14 december 2015, monday

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ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. 1

Issue 189

US, India Boost Security Ties in Defense Minister Visit

Dibrugarh, Monday, December 14, 2015

This Anger Inside Me Consumes Me Every Day, And I Don't Know How To Control It

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After the statement issued by the influential All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) that it would stall the proceedings of the ensuing Arunachal Pradesh assembly session which gets underway from December 16, the administration and police have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that there is no breakdown of law

to be of suspicious nature is being detained”, the official said. Meanwhile, AAPSU President Kamta Lapung has reiterated that they would go ahead with its agitation of storming into the assembly if the matters raised by the union are not discussed with prominence. “We are fully prepared and will go ahead. If we do not act now, it will be too late for us and the refugees will start dominating us”, Lapung said.

The AAPSU have demanded that the state government must necessarily move and pass a

bill against granting citizenship rights to the Chakma and Hajongs. Second, the union have demanded that all the forest areas of the state which had been encroached by the Chakma and Hajong refugees must be cleared by evicting the refugees. Third, the union had opposed the compensation to the Chakma and Hajong families who have been listed for compensation since they will be evicted for construction of the green airfield at Hollongi.

There are more than 200 families who have been listed for

In an accident, one Tata Mobile bearing no. AS23AC1872 owned by one RK Singh fell into a 20 metre deep ditch yesterday at around 5.30 pm. According to sources, the fateful vehicle had 6 (six) passengers on board who were returning to Joypur after Saturday market was closed at around 5.15 pm but unfortunately the fell

ET CAPSULES Road mishap claims two Jorhat, Dec 13: In an unfortunate bike-maruti van collision near Jorhat Military main gate on the Na-Ali Road last Saturday, two students lost their lives. The victims have been identified as one Uday Shankar Hazarika (17) a student of the Luit Valley Junior College studying in standard XI in the Arts stream, hailing from Kotoky Pukhuri area near ISBT, AT road Jorhat and one Pragyanav.

Pragyanav happened to be one year junior to Uday, and he was studying at Jorhat Government Boys HS School. (Correspondent)

Illicit relation leads to suicide attempt Golaghat, Dec 13: A friend betraying another friend has came to light in Numaligarh region of Golaghat district.

According to reports, a contractor in NRL named Alauddin Ali had close friendship with another man of the region named Jatin Ali. They both were engaged in the same business. As such, Alauddin visited the house of Jatin every now and then.

This led to illegal affair of Alauddin with Jatin's wife and they have been in relationship for the last few months. On 9th December, after Alauddin asked Jatin's wife to marry him instead, the mother of two children somehow committed suicide by consuming some poisonous liquid leaving behind a suicidal note. In critical condition, she was taken to Guwahati. On 10th December, the family members of Jatin lodged a complaint against Alauddin at Numaligarh PS but the Police is yet to take action.

(Correspondent)

off the main road near Catholic Church Road, Khonsa. Out of 6 (six) passengers, 4 sustained serious injury and were taken to District Hospital, Khonsa using a Catholic Church vehicle with help from police personnel. However, 2 (two) passengers including the driver are yet to be traced. As told by one police personnel Thanwang Sumpa, police search operation to track the two missing passengers is being carried out in full swing.

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The Government of Assam is going to introduce Inactivated Polio-Virus Vaccine (IPV), a vaccine in injectable form, on December 16 with the

The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to seek legal opinion on whether a governor can summon an Assembly session without the advice of the cabinet. The decision comes in the wake of state Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa preponing the winter session of the Assembly in an order issued on December 9 to pave the way for removal of Speaker Nabam Rebia after

Nabam Tuki

Paris Climate Change agreement adopted nearly 24 hours after official deadline A Staff Reporter New Delhi, Dec 13

The much anticipated Paris Climate Change agreement was adopted by all members of the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change at about 7:30 pm local time, nearly 24 hours after the official deadline of the Paris climate summit. The Paris agreement will now be open for ratification by each member nation from April 2016

onwards. The agreement has come after an intense two weeks of negotiations and represents a lot of compromises made, particularly by developing countries.

Contd. on Page 3

BJP advises Rahul Gandhi to undertake Assam ‘padyatra’ Rahul to instead undertake a padyatra across the length and breadth of Assam. "After all, the state is under Congress rule. Rahul Gandhi's two-day visit and one-day padyatra is nothing but a symbolic gesture.

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 13

The BJP today said AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi's two-day visit to the state would not be sufficient for him to understand the misery of people here. The saffron party advised

Rahul Gandhi

Majuli Sattradhikars to call on PM over UNESCO heritage tag ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 13

A two-member Sattradhikars (head priests) from two renowned Sattras of Majuli Island Sri Sri Dr. Pitambor Devo Goswami-Sattradhikar Auniati Sattra and Sri Sri Janardan Devo Goswami-Sattradhikar of Uttar Kamalabari Sattra among several other associate members from both the sattras will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road and Highway and Uma Bharti, Minister Water Resource, Government of India, at their respective offices in New Delhi on Monday, along with Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal who is the local MP for Majuli island near here. The Sattradhikars from Majuli shall impress

Health department all set to introduce Inactivated Polio-Virus Vaccine on Dec 16 ET Correspondent Lakhimpur, Dec 13

ET Bureau Itanagar, Dec 13

primary purpose of providing immunity against polio virus and reducing the risk of Vaccine Associated Paralytic Poliomyelitis (VAPP).

Contd. on Page 4

upon the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ministers Nitin Gadkari and Uma Bharti for construction of a bridge in between Majuli island to Neematighat at Jorhat and for permanent solution to save Majuli from flood and erosion and thirdly the issue for declaration of World heritage Site by UNESCO, which is most essential and if the paperwork could be done as required by the UNESCO, Majuli will really get the chance, as it is unique on the earth, informed Kamal Dutta sattra spokesman from Auniati Sattra. According to sources from the Ministry of Sports, the NDA government led by Narendra Modi has been taking special interest to do whatever possible for this unique island of sattras and its rich culture and to promote it as a tourist destination.

Wild tusker kills two

Contd. on Page 3

Crediting the "success" of Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe's visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Act East" policy, BJP today said bilateral agreements on civil nuclear energy, railways and others will boost economy and job growth in India. "BJP welcomes these historic agreements." Youth will be the direct beneficiaries of these agreements as apart from jobs created, 10,000 youngsters will

Contd. on Page 3

11 BJP MLAs and two independent members moved an impeachment motion notice against him. The state cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, in a meeting on Friday took serious note of the December 9 order re-scheduling the Assembly session from January 14 to December 16 and resolved to seek legal opinion on it, a statement by government spokesman Bamang Felix said today.

Contd. on Page 3

Pistol seized

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi unveiling the Logo and Mascot of the 12th South Asian Games at ITA Machkhowa.

A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 13

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today launched the Logo and Mascot of the 12th South Asian Games to be held in Guwahati and Shillong from 6 to 16 February, 2015 at a function held at ITA Machkhowa. The South Asian

Games being held in Assam and Meghalaya for the first time will be participated by eight countries and there will be 23 events that will feature in the games. Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Gogoi said that the games being organised for the first time in the region will be held in the beautiful and unique landscape of the North East and it would

be treat to the sportsperson of different countries. He also said, “North East is a full of diversities and we need to strengthen these diversities by promoting unity and South East Games would be the right platform to promote unity among South Asian Countries”.

Contd. on Page 4

MLTR performs in Guwahati on Dec 13 A Staff Reporter Guwahati, Dec 13

ET Correspondent Diphu, Dec 13

Khatkati police acting on a tip-off arrested one Zhipo Peter from Lahorijan weekly market with a 7.65 pistol and 5 bullets yesterday. Police claimed that the arrested person was carrying the weapon for delivering it to one prospective buyer when he was arrested.

Karbi Anglong has become a hub and major transit route of illegal arms since the last decade in spite of little success by police and army occasionally. The arsenal of the disbanded Karbi militant organization United Peoples Democratic Solidarity and Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front which have decommissioned, are said to be the reason behine illegal arms proliferation in the hills of Assam.

Guwahatians are upbeat today with the tune of the internationally renowned band Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR), which is performing today in the city. The band today painted the city with love.

“Let’s paint the city with loveeeee,” said Kare Wanscher, drummer of the band said. The performers are more than eager to be a part of the poly cultural ambience in this part of the country after rocking the capital on December 11. The event is organised

by Making It Happen (MIH), and is a pre-promo of METROPOLIS “Urban Winter Festival” 2016, in association with Northeast Today. Young guns of North East India, known for its fascination for music, are all geared up to wel-

also visit Japan in the next five years, said a statement by BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma. The 16 agreements signed including those related to Make in India, Bullet Train and civil nuclear energy, will prove to be important milestones in bilateral relations, it said. Through assistance from Japan's high speed 'Shinkansen' system, high speed trains will run in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, which is a historic decision, the statement said. Japan has also agreed to provide a package of USD 12 billion on easy terms for manufacturing in India and

has also expressed commitment to providing technical support, Sharma added in the statement. The visa on arrival facility for Japanese tourists will also give a boost to tourism in the country, Sharma emphasised. The statement also mentioned the "positive impact" of the progress made towards the proposed Japan Industrial Township (JIT). Foreign countries are keen to enter India under the 'Make in India' initiative because of the government's policies of zero tolerance towards corruption and encouraging the manufacturing sector, it said.

Members of the music band Michael Learns to Rock. come one of the most popular music bands of the world. The Danish band will be touring across many cities in India and is expected to sweep the crowd with their all time hits like Paint My Love, You Took My

Heart Away, Sleeping Child, Someday and many more.

MLTR’s India visit is part of their 25 th Live Anniversary Celebration Tour and they have performed in Mumbai, Contd. on Page 4

Will quit if BJP proves Satra land encroachment: Tarun Gogoi IANS Guwahati, Dec 13

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday offered to resign if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could prove that any illegal foreigner is encroaching upon the lands of Vaishnavite Satras (monasteries) in the state. "I`ll resign if they (BJP leaders) can prove that a single illegal foreigner is encroaching upon lands of Satras in Assam or they should resign. There is no encroachment on Satra lands and no Satra (monastery) has so far approached is complaining that their lands have been en-

croached by foreigners," Gogoi said during a press conference at Dispur. The Assam unit of the BJP recently criticised the Tarun Gogoi-led government for alleged largescale encroachment on Satra lands by illegal foreigners from Bangladesh. The chief minister said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has infiltrated into the state`s Satras and accused the BJP of playing politics on Satras. The Assam chief minister referred to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi`s visit to the Barpeta Satra during his road Contd. on Page 4

More hiring, better hikes on the cards: 2016 New Delhi, Dec 13

ET Correspondent Tezpur, Dec 13

Sensation prevails in Dhekiajuli and its adjoining areas as a wild tusker has been creating havoc till the filling of this report since this early morning killing two persons including a forest guard and livestock and damaging many dwellings.

Contd. on Page 4

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Tarun Gogoi launches 12th South Asian Games logo, mascot

BJP praises ‘historic’ agreements with Japan PTI New Delhi, Dec 13

Time for Delhi Govt. to wake up, ensure women's safety: Congress

compensation. “We are not opposed against some kind of a rehab package for them, but we oppose family wise compensation since it will entitle them to demand for citizenship rights”, the AAPSU President said. And finally, the AAPSU have demanded the recall of the governor since it is of the opinion that the governor will act in a biased manner in issues related to settlement of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh interstate border issues.

Vehicle carrying 6 Arunachal State Cabinet to seek legal passengers falls into ditch opinion on Assembly rescheduling ET Correspondent Khonsa, Dec 13

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Police calls in additional para military forces to ensure adequate security and order in the state capital.

The civil and police administration have also requisitioned the services of additional para military forces to boost the morale of the existing forces, a police official said. However, he declined to reveal the exact strength of the security forces which will be deployed in an around the assembly to ensure that nobody is able to break the security cordon. “Apart from throwing a security blanket, we have already put in barricades and are conducting regular checks. Any person found

5.00

India Inc's M&A deals at $31 bn in January-November: Grant Thornton

AAPSU to stall Arunachal assembly session A Staff Reporter Itanagar, Dec 13

Price -

High on hope street, the job market promises pay hikes in the range of 10-30 per cent and aggressive hiring by the private sector in 2016, but a push will need to come from e-commerce and 'Make in India'. Another boost can come from the Seventh Pay Commission, which will trigger a big hike in salaries of the gov-

HIGH ON HOPES AND JOB PROSPECTS Job market promises pay hikes in the range of 10-30 per cent and aggressive hiring by the private sector in 2016 Another boost can come from the Seventh Pay Commission, which will trigger a big hike in salaries of the government employees, and a domino's effect can be seen on pay packets of many in the private sector as well

HR experts forecast pay hikes of 12-15 per cent across various sectors, while top talent can look forward to up to 30 per cent increase in pay packets.

Some surveys have already pegged Indian companies as the most optimistic globally in terms of their hiring outlook for the new year

Leading quarterly hiring surveys also predict a bullish start for the year 2016 The plan to create 100 smart cities is expected to fuel the job growth further

ernment employees, and a domino's effect can be seen on pay packets of many in the private sector as well. As 2015 draws to a close, HR experts and headhunters feel green shoots were visible in the job market as hiring activities grew by nearly 10 per cent this year and broadly an upward trend was witnessed as the months passed by, Contd. on Page 4

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Dalam Studio Near parking stand Khonsa

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

Ex-servicemen rally held at Misamari Shambhu Boro Tezpur, Dec 13: An ex-servicemen rally was organized today at Misamari under Misamari PS in Sonitpur District by Army’s Blazing Sword division under 4 corps here. Besides district administration officials and officials from Banks and industries, the occasion was graced by the New GOC, 4 Corps. Addressing the event the GOC mentioned that welfare of retired soldiers has been an

important task of the Indian army. He emphasized on army’s resolve to ensure that the veterans are looked after well, as they are part of extended family even after hanging their uniform.

It is to be mentioned that one of the important highlights was felicitation of retired disabled soldiers, war widows and orphan children of ex-servicemen.

A total of 80 ex-servicemen and their dependents were felicitated which included

seven war widows, three war disabled soldiers, 13 disabled ex-servicemen and 11 orphan children of ex-servicemen. Special felicitation was accorded to the widows by the chairperson, family welfare organization, Blazing sword division. In connection with the rally, medical and dental check up by doctors of exservicemen’s contributory health scheme and medicine distribution was carried out. The veterans were

Kaler Kantho ex-deputy editor killed in road accident Dhaka Dec 13:Former deputy editor of the daily Kaler Kantho Abdullah Al-Faruk has been killed in a road accident in the capital's Kakrail area.

Faruk died at Square Hospital in Dhaka around 5am today.Deceased's son

Shamim told media that a truck knocked down his father while he was crossing a road in front of Hotel Rajmoni Ishakha around 1am.Faruk was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and then he was shifted to Square

Chhattisgarh govt. to release Rs. 134.60 cr for drought-hit farmers Raipur, Dec. 13: The Chhattisgarh Government has decided to release more than Rs. 134 crores as compensation for the drought affected farmers in the state.Barring Balodabazar and Sarguja districts, farmers from the remaining 25 drought-hit districts will be given compensation for the loss of crop.Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has directed all District Collectors to ensure timely distribution of relief and compensation to the

drought-affected farmers.

Following the announcement made by the Chief Minister, state government has released more than Rs. 134 crore as compensation. Priority will be given to the farmers who have suffered crop loss between 67 and 100 per cent. Directions have also been given by the government to set up 'Kisaan Mitaan' centers for giving necessary counselling to farmers in distress. This facility will be available on toll-free numbers. (ANI)

Saudi women go to polls for first time in landmark election London, Dec. 13 :Women in Saudi Arabia have cast their votes for the first time in the country's history for municipal elections. According to media, more than 5,000 men and about 980 women are standing as candidates for municipal council seats while at least 130,000 women have registered to vote, compared to 1.35 million men.The election, which does not have quotas for

female candidates, is widely regarded as a small but significant opening for women to play a more equal role in Saudi society.Not many women are expected to win seats because of the number of male candidates and because many had no previous experience running campaigns.

Many also said they could not afford the high cost of running a public campaign. (ANI)

Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 5am.On November 29, 2014, senior journalist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury was killed in a road accident in the capital's Karwan Bazar area.

(Agencies)

Cold wave grips Delhiites, minimum drops to 6.8 degree Celsius New Delhi, Dec.13: Delhiites woke up to a cold and foggy morning on Sunday with temperatures dropping to 6.8 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 15.7 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, people across India face the wrath of dipping mercury, as the cold wave further intensified in several parts of the country.Dense fog and biting cold and icy winds magnified the agony of people living on the streets, as most of them gathered around bonfires to fight the chill.In New Delhi, people were seen sitting around bonfires and drinking tea to brave the cold weather.Himachal Pradesh was also in the grip of cold wave as snowfall in the upper regions forced people to stay indoors.In higher altitudes, the temperature has even dropped to the subzero level, with some states witnessing lowest minimum temperatures.The temperature in the entire state has plummeted by five to six degrees below from the normal. The meteorology department is expecting snowfall during next week. (ANI)

DMC completes 11th road renovation works Dimapur, Dec 13: In continuation with the road-repair works in and around Dimapur, the Dim apur Municipal Council (DMC) has completed renovation and repairing of eleven roads in 2015. On Saturday, the 11th road (black topped-2667.5 sqm) at Police Colony ward no. 5, was inaugurated by chairman NIDC and MLA H. Tovihoto Aye.On the occasion, Tovihoto described the development activities initiated by DMC as a "bid achievement" accomplished during the 12-month period.

He said apart from road renovations works, many activities undertaken by DMC have been witnessed by the people and needed to be appreciated. All the developmental activities could be accomplished after state chief minister, T.R. Zeliang intervened and allotted toll taxes collection to DMC, said Tovihoto. He said NPF government was committed for the development of the state, and would continue to work for the welfare of the people. Earlier, NPF government was criticized for carrying out inaugurations of various projects, but the inaugurations was the result of tremendous development initiated by the government, added Tovihoto. He further appealed to the people to maintain and preserve the

roads and other infrastructures handed over to them by the government. DMC Administrator, H. Atokhe Aye highlighted the activities initiated by the DMC during the 12-month period. He acknowledged the support and cooperation of public and Dimapur based various civil societies.

Atokhe also said developmental activities were

undertaken with the blessing of the state government. He also assured that the DMC would undertake various other developmental works with the support of the government and the people.

Short speeches were delivered by DCCI president, Hokivi Chishi and GB police colony. (Agencies)

apprised about various resettlement schemes, educational avenues available to their children through army education welfare society and second employment avenues facilitated through army placement nodes for various central and state government posts. Lectures and presentations were also given by officials of micro, small and medium entrepreneurship. The stall of Jaipur Foot Association took care of artificial limb

requirement of retired disabled soldiers and disabled children of ex-servicemen free of cost. A special stall of National Population Register was also put up for NPR registration and Adhar card preparation for the EXSM. District Sainik welfare board, SBI, CPPC branch of SBI district administration officials were also present at the programme to address the grievances of the EXSM.

Effigy of Haryana Chief Minister burnt as a mark of protest ET Correspondent Sonepat, Dec 13: In protest against cancelling the official invitation to Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda for participation in the Bhoomi Poojan ceremony of National Cancer Institute at Badhsa village in Jhajjar district on Saturday, the effigy of Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar at Subhash Chowk was burnt here today. Congress MLAs Jai Tirth Dahiya, Jagbir Malik and Jaiveer Singh, state president of Mahila wing of HPCC, Sumitra Chauhan, former district president, Pradeep Gautam and many other party office bearers were among those who participated in the protest.

Talking to the media persons on the occasion, MLAs

alleged that it was perhaps the first time that when an official invitation was cancelled. “The incident was not only an insult of the people who elected Deepender Singh Hooda as their representative in the Lok Sabha, but was also against the protocol of inviting the local MP,” they said, adding “The people will keep such incidents in mind.” Earlier, they held a meeting here at the Congress Bhawan and discussed about the Dharna to be staged by the former Haryana CM, Bhupinder Singh Hooda at the local mini secretariat on December 18 in protest against the steep hike in electricity bills and fleecing of the farmers in paddy procurement during this season.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was alive in 1966, met ex-PM Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent?

Agencies New Delhi, Dec 13: A forensic face-mapping report submitted by a British expert, which is yet to be wholly ascertained, has found strong resemblance of a man – sharing space with the former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri in a photograph clicked in Tashkent – with that ofNetaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The report, if proven authenticated, can act as a concrete evidence in the case that Netaji was alive even two decades after he was formally declared dead in an alleged plane crash.

The research team has urged PM Narendra Modi to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to disclose the truth during his visit to Moscow later this month, The Times of India claims.

The TOI further quoted Neil Miller, who has presented expert opinion in cases at UK high courts and the International Court of Justice in Hague, as saying that the face mapping of the mystery man seen in the Tashkent "lends support leaning on strong support to the contention that the person seen in the picture and Subhas Chandra

Bose are one and the same person". The facemapping report may also revive controversies surrounding the sudden demise of Shastri in Tashkent in 1966. It is believed that Shastri had reportedly called his family before his death and had told his kin that he would make some big revelation after returning to India that would divert the country's attention from the contentious Tashkent declaration. It is also claimed by the activists demanding declassification of Netaji files that Shastri wanted to set up a second inquiry commission to investigate the mystery behind Netaji's disappearance which had not gone down well with an influential section of the ruling party. Miller had examined the evidence for a month and then submitted a 62-page report last month where he noted that there were noticeable similarities in the facial features including ears, eyes, forehead, nose, lips and chin. The differences like hairline could be attributed to image quality, capture angles and items such as glasses and clothing that mask certain areas, TOI reports.

Congress workers leave for New Delhi to press for separate statehood ET Correspondent Diphu, Dec 13: In their fight for statehood demands, a train-load of Congress workers, about 1000, both men and women, left Guwahati railway station yesterday to stage a demonstration at New Delhi demanding granting of Statehood under the provision of Article 3 of the constitution of India. The program has been deliberately scheduled to coincide with the Winter Session of the Parliament. The workers were seen off at the Guwahati Railway Station by the Deputy Chairman of KAAC Mr. Surjya Rongphar, the Chief Executive Member Tulitam Ronghang, Con-

gress District Coordinator and Executive Member Mongol Sing Timung and a number of other EMs. Ahead of the departure, the CEM Mr. Tuliram told that no one should ever say that the Congressmen of Karbi Anglong are not demanding statehood. Since statehood issue runs across all parties, every group and party should contribute their mite to focus the issue nationally and Congress is doing just that, he added. Meanwhile, reactions are coming thick and fast ridiculing the sudden move of the Congress as a political gimmick ahead of the Assembly election.

BJP leader in charge of Diphu area Ramsing

Timung termed it as Drama Part-II and called it an illfated political stunt. “They have no statehood agenda but only election agenda, what have they done during the last 10 years of Congress rule at the Centre, are not they only enjoying the fruit of power?” He enquired.

When asked what drama No. 1 was, he tried to steer clear of a direct answer apparently because even the then BJP president Rajnath Singh, now the country’s Home Minister also did his part of the drama for votes.

Some critics have questioned the legal stand of Congress leaders demanding statehood reminding them that during the last ten

years of Congress rule they did not feel the need to demonstrate in Delhi for Statehood but were busy building Italian building for themselves while other Congress critics asked them not to play politics with and make fun of people’s aspirat i o n . S o m e , h o w e v e r, have reasoned that no group should monopolize on the Statehood issue and if the Congress wants to carry forward the movement to the Capital city which the state demand groups like the HSDC have so far failed to do, they should be appreciated for doing it.

Children participate at art competition at 'Nagaon Book Fair-2015' organized by Sanskritik Gosthi Kallol in collaboration with district administration at Nehrubali in Nagaon on today. Pic - UB Photos

ASTRO FOR YOU You have chosen to pay more attention to the voice of your inner self. You crave for perfection in everything you do. You will be practical and rational.

Being a bit adventurous will help.

This day promises to be like any other. You will, as usual, begin by attending to home chores and then get caught up in your hectic office schedule. Later in the day you will feel an urge to take time off and indulge in some socializing. You could, finally, be meeting your loved ones, your close friends and having a great time together. This will be a good way to end the day.

You will feel all warm and fuzzy owing to the love, care and concern bestowed upon you by your near and dear ones. This is all owing to the good karma you have gathered in the past. You will be busy with finances in the evening, however, do not let money be a factor when it comes to family and relatives.

The day begins with worship and havan. In the evening, guests will throng your house for a celebration You will feel sad as your trusted ones will not give you a vital clue or some important information promptly. Ganesha advises you keep away from other’s affairs.

You will be in the mood to dig up old happenings and problems. You need to let go of the past and concentrate on your future. Academic pursuits will increase and love is likely to bloom. You need to bring a measure of understanding into your personal relationships.

You will enjoy the freedom of a bird today. There will be no conditions, neither in your domestic life nor in your professional life. This will give a muchneeded boost to your levels of confidence. However, the high expectations could bog you down.

Today you will spend time with close friends or beloved people. Your romantic nature will surely please the opposite sex. By evening your imagination will be at its peak.

A systematic organiser and a perfect planner, that’s what you are, when it comes to work. This attitude of yours would help you develop fondness towards your work. You may even have the knack of solving problems and hurdles in the professional field.

You seem to be impressed by the handicrafts and plan to take it up as your business. You are a family person and give much attention to your loved ones.

You may be smitten by love-bug as passion and intimacy give rise to romance.

The first half of the day is not a favourable time to launch anything. If you have already planned a launch, try to postpone it to the second half of the day. If you are adamant to launch the product as per the schedule, be ready to face the consequences. The results may not be as per your expectations. Nevertheless, you will be ahead of your competitors.

Not everyday is the same day, and today will be one of those unfavourable days. Don’t get disheartened if things don’t turn out as per your expectations, as times will change. Be optimistic and enjoy life to deal with difficult times.

Also, don’t enter into war of words with anybody at work or home; it may harm your important relationships.

The day will start off on a sour note for you. But as the day progresses you will find your mood elevated. If you wish to progress in life, you need to stop minor setbacks from upsetting you disproportionately. Keeping your emotions in check will be vital for taking critical decisions and in meeting your deadlines today.

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

14-12-15 (MONDAY) 5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti (Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Classical Music 7-15 A.M-Aajir Dinto (Morning Information Service) 7-30 A.M-Geetanjali (Assamese Modern Song) 8-35 A.M-Surar Panchoi (Composite Programme of Assamese Film Songs) 9-05 A.M- Antara (Composite Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 12-05 P.M-Ramdhenu (Request Programme of Hindi Film Songs) 1-10 P.M-Troops Programme 2-30 P.M-Western Music Programme 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 7-15 P.M-Yuvavani (Youth Programme) 7-45 P.M-Sponsored Programme-"Ei Poth Hoise Bikashor" 8-00 P.M-Drama 8-30 P.M-Talk in Assamese 9-30 P.M- Mandakini Sd-/H.O.P

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DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

Mumbai double murder: No detentions so far, investigation underway

Vikram Deshmane Mumbai, Dec. 13 (ANI): Investigation is underway into the sensational double murder case of high profile artist Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer Harish Bhambani whose bodies were found in a drain in Kandivali.

"We received information around 7:30 in the evening yesterday that two dead bodies are lying in a drain, wrapped in plastic looking very suspicious. Our officers went to the spot and verified the bodies," District Commissioner of Police Vikram Deshmane told the media here.

Asserting that the circumstances indicated clearly that it was a case of murder, the DCP added that a case has been registered with the Kandivali Police station under IPC section 302 and 210 against unknown persons.

"The bodies were identified yesterday as Harish Bhambani who was 65

years old, lived in Matunga and was a lawyer by profession and Hema Upadhyay, 45 years old who was an artist by profession and stayed at Juhu Tara road. We will determine the cause of death once after the post-mortem results come out. But it's a clear case of murder," Deshmane said.

He added that marks of injuries on the bodies have been noted further probe will reveal the details of the case.

However, the police has not detained or arrested anyone in the case so far, even though inquiries have been made with various persons.

Earlier in 2013, Bhambani had represented Hema in a case after she filed harassment complaints against her husband Chintan and alleged that he had painted obscene sketches on the walls of her room. (ANI)

Mumbai: High profile artist and her lawyer found dead in drain Kandivali, Dec. 13 (ANI): The police have identified two dead bodies that were found in a drain in Kandivali in Mumbai on Saturday as those of high profile artist Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer Harish Bhambani.

According to reports, the two bodies, after being hacked to pieces were packed in sealed in cardboard boxes after being wrapped in plastic and then were thrown into a drain.

Police sources claim that they are quite close to solve the case and detailed information regarding to the gruesome mur-

Contd. from Page 1

“The Governor JP Rajkhowa is from Assam; he will naturally think about

Contd. from Page 1

der will be revealed on Monday. Earlier in 2013, Bhambani had represented Hema in a case after she filed harassment

complaints against her husband Chintan and alleged that he had painted obscene sketches on the walls of her room. (ANI)

tion has moved over the Maldives.

There was sunshine in most parts of the state. Meteorological department has forecast no heavy rain for the next few days in

the southern state.

Schools and colleges which were closed for almost a month in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuarm and Cuddalore will be reopen tomorrow.

Now 23,000 cusecs of water is flowing into Sri Vaikuntam Dam and only if the inflow increases to 50,000 cusecs there will be flooding of the Thamaraparani r i v e r.

In Thootthukudi three NDRF teams and army teams are still deployed to face any emergency situation that arises. (ANI)

12,822 appear for B.ED exam but 20,097 pass in Agra Agra, Dec.13 (ANI): In an astounding case of forgery, over 20,000 students have reportedly cleared the B.ED exams while only 12,822 were enrolled as regular students from B.R Ambedkar University in Agra.

"The case is of the 201314 session of the Ambedkar University when Gorakhpur's Din Dayal Upadhyay College was given the responsibility for B.ED admissions. Around

B.R Ambedkar University.

13349 students came into the university through counseling process and were allotted in 190 colleges affiliated with Ambedkar University," University PRO, Professor Manoj Srivastava told ANI. "But when the B.ED examinations were announced, the number of students that applied was much higher, roughly around 5000. At that point of time, the Chancellor had denied them from giving the

exams," he added.

He asserted that 20, 097 students had taken the exams which included only 12,822 students which were there in counseling.

"It is now to be examined whether the High Court's order is applicable to all or not. It is the decision of the Chancellor that only result of only those candidates would be announced who got admitted through counseling," he said. (ANI)

Pakistan: Around 20 World class academic institution killed, 55 injured in must for becoming top nation, says President Mukherjee clothes market blast

Lahore, Dec. 13 (ANI): Around 20 people were killed and several were injured on Sunday in a blast at a clothes market in Kurram Agency's Parachinar area in Pakistan.

According to the Dawn, out of the 55 people who have been injured, more than 15 victims are in critical condition.

The second-hand clothes market was bustling with activity as shoppers were busy purchasing winter clothes when the explo-

sion happened.

"It was a timed device bomb. Around 30 to 35 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast," a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) official told Dawn. A probe is underway into the blast and security forces cordoned off the area. Meanwhile, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, however, two suspects have reportedly been taken into custody from the blast site. (ANI)

Kolkata, Dec. 13 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday highlighted the transformation brought about by technological advancements in the educational sector.

"Internet, mobile phones and TV have transformed the world. There are no longer any territorial limitations. Technology and eclassrooms can be used to access best of teachers anywhere. This will help address the problem of faculty shortages," he said while delivering the Debranjan Mukherjee Memorial Lecture in Kolkata.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said India cannot aspire to become one of the top nations in the world and sit at the high table of the international comity without having world class academic institutions.

He said physical infrastructure for higher education has expanded fast in India in recent years.

"We have 712 universities and over 36,000 colleges, but not a single Indian institution figured in the top

the benefit of Assam only”, Lapung said. The Supreme Court of India had constituted a high power commit-

tee to discuss and settle the age old interstate border issues between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal State Cabinet to seek legal opinion on Assembly rescheduling

Flood hit TN heaves sigh of relief, schools to reopen tomorrow

Chennai, Dec. 13 (ANI): In a relief to the residents of the flood hit Tamil Nadu, there was only isolated rain in southern districts of the state as the upper air circula-

AAPSU to stall Arunachal assembly session

200 rankings till recently.

There was a time when India played a dominant role in the higher education system and we had renowned seats of learning like Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri.

India now has to work towards regaining that glory of the past," he said.

The President said as visitor to large number of institutions of higher learning, he has been regularly convening conferences and emphasising on the need to improve international rankings.

"The basic problem is not lack of merit on the part of our higher learning institutions but technicalities and our not providing relevant information to the international rating agencies," he added.

President Mukherjee said he was happy that institutions are now taking the ranking process more seriously in a proactive and systematic manner.

"Faculty and student exchanges should be regularly organized. Novel

ideas that can be transformed into marketable products should be supported and higher education institutions should in association with grassroots entrepreneurs create incubation centres," he said.

The President said India has been traditionally a fossil fuel driven energy economy and highlighted the need to develop solar energy and other alternate energy to reduce dependence on hydro carbons.

"The order has raised important Constitutional issues regarding functioning of the state legislature and government as well as the role of the governor," the statement said. Meanwhile, a Raj Bhawan release said this morning that the governor had taken opinion from legal experts including the state's addi-

tional advocate general, several advocates of High Court and Supreme Court and other legal experts in parliamentary functioning as well as Constitutional experts before taking the decision. The release also said that the December 9 order for tabling a resolution seeking the Speaker's removal was issued under the first proviso to article 179(c) of the Constitution. "It is a

Constitutional obligation on the part of the governor to ensure that the resolution for removal of the Speaker is expeditiously placed before the Legislative Assembly," the release said. It also said that not following of the Constitution by the governor would send wrong a message to the people, particularly to those who had filed the notice.

Paris Climate Change agreement adopted nearly 24 hours after official deadline Contd. from Page 1

Developing countries have got ‘words’ and promise of money while developed countries have finally got rid of their historical responsibility of causing climate change. They have no legally binding targets on finance or emissions cuts. “The phrase ‘historical responsibility’ has been erased from the agreement and this weakens the obligations of developed countries to take actions due to their past emissions. Without historical responsibility, equity will now be interpreted only through the words ‘respective capabilities and national circumstances’ further removing differentiation between the climate actions of developed and developing countries,” says Chandra Bhushan,

deputy director general, CSE. To erase any notion of historical responsibility, the developed countries have gone to the extent of mentioning in the text that the loss and damage due to climate change “does not involve or provide a basis for any liability or compensation”. The Agreement is under the UN Convention. India has got right words like equity and common but differentiated responsibilities mentioned in many places. It has also got terms like climate justice, sustainable lifestyle and consumption mentioned. But it must be noted that these are not in operational parts of the text and so there are no commitments for these things.

India also believes that it will not have to do much before 2030, but CSE analyses is that In-

dia will be under constant pressure to take more burden for mitigating climate change by 2020 and beyond, especially when the next review of all the nationally determined contributions of countries take place. “On the whole, the draft Paris agreement continues to be weak and unambitious, as it does not include any meaningful targets for developed countries to reduce their emissions. It notes that climate injustice is a concern of some and it maintains that the agreement will be under the UN convention.

But as it does not operationalize equity and the term carbon budget didn’t even find mention in the text.

This will end up furthering climate apartheid,” says Sunita Narain, director general, CSE.

BJP advises Rahul Gandhi to undertake Assam ‘padyatra’ Contd. from Page 1

Let the AICC vicepresident undertake an extensive padyatra from Sadiya on the eastern end of the state to Dhubri on the western. Only then will he be able to understand the extent of the state government's failure," BJP spokesperson Shiladitya Dev said. The saffron party observed a 'black day' across Assam on Friday to protest against police action on party activists during Wednesday's 'Dispur

gherao'. The party staged sit-in demonstrations in district headquarters across the state and accused the state government of intolerance.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi, however, dismissed BJP's allegations and said they have been proved wrong by the NDA government's report in which Assam ranked sixth in terms of gross state domestic product (GSDP). Gogoi said the report, brought out by the Union ministry of statistics and programme implementa-

tion, points to the fact that the state government has been able to improve its GSDP vis-àvis development activities. He added that the state's GSDP growth (at current prices) in 201415 stands at 15.26%. National general secretary of BJP and Assam incharge Ram Madhav met members of the party's information technology cell on Friday. He will also have a meeting on preparations for party president Amit Shah's December 19 visit to Silchar, sources said.

The President fondly remembered Shri Debranjan Mukherji who taught him for four years in Suri Vidyasagar College.

The Memorial Lecture has been instituted in the memory of Late Debranjan Mukherji, an influential figure who taught Bengali language and literature. He served in Suri Vidyasagar College, Guskara Mahavidyalaya, Bidhanchandra College at Asansol and the University of Burdwan, where he later became the Head of the Department of Bengali. (ANI)

Smriti Zubin Irani, (middle) Union Minister of Human Resource Development along with other dignitaries releasing a book during the 10th M.K. Baruah Memorial Lecture on the topic â•œEducation as a Tool for Women's Empowerment in Our Societyâ•• organized by New Art Players, celebrating Diamond Jubilee Year 2014-15 at Mamma Margaret Auditorium, Don Bosco School, Panbazar in Guwahati.. Pic - UB Photos

PAGE 4

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

Prof. UB Pandey to receive Chaganlal Jain award ET Correspondent Diphu, Dec 13: Professor Uday Bhanu Pandey has been nominated as recipient of the prestigious Chaganlal Jain literary award conferred

by Marwari Yuva Manch north east zone at a function to be held at Tezpur on December 25. Prof.

UB Pandey is retired principal of Diphu Government College and served as head of the department of English.

Prof. Pandey has more than a dozen published literary works in English and Hindi, he has written a number of fictions, collection of stories, translations and articles.

A collection of Karbi folk stories by Prof Pandey will be soon published by Sahatya Academy. “It is high time to take local literature with superior quality to the national level and put immense highlight upon it,” Prof.

Pandey said after receiving the information.

Chaganlal Jain literary award carries Rs. 11,000/- and a citation.

Hundreds of his students have expressed satisfaction about the decision of Marwari Yuva Manch to felicitate Prof.

Pandey.

‘Ghoos Barga and Prakhando Patha Sanchalok’ programme ET Correspondent Margherita, Dec 13: The ‘Ghoos Barga and Prakhando Patha Sanchalok’ Programme organized by Rashtriya Swam Sevak Sangha (RSS) at Margherita which started on 11 December concluded today. On the concluding day, more than 100 Karyakartas of RSS took part in Padyatra which started from RSS office situated at Vineer Mill Bazaar Margherita and performed various drills and musical renditions at Margherita Public Higher Secondary

Playground. Many RSS leaders including KK Ullahasan Ji Tinsukia District RSS Pracharak, Kishore Thakuria, Rintu Bhattacharjee, Sajal Das, Ajay Manki, Ajay Tanti, Suren Boro, Keshav Chandra Dey, CP Gautam, Sanjit Tanti, Dipankar Paul (Bhanu), Khukan Paul, Kusumbar Gogoi, Munindra Gogoi, Chandan Saikia (RSS Bodhik Promukh), Surojit Bora Secretary of Hindu Jagaran Mancha Tinsukia District Committee and many students who newly joined

RSS attended he programme. CP Gautam senior RSS leader of Margherita said that RSS is a friendly and trusted organisation of the country but some people with vested interests are trying to malign the image of RSS. Meanwhile, CP Gautam said that there are some people who compare RSS with terrorist organisation which is condemnable. Veteran BJP leader of Margherita Krishna Kumar Saikia was also present at today’s programme.

Farmers harvest ripened paddy at cultivation field in Dibrugarh. Pic - UB Photos

GOC, Red Horns stress on online registration of ex servicemen Mayukh Goswami Mangaldai, Dec 13: Major General CP Mahanty, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Red Horns Army today called for proper registration of all the ex-servicemen and their families.

He stressed the need of introducing online techniques for a speedy and correct means of registration process much to the convenience of ex servicemen living in remote areas. He was addressing an ex-servicemen (ESM) rally as the chief guest here at the Zila Sainik Board campus.

Terming the ex servicemen as part of the Army family, the GOC said, “You are our past and we are your present. We are always ready to serve whenever

GOC ,Maj,Gen CP Mahanty (centre) distributing aids to an widow of ex serviceman. you call for it.” The rally being organized by Army camp Chapai here under the aegis of Red Horns’ Divi-

sion was also addressed by Col Dilip Duwara (retd) from the Directorate of Sainik Welfare Board,

Assam and Bidyut Bikash Bhagawati, SDO (Sadar), Mangaldai among others who elaborated on various welfare facilities available to the ex servicemen, their widows, family members etc at the government level and how to avail them. Earlier Commanding Officer of Army Camp Chapai explained the objectives of this rally attended by several hundred ex servicemen from Darrang and Udalguri including other senior army officials, local prominent citizens and media persons.

The rally also featured a direct interactive session between the participating ex servicemen and senior officials from Army and Sainik Welfare Board so that their grievances could be prop-

Health department all set to introduce Bhakt Ram Pal supporters demand CBI inquiry Inactivated Polio-Virus Vaccine on Dec 16 Sachin Sehrawat Sonepat, Dec 13: A number of supporters of Bhakt Ram Pal who has been lodged in Hisar jail since November 14, 2014 today reached at the residence of the Haryana Urban local bodies Minister, Kavita Jain and submitted a memorandum demanding CBI inquiry of the cases registered against him.

They alleged that the people with vested interests had conspired against

Bhakt Ram Pal and he should not become victim of such conspiracy. “It is the duty of the government to save the innocent persons,” they added. After receiving the memorandum, BJP’s state vice president, Rajiv Jain said that there would be impartial inquiry of the cases and there would be no injustice in the matter. However, he appealed to them to keep faith in judicial proceedings.

Wild tusker kills two Contd. from Page 1

It is noteworthy that a wild tusker came out from the Dhekiajuli Tea Estate this morning at around 5.30 am and entered the Dhekiajuli gaon, and Industrial area under ward No. 10 of Dhekiajuli town and created mayhem among the

people. Later the wild elephant entered the Tarajan Bengali area under the Dhekiajuli PS where it damaged few dwellings and killed livestock. On receiving the information forest guard rushed to the spot and fired few rounds of bullets to push back the wild elephant but to no avail.

Contd. from Page 1

The vaccine will be introduced in Lakimpur District too on that very day and the District Health Department is all ready to go. This vaccination program will be continued simultaneously with the ongoing routine immunization program that is Oral Polio-Virus Vaccine (OPV). As per the instruction of the State Health Department, one dose of IPV will be administered intramuscularly in the anterolateral aspect of right mid-thigh using an AD syringe to fourteen week old babies on the same day when he or she will be administered the third dose of OPV. It is to be noted that Poliomyelites,

widely known as polio, is one of the most contagious and fatal diseases. It not only paralyses the human resource infecting during childhood but also affects the national economics and social life. Though India was declared Polio-free country on 27 March, 2014 by virtue of Routine Immunization Programs, there are still cases of Polio in the African country Nigeria and the neighbouring country Pakistan and Afganistan. In such circumstances, there was a fear of the re-emergence of polio in India in the coming days till the time even one case of Polio exists in the world.

Therefore the introduction of IPV has been taken up nationwide.

The IPV vaccine further

strengthens the immune system and provides protection by preparing children's bodies to fight against the polio-virus.

IPV is highly expensive.

Under routine immunization program, IPV along with all other vaccines are provided free of cost to the beneficiaries by the Government.

Each dose of IPV costs around Rs 120. A 5-dose vial costs around Rs 600.

It will be available in all the Health Centers and the Hospitals of the State Health Department. Dr Gunin Kumar Gogoi, the District Immunisation Officer and Dr Jogananda Das, the Additional Chief Medical Officer appealed to the people of Lakhimpur to extend their support to make the program success.

More hiring, better hikes on the cards: 2016 Contd. from Page 1

barring a few blips around May-June. Data compiled by various agencies show that the companies have doled out average pay hikes of 10-12 per cent this year while the average increment has been higher at about 25 per cent for the top talent. For the coming year, HR experts forecast pay hikes of 12-15 per cent across various sectors, while top talent can look forward to up to 30 per cent increase in pay packets.

Some surveys have already

pegged Indian companies as the most optimistic globally in terms of their hiring outlook for the new year, while the most of the hiring activities are expected in the e-commerce and Internet-related sectors, as also in the manufacturing space as the companies wait for the Make in India projects to hit the ground. Experts said the job market remained a mixed bag in 2015 but it was definitely better than the previous year as many companies pumped up hiring activities on expectations that the promises of a

better investment climate and the government push to manufacturing industry will soon start bearing fruit.

Leading quarterly hiring surveys also predict a bullish start for the year 2016.

Initiatives like Make in India can entail significant job creation in the manufacturing, automation sectors in the coming year. The plan to create 100 smart cities is expected to fuel the job growth further. HR experts believe that the bullishness in hiring activities is expected to get even better and companies would dole out double-

digit salary hikes to attract the right talent. In order to attract and retain key talent, the companies will need to go for higher pay and also deal with issues emanating from the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.

According to a TimesJobs.com survey, over 70 per cent private sector employees regret working in the private sector following the proposed 23.55 per cent salary hike for the government staff.

The key hiring trends of 2015 were higher use of social media and technology especially among start-ups

and e-commerce firms and increased focus of companies on employee retention and this trend will continue next year as well. Meanwhile, the quality of talent in India remains a serious concern and there is immediate need for preparing and training resources as per industry demands. India is reportedly among the top-five countries in terms of talent shortage with around 61 per cent employers facing difficulties in finding candidates with right skills.

(Agencies)

erly addressed. Moreover a good number of stalls were set up to facilitate ex-servicemen with a view to address problems related to their registration for various pension entitlements, medical and health, rehabilitation, re-employment and bank assistance. It also witnessed felicitation of ex-servicemen and war widows as well as distribution of aids and cash benefits. Doctors of military hospitals and local health department conducted a free medical checkup camp for the beneficiaries while prominent young Radio singer Pranjal Sarma enthralled the audience with a couple of his renderings with patriotic fervor.

ICDS Supervisors Welfare Association submits memo ET Correspondent Sonepat, Dec 13: A delegation of the ICDS Supervisors Welfare Association led by the Association’s state president, Sabita today met with the Haryana Social Welfare Minister, Kavita Jain at minister’s residence here to hand over memorandum of their demands to the minister.

The main demands included equal pay scales, withdrawal of charge sheets against the Supervisors and Child Devel-

opment Project Officers, travelling and mobile allowances, early finalizing of ACP cases pending at the state headquarter etc. Minister said that the government was considering their demands seriously. “As woman and concerned minister, I can understand their demands.

I will convene a meeting of the Supervisors and officers at Chandigarh soon, “she said and added that the Supervisors were the backbone of the Social Welfare department.

Tarun Gogoi launches 12th South Asian Games logo, mascot Contd. from Page 1

He also said that the State Government would do everything possible for making the South Asian Games a grand success. Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said North East bears the testimony of being culturally rich and hospitable and these would go a long way in making the South Asian Games a success.

Meghalaya Sports Minister Zenith Sangma also spoke on the occasion.

Agriculture Minister Rakibul Hussain, Sports

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi (right) addresses a press conference at the conference hall of Assam Secretariat, Dispur.

Minister Ajit Singh, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, President Indian Olympic Association N. Ramachandran,

Secretary, Sports Govt of India Rajib Yadav and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

MLTR performs in Guwahati on Dec 13 Contd. from Page 1

Shillong and Delhi during their earlier visit to the country. As Guwahati is all set to welcome the popular rock band MLTR, let us also refresh our memories about the origin of the band and have a glimpse at how it all began. Way back in the year 1988, Jascha Richter, the vocalist and

the keyboard player of the band, planned to put up a band together in order to perform his songs.

He joined Kåre Wanscher, his high school friend and drummer and later he recruited guitarist Mikkel Lentz, who was at that time, associated with his group the ‘Rocking Studs’. As the group was still in need of another musi-

cian, they approached Søren Madsen, another guitarist who was associated with Led Zeppelin, the English Rock band, to join in on bass guitar.

The newly formed band quickly recorded a demo tape, intending to send it to the Rock Grand Prix competition in their hometown, Aarhus, as Jascha Richter already had a number of original songs.

Will quit if BJP proves Satra land encroachment: Tarun Gogoi Contd. from Page 1

show on Saturday and said that the BJP and RSS

GREF 2nd Day, Border Road Organisation Women Welfare Association meet inaugurated by Mrs. Nirupama Mehta by lighting the lamp while Udayak Darpan was released by Mr. UC Mehta, Cheif Engineer Project Udayak on the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebration at HQ Doomdooma. Pic - Dinesh Goyal

had incited a section of the people in the ancient Vaishnavite Satra to oppose Rahul Gandhi`s visit.

"We came to know about this. The BJP and the RSS encouraged a section of the women to sit near Barpeta Satra on Saturday to oppose Rahul Gandhi`s visit.

That is why Rahul Gandhi did not enter the Satra yesterday (Saturday) in the beginning of his road show.

However, he later came and entered," said Gogoi. A section of the people, particularly women had protested near the Barpeta Satra on Saturday as the Congress leader did not enter the historical Satra and started the road show even without bowing be-

fore the Satra. They later alleged that Rahul Gandhi had insulted the people of Assam by not entering the over 500-year-old monastery. Gogoi also slammed the BJP for resorting to false propaganda against the Congress ahead of the 2016 assembly polls. "The BJP has no issues; so they are spreading false propaganda against us to win the elections. Whatever they do, we are going to win as the people of Assam are politically very mature," he said. "In the past, the people of Assam have voted against us. We are going to fight the polls on peace and development agenda," the chief minister added.

Kidnapped Meghalaya police constable's body found in pit

The body of a Meghalaya police constable found in pit Shillong, Dec 13:The body of a Meghalaya police constable, who was kidnapped by militants of proscribed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) more than a month ago, was found buried in a pit in North Garo Hills district on Saturday. District police official said that the pit at remote Ronrong village was located by a search team following information by villagers and the body was dug out in the afternoon.36 year-old Khomraj Bhattrai, who was posted in East Garo Hills district, was abducted at gun-point near Thapa Darenchi village in North Garo Hills district

on November 6 along with Musulu Ali, a resident of Krishnai village in Assam's Goalpara district.Ali returned home on November 19 unharmed. Police suspected that the constable could have been killed on the same day he was taken hostage, the officer said.The body has been taken to Mendipathar for post-mortem before being handed over to his family, he added.Meanwhile, a wanted GNLA militant surrendered to the police on Saturday in North Garo Hills district. He also surrendered a 7.65 mm pistol with live ammunition. (Agencies)

LF wins landslide victory in Tripura civic polls Agartala, Dec 13:The ruling Left Front in Tripura has won a landslide victory in the election to 20 civic bodies in the state, including the 49member Agartala Municipal Corporation.The CPI-M-led LF bagged 45 out of the 49 wards of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) leaving only four to opposition Congress, member secretary to the state election commission, Tamal Mazumder said.In the civic polls held on December 9, the LF candidates secured absolute majority in 13 municipal councils and six nagar panchayats in the state, he said.Altogether, elections were held in 310 seats in 20 civic bodies in which Left Front candidates won 291 and the opposition Congress secured 13 seats and BJP just 4. The rest two were

won by independent candidates.This was the first time that BJP won seats in civic bodies.Of the 291 seats won by LF candidates CPI-M won 279, CPI five, RSP 6 and Forward Bloc just one seat.Convener of Left Front Committee and CPI-M central committee member Khagen Das congratulated the people of the state for LF's thumping majority."It is people's verdict for Left Front's good governance and relentless endevour for peace, tranquility and development," he said.Agartala Municipality was elevated to the status of Agartala Municipal Corporation two years back.

The civic body was formed in princely Tripura state in 1871 during the reign of Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya. (Agencies)

PAGE 5

REGION

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

ASAK militants surrender

Tura, Dec 13: As many as six militants belonging to the ASAK outfit have surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Tura, this week.ASAK militants Amson A Sangma (40) and Jatson R Marak (27)of Tebronggre, Dillat R Marak (19) and Sepson Ch Marak (26) of Mengotchiggre, gave themselves up to the law following sustained pressure on them due to the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Dadenggre sub-division area of West Garo Hills.

All four surrendered cadres have been taken into police custody for further

investigation even as police mention that efforts continue to nab other accomplices and recover weapons.GNLA cadre gives himself up : Meanwhile, a GNLA cadre wanted for a several number of criminal activities including extortion, kidnapping and possibly murder has surrendered to police in North Garo Hills handing over a pistol on Saturday.GNLA cadre Epseng D Shira (26) hailing from Damas Kashkona village of the district was a wanted man for a long time. He was one of the main persons who served demand notes and extorted

The six militants who surrendered before the East Garo hills polic

money from the public on behalf of the GNLA.He orchestrated several kidnappings and the public of Damas had been on

the lookout for him since long.The accused had begun working for GNLA commander Pilliport since 2012 and

HoD appointment in Vidyasagar University flouts norms Kolkata,Dec 13:An anomalous order reflecting the "desire" of the vice-chancellor of Vidya nsagar University is depriving eligible professors of assuming charges of departmental headship, flouting statutory provisions.A recent office order (Ref. No. VU/HOD/ 1589/2015 dated 18 November), which was issued by the acting registrar Dr J.K. Nandi, has extended the period of headship of Dr Dipak Midya of the anthropology department by one month with effect from 1 December 2015 after the expiry of his two years' term on 30

November 2015.This appears to be a violation of the provision 35(2) of the Vidyasagar University First Ordinance approved by the chancellor as per G.O. No. 309Edn. (U) dated 4.3.85, which stated: "The head of the department shall hold office for a term of two years from the date of his appointment."

(P.10) Under the provisions 35(1) (a) & (b) it was further stated that "In every teaching department of the university there shall be a head of the department who shall be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor by rotation in order of seniority

from amongst the wholetime permanent university teachers not below the rank of readers".The ordinance further stated: "In a university teaching department where there are both professors and readers, all professors shall be deemed to be senior in rank to readers." Incidentally, in the anthropology department there are two whole-time professors who are senior to Dr Midya, a reader, now redesignated as associate professor. Dr Midya is also the general secretary of the CPM-controlled Vidyasagar University Teachers' Association,

which remained silent when his period of headship was extended beyond the provisions of the ordinance. Ironically, in the aforesaid office order issued by the acting registrar stated that the extension of headship to Dr Midya was being done by following the provision 35 of the university's ordinance.More interestingly, within a week a second office order was issued by the acting registrar, which superseded the first order and did not mention the ordinance and announced the extension of headships to the ex-

Darjeeling, Dec. 13: The Janmukti Asthai Karmachari Sangathan today apologised for alleged slogans raised against two GTA executive sabha members by some workers at a procession here two days back after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had expressed its displeasure over the verbal attack on the party leaders.The Sangathan, an association of GTA casual employees owing allegiance to the Morcha, however, refrained from offering apology for its leaders lashing out at the party and the hill body at the march. The association had held the procession and a meeting to demand the immediate regularisation of the jobs of over 5,000 casual employees at the GTA.Deepak Sharma, the spokesman for the Sangathan, today issued a written apology. "The workers who have been facing administrative discrimination right from the days of the (erstwhile) Darjeeling

Gorkha Hill Council to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration had organised a rally-cum-public meeting on December 9 to demand the regularisation of their jobs. In the process, the party (Morcha) leadership has claimed that members of the JAKS raised 'murdabad' slogans against Roshan Giri, GTA Sabha member in charge of education, and Binay Tamang, GTA Sabha member in charge of personnel and administration department, during the rally.""Since the party (Morcha) leadership has expressed grievances against the alleged sloganeering, the JAKS in principle accepts the charge and expresses apology," the statement in Nepali reads.Asked if such slogans had indeed been raised at the rally, Sharma said: "We did not hear any slogan against the two leaders but in the course of the rally, some might have raised it. That is why we have accepted the allegation in principle and accepted it." (Agencies)

isting heads in three other departments, viz., Bengali, electronics and Hindi "as desired by the Hon'ble vice-chancellor of Vidyasagar University". The notice bearing memo no. VU/R/ Off.Or/1615/2015 dated 24.11.2015 in possession of the Statesman. By this notification two senior teachers of Bengali and Electronics departments were deprived of headship by the "desire" of the vice-chancellor of Vidyasagar University.Vice-chancellor Prof Ranjan Chakraborty could not be contacted for his comment. (Agencies)

PCC chief rubbishes possibility of Cong-TMC alliance Madrahat, Dec 13:Pradesh Congress president, Mr. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Saturday met the family of the deceased Congress leader M r. B a d r o d d o z a Mollah, a 50-year-old primary school teacher at Magrahat who had been murdered on 29 November at Joynagar.

The Pradesh Congress president rejected the possibility of an alliance or seat adjustment with Trinamul Congress in the coming

Assembly polls, "Congress will not make any alliance in the state assembly polls with Trinamul Congress, a party of murderers.

Congress will fight alone in the election against TMC," he said at a public rally at Magrahat.Ranjan said that the state Congress had not been given any such direction by the Congress high command to make an alliance with TMC. Mr. Chowdhury intimidated that police stations will

trict Congress leader, and other leaders of the district.Mollah had been killed at Shibpur, a border area betweenMagrahat and J o y n a g a r, within Joynagar police limits.Four youths on two motorbikes had attacked hacked the leader to death when he was in a tea stall.

The Congress has alAdhir Ranjan Chowdhury leged just after the incident that the TMC be gheraoed if the ac- Chowdhury met the backed goons were cused arenot arrested family along with Mr. behind the murder. i m m e d i a t e l y . M r . Sujit Patwari, the dis- (Agencies)

MoU signed to set up 3 new IIITs under PPP mode 'Slogan' apology

by Morcha wing

joined the group without undergoing armed training.Fearing for his life he approached church leaders and NGOs to give himself up to the authorities.The United Church Peace Forum together with the Damas Youth Forum and the North Garo Hills Vigilance Forum played a role in convincing the militant to give up his criminal activities and return to the mainstream.The accused had begun working for GNLA commander Pilliport since 2012 and joined the group without undergoing armed

Ranchi, Dec 13: The government yesterday signed MoUs for establishing three Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) at Ranchi, Nagpur and Pune, through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, an official statement said.The institutes are expected to bring out high quality IT manpower required for building up IT industry in the country.

The agreements has been signed by Higher Education Secretary Vinay Sheel Oberoi and officials of Tata Consultancy Services a n d Ta t a M o t o r s , ADCC Infocad, Nagpur and Hubtown, Mumbai, said the human resource development ministry statement.With this, the total number of

HRD ministry signs MoU to set up 3 IIITs on PPP mode

IIITs in the PPP mode has gone up to 16, leaving four more to be set up for which a schedule has been fixed for

January 2016, it added.IIIT-Ranchi will operate from the Old Judicial Academy in the Administrative Training

Institute, Ranchi admitting 120 students for the year 2016-17 through JEE 2016 examination. The institution will be mentored by NITJ a m s h e d p u r. I I I T Nagpur will be set up in the BMIT Campus (temporary campus) with the participation of ADCC Infocad and TCS. The Maharashtra government has identified 88 acres of land for setting up a permanent campus.IIIT-Pune will be set up in the Siddhant Engineering College (temporary campus) and the permanent campus will be constructed at Chakan for which the state government has identified 100 acres of land. 120 students will be admitted in 2016 through JEE-2016. (Agencies)

training.During his surrender he handed over a 7.65 pistol with seven rounds of ammunition.According to police, surrendered cadre Epseng allegedly disclosed that money to the tune of seventy lakh rupees was extorted from business people, government officials in Mendipather region. The money was reportedly sent to GNLA chief Sohan D Shira through area commander Pilliport Shira in small installments of two to five lakhs as and when they received the demand amount from their victims. (Agencies)

Mukul's security upped over threat Kolkata ,Dec 13: The state government on Saturday enhanced the security of Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Roy following the the Central Intelligence Branch(IB) warning of Maoist threat on estranged Trinamul Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Roy.Though, the Central IB had informed the DGP of West Bengal police on 23 October of the Maoist threat, the state government today beefedup the security of Mr Roy after his "cordial meeting" with the party supremo Mamata Banerjee at the Central hall in the Parliament.

Later, at night, he too was invited at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's dinner party. He accepted the invitation and spent some time with the party chief. It is learnt that Central IB officers have alerted Mr Roy and asked him to take the threat seriously. At the end of September, a poster was put up in a tea stall near Kanchrapara railway station by the Maoist Yuba Morcha (Maoist Youth group) with a death threat to Mukul Roy. (Agencies)

Dilip Ghosh takes over BJP's new Bengal chief

Dilip Ghosh Kolkata ,Dec 13:Dilip Ghosh, who formally took charge yesterday as West Bengal state BJP president, asserted his primary task was to steer the party to victory in the assembly polls next year.Ghosh, a general secretary in the state Bharatiya Janata Party, replaced Rahul Sinha, whose term has ended. Sinha is now a national secretary.

"People in Bengal were not happy with the first parivartan (Trinamool Congress coming to power in 2011 by ending the Left Front's 34 year rule). They are now readying for the

second phase of change."All party workers and leaders will work unitedly. There is some confusion among outsiders (about the party). We will clear all confusion and we will work in unison to take the BJP on the road to victory . I firmly believe all the leaders and party workers will help me," Ghosh told the media here.A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharak (volunteer), Ghosh was sent on deputation to the BJP about a year ago."The work which we have started in the last six months in Bengal will go on, its pace will increase in coming days," he asserted.Sinha said the central leadership has iterated that "my first priority is Bengal.""I also believe that first priority is Bengal.

Dilip da is also saying the same thing. There is no disparity in that," Sinha said, adding the fight for the polls will "intensify" in the coming months."The change in post of president will not affect the fight," he said. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

PAGE 6

Time for Delhi Govt. to wake up, ensure women's safety: Congress New Delhi, Dec.13 : Condemning the rise in incidents of rape cases in the national capital specially against children, Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee today said the state government and the police should put an action plan immediately and try to make Delhi a safer place for women."These kind of incidents are shocking but when it happens to little children, there are no words to describe the utter horror. There has been sharp increase

in the number of rape cases in Delhi specially against children. The police and the state government is not doing anything about it, instead of just rhetoric they should just put an action plan immediately and try to make Delhi a safer place for women," Mukherjee told ANI here.

Mukherjee also targetted the Delhi Government for not paying salaries to the employs of 'gender resource centre', a gender awareness programme."Rape is not

Minor rape case: Pramila Nesargi slams Kejriwal

Pramila Nesargi Bengaluru, Dec. 13 : Following the gang-rape of a minor in the national capital, social activist Pramila Nesargi today condemned Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party Government for paying "more attention on its MLAs' salary rather than on these crimes"."Kejriwal takes it very easy. It's very unfortunate. It should not have happened. I am very unhappy about the incident which is happening day in and day out. They are

worrying about their salary and tours going abroad," Nesargi told ANI.Further lashing out at the AAP Government, Nesargi said the people of Delhi got a government, which they deserve."This incident happened nearby where Nirbhaya's incident had happened. The people think even after I commit rape, I will come out.

The courts are there to relieve," she added.A seven-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped at a park in South Delhi's Tigri area on Saturday evening.A case was lodged at the Neb Sarai police station. Following the complaint, the Neb Sarai police arrested one of the accused, while rest of them are at large.

(ANI)

COP21 UN climate agreement a `turning point in the human enterprise` Berlin, Dec.13: Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber stated on the outcome of COP21 World Climate Summit that a historical climate agreement that finally transcends national egotisms has been agreed upon.COP21 targets at limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees and aiming at 1.5 degrees is more ambitious than expected, yet fully in line with the scientific risk assessment.If sincerely operationalized, the Paris Agreement will induce the decarbonisation of the world economy by the middle of this century.

The current emissions reduction pledges (INDCs) of most countries, however, are insufficient and have to be adapted to the new level of ambition in the next few years. Still, this is a turning point in the human enterprise where the great transformation

towards sustainability begins said the Volvo Environment Prize winner professor.Critically analysing the agreement, the 65-year old climatologist said that the Paris Agreement explicitly acknowledges that the current emission reduction pledges, the socalled INDCs, will lead to increasing global emissions by 2030.

Nevertheless, the aspirational goal of staying below 2°C of the Paris Agreement is not consistent with the pledges unless deep emission cuts at rates of about 6 percent per year between 2030 and 2050 are pursued.At the end he concluded by suggesting that, whoever is building more coal power plants, however, is shutting the door to reaching the two-degree-target. We now more than ever need to avoid a global renaissance of coal - so we can transform the treaty into reality, and ultimately a better future for all.

(ANI)

Sharmistha Mukherjee just a law and order problem. Congress Gov-

ernment had started 'gender resource centre'

which is a gender awareness programme.

It will help in creating awareness on criminal activities.

This programme and the helpline number 'awaaz uthao' which was started by the Congress government has completely stopped because the employs are not being paid salaries. MLAs are raising their salary by 400 percent but people who are working for women safety under Delhi government are not paid salaries. Delhi

government should wake up to the fact that Delhi Government is becoming increasingly unsafe for women," she added. Mukherjee's response came after a seven-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped at a park in South Delhi's Tigri area on Saturday evening. Victim's uncle Om Prakash claimed the girl was playing in a nearby park when some boys lured her and took to another park close by and gangraped her.

(ANI)

Global online petition to ban Sikh jokes gains momentum New Delhi, Dec.13: An online petition started by Delhi Sikh community onchange.org website to demand a ban on Sikh jokes that ridiculed the community has gained m o m e n t u m worldwide.The petition has been written by R P S Kohli, a West Delhi businessman, who said, "Today, the country talks of tolerance and freedom of speech, but a higher virtue is civility. To be intolerant to racist remarks and jokes is the need of the hour. India needs to evolve in civilized behaviour which is the mark of any progressive society."So far, this petition has more than 27,000 signatures online and around 45,000 signatures offline."We expect to have 100,000 signatures by the end of December 2015" said Manjit Singh G.K., President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee here today.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is among those who have supported the cause as he signed the petition during his visit to Gurdwara Rakabganj during Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 28,2015.Comedians Gurpreet Ghuggi

and Sunil Pal, actor Manmeet Singh, radio jockey and voice over artist O P Rathore, the Church of North India and hundreds of other celebrities have also signed the online petition.The online campaign started by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee calls for a ban on 5,000-odd websites that carry Sikh jokes which are making

Schools in Delhi have been the most enthusiastic in supporting and signing this petition.Recently, students from 129 Akal Academies in Punjab too joined this movement.Manjit Singh G.K. said the online petition has had a positive impact on mindset of society and added that Jallandhar-based Sikh comedians Gurpreet Singh

Global online petition to ban Sikh jokes fun of Sikhs like '12 baj gaye' and other taunts.Started on November 3, 2015, this petition has got all around support from Sikh students, youth from all across India and abroad.Students of 18 Guru Harkishan Public

and Prabhpreet Singh who have been performing under the names of Santa and Banta for the last 18 years since 1997, have announced to drop their stage names and adapt new ones.They will now be known as Shugli

(Gurpreet) and Jugli (Prabhpreet). Together, they would be known as Shugli Jodi translated as the comic pair.Mr G.K. said the petition has received an outstanding response, with many suggesting that such jokes be taken off websites and filters are put in place to stop more such jokes on the internet.The Sikh community is not willing to take these "insults" lying down any longer as they violate the fundamental right to life and to live with dignity, he added.The main contention of the petition is that Sikhs,are a vibrant, confident and generous community and sites carrying jokes against them need to be banned on reined in.The offline campaign launched during the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Rakabganj has so far attracted over 20,000 signatures.Arrangements are being made by DSGMC to collate all signatures and submit it to the Supreme Court before the onset of the winter vacations.The next hearing on the petition is slated for January 4, 2016, when the courts reopen.

(ANI)

Vice President Ansari to attend TAPI ground-breaking ceremony Mary (Turkmenistan), Dec. 13 : Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari would attend the ground-breaking ceremony of the ambitious USD 10 billion Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline projecttoday.Vice President Ansari who is currently visiting Turkmenistan, will also speak at the ceremony along with the heads of delegations of the TAPI project.The vice president and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif welcomed the TAPI gas pipeline project, saying they saw it as a key pillar of economic engagement between South and Central Asia.Vice President Ansari, who was addressing the International NeutralityConference, said, "We will flag-off the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India

(TAPI) gas pipeline, which we both recognise to be a 'key pillar' of our economic engagement and which is in consonance with the particular emphasis that Turkmenistan puts on the economic aspect of n e u t r a l i t y. " P a k i s t a n Prime Minister Sharif said his country is aiming to promote energy and infrastructure projects, including the TAPI gas p i p e l i n e project.Conceived in the 1990s, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan signed a framework agreement to implement the ambitious project after a meeting in Islamabad in 2002 and the preliminary feasibility studies were done by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Indian Government requested the ADB for joining the project as an official member in 2006. The

project is expected to be completed by December 2018.Despite the hopes and expectations, the project faces rising risks and added costs from the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.However, when asked about the prospective time of completion of the project owing to the security concerns in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Vice President Ansari said, "No, I don't think so. The President ( G u r b a n g u l y Berdimuhamedow) was confident. I had a good talk with him yesterday and he thinks it can be done. And I think it will be done."Calling it one of 'those great ideas in regional cooperation about which we have dreamt of', vice president Ansari said that he was very optimistic that after the ground breaking ceremony, things will

Hamid Ansari begin to roll.Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Turkmen President G u r b a n g u l y Berdimuhamedow would attend the ground-breaking ceremony which will be held near the city of Mary.The groundbreaking ceremony would be followed by a lunch hosted by Turkmen President G u r b a n g u l y Berdimuhamedov.Vice president Ansari is scheduled to return to India tonight. (ANI)

500 slums demolished by Railways in Shakur Basti

Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber stated on the outcome of COP21

Shakur Basti (New Delhi), Dec.13 : More than 500 slums were demolished in an anti-encroachment drive conducted by the Indian Railways in Shakur Basti on Saturday.Slum residents created uproar after a child was found dead.

They alleged that then child had died in the antiencroachment

drive.Railway sources, however, have denied the allegations, saying that the death of the child occurred in one of the slums around 10 am and had nothing to do with the removal of encroachments.The residents also insisted that their homes were demolished without any prior warning or

notice.According to the Railways, a number of notices were issued to encroachers to vacate its land during the last nine months, but the locals did not vacate.It is also said that a new passenger terminal is coming up at Shakurbasti and railway land is required for that.According to the railways, the en-

croachment removal started at 11: 50 a.m. under the police protection and was completed by the evening.When the RPF and railway officials gathered at the site, it was noticed that a death of a child had occurred in one of the `jhuggies` in the morning at around 10 a.m.

(ANI)

Nation fighting with terrorism daily, says Advani

L.K Advani New Delhi, Delhi 13 : Recalling the valour of the Parliament terror attack martyrs that took place on December 13, 2001, BJP veteran L.K Advani todaysaid the nation was fighting terrorism daily."Today is the day that reminds us of the people who have given their life fighting against terrorism.

This day reminds us of struggle against terrorism," Advani told reporters here.When asked to respond on the developments on bilateral talks taking place between India and Pakistan, Advani said, "It is not merely the question of India-Pakistan

talks; terrorism is a problem by itself.""Even those countries which tried to use terrorism as an instrument of war, today realised that they have suffered the most, because of the use of terrorism as an instrument of hostility towards a neighbour," he added.Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other national leaders like Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh also paid homage to the martyrs of 13/12 attacks on Parliament.The attack had killed 14 people including five terrorists and six Delhi Police personnel. (ANI)

2001 Parliament attack: Jaitley salutes soldiers, martyrs New Delhi, Dec. 13 : Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley paid his tribute to the martyrs of the 2001 Parliament attack as the nation marked its fourteenth anniversary today."Salute to our brave soldiers & martyrs who dispelled the 13/12/2001 terror attack on the Parliament house. We pay tribute to the martyrs," he wrote in a tweet.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent leaders also paid their tribute to the martyrs at a ceremony held in the Parliament premises today.Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani were also present in the ceremony.On 13 December 2001, five terrorists infiltrated the Parliament House in a car with fake Home Ministry and Parliament labels. While both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha had been adjourned 40 minutes prior to the incident, many Members of Parliament (MPs) and government officials such as the then home minister LK Advani and minister of state for defence Harin Pathak were believed to have still been in the build-

Arun Jaitley ing at the time of the attack.Constable Kamlesh Kumari Yadav was the first to spot the terrorists and was shot by them as she raised the alarm. Five policemen, a Parliament security guard, and a gardener were killed and 18 others were injured.The ministers and MPs escaped unhurt. The total number of deaths was 14 and at least 22 people were injured in the attack.The government had initially accused Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) of involvement in the attack.However, LeT denied any involvement in the incident. In November 2002, four JeM members were arrested by Indian authorities and put on trial.All four were found guilty of playing various roles in the incident. One of the accused, Afzal Guru, was sentenced to the death penalty for the incident. (ANI)

Obama hails Paris climate agreement as 'best chance' to save planet Washington D.C., Dec. 13 : US President Barack Obama has hailed the international climate change agreement in Paris, calling it the "best chance" to save the planet.According to CNN, Obama said, speaking at the White House that they had come together around a strong agreement that the world needs.The accord sets a goal of limiting average warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above

pre-industrial temperatures and of striving for a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) if possible.Senior administration officials have described the Paris deal as a "hybrid agreement" where parts of the agreement, such as the transparency of countries sharing their carbon emissions, would be legally binding.Obama also said that Saturday's agreement is the first of many. (ANI)

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

PAGE 7

NEIGHBOURS

Taliban attack in Kabul that killed two Spanish police `an attack on Spain`: Madrid Madrid, Dec 13: The Spanish government said Saturday a Taliban attack on the diplomatic quarter of the Afghan capital Kabul, in which two Spanish policemen were killed, was "an attack on Spain."The death toll, at least six according to reports from Kabul, was not clear Saturday. Afghan officials said four Afghan police officers were killed.The Spanish government said two local embassy workers were also killed in the at-

tack as Taliban fighters laid siege to a guesthouse popular with foreign visitors near the embassy compound. "We are dealing with a terrorist attack, in which two Spanish citizens died and our interests were severely undermined. This is therefore, an attack on Spain and its cooperation in the strengthening of democracy in Afghanistan," the government in Madrid said in a statement after the siege ended early Saturday."The investiga-

Child trafficking cases record high in Myanmar

Band favored by North Korean leader cancels Beijing concerts

Yangon, Dec. 13: Myanmar police are investigating human trafficking cases involving 93 child victims in November alone, a record number compared to that of previous months, according to Myanmar's AntiTrafficking in Persons Division on Saturday.The authorities saved more than 500 out of 617 victims including about 100 children this year.During the past 11 months, a total of 120 cases were exposed and 226 of 355 traffickers were arrested in the country, of which Shan state topped the list with 36 cases, followed

by Mandalay and Yangon with 17 cases each and Kachin 13 cases.A total of 1,243 trafficking cases have been investigated while 2,500 trafficked victims were rescued and over 2,000 traffickers were brought to justice nationwide between 2006 and November this year, according to official figures. (Agencies)

Beijing, Dec 13: An allfemale band formed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un canceled its concerts in Beijing and abruptly left the Chinese capital for unknown reasons, possibly further cooling relations between the traditional allies.The Moranbong Band had been scheduled to hold three concerts in Beijing beginning Saturday night in what was viewed as a visit to cultivate ties between the countries.However, band members arrived at Beijing's airport in North Korean Embassy vehicles on Saturday afternoon, and departed aboard a North Korean Air Koryo jet shortly after 4 p.m. following a lengthy delay.A staff member at the National Theater,

US Counselor Shannon arrives in Dhaka Dhaka, Dec 13: US State Department's Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas A Shannon has arrived in Dhaka.Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque received Shannon at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport today morning.He was accompanied by Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal and Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia Manpreet Singh Anand.The foreign secretary said Bangladesh and US has matured, multi-layered and growing relationship."We will discuss the present and future arenas of cooperation," he said.Shannon will have a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.Besides, he will attend a seminar on the US-Bangladesh Relationship: Working Together on Global Issues at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies in the capital.Shannon will meet senior government officials and parliamentary leaders, as well as media, civil society, and labor representatives, and will visit a USAID-funded health care clinic.

(Agencies)

Two Spanish police officers killed in Taliban attack in Kabul

tion is ongoing and no assumptions have been ruled out," statement

where the band was to give the invitation-only performances, said the concerts had been canceled, but did not give a reason. An accompanying North Korean musical troupe, the State Merited Chorus, also canceled its performances.Although North Korea is well known for its unpredictability, the sudden cancellation of the concerts could hurt relations between Beijing and Pyongyang. Ties between the sides have been noticeably cooler since Kim assumed power in 2011.The bands' abrupt departures might have been related to stories circulated by the South Korean media about a rumored past relationship between the married Kim and a female member of the band, which also made

added.The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, which began

rounds on Chinese social media, said Yang Moo-jin, a North Korea expert at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.North Korea has built a cult of personality around the Kim family, which has ruled for three generations, and sees any outside criticism or mockery of its leader as an attack on its sovereignty."There are few things the North takes more seriously than an attack on the dignity of its supreme leadership, and it might have decided to bring the female members of the band back quickly to cut off such reports," Yang said.While China continues to provide crucial economic support and diplomatic cover for Kim's impoverished communist regime,

when a huge car bomb struck the heavilyguarded district during rush hour on Friday evening.Multiple blasts and gunfire were heard over the course of the night.Fraidoon Obaidi, the head of Kabul`s Criminal Investigation Department, said four attackers were killed in the "terrorist attack".In a statement the Taliban said their target was the guesthouse, which is popular with foreigners, and made no mention of the Spanish embassy.The

Spanish government said three Taliban fighters burst into the embassy after the car bomb blew off the gate of the compound, triggering a gunbattle that lasted over an hour.The first policeman was killed in the car bomb, with the second dying later in hospital of injuries sustained in the attack, Madrid said.The attack came hours after President Ashraf Ghani voiced optimism that a peace process with the Taliban would resume within weeks. (Agencies)

An all-female band formed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un canceled its concerts in Beijing

the North Korean leader appears to have used defiance of Beijing to shore up perceptions of his own power and independence of action.Relations appeared to be on the mend following a well-publicized visit to Pyongyang

by high-ranking Chinese official Liu Yunshan in October. However, Kim's unwillingness to visit China and his government's refusal to restart denuclearization talks has frustrated the Chinese leadership. (Agencies)

KVDA okays more than 200 projects Kathmandu,Dec 13: Real estate ventures in Kathmandu, which witnessed a brief hiatus after the April 25 earthquake, are set to rebound, with the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) approving more than 200 projects.The government body responsible for sustainable development and planning of the Valley has approved 223 projects related to land development, integrated settlement and collective housing.These projects are being undertaken by private developers and are meant to be used as pri-

vate homes, according to Bhai Kaji Tiwari, deputy development commissioner of KVDA.The authority, which had temporarily stopped issuing the permits after the quake, started clearing real estate projects from Septemberend. The government had halted the permit issuance so as to formulate the Basic Guideline on Settlement Development, Urban Planning Building Construction 2015, bringing changes to several provisions in previous regulations.As per new rules, land development projects should make sure that roads in new

settlements are at least sixmetre wide for being eligible for building construction. Soil testing and seismic analysis have been made mandatory for constructing buildings taller than five storeys (17 metres), also called highrise buildings.With 37 land development projects, 75 integrated settlements and 33 collective housings, KVDA has approved 145 projects in Kathmandu district alone. Lalitpur saw approval of witness 67 housing projects, including 11 land development projects, 29 integrated settlements and 27 collec-

tive housings.

In Bhaktapur, KVDA has Okayed 11 projects-eight land development projects, one integrated settlement and two collective housings.Land development project refers to dividing large areas of land into regular plots suitable for housing, while integrated settlements refer to apartment housing, and collective housing means housing colonies.

"KVDA has granted these new development and construction permits to prevent Kathmandu from turning into an unmanaged con-

crete jungle," KVDA Development Commissioner Yogeshwar Krishna Parajuli said.

"All these projects are planned settlements and fulfil the requirements of open spaces and safety as felt necessary after t h e earthquake."According to KVDA, developers who have received these permits can begin work after taking further approval from the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and municipalities concerned.

(Agencies)

Xi absent as China marks low key Nanjing Massacre anniversary Beijing, Dec 13:China marked in low-key fashion its second national memorial day for the Nanjing Massacre today, with President Xi Jinping skipping the main event and a relatively junior official leading the sombre ceremony instead.China and Japan have long sparred over their painful history.

China consistently reminds its people of the 1937 massacre in which it says Japanese troops killed 300,000 people in its then capital.A postwar Allied tribunal put the death toll at 142,000, but some conservative Japanese politicians and

China marks low key Nanjing Massacre anniversary

scholars deny a massacre took place at all.But the neighbours have been moving to improve ties long overshadowed by their painful history, and last month China, Japan and South Korea held their first three-way summit in three years.While last year Xi went to

Nanjing to mark China's first formal Memorial Day for the massacre, this year Li Jianguo, a vice chairman of the standing committee for China's largely rubber stamp parliament, gave the main speech.Soldiers placed large wreaths in front of the main memo-

rial as funereal music played, in images carried live on state television.Speaking in front of hundreds of soldiers, veterans and school children at the Nanjing Massacre memorial, Li said China would never let anybody deny the crimes of invaders.China was holding the memorial not to prolong hate but to help forge a more peaceful future, he said."At the same time, we just resolutely oppose anyone who tries to beautify the war of aggression or tries to drive back on history," Li said.Doves to signify

peace flew overhead once Li, wearing a white flower on his lapel to signify mourning, finished speaking.In September, Xi oversaw a big military parade in Beijing to mark 70 years since the end of World War Two.Almost all senior Western leaders stayed away from that event, nervous about sharing the stage with dignitaries such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, and about China's message to a region worried by its growing military assertiveness over claims in the South China Sea. (Agencies)

China navy carries out more drills in disputed South China Sea

South China Sea Beijing, Dec 13: China's navy has in recent days carried out more ex ercises in the disputed South China Sea, the Defence Ministry said today, calling them routine drills.China claims almost all of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of maritime trade passes each year.

The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims."The People's Liberation Army Navy in recent days organised a fleet to go to relevant seas in the South China Sea, by way of the Western Pacific, to carry out exercises," China's Defence Ministry said in a brief statement."This action is a routine arrangement made in accordance with this year's naval training plan," it added, without elaborating.Pictures on social media accounts of Chinese state media have in recent days shown pictures of Chinese navy ships engaged in live-fire

exercises in the South China Sea, without saying where exactly they took place. China periodically announces such exercises in the South China Sea, as it tries to demonstrate it is being transparent about its military deployments.

China has been at odds with the United States of late over the strategic waterway. Washington has criticized Beijing's building of artificial islands in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly archipelago, and has conducted sea and air patrols near them.Last month, U.S. B-52 bombers flew near some of China's artificial islands and at the end of October a U.S. guided-missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of one of them.China expressed concern last week about an agreement between the United States and Singapore to deploy a U.S. P8 Poseidon spy plane to the city state, saying the move was aimed at militarising the region.

(Agencies)

PM Nawaj arrives in Turkmenistan on two-day visit Ashgabat, Dec 13:The Prime Minister would also participate in the ground breaking ceremony of TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline Project along with the President of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and Vice President of India.

He reaffirmed unflinching support to the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.He said that Pakistan seeks friendly ties and respect on equal basis with all the countries and urged for respect of others' cultures. He said he believed that shared prosperity was the real prosperity.Turkmenistan's state company Turkmengas will lead the consortium for building the 1800-kilometre-long pipeline carrying gas from the former the Soviet state to energy-hungry India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.Sarna said that the Vice-President, in his discussions, mentioned that TAPI had the potential of not being just pipeline but a regional connectivity initiative, particularly in a sector where regional initiatives are not easy to come by.

"Turkmenistan will continue to fight against worldwide terrorism, separatism, global crime organizations and drug trade", he added. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said Pakistan wants peace in the region and is committed to promote

peace in the world besides resolving all outstanding problems through dialogue.He said that the policy of neutrality adhered to by Turkmenistan was beneficial for the whole region as well as the whole world. He highlighted the far-reaching effects of their policy which helped in disarmament and elimination of weapons of mass destruction.The 1,800km pipeline project is meant to export up to 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually sourced from Turkmenistan Dauletabad and Galkynysh gas fields to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan attaches great priority to the TAPI project. They expressed satisfaction over bilateral cooperation.The $7.6 billion project, which faces enormous political risks, including its smooth passage through the wartorn Afghanistan, would see its groundbreaking ceremony on December 13, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. "The government, the whole nation and the armed forces of Pakistan are united to eliminate this menace", Nawaz said.Recalling the historical links, he said most revered Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy (Makhtumqoli Faraghi) yearned to visit India and his love for Indian people is reflected in his poems. (Agencies)

Referendum will determine new Constitution Colombo,Dec13: A referendum will be held to decide on the final proposals to the new Constitution, Minister for National Dialogue Mano Ganesan said.The Minister, who is part of a steering committee tasked with drafting a new constitution, told The Sunday

Leader that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had proposed that the public be allowed to decide on the way forward.A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was recently formed to draft the new Constitution.The

committee comprises Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Lakshman Kiriella, Rauff Hakeem, Susil Premajayantha, Rishad Bathiyutheen, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, D.M. Swaminathan, Mano Ganesan, and Malik

Samarawickrama.

Ganesan said that the Cabinet sub-committee, or steering committee, had decided to form three technical committees to make proposals on cons t i t u t i o n a l amendments.One technical committee will draft electoral reforms propos-

als, the other amendments to the Presidential system and one on the national issue.The technical committee on electoral reforms has already been formed and is being headed

by Parliamentarian and constitutional expert J a y a m p a t h y Wickremeratne. (Agencies)

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Saturday arrived in Ashgabat on a two-day official visit to Turkmenistan.

PAGE 8

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

US, India Boost Security Ties in Defense Minister Visit Justice after death Brave lady bestowed justice On the intervening night of 6 February 2012 Suzette Jordan was gangraped in a moving car by five men who offered her lift to her house from a night club situated at Kolkata's famous Park Street. The case was widely covered by the media after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described it as a fabricated case. Three of the five accused in the Park Street rape case of 2012 in Kolkata have been found guilty. Amongst the five, two, including the main accused, are yet to be arrested. Two other accused in the case are still absconding. Additional sessions judge Chiranjib Bhattacharya pronounced Ruman Khan, Naser Khan and Sumit Bajaj guilty of gang-rape committed in February, 2012. The accused were found guilty under sections 376 (2)(g) (gangrape), 120B (criminal conspiracy) 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of IPC, chief public prosecutor Tamal Mukherjee said.

The police is, however, yet to apprehend the main accused Kader Khan and another accused named Ali. Suzzette Jordan, the rape survivor who went public with her identity, was raped by a group of men inside a moving car on Park Street and its vicinity on the night of February 6, 2012. The gang had befriended her in a night club. The men then threw her out of the car. When Jordan cried rape, many tried to silence her by casting aspersions on her reputation. When Jordan revealed her identity as a survivor of rape, she said, "Why should I hide my identity when it was not even my fault? Why should I be ashamed of something that I did not give rise to? I was subjected to brutality, I was subjected to torture, and I was subjected to rape, and I am fighting and I will fight." At the time of her death, three of the five men accused of raping Jordan inside a moving car had been arrested and were on trial, although they denied the charges. On December 10, 2015, the city sessions court, Kolkata found all five of the accused guilty.

The accused have been convicted under 120 (B) (Criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation), 323(Voluntarily Causing Hurt), 34(Common intention), 376 (2)(g)(Gang Rape). The three accused in custody will be given sentences on December 11, 2015.

Jordan became a women's rights activist and briefly worked as a counsellor for a helpline for victims of sexual and domestic violence. She spoke up against the humiliation and discrimination against victims, for instance when she was denied entry into a Kolkata restaurant. She made use of the media, appearing in a talk show, Satyamev Jayate hosted by actor Aamir Khan, as well as through Facebook to highlight societal issues. Our society is in urgent need of people like Suzzette Jordan, who have got the courage to face any situation in the society. India, thou a follows conservative and patriarchal culture still with woman like Suzzette, our country too like become the developed countries where womens' safety is not an issue of concern

Pacts inked Strategic partnership for a peaceful and secure world India signed a landmark agreements on civil nuclear energy and bullet train technology with Japan, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi described visit of his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe "truly historic". As Modi announced "visa on arrival" to all Japanese citizens from March 1, 2016. The statement followed signing of agreements on cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, high speed rail and transfer of defence equipment and technology cooperation.

Modi said India and Japan took two more decisive steps in security cooperation and these would deepen defence relations and promote defence manufacturing in India. The Indian prime minister also said that Japan's decisive role in India's economic transformation will matter the most in realising its economic dreams. As without making a direct reference to concerns among some countries about China's expansive claims in South China Sea, he said. India stands strongly for ensuring freedom of navigation and over-flight, and unimpeded maritime commerce.

Also the agreement signed on nuclear energy cooperation was more than just an agreement for commerce and clean energy. As it is shining symbol of a new level of mutual confidence and strategic partnership in the cause of a peaceful and secure world.

Narendra Modi knew the significance of the civil nuclear agreement for Japan and assured that India will honour its shared commitments. Japan is the only country in the world to have suffered a nuclear attack. Terming as "historic' the decision to introduce high speed trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector through the Japan's Shinkansen, Modi said India greatly appreciates Abe's extraordinary package of over $12 billion and technical assistance, on very easy terms, for the project. This enterprise will launch a revolution in Indian railways and speed up India's journey into the future and it will become an engine of economic transformation in India. As India values its special strategic and global partnership with Japan and it enjoys unmatched goodwill and political consensus in India. He also appreciated the sharp increase in Japanese bilateral assistance and the strength of public and private Japanese commitment for the Make in India mission.

And referring to his visit to Japan last year, Modi said the Japense prime minister had spoken of $35 billion Japanese finance and investments for India over five years and "we are quickly turning it into reality. India and Japan will "shape an Asian century in vision and values" as the Vision 2025 of their ties.

The two countries will engaged in wide ranging collaboration in clean energy. Also an agreement on security cooperation builds on the decision of two countries to expand staff talks to all three wings of the armed forces and make Japan a partner in Malabar Naval exercises. And that the two countries will work together in East Asia Summit to promote an inclusive, balanced and open regional architecture and maritime security in the region.

Manohar Parrikar's visit to the U.S. was full of "firsts."

Shannon Tiezzi India's minister of defense, Manohar Parrikar, paid an official visit to the United States this week, beginning with a visit to U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) in Hawaii and ending with an inspection of a U.S. nuclearpower aircraft carrier in Virginia.

Parrikar started his trip off in Hawaii, where he became the first Indian defense minister to ever visit PACOM headquarters in what PACOM called a "milestone event." Also while in Hawaii, Parrikar participated in the Pearl Harbor Commemoration Ceremony on December 7.

Parrikar met with PACOM Commander Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. According to a readout from PACOM, their conversation focused heavily on maritime security. Parrikar and Harris "emphasized the importance of expanded maritime security cooperation within the context of broader military-tomilitary ties, especially in the Indo-Asia-Pacific" and also "discussed the continuance of the maritime security cooperation, [and] the potential for joint U.S.India maritime patrols."

Later, at a press conference at the Pentagon, Parrikar said that U.S.-India "cooperation in the area of maritime security is also becoming stronger, especially in the Indian Ocean region."

Back at PACOM, Parrikar and Harris also touched on the various military exercises both sides participate in, including "Exercises Malabar, Yudh Abhyas, Red Flag, Vajra Prahar, and RIMPAC." Red Flag is particularly noteworthy - India has only participated once in the air-to-air combat exercise, in 2008. India will join the exercises again next year, according to the Pentagon.

PACOM noted that "the United States is still India's partner of choice for exercises and military-to-military engagements." Parrikar later announced that India "is conducting more military exercises with U.S. than any other country."

After visiting Hawaii, Parrikar traveled to Washington, D.C., where he met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter for the third time, after hosting Carter in New Delhi in June 2015 and meeting again on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Minister's Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur. According to Parrikar, his conversations with Carter involved "a range of issues covering the entire spectrum of our defense partnership."

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, Parrikar and Carter devoted special attention to the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

Carter has described that project as an attempt "to

create cooperative technology and industrial relationships which are not just the buyer-seller kind." Parrikar and Carter "committed to identifying additional projects for possible co-development and co-production of high technology items that meet the transformational intent of DTTI," according to the statement.

They specifically noted positive progress at the Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation and Jet Engine Technology Joint Working Group. The two sides are in discussion to have the U.S. allow India access to technology to be used in construction of India's second indigenous aircraft carrier, including nuclear propulsion and electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS). India and the United States are also looking into tech transfers involving jet engine technology, although the Pentagon is reluctant to provide the latest tech on that front.

Carter assured Parrikar that Washington had "updated its policy on gas turbine engine technology transfer to India," and expressed his confidence that the policy change would led to increased room for cooperation.

Parrikar was even more confident, predicting that within the next six to seven months "we will see so many of defense initiative technology transfers; [and]

U.S. companies setting up production facilities in India."

The potential for shared defense technology received a symbolic boost when Parrikar, led by Carter, toured the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of the United States' nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. In doing so, Parrikar became the first Indian defense minister to tour any U.S. aircraft carrier. He was given a demonstration of flight operations, and expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity: "We could experience the technology and the speed at which things can be done," he said. He also inspected a jet engine while on board the Eisenhower, providing

Parrikar a hands-on look at all the big-ticket technologies the U.S. and India are looking to cooperate on.

In addition to technology cooperation and maritime security, the two sides discussed concerns over terrorism, from Islamic State and al-Qaeda to regional groups like Lashkar-eTayibba and the Haqqani Network. "The issue of terrorism was a key topic discussion in all engagements," Parrikar said in remarks to reporters, although there were no details on how the two sides would cooperate on counterterrorism.

The visit was an opportunity to showcase the strength of the U.S.-India defense relationship. Carter spoke of "historic steps" in

the relationship and promised that "the U.S.-India defense partnership will become an anchor of global security."

"This is a relationship that will be critical in strengthening the … Indo-Asia-Pacific … security architecture, so that everyone there can continue to rise and prosper," Carter said.

Parrikar, for his part, said that the relationship-building was more important that the actual talks.

"When you gel well, you do not remember what you discussed," he told a leading daily. "The most important is trust building, which I think is happening for the first time" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama.

US, Australia Should Boost Defense Ties Amid China's Rise: Ex-Defense Official Former defense official says calls for more active alliance management.

Prashanth Parameswaran The United States and Australia should boost defense ties as Canberra struggles with balancing its foreign relations amid China's rise, a former Australian defense official told a forum in Washington, D.C. Tuesday.

Australia is struggling with how to balance its growing economic relationship with China with its more comprehensive alliance with the United States, Peter Jennings, the former deputy secretary for strategy at Australia's defense department said at a conference at The Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

As the public debate continues about how Australia should manage its ties with China and the United States, Canberra and Washington should move to more actively work their alliance, particularly be speeding up defense cooperation.

"I think the U.S.-Australia

alliance is still remarkably strong, but the debate around the challenges of balancing economic and security priorities is still very much alive," he argued.

In order to strengthen the alliance, Jennings, now the executive director of the Australian Strategic Police Institute, a think tank, suggested that Washington and Canberra do five things.

First, he recommended speeding up the enhanced cooperation agenda. Discussions around increasing Australia's cooperation with the U.S. marines and air force out of northern Australia back in 2011, he said, have been moving at a glacial pace thus far, and phase three of cooperation around operating a major U.S. fleet unit out of a naval base in western Australia had been put off indefinitely.

"So I'd suggest bring this on far more quickly," he

urged.

Second, considering the fact that both Washington and Canberra face the common challenge of balancing the security and economic dimensions of their

gence function to become "somewhat atrophied."

"I think there would be a value in establishing a joint analytical effort involving intelligence and national security agencies looking

relationship with China, he called for a stronger joint analytical effort on how to manage this issue. Since the September 11 attacks, Jennings noted, both intelligence establishments had spent a significant balance of their resources on tackling the challenge of terrorism, rather than tackling the China challenge, leading the traditional counter-intelli-

more closely at how to manage these types of complexities," he suggested.

Third, he called for more both sides to manage the alliance more actively. The current frameworks for the U.S.-Australia alliance, he said, were adequate for the 1980s and 1990s but not enough to set out the strategic ground to manage

problems when they arise or create momentum when needed to break through bureaucratic inertia.

"An annual meeting supported by officials is really not enough," he said.

Fourth, he suggested that Australia could help make the Joint Strike Fighter a critical part of bringing together users of the aircraft - Japan, South Korea, Australia, various units out of the U.S. Pacific Command and possibly Singapore - into using the platform more as "an alliance and close friends asset." Outside the continental United States, Jennings emphasized, it is only Australia which has the capacity among the Asia-Pacific Joint Strike fighter partners to offer overland training for all aspects of the aircraft's capabilities, including actually launching live weapons.

In this way, he suggested, Australia "could become a central part of honing the capabilities between allies and the closest part-

ners of the United States."

Fifth and lastly, he said that both the United States and Australia should look beyond bilateral cooperation and pursue opportunities for trilateral defense cooperation in Southeast Asia, particularly with Singapore and Indonesia.

"It's time now to look at trilateral cooperation," he urged.

Overall, Jennings reiterated, the focus should be on trying to more actively work the alliance for the future instead of being complacent about what it had accomplished in the past.

"The bottom line message against all of these is the need to more actively work the alliance relationship, not simply be content with statements about how…our forefathers have fought together for generations," he stressed.

"Even though that's true, I don't think that's sufficient really to sustain the alliance as we move into coming decades."

Wonders of Democracy

Sir, In the last assembly election in Bihar, BJP was almost routed by the 'Grand-Alliance' of Nitish Kumar

and Lalu Prasad. People of Bihar must have voted in a discreet way. When we have no comment on the intergrity of Nitish Kumar, we maintain a reservation for Lalu's integrity who had been jailed for his involvement in fodder scam, Surprisingly, his party could garner more seats in the Bihar assembly than that of Nitish Kumar. On the strength of more M.L.As, Lalu Prasad's bargaining for lucrative portfolios proved efficacious. His two sons got berth in the Cabinet, of whom one is a Deputy Chief-minister and interestingly, both the sons now in the Cabinet are undermatric. In Indian politics, there are tales galore, the sons inherit the political power from his father/mother as the case may be. For instances, we can cite of the Gandhi family, people call Rahul Gandhi 'Prince'. So, after Sonia Gandhi, Rahul is all set to ascend the throne. In Assam, too, we come across many cases. After Tarun Gogoi, it is now Gourav Gogoi who is being groomed. In the forth coming assembly election, many such sons and daughters will surface from the state's ruling dispensation, who are waiting agog to toe the line of their fathers. We found Jharkhand's ex. Chief-minister Shibu Soren who, too, groomed his son. Of course, scindia family had their own family aura. Mamata Banerjee, westBengal's C.M. and Manik Sarkar, Tripura's C.M. are exceptions. Ups and downs in one's Political career

are wonders of democracy. We have to accept it with a good grace.

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

Op

Page 9

d e This Anger Inside Me Consumes Me Every Day, And I Don't Know How To Control It

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

It has taken me a lot of pain and anger to pen down this article. Yes, anger. That's a word I have come to hate and loathe in my life. Today, as I face the world, I know that my article will establish something I dread, something I have always been scared to admit - that I have anger management issues. Several sessions with a friend studying Clinical Psychology have helped me come to terms with it.

As a child, I was always very short-tempered. I always attributed this trait to my mother, because I thought what I experienced was hereditary. My anger subjugated me to violence, with my mother hitting me whenever I got angry at her.

I don't know why, but whenever I got upset, I felt a surge in me, something that was beyond my control. I felt I was being consumed by something, and I had to fight it. That surge came out as my anger.

I didn't want to get angry, I didn't want to answer back,

and I didn't want to say years, the problem became more severe. Gradually, my mean things. But I did.

When I was 9, I broke my father realised that hitting brother's arm because I was me wasn't the answer, the angry at him. That day, I problem lay deeper that was made a resolution that I will consuming me, making me lose my change. sanity.

But some- Submitted anonymously To be honest, I know how that demon inside me kept I wasn't insane, I know I popping up. didn't suffer from a health As I grew into an adoles- issue. My father found the cent, I began hating myself, 'best' solution for me - he and that reflected externally took me to a rishi who gave too. I was initially viewed me rudraksha to calm me as an arrogant person, then down. My mother, as she as an aggressive girl. And tied the band around my as society makes us believe, neck, told me that the rock aggression, especially in would take my anger inside girls, isn't the best thing to it, and rid me of it. showcase. My eyes well up How easy is it for us to believe such things, without as I recollect my past.

It may seem that I am on a giving it a rational thought? rant. But I want others to No rudraksha, Ayurveda or know what I went through, homeopathy is the answer what I am still going for managing anger. I sufthrough as I curl under the fered from a psychological bedsheets and cry at night. problem, and I needed I never wanted to be aggres- someone to talk to me about sive, to appear arrogant. I it. No one lent me an ear. In wanted friends and a nor- fact, every little charactermal life. But I couldn't. istic of mine began to be atAs I crossed my teenage tributed to my anger. When

I went through a hormonal change and my hair started falling, my mother used to tell me, "Oh look, it's because you are short-tempered that all your hair is falling off as punishment."

I do know this much that parents may have parenting skills and beliefs that some things they say may 'change'

their kids for the better, but every instance and mention to my anger problem really hurt.

The worst phase of my life began when I started college and then went on to do my Masters. There were days when I was happy, days when I was furious. I lost my temper for little

things. I wanted things to be done my way. I became a detestable person. And I detested myself too. I myself didn't know how I would react at the next second.

People who met me used to say, "She is a nice person, but she is extremely moody." Others just avoided me.

It hurt me a lot. I have never wanted anyone to hate me.

I myself hate no one. I love every person who has come into my life, but there have been many that I drove away. Just because of my anger.

When I began my Masters, I befriended two people who took a liking to each other. I couldn't tolerate it.

Even if one of them came to talk to the other and forgot to say hi to me, it made me angry. I used to pass taunts to make them feel that they are at 'fault'.

You might say I have ego issues, and I am a bad person. But I am being honest.

Little things annoyed me, things I didn't want to be

angry about. I tried my best to control myself, but this anger inside of me consumes me, every single day.

Whenever I used to pick up the phone to talk to my mother, she used to tell me that my anger will ruin my life.

My boyfriend began to be pitied by people. He was asked, 'how do you tolerate her?' He was the only person who did understand me, but at times even he would burst out and tell me, "I thought you were a chilled out person. I don't know how long I can take this."

Two of my closest friends couldn't make it for my birthday one year, because of work commitments. The anger in me spoke as I called them and abused them for not being able to make it.

The abuse was so severe that they refused to meet me again out of fear that I would impose my wrath on them again.

There came a point when I started believing that I am the worst person in the

world. That I didn't deserve friends or a family. When I started working, the work pressure made my anger burst out even more. I knew I couldn't get angry at my colleagues. My anger used to surge, I tried controlling it, but the tears wouldn't stop flowing because my head hurt so bad. I became cynical.

I have contemplated suicide, yes. I have thought of ridding the world of such a terrible person like me.

But I want my story to be out there. I want people to know that I am not abnormal, people like me aren't abnormal.

I want to seek psychiatric help, but I am scared. I feel as if people will judge me. The fear of judgement makes me stay within a cocoon, confined. I am scared to tell people. I know they will look at me, point and say, 'see, that's the girl who gets angry at the drop of a hat!'

I hope that someday, someone who has faced the inner demon inside of them can connect with my story.

When Acid Is Thrown On Someone's Face, The Does There Always Have To Be A Reason Behind An Attempt Is A Lot More Than To 'Disfigure' Them Act Of Kindness?

With one, you're seen to be uncompetitive or don't know better, and with the other, you're seen to be self-righteous, fishing for recognition or just selfishly wanting to feel good about yourself.

Min This awkwardness surrounding kindness has long fascinated me.

Like many other volunteers, I don't talk about kindness much.

It is the daily bread for employees in the social service sector but they talk about it even less.

With Apologies I understand that many dedicated social service employees prefer to keep their heads down and focus on the work.

If they do share, it is peppered with semiapologetic sentences like "I don't usually talk about it", "it's not a big deal", and "I'm just doing what I can".

How would you feel if I were to tell you that I have been volunteering and working in the social service sector for the last 20 years, working with a women's shelter, youth homes and mental health associations, at home and abroad?

Or if I were to tell you that I believe in kindness, purposefully integrating social responsibility into my daily life and in the innate goodness of people waiting to be uncovered?

Am I too good to be true, full of it or do you agree with my beliefs?

Any outright declaration about kindness, factual or not, either stops conversations or is automatically called into question.

There is no culture to support talking about kindness.

The deeply ingrained idea of - sometimes false - humility in Asian society can be so restrictive that it leaves no space for people to own their kindness without disclaimers.

My own experience is that it can trigger a spectrum of emotions, from curiosity and encouragement to suspicion and anger.

In fact, as I write this, I experience an unusual amount of self-censorship, born out of past misunderstandings of appearing self-congratulatory, and not wanting to suffer any backlash.

It is ironic that kindLim showing ness or doing good is shrouded in secrecy while there is almost unlimited freedom to rant about anything these days, especially online.

When a lady mentioned in a Facebook group the kindness that she had shown others, the nor-

I want to be able to share my excitement and my revelations openly, without fear of backlash.

I want to hear the stories of others without disclaimers.

Invigorating Stories All is not lost, however.

Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of vulnerability for others to feel comfortable sharing. An acquaintance who heard about me cleaning flats for the elderly went on to tell me about her many years of advocacy work for autism.

There are also stories that invigorate me.

India has the highest number of acid attacks in the world. There are 1,500 recorded acid attacks each year with more than 1,000 cases estimated to occur in India alone. Acid is used in gang fights and personal enmity. There are no prizes for guessing that most of the survivors of acid attacks are of course women.

There are various reasons for attacks on women, like domestic disputes, land disputes or a simple rejection of a marriage or love proposal, and even dowry cases. Despite the frequency of occurrence of this crime, the weapon "acid" is easily available in any town or village or a city. Acid sale is officially banned in India, but it is used in toilet cleaning in many areas, and thus easily available. It also costs less than a rupee a litre.

Acid attack was declared a specific criminal offence by the Supreme Court only in the year 2013 and survivors are given compensation up to 3 lakh rupees from the Central Victim Compensation Fund. But that may be not enough for costly plastic surgeries. Most survivors are from the poorer sections of the society and these attacks have, in many cases, damaged their face and even blinded a few.

When a woman is attacked by acid on face, it is not only the face she has to cover, she has to cover all of her identity from the ugly face of our society that doesn't let an acid survivor lead a normal life after the attack. Her social life is cut down as she cannot face people.

I want to understand why, in A girl goes to her college many cases, the face of the every day. She ignores eve survivor is attacked. Maybe teasers. One day she slaps by targeting the face the sur- them hard. But he thinks her vivor, which is touch was her exterior ex- Nikitha Hingad worth it. pression of Then he folbeauty, she is made weak. lows even more. He asI would like to quote a case sumes her silence to be yes. reported by the Guardian in And when she rejects him August 2015. Geeta one day, his ego is hurt, afMohar's husband poured ter that all that hard work he acid on her for giving him a put in. He cannot take rejecdaughter and not a son. As tions. So he is revengeful is evident to me, and I hope and attacks her with acid. to many others, a lot of He thinks just because she people do take pride in is blessed with good looks, keeping their women in con- she has no right to be proud trol by threatening them of herself. How can she with an acid attack. even say 'No'?

As per the Avon Global Ritu Shaini from Rohtak Centre for Women and Jus- was attacked by her own tice, 35% acid attacks are older cousin with acid. He because of a rejection of a liked her and she ignored proposal. Firstly, I would him. Though he was imprislike to understand the oned for life, Shaini was mindset of these proposers. forced to drop out of school Unlike most cultural societ- in 2012 because it became ies of the world, in Indian difficult for her to live in small towns and villages and society after the attack, as most parts of cities as well, reported in The Guardian. there is a lack of communi- She has not given up after cation among the opposite she was attacked with acid sex. So for the best way to by a friend from whom she find a girl to fall in love with refused a marriage proposal. is on streets, near bus stops, She has had 46 surgeries outside colleges, etc. and still doesn't look like So when a girl walks out of before. Her parents invested the house she enters everything had in her medianother's territory. Roadside cal expenses and education.

Romeos whistle at her. It is Though she couldn't be a often seen as a male thing model, she continues to to chase a woman. And work in the fashion indussadly, that is what try and has been an intern Bollywood too portrays under Manish Arora. She is most of the time. Eve teas- currently in New York ing, stalking a love object is studying fashion marketing. an accepted behaviour in Laxmi, who is a survivor of our society, and unfortu- acid attack, started a camnately, jilted love is a major paign that led the Supreme reason for many acid attacks Court of India to bring out in our country. an order to curb acid sales.

Let me give you an example. Laxmi claims that not much

has changed on the ground, despite all the regulations.

"Acid is freely available in shops. Our own volunteers have gone and purchased acid easily. In fact, I have myself purchased acid," she stated.

P o o n g k h u l a l i Balasubramanian, pro bono coordinator at J. Sagar Associates, says that problems in India prosecuting acid violence cases are related to a cracking the justice system rather than the nature of the crime. As per Thomson Reuters, acid attack survivors face a long wait for justice.

Bangladesh, our neighbour, is being praised for reducing attacks. Years back the numbers in their country were far more disturbing than India. Under the leadership of Monira Rahman, executive director of Acid Survivors Foundation, acid attacks were reduced considerably. In her TEDx talks, she says that ASF provided free psychological and hospital care to acid attack survivors. It also established its branches in other places in Bangladesh apart from Dhaka to reach out to the rural areas. There was

also a strong social movement using celebrities as supporters including the Police. In 2002, a separate Act was constituted- the Acid control Act. I believe that using Bangladesh ASF as a model, the Supreme Court of India should constitute a new law to combat Acid Attack.

The purpose of this article is not to report cases of acid attack, but to understand the root cause behind such attacks. According to the Director of Acid Survivor Foundation India, in India most acid attack cases are because of male egos and jealousy. Most social activists point out that the root cause is not availability of acid, but the cultural and social problems in our society. To reduce attacks, gender sensitization workshops need to be conducted in smaller towns, where these crimes happen more often.

And law makers need to be stricter about such cases, because though the woman doesn't die, her life is still ruined, for no fault of hers.

It is not easy to have a social life with a stigma attached to disfigurement and being the survivor of an acid attack.

The Eunuch Reality: Eunuchs In India mally rambunctious commentators immediately stopped.

It grew so quiet, I could almost hear the crickets chirping. Then I watched in fascination as she was completely ignored and the usual rants resumed.

Closer to home, I remember one of my first interviews after graduation.

I was asked what had the greatest impact on my life.

I mentioned the first thing that came into my head: spending two years at Home for Little Wanderers, a home that strengthens vulnerable families and keeps children safe in their own communities in the US. Before I could continue, the interviewer furiously interjected with "we are not a charity, you know".

I was offered the job but turned it down.

Walking on eggshells around doing good is frustrating for so many reasons.

When there was a train breakdown in Singapore this year, stranded commuters posted on social media about fellow commuters giving up seats and helping each other with bus routes, and drivers stopping at packed bus stops to offer people lifts.

In that case and in others I've seen, a trickle of sharing about good can sometimes create a ripple effect, helping a cause spread its message, encouraging others to volunteer, developing personal character and generating positive energy that we can all use more of.

This article was originally published here on Our Better World.

Illustration by Debasmita Dasgupta, whose work is inspired by simple but special experiences in her life, with an emphasis on positivity

" The Indian society, no matter how open minded it may claim to be, will always fear in touching some of the taboo subjects" Well today I am going to write on another such issue.

Recently, I went to Connaught Place with a few college friends. Tired, we went and sat in the Palika Park. Suddenly out of nowhere, a group of Eunuchs came to us, demanding money. We were certainly not in the mood to give away any money, so we refused. The eunuchs started abusing us and said all sort of things. One of them even threatened to open her clothes if we did not give them money. Compelled by this threat we had to pay them. This incident certainly shocked us.

When I returned home I researched a bit about the subject and found various shocking facts.

Lets start with the basics first: THE HISTORY: Eunuchs were frequently employed in Imperial In-

dian palaces as servants for book), but these persons female royalty, and often at- have also been considered tained high-status positions to be the equivalent of the in Indian society. Eunuchs modern hijra of India. in Imperial Hijra, a Hindi term traditionpalaces were organized in a Anshul Tiwari ally translated into English as hierarchy, often with a senior or chief "eunuch", actually refers to eunuch ("Khwaja Saras") what modern Westerners directing Junior eunuchs would call male-to-female below him. Eunuchs were transgender people and efhighly valued for their feminate homosexuals (alstrength, to provide protec- though some of them retion for the ladies palaces, portedly identify as belongand their trustworthiness, ing to a third sex). Some of allowing eunuchs to live them undergo ritual castraamongst women with fewer tion, but the majority do worries. This enabled eu- not. They usually dress in nuchs to serve as messen- saris (traditional Indian gers, watchmen, attendants, garb worn by women) and and guards for palaces. of- wear heavy make-up ten, eunuchs also doubled THE HARSH REALITY: as part of the King's court An article by Times Of India quotes that out of the of advisers.

The Ancient Indian Kama one million (approx) popuSutra refers to people of a lation of Eunuchs in Delhi, "third sex" (trtyaprakrti), only 1% are born that way. who can be dressed either The others are forcefully in men's or in women's converted. clothes and perform fella- In an interview, a forcefully tio on men. The term has converted Eunuch conbeen translated as "eu- fessed that the business is nuchs" (as in Sir Richard deeply connected. The PoBurton's translation of the lice are not unaware of this.

A report also states that young men and boys are kidnapped for this business.

They are first drugged and then converted in an unconcious state. Some even said that they were forced to get into the habit of taking drugs, and then homosexuality and were then converted. The Godfathers of this business are getting richer by the day and more and more lives are being destroyed every year. After the conversions the young men are not left with any other option than joining the group of other similar men and continuing their business.

The police are well aware of this and so are the other elements of our judiciary, but nothing concrete is being done to stop this forceful trade.

No Government has taken action to curb this crime and no manifesto has ever been made. There are hundereds of NGO's working for the welfare of Eunuchs, but what about the ones who are force-

fully converted?

Their dreams and rights are taken away and they are left with no other proffessional option.

Some are forced into the flesh trade and some suffer from HIV, some are forced to perform at marriages while some are forced to beg. The society finds it hard to accept this fact and accept the third sex. Not that they are unaware, its just their fear.

But till when will we fear?

The Eunuchs must be given their rights to live a dignified life, but shouldn't policies be made to curb the forceful conversions?

WHY? Why do we overlook such issues? Why do we read about them and forget?

Why don't we revert back to the reality and work to form a concrete solution?

Till when will we shy away from these taboo issues and let them prevail in our society? Its time to wake up. Trust me, it is the correct time to wake up.

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

BUSINESS

India Inc's M&A deals at $31 bn in January-November: Grant Thornton New Delhi, Dec 13: Corporate India signed merger and acquisition (M&A) deals worth $31.16 billion in the first eleven months of this year, while transactions in November were valued at $3 billion, says a Grant Thornton report. According to the assurance, tax and advisory firm, the January-November deal tally remained subdued with transactions worth $31.16 billion this year, while in the corresponding period last year it stood at $34.62 billion.

There were 47 M&A transactions worth $2.97 billion in November this year, witnessing a massive plunge of 58 per cent over the corresponding period last year, when

deals worth $7.11 billion were announced. The deal momentum is likely to see an uptrend in the coming months on account of easing inflationary pressures and good growth numbers. "With inflation in control and GDP growth being revised to now end higher than anticipated, all necessary ingredients seem to be in place, for growth in deal activity as well," Grant Thornton India LLP Partner Prashant Mehra said. "The recent FDI norms and the much awaited GST will perhaps be a game changer and will further accelerate the deal activity from an inbound investment, domestic M&A and PE perspective," Mehra

said. According to Grant Thornton, though domestic M&A deal activity remains subdued, cross border M&A deals have driven the growth in deal values. "Cross border deal values increased by 26 per cent year-on-year, driven by 11 deals worth over $500 million and 27 deals worth over $100 million," the report said. Sectorwise, telecom players lead with 40 per cent of the total deal value.

Deals in banking and financial services increased after foreign JV partners raised stakes to 49 per cent after the relaxation of the FDI limit.

November also witnessed Reliance Communication's

to slowdown in the economy. The direct selling sector in India consists only 0.4% of the total retail industry, which is far lower than its market share in other comparable economies as China and Malaysia, the report added. The report further said that there are are several factors such as fly-by-night ponzi and pyramid schemes that are often confused with direct selling and hampering the growth and a clear defi-

Image for representational purposes.

Mapping the industry across Indian states" said. Direct selling companies are those that don't engage in much marketing and don't have retail outlets. Instead, they engage peer-topeer marketers to sell their product(s). A good example is Amway. The direct selling sector's worth stood at around Rs 7,500 crore in FY 201314. The industry witnessed an average growth rate of 16% (yo-y) from FY 20102013. The growth, however, slowed down to 4% in FY 2013-14 due

nition of the industry is needed. "In states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala, direct selling business has been impacted due to lack of regulatory clarity.

There is a need for the central as well as respective state governments to arrive at a comprehensive policy for the industry," it added.

KPMG said the direct selling business is also facing challenges like other consumer industries regarding setting up of manufacturing facilities and import related issues.

(Agencies)

Sebi stipulates software testing norms for commodities market New Delhi, Dec 13: prevent possible manipulation, Sebi has made it compulsory for commodity brokers and traders to get their trading systems as well as software tools tested in consultation with the exchanges. Sebi's guidelines related to testing of software and trading systems are already applicable for stock exchanges and would now be applicable for commodity bourses. Commodity markets have come under the regulatory ambit of Sebi following the

merger of Forward Markets Commission (FMC) with the capital market watchdog in September. Since new software or changes to the existing software without proper testing may affect the integrity of the markets, the regulator said the guidelines are being made applicable to commodity markets also, Sebi said in a circular. The latest move would help prevent possible manipulations of softwares being used in the commodity market.

(Agencies)

"ambitious" capital expenditure target of Rs 1 lakh crore for the current fiscal, says a BofA-ML report. Noting that capital expenditure growth this financial year has been trending below the long-term average, Bank of America Merill Lynch said a capex of Rs 378 billion (Rs 37,800 crore), or 38 per cent, of the 2015-16 plan has been made till October. "This implies that growth so far has been trending below the long-term average and requires 105 per cent growth in the remainder of FY16, which is improbable," it said.

However, the report noted that the ministry remains confident of achieving the growth.

M&M may buy Italy's Pininfarina SpA for Rs 1,095-crore

AN OVERVIEW OF CURRENT YEAR’S M&As Corporate India signed merger and acquisition (M&A) deals worth $31.16 billion in the first eleven months of this year

There were 47 M&A transactions worth $2.97 billion in November this year, witnessing a massive plunge of 58 per cent over the corresponding period last year, when deals worth $7.11 billion were announced

The deal momentum is likely to see an uptrend in the coming months on account of easing inflationary pressures and good growth numbers

The January-November deal tally remained subdued with transactions worth $31.16 billion this year, while in the corresponding period last year it stood at $34.62 billion

Sector-wise, telecom players lead with 40 per cent of the total deal value

Cross border deal values increased by 26 per cent year-on-year, driven by 11 deals worth over $500 million and 27 deals worth over $100 million

merger with Sistema Shyam Teleservices marking the first major consolidation in the Indian telecom industry since 2009. Other major deals in November

include Idea Cellular's pact with Videocon Telecommunications to buy its airwaves in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh West for $517 million. Japanese firm

Nippon Life's acquisition of another 23 per cent stake in Reliance Life Insurance for $342 million was the other major deal during the month. (Agencies)

KPMG expects direct BofA-ML report says, Railways might miss selling sector growth rate Rs 1 lakh-crore capex target this fiscal crossing Rs 64,500 crore New Delhi, Dec 13: is in place and ready to The Ministry of Railbe drawn-down dependmark in 10 years ways is likely to miss its ing on the progress of a New Delhi, Dec 13: The country's direct selling industry is expected to grow over eight-fold to cross the Rs 64,500 crore mark in the next 10 years, says a KPMG report. "Factoring in growth in consumer markets and assuming the direct selling industry penetrates the market to touch globally-comparable levels, the industry has the potentials to reach a size of Rs 64,500 crore by 2025," the report titled "Direct selling -

PAGE 10

project's execution, the report said delays could limit growth during the fiscal. "Growth should pick up from FY17 onwards, given new funding avenues, a strong project pipeline and historical under-investment," it added. So far, the ministry has raised Rs 20 billion (Rs 2,000 crore) from LIC as the Image for representational purposes. first tranche of funding assistance while the bud"We believe that while the budget for FY16, the geted amount is Rs 298 capex growth is likely to ministry has "set an am- billion (Rs 29,800 crore) pick up in the remaining bitious target of Rs 1 tril- for this fiscal ending 5M (five months of) lion of capex, or 52 per March 2016, as per FY16, full-year FY16 tar- cent y-o-y (year-on-year) BofA-ML. "Our interacgets are going to be growth vs 16 per cent tions suggest that only missed, with FY16 capex CAGR (Compounded 40-50 per cent of the growth resembling past Annual Growth Rate) targeted funds from averages," the finanical registered in the past 10 LIC will be drawnservices major said. Ac- years." While funding for down in FY16," it cording to BofA-ML, in the entire Rs 1 lakh crore noted. (Agencies)

M&M Chairman Anand Mahindra.

Mumbai, Dec 13: Mahindra & Mahindra is in talks with to buy Pininfarina SpA, the Italian car designer, sources close to the matter have revealed, a Mint report said. The deal may see Mahindra pay as much as $164 million (nearly Rs 1,095.19 crore).

There have been several delays in the deal, however, the two companies are now looking to seal the deal before the year is out, the sources said.

However, there is still a possibility that the talks may fall through. Only

last week Pininfarina had said in an Italian newspaper that the company's controlling investor Pincar Srl and Mahindra were in talks and the deal could be expected in a few weeks. If the deal comes through, it will be the third significant deal for Mahindra in recent time – after taking over South Korea's Ssangyong and scooter unit of PSA Peugeot Citroen. On Friday, the shares of the company closed at Rs 1262.30, down 2.23% or Rs 28.75 on BSE. (Agencies)

Packaged food market to touch $50 bn by 2017: Study New Delhi, Dec 13: Country's packaged food market is set to witness a quantum jump to $50 billion by 2017 from $32 billion at present due to increasing popularity of ready-to-eat items, says a survey. "There has been a major shift in food habits in the metropolitan cities.

eral D S Rawat said. The paper also pointed out that there is a large divide between urban, semi-urban and rural consumers. Urban areas account for 80 per cent of the demand for all packaged food. The survey noted that about 76 per cent nuclear families feel they have less less

CSR platform lists projects worth Rs 2,000 crore on BSE Mumbai, Dec 13: Sammaan, a platform to help companies find agencies for carrying out social welfare activities, has become operational on stock exchange BSE with more than 600 projects requiring funds of about Rs 2,000 crore listed on it as of now. The CSR platform, launched

by BSE along with industry body CII and think tank IICA, went live on the stock exchange on December 9. Sammaan would help corporates undertake effective CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities by connecting them to nonprofit and non-government agencies that have legitimate records. NGOs looking to fund their programmes would be required to list on

Sammaan along with their projects, while companies are required to register themselves to access the segment. "In three days, we have already seen registration of close to 200 corporates. We have over 600 projects across 325 cities/towns listed by NGOs that are looking for donations," BSE Strategic Advisor Praveen Chakravarty told PTI. "Nearly 650 projects requiring close to Rs 2,000 crore are listed on Sammaan now. Also 200 corporates are currently going through the screening process. We hope to achieve closure of funding for these projects in six months time," Chakravarty said. Under the new Companies Act, corporates in India are mandated to spend up to 2% of their

average net profits over the last three years towards CSR. As per a recent analysis done by BSE, there are 1,294 companies listed on its exchange that are required to spend nearly Rs 7,800 crore on CSR activities in the current fiscal.

"Sammaan is one of the world's first initiatives to provide an end-to-end framework to help corporate be socially responsible. We are very proud of this initiative of the BSE," BSE chairman S Ramadorai told PTI. According to BSE, there are about 20 lakh NGOs registered in India but there is considerable confusion among corporates on their legitimacy and credibility. Just as companies go through a process of registration and merchant

banker scrutiny to list on the stock exchange, similarly, NGOs would also have to follow the listing procedures to list on Sammaan, Chakravarty said. "They (NGOs) are listed on Sammaan either through the certification process of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) that works with six different ministries to get clearance for each NGO or through a recognised associate NGO partner of Sammaan such as Dasra, Credibility Alliance, HelpYour NGO," Chakravarty added. Every NGO would go through a check of its documentation, verification of projects by an associate partner or IICA and only then gets listed on Sammaan. (Agencies)

Image for representational purposes only.

About 79 per cent of households prefer to have instant food due to steep rise in dual income level, standard of living and convenience," said a survey by industry body Assocham. The poll highlighted that 76 per cent parents, mostly both working, with children under five-years in the big cities, are serving easy-toprepare meals at least 1012 times per month in some form or the other.

"The consumption of packaged food is much higher in the urban areas, especially metros, where life is fast-paced, attracting lot more companies to launch new types of products and variants," Assocham Secretary Gen-

time to spend in the kitchen, while nearly 79 per cent bachelors prefer convenience food. It is in this background that home delivery business model for cooked food has grown multi-fold, it said.

The main categories of packaged food are bakery products, canned/dried processed food, frozen processed food, ready-toeat meals, dairy products, diet snacks, processed meat, health products and drinks. Food manufacturers have also started concentrating on manufacturing new innovative food products and ready-to-eat processed food to keep up with the ever changing tastes of consumers.

(Agencies)

Employees' body demands re-look at 7th CPC report New Delhi, Dec 13: A body of central government employees has demanded a re-look at the Seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC) report and sought a rationalised pay structure. In a memorandum submitted to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, the Government Employees' National Federation said that while there are some positive recommendations in the 7th CPC report, there are, at the same time, several instances which need a relook. Thus, the memo-

randum said, the exercise to rationalise pay structure has led to several discrepancies. It further complained that the concept of grade pay and pay band has been done away with and all grades of pay at all levels have been subsumed within the pay matrix.

Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, said that the report submitted last month is under the government's consideration and the follow-up on it would be done after the inputs have been received from the Fi-

Jitendra Singh. nance Ministry and other

relevant quarters. He said

that even though opinion may vary, there is a large section of employees which has hailed the report, including its recommendation of 16 per cent hike in salary along with a 63 per cent increase in allowances and 24 per cent hike in pension, with minimum Basic Pay of Rs 18,000 and maximum pay of Rs 2.25 lakh for central government staff. Singh recalled that, while accepting the report, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had disclosed that an implementation secretariat

headed by the Expenditure Secretary had been created while a separate empowered committee under the Cabinet Secretary will take a view on suggestions received from various stakeholders. "There is, therefore, enough reason to believe that all the concerns and apprehensions, if any, expressed by the employees will be taken care of by the government," the minister said. There are about 50 lakh central government employees.

(Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

Features

Page 11

ENVIRONMENT Migration of Cheetahs from North America The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is now at home on the African plains, but it started a migration 100, 000 years ago from North America towards its current habitat. The research, published in the open access journal Genome Biology, found that the migration from North America was costly for the species, triggering the first major reduction in their gene pool.

The modern African cheetah is found across eastern and southern Africa, but it is highly endangered because of their small free ranging population and inbreeding.

Researchers from St. Petersburg State University, Russia, in collaboration

with BGI, China and CCF, Namibia, sequenced the genome from a male Namibian cheetah, called 'Chewbaaka', and six other wild cheetahs from Tanzania and Namibia. This gave further insight into the species evolutionary history and the breadth of genome impoverishment, which elevates juvenile mortality, causes extreme abnormalities in sperm development and increases vulnerability to infectious disease outbreaks.

A total of 18 cheetah genes showed damaging mutations and one gene in particular, AKAP4, showed a large number of mutations, which could

Source: dailymail.co.uk

harm sperm development and may explain why cheetah have a large proportion of defective sperm, and hence their low reproductive success.

The cheetah is descended from a relative of American pumas and their fossil record extends across the Americas, Europe and Asia. The species has suffered two population bottlenecks -- an event whereby the population is rapidly reduced due to environmental factors.

The first of these took place 100, 000 years ago, around the late Pleistocene -- a geological period shaped by repeated glaciations, when cheetahs started to move towards Asia across the Beringian landbridge and then travelled south to Africa. This migration was punctuated with dwindling populations and limited gene flow due to the individuals' own vast territory boundaries, measuring 300-800 square miles, thereby increasing incestuous mating.

The second bottleneck around 10- 12, 000 years

Source: dailymail.co.uk

ago, further reduced numbers, leading to further loss of endemic variability observed in modern cheetahs. This is because cheetahs disappeared from North America, when the last glacial retreat caused an abrupt extinction resulting in the loss of many large mammals, including cheetahs and pumas, from North America.

Cheetahs accept skin grafts from unrelated cheetahs as if they were clones. The genome analysis suggests that this is partly due to the loss of a few immune related genes and dramatic

loss of diversity in the cheetahs' flagella genes.

The variation is so limited that it is far below that observed in inbred dogs and cats. Tests carried out by the researchers show that the cheetah has lost 90-99% of the genetic variation typically seen in outbred mammals.

The researchers conclude that this latest insight into the history and adaptation of the endangered cheetah should be useful in efforts to sustain and increase cheetah population numbers in their present and former range habitats. (Agencies)

Leatherback sea turtles choose nest sites with utmost care The enormous, solitary leatherback sea turtle spends most of its long life at sea. After hatching and dispersing across the world's oceans, only the female leatherbacks return to their natal beaches to lay clutches of eggs in the sand. A new study offers fresh insights into their nesting choices and will help efforts to prevent the extinction of this globally endangered giant of the sea, researchers said.

A report of the new findings appears in the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery.

"Leatherbacks are the largest of the sea turtles: The males can grow to more than 1,800 pounds and the females are 600 to 800 pounds," said University of Illinois veterinary clinical medicine professor Dr. Mark Mitchell, who led the study. Mitchell also edits the journal in which the study appears.

Some leatherbacks migrate up to 7,000 miles between their hatching and feeding areas, with

females making return trips to lay eggs every two or three years.

"Their ability to get back to their natal beaches without some GPS tracker to show them where to go is pretty impressive," Mitchell said.

The researchers focused on leatherback sea turtles nesting on St. Kitts, an island in the West Indies southeast of Puerto Rico.

The team wanted to know what factors influence where and when the leatherbacks lay their eggs.

The information will help conservation efforts and improve the ecotourism experience, Mitchell said.

Other studies of sea turtles suggest that characteristics of the sand, the slope of the beach and proximity to vegetation contribute to the success or failure of nests, but "no study has tried to determine what factors cause female leatherback sea turtles to dig a nest in a particular spot, or what factors contribute to when they come up to nest," the researchers wrote.

Source: vetmed.illinois.edu

Coral reefs could be more vulnerable For years, many scientists thought we had a secret weapon to protect coral reefs from nutrients flushed into the seas by human activity. Experiments suggested that herbivores such as fish, urchins and sea turtles could keep corals and their ecosystems healthy by eating up extra algae that grew in the presence of these nutrients. But a new University of Florida study sheds doubt on that idea, underscoring the importance of sustainable growth in coastal areas.

"We found that while herbivores can control the effects of nutrient pollution in small-scale experiments, nutrient pollution at larger, realistic scales can overwhelm them," said Mike Gil, a marine biologist who conducted the study as a doctoral student at UF. "We can't just focus on protecting fish to keep coral reefs healthy. We have to take a more holistic approach."

You don't have to be a scuba diver to care about healthy reefs. In addition to sustaining sea turtles, whales and dolphins, these ecosystems deliver a host of benefits to people, from providing medicinal compounds and seafood to protecting our coastlines from storm surges. Nutrient enrichment can endanger these reefs: As our population grows, paving and development dump runoff laden with nitrogen and

phosphorus into nearby bodies of water. Fertilizers intended for lawns and crops find their way into the seas, where sewer pipes might also be disgorging waste, especially in developing nations. The resulting enrichment can cause an overgrowth of algae that harms corals, sea grasses and kelp.

field experiments weren't a viable option. ("It's not ethical to nuke an entire system with nutrients.") So Gil and his co-authors -- fellow doctoral student Jing Jiao and former UF professor Craig Osenberg, now at the University of Georgia -- turned to mathematical modeling.

They found that as the area affected by nutrient pollution increased, herbivores' ability

Source: sciencedaily.com In Akumal, Mexico, where he leads a field course in marine ecology, Gil has seen coral reefs decline and algae increase, even as the population of algae-eating fish remained stable. He wondered if herbivores alone were really enough to defend the reefs.

The field experiments that gave rise to that idea typically looked at areas of nutrient pollution of a square meter or less, but nutrient pollution zones can cover hundreds of square kilometers. Gil wanted to know if those results would scale up, but he knew larger

to control the resulting algae decreased, suggesting that these systems may be more vulnerable than many scientists thought.

Their findings could guide policy-makers in creating sustainable plans for industries such as tourism and fishing, which rely on healthy reefs.

Tourists can help, too -- when visiting sensitive areas such as the Yucatรกn, Hawaii or the Great Barrier Reef, opting for sustainable accommodations and tour operators can reduce impact on reefs, Gil said.

Courtesy: sciencedaily.com

First Puppies Born by in vitro fertilization

Source: phys.org "They don't nest every year, but when they do nest, they'll often lay multiple clutches," Mitchell said. "Sometimes they'll 'false crawl,' which means if they're not happy with something, they'll go back into the water and come back another time. One of the concerns that we had was that maybe the reason they sometimes leave the beach without laying has something to do with the beach itself."

To determine whether this was so, the team tracked leatherback sea turtles' behavior on St. Kitts during the 2008 nesting sea-

son, from May through July. This meant walking a 4-kilometer stretch of natal beach every night between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. looking for turtles.

The researchers kept track of air and water temperatures, humidity, wind speed, the lunar phase, cloud cover, the tides, and levels of natural and artificial light.

They also studied the sand in the nest sites and in two control sites per nest, measuring its temperature, pH, conductivity, moisture content and grain size. In total, data were collected for 27 leatherback nests and dozens of control sites.

"We found that the places the turtles select are different from other places along the same beach where they didn't lay their eggs," Mitchell said.

"They tend to nest in sand with a slightly higher pH and a milder conductivity than sand taken at the same depth from the control sites. The leatherback nests are in a sand that allows itself to be highly compact."

Conductivity is in part a measure of the wetness of the sand, Mitchell said.

"They don't want the nest

to become oversaturated because that could lead to the death of the hatchling.

It also can't be too dry," he said. "We also saw that the females like to lay when the moon is closer to full and when cloud cover is low, which probably is based on light."

Some turtles will start to dig one or two nests before finding a spot where they'll lay their eggs, Mitchell said.

"Maybe they're picking up on the coarseness of the sand and how well it will pack to ensure that their nest chamber is going to stay structured," he said.

Human encroachment on leatherback nesting sites, in the form of beachfront construction and sand mining, is a major threat to the animals' continuation as a species. The researchers saw evidence of both on the shores of St. Kitts, Mitchell said.

Mitchell hopes that a better understanding of the leatherbacks' nesting habits will increase the likelihood that ecotourists will show up when the turtles are nesting.

This would boost ecotourism and incentives to protect the turtles' nesting habitat, he said. (Agencies)

For the first time, a litter of puppies was born by in vitro fertilization, thanks to work

by Cornell University researchers.

The breakthrough, described in a study in the journal Public Library of Science ONE, opens the door for conserving endangered canid species, using gene-editing technologies to eradicate heritable diseases in dogs and for study of genetic diseases. Canines share more than 350 similar heritable disorders and traits with humans, almost twice the number as any other species.

Nineteen embryos were transferred to the host female dog, who gave birth to seven healthy puppies,

fertilize a mature egg with a sperm in a lab, to produce an embryo. They must then return the embryo into a host female at the right time in her reproductive cycle.

The first challenge was to collect mature eggs from the female oviduct. The researchers first tried to use eggs that were in the same stage of cell maturation as other animals, but since dogs' reproductive cycles differ from other mammals, those eggs failed to fertilize. Through experimentation, Nagashima and colleagues found if they left the egg in the oviduct one more day, the eggs reached a stage where fertilization was greatly improved.

The second challenge was

Source: leaderstandard.com two from a beagle mother and a cocker spaniel father, and five from two pairings of beagle fathers and mothers.

"Since the mid-1970s, people have been trying to do this in a dog and have been unsuccessful," said Alex Travis, associate professor of reproductive biology in the Baker Institute for Animal Health in Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Jennifer Nagashima, a graduate student in Travis' lab and the first to enroll in the Joint Graduate Training Program between the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Cornell's Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, is the paper's first author.

For successful in vitro fertilization, researchers must

that the female tract prepares sperm for fertilization, requiring researchers to simulate those conditions in the lab. Nagashima and Skylar Sylveste, found that by adding magnesium to the cell culture, it properly prepared the sperm.

"We made those two changes, and now we achieve success in fertilization rates at 80 to 90 percent," Travis said.

The final challenge for the researchers was freezing the embryos. Travis and colleagues delivered Klondike, the first puppy born from a frozen embryo in the Western Hemisphere in 2013.

Freezing the embryos allowed the researchers to insert them into the recipient's oviducts (called Fallopian tubes in humans) at the right time in her reproduc-

tive cycle, which occurs only once or twice a year.

The findings have wide implications for wildlife conservation because, Travis said, "We can freeze and bank sperm, and use it for artificial insemination. We can also freeze oocytes, but in the absence of in vitro fertilization, we couldn't use them. Now we can use this technique to conserve the genetics of endangered species."

In vitro fertilization allows conservationists to store semen and eggs and bring their genes back into the gene pool in captive populations. In addition to endangered species, this can also be used to preserve rare breeds of show and working dogs.

With new genome editing techniques, researchers may one day remove genetic diseases and traits in an embryo, ridding dogs of heritable diseases. While selecting for desired traits, inbreeding has also led to detrimental genetic baggage.

Different breeds are predisposed to different diseases; Golden retrievers are likely to develop lymphoma, while Dalmatians carry a gene that predisposes them to blockage with urinary stones.

"With a combination of gene editing techniques and IVF, we can potentially prevent genetic disease before it starts," Travis said.

Finally, since dogs and humans share so many diseases, dogs now offer a "powerful tool for understanding the genetic basis of diseases," Travis said.

Co-authors include Nucharin Songsasen, a research scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell's Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future and the Smithsonian Institution.

C o u r t e s y : sciencedaily.com

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"Personally, I love it, so call it an exhibition or not, I don't know what it is but it is a fun concept and that's why I am back here again,"

DIBRUGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

Roger Federer on IPTL

PAGE 12

Kiwis push for victory against 12th Captain Jintu Gogoi Lanka at University Oval Test memorial football tournament

Tim Southee of New Zealand is congratulated on the dismissal of Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka by his team-mates.

ANI Dunedin: New Zealand spearhead Tim Southee bagged two wickets to help his side tighten the screws against Sri Lanka on the rain-hit fourth day of the

first Test here at the University Oval. At the draw of stumps, Sri Lanka scored 109 for the loss of three wickets in their massive chase of 405-run target, thereby needing another

296 more runs for the victory. Dinesh Chandimal (31) was at the crease and will resume the innings tomorrow with skipper Angelo Mathews on the final day of the Test match.

The visitors had a reasonable start to their chase as openers Kusal Mendis (46) and Dimuth Karunaratne (29) provided some resistance by producing 54-run partnership before becoming the victims of Southee.

Udara Jayasundera (3), who came at number three, was unable to spend much time at the crease and was scalped by Neil Wagner.

Earlier, Resuming at the overnight score of 171-1, the hosts declared their second innings for 267-3; with opener Tom Latham and Brendon McCullum unbeaten at their respective scores of 109 and 17. Kane Williamson also made a significant contribution, playing an innings of 71 runs, which included seven boundaries. For Lanka, Rangana Herarth claimed two wickets while Dushmantha Chameera also chipped in with a wicket.

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec 13: As per today’s itinerary, the first match was played between Rupjyoti Sangha and Trinayan Jyoti Sangha.

Bhaskar Gogoi of Rupjyoti Sangha team scored the lone goal of the match in the 20th minute which helped his team register victory over Trinayan Jyoti Sangha 1-0. In the second match, played in the afternoon, Goregaon Football Coaching Centre defeated Sonowal Kachari Tenakhat Club 1-0. The winning goal of the match was scored

by Rahul Saikia. 16 teams are taking part in

the tournament, organized by the Dao Division (Army) in association with Dibrugarh DSA at Chowkidinghee

Field Dibrugarh. Tomorrow, B Division 11 Dibrugarh will take on Billungani TE Football Club while Dibrugarh

Football Coaching Centre will lock horns with Dibrugarh Railway Divisional Sports Club.

An action moment from one of the matches of the 12th Captain Jintu Gogoi memorial football tournament.

PCB decides to close ‘Concerned’ Van Gaal urges Mourinho believes Leicester chapter of Indo-Pak Man Utd to keep fighting can march to PL title series, says Shahryar ANI ANI to one of the big clubs. LavLondon: Ahead of his side's ishing praise on Vardy, the Karachi, Dec.13 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to give up on the resumption of `much-awaited` bilateral series against India after being unable to receive a necessary reply from the BCCI. Confirming the news, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan said that the board has decided to close the chapter and is likely to make the announcement about the same on Monday.

According to the Dawn, Khan had sent an email to the BCCI on Thursday asking them to decide on the series in the next 48 hours, failing which they would decide against playing India.

He added that the PCB made every possible effort to resume the series and even changed the venue to Sri Lanka in order to sincerely play a cricket series against India.

Shahryar stressed that the PCB should not be held responsible for the cancellation as it would be difficult for the board to make the necessary arrangements on a short notice.

According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the PCB and BCCI, both countries are scheduled to play six series between 2015 and 2023 after a clearance from the Indian Government.

London: Concerned about his side's poor run, Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has urged his players to keep fighting for the title, following their 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League. According to Van Gaal, United would make a rapid turnaround when they will take on Norwich City in their next league clash at Old Trafford. The Dutchman urged his side to stick together and work harder in order to win the upcoming three matches in a row.

Reflecting on the defeat, the 64-year-old revealed that his players were very disappointed as they did everything possible to win the match against

Louis Van Gaal

Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, whose side is featuring for the first time in Premier League, admitted that it was a great win for the club.

Van Gaal found himself at the receiving end of critics after his

World T20 trophy set for global tour ANI Mumbai: The ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 trophy embarked on a global journey from Mumbai on Sunday before it returns to New Delhi on 1 February. As part of the Nissan Trophy Tour, the trophy will visit 12 countries taking part in the tournament which will be staged in India from 11 March to 3 April 2016. During its journey, the trophy will be on display at domestic and international matches, as well as at various public places, which will enable the fans to capture a very special moment with the most prestigious silverware in the shortest format of the world game. Details of the trophy's public appearances will be announced by the host boards closer to the time. ICC Chief

Executive David Richardson said: "The Nissan ICC World Twenty20 2016 Trophy Tour has been designed to not only promote the tournament but also to engage with our fans and provide them the first opportunity to get close to the trophy, which will be lifted by the winning captain on 3 April in Kolkata. We would like to thank Nissan for their sponsorship of the Trophy Tour and we are sure it will be a big success as it travels across the world ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in India next year."

Roel de Vries, Nissan Corporate Vice President and global head of marketing and brand strategy, added: "We partnered with the ICC to bring cricket fans closer to the game. Fans feel exhilaration and passion when watching a cricket

match. Those are the same emotions we want people to experience when driving a Nissan. We hope the Nissan Trophy Tour will build excitement around the world ahead of the ICC World Twenty20."

Scotland will be the trophy's first port of call, before it travels to Ireland, England and the Netherlands as part of its European leg. England, under the captaincy of Paul Collingwood, won the tournament in Barbados in 2010. The trophy's African safari will be from 2-7 January, during which it will make appearances in Harare (2 & 3 January) and Cape Town (5-7 January). Pakistan will be the trophy's first stop-over in the subcontinent (11 & 12 January), before it moves on to Bangladesh (14 &15 January)

side made an early exit from the Champions League following a 23 defeat against Wolfsburg. United are currently at the fourth place in standings and will aim to fight back when they will take on Norwich City on December 19.

clash with Leicester City, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that the opponents can win this season's Premier League title. The 52-year-old said that the worst that could happen for Leicester City was to finish the season in the top six, which according to him, would also be a great ending. Mourinho, however, feared that the secondplaced Leicester could lose their top scorer Jamie Vardy

Chelsea boss said that the forward was very fast in attacking the space behind defenders. Chelsea, who progressed through to the knockout stages of the Champions League following their 2-0 win over Porto, have been struggling with poor run in this season of the league.

Mourinho-led club are currently languishing down to the 15th spot in league standings and will lock horns with Leicester on December 15.

Jose Mourinho

England seek `best` combination ahead of Proteas series, says Cook ANI Johannesburg: England skipper Alastair Cook has said that his side are not sure of their best Playing XI and are looking for the best combination ahead of their four-match Test series against South Africa. The 30-year-old said that there were lot of places still va-

cant in the team, thus insisting his players to work harder in order to grab the positions. Cook asserted that the upcoming series would help the players to make name for themselves and to nail their places in the team. Echoing similar views, coach Trevor Bayliss said that the two practice

matches before the Test would help in finalising the positions of some of the players. Meanwhile, South Africa, who lost the recently concluded Test series against India 0-3, will aim to bounce back when they will take on England in the first Test, starting from December 26 in Durban.

and then Sri Lanka (17 & 18 January). Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 at Lord's in 2009, while Sri Lanka will defend the title it won in Dhaka last year. On the Trans-Tasman tour, the trophy will arrive in Wellington on 21 January and will then head to Australia on 26 January where it will be displayed in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney until 31 January. After a hugely successful ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Australia will host the seventh edition of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2020. From Sydney, the trophy will return to New Delhi on 1 February and will then start its domestic tour by making appearances at each of the venues that will host the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 matches.

Maligaon NF Railway wins Pancha-Swahid volleyball tournament Manoj Kumar Ojha Doomdooma, Dec 13: Maligaon NF Railway won the Pancha-Swahid Memorial National Level Invitation Prize Money Day-Night Volleyball Tournament, organized by All Tinsukia District Students’ Union in collaboration with Doomdooma Regional Students’ Union and Doomdooma Sports Association at Doomdooma Town Field. In the final, Maligaon NF Railway defeated Calcutta EC Railway

3-0. Earlier, in the inaugural function, the chief advisor of All Assam Students’ Union Dr Samujwal Bhattacharya, President Dipank Kumar Nath, and vice president Pulak Chetia, general secretary Lurin Jyoti Gogoi marked their presence and said that the tournament represents an effort to carry forward the ideals of Panch-Swahid among the new generation. On the occasion, the President of Tinsukia District Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra

Parishad Surjit Moran and former Moran Students’ Union leader Prabodh Barua were also present. Former national volleyball player Punarjyoti Barua was felicitated. On the way to the final, in the semi final, Railway beat Panitola's Navjyoti Sangh while EC Railway had defeated Manipur Police. Rajiv Tomar of NF Railway won the best player medal while Sanjay Malik of NF Railway bagged the best blocker medal and Himanshu Das of Panitola

the best attacker madal. The trophies were distributed by AASU President, Secretary and donors. The best volleyball team NF Railway took home the trophy and a cash award of 30 thousand rupees.

The best player got a cash award of five thousand along with a trophy. The runners up Calcutta EC Railway received a cash award of fifty thousand rupees along with trophy. The best setter, the best blocker and the best attacker each received a cash award of two thousand rupees along with trophy.

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