12th feb 2016

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Vol. 1

THE EMERGING BANGLADESH CHINA INDIA MYANMARECONOMIC CORRIDOR AND ITS OPPORTUNITIES- PART I Page 8

ET CAPSULES

Suspected Murder case in Khumtai Golaghat, Feb 11: A case of suspected murder created sensation in Khumtai in Golaghat. According to the report a youth named Jugnu Tanti who was drowned in a pond at Natunmati Malpatty area in Khumtai. It was alleged that Jugnu was a bicycle thief and he tried to steal a bicycle from Pintu Mal's home last night. But when Pintu chased him, Jugnu fell in the pond and drowned. Today the family of Jugnu Tanti and other locals stated that Jugnu Tanti was an innocent young man and he had never engaged in such activity and alleged that it was a pre-planned murder and demanded an immediate inquiry. (Correspondent)

Raj Bhavan condoles Itanagar, Feb 11: The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Shri JP Rajkhowa has condoled the sad demise of Shri B.C. Mallick, a staff of Raj Bhavan, Itanagar, who died on 10th February 2016 after a prolong illness.

Conveying his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the Governor and the First Lady Smt Rita Rajkhwa prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Issue 246

Dibrugarh, Friday, February 12, 2016

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH AGAINST THE GRAIN: URVASHI BUTALIA

Union Minster Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates NADA centre in Dibrugarh

Itanagar Market Welfare Association to down shutters to protest against DC Singh

stadium the project will have new sports hostel, new galleries, media centre, and pavilion with AC, continuous power supply, drainage and internal roads, parking etc facilities while massive renovation and repair work will be carried out for the indoor stadium. Earlier, Dr. Meenakshi Saikia, the incharge of the NADA centre spoke on the setting up of the NADA centre and its possible role for sportspersons in future.

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Feb. 11

With the South Asian Games (SAG) fever running high across the state and region, sports lovers in Dibrugarh today were bestowed with two important sports projects which has put Dibrugarh in the national sports map. The first anti doping centre in the entire North East region which will function under the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA), Government of India was today inaugurated by union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal during a function held at the Dibrugarh District Sports Association (DDSA) stadium, here, today.

Along with the NADA centre Sonowal also laid the foundation stone of an ambitious project for upgradation and modernization of the outdoor stadium and for the renovation, extension of the existing indoor stadium. A sum of Rs 12 crore has been sanctioned for the upgradation and modernization of the outdoor stadium and 50 lakhs for the renovation and extension of the existing indoor stadium.

Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal lays the foundation stone of Outdoor stadium Modernization and Renovation and First North East Anti Doping center at Dibrugarh Outdoor stadium. Pic - UB Photos ing awareness about doping and its ill effects will also be initiated”, Sonowal said after inaugurating the NADA centre.

The minister who was accompanied by the secretary, Sports, Govt. of India Rajiv Yadav also congratulated the Assam Cricket team for qualifying for the Ranji Trophy semifinal for the first time. He said that the coming up of the NADA centre in Dibrugarh is a boon for the people, here.

“The youths of Assam have lots of potential. Therefore, we should encourage them to develop their sporting activities,’’ Sonowal said. The project to be implemented under the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) will take 2 years to complete. A grant of Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned as the first installment, the minister added.

Arunachal Governor terminates APSRB chairman's service

“Schemes of state capital will be taken up on priority basis ”: Advisor Sharma

The Governor had earlier terminated the services of the Advocate General and Additional Advocate General of the state.

President's rule was imposed in Arunachal Pradesh on January 26 keeping the Assembly under suspended animation. (PTI)

Nivedita N Manpoong Itanagar, Feb 11

A team from the capital district administration led by Advisor to Governor, B D Sharma today made a whirlwind tour around the twin capital town and inspected various points of strategic importance, including roads from R K Mission Hospital to bank Tinali via Niti Vihar, Hanuman Mandir Ganga Point to Bank Tinali via SP Office and DDK. After assessing the locations, Sharma advised Chief Engineer PWD (WZ) Katung Wage to direct the executing agency of the RCC Bridge at Abo-Tani Colony to immediately complete the said project within the stipulated time so that excessive traffic congestion could be

minimized.

He also assured to sanction adequate funds for construction of RCC Bridge at F-Sector, Itanagar and RCC Bridge over Pachin River near the Railway Station at Naharlagun.

Stressing on the need to streamline traffic, especially between Itanagar and Naharlagun, he suggested that diversion of roads from DPS to chimpu, Kola Camp to Doimukh and Bage Tinali to Rajiv Gandhi University be taken up on top priority.

Sharma also made a visit to the Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Bus Station at Itanagar, RGU Doimukh and ISBT at Lekhi and expressed

He recalled those days when he played cricket at the DDSA stadium. He said that when I

concern over the abandoned ISBT at Lekhi for the past two years. The Advisor to Governor directed the DC Capital Complex Sandeep Kumar Singh to clear all formalities and initiate necessary action for early functioning of ISBT services. He further directed Superintendent of Police Devender Arya to provide tempo and tracker services from ISBT Lekhi to Itanagar.

Sharma was accompanied by Commissioner PWD, Tajum Talo, Chief Engineer Highway Bora Ete, IGP Nabin Payeng, SSP (Traffic) Hibu Tamang, Additional District Magistrate Talo Potom, SE PWD T Kamsi and other divisional and subdivisional officers during the course of the inspection.

was the MP from Dibrugarh I wanted to develop the infrastructure of the stadium. “Development of sports is not possible by the government alone.

It needs a lot of support from the industry, society, media, and so on. Therefore, I urge upon the industrialists of Dibrugarh to come forward for promotion of sports. “Public private partnership is necessary to take the sports of Assam forward,’’ he said.

After the upgradation of the

Yadav in his speech assured all support for the development of sports in the state.

The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Debajit Dutta, the Vice President of DDSA. Dutta thanked the sports minister and the secretary, sports for their pro-active role in sanctioning the two projects for Dibrugarh within a record period of time. Litterateur Dr. Nagen Saikia, former President of Asom Sahitya Sabha and an ex Rajya Sabha MP from Assam, litterateur Prahlad Chandra Tasa, Dibrugarh MP Rameswar Teli, Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukon, former President of DDSA, educationist, sports organizer Dhirendra Nath Baruah, industrialist, noted sports organiser and a leading citizen of Dibrugarh Manoj Jalan, DDSA President Jamshed A. Khan, general secretary Munindra Nath Saikia were present during the meeting among others.

The state has been witnessing a rise in sporting talents, and it has been raining awards for the truly dedicated. Considering the conditions they have to put up with during training, such achievements are truly worth applause.

cmyk

A day spent with players of Chief Minister's Trophy On a trip to witness the Chief Minister’s Trophy on Football and Volleyball currently being held at the Sangay Lhaden

Sports Academy (SLSA), it was slightly disappointing to see that there were only a handful of spectators; sitting on the moist grass. The other partici-

pating teams, students of SLSA and officials made up more than half of the spectators.

No doubt, the initiative pro-

The Itanagar Market Welfare Association (IMWA) today called a press conference informing that the Itanagar market area will be shut down from 8 am to 3.30 pm on Friday following the confrontation that occurred between its president Yumlam Achung and Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Singh.

Informing of the series of events that led to the confrontation between the IMWA president and DC Singh, Achung informed that he had earlier met the DC on February 6 last to convey that the IMWA would extend full cooperation to the district administration but the DC allegedly had an air of arrogance and did not respond properly.

Soon, Achung went to meet the DC again and held discussions primarily on the removal of roadside meat and vegetable vendors and parking charges imposed by the Itanagar Municipal Council. Achung said that the DC asked him to submit the issue in written and accordingly arrived at the DC’s office on February 10 last.

When he was allowed entry into the DC’s chamber, the DC

Bishnu Rana Tezu, Feb 11

Road rage kills 8 (Eight)!!

Since from the day the NH Double Lane Road Specification gets ready for public use since the last September 2015, those precious lives and irreparable lost of a family cannot be evaluated. Still Bikers zoomed on the road killing them on the spot or injuring critically at every now and then. Who is to blame?

This figure is reported and registered at Police Station Tezu, unreported death may be more than that.

When enquired about this ugly figure, S Tayang District Transport Officer too expressed serious concern over

vides players from the remotest of places from the state to display their skills, with prospects of availing an opportunity to play with the big leagues in the national level.

However, on a closer look and some questioning, it was learnt that players who had arrived to participate in a competition of the state level were denied basic essentials.

Nivedita N Manpoong Itanagar, Feb 11

Nivedita N Manpoong Itanagar, Feb 11

was already in a discussion with some people and waited for his turn. However, Achung alleged that DC Singh in an angry tone questioned him on why he was making rounds of the office time and again.

“I was saddened by the response from the DC, but told him that this is the only place I can come to bring the grievances of the business community of Itanagar.”

When the DC asked him to submit the file he had bought along, Achung told the DC that he could not submit it under such circumstances. The DC then asked him to leave his chamber, which Achung considered was disrespectful to any person. He felt faint and sat down in one of the chairs, but the DC did not want him sitting around and they had an argument.

In the words of Achung, he humbly told the DC that since he is here to stay he has to work in coordination with everyone, but the DC allegedly said “I do not want to stay here”, to which Achung responded “If you do not want to stay here then why did you come here”, and left the chamber and told of the incident to the IMWA executive members.

Contd. on Page 3

Rush driving kills 8 till day at Tezu

Rush driving kills 8 till day at Tezu

these horrible statistic of death and considering the cause he initiated several precautionary steps to contain the menace in the form of setting up stoppage at Dagre Baba site which is the most accident prone zone of the township. Unfortunately these stoppages have been

A day spent with players of Chief Minister's Trophy

With plans of the state government to soon hold the Governor ’s Martial Arts Championship, Governor’s trophy T20 Cricket and Governor’s trophy in Archery, one cannot help but wonder how it would differ from the Chief Minister’s Trophy on Football and Volleyball, apart from the different field of sports chosen.

Pages- 12

Page 10

PROFIT OF CIPLA Q3 RISES 4.68%

Page 9

“The centre will implement anti-doping rules as per World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) code and regulate dope control programme. Promotion of education and research and creat-

"The Governor is pleased to withdraw his pleasure with respect to appointment of Maj as APSRB chairman with immediate effect," a statement from Trade and Commerce Commissioner said here today.

5.00

J. DEY MURDER CASE: COURT GRANTS PERMISSION TO TAKE RAJAN'S VOICE SAMPLE Page 6

A condolence meeting was conducted at Governor Secretariat led by the Secretary to Governor Dr. Joram Beda, where two-minute silence was observed as a mark of deceased.

Itanagar, Feb 11: Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa has terminated the service of Arunachal Pradesh State Rubber Board Chairman (APSRB) Likha Maj with immediate effect.

Price -

We could ignore the lack of ball boys on the field, the absence of an announcer or commentator, the inoperative score board and missing seats that could pull more audiences, but it is rather difficult to sideline the fact that accommodation for the players were ill managed and not to the standards expected of a state level tournament.

Some players on terms of

anonymity said that the living conditions are unhygienic, with no one to clean the dormitories and bathrooms. There were also complaints that the some girls have been allotted ‘tent dormitories’. “On days when it rained, the girls could not sleep well the entire night because the plastic roof had leaks in it”, informed one player and admitted that “We, as men, are accustomed to adjust to any given situation, but the girls and women have a difficult time, especially when it comes to their modesty. People can easily see though the tent and that is unacceptable.”

Contd. on Page 3

thrown out or made topsyturvy in its arrangement.

The DTO refuted the act of hooliganism or anti – social act. “It pained me most, when rush driving kills’ youth or any pedestrian. We together find out remedies to diminish this dreaded death figure

and public from all walk of life should support the department and police in the cause instead discouraging or demoralising the department by damaging the stoppages which is unfortunate”, rues the DTO. This act must be done either by druggist or those who is not happy with the frequent checking system intensified by the department, he suspects.

Meanwhile R Deori Officer – in Charge Tezu PS said that police has heightened its surveillance to nab the miscreants and a case has been lodged against the person who involves in dismantling or damaging important sign board being installed at various pocket of NH to avoid accident.

Bordumsa all poised to host the 32nd Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi Indrajit Tingwa Bordumsa 11 Feb

The four day mega ethno cultural festival of the Singpho community Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi will commence from tomorrow at the Singpho Heritage Centre here at Bordumsa. The celebration committee are putting up all their efforts to ensure a grand and successful celebration of the fest. Today, members of the celebration committee and the Singpho Development Society, apex organisation of the community were seen giving the final prepatory touches to the constructions and other repairs and renovations at the heritage centre.

This year's edition of the festival assumes much significance as Kiren Rijiju, Union MoS Home Affairs will be gracing the festival as the chief

guest on the 14 February. This will be the first time that a union minister is attending the festival. The organisers and the community are upbeat regarding the attendance of the high profile guest this year and are holding a lot of expectations from his visit. Besides the Union MoS, other imminent personalities and dignitaries are also on the guest list this time.

Speaking to the media, Jowkhong Singpho,President Singpho Development Society said that the festival this year will be on a different note as many dignitaries are expected to visit the festival and the assimililation of community members during the occasion will undoubtedly foster more bonding and integrity. He added that all arrangements have been made to ensure in order to host the mega festival.

cmyk

Dalam Studio Near parking stand Khonsa

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

PAGE 2

ASTRO FOR YOU Aries You probably have a big circle of friends, and though most of them may be casual friends, they may sometimes prove to be favourable. They may help you overcome some dejections. It will also help you figure out the importance of the role friends can play.

Taurus You are, consequently, likely to feel suspicious, uncertain and insecure about everything, particularly people. It's even possible that you may even suspect the feelings and intentions of those who are close to you. An uneasy anxiety and excitement will prevail at home. This is not going to be a particularly pleasant day for you. Act sensibly, carefully.

Gemini You will be seized by a desire to go on a trip with friends and family. This trip may have been some time in the planning as well. The day will be filled with fun and frolic and entertainment. Marital life will be blissful as well.

Cancer Today will be as boring and uneventful as it gets. It will be just another day at office, and an equally simple day at home. There will not be any low points, but no high points either.

Leo You will need to keep from being agitated today. Let your spouse or business partner take critical decisions if you aren't in the right frame of mind. Decisions you take today may have to be rethought of later. Important meetings will proceed smoothly, but you will not be able to commit to any final conclusions or contracts.

Virgo Pay due attention to your innate feelings. A small tour may be in the offing. You will get along famously with people today. Your loved ones will receive your sincere feelings and emotions. Work your magic to improve relationships more.

Libra All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! You don't want to be Jack, now, do you?

It's high time you took a break from your busy work schedule. Go on a vacation to recharge your batteries. There are chances that evening could bring with it some hurtful remarks from loves ones.

Scorpio You are likely to get overboard with your ambitions and be loud-mouthed. But do not to be too forceful or severe lest you end up tarnishing your image. It is best to stay clear of conflicts in the larger scheme of things.

Sagittarius Conversation and interaction with like-minded people is going to make your day.

Shooting ideas, brainstorming and casual discussions may enlighten you today. Those around you will enjoy your company.

Capricorn Lack of confidence may leave you glum in the first half of the day, and to add to it, you will be loaded with work that you may have taken up from company other than the one employing you full time. The sullen mood will turn jovial by evening, and you can expect to have a good time socialising with friends and relatives.

Aquarius Today, you will decide to clean up the pile of files on the desk at work. Also, you will do everything that it requires to lighten the burden. Plan out your career wisely and set targets for the future.

Pisces Your business associates will marvel at your business acumen, and will respect the insights you provide for them to work with. Meanwhile, you will be busy spending quality time with your family and showing them how much they mean to you today.

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 12-2-16 (FRIDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Gandhi Prarthana 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Highlights of 12th South Asian Games 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori (Live Phone in Request Songs) 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 3-10 P.M-Selfie From North East 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-Chah Sramikar Asor 8-00 P.M-Jibanar Digh Bani (Radio Autobiography) 9-30 P.M-North East Collage 10.00 P.M-Classical Music

Congress to form government in N C Hills Autonomous Council ET Correspondent Haflong, Feb 11: Beside many speculations of the congress party, the party is again all set to form government in N C Hills Autonomous Council once again as fifteen MACs from congress voted out Niranjan Hojai who headed the BJP government in the HCHAC during the special and normal session on Thursday.

The BJP government in NCHAC led by Niranjan Hojai during October 2015 with some of its MACs in its fold but within a period of three months, the BJP MACs again joined the con-

gress party paving the way for formation of congress government in NCHAC. The sixteen MACs of Congress earlier on January 12 met the Governor of Assam to apprise him that the Chief Executive Member Niranjan Hojai had lost the confidence of majority in MACs and sought for moving no confidence against CEM. Accordingly the Governor had directed the Chairman of the NCHAC to fix January 29 for the session but on the eve of session the chairman Subrata Thaosen resigned from the

post and then Sri Ngamrothang Hmar was elected unopposed. By keeping eye of all the approaches of Congress Members, the Governor again directed the chairman of NCHAC to fix Feb 11 for special session wherein no trust motion was to be moved.

The CEM Hojai tendered his resignation on Thursday.

The Chairman informed the house wherein 15 MACs from Congress were present but none from BJP was present.

In the session, Sri Debojeet

Thaosen sought permission to move the no trust motion against CEM Hojai as he has only tendered his resignation and still he was the CEM which was granted by Chairman thereafter no trust motion was moved and was supported by all the 15 congress members and won the won motion.

As the CEM was voted out, there has been a rule that CEM should be elected within 48 hours therefore tomorrow’s nomination paper would be collected and on February 13, election for the new CEM would be held.

Certification Programme for Six Sigma Green Belt going to be held in Tezpur University ET Correspondent Tezpur, Feb 11: The School of Management Sciences, Tezpur University in association with Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Bangalore is organizing Certification Programme for Six Sigma Green Belt for the professionals and students of north eastern region. The programme will be held during

March 18-21 at Tezpur University.

The programme is under an initiative of Government of India to spread quality consciousness among people.

As such, the programme can be attended by college/university teachers, research scholars, final year engineering students

MBA/PGDM students, corporate executive etc.

Six-Sigma is a data driven process improvement methodology.

Many times the project leaders suffer from the lack of adequate understanding of the appropriate tool to apply in a real life situation. Ultimately, most of the time prior knowledge or experience takes precedence over

data analysis, said in a University press release.

The University also mentioned that, the primary aim of the program is to provide an in-depth knowledge to the participants to equip them with methodology to deal with problems independently, so that these people can work as internal resource personnel.

Darrang engineers' body welcome introduction of new service rule ET Correspondent Mangaldai Feb 11 : The Darrang and Udalguri district association of Junior Engineers serving the state Panchayat and Rural Development department has welcome the recent gazette notification of introduction of service rule for the junior engineers serving the department. Talking to media here on Thursday Manoj Thakuria, president and Nipon Choudhury , secretary of the engineers' body stated that the members of the association have become jubiliant with the government's decision to introduce Assam Rural Development Officer (Technical) Service Rule, 2015 through its notification -PDB 140 /2012 / Pt-II /121 which they observed as the result of their long standing demand before the government.

The new service rule which would offer more social and financial security by bringing the service o under a specific framework including introduction of minimum and maximum age bar on service entry , effecting pay band 2 salary structure and option for promotion to the Assistant Engineers with pay band 4 salary structure among others would increase the working spirit , they believed.

Certificate distributed among the Students and Trainers at Margherita ET Correspondent Margherita, Feb 11: Margherita Rotary Club and All Assam Bhojpuri Parishad Margherita Regional Committee today distributed Certificate among the Students and Trainers at Margherita Hindi High School who participated have in 3 Months Vocational Training Course and also Adult Literacy Programme at Margherita Hindi High School. The Programme begin with Lighting of lamp by Margherita Sub Divisional Officer (Civil). The event also had different cultural and traditional programs.

Many reputed and respectful person attended the function. President of All

Certificate distributed among the Students and Trainers at Margherita Assam Bhojpuri Parishad Margherita Regional Committee, Jay Kumar Sah, welcomed the gathering with fruitful speech. The meeting was presided by Kailash Kumar Gupta, President of

Margherita Rotary Club.

Many resource and respectful persons such as Gautam Baruah, noted Social Worker of Margherita, Dr. Mrs. Dipashree Das Sarkar, Associate Professor Depart-

ment of English, Margherita College, Avinash Chandra, General Secretary of All Assam Bhojpuri Parishad, Tinsukia District Committee, Margherita Sub Divisional officer (Civil) and

many other distinguished persons of Margherita attended the function. Vocational Courses such as Mehendi, Teddy Making, Tailoring,Beauty Parlour, Adult Literacy Programme.

Around 300 Students and 40 Trainers were given Certificates at today’s Programme. Vinod Kumar Gourh, Om Prakash Sah, Jay Kumar Sah, Kamlesh Kumar Dubey, Arun Rastogi all the leaders of All Assam Bhojpuri Parishad Margherita Regional Committee have contributed a lot for these 3 Months Vocational Course and eventually Conscious section people of Margherita have appreciated these Programme a lot.

JFA urges political parties to implement welfare schemes for media persons

Sd-/H.O.P

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Feb 11 : As Assam prepares for the next Legislative Assembly election in the next few weeks, a media forum urged all political parties to show their sincerity towards the implementation of various welfare schemes for media persons, engaged in both print & electronic media. Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) also insisted on enrolling a special

protection law for scribes on duty in the election manifestos by both the regional and national political parties. Expressing grave concern over helpless working condition of media persons, particularly the private television employees including working journalists in northeast India, the forum appealed to the Union government to look into the matter seriously.

The forum, in a statement issued by its president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria, argued that nearly 80% working journalists of the region are still performing their duties with pitiable salaries (read monthly financial package), unlimited working hours and without any facilities recommended by the country's labour laws. The forum pointed out that the report-

ers and camera persons, engaged with the satellite news channels of the region have to work in a vulnerable atmosphere with low wages, more than 8 hours working period in a day, without weekly offday, no leaves in need and with no comprehensive facility for life & health insurance coverage. Earlier the JFA raised demands for a social media audit across India where the readers/viewers

can find a transparent picture of the financial dealings involved with their favourite news papers and news channels. “The media audit should address various vital issues relating to the media market in the country,” said the forum adding that the exercise in the long run should help the journalists and non-journalist media employees to get due benefits supported by the law of the land.

'No editorial is published in the News Papers reflecting the miseries of the journalists'-Nava Thakuria: Yearlong Silver Jubilee Celebration of North Lakhimpur Press Club concludes ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; Feb 10: "Journalism is a subject which is always to be learnt and comprehended.

The journalists must get the support of the mass.

They are their armour.

Working journalists have to face much challenge everyday in their lives.

Therefore, they must be honest so that they can manage them". This statement was made by Nava Thakuria while delivering his speech as the Special Guest today on a topic

'Journalism in the view of a journalist' in the Open Session of the Concluding Ceremony of the yearlong Silver Jubilee Celebration of North Lakhimpur Press Club held in the Tyag Khetra of North Lakhimpur town.

It is to be noted that the yearlong program the Silver Jubilee Celebration of NLPC concluded today with a grand success. The last program of the extravaganza, the Concluding Ceremony was held

yesterday and today. Today the Open Session which was chaired by Dr Manoranjan Pandit, the President of the Celebration Committee was purely open for all instead of as usual.

Feedback on journalists and journalism from different representatives of the society was sought through the platform. With a view to this, Lakhimpur DC Debeswar Malakar delivered his speech on 'Journalism in the view of gov-

ernmental service holders and officers'. "We must admit the liberty of the press. It is beneficial for every one if the press fixes a Lakshman Rekha itself"stated he in his speech. He elaborated his developmental activities which have been taken as per the suggestion of the journalist of the district. On the other hand Dr Ranoj Pegu, the CEM of Miching Autonomous Council spoke on 'Journalism in the view of Public Representatives'.

He said that he accept the journalists with a positive view as the public opinion is reflected through their pens and papers. "There must be criticism in the democracy. We should be tolerate to accept it"-he stated in the meeting. On the topic of 'Journalism in the view of teachers', Jagadwendra Rai Choudhury, Professor of B Baruah College and Dr Arabindra Rajkhowa, Professor of North Lakhimpur College presented their view. Both of them

emphasised on the personality, non-compromising stand, honesty and the social responsibility of the journalist.

"Journalism is the honorable profession in the view of the teachers." Nava Thakuria, in connection with his lecture said that no Newspaper publishes editorial reflecting the agonies and miseries of the journalists. "These remain hidden like the darkness under the lamp"-he stated.

He specially elaborated the

Medical Health, financial security, professional activities, mental and technical development of the journalists. President of NLPC Surajit Bhuyan delivered the welcome address elaborating the history of journalism in Lakhimpur and NLPC. Secretary Kumud Baruah elaborated the whole records of the Silver Jubilee Programs held throughout the year. It is noteworthy that the souvenir of the whole program was re-

leased today and it was administered by Rupam Baruah, the Editor of Child Magazine 'Saphura' published from Guwahati. He emphasised on the bravery, honesty and humanity of the journalists.

Three singer of the district, viz Rupam Das, Dulen Chetia, Nishita Dutta who keep continue their struggle to establish them performed singing in the program. Moreover, the prizes of the Pearl Searching Race Competition was distributed in the program.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

PAGE 3

Arunachal BJP observes 48th Cleanliness drive carried Death Anniversary of Pundit out in all schools of Khonsa Deendayal Upadhyaya ET Bureau Itanagar, Feb 11: The Bharatiya Janata Party Arunachal Pradesh today observed 48th Death Anniversary of its inspiring ideologue, Pundit Deendayal Upadhyaya at state BJP HQ Itanagar attended by party workers and leaders and paid floral tributes and offerings by the party workers and leaders on the occasion. spoke about and his astounding thoughts and inspirations on the occasion.

The State President Tai Tagak speaking about Pundit Deendayal Upadhyaya said that the visionary behind the lotus bloom, Pundit Deen Dayal Upadhyay is best remembered for his Simplicity, Sincerity and personal integrity as well as for being a guiding force behind an alternative model of governance and politics.

Born on September 25 1916 in Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya a visionary and front ranking leader and one of the tallest moralist and ethical political leaders of his times, he was the leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh from 1953 to 1968.

The 2014 victory of BJP

Arunachal BJP observes 48th Death Anniversary of Pundit Deendayal Upadhyaya

was a clear vindication and reaffirmation of ideology in politics. All the opposition during the poll campaign and after the formation of the new government is essentially a reiteration of the tectonic shift that has reshaped and reconstructed Indian polity.

Upadhyaya's idea of Antyodaya is at the centre of this policy shift that is taking place in governance. He was an advocate of less government and more governance. He believed in self sustaining

autonomous units, more power to states and decentralised and competitive federalism, solidly cemented on the cultural mosaic of our tradition, heritage and experience of the past.

The President called upon the party workers and leaders to work hard with conviction and commitment so that we become change agents in our state and society and accomplish the ideals and thought of party ideologue.

Others spoke on the occasion included shri Dugh Saha, State President, BJYM outlined the programme and gave welcome. Smti. Padmeswari Jamoh, State President, Mahila Morcha highlighted the works and thoughts of Pundit Deendayal and his organization building skills as that of a mother that nurtures our home in the society and termed organized, educated and empowered mothers can contribute largely on the national building.

ET Correspondent Khonsa, feb 11: Since few days many cleanliness drive are continuing in many parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Another cleanliness drive was conducted under PHED in all the water sources and water storage tanks in Khonsa Township on 10th February, all the Schools in Khonsa carried out cleanliness drives on 11th February where all the teachers and students actively participated. The class rooms, offices, school and hostel buildings, drains and the School premises were cleaned thoroughly by all.

The principal and Headmaster actively took part and supervised the students in the social service. It may be mentioned here that Tirap district administration has been initiating cleanliness drives in the district since 2nd October, 2015 in order to create awareness on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan which was initiated by the Prime Minister and Swachh Arunachal Abhiyan launched by the state government and to inculcate a sense of hygienic living

Cleanliness drive carried out in all schools of Khonsa among the people.

The Deputy Commissioner of the district inspected the cleanliness drives at many schools and appreciated the teachers and the students for their enthusiastic and willing participation in the “Clean Arunachal” cam-

paign. The people of Khonsa would like to thanks the administration for taking this initiative to clean the Arunachal and also would like to thank for making the villager’s realized the importance of keeping their houses and surroundings neat and clean to prevent

diseases like malaria, cholera, diarrhea and other water- borne diseases. Most importantly, the students who are the real torch-bearers have begun to understand the need of maintaining cleanliness and they happily participate in all cleanliness drives.

GOLDEN GIRL

36 forest officials trained about use of GPS Bishnu Rana Tezu, Feb 11: Under department of Forest & Environment in Lohit circle Global Positioning System (GPS) has been taught, trained and guided. It’s first hand information in tracking / recording of data Compilations of e – Working Plan was briefly disseminated to Forest Ranger, Deputy Forest Ranger and Forester here today at the Botanical Garden.

Citing its necessity at present situation, Dr K Kire (IFS) Chief Conservator of Forest Tezu said that GPS in fact need of the hour to know the accurate figure of Landscape, Latitude & Longitude of a Reserve Forest or any Forest cover as well as in the department working plan especially for sustainable development of forest, regeneration of forest for both environment and economic uses. “GPS helps to accurate assessment of forest cover in tough mountainous areas.

members of Dibrugarh unit of AASU felicitate Supriya Gogoi brought laurels to the district by winning a gold medal in Kho-kho at the ongoing 12th South Asian Games, Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos

Itanagar Market Welfare Association to down shutters to protest against DC Singh Contd. from Page 1

36 forest officials trained about use of GPS This technique is the most cheapest, fastest and accurate to plan anything sitting in Delhi. The field staffs ought to know this modus – operandi of GPS and use this system in their respective ranges to make easy for satellite surveillance for any monitoring or any sort of planning”, informs the CCF. Despite chill and rainy weather condition the train-

ees were divided in three different groups for practical GPS using system in surveying the areas.

Dr K K Sharma Scientist Ministry of Space from Shillong also felt mandatory of this technology and suggested the trainees to get trained with this hand held receiver GPS for easy monitoring of any schemes sitting far off places. Including Dr Sharma other re-

source person was Dr Rocky Pebam Scientist and Pradeep Kumar.

Meanwhile, Soplan Manyu DFO Lohit, Aduk Paron DFO L/Dibang Valley, Jumdo Geyi DFO Anjaw, J Riba DCF Tezu including 36 trainees from Dibang, Lower Dibang Valley, Anjaw and Namsai districts participated during the one day GPS training programme.

The IMWA said that it would now submit a memorandum to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh demanding that DC Singh be replaced with a more experienced DC who understands the sentiments of the tribal masses, failing which, it would initiate necessary action.

On meeting the DC, he informed that he had met with the IMWA president when he arrived on the

first day and had a moderately long discussion on the roles and issues of the association. He arrived the next day as well but the DC could not meet him as he was already in a meeting. When the IMWA president arrived on the third day, the DC, who was already in another meeting, invited Achung into his chamber and told him that there is no point in coming every day, and that he should instead submit the necessary papers to the office for further consideration.

DC Singh claimed that

Achung’s response was strange as he went on to caution the DC that “you have to work in coordination with us”, which the DC maintained that he knows well as he is here to serve the people.

“I was polite to him, but he must have taken it otherwise. We are here to serve the people, listen to their issues and solve them, no matter who they are”.

On proposals of a talk between the DC and the IMWA, the DC affirmed that there will be people who will appreciate the work being done, while

some will complain of it, so the issue of a compromise does not arise.

DC Singh, who has been lauded for his exemplary work in East Kameng district, said that he understands tribal sentiments as he also comes from a small village and he has also spent considerable amount of time with the locals in Seppa and neighbouring areas.

The IMWA, on February 10 had filed an FIR against DC Singh for allegedly misbehaving with the association’s president.

A day spent with players of National De-worming Day Observed at Aalo Chief Minister's Trophy Contd. from Page 1

National De-worming Day Observed at Aalo Aalo, Feb 11: Along with the rest of the nation, the West Siang District, Aalo also celebrate the District Level National De worming Day which was launched at Town Middle School, Aalo

by Shri Pige Ligu, Deputy Commissioner of West Siang District on 10th February last. The DC admin-

istered Albendazole tablet to few students in presence of Smty L. Singpho, Deputy Director, ICDS, Aalo and Dr. K. Ori, DFWO, Aalo.

In his brief speech he advised the students to take advantage of good programme launch by Govt. of India to give good and

worm free health to students so that they can perform better in study without worm related ailments. Dr. K. Ori, DFWO, Aalo briefly highlighted the progress of programme launched all over the district. The DMO of Aalo visited Yomcha and Nikte health centres to oversee the effective launching

of the programme in those centres.

Shri Degam Ete, Head Master of Town Middle School expressed his gratitude to dignitaries and District Health Society, West Siang District, Aalo for choosing the school for launching District Level National De worming Day. (DIPRO)

With overcrowding, many female players share the men’s bathroom and wait in queue from 4 am, but still it results in delays for everyone. With no lid covering the water tanks, insects come pouring down along with the water. The players do not have proper beds and have been provided mattresses which are more like yoga mats and seem like they have not seen sunshine in years. “The mattresses have given us rashes and makes sleeping difficult”, said another player. Some parts of the dormitory walls have creepers cling-

ing on to it, which shows that there has been very less or no maintenance of one of the most popular sports academy in the state.

We also know how players need their nourishment to keep fit and raring to go at any given time, but there were again a few issues regarding the food that was being served.

Some said that the food was too spicy for their palate and the drinking water was directly filled from the taps to the water filters without getting boiled, causing reasonable scare of coming down with a stomach infection or other diseases when they need all their energy to perform.

“We had to go through similar situations last year and this year is not much different. We do place our problems to the officials, but maybe their hands are tied as well” On a slightly brighter note, officials of the Directorate of Sports on their part informed that they are trying to bring in changes to the scheme in a way that benefits the players in more than only monetary terms. They are also planning to put more attention on accommodation and sports gear for all the players and hope that it further encourages them to take sports as a career and not merely as a passing hobby.

An athlete can only per-

form well when he or she is provided with proper, if not the best of facilities. To an outsider, these complaints may seem minuscule, but when half of their time is spent fetching water and waiting for their turns in the filthy bathroom, there are bound to be disappointments and half-hearted performances.

As the state government prepares its vision for the Governor's Trophy, let us hope sportsmen and women of the state receive more than cash awards and brass trophies; let us hope they receive better treatment and respect that comes without question in the sports world.

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

PAGE 4

Seminar on Hindi Grammar held at Golaghat ET Correspondent Golaghat, Feb 11: A seminar cum workshop on Hindi was held today at Government Bezbaruah Higher Secondary School in Golaghat. The seminar cum workshop was organised by Assam Rashtrabhasha Prachar Samiti, Golaghat District Unit. The main objective of the seminar was to provide knowledge to the students and teachers on Hindi Grammar and application of Standard Hindi. Today the seminar was inaugurated by Dr Subhalakshmi Rajkumari, the Inspector of Schools, Golaghat.

The chief guest was Dr. Guluk Chandra Deka, Assistant Professor of Guwahati College. Many respectful citizen took part as a distinguished guest in the siminar like Dr. Khiroda Kumar Saikia, Mantri and Ramnath Prasad, Sahayak Sahitya Sachiv of Assam Rashtrabhasha Prachar Samiti, Guwahati. Many students of ninth and tenth standard from different schools in Golaghat attended the same.

Protest at Samdung TE ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Feb 11: A protest was organised today at Samdung Tea Estate at government rest spot by many BJP workers of gaon panchayat of Digboi legislative assembly against the proposed nomination of Suren Phukan who has lost three assembly polls in the past.

Health services hit as employees of TMPK demonstrates Sit-in-Strike in Lakhimpur NHM launches two days boycott against the negligence of the State Govt.

Members of National Health Mission Employees Association Assam staged protest in front of Nagaon Join Director Office. Pic - UB Photos

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Feb 11: Health services under the National Health Mission (NHM) were hit due to the protest by some 18,000 contractual employees across the State today.

All the employees of the NHM under the banner of the NHM Employees’ Asso-

ciation (NEA), Assam, today launched a two-day boycott in protest against the Government’s failure to meet the demands of the organisation.

The NHM Employees’ Association, alleged that NHM employees have been deprived of basic perks and privileges like regular and

timely annual increment on salaries, regularization of jobs, CPF, grade pay, health insurance, etc., despite round-the-clock delivery of service.

The employees demanded status on a par with their regular counterparts under the State Government. They demanded equal pay and perks.

Land Patta to forest dwellers ET Correspondent Tezpur, Feb 11 : After a long time the people living in the forest areas in Sonitpur district, particularly the people belonging to the Boro community living in the northern belt of the district falling under the Balipara Tribal belt block ranging from Mazbat area to Gohpur will get their land right tomorrow over the lands that they have been occupying in the forest areas over the years. ADC, Jadab Saikia in a telephonic conversation with this correspondent disclosed that regarding the matter an emergency meeting was convened today at the DC’s conference hall here in presence of DC, Sonitpur Laya Madduri, SDOs of Gohpur and

Biswantah Sub Divisions, of Sonitpur District, Circle officers (welfare officers), DFOs of both the Wild life and Noraml, public representatives including MLAs of all the LACs of the district, Zila Parishad Members, Panchayat Members , and Project Director, DRDA, Sonitpur to take a consensus decision on the long pending issue. He said that though various tribal organizations including All Bodo Students union had been demanding the government to fulfill the demand of the land right to the Bodos living in the region under the Forest Right Act 2006 due to the ban on the matter by High Court following a case filed related with Kokrajhar it remaind pending

for a long time. “However, as the case is flat, it is not applicable for all the districts in the state, accordingly as per the government’s direction we have today resolved to reexamine the issue and in this process the occupants in the concerned forest areas fulfilling their illegibility criteria will be served with land patta and those who cannot fulfill the same their cases will be rejected and it will officially be informed to them.” He said adding as a token the state chief minister Tarun Gogoi who is attending a public meeting at Chardwar near here in Sonitpur tomorrow will publicly distribute few land pattas to the people of the area.

Army apprehends two hardcore terrorist in two days at Kokrajhar ET Correspondent Rangia Feb 11: Based on specific information, Army and Kokrajhar Police launched a joint operation on 10 February 2016 in village Khashiabari, Kokrajhar District, in the early hours and apprehended one terrorist of United Liberation Front of Assam

(ULFA). He has been identified as Dipak Das. The terrorist was involved in money collection, extortion and providing administrative support to ULFA. One 7.62mm Pistol and some ammunition were recovered from the apprehended terrorist.

In another operation,

Based on specific information, Army and Kokrajhar Police launched a joint operation on 11 February 2016 in village Siyalmari No 2 of District Kokrajhar and apprehended one terrorist of National Santhal Liberation Army (Anti Talk) [NSLA (AT)]. The apprehended terrorist has been

identified as Enverest Tudu @ Jambua. The terrorist is a senior cadre of the banned organisation and was involved in money collection, extortion and many other subversive activities. One Pistol, some ammunition and one Nokia mobile phone were recovered from the apprehended terrorist.

BJP is frustrated: CM Gogoi A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Feb 11: Taking potshots at the BJP and the party president Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday said the BJP was "frustrated" and that was why they were so upbeat over the alliance with the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) for the upcoming assembly elections.

A day after BJP president Amit Shah hailed the alliance between his party and the BPF, Gogoi at a press conference said the BJP "cannot even contest the elections" without the BPF. "Now without the BPF and its chief Hagrama Mohilary, they (BJP) cannot even con-

test the elections. Can you imagine the prime minister coming twice to meet Hagrama Mohilary in Kokrajhar. "... yesterday (Wednesday) party president Amit Shah came to meet Hagrama Mohilary, who is confined to a small area like Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) and represents a small community.

This only indicates frustration of the saffron party," said Gogoi.

The chief minister said the Congress had also allied with the BPF in the past.

"We had also formed an alliance with the BPF in the

past. However, I never went there to meet him. It was Hagrama Mohilary who came to us (Congress) and met me.

"The BJP has now made Hagrama Mohilary a bigger leader than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," he said.

On Shah's Wednesday remark at a public rally that the CAG did not get replies to 822 inspection reports for more than 10 years and that there were serious financial irregularities of Rs.1,79,755.12 crore, Gogoi said Shah was nobody to ask him.

Shah? Let the prime minister ask me, I'll reply then.

"This is nothing but propaganda before the elections.

I submit memorandums to the prime minister and finance minister of India. Let them ask me about the irregularities, I'll reply," Gogoi said.

On Shah mentioning rhino killings, Gogoi said: "Neither Shah nor the prime minister mentioned a single word about the 150 people who died during the floods in Assam in the last two years.

"Does it mean that rhinos of Assam have more value than the people of Assam for the BJP," he asked.

"Why should I reply to Amit

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR !

ET Correspondent Lakhimpur; Feb 11: Takam Miching Porin Kebang(All Miching Student Union) or TMPK today at 11am demonstrate massive Sit-in-Strike in front of the Lakhimpur District Deputy Commissioner's Office against the State Government's negligence towards the Community.

The organisation initiated the protest program against irregular releasing of fund of the Post-Matric Scholarship to ST students of Assam for the session 201213, 2013-14 and 2014; reluctance to declare the day of Ali A:ye Ligang as State holiday by the Government of Assam and its negligence towards Miching custom and culture.

Moreover the organisation demanded immediate postponing and halt of HSLC Examination that was scheduled to be held on the day of Ali A:ye Ligang festival which is a great disparaging to the tribe by the Govt of Assam, to amend the Section No 19 and 25 of

Lakhimpur and Bihpuria TMPK organizing sit-n-demonstration in front of Lakhimpur deputy commissioner office regarding six points chartered demands in Lakhimpur. Pic - UB Photos the 'Right to Education Act' and to appoint teachers subject wise to ensure quality education; to stop the construction of the Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Power Project(LSHEPP) because it cannot be retained without the the safety and security of the downstream people and Expert

Committee's positive recommendation and to complete the construction of the embankments of the Rivers Ranganadi and Dikrong by the month of March. Staging the protest program, the organisation submit a memorandum to CM Tarun Gogoi through the Deputy Commissioner of

Lakhimpur. Vice President of the Central Committee Dilip Pegu, General Secretary Padmalochan Doley, Lakhimpur District President Robin Doley and Secretary Punyeswar Pegu along with at least 500 activists of the organisation were present in the program.

West Karbi Anglong district of Assam comes into force Sushanta Roy Diphu, Feb 11: Hamren was officially added up as West Karbi Anglong district of Assam within the control of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council from today.

Debo Kumar Nath took over as the first Deputy Commissioner of West Karbi Anglong district who will function from Hamren town, the official headquarter of the new district.

A official meeting was held at Ronghang Rongbong stadium of Hamren town which was presided over by M.U Ahmed Commissioner of Lower and Central

Assam in presence of Khorosing Engti, Minister of Hill Areas Development department, Government of Assam, Deputy Commissioner Karbi Anglong Mukul Gogoi, Principal Secretary Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Mrs. J. Daulagapu, Chief Executive Member KAAC Tuliram Ringhang and all the Executive Members of his Executive Committee, MLA of Hamren Dr. Man Sing Rongpi and host of other dignitaries.

After the meeting Khorosing Engti, Minister of Hill Areas Development

department formally proclaimed the official status of the new administrative classification.

It may be mentioned here that the new district will be within the ambit of KAAC for its development related fund and all the 30 Assam Government’s developmental departments will be within the official jurisdiction of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. West Karbi Anglong district has a geographical area of 3054 square kilometre whose 70% is occupied by mountainous forest land and rivers with sporting rapids.

The vast plains of Kheroni, Mailu etc have a large population of Hindi Speaking, Nepali and Bengali people. Maximum hilly area is thinly populated, beside the principal Karbi tribe Khasi, Pnar, Tiwa, Garo, Jayantia, Dimasa etc tribes consists of the new sixth scheduled tribal autonomous district of Assam.

Physically West Karbi Anglong district is bounded

by Nagaon district and the in the West by Meghalaya, and this is one of the most troubled interstate boundary of Assam.

Registrar Dr. Biren Das urges parents to take forward their children on right track ET Correspondent Tezpur, Feb 11 : Noted academician and registrar of Tezpur University Dr. Biren Das today urged the parents to take forward their children on right track of their life with self confidence and self determination. The eminent academician who was delivering his lecture as chief guest of the open session of the annual prize distribution programme of Khelmati ME school near here today, suggesting the students to be firm in their decision in every step of life also observed that to be successful in life one must have self confidence and self determination. Speaking about the experience of how he himself studied and from what background he hailed to achieve goal in his life, he farther said that one should go in the life with whatever he or she has, as one should understand himself. Stressing on the development of the morality of a child Dr. Das said that the parents should give a proper environment to their children where they can gain responsibility to hounour their teachers and the seniors. “If they know to respect themselves, their

teachers, their elders and their responsibility, they will shine in their life.” He said adding Mery Kom who brought glory to his native place, to his nation and her own life by her persistent effort knew her responsibility and knew how to respect her own works and the elders, so she could do something different from others thereby becoming an adorable one for one and all.

Moreover, referring to Kunjarani’s life he also said that people’s look doesn’t matter, but quality helps in establishment in the life. Saying about the modern day challenges faced by the people he urged the students to be skill in their every work.

“Without skillful work or skill development no one can stand in the life with his school, college or the University degrees, so we must have to be fit for every work to face any kind of challenges that we face in our life.” He maintained and urged the authority of the school to approach the Tezpur University for any kind of career counseling or academic suggestion to take forward the students of the backward area. An-

other speaker, Tarun Das, Head Master of Omeo Das High School attending the programme as appointed speaker of the occasion stated that no any child is born good or bad, he or she is made good or bad in the environment that he or she avails. Urging the mothers to create a better environment in their respective families for the children he also said that domestic environment is the main base of education of child.

“Some people become successful while some remain unsuccessful, as the successful people deal with the same work performed by the common people of the society in a different way.” He said adding the elders are responsible for the goodness or the badness of their children.

“Whatever they learn, they learn from their surrounding environment created by the elders.” He opined.

Distinguished guests including Principal of Sonali Junior College, Sunit Sarma, Social worker of the locality, Subheswar Kochari, retired HM of the school, Ishan Nath, retired teacher of the school, Lambudar Kalita, Dr. Nipen Sarma, Ex-Presi-

dent of Bahbari Anchalick Boro Sahitya Sabha, Santi Ranjan Basumatary among others who were also present in the functiondelivered their speech to inspire the students and the teaching staff of the school. The event was chaired by the president of the school management Committee of the school, Bhuban Rabha and conducted by Asstt.

Teacher Siranjita Boro.

Earlier reading out the report on the overall activity of the school Head master, Nareswar Boro highlighted the achievement of the school in different areas including sports and the academic line. The students showing excellent performance in sports and literary fields were awarded by the guests present in the programme.

Various cultural demonstrations by the students including Bihu, Boro, Jhumur and Hindi dance prepared by Hira Basumatary and a special dance on national integration, choreographed by Asstt. Teacher Nabalina Das and a skit by the teaching staff mesmerized the gathering.

HSLC and AHM examination 2016 to commence from 18 Feb Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukon, MP Rameswar Teli and union minister for sports Sarbananda Sonowal felicitate former president of Asom Sahitya Sabha Dr. Nagen Saikia on his birthday during a function held in Dibrugarh. Pic- UB Photos

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Feb 11: The High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Assam High Madrassa (AHM) examination 2016 will commence from February 18.

Over four lakh students will appear in the two examinations that will conclude on March 9.

The examinations will begin with the theory papers and

the practical examinations will be held on March 8 and 9.

Secretary of the Secondary Board of Education, Assam, said the examinations will

be held in 845 centres across the state.

"By this month, we will complete training for examination in-charges and zonal officers," he added.

Engineering student found dead in Haldia Haldia (WB), Feb 11 :The body of an engineering student was recovered from a lake in the premises of a college here in East Midnapore district today.

Sugandha Raj, 1st year student of a private engineering college, was missing after a clash between two groups of students on February 9, a police officer said.

The body of Raj, hailing from Bihar, was found floating in the lake in the college premises this morning, he said.A case has been registered, he said. (Agencies)

Mamata salutes Siachen braveheart

West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata,Feb 11:West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday paid homage to Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was dug out alive after being buried under ice for six days in the Siachen glacier.

The soldier breathed his last at Delhi's Army Research and Referral Hospital where he battled for life for two days. He died at 11:45 am on Thursday."Saddened by news of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. Brave soldier gave supreme sacrifice for the nation.

Salute to him & his colleagues who died," Banerjee tweeted.

(Agencies)

Headmen's body stages walkout Kuki Revolutionary Army cadre found dead

Shillong, Feb 11: As expected, the much-hyped meeting between Chief Minister Mukul sangma and the leaders of traditional institutions on the issue of service rules on Wednesday failed to break the ice even as members of Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep walked out of the meeting opposing the state government's 'adamant attitude'.The leaders of Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep, while accusing the state government of being adamant, demanded immediate de-notification of amended service rules.

However, making his government's stand clear on the issue, the Chief Minister said that the contention of the State Government was that the service rules would only strengthen the traditional institutions.The State government recently amended a rule to make it mandatory for government servants to inform the government about holding any office in a community-

Imphal, Feb 11: A hard core cadre of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), which had inked the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with the government to have peace talk, was shot dead near a higher secondary school building at Kangpokpi in Manipur's Senapati district, a police

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, his cabinet colleagues and officers in a meeting with a delegation of Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep in city

based organisation, association or traditional body.According to the amended rule, "A government servant, who holds office in a community-based organisation, association, traditional body or society shall furnish information to the government immediately on holding such office."Those who are already holding an office

would also have to furnish the information to the government. However, the faithbased and clan-based organizations are exempted from this.

"The idea was that the Government should have all the information regarding those people who are holding office in a community-based organization," he said.

Sangma said that even the

Question mark over Todi's dual-post case handling Shillong, Feb 11: The Advocate General B P Todi has come under scanner over the examination of dualpost case involving eight legislators.Some lawyers, who were present in the High Court during the past hearings have pointed that the Advocate General had told the Court that the Election Commission was examining the cases of all the eight legislators.During the hearing on January 13, the case was adjourned on the request of Todi that the Election Commission was still examining the matter, and hence the case was listed to be taken up after four weeks.

Prior to the January 13 hearing, the High Court, during the hearing of the case on

December 15 last year observed." the Election Commission of India is expected to give its opinion on the entire issue relating to all eight MLAs as referred to by the Governor" though the case can await the decision of the Governor, which would be taken upon receiving the opinion of the Election Commission.When contacted, the Advocate General did not return the call.Some advocates, who are dealing with the issue said that the matter appears to be contempt of court case since the Governor as referred by the Government had sent to the Election Commission of India only the name of KHADC CEM P. N Syiem, and not the names of other seven legislators ) who were still hold-

ing the posts of MDC when the PIL on the dual post was filed.

The mover of the PIL Agnes Kharshiing, after filing RTI application, received a reply from the Election Commission recently which said that the Governor as referred by the Government had sent the name of only Syiem for examination by the Commission.However, recently, the former Chief Electoral Officer P Naik claimed that he had written to the Election Commission of India urging to send its observation at the earliest after examining the cases of all the eight legislators following the direction of the High Court in this regard.

(Agencies)

Nagaland gets State Institute of Educational Management & Training Kohima, Feb 11: State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT) director Vipralhou Kesiezie today said the formal inauguration of the State Institute of Educational Management & Training (SIEMAT), Nagaland here today, hope to bring about a transformation and improvement in educational planning and managerial skills at all levels thereby effecting quality of education improvement particularly government schools in Nagaland. He said this during the formal inauguration of SIEMAT building here by minister for school education & SCERT Yitachu.Kesiezie said that amongst many objectives one of the immediate concern is to bring about improvement in the management and administration of government schools and institutions as there has been huge wastage of our resources due to lack of managerial skills and administrative capacity.

PAGE 5

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DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Central Government and other states to follow the same rule where employees have to furnish their details on holding such offices.

The leaders of the traditional institutions are of the view that it is not necessary for the Government to seek information from Government employees who hold office in community-based organizations. (Agencies)

year. It also planned to organize six programmes during 2016-17.The director said that SIEMAT has been envisaged as one of the organizational arrangements as a part of SCERT in order to provide professional educational planning and management to all institutional heads and planners at the state, district and sub divisional levels.He said that with the growth of professionalism in educational planning and With the official inaugu- administration there is a ration of SIEMAT need for continuous Nagaland, it will launch upgradation of educathe first orientation tional personnel and programme for the head- stakeholders in the masters by March this managerial skills so as to

upgrade the methods and strategies of educational planning and administration in the state.

Having realized the urgent need to establish an institution a conceptual designed was prepared by the SCERT Nagaland in collaboration with the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) New Delhi in 2010. The proposal to establish as SIEMAT Nagaland prepared by the SCERT Nagaland was officially endorsed by the then minister for school education & SCERT Nagaland. The

executive committee of the State Mission SSA Nagaland approved to fund the construction of the SIEMAT building to be attached to SCERT Nagaland as the MHRD has a provision of Rs. 300 lakhs for establishment of SIEMAT under its national flagship scheme SSA. Accordingly, the MHRD, Government of India approved an amount of Rs. 230 lakhs for the S I E M A T building.SCERT director expressed gratitude to MHRD, GoI and SSA Nagaland for making SIEMAT possible in Nagaland. (Agencies)

tute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) morgue for postmortem. Jamkolet was called out from his residence last night by few armed men and his bulletriddled body was found near K T Higher Secondary School, the officer said quoting prima facie probe.

(Agencies)

Naga govt forms panel to probe couple's death Kohima,Feb 11: The Nagaland government has formed an inquiry commission to probe the killing of a couple on February 6 and the series of subsequent violent incidents in Tuensang district, while chief minister TR Zeliang appealed for peace.

The commission would be headed by deputy inspector general of police, an official statement said.

As both the husband and wife were government employees, the government has decided to pay an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh and offered a job to the

next of kin of the couple, it said.Alemba and Naro were shot dead in their vehicle at Shamator in Tuensang district following which a mob went on rampage and set several vehicles on fire and damaged houses on the evening of February 6.

(Agencies)

Govt jobs alone cannot meet demand for employment: CM Kohima, Feb11:Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today said government jobs alone cannot meet the growing demand for employment and "it is high time for our people to venture outside this sector."The number of jobseekers in the live register of employment exchanges in Nagaland stands at 72,687 as on October 31, 2015. Out of this, 3,918 are post graduates, 20,405 graduates, 13, 724 pre-university, 12,206 matriculates, 20,813 under matriculate and 1,621 diploma/degree holders in technical fields."Nagaland has a number of limitations for creation of employment avenues outside the government sector due to factor such as lack of industrialization, limited economic activities and remoteness of the location etc," the CM said while inaugurating the Upgradation of Diesel Mechanic Trade at Government ITI Kohima, a joint initiative of the Government of Nagaland and TATA Motors.

He stressed on the need for partnership with the Ministry in order to successfully implement the Prime Minister's Skill India mission in Nagaland. Stating that Nagaland has become a peaceful state with favourable investment conditions, he urged private

A view of State Institute of Educational Management & Training (SIEMAT) building which was inaugurated by minister for school education & SCERT Yitachu in Kohima

officer said today.

The body of the deceased KRA, identified as Jamkolet (38) of Kangpokpi Bazar of the same district, was picked up by personnel of Kangpokpi police station this morning from the spot, the officer said.The body has been taken to the Regional Insti-

Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and others during the inauguration of Upgradation of Diesel Mechanic Trade in Kohima sectors to establish joint initiatives in Nagaland.Stating that the partnership with TATA Motors is a first with corporate India in skill development, he said "This will go a long way in providing employment for the youth."

The CM added that placement of students is equally important and requested all stakeholders present to consider the placement issue.To ensure steady flow of skilled workers and improve the quality of industrial production, he said infrastructure of ITIs in Nagaland need to be upgraded. He requested the Chairman of NSDA & NSDMC to come up with specially tailored program,

like 'UDAAN" in J&K, in Nagaland.

"To ensure a steady flow of skilled workers and improve the quality of industrial production, there is urgent need of updating the infrastructure of the ITIs in Nagaland with modern technology."

Zeliang said the syllabi also needs constant review and restructuring to the latest needs of the industry. The CM maintained that skill development and vocational education have become very important in order to equip the youth to be g a i n f u l l y employed.Corporate houses like Castrol, Bosch,

Fleetguard and ZP also participated in this project along with TATA Motors.

NSDA & NSDC Chairman S. Ramadorai expressed hope that the Diesel Mechanic Trade at ITI, Kohima will be 'buzzing' throughout the year in imparting skills to the people.

He urged the students to work hard and make full use of the facilities. On the request of the CM, Ramadorai assured that he will take the issue of Dimapur to Delhi via Guwahati flight to the Aviation board. Tata Motors Consultant, SP Joshi and NE Advisory Council consultant R Barthakur also spoke during the function.

(Agencies)

180 school children fall sick after taking tablets in Bihar on National Deworming Day Patna, Feb 11: In a shocking incident, at least 180 school children in Bihar took ill after they were administered deworming Albendazole tablets on Wednesday, as per a media report.

An officials as saying that about 100 children fell ill at the Maghra Middle School in Biharsharif district headquarters of Nalanda, 37 in Jamui, 36 in Sitamarhi, four in East Champaran and two in Rohtas district.

"In the first place, we have reports of only three Nalanda and one Nawada children complaining of side-effects of anti-worm tablet. These symptoms are normal in some children because of worm load and such cases have

been reported from other parts of the country. Side effects such as giddiness and nausea are not at all alarming. In no case, a child had to be hospitalised," Dr Surendra Kumar, State programme officer with Bihar State Health Society was quoted by the Daily as saying. On National Deworming Day, deworming tablets were given across all schools and Anganwadi centres free of cost.

On the other hand, eighteen children reportedly complained of illness after taking deworming tablets on Wednesday in Sonipat in Haryana on the occasion of National Deworming Day.

"Eighteen children were brought to the government hospital in Sonipat as they complained of illness after taking the tablets. Out of them, only three had pain in the abdomen. The rest were fine," Sonipat Civil Surgeon, Dr Jaswant Punia said.

"It is normal for a few to have such reaction when a large number of children are being administered the tablets. Sometimes, a child may have a large number of worms and this happens. But there is nothing to worry," he said.

It was only some parents who pressed the panic button, he added.

Meanwhile, lauding India's National Deworming Day initiative the

World Health Organisation (WHO) said it would go a long way in improving the health of children as well as that of the country. "The deworming initiative, along with measures to address hygiene and sanitation, will go a long way in improving the health of children as well as that of the country," WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said in a statement.

The official congratulated India for launching last year one of the largest public health campaigns to de-worm 270 million children in the age group of one to 19 years, on a single day across the country. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

PAGE 6

J. Dey murder case: Court grants permission to take Rajan's voice sample

Siachen avalanche survivor Koppad loses final battle

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Mumbai, Feb. 11: A special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court on Thursday granted permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take voice sample of gangster Chhota Rajan in connection with journalist Jyotirmoy Dey murder case. Rajan has agreed for the same.

Earlier, the court sought Rajan's reply regarding the CBI's plea to obtain permission to collect the underworld don's voice sample.

Rajan, a former key aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested at the Bali airport in Indonesia on October 25 after he arrived from Australia, and was later deported to India.

He is facing around 70 cases in Maharashtra, which includes the J Dey murder case. Dey, a veteran crime reporter, was shot dead in Powai by motorcycle-borne shooters on June 11, 2011 allegedly at the command of Rajan. (ANI) R.K. Singh backs Headley's claim on Ishrat Jahan New Delhi, Feb.11: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former home secretary R.K. Singh on Thursday said his earlier assertion that Ishrat Jahan was a terrorist stands vindicated with 26/11 conspirator David Coleman Headley's revealing before

'Ishrat Jahan was an LeT suicide bomber' Mumbai, Feb 11: In a startling revelation that is likely to heat up the current political atmosphere in the country, Lashkar-e-Taiba terroristturned-approver David Coleman Headley on Thursday said that Mumbai girl Ishrat Jahan, who was killed in an encounter in 2004, was an LeT suicide bomber.

Continuing his deposition before a TADA court in Mumbai for the third day, Headley claimed that the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi told him about a botched up operation of Muzammil Bhatt in India.

"The operation was about shooting police peronnel. A woman LeT suicide bomber Ishrat Jahan was involved in the plot," Headley told the special court adding that she was a suicide bomber of Lashkar-e-Taiba's women wing.

Ishrat, 19 from Mumbra, Mumbai along with three men -- Javed Sheikh, Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar, were shot dead in an encounter by the Ahmedabad Police on June 15, 2004 for their alleged links with terrorists.

The Ahmedabad Police had alleged that the group were involved in a plot to assassinate the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi.

A major political battle ensued in the wake of the encounter with the Congressled United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre initiating a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was in power in the state then and the current party president Amit Shah who was Gujarat's home minister back then was jailed for a few months before being bailed out.

The opposition parties in Gujarat led by the Congress as well as human rights activists targeted Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was the Gujarat chief minister at the time of the incident for killing Ishrat, claiming that the young woman had come to Gujarat as a tourist.

The revelation by Headley is sure to spark off a political slugfest between the BJP and the Congress. (Agencies)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former home secretary R.K. Singh a Special Mumbai Court that she was a LeT operative.

"This has been my stand all along. I got into this because some IB officers were being prosecuted and as home secretary, I felt that they were wrongly prosecuted because these people were all terrorists," Singh told .

"Two of these people had come from across the border. She was with them and there was another man, an Indian origin terrorist, with whom she was living. We had no doubt at all that all these people were terrorist.

That's why I stood for my officers and said that this was not a fake encounter and all these people were terrorists," he added.

He also said that some

people were playing politics at that time and portrayed Ishrat Jahan as an innocent lady. The incident had occurred in 2004 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah was the state Home Minister.

Shah's name had cropped up in the Ishrat Jahan alleged fake encounter case. The CBI, however, in 2014 gave a clean chit to the BJP president citing insufficient evidence. The CBI had submitted that Shah was not named in the FIR. It was on June 15, 2004, that Ishrat Jahan Raza and three others Pranesh Pillai (alias Javed Gulam Sheikh), Amjad Ali Rana and

Zeeshan Johar were killed in an encounter by the Ahmedabad Police.

The Gujarat Police stated that Ishrat, along with three other people, had been gunned down near Ahmedabad by a police team belonging to the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of the Ahmedabad City Police.

The police claimed that the four were connected with the Lashkar-e-Taiba and had come to Gujarat to assassinate the then chief minister Narendra Modi in order to avenge the communal riots of 2002 which had led to the deaths of numerous Muslims.

A report was submitted by Metropolitan Magistrate S.P. Tamang in the Ahmedabad metropolitan court on September 7, 2009, which said that the four persons were killed in police custody. The Ahmedabad metropolitan court ruled that Ishrat's killing was a fake encounter. Tamang's report said the Crime Branch police kidnapped Ishrat and the others from Mumbai on June 12, 2004, and brought them to Ahmedabad. Tamang said that there was no evidence to link the victims with the LeT. There was also nothing to indicate that they had come to Gujarat to kill Modi.

The Gujarat Government challenged the report of the metropolitan magistrate, saying that the policemen accused of fake encounter were not given an opportunity to present their side of the arguments. The Gujarat Government's petition in the High Court against Tamang's report said that it should be scrapped as it was 'illegal and doubtful'.

Gujarat High Court stated that Ishrat Jahan's encounter case was of national importance and ordered the police witnesses to be posted where they would not be working as subordinates to officials accused in the case.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Karnail Singh, was set up to probe the case further. The SIT sent four teams to Srinagar, Delhi, Lucknow and Nashik to probe Ishrat's alleged terrorist links.

On November 21, 2011, the SIT told the Gujarat High Court that the Ishrat Jahan encounter was not genuine.

After the SIT filed its report, the High Court ordered that a complaint under Indian Penal Code Section 302 (murder) has to be filed against those involved in the fake encounter, in which over 20 policemen, including senior IPS officers, were involved. (ANI)

David Headley has made sensational revelations on day four: Nikam Mumbai, Feb. 11: David Headley made sensational revelations in his deposition on Thursday before the special Mumbai court, in which he took the name of Ishrat Jahan, who was killed in an alleged 'fake encounter' and said that he was informed by Muzammil Bhatt about a botched operation in Gujarat because of a female suicide bomber.

"David Headley has made many sensational revelations. The first revelation was made when we asked him how many wings does Lashkar have. He replied that Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi is the operation commander.

Hafiz Saeed is the founder.

He also named finance wing, women wing and a naval wing. We further asked him who the head of the women wing was, to which he said that Abu Hunja's mother was the head of the wing," special Public Prosecutor in the 26/

11 Mumbai terror attack case, Ujjwal Nikam told the media here.

"We also asked him if he had any knowledge of a suicide bomber. He replied that Zakiur Rehman, in Headley's presence, had told Muzammil Bhatt that an operation had failed because of him. He further informed us that Muzammil told Headley that Zakiur Rehman was angry because of a failed operation in Gujarat because of a female suicide bomber. When we asked him if he knew the name of the suicide bomber, he denied remembering the name but said that Muzammil had told him the name," he added.

Nikam further said that he named three women suicide bombers of the LeT for Headley to pick from.

"Then, I named three women suicide bombers associated with the Lashkar Noor Jahan Begum, Ishrat Jahan, Mumtaz Begum.

When he heard the three names, he said that he had heard the name of Ishrat Jahan and said that she was killed in a police encounter," he told the media.

Nikam also said that when asked if Headley knew Ilyas Kashmiri, "he replied in affirmation and said that Kashmiri congratulated him after the 26/11 attack."

"He further informed us that Lashkar had carried out attacks in Gujarat and Maharashtra. When we asked him where in Gujarat, he said that Muzammil Bhatt was involved in the attack on the Akshardham attack," he said.

Headley also recognised the picture of Abu Khafa and further informed that after the 26/11 attack, he met Sajid Mir and heard a recorded tape which had voices of three people out of which other than Mir two others were Abu Khafa and Abu Alkama.

"He also informed that the three were at a control room in Karachi from where they were talking to the terrorists in Taj. We had also got his information from Kasab, who said the same thing," he said.

After a day's break yesterday due to a technical snag in the video conferencing link, 26/11 terror attack convict David Coleman Headley's deposition continues.

During the last two days of deposition, Headley revealed several names in Pakistani Army and the ISI who are working closely with terror outfits Lashkare-Taiba (LeT) and Jamat-ulDawa (JuD) to carry out attacks in India.

He informed about the ISI giving moral, financial and military support to the LeT and gave a detailed plan of modus operandi behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)

Tussle between Swamy, Sibal over National Herald hearing in SC New Delhi, Feb. 11: Congress lawyer Kapil Sibal on Thursday urged the Supreme Court to hear the National Herald case on its scheduled date of February 12 despite Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy telling the court that he is unavailable for proceedings till February 19.

The Congress is seeking a stay on the proceedings at a trial court.Earlier, Swamy had given consent for February 12 for hearing at the apex court. The Supreme Court will now decide on listing the matter. Earlier, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-

president Rahul Gandhi moved theSupreme Court against a Delhi High Court decision that dismissed their appeals seeking a quashing of summons issued to them by a trial court in connection with the National Herald case.

Swamy had alleged that both had cheated and created a breach of trust in the acquisition of the now-defunct National Herald by Young Indian Limited (YIL).

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

Journals Ltd (AJL) by Young India Ltd (YIL) -- a firm in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi own 38 per cent 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.

It was alleged that the loan was either not repaid or re-

paid in cash, which is in violation of Section 269T of the Income Tax Act, 1961.A closely held company, Young Indian, was incorporated in November 2010 with a capital of Rs.5 lakh (USD 7,400) and it acquired almost all the shareholding of AJL and all its properties (alleged to be worth Rs.5000 crores (USD 740 million).

Swamy filed the case alleging criminal misappropriation by both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The courts have determined that a prima facie case has been established in the matter.

(ANI)

NewDelhi, Feb 11: For the last several days he was battling for life. But in the end, on Thursday, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad lost his final battle. The brave heart died in the Army hospital here at 11.45 am, an official said.

Hanumanthappa, the soldier of 19 Madras Regiment, had survived after being buried under an avalanche in Siachen glacier on February 3 along with nine other soldiers. He was found on Monday, miraculously alive but in critical condition. He appeared in a disoriented state, severely dehydrated, hypothermic, hypoxic, hypoglycaemic and in shock.

docrinologist and surgeons.

After being found alive by the search and rescue team, he was flown to Delhi and admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and was found suffering from liver and kidney dysfunction. He was put on ventilator support. He was treated by a team of intensivists, neurologist, nephrologist, en-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Hanumanthappa at the hospital soon after he was brought to Delhi.

Hanumanthappa's family, wife and daughter also arrived in Delhi on Tuesday evening. There were prayers all across the country for the soldier, but it all failed in the end. (Agencies)

"Hanumanthappa, the soldier of 19 Madras Regiment, had survived after being buried under an avalanche in Siachen glacier on February 3 along with nine other soldiers."

Nation will never forget Lance Naik Hanamanthappa's sacrifice: BJP New Delhi, Feb. 11: The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) on Thursday condoled the demise of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, saying that the nation would never forget the brave soldier's sacrifice.

Expressing his grief, BJP president Amit Shah tweeted, "I join millions of countrymen to extend my condolences to braveheart Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. Nation will never forget his sacrifice. Hanamanthappa, who hailed from Betadur village in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district, passed away at Army's Research and Referral Hospital at 11.45 a.m. today.

BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said that Hanamanthappa will inspire the youth to serve the nation. "It is very sad that he has passed away. The way he came out alive after being buried under snow for

The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) on Thursday condoled the demise of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa six days, we had hoped that he would win this battle also.

More such Hanamanthappa's will be born in the country to serve the nation," he said.

A medical bulletin released

by Army's Research and Referral Hospital earlier today had said that Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, who was miraculously found alive after remaining buried

under huge mass of snow for six days at the Siachen Glacier, slipped into deep coma despite 'maximal life support with aggressive ventilation and dialysis'.

Lance Naik Hanamanthappa was flown to Delhi on Tuesday morning in a special air ambulance and admitted to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital. (ANI)

Indian-origin diplomat Australia's new envoy to India Canberra Feb 11: Harinder Sidhu, a senior career diplomat of Indian origin, was on Thursday named Australia's new high commissioner to India.

She will replace Patrick Suckling in New Delhi and will have non-resident accreditation to Bhutan as well.

She is the third Indian-origin envoy in India, after the US and Canadian envoys and the second Indian-origin Australian high commissioner in India.

"India is one of Australia's closest and most significant partners in the IndoPacific region," Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop stated while making the announcement.

"It is our 10th largest trading partner and our twoway investment is worth over $20 billion," she stated.

Bishop said that Australia would continue to push for the conclusion of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement with India, designed to take the economic relationship between the two countries to a new level.

"Australia also has strong strategic and defence ties with India, conducting our first bilateral maritime exercises in 2015. There are also over 450,000 people of Indian descent currently residing in Australia driving our strong education, cultural and tourism links," Bishop said.

Sidhu is a senior career of-

ficer with the Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, most recently serves as first assistant secretary of the Multilateral Policy Division.

She has previously served overseas in Moscow and Damascus. Sidhu's previous roles included first assistant secretary in the Department of Climate Change, assistant directorgeneral in the Office of National Assessments and senior advisor in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

She holds a bachelor of laws and a bachelor of economics degree from the University of Sydney.

In a separate statement, the Australian High Commission in New Delhi said that it would welcome Sidhu to India as the Australian high commissioner-designate next week.

It quoted Sidhu as saying that she was looking forward to her new role in a dynamic country. "India is one of the most exciting places for a diplomat to be at the moment. India's eco-

nomic prospects are bright and it is becoming a more influential and active international player," she was quoted as saying.

"The Australia-India relationship has grown substantially over the past few years and I will dedicate myself to building that relationship further," she said. "At a personal level, I have always been fascinated by the country of my heritage and am keen to learn more about India - its language, culture and history - while I am there."

Both of Sidhu's parents are from Punjab and her father was born in India.

Sidhu was born in Singapore and settled in Australia with her family as a child. She speaks a little Punjabi and Hindi but is looking forward to the opportunity to become more fluent, according to the high commission. One of Sidhu's first tasks in the job is likely to be hosting the Australian men's and women's cricket teams in India for the T20 cricket World Cup next month, it added.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Koirala's final rites performed with state honours Kathmandu, Feb 11:The last rites of former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala were performed according to Hindu rituals at the Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The democracy champion, who played a crucial role in the promulgation of the constitution, was accorded full state honours, as thousands of people attended the veteran leader's funeral on the bank of the Bagmati river.Koirala, who was battling chronic bronchitis of late and had a long history of other serious ailments, including cancer, died of pneumonia shortly before 1am on Tuesday. He was 78.

Koirala, who was elected Nepali Congress president in 2010, led the party to victory in the second Constituent Assembly elections in 2013.He served as the 37th prime minister of the country between February 2014 and October 2015.

Until recently he was gearing up for the party's General Convention and was set to run for a second term for party presidency.A contingent of the Nepal Army offered the 13-gun final salute, as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli draped Koirala's body with the national flag before his

The last rites of former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala were performed according to Hindu rituals at the Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu nephews Atul and Sudhanshu Koirala lit the funeral pyre at 5pm. Earlier, thousands of people, including national and international political leaders, participated in the funeral procession of the late leader.

The funeral procession, with Koirala's body resting on an Army van, started at 2pm from Dasharath Stadium and traversed through Thapathali, Singha Durbar, Putalisadak, Krishna Pauroti Chowk, Kamalpokhari, Gyaneshwor and Kalopul before reaching the Aryaghat at 4pm.PM Oli, ministers, Parliament Speaker, chiefs of government bodies, former prime ministers, members of the diplomatic community and contemporary political leaders from various political parties were present when the late Koirala's mortal remains were consigned to flames.

(Agencies)

Myanmar to attend international open chess in Vietnam Yangon, Feb. 11: Myanmar will take part in HD Bank Cup International Open Chess Tournament 2016 to be held in Ho Chi Minh city of Vietnam in March , according to Myanmar Chess Federation Thursday.Scheduled to take place from March

Dengue prevention programme to commence; Colombo, Gampaha among high alert zones Colombo, Feb 11:A programme, as part of efforts to eradicate the Dengue epidemic prevalent, will commence in ten districts which are deemed as high alert zones, will commence today, Thursday February 11.Director of the Epidomology Unit of the Ministry of Health Dr. Paba Palihawadana said that the programme will be conducted in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kurunegala, and also Vavuniya, Jaffna, Kegalle, Puttalam, Batticaloa and Ampara Districts.Eight persons died out of 5000 persons who were diagnosed with Dengue, during the month of January. (Agencies)

7-14, the tournament will be joined by four national players and other players from nine ASEAN members."We will make our best to achieve better results for the tournament as we have some preparation time," an official said.

(Agencies)

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

David Headley's revelations have exposed 'terrorist state' Pakistan: Defence expert New Delhi, Feb. 11: Defence expert Nitin Gokhle on Thursday said David Coleman Headley's revelations in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case have put Islamabad in dock as the world will now be more convinced that Pakistan is not just a terrorist sponsor but also a terrorist state.

Gokhle told ANI that Pakistan will continue to be in denial post Headley's deposition in the case."This is nothing new. India should have expected it, India knew that Pakistan would always say this is nothing but a kind of drama that Headley is playing out. But what has happened because of Headley's testimony in the court via videoconferencing is that at least

Defence expert Nitin Gokhle said David Coleman Headley's revelations in the 26/ 11 Mumbai terror attacks case have put Islamabad in dock as the world will now be more convinced that Pakistan is not just a terrorist sponsor but also a terrorist state.

the world will now realize that what India has been saying for so many years, for decades is coming true," Gokhle said.

"And he has given so many details - how much money was paid to him by the ISI; where did he get trained; what was the plan; there were two failed attacks in

Mumbai. So, I think India should take satisfaction from the fact that Pakistan may be in denial but the world will more and more be convinced because of this testimony that Pakistan is a terrorist state, not just a terrorist sponsor but a terrorist state," he added.

Headley's deposition continued today at a Special

Mumbai court after a day's break yesterday. The Pakistani-American terrorist revealed that before his visit to India, he received 25,000 US dollars from Major Iqbal and 40,000 Pak rupees from his handler Sajid Mir. Both belong to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Besides this, Major Iqbal also gave him counterfeit Indian

Four killed as Myanmar air force plane crashes after take-off

The propeller plane, which was carrying five crew members and believed to be on a routine patrol, went down near the airport in Naypyitaw yesterday Naypyitaw, Feb 11: At least four Myanmar military personnel were killed after a small air force propeller plane crashed shortly after take-off in the capital, Naypyitaw, yesterday, official sources said.The Beechcraft passenger plane, which was carrying five

crew members and believed to be on a routine patrol, went down in agricultural land near the airport.Hundreds of people gathered in the area as officials raced to extinguish the fire and sift through the smouldering wreckage.

"Four people were killed

and we think one is alive," a senior police official in the capital told media, asking not to be named because the incident involved a military aircraft.

The survivor was taken to a nearby military hospital.

The plane burst into flames soon after leaving the run-

way, according to an airport official. It is not known what caused the fire. Myanmar has a busy aviation sector, partly to compensate for the poor road and rail infrastructure. While news of military air crashes is relatively rare, there have been several incidents involving commercial planes in recent years.

Last July, an Air Bagan ATR plane with 49 passengers skidded off the runway after landing in heavy rain at Yangon International Airport. One person was slightly injured.Two Myanma Airways planes also skidded off the runway in separate incidents - one in the southern region of Taninthari in May 2013 and the other in eastern Shan State a month later. No one was hurt.In December 2012, an Air Bagan plane crashlanded in thick fog and burst into flames in a field short of the runway at Heho airport.A tour guide on board and a motorcyclist on the ground died.(Agencies)

Sri Lanka shows interest in Indian combat aircraft Colombo,Feb 11: Sri Lanka has reportedly shown interest in purchasing Light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas from India.Light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas is the multi-role light fighter that is in development with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and recently showcased its acrobatic skills successfully at Bahrain International Airshow 2016, a first such display outside India.Though the aircraft has been in development for some years now, India's southern neighbour Sri Lanka is said to be interested in LCA Tejas, the International Business Times reported. Sources close to India Today have said Sri Lanka could be a possible export customer.

tests.

It had been previously reported that Sri Lanka had shown interest in the SinoPakistani collaborative multi-role jet fighter JF-17 Thunder, but the country's defence minister denied such reports. It was also suggested that the one of the reasons for the cancellation

could be New Delhi's "diplomatic missive" deferring it from buying the JF-17 Thunder.During the recent Bahrain International Airshow 2016, the HAL chief had revealed several countries had enquired about LCA Tejas after its successful showcase.LCA

Tejas was seen performing 8-G (gravity) pull, vertical loop, slow fly-past and barrel roll, and the officials present at the event termed the flight a "historic event".Recently, LCA Tejas test-fired Derby Beyond Visual Air-to-Air missile and there will be more such

The aircraft is yet to obtain its Final Operational Clearance (FOC) as it has to receive certification of the integration of Derby BVR missiles and GSh-23 autocannon, air-to-air refuelling probe, increase in the angle of attack, and enhanced braking system quartz model of nose cone radome.An upgraded LCA Tejas MK-1A will feature modern AESA radar, and aerial refuelling probe better for service maintenance.

The Indian Air Force has reportedly ordered over 100 Tejas MK-1As.The Mark 2 version of the aircraft is a more advanced version that will feature a powerful engine and incorporate fifthgeneration jet fighter elements. (Agencies)

Pakistan opposes preconditions for Afghan reconciliation Islamabad, Feb 11 : A senior Pakistani diplomat emphasised a "step-bystep approach" and opposition to any precondition for the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The comments came days after the four-nation meeting in Islamabad decided to set date for the Afghan peace talks by the end of February.The Quadrilateral Coordination Group

(QCG) of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US will meet in Kabul on February 23 to review progress in contacts with the Taliban groups to encourage them to join the peace talks. Officials say all member countries will use their "channels" to approach the Taliban Qatar office and other groups to invite them to the talks.

"We must, sequence the

process and take a step-bystep approach rather than coming up with preconditions by either side in an extremely complex and difficult process," said Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, who represents the country in the QCG. Speaking at a meeting of the Afghan members of the civil society, currently visiting Pakistan as part of the Beyond Boundaries - Paki-

stan-Afghan Track II/1.5 initiative in Islamabad, he hoped that concerted efforts by the QCG would result in direct intra-Afghan talks sooner than later.The dialogue has been undertaken by an Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).

Chaudhry underscored that the positive message by all stakeholders was essential to help improve

perceptions, adding the speed with which the QCG has moved reflects the commitment of all stakeholders to the Afghan peace and reconciliation, a CRSS statement said.

"This will also help the respective governments to move in tandem in the reconciliation process and neutralise the impact of spoilers," he said, expressing the hope that the Af-

ghan civil society and the media would play their role in making the peace efforts successful. Pointing to the aggravated security situation, factional divisions and emergence of Islamic State, Chaudhry said these factors posed a big challenge to the QCG process but hoped that given the resolve of all four countries, they were not insurmountable.

(Agencies)

currency two to three times.Headley said that he signed an agreement in November 2006 for his office in Tardeo's AC market area of Mumbai. After the 26/11 attacks, he wanted to close the office but Tahawur Rana wanted to continue working from Mumbai. That is when Headley insisted on Rana returning to the US to avoid getting into trouble He further said that after opening the office about which Major Iqbal knew, he went to Chicago and then met Tahawur Rana for the first time. Rana then facilitated Headley's visa formalities. Rana was aware that Headley was working for the LeT and that LeT was a terror outfit. He fur-

ther informed that all his funding were received through Nariman Point branch of IndusInd Bank and Rana had already warned him that RBI would not grant him permission to start business account.

Headley has also said that Ishrat Jahan, the 19-yearold student killed in an encounter in Gujarat on 2004, was a member of Pakistanbased terror group Lashkare-Taiba's women wing.Ishrat was shot along with three men on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in 2004, by the Crime Branch of the Gujarat Police, which claimed that all four were terrorists involved in a plot to kill the then chief minister Narendra Modi. (Agencies)

HC: Why no case to be filed against Japan Bangladesh Hospital

The High Court has issued a rule asking why criminal case should not be filed against the authorities of Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital Dhaka, Feb 11: The High Court has issued a rule asking why criminal case should not be filed against the authorities of Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital for allegedly keeping a baby's lifeless body on life support at the ICU, without notifying the family about her passing.An HC bench of Justice Moazzem Hossain and Justice Bodruzzaman issued the suo-moto rule on Thursday afternoon.Health secretary, director general of health department, director general of drug administration and managing director of Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital were asked to respond to the rule within 10 days.

The court also asked why

order should not be given to give compensation the family members of the 16month-old baby girl.Of the respondents, drug administration DG and MD of Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital were asked to appear before the court on February 22.

The child, Sumaiya Sabah, was admitted to the hospital on Monday with breathing problems. She was immediately taken to the ICU, where she remained away from her family until she died.However, the exact time of her death could not be known.The mobile court was first notified by the child's mother about the secretive role being played by the hospital staff. (Agencies)

Sirissena to visit Bangladesh on Sheikh Hasina's invite

Sheikh Hasina Dhaka, Feb 11: President Maithripala Sirissena is expected to pay an official visit to Bangladesh in March at the invitation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Diplomatic sources said foreign ministry officials of Dhaka and Colombo had already started preparations for the visit.They are working to find suitable dates for the visit when Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will sign several deals to further promote bilateral ties, added the

sources.

This is going to be the first visit of Sirissena to Dhaka since he was elected the president.He visited Bangladesh in 2013 and 2014 as a minister.Meanwhile, the foreign ministry of Bangladesh has deferred the joining of present Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tarik Ahsan in the Islamabad mission due to the upcoming visit of the Sri Lankan president. (Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Climate change A problem that needs immediate action

Northeast India is home to about 40 million people and accounts for almost eight percent of nation's territory. The region comprises the eight states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The climate is predominantly humid subtropical. Summers are hot, monsoons severe and winters mild. The northeastern states are among India's least developed, so they get special financial support from the central government. Initial scientific research and field observations confirm that the region is suffering from the impacts of climate change already. Due to its unique location and topography it has distinct precipitation and drainage patterns.

From March to May, thunderstorms contribute about 20 % of annual rainfall. From June to September, monsoon rains supply another 70 %. The monsoon season is marked by frequent floods, as melting Himalayan snow and torrential rains feed the majestic Brahmaputra river.

Because of climate change, moreover, rainfall is becoming more unpredictable and erratic. The impact on people, fields and livestock is devastating and set to get worse.

For a long time, the northeast was a white spot on the map of climate change data, compared with other, better-re-

searched regions in India.

To fill the gap, Indian scholars have recently compiled, verified and aggregated existing data.

India's North East Climate Change Adaptation Programme (NECCAP) is one of the first attempts worldwide to assess future trends for a large region with scientific methods, in order to draft and implement specific adaptation measures.

A recent compiled data show that current climate trends in the region will continue for the years 2021 to 2050 in India's northeastern states.

Analysis of macro-data was supplemented by an on-the-ground assessment of local conditions ("ground-truthing").

There can be no more doubt that precipitation and temperature patterns are changing. The climate forecasts indicate that these trends will be exacerbated in the future. Average temperatures are projected to increase by about 1.7째C in almost all the districts of the northeast. In some districts, they are likely to go up by more than 2째C. The rainfall is projected to increase in 57 of the 78 districts, with some districts expected to experience almost 25 % more rainfall.

The number of extreme rainfall events per year is also expected to increase by 26 %. Accordingly, there will be more floods.

Climate variability and climate change could impact agriculture, water resources and forest sectors in the North East region.

So we should all adopt any measures which come in handy as in to stop this continuing change in climate.

Bangladeshi Infiltration The issue gets more complicated According to Amit Shah if the BJP forms a government in Assam, it will end illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. Blaming the Congress government in Assam for the continuing infiltration, Shah said the BJP was determined not to let the illegals infringe upon the rights of people in Assam and the Bodoland region. It is said to be a way of identifying Bangladeshi infiltrators in Assam. The updated NRC is expected to be a reference point against which an individual can check his/her citizenship status. But the fact remains that since 1985, Foreigners' Tribunals have declared over 38,000 persons in Assam as illegal migrants. Most of these 38,000 have gone missing, are absconding for fear of being caught, have been detained in camps, or been pushed back across the border. Over 1 lakh are pending in the Tribunals, and a sizeable number are likely to be declared foreigners.The issue of undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh has been an age-old, pesky and highly emotional subject for the ethnic Assamese population. It has hinged on concerns that the high influx of people from Bangladesh through the porous border and their subsequent enrolment in the state's electoral rolls (often believed to be done surreptitiously by political parties looking for easy vote banks) will harm their indigenous identity. Census figures showing an abnormal spurt in the state's non-Assamese population in the period from 1971 till now has further heightened their concern. For this, the students' agitation was launched in the early '80s, leading to violent street protests and deaths before it finally ended with the signing of the Accord. While the Accord came with a slew of sops aimed at economic development of the state, the prime succour for the agitators was the cut-off date of March 1, 1971. Though little from that bouquet of promises has been delivered in the last three decades, but it has been going on for several decades now but in case of India the issue gets all the more complicated due to the fact that various political parties over the years have deliberately tried to legitimise the illegal entry of millions through giving them voter card and ration card.

The emerging Bangladesh China India MyanmarEconomic Corridor and its opportunities- Part I Bangladesh, China, Myanmar and India- Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) is aimed at deepening friendly cooperation among the four member nations and linking South Asia with Southeast and East Asia by establishing multi-modal connectivity, harnessing economic complementaries, promoting trade and investment and enhancing peopleto-people contacts. The proposed economic corridor would run from Kunming, a south-western Chinese city, to Kolkata through Mandalay and Dhaka.

The BCIM region is home to 40% of the world's population. It covers 9% of the world's total area and contributes 7.3% of the global gross domestic product.

The Chinese have been involved in the BCIM initiative right from the inception.

They are pitching for their country's economic integration with South Asia.

The Chinese scholars argue that that the creation of industrial zones could "simulate the economic growth of large and medium-sized cities along the corridor".

Many believe that with the linkage of roads, railways, airlines, water ways, telecommunication networks and power and hydro-carbon pipe lines, the BCIM-EC is poised to emerge as a thriving economic belt. The project is still in its embryonic stage and it needs concerted efforts on the part of member nations to realise the goals.

Evolution of BCIM The idea of creating such an economic corridor was first conceived by the Chinese scholars in Yunnan by the end of 1990s-then called the "Kunming Initiative". It converted into BCIM Forum for Regional Cooperation when its meeting was first convened in 1999, with the objectives to: a) build a forum where the key stake-

holders could meet periodically and discuss issues related to the enhancement of economic growth and trade in the BCIM region; b) identify specific sectors and projects that would promote greater collaboration among the BCIM nations and c) strengthen cooperation and institutional arrangements among major players and stakeholders to deepen BCIM ties.

Bihar, Bengal and ending in Kolkata.

In February 2012, the governments of all the four countries approved the proposed scheme to construct a 2800 km-long highway akin to the path used by the merchants centuries ago. The leaders of the four nations are trying to revive the ancient "Southern Silk Road" and its south-western trade route which emerged as the shortest journey between China and India and served as a highway for Chinese merchants carrying gold and silver in the Twelfth century.

K2K Car Rally A government-sponsored K2K (Kolkata to Kunming) car rally was organised on February 22, 2013 along the route to showcase the proposal's immense future potentials.

The car rally covered nearly 3,000 km journey.

PIC SOURCE: images.jagran.

The forum was basically a Track II exercise involving scholars, technical experts, business leaders and government officials designed to explore and enhance cooperation between India and China on one side and Bangladesh and Myanmar on the other in the regions which are geographically contiguous.

Subsequently, a series of conferences and workshops had been held as part of "Track II Diplomacy". Reports suggest that ten BCIM forums had been held annually in rotation among the member nations till 2011.

The initiative gained momentum following the formulation of China's Western Region Development Strategy and India's Look East Policy in the1990s and various measures undertaken

by Bangladesh and Myanmar to accelerate the

organised by non-governmental actors. The idea of BCIM soon started to figure in inter-governmental discussions at the highest level. Another crucial development in the process of evolution was the creation of BCIM Business Council consisting of leaders from industrial and trade organisations.

Despite such efforts, the forum's primary focus on Track II coordination failed to bring desired results.

Consequently, during the 2011 meeting, it was agreed that a multi-track initiative was required involving Track I (governmental actors) that would ensure a "high- level official meeting system and joint work force system".

The BCIM-EC received a new lease of life when Chinese premier Li Keqiang proposed to construct the

The Chinese officials subsequently discussed the proposal with Myanmar and Bangladesh and received similar positive responses from Nay Pyi Taw and Dhaka. China sees the economic corridor as a regional platform to strengthen strategic ties with India as well as adding impetus to its landlocked south-western provinces which have the highest poverty rate in the country.

Efforts to revive the "Southern Silk Road" The proposed economic corridor is to cover 1.65 million sq km encompassing an estimated 440 million people. The corridor will originate from Kunming in China's Yunnan province and pass through Yangon and Mandalay in Myanmar, Chittagong-Dhaka- Sylhet in Bangladesh before entering North Eastern states,

The rally contributed significantly to the evolution of BCIM by identifying the segments of the route where investments were required to build and operationalise the K2K route. The South Asian and Chinese leaders intend to transform the route into a robust economic corridor by reviving the old commercial ties. The economic benefits of the BCIM-EC are huge-access to several booming markets in Southeast Asia, improvement of transport infrastructure and setting up of industrial zones. and consequently accelerate growth The regional connectivity would facilitate cross-border movement of people and goods, reduce overland trade bottlenecks, ensure access and increase volume of trade.

Professor Rehman Sobhan, distinguished Bangladeshi economist, argued in the late 1990s that closer economic cooperation among the four

nations through multimodal transport connectivity and augmented by other initiatives and infrastructure development could substantially reduce transaction costs, enhance trade and investment and poverty alleviation in the region.

First Joint Working Group meeting and its significance The four nations emphasised the need to quickly improve physical connectivity in the region in the first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in the Chinese city of Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan which shares border with Myanmar. The first inter-governmental meeting held on December 18-19, 2013 was perhaps the most significant development in the evolution of BCIM as it saw the smooth transition of the initiative from Track II to Track I. The BCIM scheme entered into a new phase with governments of the four nations were now playing the leading role.

A number of major decisions were taken for institutionalisation of the BCIM cooperation and establishment of the economic corridor. The member nations would prepare country reports focusing on four areas of institutional development: Objectives of BCIM-EC; Concept, Scope and Elements of BCIM-EC; Principles and Modalities of Cooperation and Framework of Cooperation. In addition to these, seven separate reports were to be prepared on seven thematic areas: Connectivity; Energy; Investment and Financing; Trade in Goods and Services and trade facilitation; Social and Human Development and Poverty Alleviation; Environmentally Sustainable Development and People- to-People Contacts.

US-India Patrols in the South China Sea? Maybe Not Just Yet India and the United States are talking about the South China Sea, but are they ready to hold joint patrols there? statements. Last January, active sort of diplomacy with the United States. tion patrols in the Spratlys reaction from China. India Ankit Panda Early this week , Reuters published an interesting exclusive, suggesting that the United States and Indian navies are considering the idea of jointly conducting patrols in the South China Sea. It isn't explicit if the idea under consideration is a bilateral U.S.-India freedom of navigation patrol, which would require Indian and U.S. vessels to challenge excessive maritime claims, or simply a bilateral passing exercise or other less contentious patrol.

Both India and the United States support freedom of navigation, globally and in the South China Sea. In recent years, as I've noted at The Diplomat, New Delhi has grown more accustomed to emphasizing the principle in its official

when Obama was in India for a state visit, he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed the importance of freedom of navigation. Just this past weekend, Modi, speaking before the 2016 International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam, reiterated Indian support for freedom of navigation.

It's not surprising that U.S. and Indian officials are talking about the South China Sea. Overall bilateral strategic and defense ties between Washington and New Delhi have been on a steady track of convergence over the past decade and the South China Sea has risen on both their radars in the meantime. India is seeking to "Act East" these days and has pursued a more

with ASEAN and its constituent member states.

What's more, India's 2015 Maritime Security Strategy document and 2009 Maritime Doctrine have classified the South China Sea as a "secondary zone of interest" for the Indian Navy.

Per Reuters, no decision has been made on U.S.-India bilateral joint patrols.

If they do take place, the report notes, they'll happen later this year and will occur in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. If I were to prognosticate, I wouldn't say it's likely we'll see these patrols take place soon-at least in the South China Sea. I'd be entirely skeptical of the idea that New Delhi would entertain undertaking freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea

The Indian military, as a matter of policy, generally only joins bilateral or multilateral efforts outside of its immediate region as part of a United Nationssanctioned mission. As the Reuters exclusive further noted, "the Indian navy has never carried out joint patrols with another country."

What's interesting about this report is what it suggests about how Washington sees New Delhi's role in the South China Sea. So far, the United States has sought support from its regional allies, including Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, as it has intensified its presence in the South China Sea. Following the October 2015 and January 2016 freedom of naviga-

and Paracels respectively, there have been varying calls for multilateralizing these operations going forward. Bringing India into the fold in the South China Sea would serve the U.S. goal of bringing allies and partners together against China's excessive maritime claims in the area.

New Delhi is certainly interested in preserving the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, but its interests remain subtly different from U.S. interests in important ways. For instance, India and Vietnam are cooperating on hydrocarbon exploration in the South China Sea. Additionally, any Indian involvement in patrols in the South China Sea would draw a negative

Bring Down Prices of Medicine

QUOTES 1. A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

John C. Maxwell 2. Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.

Peter Drucker 3. A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.

Arnold H. Glasow 4.A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

Lao Tzu

pace of regional coopera- corridor during his meeting tion. The successive BCIM with the then Indian Prime f o Minisrums t e r c o n - Dr. Rupak Bhattacharjee Manmohan tribSingh uted to generating aware- in New Delhi on 18 May ness about the potential 2013. The Chinese initiative benefits of sub-regional co- was promptly received by operation.

India. The high-ranking officials of both the countries The government officials discussed various aspects began to participate in the of the proposed corridor for debate and discussions the first time.

PIC SOURCE:123rf

Sir, In his fire and brimstone speech before the Lok Sabha election, our Prime-minister declared in the meetings that black money kept in the foreign banks would be brought back and would be utilized for the good of the poor people, and that prices of the essential commodities would be brought down.

We understand, there are certain international laws that stood on the way. Nevertheless, due to efforts, the money in the Central exchequer could be increased in ample measure, which the erstwhile UPA government could not do, rather it emptied the exchequer before relinquishing their offices. The foreign exchange reservoir, too, increased substantially. But prices of essential commodities keep increasing. As per an international survey, the rate of corrup-

tion in India came down under NDA's regime. But it pains us much to note that the prices of medicine keep galloping much to the discomfiture of the common people.

While so many good measures in order to uplift the standard of living of the commonmen could be taken by the BJP led NDA government at the centre, we fail to understand. Why the NDA should allow the prices of medicine to soar up unbridled.

Through your esteemed daily, we make this appeal to the concerned Union ministry to ensure bringing down of the prices of medicine.

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

has to consider the idea in terms of its broader bilateral relationship with China. India and China are expanding their cooperation at this time, but their unresolved land border disputes will require any diplomatic capital that New Delhi would otherwise be willing to spend in the South China Sea. So, what's the bottom line on all this? If the U.S. and India do begin bilateral naval patrols this year, it's far more likely they'll happen in the Indian Ocean than in the South China Sea at first. If they do take place in the South China Sea, we'll have witnessed a big change in how India conceives of its role in East Asia, the purpose of its naval power, and its cooperation with the United States there. 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, Dibrugarh-786003 (Assam) Ph: 0373-2328944 Web : editor.easterntoday@gmail.com

p O

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Page 9

ed

We will continue to publish against the grain: Urvashi Butalia Another 365 days have gone by (and then another 31) and somehow, although the new year begins with just another day, there's always a sense of new beginnings, new hopes, of looking back, and looking forward.

At Zubaan, we've had a busy year: we published some wonderful books, and reissued some of the best of our classics, our academic list grew from strength to strength, and our non fiction books covered a wide range of subjects. You'll find a full list, with brief descriptions, of our 2015 titles below.

It's also been a year of changes: in 2014 Preeti Gill, longtime editor at Zubaan and the brain behind our Northeast list, left to start a new and different professional life. In 2015, Anita Roy, who's also been with Zubaan from the beginning, relocated to England to be with her parents, although she still continues to work with us, and is a virtual presence in the office every day through Skype.

Monetary constraints - all independent publishers are struggling, we're no exception - meant that we were unable to bring in new people, and the existing Zubaan team, Shweta

Vachani, Ishani Butalia, Meghna Singh bravely took on additional work, with support from our colleagues Satish Sharma, Elsy Paul, Santosh Singh and Usha, who keeps us well fed and ensures a regular (crucial) supply of coffee and tea.

Towards the end of 2015, we began to wind down our three Urvashi year long project on Sexual Violence and Impunity in South Asia, a project supported by IDRC (International Development Research Centre), as a part of which 50 research papers were commissioned from across South Asia, and these will now be published in a set of volumes, the first of which came out in time for the Jaipur Literature Festival where we had an excellent and well attended (over 600 people!) discussion. The panel was called 'Body of Evidence: Sexual Violence and the Search for Justice in South Asia' and it was moderated by our co-coordinator of the project, Laxmi Murthy, with Meghna Guhathakurta from Bangladesh, Sumathy Sivamohan from Sri Lanka and Essar Batool from Kashmir as speakers.

As always, we organised

a number of events - our regular Critical Conversations at Oxford Bookstore which featured two lively discussions, one on sexualities and the other on writing from the Northeast. In collaboration with the Heinrich Boll Stiftung, we held a number of discussions on in Butalia Partition Delhi, at Jindal University Sonepat, in Kolkata (along with Peaceworks, a unit of Seagull Books) and Ahmedabad (along with Ahmedabad University).

Cultures of Peace, our annual festival of the Northeast (also in collaboration with the Heinrich Boll Stiftung) made its way this year to Guwahati (where we partnered with the North East Writers Forum) and Bangalore, and in Delhi. A unique partnership was with EUNIC, the European Union Institutes of Culture, with whose help we brought over eight writers from Europe for a one day programme where they were in conversation with Indian writers. Cross Border Conversations, the programme, will now translate into a book. Our Young Zubaan programmes included discussions and workshops in schools, in bookshops (Full

Dress code at Bordowa

Inside the main temple of Borduwa Thaan in Nagaon district of Assam.

I have the habit of talking on different issues while operating, it helps me concentrate better.

One day, while talking of our Gurujona - Srimanta Sankardeva, a nursing assistant of mine quipped that I am very fortunate. I could not understand her comment and asked for an explanation. She told me that I am lucky to belong to Nagaon for that is the district where Srimanta Sankardeva was born! That indeed explains the reverence with which Assamese, specially Vaishnavites, hold Bordowa - the birthplace of our Guru.

Thousands visit Bordowa every year some for pilgrimage, others for curiosity. Being not very far from Guwahati city, a visit to Bordowa is relatively easy. The requirement was that one cannot enter its premises with something made of leather on him or her. One had to leave behind shoes, belts and purses made of leather to gain access.

That was fine in the sense that leather being made of cow hide, it was against the Vaishnavite ideals of cow slaughter, cow being so close to Lord Krishna.

However, I still used to wonder how did they allow the khol or Doba, which uses animal skin.

The management of the Bordowa Than have now imposed a new dress code. A woman has to wear an Assamese traditional dress like Mekhala sador in order to enter

Bordowa. So far so good as most women do so on their own volition. However, one needs to understand that a women travelling to that part in any regular attire, may desire to visit the same as an afterthought. Where is she going to procure one from? Secondly, nonAssamese tourists may want to visit it, why should they be subjected to a dress code as long it

Navanil Barua is not vulgar or unbecoming of a religious place?

The male dress code imposed is a dhoti. One needs to wear one or hire at a cost of Rs 10/-. That itself is not only strange but very anti-Assamese! I do not mind anyone entering Bordowa wearing a dhoti but making it mandatory is beyond my understanding. By what logic? Is it a backdoor effort to impose a pan-Indian culture on us Assamese - very much against the essence of our great country - 'unity in diversity'?

Dhoti is a garment worn by men in many states. It came to Assam with the import of Bengali babus and workers by British India after Assam was annexed into India through Yandaboo treaty.

Assamese men used two types of garments in their lower body - potlung of the Ahoms and Suriya by both Ahoms and nonAhoms. Potlung was an

import from Thailand which the Ahoms gradually gave up in the process of assimilation. The essential difference of Dhoti and Suriya is that the later is no frills and has no unnecessary folds and was just below knee-length.

Hence, dhoti never was Assamese dress. Then, why use dhoti to enter Bordowa? Did Sankardeva or Madhabdev wear dhotis? Or they wore the Suriya? Is the dress code a reflection of some of the management committee member's political leaning towards Hindutva imperialism?

Delving further into it, what happens if one decides to enter Bordowa in a lungi or a tribal type lengti? Can they be restrained? If they are, then isn't that against the teachings of Gurujona? When Chandsai made the "Chandrataap" and presented it to Gurujona, wasn't he wearing a Islamic style Lungi? When Garo Gobinda went to meet the Gurujona, wasn't he attired in a tribal dress?

Is there any record of Srimanta Sankardeva insisting that they wear a Dhoti?

It is time that such nefarious elements be removed from the managing committee of Bordowa than. People associated with institutions associated with Srimanta Sankardeva should raise their voices and remove such banal restrictions. Jai Guru Sankar!

(The views expressed by the writer are his own).

Courtesy: thethumbprintmag

Picture source: thethumbprintmag Circle Bookshop, one of our favourite places) and more.

And there's much to look forward to in this year: we'll soon be publishing a book that traces the lives of the mothers of Manipur, the women who staged a naked protest outside Kangla Fort in Imphal; a riveting and moving account of her life as a Transgender activist by A. Revathi, a book on the mass rape of women in Kunan Poshpora in Kashmir entitled Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora?, a volume that traces questions of impunity, of speech and silence in relation to

sexual violence, by V. Geetha, and our South Asian volumes edited by Uma Chakravarti, Meghna Guhathakurta, Seira Tamang, Mandira Sharma, Neelam Hussain, Laxmi Murthy and Urvashi Butalia.

We're lucky to be working with a set of people on whom we can rely for quick turnarounds of our work these are our typesetters and our printers, who just never say no to our demands and who do their very best to meet our deadlines.

All this put together helps us to survive. But more than ever before, for independents, breaking even, making a profit, however small, is an issue. In this last year, we reorganised ourselves a bit, to enable us to work towards being sustainable. We set up a company, owned by the senior staff at Zubaan, that took over all the publishing activity, leaving the projects to the Zubaan Trust, so creating a hybrid structure. As well, we set up a unit called Track Changes, that takes on consultancies, that offers self publishing, that

Gopal Sau

and how accurately it depicts our everyday life. The Great Indian Masala movie is the one crowds flock to.

Deep rooted to Indian tradition to appeal to the vintage class and hip at the same time to allure the youngsters, the story line almost always takes a beating.

However the audience love it when the hero singlehandedly trounces the villain and his hundred strong sidekicks and walks away with the heroine on his shoulders. TII: This is India.

We don't want serious people working through and developing complex plots.

The swashbuckling hero, the sultry innocence of a heroine and the teeth brandishing villain: this is Indian cinema and we love it. Yes, we love the dancing around the trees and the raucous numbers which sound unsettling to the West. There have been instances thrown along the reel when a director has tried to step outside the realm and do something out of the ordinary. And unprecedented success it did result in. But those are calculated risks, call it out of the box thinking or brilliance of the script or simply, an acting masterpiece.

Put against that the average Indian story ridden by the usual romantic stuff, with a marriage or two thrown in to accommodate the songs and some picturesque locations to give it a phoren feel and we go gaga.

It was Satyajit Ray who took Indian cinema and culture to a global level when Pather Panchali was screened at Cannes and won 11 international awards at that time. Quite an unparalleled achievement even today for an Indian movie. I doubt how many movie buffs would know that. But what matters is how much a movie can touch our hearts

35 mm Reel of Indian Cinema

does design and print jobs professionally, to earn some revenue for Zubaan. Track Changes has been making slow progress, and we're hoping that very soon it will start generating good business that will help Zubaan to survive. And here again, we'd like to ask for your help: if you know of people who want things edited, who need readers' reports on manuscripts, who need editorial feedback, or writing skills, or design and production, do please send them our way. We need to work towards making Zubaan sustainable and self supporting, and this is one way of doing this: we're happy to produce books, reports, take on writing assignments, etc.

We continue to be inspired and moved by the books our writers offer to us, the books that we go out and find; women are writing so much more, they're doing exciting, joyful, serious, funny and just stunning books. The tragedy though is, that while the books are lovely, it seems to become more and more difficult to sell them. Brick and mortar bookshops have been closing, ebook sales have not picked up enough, so to survive, one has to find new

Basically we want to give thinking a miss. We just want to return from work and watch people fight among themselves and sort it out and everything fall into place all by itself.

Before Kal Ho Na Ho was released, most people knew the plot. There was this dispute regarding plagiarism and in the mean time all that that needed to be kept under the covers was out.

People went on to watch the movie and were they moved. The movie rocked commercially and Shahrukh Khan was the new drama king. If you were watching the movie the first time you would feel like going on to

Image for representational purpose only.

ways of getting the good word out. It's here that we've been helped by our authors and our friends, who put out the word about new books and we want to thank you all for this and to ask for your continued support.

Do please review our books, talk about them, tweet about them, and get the word out. For our part, we'll continue to publish against the grain, and to put in whatever efforts we can to reach the books to you.

We have a whole new set of ideas about how to do this, but we'd also like to engage you, our readers, our authors, our friends, in the exercise of thinking where you would like Zubaan to go in the future, and we plan to come back to you with this question very soon. All ideas, radical and otherwise, are welcome.

So do write and tell us what you think, give us your ideas about how we should develop, change, adapt, and of course that most important thing, survive!

(Urvashi Butalia is best known as the co-founder of Kali for Women-India's first feminist publishing house-and the force behind Zubaan Books, an imprint that grew out of Kali.)

Courtesy: thethumbprintmag

the screen, waving your hands to cover it up and scream out the next few scenes before it was there on screen. It was that predictable. But you do sit there with hundred choking throats through two and half hours of unmatched howling and twisted eyebrows. And the movie rocked. The songs were an instant hit. Classic example of a horribly plagiarised plot transforming into a successful pot-boiler.

But that is not the point.

What should make us proud is that Bollywood has still successfully conserved its essence. A song less movie wouldn't be that unusual for the audience which has been exposed to a lot of choices. Sometimes the inclusion of a song seems downright ridiculous. Imagine Memento with songs just like with Ghajini. Personally I would have laughed and cried at the same time. But Ghajini did rock the charts. We loved the songs. That just proves the finesse with which our directors can take a script, mutilate it, add some songs and lo and behold there is this blockbuster on our weekend schedule. Hats off to Indian Cinema (for whosoever said that Bollywood is derived from Hollywood).

Jai Ho!

Music Therapy Indian flavors occupy a wide range of subjects. Not only do they show diversity, but they are famed too in each of their respective fields. Music, having antique and mature roots, is something that shows off a great aroma as being indigenous.

Music in India not only serves to entertain, but is also of vast potential in the field of therapy and cure. Vedic traditions dating back roughly 5000 years ago had a great intuition about the power of sound and intonation. It was used as a source of healing and reflected the intuition that each intonation and inflection of voice could have beneficial or adverse effects.

Vedic hymns were also believed to cure many common diseases. Present day music therapy practice involves use of archika, gathika and samika verses to enhance focused attention and to help get into meditative and relaxed states.

Music Therapy is the use of a selected music to obtain already studied expected changes and hormonal alterations in the body to obtain a desired positive effect. Even though the patient who participates in the

treatment sessions has no lioma & neurological disorders. knowledge of music, Music The working of the Magic: Therapy shows results. Recent There are two types of music researches have shown that therapies. Active and Passive. music has a vital influence on When a person is subject to the functioning of human brain music therapy, the genre of the and this theory can be utilized specific music being played acin curing various diseases like tivates parts of the brain funcmesothelioma and Asbestos tions in a coordinated pattern Cancer. This branch of science and helps us to enjoy the music. The mind is growing has the tenfast and dency to remany reIrfan Mohamed late or to idensearchers in tify things in the field of music and medicine add a great a known pattern, in case we know the music being played, deal of life to it.

At some places, research is be- to come to a result through our ing done on the integration of expressed behavior. It helps in traditional Indian healing sys- the quality of neuro transmittems like Nadopasan, ters secreted in brain and the Ayurveda, Yoga, Raga Chikitsa behavior of the individual. and Nada Yoga into modern mu- Some music may reduce heart sic therapy to bring down the rate, respiratory rate, and blood impacts of disease and enhance pressure in patients with corotreatment in clinical settings. (for nary heart disease. Even if the the paper, go to http:// music is unknown, the flow of www.scribd.com/doc/33476046/ sound and its pathway being used does wonders with the Music-Therapy-in-India) It is also proven that Music subject. And of course, the reTherapy is especially effective sult varies on the functioning in three key medical areas such of the individual's brain. as Pain, anxiety and depres- Most people experience a vission; Mental, emotional and ceral reaction to music creating physical handicaps; Mesothe- a connection between music

and mood. Music has also been shown to lower stress hormones and increase the release of "feel-good" hormones.

Music therapists often use music as a language. Training can help the mentally and physically disabled express themselves. It is also used to instill confidence in introverts too.

"Entertainment" is a process used to treat stroke and neurological ill patients. When patients listen to rhythmic music, their muscle movements become synchronized with the beat causing regular and efficient motor skills. Entrainment can also induce a sedative, relaxing response if the music has a slow, steady rhythm.

Music was found to reduce the pain during dental procedures.

Playing music in the background while working reduces the stress.

Music Therapy in the West Music therapy became known a little long ago. But effective usage was noted from the period of the World Wars. Works of eminent pioneers like Nord off-Robbins, Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly, Mary Priestly and

several others are noteworthy.

Several Institutes propagate the idea of music therapy such as the Michigan State University, University of ansas, Temple University, and Lesley University and so on.

Setbacks Not all peaceful or "New Age" music works for everyone.

Music with no structure can be irritating or even unsettling. It results in spending time to search for the genre of music that fits an individual. We need special Music therapists and the effect of music therapy is not perfectly clear.

As seen, the concept is still an infant and has a long long way to go before being established as a main therapy in hospitals.

Several efforts have been uptaken to spread the word.

Music Therapy courses are being conducted at certain centers like the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai that has a Music Therapy Department conducting courses for music therapy.

This is for the first time in Asia.

We can therefore look forward to the unison of music and medicine taking a huge stand in a few years.

BUSINESS

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Profit of Cipla Q3 rises 4.68% New Delhi, Feb 11: Pharmaceutical firm Cipla Ltd Wednesday reported 4.68 percent increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 343.20 crore in the third quarter ended December 2015. The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 327.85 crore in the same period last fiscal, Cipla Ltd said in a BSE filing. Net sales during the period under review stood at Rs 3,027.26 crore as against Rs 2,624.71 crore in corresponding quarter last fiscal, up 15.33 percent.

Domestic sales declined by 0.4 percent to Rs 1,194 crore during the third quarter from Rs 1,199 crore in the same period last fiscal, the company said, adding that business was im-

Jayem Auto, Tata join hands for developing new vehicles Coimbatore, Feb 11: Coimbatore-based Jayem Automotives is likely to enter into a partnership with Tata Motors for development of new vehicles and products. J. Anand, Managing Director of Jayem and a former F3 champion, said that Tata Motors had collaborated with Jayem to build a new range of performance and special vehicles. A sporty hatchback vehicle, which was displayed at Auto Expo 2016, was developed jointly by the two companies. "For the new range, a separate company will be formed. The details will be announced soon," Mr. Anand said. "We have been working with Tata for a long time. We are like an extended arm of Tata Motors. Apart from the hatchback passenger car, a range of performance enhancing kits will be developed by Jayem and Tata Motors."

(Agencies)

INCREAMENT IN PROFIT Pharmaceutical firm Cipla Ltd reported 4.68 percent increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 343.20 crore in the third quarter ended December 2015.

The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 327.85 crore in the same period last fiscal, Cipla Ltd said in a BSE filing.

Domestic sales declined by 0.4 percent to Rs 1,194 crore during the third quarter from Rs 1,199 crore in the same period last fiscal.

Net sales during the period under review stood at Rs 3,027.26 crore as

Exports of formulations increased by 28.5 percent to Rs 1,833 crore during the period as against Rs 1,426 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.

pacted due to distribution policy changes. Exports of

formulations increased by 28.5 percent to Rs 1,833

ANI Mumbai, Feb 11: Shares of Britannia Industries were up 1.5% at Rs 2,818, in an otherwise weak market, after the FMCG major posted robust profits for the quarter ended December 2015.

Net profit for the quarter ended December 2015 increased 52% to Rs 208 crore compared to Rs 137 crore in the same quarter in the previous fiscal. Total income for the quarter under review increased to Rs 2268 crore compared with Rs 2053 crore in the same quarter last fiscal. The stock opened at Rs 2844 and touched a high of Rs 2,870. At 10:25am, over 98,000 shares were traded on both the stock exchanges.

3 manufacturing plant of Coca Cola suspended in India

Image for representational purpose only.

Pune, Feb 11: Coca Cola India's bottling arm Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages has suspended manufacturing at three locations in India citing absence of "long-term economic viability", which may affect at least 300 employees. The company has suspended manufacturing at Kaladera near Jaipur (Rajasthan), Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Brynihat

TECHNOLOGY 95,000 orders bagged by Le1S smartphones in just 20 seconds, next flash sale on Feb 16 Mumbai, Feb 11: LeEco, the global internet technology giant, has announced that the company has sold the record breaking number of 95,000 units of Le1s smartphones just in 20 seconds in the second flash sale on Flipkart Tuesday.

Prior to the flash sale, the company has received over 10.30 lakh registrations for the smartphone. The response from consumers to LeEco's flagship killer device- the Le1s has been overwhelming. The pre-sale registrations has crossed the milestone achieved for registrations for the first flash sale, which was 6,05,000, a validation of the complete confidence and trust that consumers have in LeEco's Le 1 s. The company had sold 70,000 phones in just 2 seconds in the first flash sale. Having sold the record breaking number in the first and second flash sale, Le1s is all set to make another round of flash sale on February 16.

The LeEco advantage for consumers with the company's best- in- class after-sales set up is unparalleled. The company has already announced 555 service centres across prominent locations pan-India and 24*7 toll-free call centre support. (Agencies)

against Rs 2,624.71 crore in corresponding quarter last fiscal, up 15.33 percent.

crore during the period as against Rs 1,426 crore in the same quarter last fiscal. APIs exports were down 5.3 percent to Rs 143 crore from Rs 151 crore in the year-ago period. The export business was driven by strong performance in South Africa and emerging markets. Stating that the outlook for FY 2015-16 remains unchanged, Cipla said focus will be on complexity reduction and enhancing base business profitability through portfolio rationalisation, pricing improvement and cost optimization. There will also be accelerated investment in R&D, consumer healthcare and biologics, it added.

(Agencies)

Britannia Industries gains after Q3 net up 52%

LE 1S - THE SUPER VALUE PHONE * Latest 64 bit Octa-core Helio X10 * 3GB RAM/32 GB Internal Memory * 5.5 inch Full HD display * Bezel-less Unibody Metal Design * Quick charge - 5 minutes of charge gives 3.5 hours of talk time * Fingerprint Sensor * LeEco's Le1s packs a 5.5 inch full HD display, 13MP rear camera * MediaTek octa-core processor, and 3 GB RAM. The Le1s has dual SIM card slots, 4G connectivity and 16 GB internal storage. * The phone runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop with Lenovo's Vibe UI on top, and is powered by a 3000 mAh battery. * With the world's first mirror-surface fingerprint sensor, the Le 1s is breathtakingly stunning and has an amazing user interface.

(Meghalaya). "The decision to close down a plant is a business decision taken on the basis of its long-term economic viability and market demands of the products being manufactured at that particular plant," said a source. "Accordingly the decision to suspend manufacturing at these locations including Kaladera was made. At these locations all operations except for manu-

facturing is continuing," the source said. When contacted a Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBPL) spokesperson said: "Like with any other m a n u f a c t u r i n g organisation, we are going through a process of consolidation where new stateof-the art facilities are being built and existing production capacities are being optimised. "These decisions

are taken in keeping with plant capacity utilisation considerations, based on the market demands and projections," he added.

"With regard to our Kaladera plant in Rajasthan, while we have currently suspended manufacturing, we are continuing with all other operations at Kaladera.

We also retain the licence to produce at this Plant, which is testimony to the fact that should there be a change in demand and volume, we may utilise this latent capacity at the Kaladera plant," the spokesperson said. HCCB has 54 plants in India of which 24 are franchise plants, 25 are companyowned and 5 are co-packers. Coca Cola India sells a range of soft drinks including Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite and Maaza, among others. In 2012, the Atlanta-based beverages major had announced to invest about Rs 28,000 crore (USD 5 billion) along with its partners in India by 2020 on various activities including setting up of new bottling plants.

(Agencies)

Kamarajar Port to invest Rs. 8,100 crore Chennai, Feb 11: Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) will be commissioning five projects, including its maiden container terminal and multi-purpose cargo berths, within the next three years at a cost of Rs.8,100 crore, according to a top official. The project will increase the port's cargo handling capacity by 44 million tonnes to 80 million tonnes per annum.

M.A.

Bhaskarachar, KPL chairman-cum-managing director, said: "A sum of Rs. 8,100 crore is being invested in new projects to keep pace with competition from neighbouring ports such as L&T Kattupalli Port, Karaikal, Tuticorin, Chennai and Krishnapatnam Ports.

With the completion of these projects, KPL's terminal handling capacity will increase from 36 million

tonnes to 80 million tonnes by 2018 and touch 100 million tonnes by 2020." The major projects that are in the various stages of construction are container terminal, coal berths III and IV, multipurpose cargo berth, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and capital dredging.

Besides, tenders have been floated for general cargo berth-II and multi-liquid terminal. (Agencies)

PAGE 10

D.J. Pandian appointed as Vice-President, Chief Investment Officer of AIIB ANI New Delhi, Feb 11: Former bureaucrat Dr. D.J. Pandian has been appointed as the Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The Ministry of Finance confirmed this on its official Twitter handle @FinMinIndia.

"India's nominee, Dr. D.J. Pandian appointed as the

Vice-President, Chief Investment Officer of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ( AIIB)," theMinistry of Finance wrote on Twitter. The primary responsibility of the Chief Investment Officer is to lead the planning and supervision of the Bank's infrastructure investment by promoting sustainable investment throughout Asia. Dr.

Pandian has had an extensive career spanning 30 years with the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), holding key positions at the State, National, and International levels. He was instrumental in liberalizing the policy regime to attract international investment to crucial infrastructure sectors including power, airlines, ports and telecoms.

Chicken variant of Maggi to be sold on Snapdeal Mumbai, Feb 11: Nestle India will bring back the chicken variant of its popular Maggi noodles online through Snapdeal from today with pre-registration for the limited edition packs to be open till 2300 hours Wednesday. In November last year, Nestle and Snapdeal had partnered to re-launch the masala version of Maggi in India, following a ban in many states after food safety regulator FSSAI stated that it was "unsafe and hazardous" for consumption due to presence of lead content beyond permissible level and traces of monosodium glucamate (MSG), a taste enhancer.

The popular brand of noodles had passed tests by three government-accredited laboratories, as ordered by the Bombay High Court which in August had lifted ban on the instant noodles that was imposed by food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

It paved way for Nestle India to bring back Maggi in

Maggi packets. the market after it was banned in June. In December, Nestle India had said it will launch other variants of the brand such as oats noodles and cup noodles in 3-4 months.

"We will launch other variants of Maggi noodles such as oats noodles, aata noodles and cup noodles in three to four months," said Nestle India CMD Suresh Narayanan. Reeling under

the ban, Nestle India saw a 60.1 per cent decline in its standalone net profit at Rs 124.20 crore for the third quarter ended September 2015. It saw export sales decreasing 6.4 per cent, impacted by the Maggi noodles issue and lower sales to Nepal, Nestle India had said. It had reported a standalone loss of Rs 64.40 crore in the second quarter of 2015 for the first time in the last 15 years.

Logistics, airline sectors to be aimed by Ramco Systems Pune, Feb 11: Ramco Systems, an enterprise software company, will target logistics and passenger airline segments to take advantage of the strong growth in e-commerce sector, a top company official said. "Earlier, software solutions were offered on a cluttered basis to the logistics players. Software providers didn't offer ERP and ERP players didn't offer other software solutions.

The present e-commerce boom has triggered strong growth potential for logistics firms and we found an opportunity to offer an integrated and cloud-based ERP for the companies in this sector," said Virendar Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer of Ramco Systems.

The company had introduced a niche Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) product-Ramco Logistics Software-an integrated

Virendar Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer of Ramco Systems.

cloud-based platform targeted at third-party logistics firms, freight forwarding companies, and courier firms among others. The company had some competitive advantages over large players like Oracle or SAP. "Revenues of the most of the logistics firms are below $1 billion. "So, it may be an expensive proposition for them to go for the solutions of those

big companies. We offer very flexible pricing," he said. The company's aviation vertical was facing some challenges due to slowdown in helicopter chartering, hit by low oil prices.

"We need to change the perception of a small company. Though a couple of domestic airlines use our solutions, we are working on boosting our business," he said. (Agencies)

$1 trillion on power likely to be spend

by India by 2030: Piyush Goyal Sydney: India is expected to spend a whopping USD 1 trillion (about Rs 65 lakh crore) by 2030 on ramping up its power infrastructure as one of the world's largest energy consumers aims to provide 24/7 electricity to its citizens. The power sector in the country is at an inflection point and the focus is on developing an integrated outlook with transparent policies on tariffs and fuel pricing which enhance the ease of doing

business, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said here.

"When the world is witnessing a depressed economic atmosphere and there is almost no growth, India is a shining spot. We will use this image and further strengthen it to invite countries such as Australia to invest in the country," he told PTI on the sidelines of the India-Australia Energy Dialogue. India and Australia should come together and invest in several

fields, with energy being an important dimension.

India's focus is on LNG for power plants, coal mining, clean coal technologies, renewable energy, R&D as well as tie-ups with premier research institutes, he added. "We are a very big and growing market. It is estimated that India will spend around Rs 65 lakh crore on the power sector in the next 15 years to meet its growing demands and providing clean, affordable

and 24/7 electricity to its citizens," said Goyal, who also holds the Coal and Renewable Energy portfolios. Goyal is leading a highlevel government delegation to deliberate with Australian government and businesses on ways to increase their participation in India's power sector. An industry delegation, led by business chamber CII, is also accompanying the minister. India has set an ambitious plan to add 175 GW

of renewable energy generation capacity by 2022.

The country aims to have 100 GW of solar power by 2022 along with 260 GW of thermal and nuclear generation and 62 GW of hydro generation capacity. As per International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates, India would invest about USD 845 billion in T&D (transmission and distribution) networks between 2015 and 2040 to ensure universal access to power

for customers. Explaining the steps taken by his ministry to provide clean energy, the minister said India has one of the toughest regulations on thermal power. "Our Prime Minister has pledged his commitment towards protecting the environment and we are working on his vision. Our norms on thermal power are more stringent that those in some of the developing countries," he noted.

(Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Features

PAGE 11

TRAVEL & TOURISM Visit Historical Assam Town Tezpur Explore Imphal

Located in Assam's Sonitpur district, Tezpur is a town with impressive past and many attractions for tourists. Its location on banks of mighty Brahmaputra River has resulted in the city getting zones of natural beauty and serenity. Apart from its natural splendor, Tezpur is also known for its role in development of culture and literature in Assam. Presently, Tezpur serves as a major

modations in the city. Some of the popular hotels are The Fern Residency, Hotel Royal Regency, Heritage Tezpur, Luit Hotel and hotel Kalash.

Places to explore Tezpur has plenty of sightseeing options for tourists. As it is, you may need more than a day to cover all the sightseeing in and around the city. The major attractions are: " Agnigarh- the

worship the deity.

Arnab Ghosh

coins of various metals and sculptures. " Padum PukhuriTourists with kids should not miss the beautiful lake with an island called Padam Pukhuri. The island has

Agnigarh

army base and hub for education, commercial and administrative activities.

How to reach Tezpur is very well connected to major cities in Assam and other parts of the country, in general. It has a Domestic Airport called Salonibari Airport.

This is linked with Kolkata and Silchar. This airport is also connected with Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.

Tezpur railway station is also connected to major rail stations in Assam. The buses run by Assam State Transport Corporation run between Tezpur and major cities in Assam like Guwahati, Jorhat, Dibrugarh. Private bus services are also available to reach Tezpur.

Accommodation options As far as accommodation is concerned, tourists get plenty of options in Tezpur.

From budget lodges to lavish hotels, you can find nearly all types of accom-

mythological story of two star crossed lovers has made Agnigarh a popular tourist destination. The place, on a hilltop near the banks of Brahmaputra River is well maintained and has serene natural beauty. It also serves as a nice spot for photography and you get amazing views of the surrounding low lying zones. You may even like to have picnic at the area. " Cole Park- When the British ruled India, they set up several prominent establishments in the North East. Cole Park is one such example. Also known as Chitralekha Udyan, it has options for boating in an adjacent lake. The spot is known for its awesome natural beauty. " District MuseumTezpur's district museum is ideal if you wish to have a glimpse at the rich heritage and cultural past of the city and Assam as well. Set up in 1986, this museum has plenty of exhibits like traditional Assamese textile,

Arnab Ghosh

make it ideal for anyone.

The photography buffs cannot get enough of the beauty of this region! The sanctuary spread over almost 104 sq. km is a nature lover's paradise.

When and how to visit It is ideal that you visit this picturesque sanctuary within the monthsApril to May. This is when you can find the flowers blooming. In October to November, you will miss the bloom but the sky will be very clear- thereby offering you magnificent views of the Kanchendzonga range.

Sikkim is a small and landlocked state situated in north eastern India along the border of Nepal. Its vast and magnificent mountain range, rich Buddhist heritage and biodiversity attract a lot of tourists. If you are a nature lover and explore a travel destination by trekking - Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary of Sikkim is right for you.

Located in the picturesque West Sikkim district, it also serves as a starting point for famous Singalila Ridge trek route.

The Sanctuary is replete with several hundred species of Rhododendron and other plants.

Nuances of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary Barsey is located on a hilltop but getting to the sanctuary is not much tedious for anyone-including female visitors. The aromatic and colorful flowers blooming with the backdrop of vast snow capped mountains

To reach this sanctuary, you need to reach Okhrey. It is about 51 km from Gangtok, the capital city. Since Barsey is not very well connected to prominent places in Sikkim, you should travel up to Jorethang and then reach Okhrey or Hilley where you can stop for the night. Jorethang can be reached from Siliguri Tenzing Norgay bus terminus. From Jorethang to Okhrey it takes 3 hours or so.

been made into park and the attraction is a musical fountain. There is a toy train in the Island as well and options for boating are also there. A bridge links the island with main land. " Nag-Sankar Temple- The origins of NagSankar Temple of Tezpur

can be traced back to 4th century AD. This ancient temple was built by Lohitya dynasty's King Nag sankar.

But there is a theory that it was built by King Nagmatta. Ahom ruler Susen-pha renovated it in the 15th century. The temple has an adjacent large pond where several turtles and fish can be seen. The park in the campus is home to deer, pythons and peacocks. " Ketakeshwar Dewal- Religiously inclined tourists visiting Tezpur should not miss the Ketakeshwar Dewal. It is an eminent temple for worshipping Lord Shiva. Supposedly, the temple has one of the largest shiva lingas in the world. " Bhairabi TempleLocated close to the border of Tezpur, the Bhairabi Temple is one of ancient temples in Assam and it is a major destination for pilgrims. Built to worship Goddess Durga, the temple is famous for its intricate carvings which were carved way back in the 9th century. From one side of the temple, you can see the eminent Kolia Bhomora Setu. It is one of the temples where animal sacrifice is done as ritual to

"Bamuni Hills- Tourists with a keen interest in archeology and sculpture should go to the Bamuni Hills, located on eastern fringes of Tezpur. Here you will find ruins of a temple built in ancient times. The location on Brahmaputra river banks is beautiful. The stone sculptures are amazing.

There is a myth associated with this place. As per the view of Archeological Survey of India, the origins of Bamuni hills can be traced back to 10th century AD though some historians disagree. There are traces of Gupta dynasty art style in the sculptures.

"Da Parbatia ruins- The ruins of ancient Da Parbatia temple also attract plenty of tourists visiting Tezpur.

Reminiscent of Gupta Dynasty architecture, the doorframe has carvings depicting goddesses Yamuna and Ganga. The place is protected by ASI. "Other attractions- Other major tourist draws in Tezpur include the ancient Hazara Pukhuri, Kolia Bhomora Setu- considered an architectural marvel, Mahabhairav Temple and Rudrapada Temple-two major pilgrimage spots.

Major events and festivals In Tezpur, a number of fes-

tivals are held every year and you can enjoy the festive spirit in case you happen to visit the city during those times. " Behdeinkhlam Festival- It is held in July every year and this colorful festival lasts for three days.

The festival is intended to eradicate evil by wooden sticks. It involves a number of age old religious rituals.

Music is an intricate part of this festival.

"Bihu and Laho DanceBihu is a major Assamese festival and Tezpur also takes part in the celebration each year. Marked by traditional dance and folk songs- it takes place after annual harvest- mostly during April.

The Laho Dance festival is something Tezpur residents are very passionate about though its origins lie in Meghalaya. In this dance, two men dance on either side of a female dancer.

Shopping options There are no swanky and large shopping malls in this historic city of Assam.

However, shopaholic tourists head to Tezpur's Chowk Bazaar- the main shopping zone. It is situated at the central area of the city. You can buy traditional handcrafts, shoes, bamboo toys and Assamese silk garments as souvenirs.

Here's a quick travel guide to offer suggestions for getting around the City, ideas on what to see and experience in this historic city, Imphal, the birth place of Polo sport.

Why Go? What's exciting thing about Imphal is not only its serene landscapes or its historical background; its vibrancy, varied culture, and scenic beauty sums up as a worldwide tourism hotspot. India's only bus service to Mandalay (Myanmar) operates from here. Loktak Lake - the largest freshwater lake in Asia is just 30 minute drive away.

Friendly locals. Step into a diner or a public transport and the person next to you will strike up a conversation, make you part of their circle. The city is also home to the second fastest growing regional entertainment market in the entire North East region next to Guwahati; the Manipuri Film Industry.

From temples, exotic shopping centers to indigenous food, there is no way you'll not fall in love with this place.

Top Attractions 1. Ima Keithel (Mother's Market) You get a glimpse into the matriarchal set up of Manipur at this Khwairamband bazaar. Ima Keithel is perhaps the only one of its kind in Asia, maybe even the world. All the stalls are run by women, selling everything from fruits and vegetables to shawls and household utensils.

Around 3500 women run their business in this market. The market has long been a part of Manipuri tradition with evidence suggesting that it dates back to the 16th Century. It offers one of the city's unique travel experiences. Tourists popularly buy cane and bamboo handicraft from here.

2. Imphal War Cemetery The cemetery commemorates the Commonwealth soldiers, including Indians, Britons, Canadians, Australians and East Africans who died during the Second World War. It looks tranquil and is well maintained by Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with stone markers and bronze plaques recording brief accounts of the soldiers.

3. Kangla Fort Set in an idyllic location in the middle of the city. 'Kangla' is regarded as a sacred place for Manipuris. This 33 AD old Kangla Fort or Kangla Palace, situated on the banks of the Imphal River, is a symbol of Manipur's glory and its exquisite heritage.

King Khagemba (1597-1652) extended and developed this palace with major landmarks after ascending the throne and its many royal occupants have furnished the palace throughout the centuries. This fort is a must-see for any art fanatic and historian as it holds immense archaeological, religious and historical significance.

4. Shri Govindajee Temple Built in 1846, this temple located next to the Kangla palace is a sacred center for Vaisnavites. The temple has a simple structure comprising twin gold plated domes, a paved courtyard, a small pond and a large raised congregation hall.

5. Three Mothers Art Gallery Discover one of the best wooden sculpture galleries in the country. The Three Mothers Gallery located at Thangapat Mapal, Imphal opened in 1978 to envisage and epitomise the culture and heritage of the state.

Sikkim's Enthralling Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary

The easiest and nearby entry point is Hilley and two others are Dentam and Soreng. It is where a sanctuary gate is located.

The 5 km trek inside the region is a nice experience. The road is not steep and you need to take your permits from the gate. You need to pay

A view of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Sikkim

The Sherpa Lodge at Okhrey is ideal for a stopover when you plan to visit Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. The accommodation at Hilley

is quite basic. A Trekkers Hut is under construction near the Barsey Sanctuary.

You need to trek to reach Barsey Sanctuary.

separately for porters and camera.

You will reach Guras Kunj which is basically a trekkers hut inside the reserve, located at the

altitude of 10,000 Ft. Walking through the colorful and thick Rhododendron tree clad path is a mesmerizing experience.

Flora and Fauna Amazing as it may sound, Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary has about 600 species of rhododendrons. You will also find plenty of Magnolia, Pine and oaks here. Shrub like vegetation and different types of Bamboos also grow aplenty. When the rhododendrons bloom in spring months, the place is filled with bright colors and air is heavy with the scent of flowers.

As it is natural, the sanctuary is also home to some wildlife species.

The major animals found here are Black Bear and Himalayan Red Panda.

You can also find animals like marbled cat, Himalayan palm civet, barking deer and Himalayan yellow throated marten.

Birds found here include crimson horned pheasant and kaleej pheasant.

Courtesy: nelive.

Renowned sculptor Gurumayum Shyamsunder Sharma, single-handedly craved all the work exhibited in the museum, which range from chairs and animals figures to carvings of famous personalities, besides other mythological figures. One of his large work entered Limca Book of Records for the Wooden Artistic Figure (Symbol of Peace) in 2000.

Exploring the City - For those into live music, don't miss to check out local musicians at Rita Cafe, Classic Hotel every weekend. Rock concerts are a common feature on the cultural calendar of Manipur.

- Take a sip of the locally brew rice beer and the famous Sekmai liquor at local bars. They are as authentic as can get.

The locals enjoy their drink with a platter of Pork, Eromba, Fish, Singju and Ooty.

- Watch Ras Leela dance at theatres. Ras Leelas are based on the eternal and celestial love of Radha and Krishna and tell a love story in the form of dance movements and musical compositions. This highly stylised form of dance has sublimity, subtlety and grace. The Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy, Imphal exhibits fusion and indigenous dance performances almost every week.

- Don't miss out to watch Polo sport (Sagol Kangjei) at Polo Ground, Thang-Ta (indigenous martial art) and the incredible Pung Cholom drum dance during festivals.

Popular Festivals 1. Sangai Festival Every year from 21st to 30th November, the government of Manipur dedicates the Sangai Festival to showcase and promote the ethnic diversity of Manipur society in Art and Culture, Handloom, Handicraft & Fine Arts, Indigenous Sports, Cuisines, Eco & Adventure Sports.

During the 10 days festival, the annual Manipur Polo International Tournament is held at Mapal Kangjeibung (Polo Ground). In the last edition of 2014, the foreign participating teams included England, USA, Poland, South Africa, France, Mangolia, Thailand and many other countries.

2. Heikru Hidongba (Boat Race) Heikru Hidongba is an annual traditional boat race festival celebrated in the month of September. It has been a celebration of grand cultural and religious significance held at the moat of the Sagolband Bijoy Govinda Leikai, Imphal since 1779.

Each boat has a leader or captain known as 'Tengmai Leppa'.

The boat race participants will dress up in Ningkham and Shamjim, traditional attires of the Meiteis worn for such occasions. Thousands of people from different parts of the state gathered around the Thangapat to witness the event.

Where to Stay Classic Hotel (3 star), North AOC 2. Hotel Yaisana, MG Avenue 3. Sangai Hotel, Nagamapal 4. Hotel Imphal, North AOC 5. Anand Continental Hotel, Thangal Bazar 6. Tampha Hotel, Indo-Myanmar Road

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12

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Indians rule the roost in Shooting Tennis clean sweep for India in SAG New Delhi, Feb 11: The Indian contingent continued their dominance in the ongoing South Asian Games in Guwahati, with shooters clinching gold in three categories here on Thursday. Chain Singh won the gold in 50m rifle prone men's individual, Samaresh Jung in 25m center fire pistol men's individual and Gagan Narang, Chain Singh, Surendra Singh Rathod in 50m rifle prone men's team.

Willey honoured to be named in World T20 England squad

In the women's category, while Pemba Tamang won

Guwahati, Feb 11: India bagged the remaining two gold medals on offer to cap a memorable clean sweep in the tennis competition of the 12th South Asian Games here today.

Ramkumar Ramanathan beat compatriot Saketh Myneni 7-5 6-3 in the men's singles final to clinch gold on the concluding day of the tennis event at the All Assam

Tennis Association Grounds. In the women's doubles final, also an allIndian affair, the duo of Prarthana Thombre and Sharrmadaa Baluuishika took the gold after defeating the pair of Rishika Sunkara and Natasha Palha 7-5 2-6 10-4 in the final. Indians won all the gold and silver medals on offer in five events -men's and women's singles, men's and women's

doubles doubles.

and

mixed

Divij Sharan and Sanam Singh 6-3 6-4.

Remarkably, finals of the five events wereall-Indian affairs. Yesterday, the Indians had won gold medals in women's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles to completely dominate the event. In men's doubles, Ramkumar Ramanathan and Vijay Prasanth had won gold after beating the pair of

Ankita Rana had won the gold in women's singles in another all- Indian final.

Raina had easily beaten Prerna Bhambri 6-1 6-0 in the final. Ankita and Divij Sharan had bagged the gold in mixed doubles after beating another Indian combine of Sanam Singh and Prarthana Thombre 62 7-6 (3) in the final. (PTI)

Unimpressive India takes Somdev Dewarman to get on Pak in SAG hockey final

35 lakh from government

Melbourne, Feb11: England all-rounder David Willey has expressed his happiness on being named in the 15-man squad for the upcoming World T20 to be played in India. Expressing his excitement, the 25-year old left-armed said that he felt honoured to be a part of the team for the T20 pinnacle event. Earlier, Willey displayed a brilliant performance in his maiden Big Bash League campaign as he bagged 10 wickets overall and made several handy contributions with the bat as well, media reported. Willey has appeared in 10 oneday internationals and four T20s for England so far. The ICC World T20 is slated to be held in India from March 8 to April 3. (ANI)

New Delhi, Feb 11: The Sports ministry today approved a financial assistance of Rs 35 lakh to tennis player Somdev Devvarman for his training, travel and accommodation requirements this season.

"The 'in-principle' approval of the Competent Authority for financial assistance of Rs. 35 lakh from National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) has been granted for training during the year 2016," a ministry release said. Somdev, who recently hired a new coach, has been struggling on the ATP tour and the 30-year-old singles player, who reached a career-best ranking of 62 in 2011 before being beset with injuries, is currently 186 in the ATP rankings. (PTI)

Australia produces Warner as one of genuine matchwinners

Shillong, Feb 11: Defending champions India was held to yet another goalless draw, this time by a resilient Nepal who thus confirmed their final berth for a second successive time in the women's football competition of the 12th South Asian Games here today. Two days after pumping in five past Sri Lanka, India failed to find the target even once, quite similar to how they had fared against Maldives in their opening match. With two wins and the draw today, the last year's runners-up advanced into the final with seven points. India (five points) face Bangladesh (six) in what will be the

Melbourne, Feb 11: Former Australian great Greg Chappell has described David Warner as one of the finest 'matchwinners' that the country has ever produced as the swashbuckling opener prepares for his 50th Test to be played against New Zealand. Reflecting on Warner's extraordinary rise, the 67-year-old said that the southpaw always wanted to be a good hitter as well as a good batsman. Chappell opined that Warner always had talent to reach a certain point in his cricketing career but added that it was his discipline that had propelled him into the stratosphere of the all-time greats, media reported. Describing Warner as `fearless`, Chappell said that the opener had always played Test cricket in his own way. Chappell maintained that Warne had an inordinate amount of talent, adding that he was ready to dedicate himself fully for his country. Warner also boasts of having a best average among his countrymen who have played against New Zealand. He has an average of 93.12 in his last five matches of the transTasman contest. Chappell believes that Warner had learned a lot since his arrival in the international cricket, highlighting the explosive batsman's ability to judge every single ball he faces. Australia, which suffered a 1-2 defeat in the three-match ODI series, will now aim to bounce back when they take on New Zealand in the two-match Test series, starting at Basin Reserve in Wellington from Friday.(ANI)

the silver, Vijay Kumar of India settled for bronze

medal in 25m center fire pistol men's individual.

Gagan Narang of India won the silver and Pakistan’s Umar Siddhique won the bronze medal in 50m rifle prone men individual event. Meanwhile, the Pakistani team of Umar Siddhique , Midrar Ali, Amir Muhammad won the silver while bronze medal went to Sri Lanka’s SMM Samarakoon, WKY Krishantha, PHW Karunarathna in the 50m rifle prone men's team.

By Philem Dipak Singh Guwahati, Feb 11: Unimpressive in their three group matches, India would look to make amends and turn the tables on arch-rivals Pakistan when the two sides face each other in the summit clash of men's hockey in the 12th South Asian Games here tomorrow. India, fielding a second string team in the Games with a lot of junior players in it, have been struggling to find their form as a unit.

They had beaten minnows Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but lost to Pakistan 1-2 in the group match. With most of senior players featuring in the lucrative Hockey India League, India has very

few experienced players with the exception of Captain Mandeep Antil and Gurbaj Singh. India has not been playing to their potential and that showed against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the group matches. They have to make a vast improvement to their game tomorrow if they want to stop Pakistan from winning their third title on the trot in the Games. Pakistan had beaten India in both the 2004 and 2010 finals in Colombo and Dhaka, respectively. India won the gold in 1995 in the then Madras.

India began with a 4-1 win over lowly Bangladesh before taking on Pakistan. In the match against Pakistan, India's defensive weakness

Nepal takes on final after draw with India last match for both nations on Saturday to decide which team will face Nepal in the summit clash February 15. "It would be nice to have Bangladesh as our final opponents. India are a strong side and put us under severe pressure," Nepal's coach Dhruba Bahadur told a news conference. He further said his girls changed to a defensive mode in the second-half which allowed them a point and subsequently, an entry into the South Asian Games women's football final.

"India played well. This was our first drawn match but we are happy to make it through to the final," Bahadur said. India coach

Sajid Yusuf Dhar said that Nepal was always going to be a tough opponent but now they can only look forward to winning against Bangladesh as the result for that match will decide which country plays the final. Nepal had lost to India 0-3 in the last edition of the SA Games in Dhaka in 2010. The evenly matched contest saw shots being fired on either half but all attempts eventually went in vain as the match ended in a stalemate. India's key forward Grace Dangmei was carried out on a stretcher after suffering an injury sometime around the 38th minute before being replaced by an impressive

Bala Devi who was in the thick of action especially in the latter half. India's biggest challenge of the tournament Nepal looked threatening and came close to scoring on several occasions.

Their first clear cut chance was in the 20th minute when Sabitra Bhandari headed a ball that was saved by India's goal keeper Aditi Chauhan.

Chauhan and her Nepalese counterpart Lila Lamgade were both impressive kept busy for most part of the match. Three minutes after the restart, Nepal's Niru Thapa's free kick after an Indian foul nearly found the top of goal but an ac-

robatic Chauhan was able to make an excellent save.

In the 52nd minute, super sub Bala Devi came close to placing India in the lead with a rocket of a shot that whizzed just over the bar.

Again, in the 74th minute Nepal almost seized the decisive goal after a header by skipper Anu Lama.

Dipa Adhikari crossed from the far left flank for Lama to head past Chauhan but the ball found the post to deny Nepal yet another goal.

For India, their last chance came in the 90th minute when Pyari Xaxa failed to convert a cross by her team mate Sasmita Devi.

(PTI)

Govt to decide on World T20 participation within a week: PCB New Delhi, Feb 11: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today said its government will decide over the national team's participation in next month's World T20, to be held in India, within this week.

"We expect the government to decide on the matter within this week. We are well prepared in case the government gives permission for the team to travel to India. The visa applications for the players and support

staff have been processed, which is part of standard procedure," PCB's media director Amjad Hussain told PTI. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had yesterday assured highest possible protection to the visiting teams for the mega event in MarchApril. The PCB had earlier proposed to play at a neutral venue in case its government doesn't allow the team to travel to India.

"The question of play-

ing at a neutral venue doesn't arise at the moment. First we need to wait for the government nod to go to India," said Hussain. Pakistan are scheduled to play their tournament opener in Kolkata on March 16, following which they are scheduled to play hosts India in the scenic Dharamsala on March 19. They play their last two league games in Mohali, against New Zealand and Australia, on March 22 and March 25 respectively.

Asked about the travel plans of the Pakistani team once it is granted government permission and the possibility of the players entering India by foot via Wagah border, Hussain added: "Considering the volatile security situation in Pakistan, we can't reveal anything on the logistics.

That information is always kept under wraps". There is intense speculation over the two countries reviving ties on the cricket field.

The proposed bilateral series in December could not take place after the Indian government did not give the required go ahead to the BCCI, though the Pakistan government had cleared the series.

Pakistan and India have not played a full bilateral series since 2007. India stalled cricketing ties in the aftermath of 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. Pakistan, however, had toured India for a short ODI series in 2012. (PTI)

was evident. The young Indian defenders gave a lot of space to the Pakistani attackers, while the home side could string together very few goal-scoring moves and eventually lost the match. In the third match yesterday against Sri Lanka, the lack of teeth in the Indian attack was seen as they could score just three goals against a lowly opposition. Although it is possible that they might have been taking it a bit easy as they knew that they would up against Pakistan in the final. Besides the defensive weakness, another area on which India need to make amends is the penalty corner conversion. In the match against Pakistan, after trailing 0-1, India got a

penalty corner just before the half time but rather than making the chance count, the PC was not even pushed properly for the shot to be taken and it went bagging.

The same happened in the match against Sri Lanka as the penalty corner push was wayward and it could not be stopped properly for a strike. With the team strung together for this tournament, it is evident that the players lacked understanding and showed in the passing so far. Pakistan has also come without many senior players but they have more national team players than India and they would start as the slight favourites tomorrow in their quest for a hat-trick of titles. (PTI)

McCullum aims to bid adieu international career with win over Australia

Wellington, Feb11: Retiring New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum is planning to sign off his international career with a Test series win against Australia, starting at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday. McCullum, who will play his 100th Test, insisted that it would be a special moment for him to retire with a win at home.

"It would be nice tick off a series win against Australia. We weren't able to do it away from home, but it would be pretty special to do it at home," McCullum added. Talking about achieving another milestone, the 34-year-old said that he felt proud to play 100 Test without missing a single match.

McCullum would become the third New Zealander to play 100 Test matches, behind Daniel Vettori (112) and Stephen Fleming (111).

"I'm pretty proud about the longevity and being able to overcome not only injuries and but also the toughness of touring and the ups and downs of performance, and still being able to get back up off the canvas and still warrant place in team. That's something I can look back on with a bit of pride," he said. Earlier, McCullum signed off from the one-day format after clinching the three-match ChappellHadlee series 2-1 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

He smashed six boundaries and three sixes during the final ODI while making 47 off just 27 balls to reach the milestone of 200 sixes from 260 ODI matches. The right-handed batsman also received a Guard of Honour from the entire team as he walked to the crease and a standing ovation from the spectators. (ANI)

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