13 december 2015, sunday

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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 188

Desperation Rules Afghanistan Page 8

Dibrugarh, Sunday, December 13, 2015

JOBS & CAREER

Page 10

Page 6

APCC sends memorandum to president, seeks governor's recall

ET CAPSULES Wild elephant terror continues Golaghat, Dec 12: Wild elephant terror continues in Golaghat Thoramukh region.

As per reports, last night a group of wild elephants attacked three families of the region and destroyed their houses and property along with harvested crop. The family members have alleged that the forest office is just 200 metre away from their house yet not a single official came to inquire the matter. (Correspondent)

1st Dimasa Kachari priestly ordination Haflong, Dec 12: In a first Dimasa Kachari Catholic priestly ordination, Deacon Gideon Warisa, SJ would be conferred upon by Reverend Paul Mattekatt, DD Bishop of Diphu on December 19, 2015 at the Catholic Church Compound, Haflong. Meanwhile, the Catholics of Haflong Parish have expressed happiness over the forthcoming ordination. (Bureau)

ANI Itanagar, Dec12

Arunachal PCC President Padi Richo leads the protest rally. Pic - Mintu Tamuli

Sonari Book Fair Sonari, Dec 12: A 9-day long book fair got under at the BPB MHS School premises, here, from today under the aegis of Charaideo Sakha Sahitya Sabha. The fair was inaugurated by Naranarayan Nath, SDO, Civil, Charaideo. (Correspondent)

Missing driver rescued

cmyk

Rangia, Dec 12: Nasib Ali, driver cum owner of a Maruti Stylo who had gone missing along with his car since Thursday last was rescued by Bebejia police from Bebejia under Nawgaon today in critical condition. He was later admitted in Nowgaon civil hospital. 3 passengers including one girl hired the car for travelling to Guwahati on Thursday last. Since then, he and his car had gone missing.

The car was recovered from Bokajan under Karbi Anglong district on Thursday night. (Correspondent)

Seeking the immediate recall of Governor J.P. Rajkhowa, the Arunachal PradeshCongress Committee (APCC) on Saturday forwarded a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee in which it said that the governor would endanger principles of social and equitable justice if he is allowed to continue in office. The memorandum, which was signed by Padi Richo,

Tarun Gogoi will be Cong’s chief ministerial face for 2016 election: Rahul Gandhi A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 12

In a major development for the Congress party in Assam ahead of the 2016 state assembly election, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today announced that, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi will be the chief ministerial face for the party in the 2016 election.

Contd. on Page 4

AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi shakes hand with a party supporter during his Road Show in Barpeta today. Pic - UB Photos.

ISIS goes hi-tech, launches app to spread terror agenda

Contd. on Page 3

Joint carol in Diyun ET Correspondent Diyun, Dec 12

Joint carol was celebrated at Diyun today under the aegis of All Diyun Christian Community which administrative officer D Gadi, EAC, Diyun graced the occasion as the chief Guest while Lomhom Tangha, Vice President, Arunachal Christian Forum was the

speaker of the event. He exhorted the mammoth gathering to abide by the teachings of Jesus Christ and to spread the fragrance of peace taught in the Bible. It is an annual event held to welcome the advent of Christmas. The pastor of Christian Rivival Church, Diyun was the chairman of the Carol and M Koyu was the organizing secretary of the event.

AAPSU, GSU demands not allowing Dhemaji Utsav' 2016 in Arunachal Pradesh ET Correspondent Itanagar, Dec 12

A joint team of All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) and Galo Students' Union (GSU) led by Marli Kamki, Secretary of Communal harmony and Bor-

der Affairs, AAPSU submitted a complaint letter to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh against “forceful celebration of Dhemaji Utsav' 2016 within territorial jurisdiction of Arunachal Pradesh”, i.e, Contd. on Page 3

File picture of heavily armed ISIS cadres.

IANS Washington, Dec 12

Adding teeth to its growing internet and social media presence, the Islamic State (IS) ter-

rorist group has reportedly launched an app that features news and videos showing executions and battlefield victories and propagates its agenda,

the media reported on Saturday. Discovered by the hacking collective Ghost security group, Contd. on Page 4

DC inspect the ongoing formation cutting on Hollongi-Itanagar road No road blockage will be allowed from 20th December on 4 land for temporary traffic flow ET Bureau Itanagar, 12 Dec

Dismissed from TAYPA Sonari, Dec 12: A special general meeting of the Charaideo regional committee of Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad, Assam (TAYPA) today dismissed Uddipta Gogoi, assistant secy of the dist committee, Mohan Dehingia, office secy and Partha Pratim Baruah, VP, Bhojo regional committee for their alleged antiorganisational activities. This was stated in a press release issued by the organization.

(Correspondent)

Pages- 12

PM Modi, Abe hold annual summit-level talks in Delhi

Congress organises massive protest rally demanding Governor's removal Thousands of ruling Congress party lawmakers, leaders and workers led by president Padi Richo and Youth Congress president-cum-MLA Nyamar Karbak staged a protest march covering the main thoroughfare of the state capital here today demanding immediate removal of Governor J.P Rajkhowa.

Adding a black chapter to state’s political history since Arunachal Pradesh graduated to parliamentary democracy in 1975, the slogan shouting ralliests, holding banners & placards inscribed with – J P Rajkhowa is anti-development & anti-Arunachal, Contd. on Page 3

5.00

10,000 tonnes of pulses to be imported to check prices Page 9

ANI Itanagar, Dec 12

Price -

DC with officials during the inspection.

The Deputy Commissioner Itanagar Capital complex Mige Kamki today carried out inspection to the ongoing formation cutting of the 4 lane Hollongi-Itanagar highway with the highway Department officials including Executive Engineer, Naharlan Highway Division Nani Tath.

They found that the formation cutting at the critical points which were not done earlier is nearing completion.

Contd. on Page 3

1 dead, 2 hurt in AAU KVK distributes soil bike collision health cards to Assam farmers ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 12

The 68th UN General Assembly declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils.

World Soil Day was first commemorated in 2002 by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) to highlight the

importance of soil and its vital contributions to human health and safety. Accordingly, Union Agriculture Minister has desired that Soil Health Cards be issued to farmers on this occasion. Each Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) has also been entrusted with Contd. on Page 4

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 12

One died on the spot while two others seriously injured when a speedy bike approaching from Jorhat town side hit a Maruti van going towards Jorhat town near Jorhat Military Station main gate Contd. on Page 4

GWS echoes river beds of mighty noa dehing Pisi Zuaing Miao, Dec 12

The first ever Changlang district Conference cum annual picnic of Galo community representing different pockets of Changlang district thronged the windy and cold river bed of Noa Dehing today. During its district conference last year it was decided to organize the

event at MIAO today organized by miao unit of Galo Welfare Society. The beautiful event was headed by its district unit president DDSE Hortum Loyi, general secretary Dr, Tope Yomcha with the untiring support of ADC, Miao Tayom Mara, ADC Jairampur Kento Riba, EAC Wakro Dakter Riba, hundreds of officers, businessmen, women leaders along

with hundreds of young and beautiful youths clad in traditional attires.

Talking to this correspondent ADC, Miao Tayom Mara who also delivered welcome address said the motto behind organizing the event was to enhance unity and brotherhood among Galo Community based Contd. on Page 3

Branded liquor being ferried, sold using fake permit Rishu Kalantri Tinsukia, Dec 12

The state of Assam is facing huge losses in tax on sale of illegal liquor in Tinsukia district. According to allegations,

a few corrupt liquor businessmen in collusion with officials of excise department are offloading huge quantity of branded liquor for the easternmost district of Assam, Tinsukia using fake permit and

permit meant for Arunachal Pradesh. It is noteworthy that using this method the said businessmen evade huge amount of tax to be paid to Assam Contd. on Page 4

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Dalam Studio Near parking stand Khonsa

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

State Sattriya Dancers Shine in Konark Festival Odisha Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, December 12: One of the six Indian classical dance forms- the Sattriya dance of Assam represented by city based "Sattriya Academy" led

by Padmasri Nrityacharya Jatin Goswami performed on the second day of the Konark Festival organized

by Odisha tourism recently at the open air auditorium against the backdrop of the famous "Surya" temple at Konark, Odisha has been able to

earn high laurel from the Nritya', a pure dance form audience. The five day in the traditional style follong annual festival also lowed by 'Chanda Leela', witnessed recital of clas- a recent creation in sical dances in five other Sattriya depicting lord forms namely Krishnas play or 'Leela" B h a r a t n a t y a m , with the Gopis choreoKuchipudi, Kathak, graphed by Nrityacharya Odissi and Manipuri by Jatin Goswami and precelebrated dancers from sented by his disciples different parts of the coun- Prabhakar Goswami and try. According to informa- Dr.Lima Das.The presention received here the rep- tation ended with 'Bhakti ertoire began with 'Chali Bhavana', an elaboration Sattriya danseuse Prabhakar Goswami and Dr. Lima Das performing in Konark Festival in Odisha.

Photography club formed ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Dec 12: Probably for the first time at Dholla, a photography club has been formed. The club has been christened as ‘Scarlet Photography Club’. The decision was taken in the meeting which was held on the banks of the river Brahmaputra at Saikhowaghat this week. Manash Sharma and Nirupam Soniwal were chosen as president and secretary of

the club respectively.

"The aim of the club is to publicise the conservation efforts of the rich biodiversity of the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, through photography, which will also promote tourism. The club will also take initiatives in imparting training to the local unemployed youths on photography so that they can take up photography as a fruitful profession," said a club official.

of the nine kinds of 'bhakti' or devotion taking characters of Parikhit, Narada, Prahlada, Arjuna etc. from the Indian epics well presented by Seujpriya Borthakur, Arunima Gogoi, Simpi Sonowal, Sreemoyee Borah, Usha Rani Gogoi and Nitumoni Gogoi.

The audience present reportedly were full of praise as they could know the essence of the five hundred year old Sattriya tradition brought forward

Inauguration of Conservation, Storage and Promotion of Balijana ET Correspondent Goalpara, Dec 12: A new project entitled Conservation, Storage and Promotion of local brinjal variety of ‘Balijana‘ in Goalpara district, Assam supported

by NABARD, Guwahati has been launched at Kakuapara village on December 10, 2015 in the presence of Fr. KJ Thomas, Executive Director, Bosco Reach Out and Dr. UK Bhattacharyya, Subject Matter Specialist

(Plant Pathology) KVK, Dudhnoi. 35 beneficiaries from all 10 villages were present on the occasion. Fr. KJ Thomas in his welcome address encouraged the farmers’ hard work towards their own upliftment. Smt. Minku Das, Project Coordinator, BRO explained the objectives of the project that is to facilitate adoption of appropriate technologies for brinjal cultivation through training and

Vartak Labour Union burns effigy of Tezpur MP ET Correspondent Tezpur, Dec 12: Registering strong protest against the alleged indifferent attitude towards the long pending problem of non-regularization of the about 400 hundred CP labourers’ posts in BRO under Project Vartak (Tezpur), the Vartak Labour Union today staged a sit in demonstration programme in front of the office of the Vartak here

which later burnt the effigy of the Tezpur MP, Ram Prashad Sharma. The Union alleged that despite the MP’s commitment to place the issue in the parliament he has not done anything till date. Later the protesters submitting a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur, addressed to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi said that before the parliamentary

election the Tezpur MP Ram Prashad Sarma committed to solving their problem at any cost if he came to power and accordingly the family members of the four hundred Vartak labours under Vartak Labour Union exercised their voting in favour of the MP for the BJP to come in power.

“However after the result the MP who is a responsible person as he is representing a

parliamentary constituency has not attended to our problem as per prior commitment he gave before the election.” The protesters alleged. The protesters also slammed the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonwal as for many a time they submitted a memorandum to him regarding the issue but it has remained a fruitless effort till date.

Assam, Meghalaya officials meet at Sabuda Sushanta Roy Diphu, Dec 12: Officials of Assam and Meghalaya met at the irrigation inspection bungalow at Subuda village situated at the border between the two States yesterday to thrash out the ongoing dispute between the two states with regard to execution of development works in the border villages inside Karbi Anglong. The Assam team was led by the Border Magistrate, Hamren Mr. Partha Johari while Meghalaya was led by Jonathan Shylla, Ex-

tra Assistant Commissioner of border of Ri-Bhoi district Nongpoh. The other members from the Assam team included Mukul Saikia, Circle Inspector of police, Dilip Teron, ASO Donka, Dhansing Terang, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Akhil Kr. Talukdar, ACF, JK Goswami, Executive Engineer, PWD Umpanai (Roads) Div, Manoj Chakravorty, Supdt of Sericulture. The other members of the Meghalaya team were R. Pde, DSP, N. Ranghang,

ARO Ri-Bhoi, ED Maner, Inspector of police, SB Siangshai, SI of police i/c Mawlasnai, D. Laloo, AEE, PWD Bhoirymbong and I. Bairo. The Meghalaya team made a strong plea that since 17 villages have been identified as disputed between the two State, the Government of Meghalaya has every right to take up development projects in those villages and the same is true with the state of Assam as well. It was therefore decided that in the interest of the public, both the Govern-

ment would go ahead with developmental works of these villages. It was further agreed that whenever the Government of Meghalaya takes up development works in these villages, the deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong would be informed in advance. In the case of the Government of Assam wanting to do developmental works in the border areas, the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi District would also be informed in advance. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.

Sports 1st Intra Power Generation Unit Football Tournament gets underway at Maibella Mritunjoy Das Sonari, Dec 12: Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited, HQ, Guwahati defeated Lakwa Thermal Power Station 2 – 0 in the inaugural match of the 1st Intra Power Generation Unit Football Tournament got underway at the Lakwa Thermal Power Station in Maibella today. The tournament is organsied by the LTPS along with Lakwa Thermal Club. Mintu Sonowal and Himanta Gogoi scored one each during the second half of the match. In the second match played today, Namrup Ther-

Dignitaries introduced to the players before the start of the inaugural match. Pic - Mritunjoy Das

mal Power Station defeated Karbi Langpi Hydro Electrical Project 7 – 0 while APGCL, HQ, Guwahati and NTPS settled for a 0 – 0 draw and LTPS blanked Karbi Langpi HEP 5 – 0 in the fourth match of the day. Two more preliminary level matches will be played on Sunday morning followed by the final at 1-30 pm. Earlier, the players were introduced to Col. Rajeev Ranjan, Commanding Officer, Maibella army camp, Bimal Chandra Bordoloi, GM, NTPS, and Arindam Choudhury, GM, LTPS during the inaugural ceremony of the tournament.

medals four silver and a bronze medal while the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bagged the second runners-up with 2 Gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals by securing 1877 and 1819 points respectively. The competition was initiated on 5th December 2015 saw the participation of 32 police shooting teams from different parts of the country where the Central Police Organizations also participated. In the closing ceremony, Mr. Rajiv Jain,

Special Director Intelligence Bureau, Delhi was the chief guest. While speaking during the event, he talked at length over the history and importance of All India Police Duty Meet and achievement of police force in Indian sports.

He also briefed upon the participation of the police in different arenas and achievement of Police Sports personnel. Earlier, all the prizes were distributed by the chief guest Mr. Rajiv Jain in the presence of Brig K Narayana,

demonstration with emphasizing organic farming methods and to create awareness on Zero Energy Cool Chamber for post-harvest storage of vegetables and seeds.

It will be implemented in 10 villages of Balijiana block, Goalpara district by 100 beneficiaries in their 1 bigha of land each. Presently promotion and mobilization on project concept has started simultaneously with planting of seedling.

Mengpa Haisa, President, All Changlang District Students Union in a noble gesture donated relief materials like rice, blankets, utensils etc to Samtu Simai of Jairampur today. Simai's house was gutted during a fire incident on Thursday night. Haisa has also demanded that there should be compensation for the victim and provision of fire brigade at Jairampur.

ASTRO FOR YOU Today, you may want to wear your power suit. If you notice people bending and bowing a bit, understand that your hard work has paid off! If not, then you need to get more organised. Either way, there’s work to be done.

You will have a bright day ahead. Your efforts are due to give the results you expect. If you are in a mood to achieve something more than usual, this is the day for it. You are not likely to be disappointed. You will be getting increasingly popular socially as well as professionally, and gaining the trust and support of one and all. Everyone will speak and think highly of your commitment and competence.

Interactions with member of the opposite sex may yield positive and pleasurable results today. Public servants will get the much-needed encouragement and moral support from bosses and family members. In academics, you will be able to solve whatever problem you set your mind to.

ISKCON holds Tribal Unity Festival

You will love to stroll in a world of fantasy. Religious impact will prevail over you. You will charter your fantasy to a mysterious level. You will have communion with God at a temple, mosque or church. You will try to draw lessons from your experience.

ET Correspondent Diphu, Dec 12: The twoday Tribal Unity Festival organized by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Guwahati, ended here today at Diphu Club, with devotees and Gurus from across the globe and parts of India participating in huge number. According to sources, there were devotees from overseas like Ukraine, Russia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Maldives.

Apart from Karbi Anglong, there were also devotees coming from places like Orissa, Mumbai, Delhi, Guwahati, Vrindavan and Kolkata. The main purpose of organising the festival was to develop the five aspects in tribal lives and these were spiritual care, health care, educational care, emotional care and social care. On December 8, the same programme was held at Hamren in West Karbi Anglong and after here the team will be moving on to Halfong for similar a festival.

Pack your bags, and don’t forget the sunscreen and the shades. Look at the stars today as there is a strong prospect of going on a tour. If not an individual backpacking adventure, then an elaborate family holiday, but travel you shall.

With Lady Luck smiling upon you all day long, getting work done to the satisfaction of all is not an issue. So wrap up the workload, and grab your suitcase.

Bon voyage!

Salonibari airport renovation

You are likely to feel a lot of tension and stress today. You will feel down owing to some disagreement with someone or due to some unfathomable reason. Even that special someone will be unable to chase away your blues. A little meditation will help you to bounce back and get into your daily routine.

ET Correspondent Tezpur, Dec 12: The Tezpur Airport (Salonibari) field runway will remain closed for two months with effect from December 21 due to the installation of CATII ILS under MZNFI Project. Accordingly all commercial flights operational will remain closed till completion of the work, said a civil administration release.

Dilip Ghosh is West Bengal BJP chief

West Bengal, Dec 12: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Friday appointed Dilip Ghosh as its West Bengal unit president ahead of the 2016 assembly polls. the Organizing Secretary of Ghosh, a general secrethe competition and Col. NK tary in the state BJP, reNarayana, Deputy comman- places Rahul Sinha, dant and Chief Instructor, whose term has ended.

ARTC. In the evening cul- Sinha is now a national tural programme many enriching troupes from differ- secretary. The West Benent parts of the district like gal unit, under Sinha's Mizo bamboo dance, Boro, leadership, failed to creTiwa and Nepali dance were ate any impact in the reshowcased which kept the cent panchayat and civic spirit of the event vibrant. body elections. He was However, many have expressed astonishment over the re-elected the president absence of any Karbi cultural in 2012 for three years.

(Agencies) troupe at the national event.

16th All India Police Shooting Competition concludes ET Correspondent Diphu, Dec 12: The 16th All India Police Shooting (AIPDM) Competition which was held at Assam Rifles Training Centre and School (ARTC and S), Diphu concluded on Friday last. The Assam Rifles topped the tally with 1910 points out of 2260 with one best shot, three Gold medals, and four silver and bronze medals. The Border Security Force (BSF) finished as first runners-up with one best shot, three Gold

by the beautiful and lyrical dance numbers well complimented by the uniqueness of Shankari music delivered by the musicians Kusha Mahanta (Khol), K a b i t a Ta l u k d a r a n d K h i r o d B o r a ( Vo c a l ) , Bhupen Rajbongshi (Flute) and Ripu Bora (Violin). Exponents of classical music and critics congratulated Nrityacharya and his team for their scintillating performance.

A single-headed mission to be the master of your destiny will drive you ahead.

Your management skills will be immaculate, and the fire to succeed will get you up and running. Your skill in the managerial post will be accentuated by your quick decision-making and superior analytical ability.

You need to be more careful in your work field as your enemies or your competitors will try to pull you down today. You will have to be very careful in making business agreements or negotiations regarding give and take in the business. You will see your beloved grow distant from you today.

Long pending task of getting your home renovated may begin today. There are a couple of object de art that have caught your eyes and you wish to decorate your home with those artefacts. You may even plan a small celebration to share your home’s new look! A great day indeed.

You seem to be on a self-appreciation mode today. Grooming, makeover and attracting attention in on your cards today, you make extra efforts to get that glamorous look for your self. It will surely not go unnoticed as you bag a lot of compliments for it. One of the fortunate days in store for you!

A penny saved is a penny earned. Your strong belief in this will make you scrutinise your requirements and rearrange the priority list, so that you know where and how to utilise the resources. Your choice of friends will represent your approach and outlook towards life. Choose your friends wisely.

There is nothing like having a good time with your brothers and sisters. Generally, you plan out your routine and activities by yourself, but it is a different day today. Your siblings will make plans for you and you will just go along with the flow. Spontaneity is something new to you, and you will enjoy the change.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz) Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights

13-12-15 (SUNDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Classical Music 6-30 A.M-Sponsored Programme-"Sojai Tooloo Jeewanar Path" 6-50 A.M-Dihanaam 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali(Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi(Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-00 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-20 A.M-Seuji Chora (Children's Programme)- Play-"Kritagya Jontu Aaru Akritagya Maanuhor Kotha"(Radio Adaptation of a Original Story of "Panchatantra") 12-05 P.M-Surar Satsori 1-10 P.M-Ghar Jeuti (Women's Programme)-1.Talk-"Naari Sabalikaran Aaru Aaini Suraksha" by Aradhana Borthakur, 2.Talk-"Bortoman Naba Prajanma Koon Dishe Dhabomaan" by Debojani Gogoi 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 8-00 P.M-Ekalabya (Sponsored Programme of KKHSOU) Sd-/H.O.P

PAGE 3

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

Governor is only doing his constitutional duty ON YOUR MARK, GET, SET...

ET Bureau Itanagar, Dec 12: Realising the fact that justice delayed is justice denied, His Excellency the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh has only preponed the tabling of the resolution seeking removal of the Honb'le Speaker by the opposition BJP MLAs and two Independent MLAs from 14th Jan to 16th Dec 2015.Since the ruling Congress Party is not likely to take initiative for removal of its own elected Speaker and also considering the fact that mandatory 14 days notice period has lapsed on 4th Dec, the Governor has thought it wise and Constitutional to direct the Legislative Assembly to take up the resolution for removal of the Speaker expeditiously and as first item of the Business in the House. The allegation against the Governor for being biased, dictatorial and anti Nyishi is simply laughable and bereft of logic and rationality. Makers of the

Constitution has clearly laid down the procedures for removal of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker and accordingly 14 days notice period is sufficient enough for the Business Advisory Committee to discuss, study and fix the date right within the time frame or immediately on expiry of the 14 days. In fact His Excellency the Governor has delayed fixing the date by precious 11 days and thankfully the aggrieved BJP Legislators had not sued the Governor for committing a breach of duty.

What is more interesting and surprising is the fact that the ruling Congress Government which has as many as 47 Legislators, instead of welcoming the move of the BJP Legislator and defeating the resolution on the floor of the House is crying foul on the role of the highly sanctified Constitutional Post of Governor. The Congress leadership must realise that Governor do not

Namsai’s Zenith Child School students shine

have a Voting Right in the Hall of the Legislative Assembly and his Constitutional duty is merely to see that the Constitutional provisions of the land are not violated and the will of the people expressed through elected Legislators are duly respected.

While it is known to all that out of 60 member Legislative Assembly, 21 Congress, 11 BJP and 2 Independent Legislators (34 in total) have already expressed their displeasure and loss of trust with the present Government, it is therefore, understood that the Government has lost the confidence of the people and was running a minority Government for last 3 months.

Thankfully for Tuki, His Excellency had given ample time to resolve the crisis. Had Sri. Rajkhowa been vindictive and biased he would have imposed Presidents Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution or for that matter he would have also

exercised his Special Power conferred under Article 371(H) of the Constitution. Therefore, the views expressed by some Sycophants of the Government of Governor's post being titular or a rubber stamp are nothing but reflection of their poor knowledge of law and partly to sustain their daily requirements of food, shelter and clothing. In fact, the Governor should consider revoking all major policy decisions taken by the minority and illegitimate Government in last three months and put the same to be discussed, debated and adopted in the floor of the Legislative Assembly. Lastly, I appeal to all my fellow citizens cutting across narrow ties of Community and Party affiliations to support the much awaited initiative of the Raj Bhavan in the greater interest of Justice, healthy Democratic traditions and of course the all round development of the State and its people.

Health camp held at Boleng Boleng, Dec 10: A health camp was conducted at Boleng CHC today. the camp was organized

by Siang Health Mission and District Health Society Siang.

Speaking on the occasion Taro Mize, ADC Boleng appreciated the noble gesture initiated under the leadership of Dr. M Jini, Director Health Services and requested him to continue to do so in near future. He also interacted with the DHS and DMO Siang on CMUHIS and requested them to conduct mop up round at the earliest.

Dr. M Jini informed the gathering that the objective of the health camp is basically to screen the real needy poor people who require surgery and future follow up and also to render quality health care

services at door steps to the underserved and unreached area. Dr. K Perme DMO, Siang also highlighted the benefits of the health camp.

The camp was attended by Dr. R. Doye, Jt. Director DME, Dr. Tater Kena (MD), Dr. Narang Yam(Gynecologist), Dr. Gemi Angu (Pediatrician) from DH Aalo, Dr. . T LOllen SDS from State Hospital, Naharlagun and local Medical Officers.

During the health camp 32 patients under went ultrasonography, 110 patients underwent eye screening. All together, 552 patients were distributed medicines free of cost. Another health camp will be conducted at Parong village with the same ream informed, DMO Perme.

ET Correspondent Namsai, Dec 12: Miss Lydia Songthing, student of Zenith Child School, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh studying in class XII (Science) is awarded as one of the best 12 entries in the CBSE Essay competition 2015 on “Constitution of India” conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi from 28 to 30 Nov’ 2015. The result was declared on 10th December 2015 on CBSE website. The entire Zenith Child School Management and authority greeted and congratulated Miss Lydia Songthing for her rare achievement. Earlier during this year two students, Nang Aisy Namchoom and Master Arijit Bhattacharjee of the same school were also congratulated by Ms Smriti Zubeen Irani, Minister, Hu-

man Resource, Govt. of India and conferred with merit certificates by the CBSE for securing 10 CGPA in AISSE 2015. In the preceding years students of ZCS, Nang Sweta Namchoom, Miss Mayurakshi Hazarika, Chau Nihal Longkan, Mst. Abhijit Dey, Mst. Toju Dirchi have brought laurels by achieving the “Chief Minister’s Talent Award” awarded by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, for securing 10 CGPA, an amount of Rupees Ten Thousand along with a laptop each.

“The school management congratulates the entire Zenith Child School family for these tremendous achievements and looks forward for such kind of achievements in the near future”, Ankush Debbarma, Administrative Officer, Zenith Child School said.

CME on gastrointestinal, gynaec pathology

Siram inspects multi crores water projects

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 12: Assam Medical College and Hospital Department of Pathology organized a CME on Gastrointestinal and Gynaec Pathology at OIL Lecture Hall on Saturday under the supervision of Dr. Projnan Saikia who is the Head of the Department and also the chairperson of the CME and the Organizing Secretary. Dr Aseema Das, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, conducted interactive session.

Renowned Histopathologist from PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr. Kim Vaiphei and Dr. Mrinal Baruah, Senior Pathologist from Dibrugarh delivered valuable lectures on the topic of CME. This CME was registered under the Assam Medical Council, Guwahati. It was a fruitful CME as it has also enlightened the budding doctors as well as practicing pathologists who have attended from different parts of Assam.

Pasighat, Dec 11: Former Education Minister and present Advisor to Chief Minister, Bosiram Siram accompanied by Chief Councilor ZPC Kaling Dai, Denong Tamuk, Dy. Chief Councilor Kaling Darang, PRI leaders and engineers of PHED today inspected the multi crores water project at High-Region (Near DEM Hr. Sec School), DST Colony, SS Mission, Lower Banskota, APP Colony and Sawmill areas.

State Cabinet discusses Governor’s order ET Bureau Itanagar, Dec 11: In a sitting held by the State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, the order dated December 9, 2015 of the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh was deliberated upon on a serious note. As per the said order, the session of 6th Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly was sought to be preponed from 14th January 2016 to 16th December

During his visit, Siram informed that the trial run of the project, implemented at a cost of Rs. 03crores was granted during his tenure as local MLA of the areas under SPA 2013-14.

Stating that the long felt miseries of the people would reduce, Siram appreciated engineers of PHED also for commissioning the project within stipulated time and quality of work. He urged the people to maintain unity, peace and to extend sup-

2015. In addition, the sitting also discussed the message of the Governor with regard to “fixing ‘Resolution for removal of Speaker’ as first item of the business at the first sitting in the session sought to be preponed”. In this connection and on related subjects, the opinion of Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh and/or other legal luminaries would be, an official release said.

ports to the government so that more developments can take place.

AE Kaling Taki informed that the capacity of every over-head tank is 62,500 Ltrs. Construction of new tanks, drilling, installation of pump sets etc have been completed and laying of new pipes were in full swing to connect every house in the mentioned areas. For new connections, people could apply by depositing prescribed amount. (DIPRO)

DC inspect the ongoing formation cutting on Hollongi-Itanagar road Contd. from Page 1 They interacted with the executing agency. He directed them to clear all the critical works and any big formation cutting within the stipulated period till 20th of this month.

The normal traffic on this should be opened. Road should

be made clear from 20th December . The complete road blockage have made lots of people approached us for many and other emergency works.

Moreover the executing agency Senior Engineer Sudarshan Rao said that on earlier inspection of the Minister PWD Gojen Gadi have assured to clear the road latest by 20th

and they will try to kept the commitment that's why they are even working in the day and night basis without delay.

Meantime the Deputy Commissioner have appeal the general public that despite open of road for flow of traffic for the convenient of the people the ongoing work will continue on war footing as the working

season is only till March and April the people have to cooperated with the executive agency and not to disturb the executing agency man at work.

He also directed highway official and agency official to erect and place signboard of different caption at the work site on the strip as for the awareness to the drivers.

GWS echoes river beds of mighty noa dehing Contd. from Page 1

I Changlang district in various capacities and those sharing matrimonial relationship with them. He was proud to admit that Galo community have always been in the front in maintaining goodwill and believes in peaceful co-

existence under any given circumstances.

The conference cum annual picnic may be confined to Galo community but the event undoubtedly was a lesson to reckon to many other communities who despite having large population finds no space for unifying wisdom and strengthening brother-

hood. Through the event the youths who are going astray and falling prey to dreaded social evils were also reminded of their duties and responsibilities towards their society. Miao Mothers Association, Miao Sub Division Youth Organization and Federation of Singpho Youths have congratulated the orga-

nizers and thanked them for setting living example by organizing such event that will certainly bring communities closer and enhance brotherhood, MSYO general secretary Pisi Zaurin said while praying Mother Noa Dehing to shower her choicest blessing on every Galo brethren across the state.

A 45 member delegation led by Mengpa Haisa, President of Changlang District Olympic Association left for Itanagar to take part in the Arunachal Mini Olympics which gets underway from Dec. 14. The team will take part in football, boxing, athletics, archery, badminton, table tennis, taekwondo, karate etc, Haisa informed. He also thanked Wayong Khimhun, DC, Changlang and Chairman of Changlang District Olympic Association and Kumar Doka, the district sports officer for their guidance and wholesome support in preparation of the squad.

Congress organises massive protest rally demanding Governor's removal Contd. from Page 1

Arunachal prgati ke birodhi – accused the governor of anti-Arunachal activities, opposed his recent direction to pre-pone the assembly session form January 16 to December 16.

Alleging the governor’s constant intervention in states administration which was unbecoming of a constitutional body, the ralliests included Congress legislators Mama Natung, Kumsi Sidisow and Karya Bagang.

The state had never wit-

nessed preponement of legislative Assembly session since its formation in NEFA days, APCC chief Richo said and emphasised that it cannot be done without the approval of the state Cabinet.

The rally reflected the turbulent political situation tribal dominant state, which has been a safe fort of Congress except very insignificant period.

The APCC, in a memorandum to the President today, also alleged that the governor was working in nexus with BJP and the dis-

sident groups led by expelled minister Kalikho Pul. “The continuation of the present governor will endanger the principles of social justice in the state.

The federal sanctity of the Union of India cannot in any way be diluted by the vested interest of one of its most important agents.

Considering the geo-political interest of our frontier state, we request you to immediately recall Rajkhowa and appoint a more suitable and eligible person as governor”, said the memorandum signed by Richo.

Scathing Karbak minced no words to say: “Jab tak Rajkhowa governor hain, Congress ka ek bhi worker chain se nahi soyega”.

“The age-old fraternity between the peoples of Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring Assam are being spoiled by Rajkhowa by his divisive politics. His continuation would deteriorate the inter-state relations further,” Natung said and appealed the Assamese brethren to support in removing the governor.

APCC sends memorandum to president, seeks governor's recall Contd. from Page 1

President of the APCC said, "The APCC strongly feels that his (Rajkhowa's) continuance as the Governor of Arunachal will endanger the principles of social justice and equitable justice in the state. This is more so, while considering the geo-political interests of our frontier state." Richo further stated that, "The federal sanctity of the Union of India cannot in any way be diluted by the vested interests of one of its most important agents. In this regard, we request your high office to immediately recall Shri J. P Rajkhowa and appoint a more suitable and eligible person as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh." In his memorandum, Richo listed the various alleged misdemeanours of Rajkhowa since his appointment as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh on June 1, 2015. They included (1) Attitude of doubt and contempt towards the state government (2) Excessive

interference in executive affairs despite being assured

by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki that all issues could be resolved through proper procedure and consultation (3) An alleged nexus with the NDA Government at the Centre and the BJP, proof of which had surfaced when he accused the state government of financial mismanagement and not responding positively to the efforts of the state administration despite regular correspondence and updates (4) Opposing the state government's views on sensitive social issues such as not meeting the AAPSU delegation on the issue of granting Indian citizenship to eligible Chakma and Hajong refugees settled in the state (5) Repeated incidents of one-upmanship over Chief Minister Tuki (6) Unconstitutional discharge of duties in political affairs such as the delay in acknowledging the state government's recommendation for the removal of five ministers (7) the governor's blatant biased role in the

AAPSU, GSU demands not allowing Dhemaji Utsav' 2016 in Arunachal Pradesh Contd. from Page 1 Kangku Circle under West Siang district with a prayer for their eviction and deployment of Police personnel in the area in question. “The organizing committee of Dhemaji Utsav' 2016 is forcibly trying to celebrate the 3rd Dhemaji Utsav w.e.f. 7th to 10th January 2016 at the foothills of Kangku circle on the banks of Jiadhal (Dolok) river. The entire public of both Likabali and Kangku Circles and various organizations have also strongly opposed the celebration of this Utsav within the territory of Arunachal Pradesh.” The joint team said in a release. Earlier also, both the GSU & AAPSU vide their letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, West Siang District dated 1711-2015 had urged for immediate intervention of the State Govt., the release said but till

date nothing has been done on the part of the State Govt. Alluding to the boundary dispute between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, the joint team said that DC, West Siang had also raised the same issue vide letter dated 23-11-2015 with the view to prevent the celebration of Dhemaji Utsav by Assam based organisations in the territory of Arunachal Pradesh.

According to the joint team, the 1st & 3rd Dhemaji Utsav were celebrated about 1-2 kms away from Dhemaji district headquarters. The AAPSU and GSU demanded not allowing celebration of 3rd Dhemaji Utsav' 2016 within the territorial jurisdiction of Arunachal Pradesh i.e. within Kangku Circle, West Siang District and immediate eviction of the organising committee from Kangku. Additionally, the joint team demanded immediate deployment of Police personnel in the area in question.

sanctioning of the Greenfield AirPort in Lilabari instead of at a place near Itanagar (8) His blatant fuelling of dissident activities and (9) the unconstitutional pre-poning of the Assembly Session. The APCC said in its memorandum that the governor since assuming charge five months back has been constantly working at the behest of the BJP both at the state and national levels. "He has grossly abused his constitutional position by excessive interference in the executive affairs and interactions with media to defame the Congress Government from time to time. It is pertinent to mention that the State BJP MLAs had sought the removal of the Speaker vide a resolution to the Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on 19th November, 2015," the APCC said. "As suspected, the Governor who is working in connivance with the BJP, has called a Special Session for the removal of Speaker from

16th-18th December, 2015. The orders have been issued in modification of earlier session dates today evening. (Enclosed herewith). His further plan is to allow a motion of no confidence against the government. It is evident from the consecutive conduct of the Governor, that he is fully involved in the conspiracy to dislodge the democratically-elected government and working hand in hand with the BJP and the dissident Congress MLAs who are camping in Delhi for the last three months," the APCC memorandum to the president added.

The APCC said that they were within their rights to seek the removal or the recall of the Governor as per article 159 of the Constitution of India. The APCC claimed that Governor Rajkhowa was violative of his constitutional oath and added that his conduct has been found to be grossly anti-Arunachal, anti-development and antigovernment.

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

Mahendra Nath Hazarika awarded Param Hitaishee Suhreed Sadasya Dalim Phukan Morigaon, Dec 12: Mahendra Nath Hazarika, retired Professor of Kampur College and senior journalist of Morigaon district has been conferred with the Param Hitaishee Suhreed Sadasya (Best Well Wisher Member of Asom Sahitya Sabha – ASS) at a function held here on December 11.

It may be mentioned here that ASS has launched a special membership drive as on October 11 this year and Param Hitaisee Suhreed Sadasya is the super lifelong membership given to those who donate Rs 1 lakh to the highest literary body of the state. Mahendra Nath Hazarika is the first person of Morigaon district to receive this membership. At a

function held on December 11, Padum Rajkhowa, Office Secretary of Asom Sahitya Sabha formally awarded the membership to Hazarika. Speaking on the occasion, Harendra Bora, President, Morigaon Zila Sahitya Sabha thanked and extended gratitude to Mahendra Nath Hazarika for his generous donation to Asom Sahitya Sabha.

Mahendra Nath Hazarika, former President of Morigaon District Journalist Association is a dramatist cum actor who authored several books. He also authored a one act play namely Bhadari based on Sahityarathi Lakhminath Bezborua's short story "Bhadari" which was staged across several places in Assam.

Leopard seriously injures 3

Dibrugarh old age home foundation stone laid A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 12: The foundation stone of Dibrugarh old age home was today laid by Jayanta Kumar Borgohain, resident chief executive Oil India Ltd at Banipur east in Dibrugarh.

Monuj Barman, one of the trustees donated a 2 bigha of

land for the construction of the Old age home and the complex was named after his deceased father Kalicharan Barman. This is the first old age home in Dibrugarh which will be built for the senior citizens who want to live independently. While speaking on the occasion, Chief

Guest Jayanta Kumar Borgohain said, “For older people who have nowhere to go and no one to support them, old age homes provide a safe haven. These homes also create a family like atmosphere among the residents. Senior citizens experience a sense of security and

ET Correspondent Teok, Dec 12: In a critical incident, three persons including one child and one girl were seriously injured in the wake of a sudden attack of a mature leopard at Pacca Line of Boloma Tea Estate under Teok police station today evening. On the other hand, the leopard also ended up dead. According to sources, the leopard attacked the three persons suddenly when they were nearby their house. Due to the sudden attack all three persons were injured seriously and all of them were admitted at Jorhat Medical College Hospital for treatment. The injured persons were Bisal Kalandi (32), Chakhila Kalandi

and a six year old child Smt Sunena Tanti. After the incident the angry people of the Tea garden surrounded the area and killed the leopard using local made instruments like axe, big dagger etc. The angry crowd also captured the nails, teeth and tail of the dead leopard. It is noteworthy that on several occasions lately leopards have harassed the local people of the greater area since the last few months while the concerned forest officials have not taken any positive steps against the control of the wild animal.

Meanwhile local people demanded from the government to take immediate steps in this regard.

Branded liquor being ferried, sold using fake permit Contd. from Page 1

government and earn crores of rupees every year.

Recently, three similar trucks carrying branded liquor worth over 18 lacs were seized by district administration acting on a tipoff. The truck had entered Tinsukia space on fake permit and the liquor was meant to be sold in Tinsukia. Sources allege that such branded liquor brought by illegal means to evade tax are being sold at

illegal dhabas and other small hotels who do not have permission to sell or serve liquor. This not only has a major role in the increase of petty crimes in Tinsukia district but also it becomes easily available to teenagers below the age of 18 years which is dangerous for the society. The Eastern Today had on its December 10 issue exposed how openly liquor is being sold and served in various parts of Tinsukia town including small hotels posing security risk for women in particular.

dently. “We have had the plan two years earlier but we could not implement it that time due to some hurdle but now we have fulfilled our dreams,’’ said Atul Kumar Borgohain, president and trustee of Dibrugarh Old age home and benevolent trust.

Aaranyak reaches out to Bhutan to strengthen conservation activities A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 12: Can genetic research be used to protect wildlife?

Aaranyak, a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation based at Guwahati, has proven that the answer is a resounding ‘Yes’. After breaking new grounds in conservation efforts in Assam, Aaranyak has now reached out to neighbouring country Bhutan. Bhutan shares a common border with Assam along with a portion of the state’s Manas Tiger Reserve. In a bid to further strengthen conservation activities among both countries, 13 officers of Department of Forests and Park Ser-

vices from Bhutan have participated in a special capacity building training on application of genetic techniques for wildlife population monitoring, in Guwahati, from 7th to 13th December 2015. The training titled “Hands on training on genetic population estimation" covers various aspects of application of genetic tools for population monitoring, such as study design, development of sampling strategies, various molecular biology laboratory techniques and statistical data analysis. The training is being organized by Aaranyak’s Wildlife Genetics Division and sponsored by the Government

of Bhutan. “The training is informative and handson. It has given much needed impetus for us to plan and carry out national Elephant survey using genetic sampling method,” commented a senior Forestry Officer, Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan. Wildlife Genetic Research has recently been taking major leaps in India, with Aaranyak taking a pioneering step in the direction in North East India.

Application of genetic techniques for wildlife conservation is a relatively new concept, which Aaranyak is pushing forward in India as well as in other countries like Bhutan and Indone-

Tarun Gogoi will be Cong’s chief ministerial face for 2016 election: Rahul Gandhi The injured child after the leopard attacked her.

friendship when they share their joys and sorrows with each other.” Meanwhile, Gulap Chandra Medhi, General Manager, Oil India Ltd, Duliajan appreciated the initiative. He said it is a good step and in future it would help the old people who want to live indepen-

Contd. from Page 1

This was announced by Gandhi today during the course of his two day visit to Assam. During interactions with Editors, Executive Editors and Senior Journalists at Brahmaputra Guest House in Guwahati, the Congress vice president said that, he is more confident that Congress will again in power in Assam in 2016. "Tarun Gogoi will be the Congress Chief Ministerial candidate in 2016

Assam poll. The people of Assam would not want any communal politics, " Rahul Gandhi said. Gandhi also said that, the Assam CM and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee will decide for pre-poll alliance or understanding matters. On other hand, the Congress vice president said that, the Congress party is very concerned to implement the Assam Accord which was signed by his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Later in the

day, he participated in a Communal Harmony Walk in Barpeta, and also addressed a public meeting.

Several senior Congress leaders, including APCC president Anjan Dutta took part in the walk. "The BJP must be sent off from the state for the welfare of the state and only Congress can do that," said Gandhi. Gogoi also announced a special package of Rs. 1000 crore for the welfare of the minorities in the state. He also interacted with local people there.

sia. Udayan Borthakur, Head of Wildlife Genetics Division at Aaranyak said, “This training will help the officers in planning for undertaking advanced genetic research for conservation of various threatened wildlife species in Bhutan and also strengthen transboundary monitoring of various species between India and Bhutan.” The Wildlife Genetics Laboratory of Aaranyak is a state of the art facility situated in Guwahati and has been undertaking genetic research on various threatened wildlife species for past several years. The laboratory has been working in India as well as providing support

the responsibility of issuing 250 Soil Health Cards in their respective areas, informed Dr Ranjeet Kumar Saud, public relations officer Assam Agricultural University here. Dr Saud said that Assam Agricultural University celebrated World Soil Day across 23 KVKs by organizing special events and distributing Soil Health Cards to farmers. Farmers, civic and public body representatives and line department officials were invited to participate and were educated to use the cards for maximizing farm productivity. To make the programme more meaningful a Kisan Mela was also organized to showcase the latest agricultural technologies and also to have an interaction with the practicing farmers on differ-

ent issues related to soil health. Altogether 6283 farmers attended the programmes across 23 KVKs viz. Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Cachar, Chirang, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri wherein 5627 Soil Health Cards were distributed.

Member of Parliament, Guwahati constituency Mrs. Bijoya Chakravarty inaugurated the Soil Day at KVK Kamrup with the plantation programme at Kahihuchi. In her address, she appealed to the participants to maintain soil health along with surrounding environment for the future generations. Mr. Hemanta Talukdar, Parliamentary Secretary on Agri-

culture and MLA, West Guwahati constituency graced the occasion. Rajen Gohain, Member of Parliament, Nagaon constituency attended the World Soil Day organized by KVK Nagaon at its campus and KVK Morigaon at District Library Auditorium. At KVK Jorhat, Mr. Rupjyoti Kurmi, Parliamentary Secretary and MLA, Moriani constituency expressed his happiness for large presence of the farmers on the occasion of “World Soil Day” in spite of peak time of their paddy harvesting. He talked on the importance of maintaining soil health for increasing productivity and environmental quality. He also requested the farmers to be in touch with KVK and apply the new technologies in their practical field. Mr. Emmanuel Musahary, MLA Tamulpur constituency inaugurated the

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 12: Over 5566 criminal cases, 7004 of various bank cases and 1762 motor vehicle cases were settled including an amount of Rs 2,66,000 fine was collected from individual cases at Titabor sub division, Majuli sub division and Jorhat district Lok Adalat held by District Legal Services at the Jorhat Court premises here today. Over 5000 bank cases against individuals by the banks like SBI, Bank of India, HDFC, Indian Bank, BSNL, Bank of Baroda, UBI Assam Gramin Vikash Bank, etc were settled between the parties and the banks at the Lok Adalat that was organized under the direction of the Supreme Court of India.

ISIS goes hi-tech, launches app to spread terror agenda Contd. from Page 1

the app called "Amaq News" is designed to "streamline access" to the terrorist group`s "propaganda". According to a Fortune report, the Android-based app is essentially a news portal run by the Amaq News Agency - a group believed to be tied to IS. When users start the app, it displays a

AAU KVK distributes soil health cards to Assam farmers Contd. from Page 1

to other countries such as Bhutan and Indonesia in application of genetic techniques for research and conservation of wildlife species. It has carried out conservation genetic research work on species such as tiger, leopard and elephants in India, Javan and Sumatran rhinos in Indonesia and White-bellied Heron and snowleopard in Bhutan. It is worth mentioning that during 2011-13, the laboratory had undertaken similar capacity building efforts for the researchers of Indonesia, enabling them to undertake genetic research on Critically Endangered Javan and Sumatran rhinos in the country.

Lok Adalat settles 5566 criminal cases

World Soil Day at Tamulpur organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Baksa. At the office of the District Agricultural officer, Bongaigaon, Mr. Bhupen Roy, MLA, 34 North Abhayapuri Constituency attended the programme organized by KVK Bongaigaon.

Majendra Narzary, MLA, Gossaigaon constituency expressed satisfaction that the KVK had organised programme on World Soil Day and prepared soil health card for the benefit of the farmer at KVK Kokrajhar campus. He said that time has come that farmers and other people realise the importance of soil in agricultural production for human existence. The World Soil Day was celebrated with much enthusiasm by KVK Sonitpur at its campus and it was presided over by Rajen Borthakur, MLA , Tezpur Constituency.

scrolling news feed and icons to play videos. It also has options for users to have the feed automatically check for new posts.

"It can even be automatically updated whenever the app`s developers send out new versions of the programme," the report added. The app, however, may not work in regions outside the IS control. According to Ghost security group, the app is not available as a download in a marketplace like Google Play store. Instead, a link to the download is shared between IS members through Telegram app and other encrypted communication methods. Telegram is an app that can be set up on almost any device and allows messages to be sent to users with utmost privacy. Users can then download "Amaq News" in an Android device, the report said. IS has also created its own social network for jihadists called "Kilafahbook" to get around social media bans

by Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For IS, social

media is prominent in formulating recruitment strategies. According to theconversation.com, Facebook is a key platform to gather young fans, supporters and recruits to incite them to acts of violence by the means of propaganda and the use of Islamic grievance. When it comes to real-time orchestrating of terror strikes, IS network works with encrypted messaging applications -- including Kik, Surespot, Wickr and Telegram -- that are very difficult to hack. Ghost security group is a hacking collective similar to Anonymous that focuses solely upon counter-terrorism. It claims to have "terminated over 100,000 extremist social media accounts" used by militant groups to recruit members. Earlier, Hacker group Anonymous declared December 11 as "International IS Trolling Day" to poke fun at IS militants, using memes and cartoons. Members of the hacking group also posted images on social media mocking the IS.

1 dead, 2 hurt in bike collision Contd. from Page 1

on the busy Na-Ali road under Lichubari outpost in Jorhat district here today.

According to eyewit-

CELEBRATION...

Sri U. C. Mehta, Chief Engineer Project Udayak (a unit of Border roads org.) addressing the Jawans on the occasion its Udayak Silver Jubillee celebration at H. Q. Doomdooma. Pic - Dinesh Goyal

nesses, the two motorcycle-borne youths happened to be HSLC selection test candidates from Jorhat Govt. HS & MP Boys’ School and after appearing Adv Maths exam in the morning half were moving out to their friend’s place when they hit the Maruti van near the Jorhat Military station main gate.

The rider who died on the spot was identified to be one Pragyanav Saikia hailing from LK Path of Bongal Pukhuri area while the other was Uday Shankar Hazarika from Tarajan Kotoki Pukhuri who is battling for his life in a very critical condition at Jorhat Medical College Hospital. While the driver of the Maruti van is partially injured and admitted in the JMCH too.

Residents of the area on hearing the crash rushed to the spot. So far, on the same spot and on the same road till date eight people lost their life in bike-vehicle collision.

Bengal joins climate leadership league

Bengal is the first city in South Asia to be included in the list of prestigious C40 group of megacities

Kolkata, Dec 12: Bengal is the first city in South Asia to be included in the list of prestigious C40 group of megacities, which is committed to creating environmentfriendly cities. An agreement in this regard was signed between state urban development and municipal affairs minister Firad Hakim and Kevin Austin, deputy executive director of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group at Nabanna on Friday.

Hakim said that apart from Kolkata three other Indian cities namely Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai were eager to join the C40 group. Finally, Kolkata was selected. The group will offer help to the state government on a host of areas for addressing climate change by reduc-

ing greenhouse gas emissions. The major areas are solid waste management and air pollution.

The group will come up with a blueprint including suggestions and ways by which they can be implemented so as to help Kolkata to become an environment-friendly city. The blueprint will be given to both KMDA and KMC for implementation. C40 Group helps in achieving the common goal of all the cities in saving the climate. The group offers cities a forum where they can share knowledge to take meaningful, measurable and sustainable action on climate change, said Hakim. Bengal's joining the group was conceived by chief minister Mamata Banerjee during her London visit. (Agencies)

Counting for civic polls in Tripura begins amid tight security Agartala, Dec. 12 : Amid tight security counting for the civic body elections began today.The counting started from 8 a.m. at 22 centres across the state.EVMs were used to conduct the elections that took place on last Wednesday and over five lakh- electors would decide the fate of a -record breaking candidates 886 of all major political parties in the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and nineteen Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats. A total of 886 candidates, including 429 women, are in fray for 290 wards, which is a record in the state's electoral history.Meantime, as

many as 20,027 voters would decide the fate of 48 candidates in the byelections.The ruling Left Front has already won 10 seats uncontested after the opposition parties failed to put up candidates.Of the total polling stations, 378 polling booths have been identified as 'A', while 279 polling booths have been rated as 'B'.The main fight in the poll will be between the ruling Left Front and the opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Till now results of two AMC seats have been declared, which the CPM has won, while the Congress is in the second position.

(ANI)

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REGION

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

68% government teachers are proxy, says P.B. Acharya Dimapur, Dec12: Nagaland governor, P.B. Acharya reiterated that 68% of government teachers were proxy and only children of the weaker sections of the society attend government schools.Governor said this during two-day visit to Mon along with his wife.Interacting with civil societies, public leader and villagers, the governor, said education should not be centered for individual development but focused on development of the society and nation.

In this regard, he suggested strengthening of

the poorer section so that society could be strengthened. He also advocated for an empowered and sustainable educational sector in the state in strengthening and developing the society.On the concept of education, he said, "If you as individual is strengthened and become rich, the society do not become rich. Rather, if the society becomes strong and is strengthened, you are part of it and you are also strengthened". However, the governor said this concept was lacking in the education system. He there-

Nagaland governor, P.B. Acharya

fore, called upon students' organizations to be

the pillar in strengthening the society, and appealed

Siwan 'bahubali' Mohd Shahabuddin sentenced to life imprisonment in 2004 murder case Siwan, Dec 12: Former RJD MP Md Shahabuddin was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the case of kidnapping and murder of two brothers in 2004. The Siwan muscleman and three others were on Wednesday held guilty by a special court in connection with the kidnapping and murder case.

The order was passed by Additional district judge (ADJ) Ajay Kumar Srivastava who pronounced Shahabuddin, Rajkumar Sah, Sheikh Aslam and Arif Hussain

Former RJD MP Md Shahabuddin was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment

guilty of charges under sections 302 (murder), 364A (kidnapping for ransom, etc), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to

screen offender) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. According to the prosecution, three sons of one Chandrashekhar Prasad were abducted from their house at Goshala road by Rajkumar Sah, Sheikh Aslam and Arif Hussain on August 16, 2004 and taken to Pratappur village where acid was poured on Girish and Satish resulting in their death. One of the sons, Rajeev Raushan, managed to escape. The bodies of the two brothers could not be recovered. The

victims' mother Kalawati Devi had lodged an FIR charging Shahabuddin's three henchmen with the murder of her sons. The former RJD MP's name had cropped up during probe and he too was made an accused for hatching conspiracy for kidnapping of the three siblings. The lone surviving brother appeared before the judge as an eyewitness in the case, but was subsequently murdered by unidentified assailants on June 16 last year.(Agencies)

Ampareen among 33 named by CBI Shillong ,Dec 12: As many as three categories of 33 persons including former Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh have been named as violators of MUDA Building Bylaws in the final report submitted by the CBI before the High Court of Meghalaya on Friday.The report was submitted before the Full Bench of the High Court during the final hearing of the pending PIL on high rise buildings in the city on Friday.However, the Court has reserved the order since it has to go through the report minutely.Earlier, during the hearing of the case on November 20, the Court had asked the CBI to make three separate lists in the category of persons involved in the

violation of the Building Bylaws.According to sources, as per the report, in the three categories of violators, as many as nine MUDA officials, who had given permission illegally to construct the buildings beyond the ground floor plus 3 (G+3), have been named.The name of cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who was holding the charge of Urban and Municipal Affairs, is highlighted since she was part of a few Building Committees, which had given sanction to construct buildings beyond the prescribed limit.The second category of the people who violated the Bylaws include 13 land/building owners who had constructed their buildings

beyond the prescribed limit though MUDA granted permission only for construction of ground floor plus three more floors. The third category consists names of many as 11 enforcement staff of MUDA who were supposed to check the construction of buildings and their progress, but failed to do so, thereby allowing the owners of buildings to carry on with the constructions illegally.Earlier on September 28, the High Court while ordering the demolition of additional floors of several out of the 24 listed buildings constructed beyond ground floor plus 3, had asked the CBI to register preliminary enquiry against the officers of MUDA who granted permissions for construction to the concerned re-

spondents and "by their acts of commission and omission benefitted the respondents and also others whose buildings could not be brought to the notice of the Court during the consideration of the case".The High Court had also said that the "CBI shall also proceed against such builders and other persons who have been or were likely to be benefitted by such acts of commission and omission on the part of the officers of MUDA during the course of enquiry".Subsequently, though many owners of buildings got interim relief from the Supreme Court against demolition of buildings, the apex court, however, did not interfere with the CBI probe as ordered by the High Court. (Agencies)

the students to change their mind set and raises the issues of unemployment, infrastructure development and corruption. Governor also stressed on Yoga, which according to him was a preventive medicine, and not associated with any religion. He said Yoga had been recognized in the international level as preventive medicine. Further, he emphasized on 3 E's- Education, Electricity and Employment, that was needed for development.On his first day, the governor visited Mon village and Mon

Sub-jail, and interacted with the village elders, jail staff and the prisoners.

He also held meetings with civil societies, senior citizens, parents of children studying/working outside Nagaland, district administration and head of departments. Governor also interacted with the Bharat Scouts & Guides and ex-servicemen. Earlier, public reception programme in honour of the governor was organized by the Konyak Union at Council Hall Mon Town. (Agencies)

CorCom salutes Nupi Lan patriots Imphal, Dec 12 : The CorCom has paid rich tributes to the brave Manipuri women who fought the historic Nupi Lan of December 12, 1939 against British colonial rulers.Their valour and sacrificial spirit is both the ideal and inspiration of the present generations, said a press release issued by CorCom media co-ordinator Ksh Yoiheiba on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of Nupi Lan .Manipuri people lived with dignity as an independent Nation and they did not know how to live under the control of any foreign power, said CorCom. Soon after British occupation of Manipur, the British Residential Bungalow was burnt down. In retribution, the British rulers ordered all Manipuri men to go to Kabow Valley and cut down Chingsu trees in order to re-build the b u n g a l o w. M a n i p u r women came out in thousands and they not only defied the order but also forced the then Political Agent to withdraw his order.This was the Nupi Lan of 1904.In the second historic uprising, the womenfolk launched protests against export of rice from Manipur as large scale export led to severe shortage of food grain to such an extent that the people faced famine-like situation although it was harvest season.On December 12, 1939 a large number of Manipuri women came out and challenged the

colonial regime's policy of exporting rice.The unarmed but brave Manipuri women fought against the bayonets and boots of British soldiers.

It was a highly significant political uprising which challenged both feudalism and colonial rule.In spite of all the repressive measures unleashed by the colonial regime, the twin force of colonialism and feudalism was vanquished by the people's movement and rice export was stopped completely, CorCom asserted. Both the Nupi Lans continue to be sources of inspiration for Manipur people to lead a free and dignified life.Since Manipur was merged into the Indian Union, Manipur has been degenerating politically, economically and socially. Moreover, all the indigenous communities have been facing the grave situation of possible total extinction.In the face of all the repressive measures allegedly unleashed by India, Manipur women, through the meira paibi movement, have been acting as vanguards to safeguard Manipuri society.The movement is slowly taking the form of a 'Third Nupi Lan'. It would be the responsibility of the educated Manipuri women to ensure that this movement achieves its goal.It further conveyed best wishes to all the Manipuri women who have been preparing for the 'Third Nupi Lan. (Agencies)

Three get 10 years' GJM activist arrested for alleged term in Park street rape case assault on TMC activists

Amid tight security counting for the civic body elections began

HC asks state govt to submit Kakdwip rape report by 18 Dec Kolkata Dec 12: The Division Bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Joymalya Bagchi of Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the state government to produce the report of the progress of the probe into the Kakdwip rape case and its case diary by next Friday. The direction came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which was moved before the court in this matter. Earlier, submitting before the court, Mr Bikas Ranjan

Bhattacharya sought the court's intervention in the case saying that it is not being properly investigated. The father of the deceased has been arrested on the charge of killing the principal witness in the case, it was submitted. Investigation is taking place in such a manner that it will result in acquittal of the accused, it was submitted.

Other than the Park Street rape case,the accused have been acquitted in all cases in the state.(Agencies)

Darjeeling,Dec 12: A GorkhaJanmuktiMorcha activist was today arrested on charges of vandalism after a Trinamool Congress supporter from Tukvar lodged a complaint at the Darjeeling sadar police station this morning. GJM supporter JitenTamang from the Lepcha Busty area of Tukvar has been arrested while a search is on to nab those named in the FIR by the TMC activist. "We have arrested one person whose name figures in the FIR along with 11 others. We have started an investigation to get the details," said a senior police official not wanting to be named. According to the police, TamannaChhetri, a TMC area president, was attacked and her house vandalised supposedly by GJM cadres. In her complaint, Chhetri has named

Protest at Darjeeling Sadar Thana by TMC leaders

Devan Sharma and Dipen Malay as the masterminds behind the attack and vandalism and has also accused 11 others.

Malay is the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Sabhasad from Pokhriabong-Chamong constituency, while Sharma is a GJM central committee leader. The two could not be contacted for comment. The

incident took place on Thursday night at 9pm when, according to Chhetri's complaint, local GJM activists numbering nearly 10-12 came to her house and attacked her without any provocation.

Chhetri could not be reached for her comments, but RajenMukhia, the hill TMC president, said, "The attack was political and done with an

intention to terrorise our party supporters. We have given the police a 12-hour ultimatum to arrest the accused, failing which we will stage a dharna in front of the police station." This, morning, TMC supporters gathered outside the Darjeeling sadar police station and staged demonstrations demanding the arrest of the GJM cadres named in the complaint. They also put up posters in town, condemning the attack and vandalism of the TMC leader's house.

Jyoti Kumar Rai, the GJM assistant secretary, said it was a stray incident and had nothing to do with the party. "The incident is being politicised by the TMC to gain public sympathy. Let the police do their duty and arrest the actual culprits and not our innocent supporters." (Agencies)

Kolkata, Dec. 12: The Sessions Court here on Friday sentenced the three convicts in the Park Street gang rape that took place on 2012 to the 10 years' imprisonment. The Court had on Thursday convicted the three accused - Sumit Bajaj, Ruman Khan and Naseer

Khan - in this case, while two more key-accused in this case still remain absconding. The victim, an Anglo-Indian mother of two, died in March of multi-organ failure in a hospital here after a long battle for justice. She had come out in public to further her cause. (ANI)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

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PM Modi, Abe hold annual summit-level talks in Delhi New Delhi, Dec. 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held delegation-level talks at the Hyderabad House here on Saturday. "Turning the belief of potential into the conviction of a partnership. The Prime Ministers lead delegat'n level talks," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

PM @AbeShinzo says his talks with PM @narendramodi will "open a new age in the India Japan partnership".

SC seeks response from Nestle India, Maha on FSSAI's plea

The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from Maggi noodles manufacturer Nestle India

New Delhi, Dec. 12: The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from Maggi noodles manufacturer Nestle India and the Maharashtra Government on a plea filed by food regulator the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The plea is against the Bombay High Court verdict lifting the ban on nine variants of Maggi noodles and asking the company to go for fresh tests. An apex court bench fixed the plea for hearing on January 13 when it will consider FSSAI's prayer for stay of the High Court verdict. (ANI)

Japanese PM Abe meets President Mukherjee

As per preliminary reports, both leaders reviewed the implementation of various decisions taken during the past one year to enhance bilateral ties, particularly in the trade and investment sector. A 98,000 crore-rupee deal to build a bullet train network is also likely to be signed. After the talks, both Prime Ministers will visit Varanasi to attend the 'Ganga Aarti' at the famous Dasaswamedh Ghat. They are also expected to formalise a "Smart City" pact. The Japanese Prime Minister

tweeted that the visit will Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his provide new strength and Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held vigour to Indo-Japan delegation-level talks at the Hyderabad ties," he added. The Japanese Prime Minister reitØ Both leaders re- ØThe Japanese Prime erated that the India Javiewed the implemen- Minister reiterated pan partnership has the tation of various deci- that the India Japan greatest potential of any sions taken during the partnership has the bilateral relationship. The past one year to en- greatest potential of Japanese Prime Minister any bilateral relationhance bilateral ties. expressed hope that the ship Ø A 98,000 crore-ru- Ø He also conveyed meeting will further elpee deal to build a bul- his heartfelt condo- evate Indo-Japan ties. let train network is lences for the loss of He said, "Japan and Inalso likely to be lives in the recent dia share basic values and every field will be signed.

Chennai floods. critically important for Asia and the world in this arrived in New Delhi on visit to India. "Welcoming century." Soon after his Friday for a three-day him, Prime Minister Modi arrival, External Affairs

Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Prime Minister Abe. During the meeting, he expressed his excitement over his third visit to India as the Prime Minister. He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences for the loss of lives in the recent Chennai floods.

The Japanese Prime Minister was later conferred with an honorary doctorate in international relations by the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi for his contribution in facilitatingJapan's role in India's economic development. (ANI)

CJI says ordinance to make arbitration law more effective in offing New Delhi, Dec.12: A new-look arbitration law to give more teeth to the alternative dispute resolution mechanism is in the offing. An ordinance to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, is expected to be announced soon. This was indicated

by Mr. Justice T S Thakur, Chief Justice of India, while inaugurating an international conference on 'Arbitration in the Era of Globalization' organized by Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA), an allied body of FICCI. Chief Justice Thakur said the biggest challenge for adjudication by arbitration was that the arbitrator is a person of impeccable honesty. In India, arbitration can flourish provided the arbitrators develop a professional approach, where an arbitrator is committed

to dispute resolution and sees through the proceedings till the end. Chief Justice Thakur said that the judiciary also needed to be sensitized with respect to arbitration and show restraint while dealing with arbitration cases. Acknowledging the suggestion of FICCI President, Dr. Jyotsna Suri, for setting up a separate arbitration bar, Justice Thakur said that this could be deliberated upon. The chief justice said that with new laws and the growth of the country there had been a spurt in litigation as well.

Hence, there was a need to assess and anticipate the impact of every legislation on litigation in the country and provide remedial measures. Justice Mr. S S Nijjar, former judge of the Supreme Court of India and Member, Governing

Body, ICA, said that while the judiciary was encouraging arbitration to lessen the burden of adjudication and solve business disputes, the interference of the courts at every step of arbitration is making the fast-track dispute resolution mechanism time consuming. He added that the stringent conditions being applied to arbitrators were a deterrent for the system.

Mr. N G Khaitan, President, ICA, said that Prime Minster Narendra Modi wants India to become a hub of international arbitration. Hence, there was a need to allow foreign arbitrators to participate in India. India has set a precedent in judiciary amongst the SAARC nations and the same can be replicated in arbitration with the support of the government and judiciary.

Chief Justice of India T S Thakur He added that there was need to relook at the rules for an arbitrator as the stringent rules are discouraging many to become an arbitrator. Dr. Jyotsna Suri, President, FICCI, said that arbitration should be made more effective by minimizing court interference in the arbitral awards. The arbitration practice in India could also be made more contemporary, in line with the international stan-

dards. She suggested the creation of a separate arbitration bar, which could be a step in that direction.

Dr. Suri added that such an approach is bound to make businesses resort to arbitration as the only mechanism for resolving commercial disputes, making the business environment more stable and certain. In his concluding address Dr. A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI, said that quick and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms have always been a key to the success and competitiveness of an economy. He added that speedy and fair dispute resolution is a prime factor in the ease of doing business and arbitration is the most feasible and easy mechanism of dispute resolution. (ANI)

'Imbalanced' Congress lost its nerve: BJP New Delhi, Dec. 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday lashed out at the Congress Party for not allowing the Parliament to function over the National Herald case and said it has lost its nerve and balance. "If they now go back to raise issues which they raised in the previous session, people are going to ask them why they forgot them in the interim period. I think the Congress Party has lost its nerve...has lost its balance, and is feeling completely cornered and isolated. They have to blame themselves. They cannot blame either the government or the BJP," BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narasimha Rao told. "I

BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narasimha Rao

think it's very clear from all these flip flops that the Congress Party is completely rattled, and is confused. After blocking Parliament for the entire week over the National Herald, today the Congress Party again says this is not the issue," he added. He further said that the statements of Congress president Sonia

Gandhi and party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi show that the duo are trying to arbitrage their political strength in the Parliament. "It took them almost a week to understand that there is no relief that they can get by blocking Parliament, by blaming government and by sacrificing public interest. I think the public opinion which has gone clearly against the Congress and the public pressure has eventually worked on them," he said.

The BJP spokesperson pointed out that the sooner the Congress would be able to recover a part of their lost prestige if they participate in the legislative process in the Parliament.

"If they continue to hold

Parliament to ransom, the public will consider this as their revenged tactics for being accountable to the court of law in this country," he added. Rao further said, "They have today and tomorrow to formulate a strategy and the nation would see how they would behave on the floor of the House next week."

Asking the Gandhis to submit to the rule of law, Rao said that the more they try to divert public attention and try to gain political capital, they would be exposed more. The National Herald newspaper was closely associated with India's freedom struggle and the Indian National Congress till 2008. In January 2008, discussions about its closure began. On

1 April 2008, the paper's editorial announced that it was temporarily suspending operations. Before its closure, the paper was being run by Associated Journals Limited (AJL).

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed the case in a local court in 2012. The trial court then issued summons to the two leaders among others in June 2014, but they approached the Delhi High Court seeking a stay. On Monday this week, the high court refused to stay the summons, and asked all of the accused to appear for a hearing on December 19. The accused face allegations that they illegally acquired property worth Rs. 5,000 crore belonging to the National Herald newspaper. (ANI)

Irani confers Kala Utsav-2015 national prizes Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

New Delhi, Dec. 12: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday met Presdient Pranab Mukherjee Rashtrapati Bhawan here. The Japanese Prime Minister is in India on a three-day visit to discuss a pact which will be firm up on India's first bullet train. The talks are also likely to be focused over progress on a civil nuclear deal. Prime Minister Abe will also visit Varanasi to attend the Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

(ANI)

New Delhi, Dec.12: Felicitating winners of Kala Utsav-2015, Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani said all students should have 'One Aim, One Life, under One constitution and the one Nation'. Expressing her sincere thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Irani said he had dedicated 'Kala Utsav' to nation with a vision of promoting national integration and preserving our cultural heritage by associating students with it. She also extended thanks to all teachers, parents and state governments who inspired and motivated students to participate in 'Kala Utsav'. She reiterated her earlier call to participants that they would go back with spirit of cooperation and brotherhood although they came here with a competitive spirit. Irani expressed her confidence that India

can prove its leadership on the global front in the field of cultural heritage, as it has established its supremacy in science and technology as well. She saluted all jury members who in their own right are experts in the field of art and culture and added that the Kala Utsav provides a national platform to express artistic talents to those who until now lagged behind because of non-availability of any such platform despite having necessary talents. Paying homage to Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar whose death anniversary was observed yesterday, she said that dedication to arts with the feeling of national integration as has been displayed during Kala Utsav will be a true tribute to him.

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi felicitating participants said that if the power of art, artists and

Irani expressed her confidence that India can prove its leadership on the global front in the field of cultural heritage

children of the nation comes together, India's daughters will not only be saved and educated, but won't be behind any other daughter in the world.

Kala Utsav-2015 was founded upon theme of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'.

Famous dance exponent Sonal Mansingh said that one should not compromise with one's self re-

spect while facing challenges of life and should channelise all the creative energy to achieve one aim in a life. Irani gave away national prizes for 'Kala Utsav-2015' in four categories - visual arts, music, theatre and dance.

Under the visual arts category, the first prize was bagged by Andman and Nicobar Islands, the sec-

ond jointly by Delhi and Haryana, and the third prize by Tamil Nadu. Under the music category, the first prize was won by Delhi, the second by Chattisgarh and the third jointly by Assam and Maharashtra. Under the theatre category, Haryana, Assam and Maharashtra won the first, second and third prizes respectively. Under the dance category, Assam, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Karnataka won the first, second and third prizes respectively. First prize, Second prize and Third prize carry cash component of Rs. 1,25,000/- , Rs. 75,000/- , Rs. 50,000/respectively for each of the above mentioned categories. Stuti Singh Parihar from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, was given a prize for a national-level logo design.

(ANI)

'Welcome home': Canadian PM to Syrian refugees in Toronto

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has welcomed the government plane carrying Syrian refugees in Toronto

Toronto, Dec. 12: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has welcomed the government plane carrying Syrian refugees in Toronto and pledged to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February.

Canada welcoming the military flight carrying 163 refugees stands in stark contrast to the United States. Canada's more populous southern neighbour plans to take in

just 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year, which again is in contrast to the US. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump caused a worldwide furor with a proposal to temporarily halt Muslims from entering the U.S. "You are home.

Welcome home," Trudeau said to the families arriving in Toronto. He earlier thanked staff and volunteers who were processing the refugees. (ANI)

Delhi HC restores ownership of Delhi's historic Sapna Cinema to original 1984 partnership New Delhi, Dec.12: The Delhi High Court has restored ownership of Sapna Cinema, now being run as M Cinemas, South Delhi's once popular cinema hall to its original partnership deed of 1984. The restoration of the ownership of the cinema hall to the 1984 partnership deed, which included Sunder Kukreja and his brothers Ram Chand Kukreja (now deceased) and Raj Kumar Kukreja, came after a protracted legal battle which lasted 23 years.

The business of the partnership, D.R. Kukreja & Co., was primarily the running of cinema hall, i.e., Sapna Cinema. This cinema hall was constructed on a plot of land in East of Kailash, New Delhi, which was given on lease to the partnership by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) by a perpetual lease deed. The legal dispute centered round the illegal reconstitution of the partnership firm based on forged documents and claims that Rs.50, 000 in cash was paid to partners for their share of property worth

several hundred crores.

Court appointed CFSL verification report confirmed forgery to remove the three other brothers. The defendants, Mohan Lal Kukreja and Madan Lal Kukreja, claimed that a decision was taken among the family members to split up the family business in the years 1989-90 with a retirement deed and payment of Rs. 50,000 to partners. The plaintiffs, on the other hand, claimed that there was no such retirement deed or dissolution of the firm and questioned the validity of the said retirement deed and the payment vouchers. An FIR of forgery, a charge sheet and a criminal case was lodged and filed against Mohan and Madan Kukreja. The criminal case is underway. Speaking about the judgment, which was delivered on Friday, Mr. Sunder Kukreja said, "We persevered with this case, as D R Kukreja & Co is my father's legacy. I am glad that justice has been delivered." (ANI)

The Delhi High Court has restored ownership of Sapna Cinema

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

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NEIGHBOURS

Food, fuel prices skyrocketing in Nepal due to blockade: UN Kathmandu, Dec 12:The border blockade and disruptions in imports from India are leading to severe shortages of food and fuel and rise in prices of essential items in Nepal, the UN agency on food said, calling on all sides to allow free flow of food items across the border. The UN World Food Programme warned of severe shortages of food and fuel in Nepal caused by the ongoing major disruptions in imports across its southern border with India, saying that the landlocked country could face extreme hardship if prices of basic food staples continue to soar."If trade remains restricted and food prices

continue to rise, a serious humanitarian crisis will be hard to avoid," WFP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific David Kaatrud said in a statement. According to WFP, the border blockade that began in September to protest Nepal's new constitution has already slowed trade, causing a food and fuel shortage since the last three months."People are struggling to feed their families as the cost of food rises beyond their grasp. Coming so soon after the recent earthquake, this crisis could severely test people's ability to cope, and may lead to an increase in malnutrition," Kaatrud said. Nepal is heavily de-

4 of a family burnt in Khulna gas cylinder blast Dhaka, Dec 12:Four members of a family including a policeman have sustained burn injuries as a gas cylinder exploded at Mojganni residential area in Khulna city.The victims were identified as policeman Atiar Rahman, 70, his wife Anwara Begum, their son Md Toufique, 16, and their relative Md Tamim, 18.Of the injured, Anwara received 70% while Tamim received 60% burn injuries respectively.The injured were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital, said Khalispur police station SI Alimuzzaman. Khalispur

OC SM Anwar Hossain told Dhaka Tribune that the gas cylinder exploded when Atiar's wife started cooking in the kitchen today morning. Fire engulfed the whole room in a very short time and all four people sustained burn injuries.Later, locals whisked them off to the burn unit of Khulna Medical College Hospital, the police official said. On information, fire servicemen rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. They also recovered a leaked gas cylinder from the kitchen of Atiar. (Agencies)

Sri Lanka disappearances probe panel asks 1,500 people to depose Colombo, Dec 12 :Over 1,500 people have been asked to depose before a Sri Lankan governmentappointed panel probing the disappearances of Tamils during the nearly three de HW Gunadasa, the commission's Secretary said they will sit for six days from today in Nallur and Jaffna in the north. "We have intimated over 1,500 of them to come and give evidence from today.New complaints also can be lodged during these days," Gunadasa said. The Presidential Commission to Investigate Missing Persons headed by retired judge Maxwell Paranagama was appointed in 2013. Initially, it was due to conclude on 15 February but was granted a further six months.The probe panel was mandated to probe disappearances of Tamils

between 1990 to May 2009 when the war with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended. By mid October this year, the Commission received over 18,000 complaints from civilians with another 5,000 complaints from relatives of missing security forces personnel.The panel's interim report recommended a separate war crimes division within the Sri Lankan legal system and insisted that Sri Lanka is obliged to fall in line with international humanitarian law. The report also blamed the LTTE for killing a large number of civilians.The country's Northern Province witnessed a 28 years long civil war which ended in 2009 when government forces defeated the Tamil Tiger who were fighting to create a separate state for Tamils in north. (Agencies)

Food, fuel prices skyrocketing in Nepal due to blockade:

pendent on imports, especially from India and the border disruptions have led to the cost of some basic food staples, such as cooking oil, rice, lentils, sugar and salt to soar in recent weeks as supplies dwindled, the agency said."WFP urges all sides to once again al-

low the free flow of food items across the border to ensure that Nepalis, especially those who struggle on a day-to-day basis to feed their families, are not the ones who bear the burden of this protracted political standoff," Kaatrud said. The UN agency said the av-

erage price of lentils, pulses and cooking oil have increased by more than 30% since August and more than 50% since last year and in remote areas, including parts of the country worst hit by the April earthquake and aftershocks, the price of food commodities has increased even further, doubling in some cases.It said a quarter of people in Nepal on less than $1.25 a day, and on average spend 60% of their income on food, which means that most have only a limited capacity to cope with shocks such as disasters and soaring food prices. Moreover, WFP warned that the fuel shortage caused by the border blockade was hampering

earthquake relief efforts and that there have been severe delays in WFP efforts to provide food assistance to over 224,000 earthquake-affected people. The agency said that it could only deliver one-third of food supplies earmarked for distribution by the end of the year and added that the delivery of non-food items, such as medicine and shelter material for winter, has also been severely affected by the dispute.Earlier this week, UN agencies in a joint statement warned that the "health and humanitarian implications of the present scenario are grave" in Nepal and urged all sides to ease an effective blockade of the southern border. (Agencies)

Sri Lanka elected Vice-Chair of the Governing Council of the CFC Colombo, Dec 12: Sri Lanka has been unanimously elected as ViceChair to represent the Asia-Pacific Group on the Governing Council of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) for 2016.Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Alternate Governor of the Council, Adam M.J. Sadiq was proposed for the post by the Philippines and endorsed by acclamation by the Governing Council which concluded its 2 day meeting in The Hague on 9th December 2015, the Foreign Ministry said in a

statement.The Council also approved the appointment of the Second Secretary of the Mission, Ms. Wathsala Indunil Amarasinghe as Alternate Executive Director for the constituency comprising India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the CFC Executive Board for 2016-17.Addressing the 27th Meeting of the Governing Council on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka Thursday, Ambassador Sadiq underscored the unique and important role played by the CFC in poverty alleviation in

Sushma swaraj shaking hands with Sartaz Aziz

Islamabad, Dec 12: The two nations holding 1.5 billion people between them should set d e v e l o p i n g Food Processing Pvt. Ltd aside decades of miscountries.Referring to Sri has received approval for trust to invigorate the Lanka's engagement with a loan of USD$ 407,407, region's economies and the CFC, Ambassador together with grant aid of boost stability, External Sadiq thanked the CFC USD$ 8140 to develop its Affairs Minister Sushma for granting approval for food processing Swaraj told a regional the proposals submitted capability.The Common conference on Afghanion behalf of two private Fund for Commodities stan being held in sector companies of Sri (CFC) is an autonomous Islamabad. The decision Lanka at the 60th Execu- intergovernmental finan- was taken after External tive Board Meeting in cial institution established Affairs Minister Sushma Amsterdam in October within the framework of Swaraj's meetings with this year.Asia Siyaka the United Nations. The her Pakistani counterpart Commodities has been CFC is headquartered in granted a credit line of Amsterdam and currently Sartaj Aziz and Prime US$ 1.5 million, along has a membership of 103 Minister Nawaz Sharif with a grant assistance of Member States and ten on the sidelines of the US$ 30,000 to improve institutional members in- Heart of Asia Ministerial the tea supply chain in Sri cluding the European meeting. "The Indian side was assured of the steps Lanka. MA's Tropical Union. (Agencies) being taken to expedite the early conclusion of the Mumbai trial", Wednesday's statement said. Swaraj is the highest-ranking member of Modi's administration to visit Pakistan since he came to power in May 2014. The two top diplomats also condemned all forms of terrorism and resolved to cooperate with a view to eliminating the phenomenon.

The entire world is waiting and rooting for a change. "For its part, Sheikh Hasina India is prepared to country, which would ment had undertaken move our cooperation at

Main construction work of Padma Bridge begins Dhaka, Dec 12:The construction of Padma Multipurpose Bridge has begun with inauguration of the works on main bridge and river training

by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.The premier opened the river training works at Jajira point in Shariatpur around 11:30am and inaugurated the works on main bridge at Mawa today around 1pm.While inaugurating the river training works, Sheikh Hasina has said the allegation of corruption in Padma bridge project was a part of conspiracy.She said the World Bank has not been able to prove any allegation of corruption in the project.She also said: "The so called corruption allegation was mainly prompted by a person,

who was removed from a top post of a bank, which he had been holding illegally for 11 years."After his removal following a court order, he became active to stop the project."The World bank brought allegations of corruption in 2011 after the loan agreement was signed.However, the agreement collapsed in 2013 following an investigation that found no links to corruption in the project.Later, the government decided to construct the bridge on its own fund.The prime minister also said the last BNP-Jamaat government stopped the work that Awami League government had started in its earlier tenure.He hoped that such bridge would be first of its kind in this

open a new horizon of potential for especially the southern region of the country, which had been neglected in the other regimes.While speaking at the programme, Sheikh Hasina mentioned it as part of the series of massive development projects that the govern-

since it came into power, like the construction of Payra port.She said: "We are not only scoring century in cricket but also have been able to establish a hundred of power plants."The PM said our pledge is to lit the light in every house around the country. (Agencies)

N. Korea's propaganda band set for 1st overseas performance in Beijing

Beijing issues first-ever 'red alert' air pollution warning Voice Herald

Beijing, Dec. 12: North Korea's all-female propaganda band is set to hold its first overseas performance in Beijing today, with both Pyongyang and Beijing officials hoping that the concert could help promote better relations between the allies.The North's Moranbong Band, known for its interpretive performances of the totalitarian state's propaganda songs and Western pop music, including the "Theme from Rocky," was formed in 2012 following an order by the reclusive state's young leader Kim Jong-un. The band will perform for three days at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing starting today, marking its first concert series in a foreign country.The choice by Kim to send the band to Beijing is the latest sign that Pyongyang is trying to mend ties with Beijing after years of strain following the North's third nuclear test in early 2013, analysts said.Since Liu Yunshan, the

Beijing, Dec 12: A gray haze hung over the city with levels of PM2.5 harmful microscopic particles that penetrate deep into the lungs at times above 300 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the USA embassy. The emergency system is meant to alert citizens at least 24 hours in advance of bad smog, based on wind and weather forecasts.

People's Daily reports, since past year, an artist, Kong Ning, has been doing a performance art work, "Marriage with the Blue Sky ", in several areas of Beijing. An "orange alert", officially the second-highest alert level of the city's fourstep system, had been called last week for the first time this year. And

Chinese Communist Party's fifth-ranked official, visited Pyongyang in October and held talks with North Korean leader Kim, there have been signs of improvement in bilateral ties.Led by Choe Hwi, first vice-department director of the North's ruling Workers' Party, the band and a military orchestra arrived in Beijing on Thursday.

Choe held talks with Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party's international department, on Thursday and expressed hope that the band's visit "can further consolidate the traditional friendship" between North Korea and China, according to a statement by the Chinese party.Song told Choe that China "attache's great importance" to the visit by the North Korean band and its concerts in Beijing, calling their performances a "stage of China-North Korea friendship." The band's performances are not open to the public and are invitationonly, an official at the Chinese theater said. (Agencies)

India, Pakistan to Commence ' Comprehensive' Bilateral Dialogue Post Oracle

Beijing issues red alert on air pollution

it's not just the proletariat that's going to suffer government agencies will be forced to park 30 percent of their vehicle fleets. Residents were advised to stay indoors as much as possible from 7 a.m. Tuesday to 12 noon Thursday in an online notice by the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau. Some residents took a smog

holiday away from Beijing on Tuesday as the Chinese capital launched restrictions under its first red alert for pollution, closing schools, suspending factories and keeping half the vehicles off the streets. In a reverse of the more traditional pattern of EastWest trade, Cambridge Mask Company is making pollution masks in

Britain and selling them to China, where such items are ubiquitous on Beijing's streets. .Beijing officials on Monday declared a red alert, which is the highest level of alarm for air pollution response in the Chinese capital. Li Lifeng with the Beijing Public Transport Commission says more public transit has been added to help keep the city moving the next few days. The World Health Organization designates the safe level for the tiny, poisonous particles at 25. "People everywhere are looking forward to China's continuous progress on the road to green development, acting as a model for the world to tackle the challenge of climate change. (Agencies)

a pace which Pakistan is comfortable with". "It is necessary and appropriate for me to hold talks with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and his Adviser Sartaz Aziz to discuss bilateral issues", said the minister. Immediately after arriving in Islamabad, she said relationship between the two countries should be better and that she will hold talks with Pakistani leaders to find ways to improve bilateral ties.

Swaraj will make a detail statement on her Pakistan visit in Parliament tomorrow. India is willing to join an Afghanistan-Pakistan transit agreement and create facilities at the border town of Attari to receive Afghan trucks coming through Pakistan, Sushma said. On renaming the dialogue process, they said, "the sense was that we could re-engage but there are other issues like fishermen and religious tourism which needed to be discussed." Relations between the two powers chilled after Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist, became India's prime minister previous year.

(Agencies)

Sharif to attend SCO meeting in China on Monday

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

Islamabad, Dec 12:Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit China next week to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.The Foreign Office (FO) said that Sharif will lead the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Heads of Government Council Meeting which is being held in Zhengzhou on December 14-15."On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Prime Minister will have a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in which issues of mutual interest will be

discussed," a statement said.The SCO is an important organisation founded in Shanghai in 2001. Its memberstates include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.In July, the SCO decided to admit India and Pakistan as full members, and they are expected to join by 2016.As an Observer State of the SCO, Pakistan has been making substantive contribution to regional peace, security and development, said the Foreign Office.

(Agencies)

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

Desperation Rules Afghanistan Dengvaxia brings hope for India Dengue no more the same Dengue, a deadly disease which have taken many innocent lives since the past decade is no more a fatal disease now. With 19,704 cases reported till September 6, the dengue cases in the country have already doubled this year. In 2014, the number of dengue cases stood at 10,097, with 37 deaths, through the year. This year, however, 41 people had died, though the Health Ministry said in a statement that with a fatality rate of 0.20 per cent, casualties remained "very low". The highest fatality rate reported in India so far was during the 1996 outbreak, when it was more than 3 per cent. With 1,259 cases reported so far, Delhi topped the list of cities with the most cases. However, Arunachal Pradesh's East Siang district with 1,618 cases (the state has reported 1,681 cases) was the district with highest number of cases, followed by Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh with 761 cases, Thiruvananthapuram (602 cases) and Kasargod (443 cases) in Kerala, respectively. Among cities, Bengaluru reported 1,139 cases, Greater Mumbai reported 306 cases and Kolkata saw 187 cases.

At a time when India is struggling with rising number of dengue cases with each passing year, the Mexican government has approved the world's first anti-dengue vaccine which is designed to protect people in the 9-45 age group from nine to 45 years from all four subtypes of the virus. Called Dengvaxia, the vaccine has been developed by France-based Sanofi Pasteur and is the result of an extensive clinical development programme running for almost two decades. Today, with this first marketing authorisation of Dengvaxia, we have achieved our goal of making dengue the next vaccine-preventable disease.This is a historic milestone for our company, for the global public health community and, most importantly, for half the world's population who lives at risk of dengue. While dengue affects nearly 400 million people in endemic areas, mostly in tropical and subtropical countries in Latin America and Asia, India saw one of the worst outbreak of the deadly disease this year with 32 deaths recorded in New Delhi alone till October.

Even as Dengvaxia has become the first vaccine to be licensed in the world for the prevention of dengue, the dengue toll in West Bengal has touched 12 with the last death reported on November 5, according to state health officials. The WHO has called on endemic countries to reduce dengue mortality by 50 percent and morbidity by 25 percent by 2020. Dengvaxia is, therefore, seen "as major innovation and a public health breakthrough".

According to a statement issued by the Mexico's health ministry, the new vaccine is 60.5 percent effective against dengue and 93.2 percent effective against severe dengue treatment. The approval of Dengvaxia by Mexico's 's Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) is based on results from an extensive clinical development programme involving over 40,000 people of different ages, geographic and epidemiological settings and ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds living in 15 countries. In Mexico, a total of 32,100 cases were registered last year, including 8,668 cases of severe dengue, which cost the country over 3.2 billion pesos ($187 million).

Hope this vaccination may lower the risk of death due to dengue in our country as well the world as whole.

Health in India Pathetic Conditions of Government Hospitals Indian healthcare system is plagued with numerous problems and in the already existing long list, one oldproblem has again come to fore with the latest report of Central Bureau of Health Intelligence's National Health Profile (NHP) 2013. The NHP 2013 report has revealed that in our country only 33 per cent of Government doctors are available in the rural areas where nearly 70 per cent of our population lives. In terms of figures, only 29,562 of India's 1,06,613 government doctors work in villages. As per the data, India has 9,18,303 doctors in the government and private sector for 1.21 billion people, but most of them choose to work in urban areas. It is said that "health is wealth"; but in India, health is getting increasingly unaffordable.

Rural Health care is one of biggest challenge in India.

With more than 70 percent of population living in rural areas and low level of health facilities add more to the problem. There is only one doctor per 1,700 citizens in India; the World Health Organisation (WHO) stipulates a minimum ratio of 1:1,000. While the Union Health Ministry figures claim that there are about 6-6.5 lakh doctors available, India would need about four lakh more by 202050,000 for PHCs; 0.8 lakh for community health centres (CHC); 1.1 lakh for 5,642 sub-centres and another 0.5 lakh for medical college hospitals.

If shortage of doctors is one problem, their unwillingness to work in the rural hinterland is another, creating artificial scarcity in the area and high concentration is another. As per a report in a leading daily, India produces 30,000 doctors, 18,000 specialists, 30,000 AYUSH graduates, 54,000 nurses, 15,000 ANMs and 36,000 pharmacists annually. According to Medical Council of India (MCI) data, 31,866 new MBBS doctors were registered during the year 2009-2010 and 34,595 students were admitted in 300 colleges for the academic year 2009-2010.

The shortage of doctors in government hospitals is also attributed to the factors such as preference to work in private hospitals, and study and work abroad.

In some of India's poorer, rural areas, quality medical facilities are scarce or non-existent. Space is tight and doctors are in relatively short supply. Lifts not working, clogged toilets, patients waiting for hours to see a doctor, absconding nurses, poorly stored medicines, unclean wards and torn beds. In our country nearly 40% to 45% of people are Below Poverty Line. Hence poor prefer Government Hospitals due to the free treatment provided.

But Government hospitals are known for their lack of sanitation and basic infrastructure like beds, qualified doctors, sufficient medicines, inadequate quantity and quality of staff, underpaid and unhappy staff, etc.

Young Afghans are being forced to flee the country in search of a better life.

Regardless of how often IT company once he finyou visit Afghanistan, ished his studies at a loyou always ask the same cal university. Seven questions: how is the years down the line, the situation and what is the 28-year-old is struggling mood in the country? At to find a stable job. He first glance, is trying to life seems Sanjay Kumar m o b i l i z e normal in money so Kabul: busy streets, that he can go to Europe slow-moving traffic, as a refugee. Many of people going about their his friends have already daily routines. Scratch a reached Germany as tiny bit beneath the sur- refugees but due to fiface, however, and the nancial constraints he is pent-up anxiety and sad- forced to stay in Kabul. ness overwhelms you.

Human traffickers in Contrasting the current Afghanistan demand mood with 2008, when I twelve to fourteen thouvisited Kabul for the first sand dollars to send anytime, it's a world of dif- one to Europe, a figure ference. Back then there which has doubled in just was still some hope that one month. Despite this the country would pull huge cost, demand has through the crisis; youth not gone down. You were optimistic and very won't find anyone in enthusiastic about re- Kabul who doesn't have building their country. a relative or friend that Today, desperation and has left the country. frustration are the order Some reports suggest of the day. that the Afghans constiWhen I met Ali Mustafa tute around 18 percent in Kabul for the first of the refugees that have time in 2008, he was reached Europe so far. quite keen to set up an Such a mass exodus of

Afghans has not taken place in recent memory.

In the 1990s, many migrated to neighboring countries and further abroad due to the civil war among the different warlords and the Taliban. But such an exodus during peacetime is a new phenomenon and is very disturbing for the stability of the society.

It is a telling verdict on the National Unity government led by President Ashraf Ghani. In just over one year, the new regime has lost the trust of Afghanistan's people.

With the economy in bad shape, shrinking job opportunities, and a deteriorating security situation, the Ghani government seems to have lost its grip on governance quite early in its tenure.

The mood is a far cry from April 2014 when people participated in the general elections in large number,defying the Taliban with their hope

for a new future.

The Taliban offensive in Kunduz a couple of months ago, in which the city fell to the insurgents for a couple of days, has shaken the confidence of the people. It badly dented the image of the ruling regime.

Major parts of Afghanistan are struggling to maintain rule of law.

The Taliban and ISIS are fighting for control over territories in different parts of the

country. Some of the areas in the north, which has been relatively peaceful zones until recently, have become so hostile that even locals fear to go there. The attack at Kandahar airport on Tuesday evening that claimed more than 30 lives, and has further alarmed the common people of the deteriorating security situation in the country.

In 2001, the international community came

to Afghanistan with the aim to restore peace and stability in the country.

More than 14 years down the line, peace is still elusive and stability is still uncertain.

"I don't see a future here. There is a deep sense of insecurity," says Mustafa. He adds, "I want to escape the desperation and uncertainty that has gripped my life."

Mustafa's desperation is shared by many in Afghanistan today.

The Future of US-Sri Lanka Relations As Washington continues to embrace Sri Lanka's new government, it's important to remember that America's next president is unlikely to shake up ties.

Sri Lanka's President, Maithripala Sirisena, will soon complete his first year in office and many promises remain unfulfilled. More recently, we're now hearing talk about the creation of a special court to handle alleged wartime abuses and the drafting of a new constitution.

Would expecting genuine progress on either of the aforementioned fronts be realistic? After all, there remain other, less complicated aspects of reform that the Sirisena administration has yet to address, such as the matter of Tamil political prisoners. Given Colombo's unwillingness to address some of the more straightforward matters, is it reasonable to believe that more complex changes are viable at this time?

Regrettably, the United States continues to make platitudinous remarks about further reform, accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

It's time to think about

Washington's remarks in a different way. Is the Obama administration willing to do anything substantial if Sirisena's reform agenda continues

Taylor Dibbert to flounder? Has the United States already decided that the progress thus far is sufficient? If that decision hasn't already been made, what actions could Obama's team conceivably take over the next 12 months to further pressure Colombo?

Let's get real. Under Obama's watch, the United States played a major role in pressuring Sri Lanka to respect human dignity and deal with the past. And, while Mahinda Rajapaksa (the previous president) responded to international pressure, his regime was always focused on doing the bare minimum to placate the international community.

Now we've got Sirisena and, somewhat incredibly, a coalition government where the country's two principal political parties - the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) have entered into a power-sharing arrangement.

A few lines of thinking are permeating Washington's corridors of power at the moment.

Obama's team has been promoting Sri Lanka's new government while concurrently assessing its own role in a selfcongratulatory fashion.

Indeed, it appears that the administration is reliving Myanmar's "democratic opening" from a few years ago and concomitantly ignoring the lessons that we can and should learn from Myanmar starting with the fact that deeper, lasting reform is always more complicated and difficult than it at first appears.

Sri Lanka's President, Maithripala Sirisena.Source: www.defence.lk

The Obama administration will be out of power in about a year's time. Even if the Sirisena administration makes more significant strides in the right direction over the next 12 months, Sri Lanka's complicated reform agenda, including transitional justice, will be far from finished in January 2017. And,

frankly, there's no guarantee that an incoming U.S. administration, Republican or Democrat, would want to elevate human rights or accountability in Sri Lanka the way that the Obama administration did from 2012-2014.

Aside from Obama's obvious legacy concerns, Colombo's political leadership likely un-

derstands that an upcoming transfer of power in Washington would probably not change the current trajectory of bilateral ties.

Given the way that U.S.-Sri Lanka relations have been shifting, would a Hillary Clinton administration really want to intensify pressure on Colombo?

And most of the leading Republican contenders have little knowledge of foreign affairs anyway. Would any of them want to prioritize justice and accountability vis-a-vis a small island nation in the Indian Ocean?

Irrespective of who wins the White House in 2016, Sri Lanka's human rights and accountability issues are unlikely to receive the amount of attention that the Obama administration has devoted to them - which makes Obama's swift resetting of U.S.-Sri Lanka ties that much more unfortunate.

Charismatic Kejriwal Sir, Some persons really deserve Kudos for the talents latent in them. In our day to-day life, we come across some persons, who starting from a zero point, could reach the pinnacle of success. Here, we feel tempted to refer to Aravind Kejriwal. Of course, I, as a layman, am in the dark about the past life of this man, barring that he was an IFS (Indian Financial Service) officer, who subsequently resigned his job to join Anna Hazare's movement to root out corruption from India. Then suddenly by a twist of turn, Mr. Kajriwal got separated from Anna Hazare. The reason behind is still shrouded with mystery. Thereafter, he formed a political party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which registered a scintillating victory in the last Delhi assembly election - creating almost a vacuum in the opposition bench, barring only 3 BJP MLAs. On one hand with the party's symbol of a sweeping broom implying sweeping out corruption and hitting the corrupted ones with the broom, on the other hand, Arabind Kejriwal's long cherished latent ambition for a fat salary has found an avenue which gets materialized at last. The pay hike is so much so that it overtakes that of our Prime minister.

So, you made your Incarnation being a messiah of

the common men and what better manifestation can you as minister of Delhi show than keeping yourself aloof from the common people?

Yours etc.

Ashok Bordoloi Dibrugarh

ANNOUNCEMENT Divyam Garodia of Class 8, Vivekananda Kendriya Vidyalaya. Golaghat has won the best letter award for his letter “Green Technology�, Technology that is clean, published on 09/12/2015. A sum of Rs.100/only can be collected as the prizemoney from Amit Nagori (9435151340).

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

JOBS & CAREER

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

Various Jobs in NEIAH, Shillong [112 posts] North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong.

Last Date: 04/01/2016.

North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong, Meghalaya, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India invites applications from Indian Citizen for the following posts to be filledup by Direct Recruitment / Deputation / Short Term Contract basis: 1. Deputy Director Administration : 01 post 2. Finance Manager : 01 post 3. Accounts Officer : 02 posts 4. Assistant Administrative Officer : 01 post 5. Junior Engineer (Civil) : 01 post 6. Junior Engineer (Electrical) : 01 post 7. Accountant : 01 post 8. Junior Accountant : 01 post 9. Cashier : 01 post 10. Private Secretary : 01 post 11. Upper Division Clerk : 03 posts 12. Principal Ayurveda college : 01 post 13. Professor (Ayurveda) : 10 posts 14. Associate professor (Ayurveda) : 10 posts 15. Lecturer (Ayurveda) : 10 posts

Page 9

Manager, Engineer, Officer Jobs in BCPL, Dibrugarh [PWD Only] Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL).

Last Date: 26/12/2015.

Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) is looking for experienced professionals for the following posts in special recruitment drive for PWD candidates : 1. Senior Manager (HR) : 01 post 2. Manager (Chemical) : 02 posts 3. Manager (Electrical) : 01 post 4. Manager (Finance & Accounts) : 01 post 5. Manager (Mechanical) : 01 post 6. Deputy Manager (Chemical) : 02 posts 7. Deputy Manager (HR) : 01 post 8. Senior Engineer (Chemical) : 02 posts 9. Senior Engineer (Mechanical) : 01 post 10. Senior Officer (Finance & Accounts) : 01 post How to Apply : Apply Online at BCPL website from 01/12/2015 to 26/12/2015 only.

Faculty Jobs in NIT Meghalaya National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya.

Last Date: 31/12/2015.

GradeIV Posts in Jorhat Medical College Jorhat Medical College & Hospital Last Date: 14/12/2015.

Applications are invited from Indian Citizens in Standard Form as published in Assam Gazette in PartIX for filling up of the following GradeIV posts of Jorhat Medical College & Hospital.

1.Name of post: Sweeper/ Cleaner No of post: 1 Pay: Rs 2450 Rs 3670 Educational Qualification: Read up to Class X. 2. Name of post: Attendant No of post: 2 Pay: Rs 2450 Rs 3670 Educational Qualification: HSLC Passed.

Age: 18 to 38 years as on 01012015.

National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya invites applications in Prescribed Format from Indian Nationals for appointment on permanent/ contract / deputation basis, possessing consistently good academic record and requisite qualifications and experience, with commitment to work, passion for teaching & research and an inclination towards institutional development, for positions of Assistant Professors and Associate Professor in various disciplines.

Name of post: Assistant Professor / Associate Professor No of posts: 10 posts (UR3, OBC3, SC3, PWD1) on regular/ contract basis in various disciplines Essential Qualification: Ph. D. with 1st Class at UG & PG levels with consistently good academic record Pay Scale : for Assistant Professor Rs. 1560039100 AGP Rs. 6000 / 7000 / 8000 and Rs. 3740067000 AGP Rs. 9500 for Associate Professor posts How to Apply : Apply Online at NIT Meghalaya website on or before 24/12/ 2015 only and hard copy of the system generated application should reach to the Registrar, NIT Meghalaya, Bijni Complex, Laitumkhrah, Shillong793003 on or before 31/12/2015.

Indian Army SSC Officer (Technical Entry) Recruitment Indian Army Last Date: 08/01/2016.

Applications are invited from married/ unmarried male and unmarried female Engineering Graduates and also from Widows of Defence Personnel for grant of Short Service Commission in the Indian Army in all Arms/ Services.

Course commencing in October 2016 at Officers Training Academy (OTA),Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Category of posts: 47th SSC (Technical) for Men : 100 posts in various Engineering streams, Age : 2027 years 18th SSC (Technical) Women : 10 posts in various Engineering streams, Age : 2027 years Widows of Defence Personnel : 01 post, Age : 19-29/20-31 years Remuneration: Pay Scale : PB3 Rs.1560039100 Grade Pay Rs.5400 and MPS Rs.6000/ How to Apply: Apply Online at Army recruitment website http://joinindianarmy.nic.in from 09/12/2015 to 08/01/2016 only.

NEEPCO Special Recruitment Drive for PWD Persons North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO).

Last Date: 20/12/2015.

North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) is looking for promising, energetic & enterprising professionals with brilliant academic record to join the organization for the following positions against a Special Recruitment Drive for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) : 1. Trainee Engineer (Civil) : 02 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-46500 2. Trainee Engineer (Electrical / Mechanical) : 02 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-46500 3. Trainee Accounts Officer : 02 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-46500 4. Trainee Personnel Officer : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-46500 5. Law Assistant : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs. 1550039500 6. Junior Engineer (Civil) : 05 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.15000-37000 7. Junior Engineer (Electrical/Mechanical) : 05 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.15000-37000 8. Chemist : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.16000-39100 9. Assistant Accountant : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.15500-39100 10. AssistantI : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.1550039100 11. Dresser III : 06 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.1150026000 12. Laboratory Attendant III : 04 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.10500-23000 How to Apply : Apply Online at NEEPCO website from 06/12/2015 to 20/12/2015.

Strike when the oven is hot Baking is not just a hobby to fill your free time. It also offers lucrative career options. Prachi Rege tests the dough.

If you love walking into a party with Prachi cupcakes and cookies baked by you; if on weekends you are happy stirring up a delectable batter mixture of chocolate cream and vanilla topped with blueberries, then it's time to give that baker in you a serious thought.

With the humongous manpower requirement, a career in baking definitely looks to be a promising one. "Every year, around 100,000 small scale bakeries and 1000 industrial plants open in the country," says Raj Kapoor, MD, Assocom Institute of Bakery Technology and Management (AIBTM).

The hospitality sector too has a huge demand for pastry chefs and bakers.

AIBTM is a Noida-based

bakery institute offering diploma and post graduate programmes. Its curriculum has been designed in association with the International School of Baking, America SociRege ety of Baking (ASB) and Hyejeon College, South Korea. Professionals from food producing giants like Britannia, Parle-G andMonginis have helped in designing the course curriculum. "Though baking is popular in India, most of us are not familiar with the scientific and professional approach required to excel in the field," informs Kapoor.

Keeping in mind the need for skilled manpower, AIBTM will train aspiring bakers in business aspects like quality control, procurement of raw material, setting up a bakery unit or plant, marketing and sales of bakery products, etc, besides basic skills like mixing, stirring and bak-

ing.

"We want to develop students for multitasking," explains Kapoor.

National and international food scientists and technologists, professional quality control managers and baking entrepreneurs will train students in various aspects of the craft.

The course is open to aspirants as well as traditional bakers, chefs and technicians, who are already in the business and who may enrol for the special, five-week skill upscaling programme that includes subjects like healthy bakery, flour milling and food laws and regulatory environment.

Affiliated to the City & Guilds, London, Bangalore-based Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts is an institute launched by three chefs, who wanted to use their expertise to provide hotels with skilled bakers.

Lavonne gives their stu-

dents an opportunity to display their baking skills.

Professional chefs are called on the campus at regular intervals to facilitate this. "We have tie ups with hotels like the Hilton and Royal Orchid for student internships and placements," says Chef Vinesh Johnny, co-founder of Lavonne. Though there are many skilled bakers, big set ups always pick up specialised professionals who design and present their work attractively.

"This is where we come in," he says.

From working at a hotel as a pastry chef to being an entrepreneur with your own bakery unit, the baking field provides you with a wide range of options that may be more tempting than even the tongue-tickling goodies it has to offer.

Bake It Up! Money Wise Rs 10,000 to set up a personal bakery Rs 5 to 25 lakhs for a big

commercial Set up Rs 25 lakh to a crore to set up a bakery plant Pay Pal Work-from-home baker with a certification can earn Rs 8000 to 15000 Diploma holder can make Rs 15000 to Rs 30000 Post graduate who can also be employed as a manager will earn Rs 30,000 upwards Across The Country Artisans Institute of Baking, Chennai Institute of Baking & Cake Art, Bangalore Culinary Academy of India, Hyderabad Assocom Institute of Bakery Technology and Management, New Delhi. competency based hiring is becoming a norm across firms, candidates should focus on up-skilling and reskilling endeavours to increase the chances of getting a job. At present, these are the top trends that are influencing recruitment practices in

Source: dnaindia.com India. However, do keep in mind that these trends evolve with time. Over time, some trends may become obsolete while others will continue to

dominate the business sphere.

Therefore, one must always watch out for new patterns of recruitment and leverage them to the fullest to stay

ahead of competition.

The author is president, staffing and director, marketing, Randstad India. Courtesy: dnaindia.com

Talent networks Just-in-time hiring, social media sourcing and competency mapping are the top trends influencing recruitment practices in India, says Aditya Narayan Mishra.

The hiring scenario in India is constantly evolving. Today, as firms are sailing through the "highs and lows" of business cycles and embracing new technologies to jump the curve, hiring practices have been tweaked to meet the demands of the new age. Since these trends shape our world of work, understanding and keeping track of the current recruitment trends is important for organisations, employees and potential candidates alike. Here are some major trends that are currently redefining the way

businesses are recruiting candidates in India.

Just In Time Hiring Just - in - time (JIT) hiring, a popular practice with the IT and BPO companies, is today a strategy adopted across all organisations to introduce greater flexibility in their operations. Industries within the retail, hospitality, telecommunication, banking, manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors are currently adopting this model, in addition to the traditional model of hiring.

Through JIT hiring, companies recruit candidates that

meet their exact requirements when they need them.

Candidates are hired only when dynamic manpower needs have to be met. This way, organisations are able to manage costs and avoid downsizing due to economic downturns. Companies are switching to this model to adjust their labour to demand conditions and production requirements.

Since JIT hiring can be applied to both temporary and permanent workforce, this model of hiring will surely be the way forward in the years to come.

Social Media Sourcing Social media is not just a tool for networking any more; today it has become a "job searching medium".

There is an up trend in companies embracing this technology to attract top talent.

Popular networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have changed the face of recruitment in India.

Candidates and potential job seekers are increasingly leveraging social platforms to find gainful employment. In fact, statistics reveal that one out of every five candidates has been placed only through

their social media connections. The benefits of this mode of recruitment are endless.

Firms have the luxury of searching candidates across borders with greater accuracy and effectiveness. By utilising these platforms, firms have been able to enhance job visibility and improve the quality of their hire through wider reach and higher quality referrals. Social media sites are also a great way of bringing inclusiveness and building employee cohesiveness in the organisation. It creates a world that is always on. This

builds absolute transparency in the organisation, leading to a relationship of confidence and trust between employer and employees. With its rising popularity, the trend of social media hiring is here to stay.

Competency Based Hiring Screening and selection processes in organisations have undergone a sea - change as companies are increasingly relying on psychometric and competency based assessment tests. Companies' pre-screen job applicants and assess their core skills and potential which include mental ability, prob-

lem solving skills, logical and reasoning ability, analytical skills and aptitude.

Through these tests, firms can hire those candidates whose experience, qualification and competencies are a right match to the job profile, thus ensuring the right "job - candidate fit".

Candidates who demonstrate greater competencies at work have a better chance of being employed since firms see capabilities at par with qualifications as important pre-requisites to job performance. Since competency based hiring is becoming a norm across firms, candidates should focus on up-skilling and

re-skilling endeavours to increase the chances of getting a job. At present, these are the top trends that are influencing recruitment practices in India.

However, do keep in mind that these trends evolve with time.

Over time, some trends may become obsolete while others will continue to dominate the business sphere. Therefore, one must always watch out for new patterns of recruitment and leverage them to the fullest to stay ahead of competition.

The author is president, staffing and director, marketing, Randstad India. Courtesy: dnaindia.com

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

BUSINESS

10,000 tonnes of pulses to be imported to check prices New Delhi, Dec 12: The government decided to import 10,000 tonnes of pulses for buffer stock and extend zero import duty on chickpeas and masoor till September 2016 as part of its steps to boost local supply and check prices. The government will soon float tenders for 5,000 tonnes each of tur and urad dals.

These decisions were taken at a high-level committee meeting chaired

by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, that reviewed prices of pulses and other essential commodities.

Earlier this week, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved creation of a buffer stock of pulses by procuring 1.5

lakh tonnes at market price and the stock would be used to check spurts in retail rates. "It was observed that prices of most essential commodities are under control and even pulses and onions have been showing a declining trend. With coming of fresh Kharif crops, prices are likely to further moderate", an official statement said. The Cabinet Secretary asked agencies like FCI, NAFED and SFAC to step up procurement of tur and urad dals to build the buffer stock. "To further supplement and augment the buffer stock, it was also decided to start import of pulses and to float tenders for 5,000 tonnes of tur dal and an-

Anti-dumping duty on steel products imposed

by India

Indian trade minister, Nirmala Sitharaman.Source: www.bloomberg.com

Mumbai, Dec 12: India imposed five-year anti-dumping duties on stainless steel imports from China, the European Union and the United States on Friday, as the government tries to help local companies suffering from cheaper imports. The government said the duties on cold-rolled flat stainless steel products ranged from 4.6% to 57.4%.

Imports from South Korea, South Africa and Thailand will also be taxed. The move follows the government's introduction of a 20% import tax on some steel products in September, which failed to contain losses for Indian steel companies struggling to compete under large debts

and high raw material costs. Firms including the Steel Authority of India, JSW Steel and Essar Steel have in recent months complained that surging imports are squeezing profitability.

"It's a welcome step because today what is hurting the Indian manufacturing sector is dumping," said Seshagiri Rao, joint managing director at JSW Steel. The Directorate General of Safeguards, a branch of the finance ministry that can impose temporary import curbs, said on Tuesday it found prima facie evidence that increases in imports "have caused or threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic producers". Indian trade minister Nirmala Sitharaman said New Delhi will lobby for the freedom to raise tariffs temporarily to deal with import surges at upcoming World Trade Organisation talks, which begin in Nairobi next week. Imports of iron and steel declined slightly to $6.9 billion during AprilOctober period in the current financial year 2015/16 from $7.1 billion a year ago, Commerce and Industry Ministry data shows. (Agencies)

October's industrial output climbs to 5-year high Bengaluru, Dec 12: With 17 of the 22 industry groups in the manufacturing sector showing a positive growth, the industrial output in October recorded a five-year high of 9.8 per cent year-on-year.

The higher growth was on account of a favourable base, as October 2014 registered a negative growth 2.7 per cent, as well as the pre-festive season ramp up in output. The industrial output in September 2015 was 3.6 per cent. The growth logged between April and October this year over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal was 4.8 per cent. Mining recorded 4.7 per cent year-on-year growth (versus 3 per cent in September), while manufacturing output was 10.6 per cent for the month (versus 2.6 per cent in September). Electricity output was seen at 9 per cent in October (versus 11.4 per cent last month). The cumulative growth in these three sectors during April-October 2015 over the corresponding period of 2014 has been 2 per cent, 5.1 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively. "Though manufacturing registered a high growth in October, the low base in major sectors like capital goods and consumer durables has contributed significantly to this high growth.

Nonetheless, the outlook for growth remains positive and can be strengthened in com-

ing months if pace of reforms continues" said A. Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI. "The global slowdown continues to impact trade and affect India's exports adversely thus impacting manufacturing growth especially when the domestic demand is also sluggish." Furniture manufacturing segment has shown the highest positive growth of 138.9 per cent, followed by 48.4 per cent in 'office, accounting and computing machinery' and 47.5 per cent in 'radio, TV and communication equipment and apparatus', data released on Friday by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed. However, the industry group 'Publishing, printing & reproduction of recorded media' registered the highest negative growth of (-) 10.2 per cent, followed by (-) 6.8 per cent in 'Medical, precision & optical instruments, watches and clocks' and (-) 2.9 per cent in 'Coke, refined petroleum products & nuclear fuel'. Basic goods grew 4.1 per cent, while capital goods registered 16.1 per cent growth and intermediate goods 6.7 per cent. Consumer durables and nondurables recorded a growth of 42.2 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively, with the overall growth in consumer goods being 18.4 per cent.

(Agencies)

other 5,000 tonnes for urad dal", the statement said. MMTC had earlier imported 5,000 tonnes of tur for sale in the retail markets at subsidised price. In the meeting, it was also decided to recommend further extension of zero import duty on chick peas and lentils (masoor) up to September 2016. The duties on other pulses have already been extended up to September next year.

"All these measures would enable further building of adequate buffer stock of pulses and also increase availability of pulses in the domestic market", the statement said. The need for creating the buffer stock arose as retail

SHORTFALL OF PULSES The government decided to import 10,000 tonnes of pulses for buffer stock and extend zero import duty on chickpeas and masoor till September 2016 as part of its steps to boost local supply and check prices.

The government will soon float tenders for 5,000 tonnes each of tur and urad dals.

To further supplement and augment the buffer stock, it was also decided to start import of pulses and to float tenders for 5,000 tonnes of tur dal and another 5,000 tonnes for urad dal.

According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry data, the maximum price of tur is currently ruling at Rs 178 per kg while the average price is Rs 160 per kg.

MMTC had earlier imported 5,000 tonnes of tur for sale in the retail markets at subsidised price.

India is the world's largest producer of pulses, but its domestic demand outstrips production.

prices have gone through the roof due to fall in domestic output by two million tonnes to 17.2 million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June). According to the Consumer

Affairs Ministry data, the maximum price of tur is currently ruling at Rs 178 per kg while the average price is Rs 160 per kg. The maximum price of urad dal is Rs 190 per

kg while the average rate is Rs 120/kg. India is the world's largest producer of pulses, but its domestic demand outstrips production. The shortfall is met from imports. (Agencies)

Most of flood-loss burden paid by owners Chennai, Dec 12: In natural catastrophes in India, the insured property losses have always been a fraction of economic loss. A similar situation is expected after Chennai floods, with insurance companies now estimating losses at around Rs 2,500 crore as against the economic loss which is expected to run into several thousand crores. Although floods in Chennai were more severe and lasted longer than in Mumbai, insured losses are still expected to be much lower than in the 2005 deluge. The insured losses stood around Rs 4,000 crore in 2005 against economic losses of around Rs 15,000 crore. "In Chennai, around 10,000 claims have been reported in the industry. My initial expectation was that losses might be around Rs 2,000 crore. It could go up to Rs 2,500 crore with some large claims being reported," said G Srinivasan, chairman, New India Assurance - the country's largest insurer.

Insurers estimate that given the vehicle population of close to eight lakh cars, tens of thousands of vehicles

G Srinivasan, chairman, New India Assurance - the country's largest insurer.

Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com .. would be damaged in the floods. The costliest damages are to the electronic control unit and other electronic equipment, followed by possible damage to engine and upholstery. Besides, around eight private aircraft have been damaged due to flooding at the Chennai airport and a couple of them have raised claims for a total loss. The small aircraft claims amount to Rs 200 crore. There are also claims from auto ancillary units and auto manufacturing companies and small-scale units. Accord-

ing to Srinivasan, the insured losses are expected to be around 4% of the economic losses. This is in sharp contrast to the US, where insurers paid for most of the losses after Hurricane Katrina, or in New Zealand where almost 80% of the post-quake reconstruction in 2011 was funded by insurance. "In India, less than 1% of the people who can afford an insurance policy buy a cover for their homes. Of the total premium written by the general insurance industry, less than 3% is per-

taining to home insurance or cover for dwellings. This number is also largely due to the insistence of banks and financiers to take a cover while giving out home loans," said Tapan Singhel, MD, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. Insurers say that ultimate claim payout eventually emerges lower than the estimate because of under insurance.

"Corporates are not insured on replacement value. Even large sophisticated business do not insure on market value basis and many of them have only material damage and no business interruption cover," said Praveen Vashishta, chairman, Howden Insurance Brokers. Earlier this year, New India Assurance had introduced a policy that would provide cover to all household contents without asking for any details. The company is targeting sales of around 25 lakh covers given the low cost and universal appeal. However, the number of policies sold are still in thousands said Srinivasan.

(Agencies)

Downfall in cane arrears to Rs 6,681 crore till November 15 New Delhi, 12: The arrears to be paid by mills to sugarcane farmers have come down to Rs 6,681 crore from a peak of Rs 17,301 crore in July this year, Parliament was informed. "The cane dues of Rs 17,301 crore were outstanding against sugar mills as on July 15 of this year. Since then, Rs 10,620 crore have been paid to the sugarcane producers up to November 15," Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. At present, sugarcane dues of Rs 6,681.88 crore are outstanding against the sugar mills including arrear of Rs 277.03 crore of the 2015-16 season (October-September) and Rs 6,404.85 crore of the 2014-15 and earlier seasons, he said. To a question on when the entire arrears would be cleared, the

minister said, "The payment of cane dues is an ongoing process and the dues position changes continuously on account of fresh supplies received and payment made for previous supplies. As such, it is not possible to indicate time line by which the full amount would be paid."

Stating that soft loans provided to mills has helped in reducing the cane price arrears, Paswan said: "Funds amounting Rs 4,151 crore were disbursed under the Soft Loan Scheme which were credited directly into farmers' account."

In June, the government had announced interest-free loan of Rs 6,000 crore to sugar mills to help them clear part of their dues to farmers. To a separate query on any issues between cane growers and millers in settling pending arrears, the minister said the Sugarcane (Congrol) Order, 1996, stipu-

Oil slides to new seven-year low Dehradun, Dec 12: Crude oil prices hit fresh seven-year lows as the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned global oversupply could worsen in the new year.

Brent slipped below $39 a barrel for the first time since December 2008 as the IEA, which advises developed nations on energy, warned that demand growth was starting to slow. "The technicals and the fundamentals are singing from the same hymn sheet," said Tamas Varga, oil analyst with PVM Associates. Brent crude futures

Source: www.investdiva.com

were down 60 cents at $39.13 a barrel at 1058 GMT, bouncing slightly from a session low of $38.90. West Texas Intermediate U.S. crude futures were at $36.26 per barrel, down 50 cents after touching $36.12, their lowest since February 2009. (Agencies)

Food Minister of India, Ram Vilas Paswan.Source: images.indianexpress.com lates payment of cane price within 14 days of its supply, failing which interest at the rate of 15 percent per annum on amount due for the delayed period beyond 14 days is payable. The powers for enforcing this provision are delegated and vested with the state government, who have necessary field forma-

tions. Such representations are forwarded to states concerned for appropriate action, he said. Besides soft loans, the government has taken several other initiatives to help the sugar industry resolve the liquidity problems and expeditiously clear cane price dues, the minister added. (Agencies)

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Rs 6,300-crore combined penalty on cement manufacturers Dehradun, Dec 12: Shares of cement companies were in the limelight in recent market after the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) set aside Competition Comission of India's (CCI's) decision to impose a Rs 6,300-crore combined penalty on cement manufacturers for alleged cartelization in pricing their products and dispatches. Most of the cement stocks rose sharply in early trades but due to late selling in Friday's weak market, closed in the red. Among the frontline cement stocks, In early trades Ambuja Cement was up about 2.5%, while ACC was up about 1.5% and UltraTech was up over 1.2%. At close, however, most cement stocks closed flat to negative.

After the CCI order in 2012, each of the affected cement maker had deposited 10% of the penalty amount, that is Rs 630 crore in total, which will now be refunded to them. In the broader market, as traders and investors turned cautious ahead of next week US Fed decision on rates, the sensex closed 208 points lower at 25,044, after briefly dipping below the psychologically important 25K level. The last time the index had fallen below this level was in early September.

Rate sensitive sectors like banks and real estate led the slide. However, after consecutive sessions of selling, foreign fund were net buyers on Friday with a net inflow figure of Rs 254 crore, BSE data showed. (Agencies)

Rise in November's car sales for 13th consecutive month Pune, Dec 12: Car sales grew for 13th consecutive month in November, as weak demand in the rural markets continued to be a cause of concern. Domes-

broad based, Abdul Majeed, Partner at Price Waterhouse said. "Some segments such as CVs are growing with potential uptick in the overall economic activity while

tic car sales last month stood at 173,111 units, up 10.39 per cent from 156,811 units in November 2014, according to data released by industry body SIAM. Overall, Passenger Vehicle segment (which includes cars, utility vehicles and vans) saw 11.40 per cent rise in sales at 236,664 units. For December, traditionally a month of low sales for the industry, sales are likely to be further impacted due to heavy rains in Chennai that have disrupted manufacturing of vehicles. "Almost every segment has shown improvement, particularly passenger cars. The growth is marginal for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVc) and two-wheelers which points to the fact that there are still issues with the rural economy and which is affecting the demand," Society of Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Director General, Vishnu Mathur, said. The increase in sales of passenger cars, he said, was driven by recent launches such as Maruti Baleno and Renault Kwid.

There has also been some positive impact of the festival season which extended to November. The growth in automotive industry is not

other segments such as passenger vehicles are growing due to positive factors such as low interest rate, lower fuel prices including the pent up demand‌two wheeler volume remains flat mainly due to lower off-take especially in the rural market," he said. For a sustained growth in the automotive industry, Mr Majeed said, it was necessary to have a robust growth in the overall economy which in turn depends a lot more on the next level of reforms including introduction of GST. Heavy rains in Chennai, which is one of the key hub for auto manufacturing accounting for over one third of the output, will impact December sales, SIAM's Mr. Mathur said. Total sales of two-wheelers rose 1.47 per cent last month to 13,20,561 units as against 13,01,434 units in November, 2014. While motorcycle sales rose 1.58 per cent to 866,705 units, Scooter sales grew 2.45 per cent to 3,96,024 units.

Sales of commercial vehicles were up 8.56 per cent to 51,766 units during the month. Total vehicle sales across categories registered a 3.18 per cent increase to 16,54, 226 units from 16,03,312 units in November 2014, SIAM said. (Agencies)

TECHNOLOGY Huawei Honor 7 Price: Rs: 22,999/GENERAL SPECIFICATION Dimensions (mm)- 143.20 x 71.90 x 8.50 Weight (g)- 157.00 Battery capacity (mAh)- 3100 Removable battery- No Colours- Silver, Gold, Grey DISPLAY Screen size (inches)- 5.20 Resolution- 1080x1920 pixels Pixels per inch (PPI)-b 424 HARDWARE Processor- 2.2GHz octa-core Processor make- Hisilicon Kirin 935 RAM- 3 GB Internal storage- 16 GB Expandable storage- Yes Expandable storage up to (GB)- 128 The Huawei Honor 7 is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, FM, 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). Sensors on the phone include Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, and Gyroscope.

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"Since the Jamaican event was an IAAF-approved one and it was held after the qualification period starts, Gowda has now qualified for the Rio Olympics. He had crossed the 65.00m entry standard which was revised from the earlier 66.00m."

DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

Athletics Federation of India Secretary CK Valson

PAGE 11

IPL Players' draft to be held in Mumbai on Dec 15 Jintu Gogoi Football

The Indian Premier league trophy

ers first because they were the lowest bidders (negative bids) to buy the new team for two years.

The bidding process for the two new franchises

was necessitated by the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for the involvement of some of their officials and co-

owners in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal, which was probed by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice (retd) R M Lodha committee.

However, both the CSK and RR will be allowed back in the league after serving out their suspension. The cricketers from the two suspended franchises will be divided into two groups of capped and uncapped and the top names will be sold through the draft system. The two new teams will have a minimum of Rs 40 crore and a maximum of Rs 66 crore to buy players.

Among the players expected to feature in the draft, it would be interesting to see whether India's limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni still commands

Ruthless Australia crush Windies to win Hobart Test ANI Hobart: Australia displayed their complete superiority over West Indies by thrashing the tourists by an innings and 212 runs on day three of the first Test in Hobart.

The hosts enforced the follow-on after dismissing the West Indies for 223 in their first innings at the Bellerive Oval within five overs of play in the morning session, which left the tourists with a first innings deficit of 360 runs. Australia continued to expose the West Indies' batting frailties as they skittled the tourists for 148 in their

Yaya Toure bags BBC's African Footballer of the Year award ANI London: Ivorian international Yaya Toure has been named as the BBC's African Footballer of the Year for the second time in his glittering career.

The 32-year-old veteran midfielder, who guided his nation to the African Nations Cup in February, had earlier bagged the coveted award in 2013.

Reflecting on his achievement, Toure said that he had worked hard to be what he had become and, therefore, it meant a lot to him to be nominated seven consecutive times and win the award for a second time. Toure also helped Manchester City finish second in the last season and are in title contention for this season.

Kohli downplays India's `favourite` tag for T20 WC

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ANI New Delhi: Indian star batsman Virat Kohli insisted that his side will have no home advantage in next year's World Twenty20 as rivals are familiar with local conditions through the annual Indian Premier League. The 27-year-old admitted that playing in home conditions was not a big home advantage anymore, insisting that any team could be a favourite to lift the coveted trophy in the fastpaced T20 format. India will kickstart their campaign against New Zealand in Nagpur on March 15.

Josh Hazlewood and his Aussie teammates congratulate each other after winning the first Test against the West Indies.

second innings. Kraigg Brathwaite (94) was the only batsmen to provide resistance.

Earlier, Darren Bravo led the re-

sistance by scoring a fluent 108 in the first innings. Paceman James Pattinson, who remained wicketless in the first in-

nings, claimed five for 27 and received able support from Josh Hazlewood, who took overall eight wickets in the match. Australia accumulated a mammoth 583 for four before declaring their innings, thanks to a world record fourth wicket stand of 449 between Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh.

Voges was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant unbeaten knock of 269. With the win, Australia have taken a 10 in the three-match series and will take play the next two matches in Melbourne and Sydney.

Gowda qualifies for Rio Olympics after revision of entry standards Agencies New Delhi: Ace Indian discus thrower Vikas Gowda has qualified for the Rio Olympics after the world athletics governing body, the IAAF lowered the entry stan-

the qualification standards issued in April, the cut off mark for the men's discus throw for Rio Games was 66.00 meters but a few days back the IAAF Council decided to lower it to

Indian discus thrower Vikas Gowda.

dards "to have more athletes" taking part in the track and field events in the 2016 Games. Under

65.00 metres, which Gowda had crossed in the Jamaican Invitational Athletics Meet in May.

The 32-year-old Gowda, the reigning Asian champion and 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, had hurled the disc to a distance of 65.14 metres in Kingston while winning the IAAF-approved event on May 9.

Athletics Federation of India Secretary CK Valson confirmed that Gowda has qualified for the Rio Olympics.

"Since the Jamaican event was an IAAF-approved one and it was held after the qualification period starts, Gowda has now qualified for the Rio Olympics. He has crossed the 65.00m entry standard which was revised from the earlier 66.00m," Valson said. The qualification period of track and field events for Rio Olympics began on May 1.

the sort of attraction that he had when CSK grabbed him with a million-dollar bid in the first-ever players' auction held eight years ago. Dhoni, who led CSK for eight seasons, is expected to be in the first list of the draft. It would also be interesting to note whether Rajkot guns for its home player Ravindra Jadeja whose stocks have risen of late after he made his comeback into the Indian squad in the Test series against South Africa. Other leading players who could be in the draft are CSK's Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Dwayne Bravo and Brendon McCullum and RR's Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith and Shane Watson.

Tournament

A group photo of the teams before the start of one of the matches of the 12 th Jintu Gogoi Football Tournament.

Sports Correspondent Dibrugarh, Dec 12: B Division XI (DDSA) beat Duliajan Football Academy 4-3 via tiebreaker in a first round encounter of the 12th Jintu Gogoi Football Tournament, organised by the Dao Division of

the army in association with Dibrugarh District Sports Association, at Chowkidinghee ground here today. Earlier, the regulation time ended in a scoreless draw. In another match, Dibrugarh Railway Divisional Sports Club outplayed

Williamson joins elite club as Kiwis stretch lead past 300

Match abandoned

strengthened the lead by remaining unbeaten on their respective scores of 48 and 72. Williamson became the second NewZealander after Brendom McCullum to achieve the mark in a calendar year. He also joined the elite list comprising of England's Alastair Cook and Joe Root and Australians David Warner and Steve Smith. Resuming at the overnight score of 1974, Sri Lanka suffered a setback at the start of the day as Dinesh Chandimal (83) was dismissed on the first ball he faced. However, Milinda Siriwardana and Rangana Herath provided some stiff resistance by producing a stubborn 43Kane Williamson of New Zealand bats during day run stand for the seventh three of the First Test against Sri Lanka wicket. For New Zealand, Tim Southee and Neil at stumps on day three of for 46, while Williamson Wagner claimed three the first Test in Dunedin. and opener Tom Latham wickets apiece.

Sports Correspondent Dibrugarh, Dec 12 : The final league game between Tinsukia Railway and Tinsukia Town Club was today abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.

Both the teams shared a point each. Tomorrow, Tinsukia town Club and Cosmo Club the top two teams of the tournament will lock horns in the final.

ANI Dunedin: Kane Williamson passed the 1,000 run-milestone in this calendar year on Saturday as New Zealand held a commanding 308run lead over Sri Lanka

New Zealand scored 171 for the loss of a wicket after bundling out the tourists for 294, which left Sri Lanka with a rundeficit of 137. Last innings centurion Martin Guptill was dismissed

1st All Assam All Style Open Martial Arts Championship ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 12: In memory of Dilip Saikia and Biraj Gogoi, Mansuria Kung Fu International and North East Royal Club of Golaghat have organized the 1st All Assam All Style Open Martial Arts Championship at the DR College playground. The two day event was inaugurated

by Dinesh Gogoi and Rajeev Lochan Bora who hoisted the flag and conducted the Shaheed Tarpan. Participants from every nook and cranny of Assam have arrived at the venue. President Mridul Hazarika and Secretary Arnav Jyoti wished all the luck to the participants.

All Assam 12th Cricket X Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament ET Correspondent Golaghat, Dec 12: The spectacular All Assam 12th Cricket X Tournament is scheduled to be held from 19th December at the DR College playground. 32 teams from various regions of Assam have taken part in the Tournament. The chief organiser Mamud Alam guaranteed that this year too Cricket lovers shall surely have a good time.

Success is not final, failure not the end until your vision wins: Natung Siang Highlanders capture Mintu Tamuli, Nimasow. Players of Nahrlagun , Dec 12: both teams played with Siang Highlanders full strength to end the scripted victory by win- match time with no score ning the 3rd Veteran but in the extra time Siang Cup-2015 by defeating Highlanders Binod Joshi Naharlagun scored U n i t e d Veteran Cup-2015 by 1-0 the lone Football goal to C l u b take his (NUFC) by 1-0 at Rajiv team to victory. Joshi Gandhi Stadium here to- was adjudged hero of the day. Senior journalist match. Best goalkeeper Pradeep Kumar handed - Onom Sorah, highest over the cup with Rs one scorer – Dojum No, lakh to the winners to the player of the tournament thunderous applause of – Koj Tatung, fair play – the gathering. NUFC Arunachal United Footwas handed over the ball club and match refRunners cup with Rs erees - Kipa Achung, 50,000 by trader Sherif Topon Borah, Taba

Nahan, Toko Poliam, Prolad Borah, Tabia Sunil, Tagio Raju, Tapor Maying, Hibu Kojing were felicitated on the occasion by the guest.

Earlier, Tourism Parlia-

Namrum Town Club 3-0.

Tomorrow, Goregaon Football Coaching Centre will take on Sonowal Kachari Tenakhat in the first match while Trinayan Jyoti Sangha will lock horns with Rupjyoti Sangha in the second match.

mentary Secretary Mama Natung, addressing the valedictory function said “success is not final and failure not the end until your vision wins,” adding that one

only wins in a game, not two. He exhorted state footballers to play with discipline as a disciplined game only impresses and entertains the viewers. The state players winning national and global laurels only prove their mettle and huge opportunities await good performers globally, he said while recalling the GoAP initiative to increase job reservation from 5% to 10% for sports persons to promote games and sports sector for the youth to have alluring careers. Natung, a

footballer who played in this stadium in 1989-90 & 1990-91, as guest of honour, announced that E&F & PH&WS Parliamentary Secretary Kumsi Sidisow would offer the prizes worth Rs 1.5 lakh. Organising committee chairman Toko Tatung, in his address lauded all out support for making the event successful and appreciated Sports and Youth Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Likha Saaya for his assurance to extend GoAP financial assistance for the next edition.

Trial for Tinsukia district cricket team Sports Correspondent Tinsukia, Dec 12: The trials for the selection of Tinsukia District Senior and Under-16 cricket teams will be held on 14th December from 9 am onwards. Interested players are requested to report on time at the Tinsukia District Sports Association play ground.

Federer to join forces with Hingis at Rio Olympics ANI New Delhi: Swiss maestro Roger Federer has confirmed that he will team up with compatriot Grand Slam winning star Martina Hingis in the mixed doubles event of next year's Rio Olympics. The 17-time Grand Slam champion said that he would play with Martina in the mixed, adding that he was very excited about the pairing as he hadn't played with the latter in 15 years.

Federer joined forces with Hingis last in their victorious campaign at the Hopman Cup in Australia in 2001. The world number three secured his first Olympic gold medal when he teamed up with Stan Wawrinka in men's doubles event in Beijing in 2008. Federer also grabbed a silver medal after suffering a straight sets defeat to Andy Murray in London four years later.

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Agencies Mumbai: The IPL Players' draft to allow two new franchises based in Pune and Rajkot pick 10 players of their choice will be held at the Mumbai Cricket Association's clubhouse in the Bandra-Kurla Complex on December 15. "The draft pick is to be held at the BKC clubhouse starting at 12:15 pm on the 15th," a top BCCI source informed.

Sanjeev Goenka's New Rising won the bid for the Pune franchisee while Intex won for Rajkot after a reverse bidding process held in Delhi on December 8.

Goenka's company will shell out Rs 16 crores while Intex will pay Rs 10 crores to the BCCI. Pune will be given the choice to pick the play-

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DIBRUGARH, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

PAGE 12 TICKLE YOUR TASTE BUDS

Fruit Trifle Ingredients 1 tin stewed fruits Sponge cake bits to layer 1 cup custard powder 3 cups Milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla essence 1 bowl Jelly, any flavour Bourbon biscuits to layer Method Make the Jelly and Custard as per the the instructions on the packets.

In a flat bowl, layer the sponge cake with custard then bourbon biscuits, stewed fruits and finally the jelly.

Repeat these layers to fill the bowl.

Keep it in the refrigerator for sometime to set.

"Ruf & Tuf" to hit theatres soon A new full-length Assamese romantic movie titled 'Ruf & Tuf' is currently being filmed at various locations of Sonapur, Khetri, and Meghalaya. The film is directed by Mani Sinha and produced by Narendra N. Sinha under the banner of Norman Studio Works. The film's story-screenplay and dialogues have been penned by the director Mani Sinha himself. The story revolves around a boy and a girl of completely different character; the boy is a suspended police officer having a rough character and the girl, on the other hand, is a doctor of simple and sweet behavior.

But though they are totally different from each other, situations bring them closer to each other and love develops between them. Yet in their journey of love, they

face a lot of problems and difficulties and all they do to overcome this situation is what 'Ruf & Tuf' is all about.

Though it is of completely romantic film it also contains some heart-stopping action scenes directed by one of the popular action director of Assam, Pradhan dewri. The key role in the film has been essayed by Gunjan Bhardwaj, Gargi Kristi supported by Pran Krishna Mahanta, Satyen Sarma, Biren Hazarika, Anurupa Deka Raja, Jharna Bishoya, Rajen Neog, Bangkim Rabha, Gunajit Boro, Doli Rani Devi, Debojit Majumdar and Rupam Chakraborty. The music of the film has been scored by Rideep Das. This fully entertainment romantic movie is expected to hit the theatre next year.

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ET Special Coverage Poi Pee Mau 2110 – New Year Festival of Tai Khamptis kick-starts The annual new year celebrations of the Tai Khampti community in India commenced today at the festival ground in Nalung, near the Golden Pagoda of

Commissioner, Namsai as the chief guest. The chief guest greeted the Tai Khampti people on the occasion and in his address said, "Poi Pee Mau is the new year cel-

tage. He advocated better publicity so as to generate more awareness amongst the youths regarding their rich cultural heritage and at the same time serve as a

Young girls perform during the inaugural function of the festival. Pic - Chow Washina Manchey Namsai district. The Poi Pee Mau festival is celebrated by the Tai people worldwide marking the advent of a new year as per their lunar calendar. The three day fest which started today was graced by RK Sharma, Deputy

ebrations of the Tai people across the world and on this occasion wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year". Sharma in his address lauded the Tai Khamptis for striving towards sustaining its ethnic culture and heri-

medium for promotion of tourism. The attraction of the day was the traditional boat race where teams competed in the initial rounds today in wooden boats which are manually crafted. The boats are a unique feature in this

part of North Eastern India. The finals of the traditional boat race are to be held tomorrow afternoon. A public meeti n g w a s Indrajit convened yesterday on the eve of the festival by Tai Khampti Development Society (TKDS) in collaboration with the festival celebration committee where some important resolutions were passed as an initiative towards promoting the identity and culture of the Tai Khamti society.

The resolutions were submitted to the Deputy Commissioner in an 11 (eleven) point memorandum. The points covered a broad range of issues and needs ranging from social, environmental and cultural aspects. One of the points put forth in the memorandum was the request for notifying the Poi Pee Mau festival as a public or district holiday. Some of the other points were requests for the District Administration to ban and check sale or transfer of land to non-indigenous persons of Namsai district and for periodical checks and verification for strict implementation of ILP under the

provisions of BEFR 1873. The memorandum also sought complete ban on hunting wild animals in the whole disTingwa trict. It had also requested the DC Namsai to sanction five lakh rupees for creation of public utilities at the Nalung festival ground. While responding to the memorandum, DC Sharma assured to take steps for implementation and execution of the matters submitted through the memorandum as per relevant rules and regulations. He sought the cooperation of civil societies and public leaders in order to realise the implementation of the demands cited in the representation. He assured to sanction the rupees five lakhs as requested in the memorandum for public utilities within the current fiscal. The culture, cuisine and colourful Tai Khampti way of life are being showcased in the fest which concludes on December 14. Apart from the cultural displays, the delicious food is something to look out for in the fest.

A view from the traditional boat race. Pic - Chow Washina Manchey

A view from the traditional boat race. Pic - Chow Washina Manchey

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