structures for the cultural centre.

The foundation for the Nyishi Indigenous Cultural center was laid way back in January 1, 2013 by former CM and the Nyishi Art and Culture Archive in October 12, 2014 by the former Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Culture and Tourism, Shripad

The chief minister appreciating the efforts of the local community organizations, announced for immediate release of Rs 4 crore for infrastructure buildings for the cultural centre as a thrust towards preservation of cultural relics of the Nyishi community.

He advised the local organizations to prepare proposals for the cultural centre as per the need based, and hoped that the work for the erection of the cultural buildings will be expedited soon and completed in year time.

Dignity of labour dignifies every kind of work: Pul Contd. from Page 1

He advised them to carry with them all the concerned documents of the vehicles, and to report any threat to police for their safety during the working hours. He also advised them not to charge exorbitant rates to the customer.

Requesting them to cooperate with the state administration to prevent any possible law and order problems, the chief minister asked the workers to be on vigil for any suspicious activity in the city and to report immediately to the police.

Further the chief minis-

ter assured all necessary support for construction of auto stands in all essential places in the city such as schools, hospitals and important government offices.

He also requested the auto drivers to have close synchronization with all the bus services in the city, for easy pickup of commuters.

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 11: Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP), Arunachal Pradesh region organized the Annual Concluding Function of the Special Outreach Programme on seven Flagship Schemes of Government of India namely Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Atal Pension Yojana, PM’S Jan Dhan Yojana, PM’s Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM’S Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Skill India Mission, here today. The Concluding Function was attended by representatives of implementing agencies like Banks, Directorate of school Education/SSA, NHM, and Directorate of Sill Development & Industries and Labour department along with Doordarshan, AIR and Officials of DFP units.

This region was allotted 18 programmes under SOP in addition to their regular campaigns. The DFP units located in Along (Aalo) (West Siang distrct), Bomdila (West Kameng district), Daporijo (Upper Subansiri district), Nampong (Changlang district), Pasighat (East Siang district), Seppa (East Kameng district), Tawang (Tawang district), Tezu (Lohit district) and Ziro (Upper Subansiri district) carried out the campaign over the last six months with the resource persons from SBI, ICDS, Industries department and Health department. Quiz contests, Photo Exbhibtion,

ments under sectors like hospitality, motor mechanics, beautician sector, IT, etc. He also elaborated on the upcoming 4 new ITIs and the agreement of state govt with VTPs of various institutes.

District Quality Assurance Committee reviews the cleanliness situation every month.

He also explained the initiatives under Beti Bachao, Beti Padao scheme especially with focus on adolescent health and requested DFP in creating awareness about HIV. He also informed that all District Medical Officers have been instructed to liason with DFP in creating health awareness.

M.D. Apex Bank, Lead Bank Chief Manager and representative of the APRB also shared their experience in implementing the social security and Financial inclusion schemes over the last one year and assured DFP about better coordination in future. In Arunachal Pradesh 1, 23,098 accounts have been opened under PMDJY and 34,127 have come under PMJJBY and 53263 under PMSBY and 876 under APY cover as per the records of lead bank SBI. Apex Bank has covered 16,000 under PMDJY and is in the process of launching other schemes in larger scale.

APRB has opened 15,815 accounts under PMDJY and 3,288 and 4,310 have been brought under PMJJBY and PMSY. Even the Department of Labour informed that the Building & Construction Workers Board of Arunachal Pradesh is implementing PMJJBY and PMSBY.

In his speech, Director Skill Development Subu Tabin requested the help of DFP, DDK and AIR in creating awareness in remote/ border areas about various skills training programmes and said that 9500 youth have been trained and 2500 have got proper place-

Representatives of DDK and AIR informed that panel discussions, talk shows, success stories have been organized in addition to coverage of field functions related to flagship programmes and urged the organizers to give advance information for better publicity.

Arunachal Pradesh region organized the Annual Concluding Function of the Special Outreach Programme in Itanagar Film shows, rural sports events and cultural programmes helped public in participating in a big way in these awareness campaigns.

In his welcome address the Director, DFP, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Keshavamurthy informed the participants about the 6 month long campaign and thanked line departments for their participation.

However he said that individual departments and publicity agencies are working in parallel and emphasized the need to pool the resources, efforts, publicity material together for a better reach and focused publicity.

He assured line departments

about sharing the contact details of DFP units at district level and requested the implementing agencies to instruct their field officials to tie up with the DFP while organizing campaigns or banking melas, skill melas or health melas.

Officials of DDK and AIR were also advised to participate in these campaigns proactively.

M.D of NHM Mr. P.N.Thungan apprised the meeting about various initiatives under Kaya Kalp scheme to improve hygiene, infection control and creation of awareness in district, Community health centers and said that detailed guidelines on Swacch Bharat Abhiyan have been circulated to all hospitals and the

of Tawang Backlogged 6th semester B.Sc. & B.Com One day ASHA training Abbot Monastery calls at PHC at Kharsang student of JNC pleas for a chance on the Governor ET Correspondent Kharsang, Mar 11: One day ASHA training on the use of bivalent RDT kits and (act-al) was organized by District Vector Borne Disease Control Programme here today at PHC, Kharsang under the guidance of District Medical Officer, Dr. K. Basar. The main resource person of the one training was Dr. R. C Das who is also a programme officer for the district under DVBDCP besides

J.N college at Pasighat ET Correspondent Pasighat, Mar 11: The 6th Semester B.Sc. and B.Com students of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat totaling 32 members who couldn’t clear their backlogged papers of 1st Semester are now strongly pleading for a chance to be given from the Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh as their career are in stake now.

While narrating their heartache out of possible damage of career if not considered, the students informed that, they have already appealed the Vice Chancellor, RGU to this regard by submitting a petition. When contacted, JN College Principal Tayek Talom informed that, the college has also written to RGU for a weaver but he reserved the statement saying, the final decision will of the university board.

on the mercy of the university”.

On the part of students when questioned on why they didn’t do well in the examination, the students replied saying they were the first batch of semester system and we were not told properly about the system. We were given only five years to pass all six semester but RGU ordinance says it should be passed within six years. So, based on this possibility, we highly beg the university authorities to consider us appeal so that we are given a chance to graduate from this college.

Else, the students said; “we will be dropped out from the college and no other colleges within the lone state’s university will accept our admission approach except after change of stream which is so painful.

Moreover, most of us belonged from poor families and won’t afford studying in colleges outside the state. Now our fate is

As per student sources from the JNC, the authority concern at RGU has said to have sat for a meeting on the appeal today at Doimukh as some students from Dera Natung Degree College, Itanagar are also appellant to this regard. But when contacted to get university’s decision or version on the appeal, the Vice Chancellor T. Mibang declined to comment on it saying he can’t directly speak to media over it. Registrar was also not available to comment when contacted.

Now it is to be seen whether RGU takes up any alternative measures to give a onetime weaver to the backlogged students considering on first batch semester system as the system was newly introduced then, else many students will see their dream of getting graduate will get shattered.

Dr. S.M Singh, SMO, SG, Medical officer in-charge, PHC, Kharsang as another resource person.

Many ASHA workers from the Kharsang circle have attended the training where the uses of bivalent kits for detection of PV and PF Malaria were imparted. Uses of slides and blood samples were also imparted to the ASHA worker so that they will be well equipped

where the medical attention is highly needed especially in outskirt of the town where there is no motor able roads.

In such areas, the ASHA workers can save many lives, where the doctors cannot reach with require medicines and equipments. They were taught how to take blood samples of a person on a slide and store them carefully for further lab test for detection of Vector borne diseases.

Various schemes included in District Annual Development Agenda ET Correspondent Roing, Mar 11: Schemes for improvement of Health, Education, Water Supply, Road, Drainage System and Power among other sectors figure in the District Annual Development Agenda (DADA) for Lower Dibang Valley District for the year 2016-17.

Ravi Dhawan, Deputy Commissioner while reviewing the proposals submitted by various departments for District Annual Development Agenda in his office chamber on Thursday asked the Heads of the Departments to avoid any duplicity and to submit innovative schemes/projects to be included in the State Annual Development Agenda (SADA). He further asked them to submit those proposals that had not been figure in any other project previously.

Gum Tayeng, MLA Dambuk

mooted for repairing and carpeting of Dambuk Helipad citing it urgently requires as the Pilots refused to land in Dambuk Helipad due to its poor pavement. She also proposed for construction of approach road to Model Degree College at Jemi-Notko and boundary wall around the Muga farm at 10 km point in order to prevent encroachment of the govt land.

Major proposed works included Construction of Concrete Cement Road for remaining 36 km of Roing Township Road, Complete Drainage System for Roing township, Repairing and Carpeting of Roing &Dambuk Helipad, Boundary Wall for Roing Helipad, 50 Bedded Hospital and Boundary Wall for District Hospital, PHC Building at Iduli and Bolung, Approach Road to Model Degree College at

JemiNotko and Boundary Wall for the proposed College area, Tapping of ground water to supply drinking water to those schools where there is no water supply facility, MDM Shed with provision for roof water harvesting, Repairing of Dambuk&Hunli Township roads, Installation of High Mast Light in important locations of the Roing township and the check gates, New Power Feeder for new Dambuk ADC Office Building, Mortuary for District Hospital, New Emporium for Textile & Handicraft, An Ornamental Aquarium at Sally Lake, Cardamom Nursery at Desali, etc.

SipiElapraLinggi, ZPC also participated in the meeting. M Dirchi, District Planing Officer initiated the DADA meeting wherein HoDs of various departments attended and submitted their proposals. DIPRO

Abbot of Tawang Monastery called on the Governor JP Rajkhowa here at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar today.

A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Mar 11: His Eminence Guru Rimpoche, the Abbot of Tawang Monastery called on the Governor JP Rajkhowa here at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar today.

It was a courtesy call.

Pema Khandu, MLA, Mukto, Secretary, Tawang Monastery, Lama Losang Thapgey, and Lama Tenzin Gensen accompanied the Abbot.

They briefed him on the proposed Torgya Festival and Tawang Festival.

Sharing his experience of his visit to Tawang Monastery, the Governor

wished that the largest monastery in India and second largest in the world after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, may be covered under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) by the Ministry of Tourism.

He also emphasised on improvement of road network and power supply in Tawang for the overall benefit of the local populace and tourists.

The Governor advised for developing and strengthening tourism related infrastructure in the District

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

PAGE 4 Arup Kalita as CPI candidate for Lakhimpur LAC ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Mar 11: The Lakhimpur District body of Communist Party of India today projected, advocate Arup Kalita as MLA candidate for Lakhimpur Legislative Assembly Constituency for the ensuing Assam Assembly Poll2016.

The party today held a meeting, presided over by social activist Mahim Dutta in order to frame electioneering strategy to win the seat. District Secretary Shubheswar Phukan, President of Krishak Sabha Bhuban Gogoi, Secretary of Krishak Shramik Sangha Haren Baruah, Secretary of Nirman Shramik Sangha Babul Ali were among those who were present in the meeting.

Special jury prize awarded to H.P.B. Girls' College ET Correspondent Golaghat, Mar 11: The drama team from H.P.B. Girls' College, one of the prominent higher educational institutions of Golaghat, was awarded special jury prize in the street play competition organized by School of Social Sciences, Kaziranga University, Jorhat.

The event was held to commemorate International Women's day on March 8. The play ' Our Sky' enacted by the students of the college poignantly explored challenges and aspirations of women from 18th century Assam to the post-colonial age.

IX-Para Olympic to be held at Jorhat ET Correspondent Jorhat, Mar 11: The Para-Olympic Association is organizing a day long 9th Para-State Olympic at the premises of the Assam Agriculture University (AAU) Jorhat campus on March 13th next.

Altogether over 500 players are expected to take part from throughout the state of Assam.

Events like swimming, athletic, power lifting, badminton, table tennis will be in action throughout the day followed by prize distribution by the evening hours, informed Samiran Bordoloi, President of ParaOlympic Association of Assam here today.

5 persons arrested in armed raid at Margherita ET Correspondent Margherita, Mar 11: Margherita Excise and Lekhapani Police today jointly conducted an armed raid at 2 Number Toklong, 3 Number Udaipur and 4 Mile area under Lekhapani Police Station where 5 cases were detected during the raid and 5 persons were arrested.

According to source, total 2500 Litres F/W, 280 Litres I/D, 40 numbers of 180 ML Indian made foreign liquor meant for sale at Arunachal Pradesh were seized and cases were registered against all accused Under Section 53(1) A and 53(1) D of Assam Excise Act. (Correspondent)

Court releases 2 Indian Army BJP volunteers protests to revive men from Jorhat Central Jail the party candidate of Bokajan ET Correspondent Jorhat, Mar 11: Two army man from the Indian Army Intelligence Corps were released from the Jorhat Central Jail after the District Session Judge Court granted them bail for being employee of the Indian Army.

They were Lt. Toshik J Kaba an IMA product who hails from Chunthia village of Nagaland while Probin Viravabe a jawan who is the PSO to Toshik and hails from Dima Hasao of Assam. Both were from Intelligence Corps of the 3 Core of Army Headquarter based at Dimapur in Nagaland.

It may be mentioned that, the two army men along with five others were sent to Jorhat Central Jail who allegedly entered into an Assam village in Mariani Seuji gaon under Mariani Police Station in Upper Assam Jorhat district on March 9th at broad day light.

All seven was booked under section 447/143/448/ 387/506 of the IPC and R/ W section 25 (1/a) under Arms Act. The seven member group entered into Seuji gaon in Dessoi Valley with two dif-

ferent vehicles along with arms and ammunitions. The police recovered two 9mm pistols and 11 rounds of ammunition which was the service pistol of both the army men. Further investigation is on form five others who were suspected to be NSCN cadres who are still in the jail, they were Anungba Ayair who hails from Chunthia village under Mokokchung district, W Bandang from Aokham village under Mokokchung district, R.Bandang Ayair who hails from Aokham village, Phsanshi Ayair Aokham and Chirukang Ayair from Chunthia village.

Gogoi blames Mahanta for 'secret killings' in Assam A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 11: Raking up the allegations of secret killings during former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's tenure in Assam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the poll alliance between AGP and BJP was "opportunistic".

"Secret killings during Mahanta's rule was a blot on Assam's history and both the AGP in the state and BJPled NDA government at the Centre during that period were equally responsible for the killing of innocent people," Gogoi told reporters here.

"Mahanta is responsible for the secret killings and it could not have been possible without the support of the Central government

where the NDA was in power then," the chief minister said.

The period of Mahanta's second term in office and the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre was the worst phase in Assam's history "when the state bled both in terms of law and order and financially," he said.

Gogoi said that his government had failed to identify the culprits, but stopped all such killings.

Secret killings in Assam are referred to the killing of relatives, friends and sympathisers of ULFA militants by unidentified assailants between 1998 and 2001.

Gogoi further accused the AGP and the BJP of being power hungry and entering

into an "opportunistic alliance to serve their selfish aspirations."

Mahanta had said in a statement after his party and the BJP entered into an alliance that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "not delivered on Assam's promises" and then why did his party join hands with the BJP, Gogoi asked.

"I keep saying that Modi has failed to deliver, but now his own alliance partner is saying the same thing. So this proves that both our allegations are correct," he said.

"Mahanta and the AGP have ignored regional interests and have sacrificed the regional interest for their self interest," Gogoi added.

1164 total polling centres in 6 LACs in Barpeta district ET Correspondent Barpeta, Mar 11: The Election Commission of India has already declared the election Code and conduct in Barpeta district also along with the rest the places of the state.

In 6 LACs under Barpeta election district there will be a total of 1164 polling centres.

Among those in No 40 Sarbhog LAC there are a total of 231 polling centres among those 39 polling centres are high sensitive, 85 are sensitive and 107 are comparatively safe.

In 43 Barpeta LAC there are 213 total polling centres among those 6 are high sensitive and 73 are sensitive and 134 are identified as safe.

In No 44 Jania LAC there are a total of 194 polling centres, among those 129 are sensitive and 65 are identified as safe.

In No 45 Baghbar LAC among the total of 160 polling centres 79 are sensitive and 81 are

identified as safe polling centres.

In no 46 Sarukshetry LAC among the total of 214 polling centres 4 are high sensitive, 66 sensitive and 144 are comparatively safe. And No 47 Chenga LAC among the total 152 polling centres 8 are high sensitive, 75 are sensitive and 69 are identified as safe.

In the entire 6 LACs of the district the total number of voters are 9, 92,065, among them 5, 18,303 are male and 4, 73,762 are female voters. There are a total of 20,501 D’ voters in the entire 6 constituencies of the district.

It may be mentioned that in No 40 Sarbhog LAC there are 194489 total voters among them 10,2133 are male and 92,356 are female voters and 7258 are D’ voters.

In No 43 Barpeta LAC, the total of 180608 voters, 93205 are male and 87403 are female and 1140 are D’ voters. In NO 44 Jania LAC among the total

173326 voters 91131 are male, 82195 are female and 5828 are D’ voters. In No 45 Baghbar Lac among the total of 146357 total voters 75775 are male, 70582 are female and 2954 are D’ voters.In 46 Sarukshetry LAC among the total of 174910 voters 91805 are male, 83105 are female and 1656 are D’ voters. And in No 47 Chenga LAC among the total of 122375 voters 64254 are male, 58121 are female and 1665 are D’ voters. After the declaration of the electoral code and conduct the political leaders cannot put any posters banners any advertisement for election. And to continue the election works properly different cells are made to control and observe everything. Different persons were engaged to do the works of electoral code and conduct. Already the process of engaging presiding officers, polling officer , polling agent and workers is also going on full in suing informed by the District Informations and Public Relations department here Barpeta.

Congress candidates file nominations for two RS seats A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 11: Congress candidates Ripun Borah and Ranee Narah on today filed their nominations for the two Rajya seats in Assam which will fall vacant next month.

While Borah was the former state Education minister, Narah was a Union minister in the previous UPA government.

Bora will be the party's first preference candidate and Narah will be the second preference candidate.

The duo filed their nominations before the Assam Legislative Assembly's Principal Secretary M K Deka, an Assembly spokesperson said.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Assam Pradesh Congress Chief Anjan Dutta were also present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister claimed that both the candidates will sail through as the Congress enjoys an absolute majority in the state assembly with more than 80 MLAs to vote for the party nominees.

The Congress currently has 69 MLAs in the 126-member house with nine of its former members, who joined the BJP last year, disqualified from the Assembly.

Elections to the Rajya Sabha were necessitated following the scheduled retirement of two Congress members Naznin Faruque and Pankaj Bora on April two next.

Bora, who had represented Gohpur Assembly constituency for two terms since 2001, was the state education minister from 2006 but was removed after he was arrested by CBI in connection with a bribery case

2008.

Bora was accused of attempting to bribe CBI officials in connection with the killing of Daniel Toppo, a political opponent.

He was subsequently discharged in both the bribery and the murder cases. His wife Monika Bora went on to represent the Gohpur assembly constituency in 2011 assembly polls.

Former Union Minister Ranee Narah in the UPA II government had lost the last Lok Sabha polls from Lakhimpur to Union Minister and BJP Chief Minister candidate in Assam Sarbananda Sonowal.

While the last date of filing nominations for the polls is on Friday, scrutiny will be held tomorrow, withdrawal on March 14 and polling will be held on March 21 next. PTI

ET Correspondent Bokajan, Mar 11: A day after BJP released the list of 88 candidates for the upcoming electoral battle, a group of BJP volunteers protested in Bokajan over the party's decision to field Dr. Numal Momin from 17 – Bokajan (ST) Constituency.

The irate protesters burnt the effigy of the party's CM candidate Sarbananda Sonowal and Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma. Dozens of disgruntled party workers expressed displeasure at considering Dr. Momin as the party candidate sidelining senior party leaders.

It needs to be mentioned here that Dr. Momin was of late holding the post of Associate Professor in Department of Medicine of Guwahati Medical College.

BJP volunteers protested in Bokajan over the party's decision to field Dr. Numal Momin from 17- Bokajan (ST) Constituency.

Another set of BJP volunteers gave a warm welcome to Dr. Momin at the party's office here late Thrusday evening. Reaching out to the gathering for support, the

candidate vowed to work for the development of the entire constituency irrespective of communities in all respect.

The BJP party ticket aspir-

ants from the 17 Bokajan (ST) Constituency are Rajendra Rongpi, Raton Engti, Baburam Bey, Nirmal Nunisa, Jogeswar Shyam among others.

Two Influential Poll Observers Congress leader file arrives at Jorhat nomination

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Mar 11: Senior Congress leader and former cabinet minister Ripun Bora and Ranee Narah today filed their nominations for the two Rajya seats in Assam which will fall vacant next month.

Narah was a Union minister in the previous UPA government. Bora will be the party's first preference candidate and Narah will be the second.

The duo filed their nominations before the Assam Legislative Assembly's Principal Secretary MK Deka, an Assembly spokesperson said.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Assam Pradesh Congress president Anjan Dutta were also present on the occasion. The Chief Minister claimed that both the candidates will sail through as the Congress will enjoy an absolute majority in the state assembly with more than 80 legislators to vote for the party nominees.

The Congress currently has 69 legislators in the 126member house with nine of its former members, who joined the BJP last year were disqualified from the Assembly.

Elections to the Rajya Sabha were necessitated following the scheduled retirement of two Congress members Naznin Faruque and Pankaj Bora on April 2.

Ripun Bora, who had represented Gohpur Assembly constituency for two terms since 2001, was the state education minister from 2006 but was removed after he was arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a bribery case 2008.

He was accused of attempting to bribe CBI officials in connection with the killing of Daniel Toppo, a political opponent.

Mr Bora was subsequently discharged in both the bribery and the murder cases.

Former Union Minister Ranee Narah in the UPA II government had lost the last Lok Sabha polls from Lakhimpur to Union Minister and BJP Chief Minister candidate in Assam Sarbananda Sonowal.

While the last date of filing nominations for the polls is today, scrutiny will be held tomorrow, withdrawal on March 14 and polling will be held on March 21 next.

All Hindu Yuva Chatra Parishad burns effigy of MP Rameshwar Teli and demands public apology Spl Correspondent.

Tinsukia, Mar 11: Citing the conversation of BJP MP Rameshwar Teli as communal, All Hindu Yuva Chatra Parishad burned his effigy here at Thana Charali on Saturday.

All Hindu Yuva Chatra Parishad organizing Secretary, Lalan Sahani said, the

people of Dibrugarh constituency voted for Rameshwar Teli considering him as a good candidate. However, his telephonic conversation with a person calling him for ticket purpose that has appeared in media his highly objectionable and we demand him to give a public apology.

Illegal Sawmill Grows In Dergaon Beat Area ET Correspondent Dergaon, Mar 11: There has been growing a great number of illegal sawmill within Dergaon Beat area for few months back. The Dergaon Beat officer is of intentional negligence in resisting the growing illegal sawmill within the region. The socially responsible organizations of the region are playing the role of a blind croco in protesting against the illegal sawmills. In spite of frequent public complaint received time to time, the Dergaon Beat officer keeps aside those public complaints only with the strength of re-

ciprocal understanding with a few socially responsible public organizations.

Commissionary understanding with the owners of illegal sawmills is the reason why the illegal sawmills at Ganakpukhuri, Missamora, Desoi, Sawguri, Kakodunga, Vokotgaon, Hansora, Dadhora, Joraguri Rangamati etc. are even today in high scale business on sawing wood without permit. Deforestation caused due to running illegal sawmills damages the monkey home available in local jungles which is a serious concern of the region for a few couple of years.

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Mar 11: The expenditure observers arrived at Jorhat to witness the expenditure war as the prestigious Jorhat Assembly poll is likely to witness heavy expenditure tag of war between Congress, BJP, NCP, as there are several leaders to contest for the upcoming in Assam.

The Congress heavy weights are like-Tarun Gogoi, Rupjyoti Kurmi, Membor Gogoi, and Rana Goswami who will be contesting.

BJP heavy weights like Sarbananda Sonowal, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Hiten Goswami and from AGP, former deputy Speaker, Renupoma Rajkhowa, while another heavy weight from NCP party is Alok Ghosh.

The expenditure observer Mr. Promud Kumar, an Indian Revenue Service 2011 batch who is presently serving as the assistant Commissioner of Income Tax Dept. of Lucknow.

Sensitization of Electors to increase voter’s turnout in Kamrup ET Correspondent Rangia, Mar 11: The Kamrup Election District under the leadership of DEO Vinod Seshan has planned several innovative ideas to increase the voter’s turnout by motivating the electors particularly the youth and women throughout the four LACs of Boko, Chaigaon, Palasbari and Hajo and to ensure greater participation for a stronger democracy. As a part of this plan the following activities have planned for implementation at the field level for awareness and sensitization of electors of this election district.

As a part of this, banners for sensitization of electors will be displayed in all prominent places of the four LACs. Street Play focusing on enrolment and casting of votes will be held at Boko LAC on March 15 and 19, Chaygaon LAC on March 16 and 20, Palasbari LAC on March 17 and 21 and at Hajo LAC the street play will be organized on March 18 and 22 next.

Voters slip will be distributed to all voters before the date of poll through concerned Block Level Officers in all LACs. Special awareness drive will be organised in local colleges focusing on enrolment and casting of votes.

As per schedule these campaign in colleges will be held at Boko LAC on March 17 and 21 next, Chaygaon LAC on March 18 and 22, Palasbari LAC on March 19 and 25 and at Hajo LAC on March 20 and 26 next.

Besides, sensitization through arranging Gaon Sabha will be done at Boko, Chay gaon, Palasbari and Hajo LACs from March 27 to 30 respectively. Besides, appeal of District Election Officer will be distributed house to house and bulk SMS will also be sent to electors of all the LACs of Kamrup.

Apart from this, initiative has taken for playing of theme song and DEOs appeal through Public Address System throughout the District of Kamrup.

Gogoi slammed Central Government Contd. from Page 1

The Congress currently has 69 legislators in the 126member house with nine of its former members, who joined the BJP last year, disqualified from the Assembly.

Elections to the Rajya Sabha were necessitated following the scheduled retirement of two Congress members Naznin Faruque and Pankaj Bora on April 2.

Ripun Bora, who had represented Gohpur Assembly constituency for two terms since 2001, was the state education minister from 2006 but was removed after he was arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a bribery case 2008.

He was accused of attempting to bribe CBI officials in connection with the killing of Daniel Toppo, a political opponent.

Mr Bora was subsequently discharged in both the bribery and the murder cases. His wife Monika Bora went on to represent the Gohpur assembly constituency in 2011 assembly polls.

Former Union Minister Ranee Narah in the UPA II government had lost the last Lok Sabha polls from Lakhimpur to Union Minister and BJP Chief Minister candidate in Assam Sarbananda Sonowal.

While the last date of filing nominations for the polls is today, scrutiny will be held tomorrow, withdrawal on March 14 and polling will be held on March 21 next.

REGION

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

PAGE 5

NGT demands names ‘Take permission before using KHADC funds for by-polls’ of 20 mine owners

NGT demands names of 20 mine owners Shillong, Mar 11: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has set a precondition to the State government to provide the names of as many as 20 mine owners, whose mines are being used for illegal extraction of coal, before fulfilling the demand of the government to extend the date of payment of royalty till April 15.

A five member Bench of the NGT will hear the matter on the next date of hearing scheduled for March 15.

Earlier, a deadline of May 15 was set by the NGT to complete the whole process of transportation of already extracted coal.

A hearing on the request of the Meghalaya government to extend the date for payment of royalty was held in Delhi on Thursday, but the Tribunal wanted the names of the mine owners to be provided on the next date of hearing.

Supreme Court lawyer and counsel for the State government, Ranjan Mukherjee, informed over phone from Delhi that the NGT wanted the complete names and addresses of the miners whose mines are being used for carrying out illegal mining of coal before taking a decision on the extension of date for payment of royalty.

Mukherjee said the Tribunal did not want the names of drivers and carriers of coal, but those mine owners who are responsible for carrying out illegal mining.

Mukherjee also asked the State government to complete the exercise of identifying the miners and keeping their names ready.

According to Mukherjee, since the matter is serious, a Bench consisting of five members will hear the matter on Tuesday at 10:30 AM as the first item.(Agencies)

Manipur CM faces dissidence

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh Imphal, Mar 11: After Arunachal Pradesh, it is now the turn of Manipur's Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to face dissidence -- with over 25 party legislators up in arms.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the Congress bagged 42 seats in the 60member house, a record in Manipur.

The dissidents in the Congress have served an ultimatum to Ibobi Singh, asking them to either induct them in the ministry or face the music.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has summoned Ibobi Singh to New Delhi for discussions.

For months, the dissidents had been demanding a major reshuffle so that they could be inducted after dropping the present ministers.

This time the dissidents are understood to have hinted they may join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if their demands were not conceded.

Said state BJP president Thounaojam Chaoba: "We have a long list of the Congress members who are seeking admission to the party. We may

come out with the detailed list soon."

Ibobi Singh has been in power for 14 long years, and Congress dissidents say the wind in the state now favours the BJP. A dissident said: "At the time of installing the last ministry, Ibobi Singh assured us that the present ministers will be in power for two and a half years, after which new faces will be inducted.

"This time, we may look for greener pastures.

There is no charm remaining merely as legislators."

Sonia Gandhi has reportedly taken a serious note of the demands of the dissidents, whose number is said to be increasing.

Most of them are camping in New Delhi seeking an audience with her.

A senior Manipur minister, however, said that a major reshuffle was easier said than done.

According to him, there were some tribal ministers who cannot be replaced. Besides, there were 11 ministers excluding the chief minister, and it will be no easy task to select new ministers.

Manipur goes to the polls in February 2017.(Agencies)

Shillong, Mar 11: Opposition Leader Donkupar Roy (UDP) has exposed the ‘dilemma’ the State government is facing on the conduct of the upcoming KHADC bypolls while Congress legislator and KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem asked the government to get the nod of the district council before allotting funds for conduct of polls or for any other purpose.

During the Question Hour on Thursday, Syiem said that it is a wrong precedent to use the funds of district councils to conduct the council polls without the knowledge of the KHADC. The KHADC CEM also asserted that the government cannot spend a single paisa from the

KHADC without getting clearance from the council.

In reply, District Council Affairs Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh said the government will examine the past precedent of not seeking nod from the Council before using funds of the councils.

He said Rs 2 crore will be required to conduct the by-polls.

last year, it is left to the MLAs to decide whether to contest the polls or not.

However, Roy pointed out the dangers of returning officers rejecting the nominations of MLAs who desire to contest the district council polls in the absence of any clarity.

At this juncture, Syiem wanted to know from the government the reason behind the resignation of the seven MLAs from the post of MDC. Without making clear the reason, the District Council Affairs minister said that as per district council rules, once the MDCs resign the seats remain vacant, while adding that the reason for resignation has no relevance.

However, Syiem pointed out that the minister was unwilling to give any answer regarding the matter.

Saleng Sangma (Independent) pointed out certain clauses which mention that in the event of the resignation of MDCs, election should not be held as the runners up will automatically become the members of district councils.

However, the minister gave a different interpretation by saying that this applies only when a person contests and wins two seats and vacates one of them.

With varied interpretations emanating, Speaker A.T. Mondal asked the government to come out clear on the matter.(Agencies)

Nagaland students’ body rejects Govt’s plea, adheres to demands

Labourers assaulted by suspected NSCN (IM) militants

Kohima, Mar 11: The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has rejected the state government’s March 7 letters in response to the ultimatum issued against irregularity in the functioning of the department of higher and technical education.

In a reply to the state government’s response, ANCSU reiterated its earlier demand based on their earlier ultimatum while expressing disappointment that the “letter was very vague and eye washing the entire issue where our genuine grievances were not at-

Earlier, raising a question, Opposition Leader Roy pointed out that with the MLAs not being able to contest the upcoming district council by-polls for the seven vacant seats following the dual post Bill, it would mean that the government is debarring the MLAs from contesting the election if the Election Commission

tended.” The state government had maintained in its response that the “vigilance commission in its investigation report, had not pointed out any specific wrong doing on the part of any particular official in connection with the conduct of AIPMT and NSPMT 2014 and other connected issues in the management of technical education department, nor has it recommended punitive action against any specific officer.”

It also said the demand for amalgamation of the technical education department and higher edu-

Opposition Leader Donkupar Roy (UDP) does not find anything wrong with MLAs holding the post of MDCs. The issue related to office of profit is still pending with the Election Commission.

To a question, the District Council Affairs minister said it is up to the

cation would be examined and studied in depth by the government and “appropriate decision taken in public interest, and without any prejudice to anyone.”

The state government also maintained that it is the existing policy to allow only indigenous tribes of Nagaland to appear for entrance test for technical and allied courses under the state reserved quota, which it said will be implemented more strictly and more effectively with effect from the next entrance test.

The ANCSU responded

MLAs to contest the council by-polls.

According to Lyngdoh, before the dual post Bill came into effect, there was no bar on the MLAs from contesting the district council polls, but after the Bill came into effect from October 1

that based on the finding of the vigilance commission report, the whole imbroglio which dragged for more than two years was created by the concerned responsible officer or official. It therefore reiterated its demand for punitive action instead of conveying regret and tendering an apology.

On the issue of amalgamation, the college students’ union said the “government need not have any prejudicial apprehension in the interest of student welfare in particular and public interest at large since it (the

amalgamation) is quite viable for Nagaland at large.” On the issue of entrance test meant specifically for indigenous tribes, ANCSU said it was beyond their understanding why, despite an existing policy, “every year and then, the nonindigenous tribes of Nagaland get a berth in the state reserved quota.”

In light of the above reasons, ANCSU asserted that it reaffirm its stance to seek justice in the interest of students’ welfare and continue with own course of action till justice is delivered.

(Agencies)

Home minister orders inquiry Shillong, Mar 11: With the allegation of State police personnel wearing auctioned Myanmar uniforms bought from Bara Bazar, Home Minister Roshan Warjri on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the matter.

It was while moving a motion on the failure of the government to promote the welfare of the police department that John Leslee Sangma (Independent) pointed out that police personnel were found wearing different kinds of uniforms and the glaring fact is that many have been using auctioned uniforms from Myanmar which are available in the market.

However, the Home min-

Home Minister Roshan Warjri ister in her reply assured the House that as the police personnel have to wear a particular colour of uniform, wearing of auctioned uniforms was a serious matter and the issue will be inquired into.

The Independent legislator pointed out that in the absence of identical uni-

forms for police personnel, militants can take advantage of the situation.

The legislator also raised the issue of the State government not paying the compensation for holiday forgone by the police personnel, who engage in duty even during holidays.

Sangma pointed out that earlier, Rs 2,500 was given as compensation to the police personnel for the holiday foregone, but the government had stopped the facility in 2014-15.

The Home minister countered, saying compensation for holiday foregone has already been paid and for the year 2015-16, the government is considering the payment.

Replying to other issues raised by Sangma, the Home minister said the issue of police officers taking money from Sumos plying from Guwahati to Tura will be probed.

“We will ensure that such harassment or abuse of

power by the police is stopped,” the Home minister assured.

On the need for requisition of vehicles, the Home minister said that more vehicles will be purchased for the mobility of police personnel, who otherwise, have to requisition private vehicles and taxis.

Earlier, while moving the motion, Sangma stressed the need to provide better housing facilities for the police personnel besides up gradation of their barracks, police stations and arms, training programmes, and appointment of cooks among other welfare measures to empower the police personnel in the State.(Agencies)

Tripura to erect electrified fencing to confine elephants Agartala, Mar 11: With a view to reduce man-elephant conflict, Tripura government has decided to erect electrified barbed wire fencing that will prevent the animals from straying into human habitations.

Atul Gupta, Chief Wild Life Warden of the state, said that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 24 lakh to put up the wire fencing so that the pachyderms were confined to their reserves.

Asked if the villagers and elephants will be in danger once the electrified fencing comes up, he said, "They will get only electric shock as intended, but no fatality."

Gupta says that there is a plan to involve Joint For-

est Management (JFMCs) and Eco Development Committees (EDCs) to create awareness among villagers about the need for erecting the fence.

Gomati river.

Besides, the Forest Department has decided to arrange for adequate food in the habitat of the elephants by excavating ponds and large-scale plantation of trees in the core area.

"If adequate food is arranged for elephants, they will not stray away, which will go a long way in reducing man-animal conflict," he explained.

The state has 58 elephants, according to the latest survey conducted by the Forest Department. While one herd was spotted at Gomati

Gupta said that a large number of elephants had migrated to the Chittagong hill tracts in Bangladesh from the Gomati Wild Life Sanctuary.

With the loss of their habitat, the elephants started migrating to Bangladesh where forests were abundant.

Tripura to erect electrified fencing to confine elephants

district's Gandhari area, another, a big one, was found at Atharamura hill range in Dhalai district.

The state government set up an elephant reserve at Gandhari in Gomati district for better conservation of the jumbos, whose population was dwindling in the state.

The reserve is spread

over 123.8 sq km area.

Just 30 to 40 years ago, elephants had never been seen in inhabited areas in Agartala, forest officials said. The pachyderms started invading human habitations after the cutting down of forests for construction of a hydel power project on the

There was a time, according to British surveyor John Hunter's report, when elephants outnumbered humans in the kingdom during the colonial times and it was the reason why the colonizers did not consider taking administrative control of the region.(PTI)

Imphal, Mar 11: Suspected NSCN (IM) militants on Thursday beat up 11 labourers at Heirok Part-2, some 33 km from here, a senior police officer said.

The unprovoked assault on the labourers were carried out by heavily armed suspected NSCN (IM) militants numbering around 15, the officer said.

The assaulted labourers, hailing from Heirok village and belonging to one ethnic group, were engaged in repair work of a dam damaged during last year's massive flooding in Thoubal district, the sources said.

One of the assaulted labourers was rushed to Imphal for treatment as his condition had deteriorated, the officer said.

The place is the Assembly constituency of Manipur s education minister Moirangthem Okendro.

In another incident, suspected militants on Thursday robbed valuables and mobile phones from some teachers of a local school when they were visiting a park, police said.

In the second incident, some teachers of Heirok Higher Secondary School, who visited a tourist park for leisure, near the dam site, were robbed of Rs 2 lakh while six mobile phones were forcibly taken away by the same group of militants elsewhere in the district, another police officer said.

The militants also fired around six rounds at a motor boat kept at the park which is under construction.

On hearing about the incidents, large number of people from Heirok came and picked up around 20 persons returning to their homes towards the villages on the suspicion of they being involved with the NSCN (IM).

The detained 20 persons were not harmed and later rescued by a large Police force and arrangements are on to escort them safely to their home, officials said.

(Agencies)

4 smugglers held with weapons at Churachandpur Imphal, Mar 11: Four arms smugglers were apprehended by troops of 26 Assam Rifles during a regular frisking of vehicles in front of Churachandpur Behiang Check Post on Thursday, the police said.

One M-16 Carbine and a magazine of 5.56 mm were recovered from them.

The smugglers were coming in a vehicle when they were stopped and checked by the Assam Rifles personnel near MizoramManipur interstate border, the police said.

The four persons were identified as S Khupkhansiam (52), Liannou Same (25), Sunliangthang (30) and Kapkhantup (28). They have been handed over to Singhat Police station, the police said.(Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

PAGE 6

Sri Sri event row: Centre assures damage control in case of harm to environment New Delhi, Mar. 11 : Admitting that a large scale event as World Cultural Festival organised by the Art of Living foundation could have an impact on the environment, Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma on Friday said that a solution can always be procured if such a problem crops up.

the environment but there are always solutions to such things," Sharma told ANI. Asserting that the event must go on in any circumstance, he said that the location of the event was a matter for the law and order to be concerned with and added that the proceedings in the case must go on uninterrupted.

"India's strength lies in its diverse culture and we want to take that to the corners of the world which is why this event is so helpful. So, there should be no debates on it. Yes, there can be issues on the location and the impact it can have on

"In no case must anyone raise objections towards the intent of the function but some people are still politicising the event. I completely support the concern towards the environment but I also back such events, which pro-

NGT tells AOL to deposit fine within three weeks - The tribunal accepts undertaking given by the foundation.

- The NGT tells the foundation that if anybody hurts the image of the tribunal, they would take it to a logical conclusion as per rule of law.

- The NGT asks the AOL if it was correct that its founder made a statement that you will not pay Rs. five crores fine and rather go to jail.

- Reacting to the statement made by Sri Sri, the NGT says such a statement is not expected from a person of high stature like that of AOL founder.

- The NGT warns the foundation not to make the tribunal a subject of controversy.

- The AOL tells the tribunal that they have permission from the fire department.

The NGT had on Wednesday cleared the three-day festival on the Yamuna floodplains but rebuked the organizers and the government for failing to take enough precaution to protect the venue's ecosystem.

(ANI)

Centre to introduce eboarding cards soon PEDs and it is currently being scrutinised by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security for clearance, an official said. Other airports like Delhi and Mumbai are also developing their own systems.

Centre to introduce eboarding cards soon New Delhi, Mar 11: After Hyderabad, Bengaluru airport may be the next in the country to have its own e-boarding card system.

It has already developed a system that allows flyers to display their eboarding cards on their

mote the cultural diversity of the country," Sharma said.

ance amount within three weeks to which the NGT accepted.

Earlier the NGT had set a strict deadline for the Art of Living to pay the fine by Thursday evening. However, since the organisation failed to do so, the deadline was extended.

Meanwhile, the Art of Living told the tribunal that it can deposit Rs. 25 lakhs today and the bal-

The NGT also told the foundation that if anybody hurts the image of the tribunal, they would

The Art of Living (AOL) foundation conveyed to the NGT today that it needs a month's time to

Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma

NGT tells AOL to deposit fine within three weeks

New Delhi, Mar.11 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday told Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living (AOL) foundation's to deposit Rs. 25 lakhs today and the balance amount of the penalty of Rs. five crores issued for the World Culture Festival within three weeks.

Here are the major developments that took place on Friday: - Art of Living tells the tribunal that it can deposit Rs. 25 lakhs today and the balance amount within three weeks. The NGT accepts it.

- The NGT tells AOL if they fail to pay up then the tribunal will attach the grant which Culture Ministry is supposed to pay to AOL. The next hearing is scheduled for April 4.

- The NGT asks the foundation the amount of money which it can deposit today? 'It's not a penalty but environment compensation', the NGT said.

- The NGT says all authorities (CBCB, DPCC, MOEF) have to ensure no pollution is spread in Yamuna.

take it to a logical conclusion as per rule of law.

A day after the NGT set a deadline for the Art of Living to pay a fine of Rs. five crore over the organisation of World Cultural Festival, the NGT extended the deadline till Friday.

Sources said congested airport terminals, like Delhi's 1D, want to link time of flight departure to the e-boarding card system. "Given the paucity of space at the security hold area, the airport managements want only fleyrs whose flights are due in the next hour or so to be allowed in," said the official.

pay the five-crore penalty, as it was a charitable organisation.

However, the NGT expressed its displeasure over the spiritual guru's statement that he 'will go to prison but not pay the fine' and said such a statement was not expected from a person with such high stature.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had earlier said that he would rather go to jail than pay the fine imposed by NGT for environmental violations on the floodplains due to massive constructions. He had also said that AOL was not "satisfied" with the verdict of the NGT and would appeal against it. (ANI)

Aadhaar Bill 2016 passed in Lok Sabha New Delhi, Mar. 11 : The Aadhar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill 2016 was passed in the Lok Sabha on Friday after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved the key bill for consideration.

The bill is aimed at giving statutory backing for transferring government subsidies and benefits to targeted people.

It also lays down a regulatory framework to protect core biometric information of Aadhaar cardholders from any unauthorised disclosure

or sharing.

The bill is the key to the government's plan to plug leakages in disbursal of subsidies and other services and in ensuring that these reach intended beneficiaries.

Speaking on the Bill, Jaitley said the primary focus of the bill is to make presentation of Aadhar card mandatory for entitlement of government subsidies.

He said that by linking of Aadhaar number with various schemes which comes under subsidy, the government has so far saved Rs. 15,000 crore.

Allaying apprehension of

the Opposition members regarding disclosure of privacy by making Aadhaar mandatory, the Finance Minister said the government has taken care of these issues and data of the concerned persons will not be shared and any unauthorized disclosure of the Aadhaar data will be liable of punishment.

Earlier, Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, objected to the bill being introduced as a money bill, saying the Congress is ready to cooperate on the bill, but it

should not come as a money bill. In response, Jaitley said the bill is substantially different from what the opposition are talking about.

He said the substance of the bill is that whoever gets subsidies, will have to produce Aadhaar.

The bill seeks to provide for good governance, efficient, transparent, and targeted delivery of subsidies, benefits and services, the expenditure for which is incurred from the Consolidated Fund of India to individuals residing in India through assigning of unique identity numbers. (ANI)

I am not an absconder: Vijay Mallya saying: " Once a media witch hunt starts it escalates into a raging fire where truth and facts are burnt to ashes. Let media bosses not forget help, favours, accommodation that I have provided over several years which are documented. Now lies to gain TRP?."

Beleagured businessman, Vijay Mallya New Delhi, Mar 11 : Beleagured businessman Vijay Mallya, who is facing legal proceedings for alleged loan defaults by his group to the tune of over Rs 9,000 crore, today said he is not an absconder and he will comply with the law of the land.

"I am an international businessman. I travel to and from India frequently. I did not flee

from India and neither am I an absconder. Rubbish," Mallya tweeted earlier this morning from an undisclosed location.

He further said: "As an Indian MP I fully respect and will comply with the law of the land. Our judicial system is sound and respected. But no trial by media."

He also sought to shift the blame to the media,

Mallya also questioned news reports that he must declare his assets.

"Does that mean that Banks did not know my assets or look at my Parliamentary disclosures?," he added.

The 60-year-old liquor baron, who is facing legal proceedings for alleged loan defaults of Rs 9,000 crore by his group, left the country on March 2, even as banks have approached the courts to seek orders restraining him from going abroad.

While he remained silent

on his whereabouts, reports said the UB Group chairman and Rajya Sabha member is believed to be at his country home in an English village about an hour's drive north of London.

Opposition leaders including Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi have raised questions about how he was allowed to leave the country despite a 'lookout' notice by CBI. On Wednesday, the government told the Supreme Court that Mallya had left India on March 2 following which the bench issued notice to him and sought his response within two weeks on pleas filed by a consortium of banks seeking direction for freezing his passport and his presence before the apex court.(PTI)

National Herald case: Swamy granted permission to access financial details of INC, AJL New Delhi, Mar. 11 : A Delhi court on Friday gave its nod to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy's plea, seeking the balance sheets of Indian National Congress (INC) and Associated Journals Pvt. Ltd (AJL) for the purpose of investigation in the National Herald case.

Swamy had last week approached the Patiala House Courtseeking summoning of certain documents related to the financial details of Congress, AJL and Young Indian Pvt. Ltd. In his application filed before Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen, Swamy had

sought to summon the balance sheet, receipts, income and expenditure statements for assessment years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 of INC, AJL and YI. The court had on February 20 ordered all documents sought by Swamy related to the National Herald case to be sealed till the matter is pending.

The court had on January 11 allowed Swamy's plea, seeking summoning of documents from the Ministries of Finance, Urban Development and Corporate Affairs, Income Tax Department and other agencies in the case.

Meanwhile, the court last month granted exemption to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and three others, including Sam Pitroda, from personal appearance in the National Herald case. Pitroda was also granted bail by the court in this matter.

The court, had in December last year, granted bail to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey, who had appeared after summons were issued.

On June 26, last year, the trial court issued summons to them on Swamy's allegations of 'cheating' in the ac-

quisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) by Young India Ltd (YIL) -- a firm in which Sonia and Rahul own 38 percent stakes each.

The Delhi High Court had in December 2015 rejected their plea and directed them to appear before the trial court.

The case relates to the Indian National Congress granting an interest-free loan of Rs. 90.25 crore (USD 13 million) to Associated Journals Limited ( AJL), owner of the National Herald newspaper which was established by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938.

(ANI)

SC dismisses plea seeking direction to use 'Bharat' instead of 'India'

SC dismisses plea seeking direction to use 'Bharat' instead of 'India'

New Delhi, Mar.11 : TheSupreme Court on Friday dismissed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to use 'Bharat' instead of 'India' by the Union Government and states, saying that it was not right to bring all kinds of emotional issues to the court.

Chief Justice of India, Justice T.S. Thakur, while dismissing the plea, told the petitioner not to bring all kinds of emotional issues to the court in the name of public interest.

Justice Thakur also said

that those who want to call the nation as India will call it India, and those who want to call it Bharat will call it Bharat.

The apex court had last year in April issued notices to the central and state governments seeking their response to a PIL seeking to use 'Bharat' instead of 'India' for all 'official and unofficial purposes'.

The PIL, filed by a petitioner identified as Niranjan Bhatwal, also sought to restrain the use of 'India' for governmental purposes. (ANI)

'Iran, India can cooperate to fight terrorism' Tehran, Mar 11: Tehran and New Delhi can play a crucial role in fighting terrorism, Iran's secretary of Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei said.

"Iran and India can play a crucial role in fighting terrorism through strategic cooperation," Rezaei said in a meeting with Indian Ambassador to Iran Saurabh Kumar on Thursday.

He reiterated that both the countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and they should adopt a new outlook in a bid to broaden their bi-

lateral ties and pave the way for boosting cooperation.

The Indian ambassador said: "While strengthening the anti-terrorism dialogue, we should begin fight against terrorists."

He proposed that Iran and India should play an effective role in going to war on terrorism through strategic cooperation.

"We are also emphasizing that the economic, cultural and also independent relations between the two countries should be strengthened," Kumar said.

Kejriwal pens open letter to Haryana New Delhi, Mar 11: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote an open letter to residents of Haryana on Thursday, asking them to rise above petty politics and rebuild the state in the aftermath of the recent Jat agitation.

While senior party members insisted that there was no political agenda behind the letter, written more than two weeks after the unrest was quelled, its tone and content, targeting both the Centre and Congress, was anything but apolitical. The letter is also addressed by Kejriwal as the Delhi CM, not the AAP convenor.

Kejriwal, who hails from Haryana, establishes his ties with the state early on in the letter. "In this hour of grief, I, your brother and son, am with you all the time," he says.

Using rhetoric that was heard most during the JNU crisis where BJP envoked the army to talk about nationalism, Kejriwal says: At one end, Captain Pawan Kumar from Haryana is fighting terrorists to protect our country and at the other, we are fighting among our-

selves. There is a trust deficit among the common man.

We have to end this fear and mistrust and work towards creating a brotherhood that is built on sacrifice for each other."

Without naming any political party but referring to well known incidents, the Delhi CM draws a binary between AAP and other political parties by referring to "their dirty politics" and how "they will conspire against this feeling of brotherhood".

He says: "Last week we heard that a tape had emerged, implicating a politician from a particular party in instigating the riots.

Someone from another party had asked people to keep sticks ready. The government did nothing. Even the Centre remained blind to these happenings. This is not the time for politics.

This is time to rise above politics and rebuild our Harayana."

Party sources say that teams from the Haryana unit had met Kejriwal and had asked him to address the people who were emerging from days of horrific violence.

Kejriwal pens open letter to Haryana

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

North Korea's Kim Jong-un orders further nuclear Veto in UN Security Council Kashmir tests, threatens to turn US, South Korea 'into ashes' impedes long-standing dispute:Pak

North Korea, Mar 11 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered further nuclear tests, state media says, adding to military tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Pyongyang has issued daily warnings and statements talking up its nuclear strike capabilities since US and South Korean forces began joint military exercises on Monday.

In one statement, it threatened to turn Seoul and Washington into "flames and ashes".

Just days after he was photographed posing in front of what state media described as a miniaturised nuclear warhead, Mr Kim said the weapon required further testing.

Overseeing a ballistic missile launch, Mr Kim ordered "more nuclear explosion tests to estimate the destructive power of the newly produced nuclear warheads", the

Madhes protest:UDMF submits memorandum to PM Kathmandu, Mar. 11 : The agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) leaders on Friday urged Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to address their demands at the earliest.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence, the UDMF submitted a memorandum, including the issues of national concern and the 11-point demand of the Front, to the Prime Minister.

Oli said that the issues of Madhes were the problems of the entire

Madhes protest:UDMF submits memorandum to PM

country and urged the UDMF leaders to find a way out to settle the problems together, reports Kathmandu Post.

The Prime Minister issued the directive after the leaders of the UDMF informed him that those who were injured during the protest were not getting free treatment and the concerned authorities had not yet started a process to withdraw the cases filed against the protesters.

Prime Minister Oli also issued a directive to the concerned authorities to provide free treatment to those injured during the protest and withdraw cases filed against them. (ANI)

North's official KCNA news agency said.

Experts are divided as to just how far the North may have gone in shrinking warheads to a size capable of fitting on a ballistic missile - a major step forward in strike capability that would present a heightened threat to South Korea, other countries in the region and, eventually, the US mainland.

According to KCNA, Thursday's launch of two short-range ballistic missiles, which traversed the eastern part of the country before falling into the East Sea [Sea of Japan], was part of a nuclear strike exercise.

The aim was to simulate conditions for "exploding nuclear warheads from the preset altitude above targets in the ports under enemy control," the agency said.

Watching the exercise, Mr Kim reiterated an earlier threat to launch an imme-

North Korean state media released this image of Kim Jongun, saying it showed him meeting with scientists working on North Korea's nuclear arsenal

diate nuclear attack if the "sabre-rattling" South Korea-US drills should harm "even a single tree or a blade of grass" on North Korean territory.

"I will issue a prompt order to launch attack with all military strike means," he said.

Tensions continue to rise after nuclear test Military tensions on the divided Korean peninsula have been on the rise since

the North carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a longrange rocket launch last month.

South Korea and the United States responded by scaling up their annual joint drills, which Pyongyang has always condemned as provocative rehearsals for invasion.

The North's anger has been fuelled this year by

reports the drills included a "decapitation strike" scenario in which the North Korean leadership and command structure is taken out at the start of any conflict.

The UN Security Council responded to the North's latest nuclear test and rocket launch by adopting tough, new sanctions, which Pyongyang condemned as a "gangsterlike" provocation orchestrated by the United States.

South Korea said the North Korean leader was being "rash" and displaying his ignorance of international opinion.

"The international community is imposing strong

and comprehensive sanctions and this only goes to prove why they are necessary," Unification Ministry spokesperson Jeong Joon-hee said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced grave concerns over the growing tensions, urging North Korea to avoid any further "destabilising acts".

The North has conducted a number of what it said were successful tests of a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

Outside experts have questioned the results of those tests, suggesting Pyongyang had gone little further than a "pop-up" test from a submerged platform.

The international community is imposing strong and comprehensive sanctions and this only goes to prove why they are necessary.

Jeong Joon-hee, South Korean Unification Ministry

US senators strongly oppose taxpayers' money for Pakistani military aid

US senators strongly oppose taxpayers' money for Pakistani military aid

Pakistan, Mar 11 : US senators have strongly opposed the use of taxpayers' money for military aid to Pakistan in USD 700 million sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to the country as they questioned Islamabad's commitment to fight terrorist organisations.

However, for their own political reasons the senators did not approve tabling of a resolution suggesting blocking of sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.

Even though considered to be procedural in nature, the Senate by a vote of 7124 disapproved the move to bypass the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in deciding against sale of F-16 jets to Pakistan, Congressional sources told PTI that the voting of some two-dozen influential senators reflects the strong anti-Pak sentiment prevailing at the Hill.

None of the senators, even though they voted for the motion to disallow tabling of the resolution seeking preventing sale of F-16 to Pakistan, spoke in support of Islamabad.

In fact, cutting across the party line the senators were quick to point towards the "duplicity" behaviour of Pakistan and said in unanimous voice that they would not let Obama Administration to use tax payers' money for the sale of F-16 jets to Pakistan.

In fact, Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has jurisdiction over foreign military sale said that he would not lift the "hold" on the American subsidy for giving fighter jets to Pakistan.

"I continue to oppose any taxpayer dollars being used at this time to support this sale given that Pakistan is providing safe haven to terrorist groups and refusing to target the Haqqani network, which attacks US troops and threatens the future of Afghanistan," Corker said on the Senate floor.

"Prohibiting a taxpayer subsidy sends a muchneeded message to Pakistan that it needs to change its behaviour, but preventing the purchase of US air-

craft would do more harm than good by paving the way for countries like Russia and China to sell to Pakistan while also inhibiting greater cooperation on counterterrorism," Corker said.

Senator Rand Paul, the former Republican presidential candidate, who has moved a resolution against sale of F-16 jets and sought voting invoking the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, alleged Pakistan at best is a frenemy, part friend and a lot enemy.

"If Pakistan truly wants to be our ally, if Pakistan truly wants to help in the war on radical Islam, it should not require a bribe.

It should not require the American taxpayer to subsidise arms sales. They already have 70 F-16s.

They've got an air force of F-16s," he said.

"What what would happen if we didn't send them eight more that we're being asked to pay for?

Maybe they'd listen.

Maybe they would help us.

Maybe they would be an honest broker in the fight against terrorism," he said.

At a time when the US is having a USD 19 trillion in debt, Senator Paul questioned the rationale of using over USD 300 million from the American taxpayer to go to Pakistan to pay for eight new F-16s for Pakistan.

"We don't have enough money to be sending it to Pakistan. I can't in good conscience look away as America crumbles at home and politicians tax us to send the money to corrupt and duplicitous regimes

abroad," Paul said, whose resolution even during a procedural motion received the support of 24 Senators.

"If we move forward with these sales without putting some markers down, I think we potentially not only do damage to holding Pakistan's feet to the fire in terms of the threat of terrorists in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region, but also potentially could do damage to one of the most important relationships our country has, and that is the strategic relationship between the US and India," Senator Mark Warner said.

"I want to commend the leadership of the Foreign Relations Committee for making very clear that even if this sale should go forward, the financing of this sale is still subject to further American review," he said referring to the involvement of terrorists from Pakistan in the Pathankot attack.

"The US can no longer give Pakistan a pass, whether it is actions in the region visa-vis Afghanistan or within their own country but also in terms of their unwillingness to meet India even halfway in terms of trying to bring a greater stability to one of the regions that could potentially be a tinderbox in terms of the border regions between India and Pakistan," he said.

Senator Chris Murphy, Ranking Member of Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counter-terrorism, alleged that Pakistan has been an "unreliable partner" over

the course of the last ten years in the fight against extremism.

"But what I worry more is that these F-16s will provide cover, will provide substitute for truly meaningful action inside Pakistan to take on the roots of extremism. It is frankly too late in many respects to beat these extremist groups if they are so big, so powerful, so deadly that you have to bomb them from the air," he said.

The Pakistanis have done little to nothing to try to reduce the influence of madrasas, religious schools and foreign funding that often breeds intolerant version of religious teaching, he alleged.

"And we let them off the hook in a sense by selling them the weapons systems that will in effect constantly force the Pakistanis to chase their own tail. So I think it's important to understand that the Pakistanis are not making the real meaningful contributions to rooting out extremism and just handing weapons systems on the back end doesn't do the job," Murphy said.

"We've given USD 15 billion to Pakistan over the last decade. And yet their previous president admits that Pakistan armed, aided, and abetted the Taliban," he said.

"You remember the Taliban in Afghanistan that harbored and hosted bin Laden for a decade? Pakistan helped them. Pakistan was one of only two countries that recognised the Taliban," he added.

Saudi Arabia extends 122 million dollar economic aid to Pakistan Islamabad, Mar.11 : Saudi Arabia has extended a financial and economic assistance of 122 million dollars to Pakistan which is the highest amount Riyadh has officially given to Islamabad in the last five years.

The signing ceremony for the grant, which includes a 67 million dollars package, took place the day Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief General Raheel

Sharif were attending the closing ceremony of the multi-nation 'Thunder of the North' military exercise in Saudi Arabia,reports Dawn.

Pakistan is a member of the military alliance of Muslim countries that Saudi Arabia formed late last year to fight terrorism.

The new assistance, though insignificant, can indicate improved economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Paki-

Saudi Arabia extends 122 million dollar economic aid to Pakistan

stan, experts said.

Economic Affairs Divi-

sion (EAD) Secretary Tariq Bajwa and Vice

Chairman and Managing Director of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD )Yousaf Ibrahim al Bassam signed five grant agreements valuing $67 million and a loan agreement of $55 million, according to EAD. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar witnessed the signing ceremony.

However, the commitments were more than $348 million and the rest of the amount could not be disbursed due to multiple reasons.(ANI)

Veto in UN Security Council impedes long-standing Kashmir dispute:Pak

Karachi, Mar.11 : Pakistan has said that the use of veto in the UN Security Council prevented a resolution of the longlived Kashmir dispute and inhibited implementation of UN resolutions on the same.

be tackled as part of a comprehensive reform of the Security Council.

Pakistan's UN Ambassador,Maleeha Lodhi, in the inter-governmental negotiation process on Security Council reform reiterated the country's opposition to add new permanent members to the Council with or without a veto, reports Dawn.

She said that any privileged role in decisionmaking would contradict the shared-goal of making the Security Council more democratic, representative and accountable.

Lodhi said Pakistan considers veto as an important issue which needs to

Pakistan, she said, believed that ideally the veto should be abolished.

She warned the UN that if the values of the 21st century like democracy, equal opportunity and non-discrimination were ignored in reforming the Council, there would be the grave risk of making the United Nations a 'Divided Nations'.

Pakistan supports expansion of the Security Council only in the nonpermanent category, she added.

The Pakistani envoy added that the Council should not remain paralysed and deadlocked over reconciling to accommodate the interests of the five permanent members. (ANI)

US-led coalition bombs IS chemical weapons sites: Pentagon Washington, Mar 11 : The US-led coalition carried out the first air strikes on Islamic State chemical weapons sites, the Pentagon has said, acting on crucial information from a captured senior insurgent.

The successful multiple bombings came as a result of intelligence from Sulayman Dawud alBakkar, also known as Abu Dawud, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said yesterday, confirming the name of the IS group operative said to be a chemical weapons expert for the extremists.

His capture by US special forces in February -Dawud was transferred yesterday into Iraqi custody after interrogation -appears to be a major boon in the fight against the IS group in Iraq and Syria, and Cook said it had yielded almost immediate results. Cook de-

scribed Dawud as "ISIL's emir of chemical and traditional weapons manufacturing." "His capture removed a key ISIL leader from the battlefield, and provided the coalition with important information about ISIL's chemical weapons capabilities," Cook said, using an alternative acronym for the IS extremists. "Through Dawud, the coalition learned details about ISIL's chemical weapon facilities and production, as well as the people involved. "The information has resulted in multiple coalition airstrikes that have disrupted and degraded ISIL's ability to produce chemical weapons and will continue to inform our operations in the future." On Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis declined to confirm that US forces had captured an IS chemical weapons expert.

12 Western countries: Human rights 'deteriorating' in China China, Mar 11 : The United States and 11 other Western countries are criticising China's "deteriorating human rights record," saying its "extraterritorial actions are unacceptable. " The call at the Human Rights Council follows recent disappearances of five Hong Kong residents associated with a publisher of books banned in China. They include a Swedish national who disappeared from his holiday home in Thailand and later made

a tearful appearance on Chinese state TV to say he surrendered over a 12year-old fatal drunk driving case.

The Western countries denounced the "unexplained recent disappearances and apparent coerced returns" of Chinese citizens and foreigners to China.

US ambassador Keith Harper told the council state broadcasts of confessions before any judicial process violates international conventions and Chinese laws.

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

The ideological debate on Nationalism Adoption Giving a better future to someone Abandoned by their parents and now neglected by governments there is no end to the suffering of over 50,000 orphans in India. The adoption rate within the country as well as those by foreign nationals in India has gone down by nearly 50 per cent in the Photo: dreamstime last five years. What adds to the grim situation is the disparity between South Indian states and the rest of the country in terms of adoption of children. The adoption rate in India as well as those by foreign nationals in India has gone down by nearly 50 per cent in the last five years.

Experts said tedious adoption norms and a slow judicial process further slowed down the adoption process. Officials said the low rate of adoption in NorthEastern states was primarily due to absence of government-recognised adoption agencies. While South Indian states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala have still maintained a relatively high rate of adoption, states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Goa and Uttarakhand, along with the seven North-Eastern states, have recorded an abysmally low number of child adoption. As per Government records, 6,321 children were adopted in 2010.

However, the number of adoptions came down to 4,354 in 2013. Only 1,622 children were adopted during April-September in 2014. The records show that 21,736 children were adopted in India in the last five years while 2,156 kids were adopted by the foreign nationals. States like Bihar, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh do not have any registered agency due to which adoption of children has taken a hit in these states. In 2013-14, just under 4,000 children were placed for adoption, fewer than the 4,964 in 2012-13 and 5,964 children in the previous year. While 1,606 children were adopted in Maharashtra in 2010, the figure came down to 1,212 in 2013. Similarly, Tamil Nadu was on the second spot with 693 adoptions in 2010.

However, the figure came down to 216 in 2013.

On the contrary, only four children were adopted in Meghalaya in the last five years. The Union Territory of Chandigarh, too, performed poor with just nine adoptions during 2010 to 2014. The hill state of Uttarakhand also recorded only 26 adoptions in five years. Among the foreign countries, the US has adopted 672 children from India in the last five years.

Of these, 221 children were adopted in 2010 while the number reduced to 140 in 2013.

Adoption is a very responsible work in present day society as it can brighten up the future of someone who was once cheated by their fortunes and their fate seemed to keep them away from the right of having a happy family. But after some good couple adopt them they can once again think of all the happiness once again.

Failing Drugs Test Suspended from Tennis Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova tested positive for Meldonium after competing in Australian Open. Meldonium was a medicine the Russian ace took for 10 years but it became a prohibited substance on January 1 As per report she received a letter on December 22 from World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) informing her of changes and she admits she didn't look at the list It was added because WADA said there 'evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance' Whereas according to Sharapova, she was taking the medicine for 'health issues' including a family history of diabetes. But International Tennis Federation confirms she will be provisionally suspended from the sport from March 12. Maria Sharapova dropped a huge bombshell onto world tennis when she admitted she had tested positive for a banned substance at January's Australian Open. Applying her legendary calm and determination, the five-times Grand Slam champion made a personal statement at Los Angeles confessing she had been caught out by tennis's anti-doping operation. The highest earning athlete in any female sport said that she had been found to have taken Mildronate - or Meldonium - which was prohibited from January 1 this year. The 28 yearold faces a ban of several years, having been informed of the finding 'a few days ago'. She said that was unrelated to her withdrawal from the Indian Wells event this week, as she is presently injured anyway. Sharapova claimed that she was initially given it in 2006 by her 'family doctor' due to health issues such as a magnesium deficiency and a genetic disposition towards diabetes. However, the drug which is mainly available in Eastern Europe is said to have become a drug of choice for Russian athletes implicated of cheating in other sports. This may be the end for Sharapova, who won all four Grand Slams and transcended her own sport without ever becoming the dominant player of her era. However, there was one set of rankings where she has consistently came out on top: those produced by the likes of Forbes magazine that measure the overall earnings of female sports stars.The combination of her glamorous looks, strong personality and natural business acumen, married up with a huge tennis talent helped make her a massive success as much off the court as on it.

Those days now look over. She rose to international prominence at seventeen when she upset Serena Williams to unexpectedly win the 2004 Wimbledon title, and one of the mysteries of her career was that she never got past the semi-finals thereafter. However her biggest career achievement was probably to twice win the French Open, the Major that seemed most likely to elude her. She mastered the art of moving on the clay sufficiently to take the title in 2012 and 2014.

But the recent allegations against her failing in drug test may bring some difference in her career which otherwise was at its height.

The sedition allegation of On the other side, the ideorecent JNU fiasco has re- logical left has been intrinopened the inexorable ideo- sically predictable in anticilogical debate on Indian pating that the capital accuconstitutional nationalism. mulation process is bound The ideological right has to cross any demarcation of always been the proponents national boundaries. The of nationalism predomi- Marxist social class theory nantly based on ethnicity. of proletarian internationalContrary to Indian constitu- ism is summed up in the slotional nationg a n , alism which is Indrajit Borah " Wo r k e r s a legacy of of all counanti-imperialistic national tries unite!" the last line of movement; the Hindu na- The Communist Manifesto. tionalism has the extreme It predicted that a proletarnarratives, even surpassing ian revolution would evenSavarkar, like Golwalkar tually overthrow bourgeois defining based on racial fac- capitalism and create a tor without territorial di- classless, stateless, postmension of nationalism. monetary society. AccordSuch ethnic nationalist rea- ing to Marxist theory, the soning finds India's Muslim antonym of proletarian inminority as a threat based ternationalism is bourgeois not only on perceived nationalism. Therefore, the "backing of a whole series dilemma continues over naof Islamic states" but also tionality and nationalism in because it was a 'foreign the left once they justify body' lodged in Hindu so- state democratic process as ciety. This kind of narration a medium to strengthen could not underpin the In- their en route to class dian nationalism that we in- struggle. Again, historically, herit today. However, any the failure of Bolshevikversion of such primitive type revolutions in Gernationalism may be a part of many and Hungary ended the capitalistic development hopes for an imminent process by prominence of world revolution and led to individualism over central- the promotion of "Socialism ized planning. Post-imperi- in One Country" by Joseph alism, the globalization pro- Stalin. Amid dilemma after cess of concentration and opposition by Leon Trotsky consolidation of world capi- and his followers declaring tal certainly weakened the the need for an international national boundaries. And, "permanent revolution", the with time, the national level left-wing nationalism in difaccumulations could garner ferent facets was envisaged considerable expansion as any form which emphamotives for venturing off- sizes a working-class popushore. Again, it is pertinent list agenda to overcome perto mention that the racial ceived oppression by other factor may substantiate the nations. Many Third World globalization motives as anti-colonial movements innationalism beyond bound- cluding India adopted leftaries. This has seemingly wing and socialist ideas. created a dilemma in the But, such populist agenda of ideological right, but, it is state controlled economy also claimed that the very with centralized planning process of nationalism may just delays the capitalistic shield the consolidated na- development by surrendertional capital even in global- ing to an abstract collectivization. ism. Can the global capital

be countered by such state controlled egalitarian ideals alone?

Nationalism and formation of nation state have been integral to human development path. However, defining "us and them" has always been a complex process and varies with different versions of nationalism.

In post independent India, the egalitarian world views of equality, empowerment and democracy have been articulated for national policy. The Indian constitutional nationalism, even if with certain limitations on the ground could considerably accommodate minority communities. The majority community also owing to our long tradition of plural culture has embraced the diversities. But, since independence, the minority separatist tendencies have been part of our national diaspora whether in the form of religious or linguistic lines. The majoritarian chauvinistic tendencies have been suppressed owing to the spirit of the plural nature of our national movement in initial years. However, over the years, the transformation of state capitalism in to a state of inefficiency and waste has consolidated the majoritarian arguments.

The majoritarian right wing arguments have found comfortable political space in contemporary India. The burgeoning Indian middle class, strengthened by liberalization process has been questioning the minority policies concerning the present practice as sickularism not secularism even if the ideals may be unquestionable.

The historical realities of Kashmir issue have been linked to contemporary minority politics. Above all other causes of Kashmir is-

Image for representational purpose(Photo: i.ndtvimg) sue - inclusion of plebiscite in the Instrument of Accession, reference of Kashmir to UN, halting Indian offensive when it was poised to drive out the invaders from Kashmir, Article 370 has played a lead role in preventing J&K from becoming an integral part like any other state of the Indian Union. There have been intense debates on why this Article was included in the Indian Constitution despite grave misgivings of Sardar Patel, a sizable populace of Congress Working Committee and Constituent Assembly. The Article 370, included on a temporary provision in the Constitution has not been abrogated in over sixty years. And, in predictable terms, the economic realities in Kashmir Valley have not changed much on the ground since independence. Consequently, the separatist tendencies formed different extremist groups which got aligned with different Jehadi organizations operating from different Islamic states. Globally, irrespective

of various attributes like the geopolitics of western democracies, authori tarianism and lacking of democracy in west Asia; both the formation process of this kind of global terror and the suffering from such terror are equally inhuman.

Now, the religious appeal of separatist groups aligning with global terror is certainly undermining the nationalistic sentiments and is a threat to Indian nationalism. Minority separatism is equally detrimental as majoritarian chauvinism.

Irrespective of ideological dilemma over nationalism, the left ideologues should maintain equidistance from both these tendencies in public discourse to avoid any possible misinterpretation of the left political articulation in recent times.

Otherwise, the consequential narratives, while defining Indian nationalism, will continue to equate the global appeal of left ideologies with the minority separatism taking shelter of internationalism of political Islam. Certainly, once we go

down to the realities of nationalism as policy imperatives, there has to be a fine line between different extremes to break the ideological dilemma. The majority accomplishment has also to take a lead role in the nation-building process with the spirit of secularism as defined by Indian constitutional nationalism.

It is the duty of any democratic government to protect the constitutional nationalism. The role of state although varied with socioeconomic changes since independence cannot undermine the nationalistic spirit of a nation state. The Indian democratic credentials have enough room to vent out dissidence in building a national consensus. The national interests shall continue to matter a great deal and our nation state has to take pride in its unique history and accomplishments.

Even if there has been a degree of flexibility of national boundaries, the nation-states shall remain a dominant form of political organization in future.

Why India Should 'Look West' Instead India's 'Look East' policy is based on realistic aspirations, but there are limitations to India's outreach.

One of India's most impor- pan also have strong stratant modern strategic and tegic and economic ties. diplomatic initiatives-at Yet, despite all this, there least in theory-has been its are limitations to looking or Look East Policy, which acting east for India. It is, has lately been transformed in a sense, peripheral and

by Indian Prime Minister shut out of a region that has Narendra already Modi been Akhilesh Pillalamarri into an fairly "Act East Policy." well integrated. No contriIndia should definitely not bution or action by India neglect the region to its can reorient the region toeast, and the policy seeks ward South Asia and away to correct an almost inex- from East Asia. Rather, plicable negligence by In- Southeast Asia is locked dia toward its Southeast into a growing web of ecoAsian neighbors from its nomic and physical independence until the interconnectivity with 1990s. There is definitely China, with its security scope for enormous eco- needs mostly provided by nomic benefits and in- the United States. creased trade between In- While India does have ledia (as well as some other gitimate border concerns South Asian countries, like with China, which have Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) contributed to closer relaand Southeast Asia. And tions with Japan, Vietnam, when it comes to East Asia, Australia, and the United ore generally, China con- States, it is unlikely to get tinues to be India's largest involved in regional distrade partner; India and Ja- putes in the South China

Sea or contribute in any meaningful way to security east of the Strait of Malacca and outside of its natural Indian Ocean backyard.

According to The New York Times, Indian officials have rebutted a recent report that India might participate in joint patrols with the United States in the South China Sea. Moreover, Nithin A. Gokhale, a security analyst, suggested that "the last thing India wants to do is accidentally make itself into a front-line player in the South China Sea," for fear of antagonizing China for no good reason.

In short, there are limits to India's role as a meaningful player in the region to its east. Its influence over the countries in that region is limited, with the possible exception of its neighbor, Myanmar. Instead, it should shore up its influence and capabilities in the

area where it has a shot of being an important player, where Chinese influence it not yet a lock-in, and where it has already invested a lot of effort: Central Asia and the Middle East. In other words, it should look west and act west toward those regions, geopolitically, strategically, and even culturally.

Even if the majority of Indian trade is with the area to its east, it is in Central Asia and the Middle East that India has the most potential to expand its influence. A country can be heavily involved in a region for geopolitical reasons without having major economic incentives to do so. Consider, for example, the influence of Russia in Syria.

India's justifications for greater involvement with the Middle East and Central Asia stem from the fact that it already has close

links with countries in that area, not to mention its energy dependence on the region. It is already involved with several projects in the region, such as the Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan and the Chabahar port facility in Iran, both of which are not fully functional yet.

There are no similar projects underway in Southeast Asia.

India should focus on completing these projects and utilizing their benefits to improve its strategic and economic relations with countries that generally trust and seek better relations with New Delhi, like Afghanistan. In particular, an Indian failure to complete Chabahar soon, especially as Iran is now opening up again, would be disastrous, and would lead to India squandering away its advantageous position in that country.

Moreover, India is in the

Injustice To a Visually-Impaired woman

Image for representational purpose (Photo: clker)

Sir, Our leaders are used to telling tall talks.

Very often they say something exemplary but in practice, we find them doing pretty little towards any noble cause. We talk of otherwise abled persons. Both the Centre and the state Government reserved a specific percentage for such persons in the government jobs. In practice, how many of such otherwise abled persons could get government jobs-only the concerned bureaucrats can tell. But we know it for certain, that our government, too, maintains a soft corner for such persons with disabilities. A small incident, as reported in a section of the press jolts us severely. It happened in Jorhat to a visually impaired woman, who with a scribe, appeared in her postgradution examination in CKB College, Jorhat under Distance and open learning institute (Guwahati University). Ms. Anima Bora, 44, a visually impaired who already appeared for two papers in M.A. (Assamese). The report suggests that she

had not been given extra-time, by the college authority in conformity with the guidelines of the Union ministry of social justice as the university is yet to adopt the guidelines of the Union Ministry of social justice empowerment, 2013. As per the guidelines 20 minutes for each hour is allowed.

We remain shocked, how, due to lapsation of a University that has failed to adopt the guidelines, a visually-impaired woman had to suffer a trauma-like situation. It was a serious lapsation on the part of Guwahati University and Ms. Anima Bora, the Visually-impaired woman must not suffer mentally for no fault her own. It is construed to be a disservice to humanity. The Guwahati University authority should immediately take up the matter to do justice to visuallyimpaired Anima Bora.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

good position of being trusted by all the major factions in the Middle East; it has good relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq, and the Gulf States.

There are particularly large Indian communities in the Gulf States and the development of Dubai as a major financial and cultural center for South Asians is another factor that India should consider leveraging as it reaches out to the region.

In light of these realities, India should focus its efforts and energies to its west, where it can still become a substantial player, rather than the east, where it will likely remain a minor player. It should continue trading eastward, of course, but its strategic horizons dictate that it focus on the Indian Ocean and the Middle East-Central Asia region. Courtesy: The Diplomat

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

Letters to the editor and articles should be sent to : The Eastern Today Chowkidingee, Near Sankardeva Hospital Mancotta Road, Dibrugarh786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

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If Apple loses its fight to retain its privacy, all of us could stand to suffer Over the past few de- which generate an insurcades, the whirlwind mountable amount of perprogress of information sonal data. It is indisputtechnology has been ex- able that the capacity, traordinary and has pro- power, speed and impact foundly of inforchanged mation Shivani Chimnani our traditechnoltional notion of privacy. ogy is accelerating rapidly.

Privacy today is not There has been a paradigm merely confined to the in- shift from the use of anavasion of one's self or the log data to virtual data for physical space where he storing vast amounts of dwells but even to the personal, professional and technological commodities confidential information he owns ranging from over the past few years. smart phones, tablets, On February 16, 2016, the computers, laptops to an US District Court for the endless list of electronic Central District of Califordevices possessing per- nia ordered Apple Inc. to sonal information. assist the US government In the quotidian course of in unlocking the iPhone of life, an average individual one of the shooters inindulges in multitudes of volved in the terrorist atonline transactions rang- tacks which took place in ing from daily innocuous San Bernardino, California activities such as buying on December 2, 2015. US groceries, movie tickets, authorities were in possesclothes, books to under- sion of an iPhone that fortaking eminently sensitive merly belonged to the activities such as invest- shooter, but the FBI (Feding in stocks, conducting eral Bureau of Investigabanking transactions, etc. tion) was unable to access

the encrypted device. The court order required Apple to supply software to the FBI to disable a self-destruct feature that erases phone data after 10 failed attempts to enter the phone's password. The FBI demanded that Apple make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features including the fortified encryption feature, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation.

Following this, the company's chief executive, Timothy D. Cook, penned an earnest letter entitled 'A Message to Our Customers' warning customers of far-reaching implications beyond the case and vowed to fight against the federal order and do everything in their power to protect their personal information, and safeguarding personal

data. The letter further stated that if in the wrong hands, the software, which does not exist today, would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone's physical possession.

On 20 February 2016, the US Department of Justice filed a motion to compel Apple to unlock the encrypted iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters to which Apple filed an objection.

Apple Inc. refused to comply with government orders to undertake such grave measures and continues to fight the battle to protect privacy.

Resultantly, Apple Inc. asked the US government to create a panel of experts to discuss issues of security versus privacy in light of the present legal dissension between the law enforcement agencies and the company. On

How the dream of 'Clean India' ignores ragpickers who work for little money and no rights This post is a part of WaterAid India's campaign - In Deep Shit.

India has a serious gar- rights, safety gear was Pandit, landfills are unbage disposal problem. likely to follow, along with necessary as almost all The quantum of garbage health benefits and social waste can be recycled and generated has gone up and security. put to other uses. "They even smaller cities are pro- He also pointed out that are not required. That's ducing more rubbish than without the involvement because 90% of the waste before. The landfills are of the Labour Ministry is reusable. Almost 30% is overburdened and proper and Urban Development recyclable, 50% is orsegregation of waste is a Ministry, these rules could ganic, and we are left with crying need. And while not be framed and imple- 20%. The remaining 20% the problem continues to mented properly. Cur- consists of unused plastic r e n t l y , and debris from construcpile on unabated, the Abhimanyu Singh only the tion," he said. environ- While recyclable waste people carrying this burden, the ment ministry is entrusted consists of metal and glass ragpickers whose services with the task, along with objects, the organic waste almost all of us rely on for the fertiliser ministry. is generally the leftover keeping our surroundings Explaining further, Pandit from kitchens. Pandit said clean, continue to languish pointed out that the mu- that the organic kitchen unacknowledged by the nicipalities in India, which waste could be used as come under the state gov- compost government. and his Despite performing a very ernments, had no system organisation was already useful social service at of collecting garbage from doing that. great risk to their health the source and this is "We have constructed a and well-being, for little where the rag-pickers compost pit in Gurgaon. money, their contribution came in. "According to the There are 32 pits in all. to our dream of a law under which a munici- Daily two to three tonnes Swachch Bharat is clearly pality is set up, it places of waste is processed being undermined. Youth dustbins according to the here. You can use the Ki Awaaz spoke to Shashi size of the population. It compost in your fields Bhushan Pandit, who runs is assumed that the gen- and gardens. It works betthe All India Kabadi erator of the waste will ter than fertilisers," he Mazdoor Mahasangh (All drop it in the bin. After claimed.

India Ragpickers Union) that, it is the responsibil- He added that even debris (AIKMM) to know his ity of the municipality to and plastic could be reviews on the subject. In collect it from there (the cycled and utilised for an hour-long conversa- transfer station) and treat other purposes. "Packagtion, Pandit touched upon it at the landfill. An em- ing plastic comes from the various aspects of the is- ployee is appointed for the chips you consume. Or sue. He said that there are maintenance of the trans- the wrapper on mineral around 40 lakh ragpickers fer station. Someone else water bottles advertising in India, with five lakh in Delhi alone.

Over the years, one of the main demands of AIKMM has been that the government should acknowledge the ragpicker as a stakeholder in the entire process of garbage disposal and management. Currently, even though it is the ragpicker who puts in the footwork to collect waste from door-to-door, his work is not recognised as there are contractors and (Photo: apimagesblog) sub-contractors above him who reap the rewards for his work, given that he is appointed to clean the the brand. That's why we has no rights. In fact, streets. However, it is not see it on the streets because Pandit said that the Draft the responsibility of the it is not recycled. This is Waste Management Rules municipality to pick up the because packaging plastic 2015 accepted the demand garbage from the source. consists of aluminum foil," for ragpicker's rights but That's why the informal explains Pundit. in a "vague" way. sector has filled this gap."

"What we want is inclu- Pandit added that this has "Secondly, we have debris sive rights for the in fact "become tradi- from construction. That's ragpickers. These are ser- tional work for the unusable too. However, vices beneficial to the en- ragpickers community". they have a plant to provironment. In Bogota, He went on, "What the cess it now in Shastri Park Columbia, every ragpicker ragpicker started to do in Delhi. They want to is paid $2 per day by the was that he began to pro- make tiles out of it for pemunicipality. In Brazil, vide services at homes. destrian lanes. Which they have made sure that What they do is, they col- leaves us only with the unonly the ragpicker can lect the recyclable mate- used plastic. That should be pick the waste (from the rials from the waste, and the responsibility of source). Why can't India leave the rest at the trans- corporates under the Cordo it? We say we are the fer station." porate Social Responsibilbiggest democracy. We ity scheme. They are earnagree the ragpicker is a From transfer stations, ing profits from the sales. stakeholder. Why can't waste is transferred to It can actually be recycled. we give them rights? landfills where it is often Plastic is part of petrol What's the problem?" burnt without segregation, products. Oil can be recovPandit asked. He added causing environmental ered from it. Candles can that once they are granted degradation. According to be made out of that."

Pandit and his organisation are also opposed to Wasteto-Energy (WTE) plants that are being offered as quick solutions. "The developed countries in the world have done away with them for two reasons. What happens in these plants is that you burn the waste. The heat produced is turned into energy. Now the thing is, if you burn plastic, it has two consequences. It produces dioxin. And when plastic rots, methane is produced. That's why landfills keep burning, due to the methane produced.

It contaminates the water and damages the soil, too.

The impact on the environment is horrific. But our country does not have enough aware citizens," rued Pandit.

Currently, Delhi has one operational WTE plant in Okhla which has been the target of a long-standing protest by the residents of the area. However, Pandit said that the residents were opposed to having the WTE plant in their area, and not against the technology per se.

He also objected to the alleged U-turn taken by the AAP government on the issue. "Yes, during elections Kejriwal said they were opposed to them.

Recently, Manish Sisodia came and visited the plant, under instructions from him. 10 days later, he presented the budget for the Delhi government. In that, he provided for strengthening the Waste-to-Energy plants, as point number 129. They have abandoned the worldwide movement against such plants."

As per the environment minister himself, waste in India is set to reach gigantic proportions of "165 million tonnes by 2030 and 450 million tonnes by 2050". That is not just a cause for worry but an alarm bell for taking action.

Sometime last year, the Government had, as per reports, announced that they are going to give three best ragpickers and three associations following best practices, a national award worth INR 1.5 lakh for their efforts to keep India clean.

But is that enough?

"The ragpicker, despite doing work that benefits the municipality and society at large is condemned to live a very insecure existence," closes Shashi Pandit.

22, 2016.

The legal conundrum of choosing between privacy and national security has been haunting states and citizens for a few years now.

(Photo: wallpapercave) March 4, 2016, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned US authorities of the dangers and far-reaching consequences of compelling tech companies to undertake measures compromising their clients' privacy. He stressed the possibility of misuse of easy

access to encrypted information threatening individual privacy.

This case has paved the way for a fierce debate splitting individuals into two sides of those demanding absolute protection of personal data and those favouring security

and the cost of abdicating privacy. A vehement debate whether such momentous steps should be taken by Apple is still ongoing.

A California federal court has been scheduled to hear the motion of objection filed by Apple on March

The clash between the US government and Apple underlines the crux of the worldwide argument over surveillance. Mandatory data retention laws have greatly increased the scope of state surveillance, and thereby the scope for infringement of human rights. The panacea to this legal quandary lies in effective counterbalancing of rights of privacy and national security. However, the questions of what constitutes national security, what rights will an individual sacrifice at the cost of ensuring security, what protections will be afforded and where we draw the line between ensuring privacy and national security still linger.

My parents' story of love has shown me what perhaps is missing from relationships today And somewhere in the midst of two villages a jeep carrying a few passengers stopped. In the scorching heat of summer, the passengers came out and asked the sugarcane vendor for some glasses of juice.

months passed this way.

Now the marriage was announced and invitation cards were printed.

She shifted from her house to his home and her new life began. Soon after the marriage, he went back to the city for his job He delivered them. The while she stayed back in men from the jeep of- the village. He increased fered the glasses to the his visits to his village and women sitting she, on the inside. Some Aakash Joshi other hand, belonged to made it her the family of the men out- duty to get to know his side and some were un- family better and form known. One of the men good relations with them. offered a glass to a shy A couple of years later lady among them. She she shifted with him to took the glass oblivious of Calcutta. It was a differwho it was that had of- ent city, a different culfered it to her. The jour- ture. She started learning ney continued and they and adapting to everyreached their village. The thing. With the passage of man went to his home and time, they learnt more the lady who he had offered the glass of juice to went to her maternal uncle's place.

But their support for each other from the very beginning was what kept them going. They faced many struggles, but like on a boat in a sea storm, a hand in your hand gives you way more confidence than the fright you get from the vicious waves of water. They survived and life went on.

They are my parents. My mom and my dad. 28 years have passed. They wake up at 7:30 in the morning. When he wakes up early, he disturbs her peaceful sleep because he hates sitting alone.

Later he goes to the kitchen and prepares tea for her, to have a reason to wake her up.

She wakes up and quarrels with him for disturb-

He comes back, asks where the children are and has dinner with them. Post dinner, they again take a couple of hours to sum up their day to each other.

Their old letters are preserved in a locker. Their old memories still make them laugh out loud. The struggles they faced still fill their eyes with tears.

Yet, looking at each other gives them strength. All this makes their love grow stronger.

And here we are on the other side. It seems to me that we have all the modes of communication but nothing to talk about.

We argue and fight over petty issues and instead of sorting them out, we sort the other person out

A couple of days later the girl's maternal uncle was invited to meet an educated guy who works in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and had come down to his village. He was looking for a bride.

So, if they were interested, the family of that young man would like to meet them. The girls' maternal family responded to it positively and so, asked the girl's father, who belonged to a different village, to come over. They then went to the young man's home to ask him and his family to visit and meet the prospective bride.

The elders from the boy's side came, saw the girl, had a long chat with elders and left. The girl's family was not sure about the answer they would get. The boy's family were worried since they thought that the girl was extremely thin and joked that she would get blown away even in a small wind storm. But later, the boy was asked his opinion and he agreed. The date of the wedding was fixed.

The courtship period began as he left for Calcutta for his job. Letters were exchanged and the occasional telephone calls also began between them. Six

Parents they say are like 'Gods' on earth. (Photo: babycenter)

about each other. A decent, innocent and short tempered guy and a simple village girl with simpler dreams and aspirations. But both were pure and pious at heart and only wanted happiness in life.

ing her sleep yet again.

Both take a newspaper in hand and start sipping their morning tea. She finishes her tea, and he always leaves two sips of tea in the cup for her.

This was what brought them together. For them, a grand life, luxuries, and extreme riches were never priorities in life.

They wanted to have a good life with their family. That is all.

She gets angry that he never finishes his tea. He jokingly gives the same answer which he has been giving for 20 odd years, that he has left that much for her out of love.

She throws a tantrum but takes the cup and finishes it.

They used to go out sometimes. Laugh, fight but, eventually, their day would end with both of them lying together on a single mattress with one pillow. Life was not easy for them. To survive in a big city for village people with small aspirations is always a difficult task.

He leaves for office and she gets engrossed in her work. By the time he returns from work, they have already spoken four times on the phone. Their conversations may take the form of arguments, discussions, teasing but often include a lot of laughter.

of our life. Missing someone is rarely a thing now.

Moving on is the latest trend. Understanding and feeling are lost and replaced by the term 'practicality'.

Struggles separate rather than bring two persons together. "Things didn't work out between us" is a valid argument to end a relationship.

I feel we have become more isolated in this generation even with the best of means to survive.

We seek love everywhere even as love has become so easy to find.

Happiness seems to be depreciating as our lifestyles improve.

Maybe, this shows that love doesn't need any of it. It is a belief. All those who believe, thrive. The remaining strive.

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

BUSINESS

PAGE 10

BHEL starts work at Centre to ink pacts at shipping summit thermal unit at AnparaNew Delhi, Mar 11: The government is expected to sign agreements worth over Rs. 72,000 crore with private players on port-related projects at the Indian Maritime Summit to be held in Mumbai next month.

The Ministry of Shipping has identified 109 projects worth Rs.72,864 crore on which agreements will be signed during the event to be held from April 14-16.

South Korea will be the partner country for the Summit, Road Transport,

Modified textile policy soon, says Rashmi Verma Chennai, Mar 11: The government is likely to announce a modified and simplified textile policy soon, said Textiles Secretary Rashmi Verma. Ms. Verma said the new policy was aimed at increasing the production and productivity of textile sector, generating more employment, bringing down the cost of production, penetrating into newer markets, and introducing more value added products and focusing both on exports and domestic markets.

Besides, the Textiles Ministry was also seeking some relaxation in labour laws such as allowing women to work at night. "Currently, we are having discussions with the Labour Ministry. Tamil Nadu has already done it. We also want modification in contract laws," she said. Mentioning that the growth of textile sector was limited due to factors such as high cost of production, sudden spurt in interest rates on working capital and increase in labour wages, she said they were in discussion with the Finance Ministry to offer some kind of tax incentives to the weavers to make the sector attractive.

This also included tax holidays and interest subvention among others. When pointed out that exports from India would become unviable after 2017 as India was a signatory to WTO guidelines, she said a meeting of all stakeholders would be held next month to take stock of the current situation.

It would also review which were the subsidies and concessions that could be continued or phased out. "Most of the incentives or subsidies given by the Ministry are production related.

Those related to processing and skilling would be continued," she said. Regarding the revised Textile Upgradation Fund Scheme, Ms. Verma said revised guidelines had been finalised. "It is being placed before the Cabinet." (Agencies)

Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said. The sectors identified for investment include ship-building, ship repair and recycling, port modernisation, new port development and multimodel logistic hubs among others. Mr. Gadkari said, in addition, more than 150 projects will be showcased for investment under the Sagarmala Project for port modernisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the summit on April 14. "We are planning to create 40

lakh direct employment and 50 lakh indirect employment (opportunities) in five years in the maritime sector," Mr. Gadkari said.He said high logistic costs was one of the factors hurting the manufacturing sector.

The Minister said while logistic cost was 18 per cent in India, it was 8-10 per cent in China and 1012 per cent in European countries. "If development near ports happen and we are able to cut the logistic costs by four per cent, the exports will

SIGNING PACTS The government is expected to sign agreements worth over Rs. 72,000 crore with private players on port-related projects at the Indian Maritime Summit to be held in Mumbai next month.

The Ministry of Shipping has identified 109 projects worth Rs.72,864 crore on which agreements will be signed during the event.

The sectors identified for investment include ship-building, ship repair and recycling, port modernisation, new port development and multi-model logistic hubs.

40 lakh direct employment and 50 lakh indirect employment (opportunities)in five years in the maritime will be created.

double," the Minister said.

Mr. Gadkari said the government will award tenders for 15 projects worth Rs. 6,700 crore before March 31 in addition to the ongoing projects. Under the Sagarmala Project, the major development programmes identified by the government include port modernisation (Rs. 90,000 crore), port connectivity (Rs.1.20 lakh crore) and port-led industrialisation (Rs.90,000 crore) besides coastal community development. (Agencies)

DIPP funds 12 industrial licenses to Reliance Defence Mumbai, Mar 11: In a boost to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, DIPP has approved 12 industrial licences to Reliance Defence, an arm of Reliance Infrastructure, for manufacturing of a wide range of defence equipment. The license approval by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for strategic business units (SBUs) of Reliance Defence is aimed at addressing defence programmes in India and overseas. "The foray of Reliance into these areas will give added traction to the Indian government's Make in India and Skill India initiatives," a senior official of the company said. In the aerospace segment, with licences to

siles and all-terrain combat vehicles. The key programmes in this segment include short-, medium- and long-range missile systems with programme value in excess of Rs. 50,000 crore.

The Indian Army will spend an additional Rs. 50,000 crore over the next 10-15 years on difImage for representational purpose only (Photo: ferent combat vehicles.

As for Naval Systems, moneycontrol) Reliance is focusing on manufacture military air- dium-to-heavy helicop- key areas, as is evident craft and helicopters, the ters valued at Rs. 50,000 from licences for air incompany looks to meet crore. The transport and dependent propulsion amphibious aircraft re- the combat aircraft re- technology and Hull quirements of the Indian quirements for the Indian penetrators and connecNavy, pegged at Rs. Air Force in the next 10 tors along with motor 9,000 crore, and light util- years will be in excess of shafts and propulsion sysity helicopters, an oppor- Rs. 60,000 crore, some- tems, the company offitunity valued at more than thing the company is also cial said. In the case of Rs. 20,000 crore. In ad- eyeing. In Land Systems, unmanned aerial systems, dition, there is a require- Reliance has got licences the company is looking at ment of 160-200 me- for manufacturing of mis- various requirements

from the Indian Navy, the Army and the Air Force.

The combined value of these programmes over next 10 years is expected to top Rs. 30,000 crore.

For the export market, Reliance Strategic Electronics Division (SED) plans to target the global market of USD 7 billion to manufacture night vision devices (NVDs) and surveillance ones. There is a large market for combat vehicles in the Middle East, Africa and South America. Reliance is aiming at developing an infantry combat vehicle, which will not only address domestic requirements, but can also take care of the global opportunities estimated at about USD 50 billion.

(Agencies)

IRCTC proposes eight tour packages this summer Mumbai, Mar 11: Eight tour packages to various, popular cool climes of north and north-eastern India are on offer this summer from the South Central Zone of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC). The ever enticing, sought after, picturesque Jammu, Gulmarg, Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Darjeeling and Gangtok figure in the list of tourist destinations covered under different packages. A visit to Mata Vaishno Devi mandir, one of the most popular shrines in the country, forms part of a few packages. The duration range

from 5-nights/6-days to 8 night/9 days. Per person tariff is upwards of Rs.10,000 -- with that of 'Discover Amazing Kashmir' SrinagarGulmarg-PahalgamSonmarg-Srinagar 5 nights/6 days package cheapest at Rs.10,910.

The 'North East Delights' New Jalpaiguri/ Bagdogra-DarjeelingPelling-GangtokKalimpong-New Jalpaiguri/Bagdogra 6 nights/7 days package, with a tariff of Rs.20,217, is the costliest of the lot.

Giving details, IRCTC SCZ Deputy General Manager (Catering and Tourism) N. Sanjeevaiah

Image for representational purpose only(Photo: indianexpress) highlighted the benefits of patronising the government of India enterprise.

Tour packages, an official release said, are available for government employees desirous of availing themselves of leave

travel concession (LTC).

A package to GuwahatiShillong will be launched soon. Tourists, however, need to make their own to and fro travel arrangements from their place of stay to the pick-up point

of the package and in the return direction as well.

IRCTC would help in getting confirmed onward and return train reservations. On the package inclusion, Mr. Sanjeevaiah said pick-up and drop from airports, 3-star hotel accommodation, road transportation, off-board food service, driver-cumguide service, travel insurance figure are among those included. Also, IRCTC SCZ offers several tour packages from Secunderabad to popular pilgrim locations, including Tirupati and Shirdi, he said, adding facilitating darshan is part of the Tirupati package. (Agencies)

D power plant

Image for representational purpose only (Photo: aninews) ANI New Delhi, Mar 11: The state-owned power equipment maker BHEL today stated that it has commissioned a 500mw unit at Anpara-D thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh. "BHEL has successfully commissioned the second 500-mw thermal unit at Anpara-D thermal power plant (TPP) in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh," the company said in a statement.

The state own company has added 2,320 mw of generating capacity in Uttar Pradesh in the current fiscal, it said. This is a first of its kind

project where the power plant has been set up on an abandoned ash pond, saving scarce land. Setting up of power plant on an ash pond requires special technological innovations in civil engineering.

Successful execution of this project has offered an alternative option for future projects facing land constraints, it added.

BHEL was given the contract for setting up two units of 500 mw each at Anpara-D TPP by Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL). The first 500-mw unit of the project was earlier commissioned in June 2015.

LPG subsidy given by over 80 lakh households Mumbai, Mar 11: More than 80 lakh households have given up LPG subsidy under the 'Give it Up' scheme, as of March 3, 2016, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.The 'Give it Up' campaign is part of the government's endeavour to reduce its LPG subsidy bill. Under the scheme, LPG users who can afford to pay the market rate for the fuel are encouraged to give up their subsidy.

The government, on its part, has promised to use the savings from this to provide more LPG connections to the unconnected. "The response from LPG consumers to the 'Give it Up' campaign initiated by the Ministry to voluntarily surrender subsidy is overwhelming and as on March 3, 2016, more than 80 lakh LPG consumers have voluntarily surrendered subsidy on LPG. "More than 53 lakh

consumers have voluntarily surrendered subsidy on LPG in the last six months," Mr. Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

"Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are making efforts to target the higher income group (taxable income of more than Rs.10 lakh) using technology and available information‌ Consumers are also provided with on-line facility to declare their income and submit their self-declaration in the prescribed form to distributors if the taxable income of self or his/her spouse exceeds Rs.10 lakh," Mr. Pradhan said.The 'Give it Up' campaign goes handin-hand with the government's Direct Benefit Transfer in LPG wherein the subsidy amount is directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts, thereby reducing the scope for leakage. (Agencies)

Fund limits raised to seed start-ups Rs 5000 crore more in debt to be raised by SBI

Mumbai, Mar 11: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) may invest up to Rs. 1 crore in every fresh startup that it will seed from the next financial year, Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST said. The DST's outlay for seeding has been increased fourfold-from Rs. 40 crore to Rs.180 crore-in the coming financial year to help fund the increased investment, Mr. Sharma told .

Currently, the maximum permissible investment is Rs.50 lakh, Mr. Sharma said.Promoting start-ups has been among the government's major promises with Prime Minister Narendra Modi frequently asking India's youth to become more entrepreneurial. On 16 January, Mr.Modi addressed a massive gathering of entrepreneurs from India and abroad and outlined several initiatives to energise India's start-up ecosystem including making the prof-

its of fledgling units taxfree for three years, Rs.10,000 crore of government funding over four years, no visits by labour inspectors for three years and quicker and subsidised patent clearances. Some of these sops found mention in the Union Budget. The DST funds start-ups by routing them through socalled technology business incubators (TBI), which are typically located in universities. According to the latest fig-

ures from the science ministry, about 2000 ventures have been incubated of which 950 have "graduated," meaning they have reached a certain size and have a significant support from investors. Some of the incubators, said Mr.Sharma, who are known to have a successful track record in incubating companies will be deemed "World Class Incubators" and can annually avail of Rs. 10 crore for five years. (Agencies)

FUNDING START-UPS The Department of Science and Technology (DST) may invest up to Rs. 1 crore in every fresh start-up that it will seed from the next financial year.

The DST's outlay for seeding has been increased four-fold-from Rs. 40 crore to Rs.180 crore-in the coming financial year to help fund the increased investment.

The DST funds start-ups by routing them through so-called technology business incubators (TBI), which are typically located in universities.

New Delhi, Mar 11: Banking major SBI said its board has approved raising the remaining Rs 5,000 crore of the Rs 12,000-crore fund raising programme through private placement of Basel-III compliant debt instruments.

Earlier in December, the bank had announced raising Rs 12,000 crore through issue of debt instruments in tranches.

SBI, on previous two occasions, had informed the exchanges that it raised Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 3,000 crore in two tranches through issue of debt instruments as part of the Rs 12,000 crore fund raising programme. The lender in a filing to the BSE said, "The Committee of Directors for Capital Raising met on March 9, 2016 to review the

sidered appropriate," the filing said. Earlier on February 19, the bank informed BSE that it raised Rs 3,000 crore from Basel-III compliant bonds to fund business growth. On December 24, SBI had announced raising Rs 4,000 crore by issuing tier-II bonds on private placement basis under the Basel-III norms.

Arundhati Bhattacharjee, Chairman of SBI (Photo: media2)

implementation of its resolution dated December 21, 2015 with regard to issue of debt instruments".

It authorised the Bank to "consider raising the residual amount (out of the overall approval ob-

tained for raising the debt capital amount of Rs 12000 crores), either by way of issue of AT-I/ Tier-ll instrument or any other debt instrument at appropriate time(s), by way of private placement, in such number of tranches, as may be con-

According to a Fitch Ratings report, Indian banks need USD 140 billion capital to ensure full compliance with the Basel III norms by 201819.

The Basel III norms are aimed at bolstering banks' resilience. Basel III capital regulations are being implemented in India with effect from April 1, 2013 in a phased manner. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

Features

PAGE 11

WOMEN'S Hair Products you must avoid We all have our hair woes, yes, even girls with so-called perfect hair. If you can't seem to pinpoint the cause behind your mane troubles, you may want to take a closer look at the products you use.

Too-harsh products and too much of certain products can be harming your locks and could be the reason behind your bad hair days. We give you some hair products to stay away from, especially if you have thin hair.

This will have you checking the label of every product you use.

1. Oil And Gel Based Serums and Sprays

A lot of oil-based serums claim to be nourishing and help add shine, but they can also weigh down your hair. Fine hair has a tendency of looking flat, and oil-based as well as gelbased products can weigh down your hair and make it appear even more limp, which can be pretty frustrating. You should try texturizing products instead to bring volume and movement to your strands.

2.

Alcohol-Based Products Plenty of styling sprays, gels and mousses contain alcohol, sometimes as the main ingredient. Alcohol

is a super drying ingredient and can lead to rough, frizzy strands as it zaps the moisture from your locks. Make sure you don't use an alcohol based product regularly.

3. Hair Thickening Products There are plenty of products and shampoos out there that claim to thicken hair. Apart from containing a ton of chemicals, they cause more damage while giving you "thicker" locks temporarily. Do yourself a favour and don't pay heed to these products - save your money as well as your precious strands.

4. Products With Fragrance They may smell yummy, but a product that lists fragrance can be super damaging. Over thousands of separate ingredients contribute to a fragrance, which can affect the nervous system and cause health issues, forget about just drying out your hair. Instead, try a product that is scented by essential oils to smell great and be safe as well.

5. Cheap Shampoo Of course we're not saying that you must splurge on a high-end shampoo, but a lot of extremely

common brands can strip the hair of oil and moisture, and if you have coloured hair then the colour can fade easily too. Look for one that is free of sulfates and is cleansing and moisturizing for healthy hair. We're loving Wella Elements range now for being completely chemical free while providing plenty of nourishment.

6.

Silicone-Based Products (The "Shine" Factor) A lot of shine-boosting products commonly contain silicone, which coats the hair for a shiny and

Hair spray can be harmful for your hair (Photo: lionesseflatiron) sleek finish. It may give a glossy effect on the outside, but it actually dries up each strand on the in-

side. Steer clear of such products. You don't want to damage your alreadythin hair. Make sure to

look for silicone-free products when you're looking for products to pamper your locks.

7 Amazing ways coffee Beauty products you should store in the fridge makes you beautiful!

Coffee is truly a wonder bean. While it makes the perfect morning energy drink, it also serves as a natural beauty ingredient! A cup of coffee a day keeps diabetes away, boosts your energy levels and speeds up metabolism. AND, believe it or not, but it can do wonders for your skin and hair by offering it nourishment and cleansing as well. If you've always wanted a prettier and healthier you, coffee does that in 7 fabulous ways!

1. For Smoother,

Coffee is packed with antioxidants that are super helpful at keeping your skin radiant and youthful at all times.

When coffee is used as a face scrub, it unclogs pores and softens fine lines. It also acts as a barrier to keep bacteria and fungi at bay. To make a coffee scrub at home, all you need is coffee powder and a few drops of water. Mix the two ingredients well and apply it on your face. Let it rest on your face for a couple of minutes and wash it off with chilled

inflammatory properties it in, it helps improve the appearance of puffy under-eyes, reduces wrinkles and brightens dark circles.

Make a paste of coffee powder, dark chocolate flakes and water, and apply it directly to the skin's surface. You will notice that it starts to hydrate skin and and makes your eyes appear vibrant and youthful again. You can wash it off with cold water after 5-10 minutes and apply a regular face cream to contribute some

This will leave your skin feeling soft, radiant and moist.

6.

For Fighting Cellulite Let's be honest here, cellulite is something we women struggle with.

While proper dieting and exercise help fight it, coffee surprisingly helps in the process. A regular homemade coffee scrub helps minimize cellulite spots. While you're massaging the paste over your thighs and arms, understand that it is also exfoliating them by tightening skin cells and im-

Ladies, believe it or not, but storing your products in the fridge can make them last longer! While it increases shelf life, it also does a fab job at retaining its freshness. If you're a girl who loves her beauty products with all her heart, you should totally give this method a shot! Here are 7 beauty products you should totally keep in the fridge.

1. Your nail polish Did you know that keeping your nail polish out in the open exposes it to unnecessary heat? The high temperature then activates the solvents and chemicals in the nail paint, making it thick. For that not to happen, you can store them in your refrigerator. The cold temperature increases the shelf life of the nail polish, and makes the lacquer smooth to apply on your gorgeous nails.

2. Your eye pencils Does your pencil liner crumble after applying it?

If so, then you should try placing it in a cooler place.

The fridge is a good choice. It hardens the kohl and makes it last longer on your skin - bonus, less smudges! All you've got to

do is leave it in the freezer for 10 minutes and apply it after that. You'll immediately notice that it will glide on more seamlessly along your lash line.

3. Your favourite lipstick Has your favourite shade of lipstick been discontinued? Or even worse, is it on the verge of losing its texture? Have no fear! Just store them in the fridge for a while. You see, heat can be a lipstick's worst enemy. It can cause the chemicals to break down

4. All those liquid makeup products Liquid mascaras, foundations and liners all have an expiration date. Compared to other cosmetics, liquid makeup products have a shorter shelf life. To increase the lifespan of your favourite products, store them in your fridge. Before applying it, give the container a good shake and it's good to use.

5. Your perfume!

Very often we keep our perfumes lying on our

Beauty products to be kept in fridge (Photo: glamour)

and can get spoiled really quickly. That's why it's good to preserve them in your trusty refrigerator.

dressing tables, and our bathroom shelves. This is the wrong way to store them. Heat, light and air

can affect the perfume's original scent and activate chemicals that can ruin your expensive perfume.

Storing your bottle in the fridge could actually be a good thing! It will not only protect the scent, but will also increase the longevity of the product.

6. Those organic cosmetics Since organic and homemade cosmetics don't contain preservatives, they're more likely to decompose faster and become a breeding ground for bacteria. To avoid that situation, keep them in the fridge so that they can last longer and remain fresh.

7. Your eye creams and face masks Eye creams and face masks are meant to be stored in a dry and cool environment. The slightest exposure to light and heat could spoil the product and make it lose its effectiveness. Before applying them to your skin, keep them in the fridge for a couple of hours. This will make the cream turn cold, and as we all know that cold constricts blood vessels which will soothe your skin by de-puffing it.

Reasons your hair is growing slow A coffee face mask for youthful skin (Photo: mybeautyface) Shinier And Stronger Hair If your hair is dull, damaged or dry, coffee can make it come back to life! It contains protein and antioxidants that not only repair damaged hair, but also provide deep nourishment to hair follicles. However, you must not directly apply it to your mane because it could be too harsh on the hair and scalp. You're supposed to dilute it with conditioner. Apply the coffee powder and conditioner mix to your hair and let it rest for 20-30 minutes. After that, wash it off with cold water. Trust us, ladies, you're bound to have smoother and shinier hair in less than a month!

2. For Brightening The Skin On Your Pretty Face

water.

3. For Darkening Hair Colour If you have naturally brown hair, you might want to use filter coffee to darken the colour. Yes, you heard right! The acid and chemicals coffee contains helps to smoothen the cuticles and add that extra shine and depth to dull hair. Just mix coffee grounds with water and add the paste to your hair after it's been shampooed. Let it sit there for about 10-15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water and, finally, damp dry using a soft towel. You'll see and feel the difference for sure!

4. For De-Puffing Tired Eyes If you've noticed, most eye-packs out there in the market contain caffeine. Since it has anti-

extra moisture.

5. For Radiant And Forever Youthful Skin You don't have to splurge tons of money for a facial or a body scrub massage at the salon anymore.

You can do it at home by using coffee as your main beauty ingredient. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties prevent bacteria from damaging skin cells.

While coffee does a fab job of brightening tanned skin, it also tightens up your pores. All you have to do is add a tablespoon of coffee powder to a bowl of yoghurt and add in a few drops of water.

Mix all the ingredients till it turns into a brown thick paste and apply it your face. Leave it on for 1015 minutes till the paste hardens and wash it off with lukewarm water.

proving blood flow to these areas. Doesn't that sound amazing? Go give it a shot already!

7. For Clean And Baby Smooth Feet The dead skin cells and dry skin on your feet?

Coffee can transform it!

Yes, ladies, a coffee scrub not only removes dead skin cells, it also helps nourishing and moisturizing your feet.

Making the scrub at home is not rocket science.

All the ingredients can be easily found in your kitchen. All you need is 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, half a cup of coffee powder and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Mix them well, and apply it to your feet! Then, wash it off with lukewarm water. You'll see the difference after trying it.

Which girl doesn't dream of having lush, long locks? But for many of us, our hair doesn't really grow much beyond a certain point. It's a pretty frustrating speed bump that comes in the way of those hair fantasies.We tell you a few reasons why your hair isn't growing the way it should - a few tweaks in your daily life should be enough to kickstart your hair growth for the mane you've always wanted.

1. Putting Off Those Trims A lot of us put off getting haircuts, especially when we're trying to grow our hair, but trimming the ends actually helps your hair grow longer and healthier. Get rid of those dry, damaged split ends to help gain length. But remember not to trim too often - once every 3 months is ideal for healthy hair growth.

2. Turn The Heat Off We're all pretty addicted to our hair dryers and irons to help tame our mane, but all that heat is a huge reason why our strands won't grow. Heat and tools do help our hair look good temporarily, but in the long run are damaging, burning and weakening our locks. Give your hair a break and em-

brace your natural texture more often. Try and go heatfree as often as possible, especially if you're trying to grow out your mane.

3. You Are What You Eat And so is your hair! Taking care of your strands isn't enough if your diet isn't rich in proteins and vitamins. A poor diet could be the culprit behind your hair woes, so make sure to load up on proteins and iron - eggs, spinach, dals, salmon, chicken, etc., to stimulate your follicles from the inside.

4. Breakage > Growth If your hair won't grow beyond a certain length, it could be because there is more breakage than growth.

Your hair should be growing at about half an inch per month, but split ends and breakage can slow down the process. Over-washing, rough handling, over-styling, chemical processes and brushing too often all contribute to your strands losing elasticity and moisture.

Start showing your locks some love and handle them with care.

5. Loosen Up Do you regularly tie your hair up or braid it? Pulling your hair back too tight and

Avoid using styling products (Photo: banghair) too often may help you get your strands off your face, help you control a bad hair day, or make you feel more polished, but it's also weakening your follicles. Tying your hair too tight too often can also end in increased hair breakage, so loosen that hair tie and let your hair down more often.

6. You Need Some Me Time!

Stress and your strands have a direct relationship.

Hair fall increases when your stress levels go up, so take time out to relax - maybe a vacation can help. The less

stressed you are, the better your hair will grow!

7. Time For Some TLC When your hair isn't growing the way it should it's an obvious sign that you need to give it some extra care and love. Try and avoid sun exposure as much as you can because the UV rays can weaken your strands. Indulge in a head massage regularly to promote circulation and strengthen your roots. Sleep on a satin pillowcase and be extra gentle when your hair is wet. A few simple tweaks can go a long way!

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DIBRUGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 12

PAGE 12

Vijender looks for winning start World T20: India assures full to year in 4th pro contest security to Pakistan cricket team PTI Liverpool, Mar 11 : He has been nothing short of sensational so far and Indian boxing star Vijender Singh would look to ensure that his winning streak remains intact when he takes on Hungarian Alexander Horvath in his fourth professional bout here tomorrow.

The former Olympic and World Championships bronze-medallist would be stepping into to compete in his first fight of the year after three knockout wins last year.

But tomorrow, he would be squaring off against his most experienced rival so far who has resorted to bizarre antics like dining on snake blood in the name of

preparations.

Horvath has a decent record of winning 5 out of 7 fights and has 31 rounds under his belt to count for experience.

Vijender has been training for 10 hours a day to prepare for the contest, which was originally scheduled for last month but was delayed owing to technical issues.

"I need to continue my unbeaten record and it's important that I put on a commanding performance against Horvath and then next at Harrow to keep on course for my title shot and my homecoming," Vijender said.

"Horvath is a good solid opponent for, maybe he will give me a few new

Vijender Singh tests, he has done more rounds than me and has a bit more experience, but will that compete with the power that I have and when I start landing my shots I don't believe that he'll be standing around

for too long," added the 30-year-old.

The 20-year-old Horvath, on the other hand, was no less confident about his own chances.

"I don't think Vijender is a strong opponent in front of

me. He has a record of 3 wins while my record is 5 wins so I have an edge over him. I am confident I will knock him out in the first or second round to register my 6th win," the Hungarian said.

"I have seen videos of his previous pro fights and my strategy is in place to give him a lesson of boxing. For Vijender I will be the toughest one when I see him in the ring tomorrow," he added.

Horvath said he has seen plenty of weaknesses in Vijender and would look to hand the Indian his first defeat before his home debut in June when Vijender will fight for the WBO Asia belt.

New Delhi, Mar 11: India on Friday assured Pakistan of full security to its cricket team that will take part in the World T20 in two venues in India before the last stage matches.

The assurance was given to Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit when he called on Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi here on Friday.

Sources in the Home Ministry said the Home Secretary assured Basit of extending full security for the Pakistani cricket team.

"Pakistan's main concern has been addressed. They

had objected to Dharamshala venue and it has been changed now.

The Pakistan team will play only in Kolkata (two matches) and Mohali (two matches)," they said.

After the meeting Basit told media that Mehrishi has given full assurance to him and he will send his recommendations to Islamabad and that they will take the "final call."

When asked if the Pakistan team will come to play in India, Basit said: "We always want that to happen. Let's see if Islamabad accepts my recommendations."

India-Pakistan meetings

are always positive, he said when he was asked about his meeting with the Home Secretary.

A controversy had erupted over Pakistan playing in Dharamsala with the Congress government in the state asking BCCI to address concerns of the families of security personnel martyred in terror attacks in India by elements who infiltrate from across the border.

The issue led to shifting of the India-Pakistan match from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh to Kolkata.

'Stop searching for excuses': BCCI tells Pak Kiwi fraternity pay homage to Martin Crowe at emotional funeral In multinational tournament like the World Cup, you cannot say that they do not want to play," Thakur told ANI here.

Anurag Thakur ANI Ahmadabad, Mar.11 : BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur on Friday took potshots at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the delay in sending the national cricket squad for the World T20 to be held in India, saying the decision to play in multina-

tional tournament is taken by the ICC. "You have to play according to the ICC's decision in multinational tournament, where about 26 nations are participating.

The Indian Government's decision will be important in case of bilateral series between the two nations.

The 45-year-old reiterated that the board would provide adequate security to all the nations visiting the country to play the pinnacle T20 event.

Thakur continued his tirade against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, saying it was due to his irresponsible comments that Pakistan got the opportunity to question India's ability to provide security.

"Pakistan was earlier ready to visit the country. It was because of the irresponsible statements of Himachal CM that the Pakistani team has got excuses to blame India. I want to request Pakistan to stop searching for excuses and come to play in the

country," insisted Thakur.

Earlier today, PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said that the board had got the assurance of foolproof security to their team from the Indian Government and the BCCI, adding that they were now waiting for Interior Minister's decision on the matter.

On Wednesday, the International Cricket Council decided to shift the venue for the World T20 clash between India and Pakistan on March 19 from Dharamsala to Kolkata's Eden Park due to security concerns.

The decision was taken after the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister expressed his aversion to the match in his state after the ex-servicemen and families of slain army officials opposed to stage an event involving Pakistan in the wake of the recent Pathankot terro attacks.

Flintoff backs England to achieve World T20 glory ANI Johannesburg, Mar.11 : Former England allrounder Andrew Flintoff believes his country's attacking brand of cricket will hand them with victory in this year's World T20 in India.

Admitting that it would be tough to play in India, the 38-year-old backed his side to go all the way even though conditions in the subcontinent would

be hard, Sport24 reported.

Flintoff said that it would be a great if his country seals the T20 pinnacle event, saying that no one was expecting England to clinch the trophy at the expense of the hot favourites like India and Australia.

The former player believes that skipper Eoin Morgan and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler

would be two crucial players for England.

He said that Morgan was a leader and had got the backing of his players while England could claim victory if Buttler has a good tournament.

Andrew Flintoff

England will start their World T20 campaign when they take on West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 16.

ANI Auckland, Mar.11 : Family, friends and the cricket fraternity gathered to pay their emotional tribute to New Zealand great Martin Crowe at his funeral service here on Friday.

Martin, who led New Zealand to the semi-final of the 1992 World Cup, passed away at the age of 53 on Sunday after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Around 1000 mourners attended the farewell to say their last goodbye to former skipper at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.

Former cricketer and ICC match referee Jeff Crowe said in an emotional address that his brother Martin had been an inspiration for many.

"It never really dawned on me how deep it all went, what a huge splash he made, what an inspiration he was for so many," he was

Martin Crowe quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Opener Martin Guptill said that Martin had always seen something in his game even when he failed to trust himself while Ross Taylor recalled the email from the legend that had inspired him to make 290 against Australia in Perth.

Expressing her feeling of grief on Martin's demise, wife Lorraine said, "Many knew him as a cricketing

legend, I knew him only as my soul mate," she said."He could be passionate, romantic, and fun. And he could be as cheeky as hell. He was everything I ever dreamed for in a partner."

Lorraine further revealed that Martin had dreamed to be remembered for being authentic, loving and full of prayer.

Greg Chappell was also present at the funeral as a representative of Cricket Australia, and also as a former skipper who had led Australia against New Zealand during Martin's first Test match.

The farewell begun with the video of Martin's most magnificent performance where he smashed 142-run innings against England at Lord's in 1994. His pallbearers included the actor Russell Crowe, and longtime friends Hilton

Mexted, David Lyle Morris, Grant Fox, Steve Wilkes and his brother Jeff.

Martin had been diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in October 2012 and underwent treatment for the cancer but it returned two years later.

Doctors identified his condition as double-hit lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood disease. Only five per cent of those diagnosed with it live for longer than 12 months.

Martin scored 5444 runs at an average of 45.36 in his 77 Tests before calling curtains on his international career in 1995. He had 17 centuries under his belt in the longer-format of the game, the most by a New Zealand cricketer.

He had also represented his country in 143 ODIs, scoring 4704 runs at an average of 38.55 with four centuries and 34 half-centuries.

Liverpool outplay weakened Man Utd in Europa League last-16 ANI London, Mar.11 : Liverpool produced a dominating performance as they outclassed disjointed Manchester United to take a deserving 2-0 first leg lead in the last16 of the Europa League at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp's side remained in possession throughout the match with Liverpool getting their first goal in the 20th minute.

Forward Daniel

Sturridge scored a superb penalty to put Liverpool in lead before midfielder Roberto Firmino doubled the score in the 73rd minute.

Louis Van Gaal's side failed to create a single chance and it was goalkeeper David de Gea's brilliance which had made magnificent saves.

It now seems to be a difficult task for United to score three goals in or-

Liverpool. A file photo

der to advance to the quarterfinals.

The two sides will now

lock horns in the second leg of the last-16 on March 18.

JBC win by 6 runs Ferdinand hammers Man Utd, Van Gaal post Liverpool rout Sports Reporter Dibrugarh, March. 11: Jhalukpara Boys Club(Junior) defeated Young Boys’ Club by six runs in the Rajanu Bora B-Division cricket tournament organised

by Dibrugarh District Sports Association here today.

Electing to bat, JBC(Junior) scored 103 for three in 12 overs.

Arbind Grodia scored unbeaten 41 off 30 balls, slamming three boundaries and one six. Atul Sharma remained unbeaten on 27 off 22 balls

with two boundaries and one six.

Sahid Ali took two wickets for 15 runs in 3 overs for Young Boys’ Club.

Young Boys’ Club were managed to score 100 by losing four wickets in 12 overs. Pollack Barua scored 39 off 26 balls, hitting five boundaries and one six.

Ansari Khan unbeaten on 19 off 6 balls with two sixes and one four.

For JBC(Junior), Akash Jain took two wickets for 15 runs in 3 overs.

ANI London.Mar.11 : Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has criticised the club in the wake of its humiliating defeat at the hands of Liverpool, saying that the Emirates Stadium club is showing no signs of improvement under manager Louis van Gaal.

Liverpool produced a dominating performance as they outclassed disjointed United to take a deserv-

ing 2-0 first leg lead in the last-16 of the Europa League at Anfield.

Admitting that United deserved to be booed by fans, the 37-year-old said that the reaction of the spectators was obvious after such a dismal show by the team.

"Did half of these players realize what game this is? Do they realise they are playing at Anfield, with the intensity, the history. Is it filtering through to them to say: 'Where are you, what are you doing? The

Rio Ferdinand frightening thing for me, I don't see any signs of improvement or where

they are going," Ferdinand was quoted as saying by goal.com.

Lavishing praise at Liverpool, Ferdinand said that Jurgen Klopp's side were on the front foot during the match, insisting that they played like a United team, intensity-wise, as they used to be earlier.

He added that it was disappointed to see that Liverpool overpowered his former club throughout match.

Earlier, Forward Daniel Sturridge scored a superb penalty to put Liverpool in lead before midfielder Roberto

Firmino doubled the score in the 73rd minute.

In contrast, Van Gaal's side failed to create a single chance and it was goalkeeper David de Gea's brilliance which had made magnificent saves.

It now seems to be a difficult task for United to score three goals in order to advance to the quarterfinals.

The two sides will now lock horns in the second leg of the last-16 on March 18.

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