16 sept 2015, wednesday

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Vol. 1

Issue 105

Price -

Dibrugarh, Wednesday, September 16, 2015

5.00

Every Thursday & Sunday

Pages- 12

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Museum: A visitor's sole focus to gather solid MLA Laisam Simai slams Assam information of the past, present and future Government in connection with

keen interest to know the historical past but the local people are yet to learn the importance and purpose of a museum.

and preserved in the museum hold important messages of the roots of different tribes of Assam and Arunachal.

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MLA Laisem Simai (left) meeting the family members of the rape-murder victim. Pic - Pranjal Pratim Bhuyan

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ØMostly foreigners have shown

ØHistorical pieces collected

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ØIt is believed that museum is the centre and heart of Art and Culture that portrays the identity and the source of origin of a person. Ø The Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum Itanagar inaugurated in 1990 is a classic example that stands as witness to the historical culture of the State and its neighbours. ØThe State Museum gives a panoramic view of the people of Arunachal.

A delegation of Tikhak Rung (Council) led by its chairman Izmir Tikhak from Jairampur, Nampong and Rima-Putok met with the grieving parents of Late Thuking Tikhak at Kamba village some 15 km from here, today. Late Thuking Tikhak, 19, a resident of Kamba village and a student of Margherita Town College was raped and brutally murdered by three migrant workers on August 29 while she was

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a visitor to gather solid information of the past, the present and seemingly the future. ØRelativity of historical facts among States and among communities can be traced back again in a museum.

Pranjal Pratim Bhuyan Jagun, Sep 15

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ØMuseum is the sole focus for

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Margherita rape-murder case

Give Paresh Barua free passage Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students’ Union to visit ailing mother: AASU reconstitutes its Central Executive Body Contd. on Page 3

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ET CAPSULES

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The world celebrates International Museum Day every year in May 18. It is believed that museum is the centre and heart of Art and Culture that portrays the identity and the source of origin of a person.

The Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum Itanagar which was inaugurated in 1990 is a classic example that stands as witness to the historical culture of the State and its neighbours.

Some of the former historians have rated the State Museum here as the best museum in the North East.

While speaking to Deputy Director, Dr. Susanta Kr. Ghosh, he said, “Museum is the sole focus for a visitor to

gather solid information of the past, the present and seemingly the future.” Dr Ghosh also said that the relativity of historical facts among States and among communities can be traced back again in a museum. He said a museum must have the in depth empirical history of materials such as costume, a tool, etc., of a particular sect or a community.

Dr. Ghosh who is the overall head in charge has elaborated the focus of the State Museum. According to him, the Govt. through the Research department has incorporated ideas that are now in full swing to install digital equipment in the Museum.

WHY ARUNACHAL NEEDS MORE MUSEUMS

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ET Correspondent Itanagar, Sep 15

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cmyk

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UFO in Dibrugarh!

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Sep 15

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The suspected UFO in the skies of Dibrugarh. Pic Mumina Wasim

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A suspected Unidentified Flight Object (UFO) created a lot of curiousity in Dibrugarh today. Pictures and video of the suspected UFO was captured by an amateur photographer Mumina Wasim in the Mothola area of Dibrugarh.

The lady photographer was a part of a NGO which had gone to the area to distribute relief after the area was devastated by the recent floods. Experts have been consulted in this

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Finally, Himanta resigns from Congress ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 15

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floods and droughts) and biotic (mainly insect pest and disease disorders). Many a time abiotic stresses precede or bring about biotic stresses.

Sometime the situation of too much and too less water creates problems in plantation since management option becomes limited and goes beyond economic limits.

Although tea plant has wide growing amplitutude but it is not limitless; continued flooding or lengthy nonirrigation can be fatal and the plants do not survive. It has been estimated that the major cause of death of

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Contd. on Page 3

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Along with rest of Adi inhabited districts and locations in the state, the Adi students studying far away at Karnataka also celebrated Solung festival with pomp and

India state for the first time and all the Adi students studying in the different locations/ districts of karnataka gathered together to make this year’s Solung festival a grand success.

Tea scientists, researchers worry over massive climatic changes in the past couple of months. They have been trying to find alternatives to counter these changes and to come up with new clones in a very short time which might take at least one and a half years, informed Dr RM Bhagat, Chief Scientist and Deputy Director (Research) Tocklai Tea Research Institute near here today. Dr Bhagat said, climate change mainly triggers two types of stresses i.e. abiotic (mainly

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) today appealed

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Tea scientists, researchers wary of massive climatic changes Bijoy S. Handique Jorhat, Sep 15

gaiety at Karnataka’s capital, Bangalore/Bengaluru under the banner of Adi Students’ Union Karnataka (AdiSUK) on Sunday last.

Informing about the celebration over telephone and Email, AdiSUK President Raj Darung said that, Solung was celebrated at that Southern

before the Centre and the state government to give free passage to Ulfa (I) Commanderin-chief self styled Maj. Gen. Paresh Barua to visit his ail-

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AdiSU Karnataka celebrates Solung

A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Sep 15

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Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi reiterated that the Government employees have been getting regular salaries and they would get salaries regularly in future as well and there is no dearth of fund in disbursing their salaries.

Meanwhile, the Finance Department has stated that the

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AASU delegation led by GS Lurin Jyoti Gogoi meeting Miliki Barua. Pic - Arjun Mishra

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government has done away with the retention system.

However, workers under master roll, work-charge and employees under Central Government sponsored schemes since working on temporary mode, retention system is still in vogue for them though in a more simplified manner.

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ET Correspondent Guwahati, Sep 15

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The Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APWWS) today held its second meeting this month at Namphai-I Government Sec-

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ondary School in order to create awareness and strategise ways and means to fight against the growing trend of drug abuse in the area. The peddling and addiction of contraband drugs and harmful substances, have been

Indrajit Tingwa Miao, Sep 15

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Govt employees will get salary regularly: CM

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APWWS Miao Unit raise voice against drug menace

In what looked like a drama,former Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who recently joined BJP, today sub-

mitted his resignation from the state assembly to AssamSpeaker Pranab Gogoi.

"As I have joined BJP in deference to the democratic process I submitted my resignation from the House to the Speaker today," Sarma, a three

timer MLA from Jalukbari, told reporters. "I joined BJP on August 28 and waited for 15 days for Congress of which I was a member to write to the Speaker to disqualify me. But as Congress did not, Contd. on Page 4

cmyk

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nately, notwithstanding the fact that the adhoc executive body rendered invaluable service to APCSU, it was only unfair that the large student community consisting of various APCSU units in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh were overlooked while constituting the new executive body, which was, utterly in disregard to the scheduled General Body Meeting which was to take place in Diyun on the 25th of July, 2015.

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Special Correspondent Pasighat, Sep 15

ing mother Miliki Barua, whose condition is reported to be detoriating day by day at their ancestral home in Jeraigaon in upper Assam's Dibrugarh district. Lurin Jyoti Gogoi, general secretary of AASU said that Barua must be allowed to visit his mother who is in her last stage totally on humanitarian ground.

Gogoi made this appeal to the government through the media after visiting the octogenarian Miliki Barua at her residence.

Miliki Barua is under medical observation for quite some time now. A few days ago she was admitted at a private nursing home in Dibrugarh for ageold ailments. A relative of Barua who wished to remain anonymous while welcoming the appeal made by the AASU general secretary said that it is up to the government to take a proper and sensible decision in this regard.

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Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students’ Union (APCSU), which is the apex student body of the Chakma students of Arunachal Pradesh, based in the state and elsewhere, on September 13, 2015 convened a general body meeting in the premises of Tinsukia College, (Room No.6), Tinsukia, Assam under the chairmanship of Shri Rajendu Bikash Chakma. The primary objec-

times of crisis, the adhoc executive body of APCSU categorically refuted and clarified that APCSU did not subscribe, support or bear such links, directly or indirectly. It was only due to the timely adoption of the adhoc executive body that the students’ apex body could be saved from being stereotyped as having alleged links with condemnable anti-social outfits.

And on July 19, 2015, a new Executive Body by the adhoc executive body was constituted in New Delhi. Unfortu-

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Shillong Sep 15: In a surprise political development a day before the session of the Meghalaya legislative assembly, two legislators of the opposition group Mr Saleng M Sangma and Mr John Leslee K Sangma withdraw themselves from being the members of the Meghalaya People Forum (MPF). Both of them are independent legislators from Garo Hills when they formed the MPF in the Assembly after the election in 2013.The MPF is the forum of non-ruling legislators which comprises of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Nationalist People Party (NPP), and independent legislators. With the withdrawal of them, the strength of the MPF had reduced to 11 members with UDP having 9 legislators while NPP has only 2. The HSPDP having four legislators did not join in the MPF but chosed to stay alone in the opposition side.Sources said that the withdrawal of these two legislators from the forum came as surprise since the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) is almost to knock the door. (Correspondent)

tive of the meeting was to reconstitute the Central Executive Body of the students’ apex body.

Earlier, an adhoc executive body of APCSU with Uttam Chakma as the acting president was constituted when the previous Executive Body had completed its tenure. In the meantime, certain serious allegations of links with extremist outfits were made against the Chakma students’ apex body as reported in various media channels in North East India and elsewhere. In these

ET Correspondent Diyun, Sep 15

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Two opposition members quit from forum

PAGE 2

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Sati Jaimati to be staged at Doomdooma

Students of Jonaki Sangha Vidyalaya performing on the ocassion of the birth anniversary of Srimanta Sankardev. Pic - Nekib Ahmed

Teacher in Hamren, Police officer in Diphu abducted Sushanta Roy Diphu, Sep 15: Kidnapping and assassination have become the order of the day in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong (Hamren), in some exceptional cases, for no apparent reason or for ransom. Karbi Anglong police has thus far failed to produce any positive result in two such cases. On August 31, Munindra Narayan Singha, headmaster of Umsera ME school was abducted from Matikhola area located within Jirikinding general area under Hamren police station of West Karbi Anglong district. According to his family members, Singha was a resident of Hojai district and used to travel from his home to school on bike. On the day of abduction his bike was recovered from Matikhola.

He was kidnapped while he was returning home, which was confirmed by his abductors later. His family members have informed police that Singha’s kidnappers demanded rupees ten lakhs, and in compliance to their demand they paid rupees

eight lakhs through one of the colleagues of Munindra Narayan Singha but even after paying a lion's share of the ransom Singha did not return home. Finding no other alternative his family members approached Hamren police who have begun investigation. Till now police has failed to crack the case.

In a similar incident, Hiranys Bora, Assistant Sub Inspector of Assam police went missing from Diphu town on August 17. He was posted at Diphu town police outpost, his motor bike was retrieved by police from Diphu Lumding road the next day but till today police has failed to trace the missing person. On September 4, police recovered one badly mutilated dead body from Diphu Lumding road but could not identify the body; family members of Hiranys Bora refused to accept the body till the identity of the body is identified. Diphu police has arranged for DNA test of the decomposed body.

Power decentralization fastest way for people to access energy, says Piyush Goyal ANI New Delhi, Sep15: Union Minister of State (IC) for Coal, Power and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday that decentralization of power is fastest way to provide energy access to the people of the country. While inaugurating the National Biogas Convention, Goyal said that there can't be two opinions about the fact that in order to reach energy to the last mile, we have to ensure the decentralized power production across the country. He informed that India is already the world leader

in small scale and low cost biogas purification technology. The minister assured that he stand committed to the National Biogas and National Fertilizer Mission and will provide all his support to facilitate the mission. He urged the participants to create a framework for facilitating scientific exploration in the country. The Minister stressed on establishing a panel of scientists and bureaucrats who can plan integrated research efforts of various Universities, Research Institutes & Ministry.

ET Correspondent Doomdooma, Sep 15: A historical drama ‘Sati Jaimati’ will be staged on September 19, Saturday at Sourabh Kala Kendra, Rupai Siding, located near Mankhowa gaon panchayat office, in greater Doomdooma.

Rajiv Lochan Bora is the

director of the play.

"The artistes of the play are working hard; rehearsal is going on with the view to make it a grand success as the play would be staged for eight evenings." The director of the play told the eastern today. "This play would be an effort

List Of Phone Numbers Of Nursing Homes Tinsukia City Hospital & Research Centre Category: General Hospital Hospital Address: Gnb Road Near Bujhuri-786125, Assam Pin Code :786125, Phone Number :0374-2333349, Fax :0374-2350026/2339974

Dr.Bawaris Nursing Home Jeevan Jyoti Nursing Home Category: General Hospital Category: General Hospital Hospital Address: Parvathiya Road Hospital Address: Parbatia,Opp Hindi Girls High School-786125, Assam Tinsukia-786125, Assam Pin Code :786125 Pin Code :786125 Phone Number :(0374)2339756 Phone Number :0374-2336319 Fax :0374-2335334 Fax :0374-2350131

Pinewood Hospital Category: General Hospital Hospital Address: Subothoni Road Moniam Dewan Nagra-786125 Pin Code :786125 Phone Number :0374-2300730 Fax :0374-2339730

Help-Line APST BUS SERVICE Ph: 0360-2212338, 0360-2351490 NIGHT SERVICES Name of Routes Departure Distance(km) Bus Fare 1) Itanagar- Shillong ( Daily service) 5:00 pm 510 460/2) Itanagar-Nyapin(Mon, Thu, Sat) 2:00 pm 325 400/3) Itanagar- Aalo (Daily service) 2:30 pm 325 350/4) Itanagar-Daporijo (Daily service from Nlg)12:00 noon 432 470/5) Itanagar - Yingkiong (Alternate day) 01.00 pm 436 550/6) Itanagar - Seppa (Alternate day) 12:00 noon 385 420/7) Itanagar - Khonsa (Sun, mon, wed, thur) 1:00 pm 677 620/8) Itanagar - Namsai (Daily service) 1:00 pm 655 580/9) Itanagar - Koloriang (Alternate day) 2.30 pm 334 400/DAY SERVICE 10) Itanagar - Guwahati (Daily service) 6.00 am 395 350/11) Itanagar - Pasighat (Daily service) 6.00 am 270 250/12) Itanagar - Tirbin (Mon, thu & sat) 5.30 am 328 330/13) Itanagar - Bomdila (Daily except Fri) 6.00 am 346 320/14) Itanagar - Aalo (Daily service) 5.30 am 325 350/15) Itanagar - Sagalee (Sun, Tues & Thur ) 7.30 am 121 135/16) Itanagar - Pakke Kessang (Mon, Wed & Fri)7.00 am 160 200/17) Itanagar-Mengio (sun, tue &Thur) 6.00 am 198 230/18)Itanagar-Kimin/ H-Camp (Daily except Sat)12.00 noon 94 80/19) Itanagar-Gerukhamukh (Daily except Fri)12.00 noon 134 120/20) Itanagar- Balijan (Daily except Sun) 12.30 pm 105 105/21) Itanagar - Sonajuly (Daily except Sun) 01.00 pm 70 80/22) Itanagar - Jote (Daily except Sun) 07.00 am & 01.00 pm 22 30/23) Itanagar- Lakhimpur (Daily Service) 3.30 pm 64 70/-

Man injured in bear attack Aizawl, Sep 15: A bear attacked a man in Mizoram's Saiha district seriously injuring him, a police officer said. Chuanmawia was attacked by the bear near river Tuipanglui and suffered serious injuries on face besides fracture of right arm last evening, the officer said. The badly bruised man was later taken to the Primary Health Cen-

Price situation under control: Jaitley New Delhi, Sep 15: Attributing rise in prices of certain food items to seasonal factors, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday said inflation overall was moderating and the price situation was under control. “During the monsoon period because of seasonal variations, (prices) of some products go up. But overall inflation continues to moderate and seems to be under control,” he said. Mr. Jaitley said that ‘inflationary pressures’ continued to ease ‘across-the-board in August 2015’. The Finance Minister was responding to a query on the WPI and CPI Data released earlier in the day. Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said there had been a considerable improvement in the price situation. “The RBI will take a considered call on the issue. There is no divergence in perception. The government and RBI are working together.

Taking into account the overall factors, RBI will take a considered call,” he said. (Agencies)

G M Hospital

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

AMC Road, Jalan Nagar Dibrugarh - 786 005

Archana Trauma & Orthopaedics Hospital

Brahmaputra Diagnostics & Hospital

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

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

Assam Medical College

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

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

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

Sanjivani Diagnostic & Hospital

Dr. Pawan Bajaj's Skin Clinic

Aastha Hospital

Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh Phone: 0373 - 2303448, 2303458, 2301904

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

ASTRO FOR YOU So what if plans that you had earlier made have not materialised. You will make a reassessment today, and by mid-day you will sort out a lot of things which will boost your confidence.

You need to exercise great discretion in planning your agendas and taking important decisions. Do not undertake anything simply because it appeals to your nature. Be sure that, this day, you are going to feel uncomfortable in taking uncomfortable firm decisions on your own. Today, you should refrain from taking major decisions of any kind without consulting the right people.

You will attempt to be a part of your elders’ or your friend’s sorrows and try to lighten their burdens. Your kind and courteous nature, as well as your joviality will cheer them up. The later half of the day will be filled with entertainment and happiness. A romantic date in the evening is possible.

You plan a slow but steady strategy to achieve your goals. Your business rivals can come nowhere you in efficiency or expertise. You will win all-out praise for this from all quarters.

Today it seems you are going to have no qualms in listening to your inner voice as you strive for excellence in all your efforts. Being in tune with yourself helps you remain level-headed and down-to-earth all day long. At work, you will be the cookie jar of humour around which everyone flocks for a tasty break.

Today it will be family responsibilities that will dominate the day. Juniors will offer you a lot of help, but you must remember that what you seek is valuable and that it will demand a lot of effort from you. Be careful of people in general.

There are indications that today, you may want to take a break from your humdrum routine in order to recharge your batteries. It is an essential change that we all need from time to time. Finances may improve sometime later in the day. Children, if any, may be a source of joy in the afternoon. You will get rather emotional towards the end of this fruitful day.

Family members would want to talk about important matters with you today.

Time at work will be comfortable. Take special care of new assignments though.

You are likely to bear expenses on account of tours and services today.

A mixed bag of fortunes in store today. At work, expect the unexpected and overlook the expected. Don’t you worry if you stumble there, for the evening promises to be ecstatic and a fitting finale to a rather muddled day.

You have pulled up your socks and geared up to finish off all pending work.

You’ll want to do proper planning and go through the right route to minimise the chances of errors and wastage of time, even if it means spending the whole day for it. Physical intimacy will give boost to your love life. Enjoy the good time!

You will play the role of a peace maker, today. You will create a harmonious environment around by solving problems of everyone, including yours, with tact and diplomacy. Embrace any career opportunity coming your way, because it may turn out to be one of the most advantageous decisions you have even made. You will enjoy a blissful evening with your sweetheart.

PRASAR BHARATI (India's Public Service Broadcaster) ALL INDIA RADIO : DIBRUGARH (M.W.529.1m/KHz567 F.M. 101.30 MHz)

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

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Sep 15: Hindi Diwas was observed yesterday by the Commerce Stream of Reliance College Jr. On the day's importance, lecturer Amit Nagori presented his considered opinion. A writing competition on Hindi was arranged among students of class XI and XII. In this competition, among class XI students Prasenjit Kairi and Sushmita Saha stood 1st and 2nd respectively while among class XII students Archita Pathak and Bikash Sharma stood 1st and 2nd respectively. The prizes were sponsored by Maheswari Yuwa Sangathan Golaghat. Rector Dr T.N. Hazarika and Principal Priyanka Das were also participated in the Hindi Diwas observance. "Non Hindi speaking students performed better than the Hindi speaking students," said one of the judges, Mrs Mina Nagori.

A day wherein you will be busy socialising in the company of your near and dear ones, or childhood buddies. Refurbishing and refurnishing your home is also likely to be on the agenda. You may find yourself visiting a holy place as well.

tre in Tuipang by the locals and then shifted to the District Hospital in Saiha.

Doctors in the District Hospital said that the bear-attack victim was now in stable condition. Villagers said that bears and wild boars were roaming in the forests near Tuipang and had destroyed the cultivation in many places during the past one month. (agencies)

Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals

to demonstrate the power, strength and sacrifice of an Assamese woman. The new generation can learn a lot from her life," he said further. The organisers expect that more than 5000 theatre lovers will turn up on the day.

Hindi Diwas observed

Paltan Bazar, Opposite Aditya Hospital Dibrugarh

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

Phone No.-03732325456 E-mail -dibrugarh@air.org.in Facebook Page-All India Radio Dibrugarh Programme Highlights 16-9-15 (WEDNESDAY)

5-35 A.M-Bhaktigeeti(Devotional Songs) 6-10 A.M-Swasthya Charcha (Health Programme) 6-15 A.M-Hindi Language Lesson 6-30 A.M-Bidyarthir Anusthan 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-Surar Satsori 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-Karpumpuli 7-35 P.M-Ujjwal Bhabishyat 8-00 P.M-Parikrama 9-30 P.M-"Satriya Naat Samaroh". Bhaona-"Nrisimha Avatar". Presented by Na Ali Dhekiyajuli Juwak Sangha.Producer-Toren Lekharu Sd-/H.O.P

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association team visits Kameng districts ET Correspondent Itanagar, Sep 15: First ever general body meeting of East Kameng Catholic Association (EKCA) was held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Seppa on September 12 last. The meeting was attended by Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association (APCA) President Taw Tebin along with a team of four members.

Priests, nuns and church leaders from Seppa, Naricamp, Veo and Bameng Parishes also attended the

meeting and discussed the various issues of East Kameng district.

Addressing the huge gathering as Chief Guest, APCA president Taw Tebin urged all to maintain catholic ideology with peace and harmony among the brethren and cooperate with priests and nuns for the upliftment of missionary works in Arunachal Pradesh.

Later he advised the executive members of EKCA to rename its nomenclature to APCA East

Kameng Unit for better coordination with the central APCA. ZPM Rajo Gyadi also spoke on the

occasion.

The team also visited another church at Bana under Palizi Parish West

Kameng district on September 13 and advised them to constitute APCA West Kamen District Unit.

DC issues circular for database entry of arms license on NDAL Roing, Sep 15: The Deputy Commissioner of Lower Dibang Valley District, Ravi Dhawan, IAS in a circular to all arms license holders whose arms licenses were issued from the Office of Deputy Commissioner, Roing asked them to get their arms license entered in the National Database on Arms Licence (NDAL) on or before 1st October 2015.

It was also informed that a Unique Identification Number (UIN) will be generated for each license after proper verification and authenticity of license detail.

For any queries and details one may contact A. Pertin, SDO (Judicial) on his mobile No. 0977450876 for registration in the database.

The arms license which have been issued from this

district and renewed somewhere else but the renewal information was not provided in this office will not be entered in NDAL unless the license holder renews their licenses at Roing or apply for transfer of jurisdiction of the Licensing Authority to their ordinary place of resident within 15 (fifteen) days with effect from today. (DIPRO)

Youth to undergo Skill Development Training at Orion Edutech, Kolkata

RKMS Aalo golden jubilee celebrations planned Aalo, Sep 15: Rama Krishna Mission School, Aalo, a missionary school run by the Rama Krishna Mission and Math, Belur Math, Kolkata, West Bengal, and established way back in 1965 has attained its 50th year. All these years, it has been rendering yeoman services to the people of Arunachal Pradesh through education. To commemorate

the occasion, befitting the stature and honour of the institution, the Rama Krishna Mission School Aalo Alumi are going to organize Golden Jubilee Celebrations in December, 2015 in a grand manner.

The Organizing Committee, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Nyali Ete, IFS, an alumnus of 1998 batch of the school, with his team, including Mr.

Kengam Ete, Organizing Secretary and others, held its 3rd meeting at Boken Ete’s Residence yesterday.

Speaking to the Organizing Committee, Mr. Pige Ligu, the Deputy Commissioner, West Siang, also an alumnus of 1984 batch, appreciated the efforts being made. He exhorted that it was the Rama Krishna Mission

School, Aalo ‘which had instilled in us a sense of PanArunachal; and that it was time to show our love and respect to the place which had made us what we have become today’. Reminiscing his days in the hostel, he told the members present that the Rama Krishna Mission School, Aalo had taught the lessons of Life, ‘which

helped us achieve success in our respective lives, and more importantly, to remain down to earth, despite our achievements'. Mr. Nyali Ete emphasized the need to work selflessly, with the spirit of camaraderie, co-operation and co-ordination, and without hurting each other’s sentiments for the sake of successful celebrations. (DIPRO)

DC holds CM’s Mission Mode review meeting at Seppa ET Correspondent Seppa, Sep 15: East Kameng DC Sandeep Kumar Singh called a review meeting today to take stock of the implementation of CM’s Mission Mode Scheme for Plantation of Tea and Rubber in the district during 2012-13 and 2013-14. He requested the district Agriculture Department to present the status report of the scheme. The department informed that during 2012-13 a total of 46 beneficiaries; 26 for rubber plantation and 20 for tea plantation, were selected and were distributed the materials. And, during 2013-14 a total of 75 beneficiaries; 55 for rubber plantation and 20 for tea plantation, were selected and were distributed the materials. They informed that under this scheme vermi compost, barbed wire and seedlings were pro-

vided to the beneficiaries.

As per the field verification conducted by the department in some of the fields, it was observed that rubber plantation programme is being undertaken satisfactorily and the villagers are showing interest in it, especially in the Seijosa area, while the tea plantation programme has exhibited poor performance. They have informed that rubber plantation cannot be undertaken in the higher altitude areas and it is best suited for low lying areas only.

They further informed that tea plantation is not feasible in the district because of its higher input cost, it being high labour intensive, transportation issues among others. Instead, they have suggested for plantation of large cardamom which is not only feasible and viable but also requires less input cost and is even

profitable. In order to incentivize the beneficiaries, they have further suggested financial assistance in cash directly to beneficiaries. The department has also presented the demands of beneficiaries in the meeting which are direct procurement of seedlings themselves, financial assistance for plantation stages such as preparation

of field, digging of pits, planting charges, etc., and issuance of NPK mixture in place of vermi compost for early stages of rubber plantation. DC has directed the department, especially to ADOs and AFAs to conduct more field visits and prepare a complete status report of the implementation of the scheme during 2012-13

and 2013-14 and submit it in the next review meeting. He suggested the department staffs to encourage more and more people to undertake agri-related activities and requested them to assist completely the interested farmers and people. He too expressed keen interest towards plantation of large cardamom in the district.

Cement plant during Assam in APWWS Miao Unit raise Meghalaya stops functioning a year voice against drug menace Dmuisinng Khongjirem Shillong Sept 15: The oldest cement plant during Assam time under public undertaking in Meghalaya, the Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL) at Sohra (Cherrepunjee) has stopped functioning almost a year now owing to overaged machineries.

The Assam Cement Limited (ACL) which had been rechristened as MCCL after bifurcation of Meghalaya from Assam, was established since 1966 which was almost 49 year now.

The non-operationlisation of the factory had caused havoc to the employees for a year now due to financial crises. Almost nine month salary was pending to over 449 employees of this government undertaking.

“The factory had totally stopped functioning since August 9, 2014 mainly due to over-aged machineries and the problem of procuring coal after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned coal mining in the State”, said Work Manager

Mr Amit Deb. “As result of this, we have been facing problem of getting regular salaries for almost nine month till now”, he lamented.

After hitting the financial crisis, the government had convinced 118 out of 349 employees to opt for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) which is under process for now.

During 2009, after the non-functional of the old aged factory, the Meghalaya government on 2009 had set up a new modernised plant at the same site but even after spending crores of rupees, the new plant is yet to function till now.

On Tuesday, the former Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr Donkupar Roy along with the local legislator of Sohra, Mr Titosstarwell Chyne visited the site at the new plant to have first hand information on the progress of the plant.

During the interaction, employees told that the installation of modern tech-

nologies were almost completed and the plant was already put on trial for the past some months.

“The new plant will be fully commissioning by this month only”, said Dr Roy after meeting with the factory management.

According to Dr Roy, there were only some minor rectifications on the new plant for some mechanical problems. “We hope the new plant will be commissioning within this month”, said the former Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Mr Chyne urges the government to speed up releasing fund to the management of MCCL to ensure that the commissioning starts at the earliest. Official record claimed that the old plant had managed to produce almost 600 metric tonnes of cement per day and it was claimed that MCCL cement is the best of the quality while the new plant which is expected to be commissioning by this month is said to produce 600 upto 1200 metric tonnes of cement.

Guwahati-Kochuveli (Trivandrum) weekly special to continue: NF Rly Agencies Guwahati, Sep 15: To cater to the increasing demand of berths during the upcoming holiday season, the Northeast Frontier Railway has decided to continue with the service of 06335/ 06336 GuwahatiKochuveli (Trivandrum)

weekly special for another four months till January next year. Accordingly the 06335 Guwahati-Kochuveli weekly special train would continue to leave from Guwahati every Wednesday till January 27 next, said Northeast Frontier Railway CPRO

P J Sarma today. During the return journey, 06336 KochuveliGuwahati weekly special would leave from Kochuveli every Sunday till January 24 next, Sarma said. The special train would not touch Chennai during its journey, he added.

Contd. from Page 1

growing in alarming proportions recently. The meeting was chaired by Chairperson, Miao Anchal Samiti and attended by GBs, PRI Members, teachers, students, the business community and women representatives from eight villages under Namphai-I. The meeting called for cooperation from Gaon Burahs to check trafficking and abuse of drugs in their respective villages and chalk out necessary measures to counter the growing menace. Besides contraband drugs, the meeting also unanimously resolved to ban sale of illegal liquors and gutkhas in the Namphai-I market. The representatives of the management of various wood

based industries from the Namphai-I Industrial Estate who were present during the meeting were also asked to strictly monitor labours and not allow them to venture out of their respective premises after 5 pm. The previous resolutions passed during the first meeting held on September 1 was also endorsed with slight modifications and plans to hold a meeting including all the sub-units under the aegis of APWWS Miao Unit at a suitable date as early as possible.

APWWS Miao Unit, true to its resolutions adopted in the meeting on the 1st of September, had on the 7th apprehended two persons who were in possession of suspected brown sugar. The duo were later handed over to Miao police and are currently behind bars.

AdiSU Karnataka celebrates Solung Contd. from Page 1 Thanking the parent wings back at home like Adi Baane Kebang, Adi Baane Kebang Youth Wing, Adi Students’ Union etc. young energetic Darung furthur added that, ‘we, being the future of Adi and Arunachal as a whole have our share of big responsibilities towards our beautiful state, its culture and heritage no matter wherever we go and wherever we stay’. Taking the opportunity, the AdiSUK under the leadership of Raj Darung and his mates like Niyang Pertin, Leepong Taki and Einstein Ratan appealed parent organization back at home to open a particular office at Pasighat (ABK Build-

ing/Office), so that very students from home state who prefers to go outside/other states for higher studies could register their names and seek help from the common desk which in turn will liase with the concern sub-wings in the various state in the country.

The appeal is made to help those new students who gets problem in other states.

The North East Welfare Association Karnataka (NEWAK) General Secretary Len Singson while attending as one of the invitees said that AdiSUK has so much potential and in future we will go hand in hand if there is a need as a support. The function was also attended by the ACP Bangalore being sent by DCP Dr Rohini.

ET Correspondent Itanagar, Sep 15: Altogether 15 youth from the State have been selected to undergo six months long skill development training in hospitality along with soft skills like spoken English, communication, internet browsing, etc. at Orion Edutech, Kolkata.

A briefing-cum-send off programme was organized by the Department of Skill Development and Employment Generation in Udyog Sadan, Itanagar here today; Skill Development and Employment Generation, Director Subu Tabin along with Deputy Director (Skill Development) and representative of Orion Edutech briefed the youth about the training and urged them to complete it with dedication in order to find a suitable job after completion of the training.

The cost of the training in-

cluding fooding, lodging, traveling cost will be borne

by State Government under Chief Minister’s Skill Development Mission. Orion Edutech will impart six months training, both theory and practical including soft skills like spoken English, communication skill, internet browsing, etc. At the end of the training the candidates will undergo an assessment which will be conducted by an empanelled and professional organization. The trade certificate will be provided to successful candidates by National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT), New Delhi.

State Govt. has signed MoA with Orion Edutech Centre, for imparting training and to ensure minimum of 70 per cent placement (jobs) at minimum monthly salary of Rs.8,000/- in hand immediately after successful

completion of the training.

The department is sponsoring the youths to undergo skill development training in various sectors like Automotive Servicing, Driver cum Mechanic, Computer Accounting with Tally, Beauty Sector, Spa Therapy, Electrician, Hospitality, Food & Beverages, Bedside Assistant, Nursing Aides, Plastic Processing, Retails, and Security Guard, etc. The training is being imparted by professional training providers located all over the country. Interested youth who wanted to take advantage of skill development training and thereafter get a job may contact any District Industrial Centre (DIC)/Office or directly to the Directorate of Skill Development and Employment Generation Itanagar for enrollment/further guidance.

Museum: A visitor's sole focus to gather solid information of the past, present and future Contd. from Page 1

Visitors will find it convenient to sit in one place and listen carefully the artifacts being explained in the voice-over of a particular tribe. He said the State is keen to develop the museum in advanced technology mode in the coming days. Dr. Ghosh also said many of the historical pieces collected and pre-

served in the museum hold important messages of the roots of different tribes of Assam and Arunachal. He said, “We hope these messages will be carried forward towards bringing peace in the border of Arunachal and Assam.”

While speaking to Director of Research, Batem Pertin, he said the State Museum gives a panoramic view of the people of Arunachal. He said the

Govt. is striving to come up with North East gallery where the heritage of all the States in the Northeast will be displayed. He said mostly foreigners have shown keen interest to know the historical past ‘but our people are yet to learn the importance and purpose of a museum’.

Arunachal Pradesh has district museums also but they are not in a good shape at present.

Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students’ Union reconstitutes its Central Executive Body Contd. from Page 1

The various APCSU units did oppose the new Executive Body on the ground of non-adherence to the due democratic procedures and protocols. As a result, the various APCSU units could not accept and acknowledge the cited body as the Central Executive Body.

In order to arrive at an amicable solution, numerous correspondences and communications have taken place between the Delhi APCSU and various APCSU units. Eventually, the said general body meeting was convened and the house witnessed an unstoppable and popular demand of the students calling for a ceremonious and complete dissolution of the ‘July-19th Executive Body’, followed by immediate reconstitution of a fresh Central Executive Body, yet again. Snubbing the differences and misunderstandings, the house strongly believed that the bond of collaboration and cooperation must be fostered between the New Delhi and various units for the greater interest of the students and society at

large. There can be differences of opinions among the members but these differences should not hamper and adversely impact the students’ union from its commitment of discharging its duties and carrying out the welfare activities for society at large. Considering and assessing the united demands, the house with full mandate of the students formed a fresh Central Executive Body to work for the welfare of the students and society delegating the post of President and all other portfolios to competent members who are living and studying in various towns and cities of India.

The house unanimously selected Mr. Tejang Chakma as President, Mr. Bijay Chakma as VicePresident, and Mr. Supon Chakma as General Secretary for the key portfolios along with executive members and advisory board.

However, in case, Mr. Tejang Chakma declines to accept the post of President of the Union on any ground, the Executive Body may choose to ask the Vice-President to take additional charge of the post of the President post and discharge the functions

of a President until such a time when a new President is nominated, selected or elected.

Meanwhile, the house also unanimously decided and resolved to streamline the functions of the Unions on the basis departmental structure. The APCSU body shall be composed of at least 6 or 7 departments to build up synergy among the departments in carrying out welfare activities and enable wide participation of students and intellectuals and the departmental structure would impose a sense of duty on the office bearers who are selected in every respective department. However, the departments may be increased or decreased if deemed fit and necessary as per the changing situations and circumstances.

The proposed departments are Finance Department, Education Department, Social Welfare Department, Sport Department, Cultural Department, Legal Department and Communication Department.

In addition, it has been proposed that a Drafting Committee shall be constituted to frame the ByLaw of APCSU.

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Mosquito nets donated

ET Correspondent Golaghat, Sep 15: Today members of Akhil Bhartiya Marwari Mahila Samelan Golaghat donated 41 mosquito nets in both

male and female wards of Golaghat Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital. In this regard, the September team of the organisation included Madhu Jasarasaria, Usha

Garodia, Babita Agrawal, Nisha Jain, Sarita Jain and Rekha Ladia. The mosquito nets were handed over to the superintendent Dr Nizra Devi.

Devotees performing Naam Prsanga on the occasion of 447th Tiruvab Tithi of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardev at a Naamghar in Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos

Sarbananda Sonowal at exstudents’ meet at Sonari ET Correspondent Sonari, Sep 13: In the twoday ex-students’ meet annual function at Sonari’s Bhagavati Prasad Baruah’s memorial higher secondary school, the final day’s chief guest the Honourable Sports minister and youth development minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “All the students should have their education in their mother tongue in regional education institutes to make their country and region stronger and should work for their region’s benefit”. He also said that people have a wrong notion towards the politicians as being corrupted, but if the educated youngsters come forward and work together towards sending a positive message then this change could bring about a common census. The function was organised in the presence of the HS school’s principal Sashi Hazarika. Also present was AASU president Dr. Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjee who ex-

BJP Youth Wing conveys to Smt Irani on NEHU mayhem Shillong Spet 15: Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJP Youth Wing) Meghalaya had conveyed a letter to Union Minister Human Resource Development, Smriti Irani to apprise her on the mayhem at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) on non-availability of full-fledged Vice-chancellor.

In a letter the party said that there are 65 colleges in Meghalaya affiliated with NEHU including some institutes and private universities.

The absent of full-fledged Vice Chancellor had affected the administration and the affairs of the students. “This is directly affected to around 4000 students and scholars of the NEHU”, said the BJP Youth Wing.

It also affected the academic sections where almost all the major decisions couldn't be taken without full-fledged Vice-chancellor.On this, the BJYM asked the minister to speed up the appointment the full-fledged Vice-Chancellor at the earliest for the interest.

pressed concerns over the degrading condition of the School and said that without the development of the schools, regional development is impossible. The other chief guests present in the function were Jorhat’s MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa,

Nagaland Central University Vice chancellor Dr. Bolin Konwar, Assam Shishu Sahitya Nyas president Dr. Hrisikesh Goswami, AASU advisor Upen Kumar Gogoi, AJYCP sectratary Palash Changmai, Sonari College’s principal Gulap Borgohain

and ex principal Tamuli, retired teacher Dimbeshwar Gogoi. Earlier, the programme started with a procession by the current students of the School. The students performed cultural activities and specially invited artists also performed their acts.

30 headmen were given sanad Shillong Sept 15: As many as 30 traditional local headmen of different villages were given Sanad (certificate) by the King of Mylliem Kingship as mark of restoring power after being clipped by the Meghalaya High Court on 10 December last year which had passed an oder that local headmen were not empowered by written law to issue of any certificate.

Facing the urgency of the matter, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) had recently passed the United

Khasi Jaintia Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs & Headmen) Act, 1959 to enable local headmen to have power of issuing any kind of certificates to resident.

As empowered by this act, thirty local headmen took the oath of office administered by the Mylliem King Lathoh Manik Syiem at the ceremonial function at Mawlai in the outskirt of the Shillong city. The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC Mr Pynshngain N Syiem

besides officials from the Council also attended at the grand ceremony.

“The passing of Rules of the United Khasi Jaintia Autonomous District ( Appointme nt a nd Succession of Chiefs & Headmen) Act, 1915 is a histor ic one”, said the Mr Syiem adding that the Rules will be applicable in the entire Khasi hills region empowering the traditional heads to exercise their powers to issue certificates to the people.

Supreme Court stays Umkhrah demolition drive

Give Paresh Barua free passage to visit ailing mother: AASU

ity (MUDA) was to conduct the demolition drive after the Meghalaya High court passed an order on Thursday last allowing the residents five days to evacuate.

The Meghalaya High Court had upheld the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to dismantle illegal structures at Polo area of Umkhrah river in the heart of the Shillong city.

Around 30 people residing along the Umkhrah river, had filed the petition to the Apex Court after the issuance of order by the Meghalaya High Court.

The stay order of the Supreme Court is an insult to the MUDA who has been fighting since a long time

Contd. from Page 1

ET Correspondent Shillong, Sep 15: The Supreme Court has stayed the order of the Meghalaya High Court to dismantle illegal structures along the bank of Umkhrah river in the city of Shillong.

The Apex Court steps in to issue the stay order after residents along the Umkhrah river bank approached the highest court challenging the High Court order.

“The Supreme Court had issued stay order today”, said Smt Pobity Nongpluh one of the residents who had filed the petition.

In fact, it is only one day before the Meghalaya Urban Development Author-

to dismantle illegal structures.

According to Smt Nongpluh, the next hearing will be held on Friday next.

“The stay order of the Supreme Court means God is with us”, said Smt Nongpluh adding "We are living here since long ago and it is our right to fight".

It may be mentioned that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January last directed the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to identify and demolish all unauthorised structures built on the banks of the Umkhrah in accordance with the law.

He, however, declined to make any comment on the possibility of Barua visiting his mother in case the government grants permission. "Let, the government react first", he said. Earlier, too, the outfit had rejected free passage offers from the Governor or the state government during special occasions like Bihu. The outfit is of the view that Ulfa belongs to Assam and the people of Assam and therefore no free passage is required for the outfit or its cadres to operate from its own soil.

MLA Laisam Simai slams Assam Government in connection with Margherita rape-murder case Contd. from Page 1

returning home from her college. After the intervention of various social and students’ organizations, Assam Police arrested three culprits involved in the heinous crime on September from Burma camp. Since then the organizations have been demanding capital punishment apart from transferring the case to a fast track court.

While interacting with the print and electronic media, MLA Laisam Simai who was also part of the delegation slammed the Assam Government for failing to deliver justice to its tribal citizen.

Simai expressed shock over the silence of Assam Government regarding the tragedy that has sparked off a series of

agitation across Upper Assam. “I’m genuinely shocked, despite the demand of various social and student organizations of Margherita constituency with regard to transferring the case to a fast track court as well as award capital punishment to the culprits; the Assam Government pretends to be a deaf and mute spectator.” He also severely condemned the local administration of Margherita constituency for failing to protect its student community.

Besides expressing his solidarity for the cause, Simai thanked all the social and student organizations of Margherita constituency that have been fighting for the cause since day one. Simai who has been constantly in touch with DC and SP of Tinsukia district, Assam

since the tragedy occurred assured the grieving parents of constant support of Tikhak community of Arunachal Pradesh until justice is delivered. He also assured to appraise the Assam CM Tarun Gogoi and Margherita constituency MLA Pradyut Bordoloi about the demands of the parents.

The grieving parents along with the villagers said, “We will only be satisfied when the culprits are awarded capital punishment.” Tikhak Rung (Council) chairman Izmir Tikhak assured the parents of the council’s support until the legal battle is won. Earlier, in memory of Late Thuking Tikhak, five minutes silence was observed.

The representatives of Assam Tribal Association, Assam Yuwa Jatiya

Parishad Sahba and Tai Ahom Students’ Union that had launched a series of protest rallies and bandhs said they would continue the agitation until justice is delivered.

They cautioned the Assam Government and local administration that further delay will only make their agitation more aggressive. Since the culprit was arrested on September 1, various social and student organizations have been demanding transfer of the case to a fast track court and it being rarest of the rare cases, capital punishment must be awarded to the perpetrators.

In the meantime, the 12 hour bandh of Upper Assam called by Tai Ahom Students Union today, demanding justice for late Thuking Tikhak concluded peacefully.

UFO in Dibrugarh!

Contd. from Page 1

regard, but till no official has confirmed the

existence of the UFO. Dr. K.C.Baruah, retired HOD, Dept. of Physics, Dibrugarh University

said that existence of UFO is not totally unreal. “Sometime ago there was an object evi-

dent in the skies of China as well. More research is required in this context”, he said.

Finally, Himanta resigns from Congress Contd. from Page 1

I submitted my resignation. "I tendered my resignation in the prescribed format and in person as per rule," he said. The speaker told the media that he would forward Sarma's resignation to Election Commission as per rule.

Asked if he would rec-

ommend by-election for the vacant assembly seat, Gogoi said as Bihar elections have been announced and Assam would be going to the hustings in AprilMay next year it may not be announced. On Sarma stating he had submitted his resignation from Congress addressed to AICC president Sonia Gandhi and

Assam PCC president Anjan Dutta, the speaker said, "That does not go into his record here.

Only his resignation letter addressed to me does." The former threetime Congress MLA, who joined BJP here with much fanfare after a 23-year-long association with Congress, apologised to the voters of Jalukbari for not be-

ing able to complete his term and assured that he would like to represent them if given an opportunity to do so again.

After joining BJP, Sarma had said, "People migrate from one party to another in politics. But I have not done it for just mere politics. I have done it for a different ideology and dream ... Time changes, situation changes."

Tea scientists, researchers wary of massive climatic changes Contd. from Page 1

tea plants in North east India is the localized flooding that often cover gardens. Further overcast skies for long periods without adequate sunshine prevent bushes from flushing. Large weather driven incidences, pest, insects, diseases with limited options of available pesticide used and stringent MRLs complicate the problem further.

The chief scientist further said that such prob-

lems are although not new to the planters of North East India but in recent years frequency of occurrence has multiplied many times. Another important factor for growth and production of tea is the adequate relative humidity (RH).

Recent observation has shown that RH has fallen much below the long term averages in the early season creating problems for the early flush. He said investigation carried out at the climate research centre of the Tocklai Tea Research

Institute, Jorhat on the distribution of rainfall and temperature on a spatial scale for a recent decade (2001-2010) all over Assam showed interesting results. The total rainfall during the productive season varied between 1100 mm and 3100 mm and between 30 mm and 400 mm in the dormant season for the ten years under study, with high variability form year to year, season to season. He said rainfall is generally high in upper Assam compared to other parts which is

the region of high tea productivity in this region. On comparison top Upper Assam South bank receives low rainfall and has reflected low productivity compared to Upper Assam. If somehow humid conditions are created or adequate set status or multiple water bodies that do not interfere with plantation are maintained, it can delay the onset of drought. Developing efficient system can combat droughts and is already practiced in tea plantations, Dr. Bhagat added.

Govt employees will get salary regularly: CM Contd. from Page 1

In fact, Finance Department has completed all modalities to disburse the salaries of all employees irrespective of the nature of job before the Autumn Festi-

val ‘Durga Puja’. For the want of retention system no employees would be deprived of his or her salaries, Finance Department stated.

Moreover, in view of the order from the Accountant General, Finance Department on Septem-

ber 11 has asked the Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioner– Secretaries, Secretaries and other Administrative Departments to make a data base of the temporary employees and submit the same

with the office of the Accountant General. In sync with the directive, Chief Minister Gogoi has directed the Finance Department to ensure that all the departments furnish their date base with the Accountant General without fail.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

NDA seat sharing is a matchless alliance of scared people, claims JD(U) New Delhi, Sep15 : Drawing battle lines over the seat sharing issue in Bihar, Janata Dal-United leader K.C. Tyagi on Tuesday said the NDA-led alliance is a matchless collection of people scared of incumbent chief minister Nitish Kumar's popularity. "This is an alliance of jealous people. They are afraid of Nitish Kumar's popularity, but this alliance is without any match. Bihar has got polarised, only a referendum is left in Bihar," Tyagi told ANI. Commenting on the

decision of the Rajasthan Government to cancel the holiday of Bark-Eid, Tyagi said the festival is a well known one, and no government should be taking such a step. The BJP-ruled Rajasthan Government has ordered schools and colleges to organise blood donation camps on September 25, which is the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, an icon of the BJP and the ideological mentor of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).(ANI)

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REGION

Ahluwalia blames Bengal for the delay in his making of the "ideal village" Darjeeling, Sep 15: A panchayat area in Naxalbari, associated with the late revolutionary Kanu Sanyal, has become a thorn in the side of BJP MP S.S. Ahluwalia, who had vowed to make the area an ideal village but has not visited it in almost a year. The Siliguri Mahakuma rural elections are scheduled for October 3 and the MP and his party have accused the state administration of not helping them. Minister Gautam Deb had denied such accusations and said

the BJP was aware of its weak support base and was blaming the state because of this. The Hatighisa panchayat was Ahluwalia's choice for the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) and to announce that he had visited the area on November 21, 2014. Among the 30 villages in Hatighisha is Sebdellajote, where Kanu Sanyal, the Naxalite leader lived for several years and eventually committed suicide in 2010.

According to Ahluwalia, the state administration

had refused to co-operate with him to implement around 30 projects linked to communication, sanitation, livelihood, education,

health of residents, new options of technology and employment. When Ahluwalia was called up in Delhi and asked about the lack of progress of the scheme on the ground, he said: "The state and the Darjeeling district administration are not cooperating with me to implement the SAGY in Hatighisa. It is clearly mentioned in the guideline that the MP will select the gram panchayat but the project would be implemented by the state and the district administration. How can I take it

forward when there is complete non-cooperation?" He said he had regularly communicated with the district administration but nothing had progressed. "Even in August this year, I communicated with senior officials of the district administration to implement the project. I was, however, informed on August 27 that I would have to send all documents to the administration which in turn will obtain approval from the state." Ahluwalia said.

"Now that the rural polls

BJP feels Bihar polls will unmask opposition's corruption New bill lacking people's support, rally taken out to protest New Delhi, Sep 15: Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh on Tuesday said the forthcoming elections in Bihar would go a long way in unmasking and exposing the corruption of the opposition, even as the main plank of the polls as far as his party is concerned is development for all. "Our agenda is to unmask the opposition and their corruption. One of our prime agenda's is development of the people of Bihar," Singh told ANI. Commenting on the drama surrounding the seat-sharing issue, Singh said all prominent leaders attended Monday's meeting at Amit Shah's residence and had amicably sorted the matter out.

Polls in Bihar will be held in five phases from October 12 to November 5.(ANI)

Rajasthan minister lauds Sikkim's rural governance Gangtok, Sep 15: A 23member team of Panchayati Raj and rural development functionaries from Rajasthan including Rural Development minister Surendra Goyal completed their weeklong exposure visit to Sikkim on Saturday. Besides Goyal, the team comprised rural development officials, zilla and village panchayat members and Rajeshwar Singh, director general, Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj & Gramin Vikas Sansthan (SIRD, Rajasthan). The visit organised by the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Sikkim, and Sikkim Rural Development department was aimed to provide exposure to study Sikkim's best practice in rural water management, informs a SIRD press release. As part of the exposure tour, the Rajasthan team visited Melli Dara GPU and Gerethang GPU in south and west districts respectively, apart from having an interactive session at the SIRD. The delegates were also exposed to the functioning of the gram

panchayats and the implementation of various rural development schemes in Sikkim.

Sikkim Rural Development minister S.B. Subedi chaired the valedictory session at a local hotel in Gangtok. Subedi in his keynote address talked about the success that the State has achieved in its Dhara Vikas programme and informed that the same is now in the process of being replicated not just in the other States but also in the neighbouring country of Bhutan. The state of sanitation and general cleanliness and the overall beauty of Sikkim were also commended, the release mentions.

The Rajasthan minister commented that they would definitely follow Sikkim's example and replicate, in their own State, all they had seen and learnt during this visit. Rural Development secretary D.R. Nepal, adhyaksha (east) and upadhyaksha (west) and a host of other official attended the valedictory function. (Agencies)

Shillong, Sep 15: In a bid to empower traditional institutions the Meghalaya government's introduction of the new bill was totally opposed by citizens who took out a rally against the move. The march, led by Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) and other groups, started from a parking lot at Motphran here and culminated near the additional secretariat. Amid tight security along the route of the rally, thousands of protesters participated in the march that ended peacefully. Condemning the state government, chief minister Mukul Sangma, deputy chief minister (in-charge law) Rowell Lyngdoh, and district council affairs minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh, the protesters shouted slogans demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Meghalaya Local Administration (empowerment of traditional institutions, traditional bodies and headmen in governance and pub-

married man having grown-up children, commited the crime earlier in the day after luring the unsuspecting child alone to a place, police said.The girl,

also slammed the ruling Congress and the Meghalaya United Alliance government on the issue and threatened to intensify the agitation if the state did not withdraw the ordinance. The protesters said all 60 members of district councils from Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council

(JHADC) should gracefully step down if the Meghalaya government and the chief minister disregard the power of the autonomous district councils as enshrined in the Sixth Schedule. "If the power of the district councils are taken away by the state government, it would be useless for members of the district councils to cling to their chairs," said HYC

Bihar: Four dead, three injured in road accident

general secretary, Robertjune Kharjahrin.

Meanwhile, a meeting of members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, representing different political parties, resolved to meet the chief minister to oppose the proposal of the state government to enact a new bill.

The Hill State People's Democratic Party, which had earlier expressed support to the bill, skipped the meeting, which was convened by Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council chief executive member P.N. Syiem.Recently, the cabinet approved the Meghalaya Local Administration (empowerment of traditional institutions, traditional bodies and headmen in governance and public delivery system) Bill, 2015. The bill is likely to be introduced in the Assembly session scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

(Agencies)

Patna, Sep15: Four passengers travelling in an auto rickshaw were killed and three other persons were severely injured when an auto rickshaw was hit by a truck at Bihar Sharif in Nalanda District on Monday night. The Police immediately reached the spot and the injured were rushed to the nearby hospital. Meanwhile the driver of the truck is still at large. Further details are awaited.(ANI)

Petrol for teachers Imphal, Sep 15 : United Brothers Petrol Pump, Chingmeirong will distribute petrol to Government college teachers on September 15, informed Federation of Government College Teachers' Associations (FEGOCTA), Manipur. Government college teachers can avail the fuel by producing their respective college ID card.(agencies)

Declassification of Netaji's files to be conducted by C-DAC Kolkata, Sep 15: The much hyped declassification of Netaji's files took another turn today as the state government approved the presence of SDAC, a nodal agency that will provide technical support in this digitization operation. Senior officials of the state government said that there are 10,000 pages in the 64 files that will be declassified. The status report of the Justice Mukherjee Commission referred to these files earlier. The first batch of Netaji files to be digitised are those from the period 1937 to 1947. There are several files from 1948 to

Middle-aged man rapes 8year old in Jamshedpur Jamshedpur, Sep 15: An eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a middleaged man at Nirmal nagar here. The 45-year old accused Sitaram Paswan, a

lic delivery system) Ordinance, 2015. Opposing the state's move to bring a legislation to empower the traditional institutions, the protesters asked the government not to interfere with the power and jurisdictions of the autonomous district councils (ADCs) as far as empowering the traditional institutions in the state are concerned. The protesters

have been announced, it is evident that there can't be any progress till the election process is over."

Naxalbari is among the areas that will vote in the October 3 Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad elections. Under the Adarsh Gram scheme, each MP has to develop three Adarsh Grams during his tenure, the first should be done by 2016. Going by the time frame, Hatighisha is set to miss the 2016 deadline to become an Adarsh Gram. (Agencies)

who suffered injuries and was in trauma, was taken to government-run M G M Hospital here tonight and was now in stable condition. (Agencies)

Union government, have revealed that the Union ministry of home affairs snooped on at least two of Netaji's nephews. The files revealed that the Intelligence Bureau had kept Netaji's relatives under close surveillance between 1948 and 1968, a period when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister. Subsequent to the disclosure, family members of Netaji met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to declassify all Netaji files.

Banerjee also said the state government had examined both domestic and international implications of the move before

1968, including intelligence reports on surveillance on Netaji's kin. A meeting on this will be held with the state home secretary on Tuesday. It was decided that security will be beefed up at Writers' Buildings during the digitisation process. On Friday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her government had decided to declassify 64 files on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose lying with the home department and display them at the Kolkata police museum on 18 September. Some files relating to Netaji, declassified by the

taking the decision on declassifying the files. Earlier Netaji's grandnephew, Chandra Kumar Bose, had written several letters to the chief minister and to the Prime Minister requesting them to declassify the files.

He also demanded declassification of another 135 files lying with the Central government and those with the British intelligence agencies. Family members of Netaji, however, feel that these files may not answer the real questions about Netaji's disappearance. It is likely that these files will have to do with the police agents who shadowed Netaji while he lived in Kolkata. (Agencies)

Chandel rallies in support of Indo-Naga peace accord Imphal, Sep 15 : Condemning the three resolutions and the two bills passed by the Manipur legislative Assembly a mass rally was taken out from the Chandel Headquarters demanding translation of the historic Indo-Naga Peace Accord of August 3, 2015 to its logical conclusion. Later, a memorandum jointly signed

by UNC, ANSAM, NWU, NPMHR, ANT, Bujuur Anchung Puh and many other political parties was submitted to the Prime Minister of India through the Chandel DC. A large number of people gathered at Maha Union Government Secondary School, Chandel District Hqs. and they

marched through the main bazar. Speaking at the gathering, UNC president Gaidon Kamei said that the Nagas welcome the IndoNaga peace accord signed on August 3 and appreciate the dynamic and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RN Ravi, the interlocutor of the Government of India for Indo-Naga political talks and the political wisdom of the collective leadership of the NSCN. "The Nagas will stand united till our cherished political aspiration is achieved", Gaidon said. The Nagas will never claim but respect the land of others but in case if anyone or any forces or community (s) at-

tempt to grab Naga ancestral homeland, the Nagas will never stay as silent spectators. He appealed to all Naga political groups to come together by forgetting all the past that have happened. The strength of O Ibobi lies in his State security forces and militarization

of tribal areas and killing of innocent civilians but the strength of the Naga people rests on the unique history of the Nagas and its situation, he claimed. The memorandum strongly condemned the merciless killing of 9 innocent civilians at Churachandpur district Hqs

consequent upon the passing of anti-Naga and tribal Bills and Resolutions on August 31 by Manipur Legislative Assembly to furthermore suppress, oppress and exploit the tribal people and also to grab the lands of the Nagas and tribal people. (Agencies)

Talks fail, Tripura says all Brus should return Souvenirs titled “Deep Sikha” the 12th edition and “Srikhand Setu” was released in the midst of special guests, the teaching staff and the student’s fraternity on the occasion of Hindi Day organized in collaboration with Meghalaya Hindi Prachar Parishad at Rub Rekha Parishad, Lower Jail Road Shillong. Pic - UB Photos

Agartala , Sep 15 : The tripartite meeting between the Union Home Ministry and the state governments of Mizoram and Tripura held in Delhi today on the issue of repatriation of Brus from six relief camps in Tripura was in-

conclusive, a senior Mizoram government official today said. Mizoram Chief Secretary Lalmalsawma, who led the state government delegation, said the meeting agreed that the Union Home Ministry officials

should hold talks with the Bru leaders before holding another meeting. "Home Ministry officials will hold talks with the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) led by A Sawibunga and Bru Coordination Committee (BCC)

led by Elvis Chorkhy," Lalmalsawma said adding, the two Bru organisations were reported to have differences of opinion on the repatriation issue. While the Tripura government officials insisted that all Brus should return to

Mizoram, the Mizoram officials explained that not a single Bru appeared before the officials for identification for repatriation and the state government was trying to implement the Road Map-IV for Bru repatriation between June 2 and August 17 last. (Agencies)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Suburban train derails in Mumbai ANI Mumbai, Sep15: Seven coaches of a local train on Tuesday derailed between Andheri and Vile Parle stations in suburban Mumbai, disrupting traffic on the busy route linking Churchgate in South Mumbai "Around 11 between Andheri and Vile parle the coaches got

derailed. There is no information of any casualty. Concerned officials have reached the site.

We are trying to clear the track as soon as possible and start with the regular routine. Slow tracks are hampered because of the incident," said Western Railways PRO, David.

Yasin Malik detained by J-K police in Baramulla District ANI Baramul, Sep15: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chief Yasin Malik was on Tuesday detained by the police in Sangrama area of Baramulla district

while he was on his way to Sopore. Yasin had called for a shutdown inBaramulla District on Wednesday in protest against four 'mysterious killings' in less than 24 hours.

Amal gets high profile cases because of husband George Clooney: Justice Minister ANI London, Sep 15: Justice Minister Edward Faulks has said that Human Rights lawyer Amal Clooney is only given high profile cases because of her marriage with Hollywood actor George Clooney. Faulks said that he was sure that Mrs. Clooney got such high cases and everyone wanted the human-rights lawyer because she was married to George Clooney, The Independent reports. He also gave the example of Tony Blair's wife, lawyer Cherie Blair, and said that being married to the Former British Prime Minister did not

PAGE 6

Govt should focus on admitting more dengue-hit people to hospital, says BJP ANI New Delhi, Sept15: Concerned over the rising cases of dengue in the national capital region, the president of the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Satish Upadhyay on Tuesday said that the Government of Delhi should be taking appropriate measures to get those

affected by the vectorborne disease admitted to hospitals quickly. "This government was sleeping and they were busy in the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) elections.

And now, they are awake and saying that there is nothing to worry about.

People are not being able to get admitted in the hos-

pital. The government should worry about this and get the poor admitted.

This situation is very terrifying," Upadhyay told .

The Centre has asked the Delhi Government to increase the bed strength in hospitals and to initiate action against private hospital, which are over charging the patients. The Delhi

Government had issued notices to two private

Why do you appoint a law minister who breaks the law, BJP asks Kejriwal ANI New Delhi, Sep15: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Tuesday lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for appointing law ministers who break the law. "Why does he(Kejriwal) appoint such a law minister who is only breaking

the law. After Somnath Bharti, it was Jitender Singh Tomar who was arrested for submitting fake academic records to Delhi Bar Council for registering as an advocate," Hussain.

"Kejriwal gives big talks, about seeking cooperation with the Delhi Police but what about Somnath Bharti.

Kejriwal needs to give an answer as to why his former law minister is running away from the law," Hussain added.

Bharti was issued a nonbailable warrant (NBW) by a trial court on Monday in connection with a domestic violence and attempt to murder case filed against him by his wife Lipika Bharti.

hospitals after the parents of a seven-year-old boy, who died of dengue on Tuesday, committed suicide as they failed to get him admitted to a hospital in time. The Delhi Government on Monday also cancelled the leaves of all doctors and para-medical staff to counter the rising cases of dengue in the national

DMRC to reduce Airport Express Line fares by 50 percent ANI New Delhi, Sep15: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday announced that passenger fares on its Airport Express Line would be reduced by 50 percent. The reduced fares will be implemented from September 18. As per the revised fare structure, the minimum single journey fare on the corridor will be Rs.10 replacing the earlier minimum fare of Rs. 20 and the maximum fare will be Rs.

Punia urges Centre and Delhi Govt. to work together to end dengue menace do her career any harm.

Amal Clooney is defending Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison on terrorism charges earlier this year and forced to resign at gun point.

ANI New Delhi, Sep15: Congress Party leader P L Punia on Tuesday urged the Centre and the Delhi state government to work together to curb the rise of dengue cases in the national capital region. "The current scenario of dengue is an emergency-like situation. The central government along

with the state government must work to provide relief to the patients," Punia told.

"Instead of playing politics over the situation the government must intervene and try for better alternatives," he added. Punia further described it as a very unfortunate scenario, that dengue patients were continually being denied admission to

hospitals despite the state government giving assurances that no patient would be denied admission. "The hospitals are denying admission to the patients.

They are not releasing the number of deaths occurring due to the dengue. There is a stressed environment in Delhi and its nearby areas due to dengue," he added.

As per the August 28 advisory, of the Delhi Government's health department, no hospital, be it private or government, should deny admission to a patient suffering from dengue. Also, with dengue cases assuming alarming proportions, the Delhi government has also ordered all government hospitals to

open 'Fever Clinics' at their premises to detect the disease at the primary level. As per the municipal corporation's fresh data released yesterday, 613 cases of dengue have been reported in the last one week, and a total 1,872 patients have tested positive for the vector borne disease till September 12.

NPP demands strict action India-Sri Lanka have major stake against cow slaughterers in each other's success: PM Modi ANI Jammu, Sep15: The National Panthers Party (NPP) on Tuesday demanded strict action against those involved in the killing of cows. "Strict action should be taken against those involved in the killing of cows. They should be arrested immediately and given punishment," NPP leaderHarsh Dev Singh told. "It is mentioned in our law under Section 298 (A) that whoever will be involved in the killing of cows, will be given punishment of ten years. But in Jammu, under the BJP, people are being provoked to kill cows and videos are being uploaded on YouTube," he added.

Singh said it is an insult to the Hindu religion, which his party strongly condemns. "We believe every religion must be given respect. The BJP is acting as a mute spectator. BJP does not have the right to be in the government, said Singh.

The sale of meat has

ANI New Delhi, Sep15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on his maiden visit to India after winning the elections.

"We are deeply honoured that you have chosen Inbeen banned in the BJP- dia as your first overseas coincidence that your last ruled states o f destination. It is a happy full term as Sri Lanka's C h h a t t i s g a r h , Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat for nine days on account of Jain fasting festival of Paryushan Parva. A ban on beef in Jammu and Kashmir beef has also grabbed headlines.

Obama has some advice for daughter Malia and students looking for colleges ANI Washington D.C., Sep15: President Barack Obama has some great advice to offer for his daughter Malia Obama and all the students who will be going opting for colleges. Addressing the students of Des Moines in Iowa, President Obama said that one piece of advice which he gave to her daughter was not to stress too much about having to get into one particular college, and added that there were a lot of good colleges and universities, People reported. He said that just because it (college or university) was not some name-brand, famous, fancy school, it did not mean that you (students) were not going to get a great education there.

Malia's choice of college

PM Modi to hold delegation-level talks with Lankan counterpart ANI New Delhi, Sep15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe here on Tuesday for delegation level talks. The two neighbors are expected to sign MoUs in various fields as well. Wickremesinghe will call on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday and hold talks. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema, who is accompanying Wickremesinghe, said that

the focus of the visit will be more than just negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement which covers only trade and services.

He added that, Sri Lanka is keen to have stronger ties with India on areas such as investment, technology, education, agriculture, industrial development and culture.

Wickremesinghe arrived here on Monday on a three day bilateral visit.

This is his first official international visit after assuming the Prime Minister's office last month.

prime minister coincided with the first National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government," said Prime Minister Modi in the joint statement.

"We thank you for your belief in and steadfast support for India-Sri Lanka relations," he added. Prime Minister Modi further said that he had had an excellent dis-

President calls upon NITs to take lead in creating capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship

is still not known yet, the 17-year-old has toured universities like Harvard and Yale, However, her

father is not putting too much pressure on her to choose a college based on its brand.

ANI Nagpur, Sep15: President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the 13th Convocation of the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said NITs, as institutes of national importance, have to take the lead in creating capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. They must align their activities with national development goals. He called upon VNIT-Nagpur to do its utmost in this direction. The president said technolo-

gists are problem solvers who search for quicker, better and less expensive ways of meeting tough challenges. They play a pivotal role in understanding and furthering the relationship between science, technology and society for a better tomorrow. He called upon the students to take a pledge to make full use of technology for the benefit of mankind and to see that the use of technology spreads happiness, prosperity and general well-being amongst the people of our country. He called upon students of VNIT-Nagpur

cussion on common development saying that the progress of Sri Lanka is in the interest of both neighbours. "As a close neighbour, we wish Sri Lanka every success and assure you of India's unwavering support. We would like to see our trade grow and become more stable with Sri Lanka," he added.

Delhi Govt. orders inquiry into death of child from dengue ANI New Delhi, Sep15: The Delhi Government on Tuesday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of a seven-year-old boy from dengue, whose parents committed suicide as they were turned away from a number of hospitals. "We have ordered a magisterial inquiry in the case of sevenyear-old child's death due to dengue. Magistrate has been told to visit the hospitals which had denied admission to deceased child and look at the CCTV footage of the hospital. We have also asked to submit the report as soon as possible. The legal notice is

to become entrepreneurs, who create job opportunities for people rather than merely seek job opportunities. Creating enterprises which will create wealth for the nation, society and people will be their biggest contribution to the inclusive and sustainable development of the country.

The President also paid tributes to Sir M. Visvesvaraya on the occasion and said he is happy that the Convocation of V NIT is usually organized on his birth anniversary, which is marked as Engineers Day in India.

capital. Earlier, the government had launched helpline number 011-23307145 to assist the dengue patients here. The Central Government has also asked the Delhi Government to increase the bed strength in the hospitals and to initiate action against the private hospitals, which are over charging the patients.

given to the private hospitals and have been asked to reply within one month," Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain told here.

Delhi Government on Monday also cancelled leaves of all doctors and para-medical staff in wake of the rising cases of dengue in the national capital. Earlier, the government had launched helpline number 01123307145 to assist the dengue patients here. The Central Government has also asked the Delhi Government to increase the bed strength in the hospitals and to initiate action against the private hospitals, which are over charging the patients.

60 against the earlier maximum fare of Rs. 100. The one-way journey from the New Delhi railway station to Dwarka Sector 21 using single journey token will now cost Rs. 60. DMRC took over the operations of the Airport link, also known as the Orange Line, in July 2013 after Reliance Infrastructure's subsidiary Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Ltd (DAMEPL) terminated its concessionaire agreement.

Mau rape: BJP says UP Police always failing to catch accused

ANI Lucknow, Sep15: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday critcised the Uttar Pradesh Police for failing to catch the rape accused after an 18-year-old rape survivor was shot dead in Mau. "Whether it is Sitapur, Mau or Basti, in all these places, the victims were asked to compromise with the accused and they were killed if they denied to compromise. The Additional Director General said that the police will slap the Gunda Act on the accused," UP BJP state president Laxmikant Bajpai told. "One will slap the Gunda Act only after it catches the victim. It has been four days, but the police has not been able to catch them," he added.

Bajpai further criticised the Samajwadi Party leaders for commenting in favour of the rapists, saying that when their leaders comment in favour of rapists, then, how the district administration can act against them. An 18-yearold rape survivor was shot dead on Monday, two days before she was to appear as witness in court, allegedly by bikeborne youths in Baijapur village in the Dakshintola area. The girl's family alleged she was killed on the orders of the accused, police said.

Congress condemns cancelling of Eid-ul-Adha holiday in Rajasthan ANI New Delhi, Sep15: The Congress Party on Tuesday condemned the decision of the Rajasthan government to cancel the holiday for Eid-ul-Adha in schools and colleges this year. Congress leader P.L. Punia said, "Cancelling the gazetted holiday of Eid-ul-Adha and organising blood donation camps in all schools and colleges on September 25 is the worst case of mockery by the BJP." According to reports, the BJP is organising blood

donation camps in all schools and colleges inRajasthan to mark the birth anniversary of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, an icon of the BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or the RSS. "Deen Dayal Upadhyaya was a great person but it was not necessary to organize blood donation camps on 25th September," Punia told ANI. "We celebrate every national festival like Diwali, Holi, Bakr Eid. BJP should re-think on it," he added.

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

NEIGHBOURS

Sheikh Hasina Wins UN Award for Leadership on Climate Change United Nations, Sep 15: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been announced as one of the winners of the United Nations Champions of the Earth award in recognition of her country's initiatives to address climate change.

"Serving as Prime Minister of Bangladesh - one of the world's least-developed countries - Sheikh Hasina has proven that investing in climate change is conducive to achieving social and economic development," said the announcement issued by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which confers the awards.UNEP noted that Bangladesh is one of the world's most populated countries, with over 159 million people. It is also one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Cyclones, floods and droughts have long been part of the country's history, but they have intensified in recent years."Through a number of forward-looking policy initiatives and investments, Bangladesh has placed confronting the challenge of cli-

Pakistan blast toll rises to 11 Islamabad, Sep 15: The toll in the bomb blast in Pakistan's Multan city has risen to 11, officials said on today.At least 71 people were injured when the explosion rocked Multan city on Sunday.All the dead have been identified and none of them was a suicide bomber, Dawn online quoted regional police officer Tariq Masood Yaseen as saying."The blast was not a suicide attack and the person who was being suspected as suicide bomber was a passerby," he said. Another police officer Tariq Waheed said a remote control device was used in the blast. About seven to eight kg explosive material was used in the blast, he said. (Agencies)

PM Nawaz Sharif inaugurates Pak-China friendship tunnel Pakistan, Sep 15 : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Pakistan-China Friendship Tunnels, which have been constructed over Attabad Lake in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The tunnels have been constructed by the National Highway Authority (NHA) in collaboration with the China Road and Bridge Corporation to restore part of the road which had become submerged under the Attabad lake waters. The seven-km-long five tunnels are part of the 24-km portion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) which was damaged in 2010 due to land sliding at Attabad area in Hunza valley. Two major bridges and 78 small bridges have also been constructed on the rebuilt section of the highway, reported Radio Pakistan. The project has been completed in a span of three years and two months. NHA officials briefed the Prime Minister on the details of the project and status of upgradation of other parts of KKH. (Agencies)

mate change at the core of its development," UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said."These initiatives, from climate change adaptation measures to ecosystem preservation legislation, mean that current and future generations of Bangladeshis are better prepared to address climate change risks and reverse the impacts of environmental degradation," he said.He added that Ms Hasina has

PAGE 7

demonstrated "leadership and vision" in both making climate change an issue of national priority and advocating for an ambitious global response. "As an early adopter and advocate of climate change adaptation policy, she continues to be an example to follow as world leaders seek to take action on climate change as part of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris climate conference in

December," he added. The award cites, among other initiatives, the progressive Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan of 2009, which made the South Asian nation the first developing country to frame such a coordinated action plan.Bangladesh is also the first country to set up its own Climate Change Trust Fund, supported by nearly USD 300 million of domes-

tic resources from 20092012.The award also noted that the Bangladesh government currently earmarks 6 to 7 per cent of its annual budget - some USD 1 billion - on climate change adaptation, with only 25 per cent of this coming from international donors.In addition, under her leadership, the Bangladesh Constitution was amended in 2011 to include a constitutional directive to the State to protect the environment and natural resources for current and future generations."As one of the most disasterprone countries in the world, Bangladesh understands the importance of addressing the impact of climate change. The country is already experiencing its detrimental effects, and it is often the poorest and marginalised who feel it most," said Robert Watkins, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.

The awards will be handed out at a special ceremony on September 27 in United Nations at the close of the Sustainable Development Summit. (Agencies)

India, Pakistan among major illicit drug producing nations: Obama Washington, Sep 15: US President Barack Obama has determined India and its three neighbours, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar, among a list of 22 nations that are major illicit drug producing or transit countries.

Other countries on the list consists of the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.In a notification to the Congress, Obama determined that Bolivia, Burma (Myanmar), and Venezuela "failed demonstrably" during the last

twelve months to make sufficient or meaningful efforts to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotic agreements.In accordance with provisions of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (FRAA), the President also determined that support for programmes to aid the promotion of democracy in Myamnar and Venezuela remains vital to the national interest of the US and therefore grants Burma (Myanmar) and Venezuela National Interest Waivers, the State Department said in a statement. A country's presence on the list does not necessarily reflect its

counter narcotics efforts or its level of cooperation with the United States on illegal drug control, it said. The designation can reflect a combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to be produced and/or trafficked through a country, it added.When a country on the list does not fulfill its obligations under international counter narcotics agreements and conventions, the President determines that the country has "failed demonstrably" to meet its counterdrug obligations."Such a designation can lead to sanctions," the State Department said.(Agencies)

Nembang formally invites prez to unveil statute

US asks Nepalese to cooperate in constitution-making process Washington, Sep 15: The US has asked Nepalese people to engage through peaceful, non-violent means during the promulgation of the new constitution and has called on the security forces to exercise restraint in responding to protests."As the vote in the Constituent Assembly continues, we hope that the document that emerges embraces the creativity, inclusiveness, and flexibility that will build a peaceful and prosperous Nepal," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said yesterday.A proposal to revert Nepal as a Hindu state was overwhelmingly rejected yesterday by the Constituent Assembly which declared that the Hindu-majority nation will remain secular, triggering violent protests amid an already volatile situation over federal structure."The constitution should have the broadest possible support and the outcome should honour fundamental rights such as gender equality and basic freedoms," Kirby said in a

statement."We urge citizens to engage through peaceful, non-violent means, and call on the Nepali security forces to exercise restraint in responding to protests," he said.The US, he said, is closely following the debate as Nepal approaches the final stages of drafting and promulgating its constitution."The United States recognises the ut-

most importance of this process for the Nepali people and for cementing Nepal s democratic transition and providing the foundation for economic development," Kirby said.More than two-thirds of lawmakers in the 601member Constituent Assembly turned down the proposal by pro-Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party-

Nepal (RPP-N) to amend the Constitution to restore Nepal as a Hindu state. The lawmakers declared that the country should remain secular as the Constituent Assembly resumed voting on articles of the draft Constitution clause by clause.

Nepal was converted into secular state in 2008 through a Parliament declaration, when monarchy was abolished from the country following the success of the People's Movement. A proposal to revert Nepal as a Hindu state was overwhelmingly rejected yesterday by the Constituent Assembly which declared that the Hindu-majority nation will remain secular, triggering violent protests amid an already volatile situation over federal structure.(Agencies) The US has asked Nepalese people to engage through peaceful, non-violent means during the promulgation of the new constitution and has called on the security forces to exercise restraint in responding to protests

Iran says wants China's help to resolve Middle East tensions

Beijing, Sep 15: Iran wants China's help to resolve tensions and unrest in the Middle East and is ready to play host to more Chinese firms once sanctions against it are lifted, Iran's foreign minister said today.

China and Iran have close diplomatic, economic, trade and energy ties, and China has been active in pushing both the United States and Iran to reach agreement on Iran's nuclear program.Under the multilateral deal, agreed in July, sanctions imposed by the

United States, European Union and United Nations will be lifted in return for Iran agreeing to long-term curbs on a nuclear program that the West has suspected was aimed at creating a nuclear bomb."China and Iran find mutual benefits in many areas," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, at the beginning of a meeting in Beijing.China is the biggest customer of Iranian oil and Zarif said their economies were "complementary". The

two countries faced "similar challenges as well as opportunities", he said."I agreed with Minister Wang Yi that we share similar views on regional issues, which should be solved in a political way. We would like to cooperate with China on issues in Yemen, Syria and the Middle East, seeking a political solution," he said.China has traditionally been a low-key diplomatic player in the region, despite its reliance on its oil, calling for negotiated settlements and decrying threats or the

use of force."We both agree that the unrest in West Asia and North Africa regions is not sustainable, it should be solved in a political way and we should seek a solution that can address the concerns of different parties," Wang said. Zarif thanked China for its role in the nuclear talks."After the agreement is implemented, illegal sanctions imposed upon Iran by Western countries will be lifted, a lot of Chinese companies will have more chances to cooperate with Iran," he said.China had long objected to unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States and Europe, though it has supported U.N. ones, and had denounced threats of force.Wang said China would fulfill its promises and play an active and constructive role in implementing the nuclear agreement. In July, Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Barack Obama that China would work with the United States and others to ensure the implementation of the agreement. Xi visits the United States later this month. (Agencies)

Kathmandu, Sep 15: Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subas Nembang today extended a formal invitation to President Ram Baran Yadav to unveil the Constitution on September 20.Nembang along with General Secretary of CA Secretariat Manohar Bhattarai reached the Sheetal Niwas at 9 am this morning to extend the invitation, according to CA cospokesperson Sudharshan

Kuikel. Nembang was scheduled to meet the President on Monday evening, but the head of state postponed it stating that he will first consult with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on the unveiling ceremony.The President is said to be unhappy with the way the constitution drafting has been rushed, without trying to accommodate the demands of the Madhes-based parties, his aides say the Presi-

dent is bound by the Constitution and will work with the government to promulgate the new statute. Few days ago speaking in the CA, Chairman of Constitution Drafting Committee(CDC) Krishna Prasad Situala said president will cooperate in constitution drafting process.

Hinting to President Ram Baran Yadav, Sitaula also said that no one is above the law. (Agencies)

Death penalty for two in rape and murder case Dhaka, Sep 15: A Narayanganj court has sentenced two people to death for violating a woman and killing her along with her minor daughter to hide the offence five years ago.The convicts are Abul Kasem, 58, and Dulal Hossain, 55, from Dorigaon area of Araihazar upazila. They were also fined with Tk50, 000 in line with the capital punishment.Besides, the court of Narayanganj Addi-

tional District and Session Judge Miazi Shahidul Alam Chowdhury handed down seven years in jail to one named Babul Hossain, 35, for helping the duo.All the three convicts were present in the dock during the announcement of the verdict.When contacted, local Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) M Rahim admitted the verdict and said Kasem and Dulal had raped a woman alluring her

to ensure shelter in Dorigaon area on March 5 in 2011 and Babul aided in their crime. Later, the trio killed the victim's sevenyear-old daughter as well to root out any proof about their heinous offence and finally they tried to bury the bodies secretly in Puratan graveyard.In the incident, police launched the case, in which the court handed down the verdict to the trio.

(Agencies)

Owners asked to pay RMG workers by Sept 20 Dhaka, Sep 15: The government has asked the garment owners to pay the festival bonus by September 20 ahead of upcoming Eid-ulAzha. The owners also asked to pay 15 days' salary of the on-going month.

State Minister for Labour Mujibul Haque Chunnu made the disclosure after a meeting with the members

of "Crisis Management Committee" on Tuesday afternoon. Representatives from Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMEA) attended the

meeting.The junior minister also directed the factory owners to allow vacation to the workers in phases starting from September 21.He also said a gazette would be issued on Wednesday with the provision of compulsory festival allowance in the Labour Act. Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated in the country on September 25. (Agencies)

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DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

High Suicide Rate in Mizoram Tripura too tops the list for highest suicide rates in the country Suicidal Deaths in India as per a report published

by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Government of India is to be taken seriously states like Sikkim and Tripura have one of the highest rates of suicides in the country.While Sikkim tops the list as the number one suicide state in India ,Tripura comes in at 4th position just behind Kerela. Over the years these northeast states have been exposed to a host of hostile environment and drugs , which in the long term affect the minds of the children .Places like Sikkim also have been going through this period of the youth and women living a life devoid of simple happiness and the children are spending less time with parents say psychiatrists.

Tripura the rate of suicide which seems more in the interior areas where largely tribals reside is due to poverty and also unemployment.Tripura also has an open border with Bangladesh whereby huge cache of drugs have made way to the market.Over abuse of these substance can lead to mood swings which include depression.Also amongst the elders the farmers who have been through a lot of competition and have lost land there is a social problem of one lending by people who charge high interest rates in the state.These factors may also add to the alarming rates of suicide in the state of Tripura. Some astonishing facts about Mizoram have been revealed. It is believed that around nine persons on an average committed suicide every month till June this year, with depression being the main reason for the deaths. Suicide was on the rise in Mizoram, which has barely a population of 10 lakh due to increase in the incidence of depression and other mental problems among youths. Both police officials and social workers described the increase in suicidal death as alarming in a small state like Mizoram. Also as per reports by Police CID (Crime) unit officials that 72 people had committed suicide since January 1 till July 31, as against 41 during the corresponding period last year.

When measured relative to the size of the population, India's suicide rate is the 12thhighest in the world behind South Korea, Sri Lanka, Nepal and others. Still, India's 21.1 suicide deaths per 100,000 people in 2012 is almost twice the global average. And it can be said that acute economic insecurity and mental-health issues like depression are the biggest triggers of suicide in India. In its first comprehensive report on suicide, the U.N.'s health agency found that India accounted for more than 258,000 of the 804,000 suicide deaths worldwide in 2012. That's more than in any other country. China was a distant second with around 121,000 deaths from suicide that year.

No thought for food Question on India being democratic Can the government dictate what its citizens eat?

Well for a few days in September in some parts of India, it can. During one of the main festivals celebrated by India's Jain community in the financial capital Mumbai and the western Indian state of Rajasthan, the slaughter and sale of meat will be banned on certain days. Followers of the Jain religion observe a fast and pray for forgiveness during the annual Paryushan festival. Jains, who constitute 0.37% of India's population, are often strict vegetarians and leather products are prohibited in their places of worship. Some Jains wear masks when outside to avoid inhaling bugs and sweep the ground in front of them to keep from stepping on living creatures. Earlier this week, out of respect for the Jain festival, Mumbai's city administrators ordered a ban on the sale of meat for four days and in Rajasthan, the state government gave a similar ruling for a three day period. Some, including the Hindu right-wing Shiv Sena party and the left-of-centre Congress party in the western state of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, have questioned the ruling, saying it interferes with people's right to choose what they eat.

But in a multi-cultural country like ours with such diversity, one should not be over sensitive and over touchy about a short restriction when it is being done out of respect for the sentiments of a particular section of society. There's been a hue and cry ever since the Maharashtra government announced a ban on the sale and possession of beef in the state, under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (amendment) Act (MAPA), 1995. The Maharashtra government has gone a step further by putting a blanket ban on the slaughter of bulls, bullocks and calves also. Reportedly, the slaughter of female buffaloes and buffalo calves can continue but with the required permissions in place. The punishment for not following the beef ban will be non-bailable and the punishment will be five years in prison and a fine of Rs 10,000. This ban had also become a trending topic on micro-blogging site Twitter and celebrities are voicing their opinions too.

Now the question arises can one person's religious freedom interfere with another's food preferences?

And what if the freedom of one religious group is in conflict with that of another? Although such a move is nothing new, the publicity given to the ban this time, and it being extended from two days to four and eight days, resulted in much disquiet in many parts of India. Many sellers and consumers of meat are not opposed to a ban on the sale for a day or two; usually the days preceding and following those days would see an increase in sales and compensate for the day of the ban. But a bar for four consecutive days, and the wide publicity given to it, raised fears that the implementation would be strict and that those who did not conform might face prosecution. The stated rationale for the prohibition - which does not cover fish and eggs - is to prevent 'slaughter' during the period of fasting. But that did not convince the Bombay High Court, which termed the move "regressive" and "absurd" in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai. By ordering a ban on meat for an extended period, the BJP governments have revealed a fundamentalist streak, and thus risked a backlash from some of their own core supporters.

Assam on the Boil Again, this Time Over Hindu Migrants from Bangladesh- Part I ? ......Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty The Modi government's decision to grant asylum to Bangladeshi Hindu migrants in Assam is fomenting widespread anger among ethnic Assamese even as the refugees say they have no place to go back to.

Far from the theatre of national politics and the glare of prime time national news, a cauldron of ethnic tension is simmering in Assam - yet again on the volatile issue of immigrants from Bangladesh residing in the north-eastern state without valid papers.

In the last three days, just about every district of the state saw protests and street processions, led by the All Assam Students Union (AASU). The trigger was a notification sent to the state administration by the Centre early this week, announcing its decision to allow all Bangladeshi Hindus living in Assam who sought shelter before December 31, 2014, "due to religious persecution or fear of religious persecution" in their country to stay.

While the notification applies to all Hindu immigrants including those from Pakistan, staying anywhere in India, in Assam it takes on a different colour. In the early 1980s, students' organisations led by AASU had spearheaded a six-yearlong agitation on the issue of undocumented migrants.

The protests grew violent and eventually led to the deaths of many agitators before the then Rajiv Gandhi Government relented, signing the Assam Accord with AASU leaders in 1985, which put an end to the agitation - even though many of its clauses are yet to be implemented.

The memory of that agitation was revived when hundreds of AASU members came out on the streets on September 9 with placards and slogans demanding immediate implementation of the Accord and expulsion of all undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants, and burnt copies of the Central government's notification. What added fuel to their fire was Governor P.B. Acharya's statement that there is "nothing sacrosanct about the Assam Accord" which was roundly condemned by protestors. On the evening of September 10, they hit the streets again, in processions with torchlights. Twenty six organisations representing ethnic Assamese have joined AASU in the protests, which show no sign of abating.

Opposing points of view According to Assam-based organisations representing the community of Displaced Bengali Hindus (DBH),

there are anywhere between 59 and 75 lakhs of them in Assam, out of a total of 3.5 crore said to be scattered across India. They say that religious persecution in Bangladesh makes it impossible for them to go back, and have for years demanded that they be granted not just refugee status but Indian citizenship.

These demands were once again made recently during their meetings with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in New Delhi and Guwahati. The BJP-led Centre, by allowing them to continue to stay in the state without legal papers, has in effect met their demand half way.

However, AASU and local ethnic groups see the Centre's decision as coming in to direct conflict with the core principles of the Assam Accord. AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya says that his organisation is opposed to the Modi government's decision because "Assam can no longer be the dumping ground for Bangladeshi migrants. Assam took a lot of refugees during and after Partition and during the 1971 war. It is after all, a small state with a high unemployment rate. These people can be given space in some other state."

He further says that they are also opposed to the decision because the BJP is approaching the issue from the religious point of view.

"In Assam, it can't be done that way because there is already an Accord in place.

For us, that Accord is the rulebook which says anyone from Bangladesh residing in Assam from March 1, 1971 onwards, whether he/she is a Hindu or a Muslim, is an illegal immigrant and therefore [must] be expelled from the State," he says.

Sahadev Das, president of

Activists of All Asom Goriya Yuva–Chatra Parishad (AAGYCP) burnt the effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during 12 hours Assam Bandha called by AJYCP with other local organizations protesting against Union Government’s decision to grant entry and stay rights to Hindu migrants who have fled from Bangladesh and Pakistan owing to religious persecution at Jalukbari oin Guwahati. Pic - UB Photos the Assam chapter of the Nikhil Bharat Bengali Udbastu Samanay Samiti (NBBUSS), one of the main pan-India organisations championing the cause of the DBH, welcomes the Modi government's move but reiterates their main demand for Indian citizenship.

"Refugee status doesn't fully solve the problem. We want citizenship for the Bengali Hindus from Bangladesh residing not just in Assam but across India simply because they can't go back. If they do, they run the risk of being killed for religious reasons.

Where else will they come if not to India? The illegal Bangladeshi Muslims can

be sent back because they don't have any such problem."

Das's organisation, along with another Assam-based organisation, Bengali Lok Manch, have been demanding amendments to the four Acts under which a person is declared an undocumented migrant by the tribunals set up by Assam Government under the instruction of the Supreme Court. (The SC has recently raised the number of such foreigner detection tribunals to 100 considering the large number of pending cases.)

A historically sensitive issue The issue of undocumented immigrants from

Bandha supporters stage protest by burning tyres during 12 hours Assam Bandh called by AJYCP with other local organizations protesting against Union Government’s decision to grant entry and stay rights to Hindu migrants who have fled from Bangladesh and Pakistan owing to religious persecution in Sonari. Pic - UB Photos

Bangladesh has been an age-old, pesky and highly emotional subject for the ethnic Assamese population. It has hinged on concerns that the high influx of people from Bangladesh through the porous border and their subsequent enrolment in the state's electoral rolls (often believed to be done surreptitiously by political parties looking for easy vote banks) will harm their indigenous identity.

Census figures showing an abnormal spurt in the state's non-Assamese population in the period from 1971 till now has further heightened their concern.

Riding on that fear, the students' agitation was launched in the early '80s, leading to violent street protests and deaths before it finally ended with the signing of the Accord. While the Accord came with a slew of sops aimed at economic development of the state, the prime succour for the agitators was the cut-off date of March 1, 1971.

Though little from that bouquet of promises has been delivered in the last three decades, "there is a general understanding among the local Assamese population that those who came from Bangladesh on or after March 1, 1971, will have to leave Assam one day even if they manage to wrest voter I-cards, rations cards, etc. through political nexus or otherwise," says Bhattacharya.The Central government's latest noti-

fication, mentioning the new cut-off date of December 31, 2014, therefore, is being looked at by various groups that took part in the agitation as a prelude towards the dilution of the core principles of the Accord.

States Bhattacharya, "People of Assam launched an agitation for six years on the issue; so many people died for the cause. Since then, people waited for 30 years for the government to safeguard their ethnic identity, but look at the latest Census.

If it continues to go this way, ethnic Assamese people are soon going to be a minority in their own state. The Guwahati High Court has already said that Bangladeshi migrants are becoming kingmakers in Assam.

The Supreme Court, while striking down the IMDT Act as unconstitutional in 2005, in response to a writ petition

by Sarbananda Sonowal (then an AASU leader and now a Modi government minister), said Assam is facing external aggression and internal disturbance because of the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

These are not mere fears.

In such a scenario, instead of implementing the Accord which would safeguard the rights of the Assamese people, the BJP is trying to dilute it.

It is just not agreeable."

Contd.

Begging: A Growing Menace Sir, In India the problem of beggary has assumed a stupendous proportion. Beggars oftoday have adopted beggary as a profession, it has changed its form in the modern period and the problem has become a colossal one. Beggars do nothing, except begging and leading a life of horrible moral corruption. Moreover due to less productivity and all-round backwardness beggary is growing at alarming rate. Both in Hinduism and Islam, for example, charity to beggars is required for all people of faith. However, besides the fact that "beggary" has its root in religious mendicancy, it has its socio-economic ramifications and that has made "beggary" a major social problem of the 20st century. The beggary is a curse for any society under any condition and circumstances; but for a poor country like India it isnot only curse but a great financial burden, too. At present there are more than half a million beggars in India and if we include among these those persons who occasionally beg, the number will swell into a few millions. Probably this blot on our society should be attended to.It is high time we draw a blue print to eradicate this social menace.

Aye deedi, bhaya, Allaha kay naam pay daa daa. I am a poor person. My children are hungry and…"

When you hear this, you should know that, you are being attacked by a beggar" . The streets of Dibrugarh are too filled with it and it seems they have adopted beggary as a profession, it has changed its form in the modern period and the problem has become a colossal one. In most of the cases the beggars could have earned a decent living. Moreover poverty alone cannot be held responsible because all those who live on poverty line do not take to beggary.

Yours etc Diksha Hazarika Dibrugarh

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

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

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

OP-ED

Here's your survival guide for the 10-day Ganesh festival!

Marisha Karwa It's that time of year when devotees take over the city's streets and chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' fill the air. It's party time and the city has a legitimate reason to paint the town red. But for dozens of diehard Ganesh fans, there are those lesser mortals whose hearts skip a beat every time the drums start to roll. They view the festivities as laced with many perils and much risk. If you are among Mumbai's very own 300, here's a guide to surviving the 10 days: Donation Emptying your pocket to fill someone else's can potentially lead to empty coffer syndrome. Given the many organisers who battle the doorbell and break down the door in order to get to your worn-out wallet, it is best to install an electric shock-dispens-

ing doorbell and add a coat of steel to your front door weeks before they come knocking. But don't shy away from being generous for your own housing society pandal.

Housing society pandal As if the four pandals already lining the compound wall were not enough, the in-housepandal now competes to see how you can ever make it home without running into the many neighbours and acquaintances whom you've been successfully avoiding for months. Incessant chatter about when you are getting married or popping babies is guaranteed, accompanied by instant brain freeze (on your part). The only escape is to relocate to a cemetery and stay put in a treehouse.

Noise At least two dozen human bodies become immobile in the middle of the street for free entertainment

when the bands start to play. And the dancing that accompanies the music is as contagious as the Ebola virus. Looking for a way out? Transform yourself into a modern-day Gandhari, stuff your ears with the best-quality ear plugs and invest in George Jetson's aerocar to manoeuvre around the immobilised masses.

Traffic Getting stuck in traffic during Ganesh festival, especially on visarjan days, is the quickest path to absolute paralysis.

Ganpati forbid, if you do find yourself in an island of devotees swarming around a chariot of the elephant god, rest assured that the earth will move faster on its axis then you will on your alloy wheels.

Avoid this fate by getting injected by spider venom and swinging between buildings at the flick of a wrist.

India's Rush For Development That Is Making Tribals Sacrifice Their Lives And Livelihoods Antara Mukherjee Over the past few decades, the rate of development in India has increased steadily.

The methods to encourage this development have become harsher, rougher and prudential in a way that has led to complications on a large scale. As the rate of development rises, Indian Adivasis and the rural population have been largely and purposefully left behind in the dust of the storm. And through this exclusion, millions of voices have been raised to challenge the new ideas of development, wrongful displacement of communities, uprooting of ancient and traditional livelihoods and mostly the snatching away of any authority on their own lives.

Development Induced Displacement and Resettlement (DIDR) is the root of most problems in this case. Large groups of adivasis and villages residing in and around forests, mountains and resource rich areas are being forced to move away for the creation of dams for hydroelectric power, area to set up mines, area to set up airports, military bases. With the use of force these communities are being pushed to give into the demands of the richer and the powerful. In return they are being left without jobs, no money to feed themselves and no homes. They are being pushed to migrate into newer environments where they aren't able to cope up with new livelihoods.

Kashipur in Odisha is rich in bauxite. A joint international company called Utkal Aluminium decided to lay

it's foundation in the village of Maikanch in Kashipur.

Over the past ten years, the villagers have protested to this intrusion and they have been met with violence. To reiterate the fact that this project of mining bauxite is in the name of development, state police and state administration have turned to hostile and uncivilised flow of violence on these peaceful villagers. One fine day, the police vans turned up with armed policemen and opened fire on a few men who were cultivating their land. After injuring a few and killing three men, they fled the scene, leaving behind the threat of further such violence. The kind of violence that has been met out to such geographically favourable areas is a trend.

It's always the state against the people, it's always cold blooded violence against peaceful protests by the villagers and the affected sections. Not only were the people of Maikanch attacked, the company even tried to bribe some of the villagers and asked them to state how happy they really were about the mining project and how they were alright with the forced displacement.

This shows that the trust between a government and its people is no longer a reliable phenomenon. In each case the authorities have been the reason for more trouble to the people than the foreign companies that only want to sink their claws into profits.

A little further away in Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh another such conflict had

Page 9

arisen. The National Minerals Development Corporation with the help of Russian technology wanted to set up a steel plant. At the beginning, the villagers of Nagarnar didn't raise any qualms about this project. It became a problem when the site of the plant was announced. The CM was adamant about using the fertile agricultural land of the villagers for the plant instead of the huge barren stretch of land that the villagers had proposed. Protesters were beaten up, wrongfully jailed and shot at. Villagers were lathi-charged, stoned and tear gassed. After four gram sabhas collectively refused to give up their land, they were cheated out of it by the authorities through forgery.

Eventually hundreds of villagers were jailed so the plant could carry out the inauguration ceremony peacefully. They were even forced to accept compensations and beaten up for any refusals.

Even after all this transpired the state authorities claimed that law and order was being rightfully maintained with cooperation by all.

The truth is that most resource and mineral rich areas have been a home historically and traditionally and may time even legally to tribals and villagers living there. They have resided in those regions for centuries with their own methods of survival and livelihood. And these regions in turn become the ground for conflict between them and the government that refuses to accept any protest against their forced development projects.

These areas have been the site for terrible conflict that

Are "Pro-Women Ads" Fostering Women Empowerment Or Mere Marketing Gimmicks?

genuine ones; replete with a deeper noble agenda.

There exists a fine line between content innovation and manipulation. Consequently, Under Armor's "I Will What I Want", Always' "Like a Girl" and Verizon's "Inspire Her Mind" campaigns have struck pay dirt with their respective advertising campaigns across the USA and Europe. However, it is imperative not to get caught up in the viral wave of positive frenzy and instead view such campaign adopters through a more critical lens.

Examining the past track record of many of these brands that today have jumped onto the "prowomen ad" bandwagon often puts things into perspective. There's a long history of marketers specifically targeting women consumers; making them feel strong, independent and empowered. Tobacco major, Phillip Morris' 1990s "Virginia Slims" campaign that associated a woman's professional success to slimmer "women friendly" cigarettes; is a case in point.

However, what would work better today is a wholesome leveraging of women empowerment in a contemporary context with the objective of extensive brand engagement through multichannel storytelling and cause related messaging.

The recent campaigns of

Havell's and Vatika Hair Oil in India have excelled on this front by eruditely capturing the transition of the Indian woman from the traditional homemaker to a proud, professional go-getter. Such campaigns are reflective of morphing societal realities and bridging the omnipresent gender divide.

Viewing the current scenario from a more discerning lens, one would have to say that actual empowerment should stem not just from transient marketing campaigns; but from a holistic attempt at grass-root level emancipation fostered over the long run.

Unilever's globally renowned "Shakti Amma" Project is one such sterling example. The manner in which the FMCG behemoth has altered societal perceptions while raising the profile of women as key familial decision makers and often, breadwinners while strengthening the rural Indian fabric and consolidating its market leader position - is what genuine women empowerment is all about. Stayfree's "Women for Change" campaign; inclusive of a drive to partner with the UNICEF in order to offer basic hygiene education and services to rural Indian womenfolk is another classic illustration in point.

Furthermore, brands cannot merely bandy about women empowerment as a pleasantly packaged creative idea; but would be better served translating the very same in their own workplace. This could be accomplished by reducing the systemic gender bias with regards to salary packages, growth opportunities and job recognition. Once in-house employees themselves are convinced of their company's brand positioning authenticity, it makes spreading the word a lot easier and consequently, the concerned brand's messaging more believable. This approach addresses the three vertices of the Marketing Triangle - Internal, External

and Interactive - thereby, co-creating value every step of the way.

Brands must today decide whether they want to chart a short term course towards higher sales revenues or undertake a more arduous and long term sojourn towards creating enhanced goodwill and equity through a more comprehensive albeit expensive campaign. It is essential not to insult the intelligence of the target consumer by re-packaging age old propagated stereotypes and subtle prejudices in the garb of empowerment as many cosmetic product companies do. Fair & Lovely's recent "Stay Beautiful" campaign featuring Bollywood actor, Yami Gautam, has come under a deluge of criticism for this reason. Thus, it is insufficient for marketers to merely create campaigns that pay superficial lip service to women empowerment as it is a most sensitive issue and ought not to be diluted through the voice of blatant consumerism. Only when consumers sense a tangible element of sincerity in a marketer's campaign is it likely to create a lasting impact; encouraging repeat purchase, augmenting brand recall and enhancing brand loyalty. Other key aspects that need to be given due credence include the cultural sensibilities and sentiments of the target demographic, stage in societal evolution and creative content relevance with regards to the passage of time.

It is up to marketers and advertisers alike to leverage the same as a perceptible competitive advantage, instead of packaging disparate marketing efforts as a "me too" short-sighted approach that makes a complete mockery of the central cause. Creative innovation that gets at the heart of a cause is far more effective than covert emotional manipulation of the target consumer, beset with a parochial profit driving agenda.

rich in bauxite ore, a key requirement for mining aluminium. Vedanta Mining is a company that is based in the UK and it has mining operations going on in multiple countries. They currently have their eyes on the Niyamgiri hills and want to mine it for bauxite. The problem with this is that hill range is rich in flora and fauna, it is self-sustaining and is a home to many tribes including the DongriaKondh. Since the beginning of the project, the villages within the hill have come out with passionate refusals to the project proposal. The mining would result in their hill being blown apart and their livelihoods destroyed.

The tribe lives in its own little world. They grow their own food and are highly skilled at gathering in the forest.

The villages have been able to hold back the proposal through collective refusals at over 14 gram sabhas. They have vetoed the entrance of

the mining company and have refused to leave their land even if it means to die.

The politicians who stand to profit if the proposal goes through are now proposing military help to diffuse the unanimity of the people by accusing them of maoist activities. Currently the company is yet to make a move due to the lack of a green signal, because a collective veto would influence the state authorities against them. But with the new government in place, gram sabhas may lose their authority to decide for themselves and their lives.

This is a different kind of violence. The tribe lives in fear for their Niyam raja who has been their cover for centuries. They are ready for a war, if required, to save their home. The company's advertisements for the Indian population has the tagline, "Mining Aluminium. Health and Happiness of Odisha."

However the intentions of the company are very two faced. They are only prepared to mine and prioritise their customers who can afford the products of aluminium. They have no intentions of social work, rehabilitation or employing the people of the villages they will be uprooting. With no regard for the people that are being forcibly displaced, our current government aims to take away the right to veto from these villages, making the gram sabhas null and void of their function. This could lead to great problems, one of coaxing these villages into a revolt which would cause both humanitarian and economic problem amongst many others.

What seems common in all these struggles over the country is that none of them, none of the affected people are ready to wait for their fate to be decided in a corporate boardroom. And the authorities, the government cannot take this reaction lightly or de-prioritise the call of the tribals over the greater good of the mainstream society. No one should be sacrificed or be made to sacrifice for other people, a sacrifice that will leave them begging for food and shelter for the rest of their lives and even generations.

The current track record of development that this country has seen has been devastating for those who cannot afford it. They have been systematically excluded from any of the 21st century privileges, even human rights. This tussle over land is only one of the many cases of developmental frauds that has and will result in more problems and complications in the future.

Organisations like the World Bank have been equally at fault for pushing projects in such areas where a problem is bound to arise.

In conclusion, all these incidents echo the reality of the phenomenon we call development. It is critically important for us to recognise the sometimes devastating patterns of development and how they affect only a certain section of the society. It is important to recognise and be critical of developmental methods that require the displacement and the sacrifice of people who cannot afford either.

Pradyut V. Hande In 2004, when Dove launched its "Real Beauty" campaign featuring everyday women of varying body shapes and sizes; little did they know that it would globally kickstart a radical new marketing movement steeped in female empowerment like never before.

The critically acclaimed campaign has gone on to inspire myriad brands to delve down this avenue with the objective of creating a brand resonance differentiation plank in an increasingly hyper-competitive consumer space.

Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg's 2013 book Lean In - and its subsequent campaign has further put the issue firmly in the media and public eye alike. At a time when the lines between product differentiations are getting drastically blurred in a cluttered market place, it is the continual endeavor of marketers and advertisers to foment topof-mind recall through engaging content that finds existential resonance with their target consumer base.

Set in this backdrop, developing life affirming prowomen campaigns is gradually becoming a mainstream operative tool.

While many brands such as Unilever's Axe and the USbased Burger franchise, Carl Jr. have thrived on objectifying women as highly sexualized beings; there are many brands that have grasped the significance and purport of incorporating women empowerment as a centralized theme in their disparate campaigns. This primarily stems from the palpable evolution of human society that continues to trundle towards greater gender equality. This holds true for both developed and emerging markets alike.

Closer home, Fastrack's latest outdoor "Sorry For What?" campaign highlights today's urban Indian woman who lives an independent unabashed existence without kowtowing to rigid societal norms; while

has led to the killing of innocents in hundreds and thousands. It is astonishing how deaf the state authorities can be when it comes to paying heed to their own "subjects". It is also astonishing how state governments that claim to have no funds to carry out development of villages and such has enough money to order military battalions against peaceful and unarmed protests.

Development is a huge part of a developing nation, but at what cost? The tribals and poor villagers have nothing to gain from the mainstream idea of development. Their livelihoods cannot be sacrificed for others. And our governments have profusely refused to help and provide refuge to these resilient communities.

When it comes to reasons as to why these communities refuse to give up their lands and livelihoods they are plenty. Some being the fact that they only know their

Vogue, India's stupendously well-received "Boys Don't Cry" campaign (a component of its larger #VogueEmpower initiative) draws attention to the scourge of domestic violence. And who can forget Scooty Pep's "Why Should Boys Have all the Fun?" campaign of 2007 that succeeded in communicating the female empowerment tangent through zesty subliminal messaging! Are these mere marketing gimmicks aimed at enhancing sales or do campaigns of this nature actually foster the cause of women empowerment in a highly opinionated and fragmented society?

Let's face it. For all their enthusiasm at creating campaigns that capture prevalent societal paradigms; the objective of marketers is evidently simple and straightforward - effectively communicating the myriad features and benefits of a given product/service offering in a manner that encourages purchase, brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth. Set in this backdrop, adopting women empowerment as a central storyline can be a doubleedged sword for many brands. Today's increasingly discerning and sensitized consumers can astutely see through superficial campaigns that merely pander to the trend vis a vis

way of life and cannot cope with any displacement and change of lifestyle. They cannot survive without their ancient knowledge and forests as they need them for food and other such basic needs.

But this ancient history, their reservoir of hereditary knowledge of forests and of sustainable development has gone unnoticed by authorities that claim to be the harbingers of development.

In the recent past another conflict that has raised many debates along the lines of what development should mean is the tussle over the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha.

The Niyamgiri hill range is a beautiful landscape which is a fertile and thriving forest land. Within these hills live a tribe called the Dongria- Kondh who revere this hill range as their deity, as their God and the one who is responsible for their existence. But like many other regions in Odisha this hill range happens to be very

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

BUSINESS

Amrit sugar brand introduced by EID Parry

Bengaluru, Sep 15: Murugappa Group company EID Parry India, announced that it would introduce a new branded sugar Amrit, described as 100 per cent natural cane sugar, as part of its strategy to boost retail sugar sales with value-added products in the fledgling branded sugar market.

Amrit, the company's fourth branded sugar, is manufactured through a

process which is completely different from how normal white sugar is made, according to the company. The product will be sold in a half kilogram pack, priced at Rs.30.

Though the sugar has a brown tinge, it is different from most of the other brown sugars available in the market as it doesn't use molasses. "Parrys Amrit conforms to all food safety standards and is fully hy-

gienic," V.Ramesh, Managing Director of the company said. "It has 10 per cent lower calories than a normal white sugar, retains natural nutrients of potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous and iron."

Amrit, which will be formally released on September 18, will initially be sold in Chennai and Bangalore and become available across India by January.

Though the retail segment accounts for a very small share (5 per cent) of overall sugar sales in the country, changing lifestyles are expected to spur branded sugar sales in the coming years.

For EID Parry, retail accounts for two per cent of its sales. "While everyone is competing on price, we have decided to focus on differentiated sugar-related offerings to boost our share in the segment. Two more new products are in the pipeline this year," he added. (Agencies)

Octavia 'anniversary edition' launched by Skoda

PAGE 10

Moto X Play launched by Motorola at Rs. 18,499 Bengaluru, Sep 15: Buoyed by strong sales of Moto G and Moto E smartphones, handsetmaker Motorola has sold 2.6 million units in India over the last seven months.

The U.S.-based company, which re-entered the Indian market in February last year, has also launched a new smartphone - Moto X Play in the Indian market for Rs. 18,499. "We have received a fabulous response from the Indian market. It continues to be an important market for us.

We have till date sold 5.6 million units, of which 2.6 million came in the February-August period. "A bulk of the sales were Moto G and Moto E," said Motorola India general manager Amit Boni. He, however, declined to comment on contribution from the vari-

ous devices. Since the reentry, Motorola has introduced the Moto E (two generations), Moto G (three

SALIENT FEATURES The device offered customers the best-in-class cameras, all-day battery, water-repellent design, meaningful software experiences and personalisation options.

The 4G-enabled Moto X Play will be available at Rs. 18,499 for 16GB version and Rs. 19,999 for 32GB. It has 5.5-inch display, 2GB RAM, 1.7 GHz octa core Snapdragon processor, 21MP rear and 5MP front camera and 3,630 mAh battery.

According to research firm IDC, 26.5 million smartphones were shipped to India in the second quarter of 2015, up 44 per cent from 18.4 million units for the same period last year

generations), Moto X and the Moto 360 smartwatch in India exclusively through e-commerce firm Flipkart. Motorola had stopped sales of its products in India after being acquired by Google in 2012, but came back after its acquisition by Lenovo with the launch of the Moto G in February last year. Talking about Moto X Play, Mr. Boni said the device offered customers the best-in-class cameras, all-day battery, water-repellent design, meaningful software experiences and personalisation options. The 4G-enabled

Moto X Play will be available at Rs. 18,499 for 16GB version and Rs. 19,999 for 32GB. It has 5.5-inch display, 2GB RAM, 1.7 GHz octa core Snapdragon processor, 21MP rear and 5MP front camera and 3,630 mAh battery. According to research firm IDC, 26.5 million smartphones were shipped to India in the second quarter of 2015, up 44 per cent from 18.4 million units for the same period last year. Lenovo group (Lenovo and Motorola) had 6 per cent share of the Indian smartphone market in the period. (Agencies)

Rs 400 crore revenue aim by Havells India

Mumbai, Sep 15: Skoda Auto India on Monday said it had launched a limited edition of its premium sedan Octavia, priced at Rs. 15.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). "The Octavia Anni-

versary Edition comes with 'smartlink connectivity' for the first time in the Indian market," Skoda Auto India said in a statement. The vehicle also comes with some additional features

ANNIVERSARY FEATURES The model comes with some additional features such as rear view camera, keyless entry and engine start stop, rear side airbags and gearshift controls on the steering wheel.

The smartlink function in the vehicle allows the customers to use selected smartphone apps on the car's infotainment system screen.

such as rear view camera, keyless entry and engine start stop, rear side airbags and gearshift controls on the steering wheel, it added. The company has also introduced two rear side airbags in the Octavia range and the sedan will now have a total of eight airbags, Skoda Auto has said. The smartlink function in the vehicle allows the customers to use selected smartphone apps on the car's infotainment system screen. (Agencies)

Free trade agreement probably to be signed by India with Australia, Chile soon

Mumbai, Sep 15: India is likely to sign the comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia and Chile soon following a renewed push to the pacts.

"We are very close to signing FTA with Chile. We are also having next level discussion with Australia for FTA agreement and we hope to conclude soon," department of commerce joint secretary Dammu

Ravi told reporters. He was speaking on the sidelines of industry consultation meeting on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations organized by CII here. He interacted with industry members to better understand the Indian industry's concerns. Ravi also said that the Centre hopes to sort out problems in Broadbased Trade and Invest-

ment Agreement (BTIA) with European Union (EU) and FTA with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). FTA allows dutyfree or low-duty trade in merchandise between the signatories. Ravi said that the Euro crisis, Yuan devaluation and slowdown in global economy may hit India's exports and government is taking measures to boost exports. The joint secretary said that the process of RCEP will only go forward with the industry's input and how the industry drives it. According to Ravi, the next round negotiations on RCEP agreement is scheduled to be held at Busan in South Korea in October this year. The negotiations have moved into advanced stage as members are now finalising the tariff modalities. (Agencies)

Neemrana, Sep 15: Riding on the new manufacturing facility for water heaters, electrical goods maker Havells India Ltd expects nearly Rs 400 crore revenue from the segment by 2018.

"With the launch of new plant, we are looking to enhance our market share in electrical water heaters segment from 10 per cent to 21 per cent with the revenues of Rs 400 crore in the next 2-3 years," Havells India CMD Anil Rai Gupta told the visiting reporters after inauguration of electrical water heater plant here. Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Saturday (September 12) unveiled the electrical water heater plant which is the company's first manufacturing facility in home appliance segment. He said the current market size of electrical water heater in India was of around Rs 1,500 crore which was projected to accelerate by around 10-12 per cent annually. "The plant will enable us not only to manu-

facture safe and high quality products but also help us grab better market share.

The soon-to-be expected revival in the housing sector will further our market share," Gupta said. The Noida-based firm has invested Rs 100 crore, excluding land and building costs, to set up the plant which was part of the 40acre Havells' complex in

Rs 2,500-crore IPO by Indigo gets Sebi nod New Delhi, Sep 15: Low cost airline IndiGo's parent firm InterGlobeAviation has received approval from market regulator Sebi for its Rs 2,500 crore initial public offer.

Under the offer, the company plans to issue fresh shares worth Rs 1,272 crore. An equivalent amount can be raised through sale of up to 3.01 crore shares by its existing shareholders.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has cleared the proposed initial share sale and gave its final observations on the IPO on September 11. The papers for raising up to Rs 2,500 crore through the IPO were filed with Sebi in June this year.

InterGlobe Aviation runs the country's biggest airline by market share under the IndiGo brand. Citigroup,

JPMorgan India, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, UBS Securities India and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company are managers for the share sale.

IndiGo is one of the two profit-making domestic airlines. The only other profitable airline is GoAir. The budget carrier saw its net profit jump over four-fold to Rs 1,304 crore in the last fiscal as it remained profitable for seven straight years. This was also the highest ever annual profit registered by the airline since its inception in 2005. It had posted a net profit of Rs 317 crore in the year ended March 31, 2014. IndiGo's good showing in the last financial year was mainly on account of higher revenues despite the domestic aviation sector witnessing turbulent times that adversely im-

20% growth aim by Sony India during festive season Kolkata, Sep 15: With most of its major product launches scheduled for this year completed, consumer electronics company Sony India on Monday said it is looking ahead to a growth of 20 percent across its product-range during the festive season (August-November). "During the festive season, we are targeting a growth of 20 per cent nationally while in the Bravia (television range) segment, we hope to achieve a growth of 25 per cent," Satish Padmanabhan, the company's head of sales, told media persons here. He said that for the entire fiscal, the firm has pegged the growth rate at 15 percent in value terms for its entire product range as against 28 percent growth last fiscal.

Amidst this target, it hopes to sell 22 lakh TV units during 2015-16. Padmanabhan reasoned the growth

Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) industrial zone. The $1.4 billion company has already established three manufacturing plants in the complex for making electric motors, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures. The new facility, which is the company's

12th manufacturing unit in India, has an annual capacity of making five lakh units of water heater. "The plant has a capacity of five lakh units a year. We will initially manufacture three lakh units and cut our dependence on imports," the CMD said. The capacity of water heaters would range from 10 to 120 litres at a price between Rs 3,200 to Rs 25,000. Gupta said the highly-automated plant is equipped with "best-inclass machines" imported from Switzerland, Japan and Italy. He said it was the only plant in the country to use 'ferro-glass dry powder technology' that prevents the tank from corrosion, offering long life even in hard water. "The plant is a part of our commitment to 'Make in India' program ... It is another step in realising our dream of selfsufficiency. We will continue to make necessary investments in realising our dreams further," Gupta said. (Agencies)

during 2014-15 to be higher as compared to the projected growth during 2015-16 on account of many international events which had pushed the company's TV sales up. The company claimed it has a significant share in the eastern markets and has targeted to sell goods worth Rs 280 crore during the festive months as compared to Rs 200 crore during the festive months in the previous fiscal. It has also stepped up its promotional budget to Rs 150 crore pan-India during the Diwali promotions and has allotted Rs 25 crore for the Durga Puja period in the east. The official said it is witnessing good growth in the rural areas in the east where people are upgrading CRT-based TVs to the more recent ones, including flat panels. "The rural east is shaping up well and the flat panel TVs has already

entered the market. The CRTs now have only a 15 per cent market share in the overall industry from 25 per cent last year. Most of the big players have exited the CRT TV," he said. Asked about the company's take on online sales, Padmanabhan said: "Presently, online sales contribute just 2-3 per cent of the revenue but we expect online to play a big role in the coming future ... At this moment, we have restrictive online sales." The official claimed that the company's product range - Bravia - has a 29 percent market share in the overall industry with its closest competitor lagging behind by just one per cent. During 2014-15, the firm had registered a growth of 103 per cent in terms of quantity sold and 75 per cent growth in terms of value in east India. (Agencies)

pacted the balance sheets of most local carriers. The carrier witnessed its revenues climb to Rs 14,320 crore in the 2014-15 financial year. This is an increase of 25 per cent from Rs 11,447 crore revenues recorded in the fiscal ended March 31, 2014. IndiGo has so far placed orders for 530 Airbus planes, making it one of the largest customers of the European aircraft maker. The carrier has already taken delivery of 100 Airbus A320 planes which it had ordered in 2005. It would take delivery of the remaining 430 aircraft over a period of ten years. At present, listed domestic airlines include Jet Airways and SpiceJet while trading in long-grounded Kingfisher Airlines has been suspended for a long time. (Agencies)

Fulfilment centre opened by flipkart near Chennai Mumbai, Sep 15: E-commerce giant, Flipkart, opened its fulfilment centre near Chennai, taking its total warehouse strength in the country to 15. With this new centre in Kuthambakkam, Flipkart has a storage capacity of over 2.5 million cubic feet across the country. "Tamil Nadu is one of the fastest-growing States that has seen an upsurge in demand for technology products like mobile phones. Hence, it is important to invest in the existing feeder capabilities and serve the ever rising demand from customers," Binny Bansal, COO and co-founder, Flipkart was quoted as saying in a statement.

(Agencies)

Gold likely to increase in future trades Chennai, Sep 15: Gold traded a shade higher at Rs. 26,014 per ten gram in futures trade on Monday as participants widened positions even as the precious metal weakened overseas. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold for delivery in October month moved up by Rs. 47, or 0.18 per cent to Rs. 26,014 per ten grams in business turnover of 4,197 lots. Likewise, the yellow metal for delivery in far-month December gained Rs. 40, or 0.15 per cent at Rs. 26,187 per ten gram in 172 lots. Analysts said speculative positions built up by speculators, helped gold futures to trade marginally up in futures trade. They said, however, a weak trend overseas where gold traded near a one-month low ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision later this week, capped the rise. Meanwhile, gold retreated 0.3 per cent to $1,104.82 an ounce in London. (Agencies)

Rs.5,000 crore to be invested

by Ola in cab leasing business Mumbai, Sep 15: Taxi aggregator app Ola will invest Rs.5,000 crore in the coming year to expand its newly formed cab leasing business.

The Bengaluru-based firm has also roped in former LeasePlan India executive Rahul Maroli as VicePresident (Strategic Supply Initiatives) to head the leasing business that will operate as a fully-owned subsidiary company. Details of the subsidiary were not disclosed. Under the programme, drivers can lease a car for a minimal initial deposit of Rs.35,000 and monthly lease payments (of about Rs.15,000) with an option to own the vehicle after a period of three years.

"This will open up opportunity for hundreds of thousands of drivers to turn entrepreneurs in the long run while giving them instant access to a stable income," Ola said in a statement. (Agencies)

GROWTH STATISTICS Sony India said it is looking ahead to a growth of 20 percent across its productrange during the festive season (August-November).

A growth of 20 per cent nationally is targeted during the festive season while in the Bravia (television range) segment, a growth of 25 per cent is targeted.

For the entire fiscal, the firm has pegged the growth rate at 15 percent in value terms for its entire product range as against 28 percent growth last fiscal.

Amidst this target, it hopes to sell 22 lakh TV units during 2015-16.

The company targets to sell goods worth Rs 280 crore during the festive months as compared to Rs 200 crore during the festive months in the previous fiscal.

It has also stepped up its promotional budget to Rs 150 crore pan-India during the Diwali promotions and has allotted Rs 25 crore for the Durga Puja period in the east.

The CRTs now have only a 15 per cent market share in the overall industry from 25 per cent last year.

Presently, online sales contribute just 2-3 per cent of the revenue.

During 2014-15, the firm had registered a growth of 103 per cent in terms of quantity sold and 75 per cent growth in terms of value in east India.

"I would like to thank the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket for affording me the opportunity to be involved in almost 600 internationals of the game I so passionately love! I can never forget to record my appreciation of the support and assistance offered to me by all my former and current colleagues."

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

PAGE 11

Roshan Mahanama

World Cup Chess: Sethuraman holds Harikrishna to a draw Baku: Grandmaster SP Sethuraman had to defend with the skin of his teeth but the effort was rewarding as he held higher ranked compatriot P Harikrishna to a draw in the first game of the second round of World Cup of Chess in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was a difficult outing for Sethuraman who defeated Sanan Sjugirov of Russia in the first round, but the Chennai-based lived up to his reputation of a fighter and in the end forced parity after a marathon lasting 75 moves. Alexander Onischuk of United States caused the biggest upset of the second round defeating Sergey Karjakin of Russia. Onischuk, a former import from Russia to United States, put it across the Russian in a long grind in the endgame, forcing a premature resignation.

Viktor Laznicka of Czech Republic also caused a big upset defeating Michael Adams of England. It was a game of fluctuating fortunes.

Sethuraman had a tall task to do defending with black pieces and he succeeded quite well despite being under pressure. For the record, it was an Ital-

ian opening by Harikrishna that caught the Chennai-based by some surprise in the early phase of the game. However, it was quite clear that Sethuraman was following a known course while Harikrishna too had his trumps under sleeves.

As it turned out in the middle game, Sethuraman lost a pawn but had the Bishop pair as advantage and even though Harikrishna pressed hard the former was never at a loss of guidance to keep the position intact. Once the opposite coloured Bishops endgame arose on board, the result of the game was never in doubt.

In the upset of the day, Onischuk got the better of Karjakin with white pieces. The Russianturned American was never in any danger and improved his advantage slowly in the middle game to lend the knockout punch when the endgame arrived. In other interesting games of the day, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia defeated Bruzon Lazaro of Cuba while at the top of the tables Veselin Topalov called it a truce against Sergei Zhigalko of Belarus.

(Agencies)

Boxing India stands suspended, sets AGM for October 3

The chairman of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) ad-hoc committee Kishan Narsi has reiterated in an e-mail communication that Boxing India stands provisionally suspended after the derecognised national body in a notification had scheduled its Annual General Meeting in Guwahati on October 3. With Narsi's e-mail repeating the old stand of AIBA, it effectively means that the BI AGM and the subsequent various national championships organised by the federation would be deemed invalid. The Indian boxers have recently done well at the Asian Championship in Bangkok but they all fought under the AIBA flag. That will also be the case as they gear up for the World Championship in Doha. Previously, India was provisionally suspended in December 2012 for "possible manipulation" in the erstwhile Indian Amateur Boxing Federation's elections. After prolonged administrative wrangling between the various state units, elections to form a new body were successfully conducted in September last year under the supervision of an International Boxing Association (AIBA) observer. (Agencies)

EPL: Hammer Payet's double sees Newcastle slide to bottom of Premier league London: Newcastle United slumped to the foot of the Premier League table after a 2-0 defeat at West Ham United on Monday left manager Steve McClaren still seeking a first win in charge. Dimitri Payet was Newcastle's chief tormentor, scoring early in each half to lift West Ham into the top five with three wins and two defeats from their opening five games. If West Ham are unpredictable, Newcastle have been predictably uninspired under new boss McClaren and they offered little to excite their fans at Upton Park. After being delayed en route because of pre-match traffic and needing to walk the last mile to the ground, Newcastle's players began slowly and went behind after nine minutes when Frenchman Payet took a pass from Mark Noble and placed a rising

shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Payet, impressive since signing from Marseille during the transfer window, doubled West Ham's lead three minutes after the interval when he calmly vol-

leyed the ball home from close range after Victor Moses struck the underside of the crossbar with a fierce drive following a counterattack. Newcastle, who have two points and dropped below north east rivals

Sunderland because of an inferior scoring record, enjoyed plenty of possession without forcing West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph into a difficult save. They have found the net only twice this season, the lowest total in the top four divisions, and former England manager McClaren is already under pressure to turn things around. "I don't know what it was, whether it was the journey, late getting here, the 10-minute warm-up, but we said before no excuses, deal with it, and maybe we didn't deal with it. It was a big wake-up call for everybody because in this Premier League if you are not at 100 percent you get beaten," he said. West Ham's first home win of the season after defeats by Leicester City and Bournemouth edged them up five places, six points be-

hind leaders Manchester City, and gave manager Slaven Bilic plenty of reasons to be cheerful. He even had the luxury of sending on injuryplagued England striker Andy Carroll in the closing

United's players had to trudge the last mile to West Ham United's stadium after their team coach became stuck in London's rush-hour traffic before Monday's Premier League fixture. Newcastle's

stages for his first action since February. "The second half I was very proud of the team, we were very solid," Bilic said. "This is proof that we are on the right way and proof we did well in the transfer window." Earlier, Newcastle

players and coaching staff eventually arrived at the stadium less than an hour before kickoff. The rush did little for Newcastle's defending as they conceded a goal in less than 10 minutes into the game.

(Agencies)

ICC match Referee Mahanama steps down TOP boost for badminColombo: Former Sri Lanka batsman Roshan Mahanama will step down from the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees at the end of the year, the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday. Mahanama joined the elite panel in 2004 and has refereed in 58 Tests, 222 ODIs and 35 T20Is to date, including three ICC Cricket World Cups and the ICC Champions Trophy 2009. He has made the decision to step down six months ahead of the expiry of his contract so that he can spend more time with his family and also focus on the development of his business activities in Sri Lanka. "This has been an extremely difficult decision as I am very passionate about cricket, which has been an integral part of my life for over 40 years as a cricketer, coach and ICC match referee," said the 49year-old Mahanama. "I would like to thank the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket for affording me the opportunity to be involved in almost 600 internationals of the game I so passionately

love! I can never forget to record my appreciation of the support and assistance

offered to me by all my former and current colleagues." As a cricketer,

Mahanama represented Sri Lanka in 52 Tests and 213 One-Day Internationals from 1986 to 1999. He played in four ICC Cricket World Cups and was a member of the Sri Lanka side that beat Australia to win the 1996 World Cup final in Lahore. He also captained Sri Lanka in two One-Day Internationals. ICC General Manager - Cricket, Geoff Allardice, thanked Mahanama for his contributions as a match referee: "Roshan has been one of the pioneers of the elite panel and has been an integral component during the phase when the Referee's role was evolving. Roshan, very efficiently and intelligently, integrated his cricketing knowledge into match management skills to earn huge respect and appreciation from the entire cricketing fraternity. On behalf of the ICC, I congratulate him on a successful career as a match referee and wish him well in his future endeavours." Mahanama's replacement in the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees will be announced in due course. (Agencies)

ton stars Jwala-Ashwini for Rio Olympics!

New Delhi: After much dilly-dallying, the Sports Ministry has included Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in the 'Target Olympic Podium Scheme' (TOP) scheme, putting an end to the controversy surrounding the doubles duo's complaint of bias against the Ministry and chief national coach Pullela Gopichand. Besides Jwala and Ashwini, the men's doubles pair of Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Atri, ranked 21st in the world, have also been included in the scheme. "Badminton players Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa, Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Atri have been selected under the TOP Scheme," the Ministry said in a release. "These players are entitled to receive funding from NSDF for training and competition in preparation for Rio Olympics 2016," it added. Renowned Malaysian doubles coach Kim Tan Her was also roped in by Badminton Association of India (BAI), giving him a fiveyear contract in July. The Ministry said that the doubles players can now chalk out their plans for the preparation of next year's Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Six shuttlers, london Olympics bronze-medallist Saina Nehwal, P V Sindhu, Parupalli Kashyap, Kidambi Srikanth, Gurusai Dutt and H S Prannoy were the first to be included in the TOP scheme in April this year. After that Jwala and Ashwini also had requested for their inclusion in the scheme. "I am happy that we have been included now. It will motivate us further and help us better plan our preparation for Olympics," Jwala had said.

"It's unfortunate that we had to fight it out. Nobody wants it that way, I always believed that we deserved that place.

There are 70 athletes being supported by the ministry and not to find a place in there was shocking, something we could not digest." (Agencies)

'Sustained brilliance will be the key against South Africa' - Ravi Shastri Mumbai: Promising that India will not back down from their "aggressive brand of cricket", team director Ravi Shastri feels consistency and patience would be key to success as the hosts gear up to face South Africa next month.

"South Africa are the No. 1 team in the world. We have to play consistent cricket for long periods of time to put them under pressure. That will be the endeavour. Our style of play will not change," said Shastri, who was retained as team director after India registered a historic Test series

the first Test in Sri Lanka.

Once the patience and discipline came, in the next two Tests, we saw the results," he added. India and South Africa square off for the first time in a four-Test series, in addition to playing five ODIs and three T20s. The tour begins with a T20 International match at Dharamsala on October 2. He termed the job of India cricket team director as the most challenging and satisfying. "It has given me immense job satisfaction. It has been the biggest challenge for me in all the years I have been involved in

win in Sri Lanka recently. "If you reflect on our performances in Australia and Sri Lanka, you will see that consistency was the difference between defeat and victory.

Sustained brilliance will be the key against the Proteas," he said. Asked if consistency would mean winning the key moments, he said, "Yes, that's exactly what I am talking about. And that - not letting the opposition off the hook after having them under pressure demands a lot of patience."

"We were not patient enough both in Australia and during

the game in whatever capacity. My willingness and desire to carry on in this role stems from the fact that I have got a great team with me - a great bunch of players and an amazing support staff," said the former India all-rounder. He said that the contribution of the coaching staff of Bharat Arun, R Sridhar and Sanjay Bangar has helped to the team success.

"I would say just one thing for all of them. Apart from the expertise, there is experience. They have all come through the system. They connect with the players." (Agencies)

PSV to play fearless football against favourites Manchester United Amsterdam: PSV Eindhoven must play without fear when they launch their Champions League Group B campaign at home to Manchester United on Tuesday, said coach Phillip Cocu. The Dutch club are returning to the group phase of the competition for the first time in seven years. "We have respect for each opponent but we are not scared," Cocu. "Manchester are an absolutely top team but that doesn't mean we don't have a chance. We'll have to reach above our potential, that's the way you get big results. If you don't do it then it becomes a lot harder, details are very important against these sort of teams." PSV are without Dutch international full back Jetro Willems due to a long-term injury. Striker

Adam Maher was back in training after missing the 60 victory over SC Cambuur at the weekend but he is deemed to be short of match fitness. "The players must

play with their hearts and keep their heads in the game too because these are the kind of matches you dream about participating in," said Cocu. "We are going to give

everything we can. We have to ensure we leave the field at the end of the match with the feeling that we did everything we possibly could."

PSV will be featuring in the

group phase for a Dutch record 14th time. Back in 2008 they finished last in their section behind Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Olympique de Marseille.

United's Depay returns to PSV and will celebrate if he nets Memphis Depay has every intention of properly celebrating if he scores for Manchester United against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, even if he spent his entire career at the Dutch club before moving to England this summer. The Netherlands international's 22 league

goals last season helped PSV land the Dutch title after a seven-year hiatus. But the 21-year-old is leaving sentiment behind in his new job with United, whose opening Group B game is at the Philips Stadium, and has no intention in following the trend of not celebrating scoring

goals against former clubs. "It is the club where I spent 10 years and very special to me," he said of PSV in the pre-match news conference. "But if I play and I score, I'm celebrating.

That doesn't mean that I don't have respect for PSV. Of course, I do," he added. (Agencies)

DIBRUGARH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Features

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HORTICULTURE Jute: An Important Natural Fibre Jute is an important natural fibre crop in India next to cotton. In trade and industry, jute and mesta crop together known as raw jute as their uses are almost same. Raw jute plays an important role in the country's economy. Raw jute was originally considered as a source of raw material for packaging industries only. But it has now emerged as a versatile raw material for diverse applications, such as, textile industries, paper industries, building and automotive industries, use as soil saver, use as decorative and furnishing materials, etc. Raw jute being biodegradable and annually renewable source, it is considered as an environmentfriendly crop and it helps in the maintenance of the environment and ecological balance. Further attraction of Jute lies in its easy availability, inexhaustible quantity at a comparatively cheaper rate. Moreover, it can easily be blended with other natural and manmade fibres.

Although Jute acreage has stabilized around 8 lakh hectares in the country, jute productivity has more than doubled to 22.12 q/ha in 2010-11 since partition of the country from 11 qtl per ha and the total production of raw jute in the country is about 10.58 million bales of 180 kg each.

This has happened due to development of short du-

ration high yielding varieties as well as other production technologies by ICAR including fertilizer management, weed management, farm machineries and pest management.

CRIJAF (ICAR) has developed around 15 high yielding varieties of jute and allied fibres. Production and distribution of certified seed of newly released varieties are the need of the hour for further improvement in productivity.

ICAR has taken the initiatives for production of quality seed of newly released varieties of jute in its farms which may in-

crease the yield by at least 20-30%. Five most important issues namely, improvement in productivity, quality improvement, retting of jute, farm machineries and quality seed production are addressed by the ICAR through various on-going projects, which have contributed to the present level of production with adequate support from the Jute Technology Mission and Directorate of Jute Development of the Ministry of Agriculture.

With its insignificant coverage of total cultivated area, it plays a predominant role in the country's

economy by generating employment, earning foreign exchange, solving many of the socio-economic problems, etc. In earlier years, Jute was considered as a Golden Fibre but there after it had to pass through different critical situation. The main problem came in the way with the introduction of synthetic fibre by the end of sixties/early seventies. After the development of diversified product of jute fibre and due to growing concern about the environment pollution, the importance of jute has again revived.

Two Promising Districts of Assam in the Jute Arena

Bagulamari Jute Cluster of Dhubri District in Assam Bagulamari is a small village located in the Western side of Dhubri town. 70% of total population of the village is outsider. They migrated from different chars (River island). Their landed property had been eroded by the mighty river Brahmaputra. They do not have cultivable land. Economic condition of the people was very poor. Most of the male members work in Dhubri town on daily wage basis. Some of them work as rickshaw puller and thelawala. They could

hardly afford for their food, cloth, shelter and education of their children. Female members of the families were idle. They could not go out in search of job.

During promotional work Bagulamari village had been found most suitable for jute activities. Many Awareness Workshop in the village had been conducted and explained various schemes of National Jute Board in details. Immediately after Awareness Workshop, Basic Training had been conducted on Jute Handicrafts which had been followed by Advance Training, Design Dissemi-

nation Training, Skill Up gradation Training and Technical Demonstration on Dyeing and Bleaching.

On completion of Training Programmes the beneficiaries were assisted to obtain registration number from District Industries and Commerce Centre, Dhubri and helped them to form Women Self Help Group in the village. We arrange for continuous supply of required raw materials from Jute Raw Material Bank, Dhubri. The trained women beneficiaries started production of various jute products in their own houses. It may be men-

tioned here that majority of the beneficiaries did not have money to buy raw jute and other materials to start and continue their production. In those cases we had to supply raw materials to them on credit so that they could continue production.

In many cases we used to buy the unsold products from the beneficiaries and sell them from our show room at Dhubri and Guwahati. Now we continuously supervise the production of beneficiaries so that they maintain quality.

For good quality of products the beneficiaries have created high demand for

Jute cultivation: Methods and Conditions Next to cotton, jute is the second important fibre crop of India. Jute is in great demand because of the cheapness, softness, strength, length, lustre and uniformity of its fibre. It is used for manufacturing a large variety of articles such as gunny bags, hessian, ropes, strings, carpets, rugs and clothes, tarpaulins, upholstery and decoration pieces. Jute is a rainy season crop, sown from March to May according to rainfall and type of land. It is harvested from June to September depending upon whether the sowings are early or late.

Climate and Soils Jute requires a warm and humid climate with temperature between 24째 C to 37째 C. Constant rain or water-logging is harmful.

The new gray alluvial soil of good depth, receiving salt from annual floods, is best for jute. Flow ever jute is grown widely in sandy loams and clay loams.

Sowing of jute Sowing of jute in midlands and high lands starts with showers in March or April and continues till early June in the western part of the jute belt. Compost or firm yard manure, Phosphorus and Potash, Nitrogen fertilizers are used as a fertilizer. Interculturing is essential in the early stage. Pasts are also require for plant protection.

Harvesting Jute is harvested any time

between 120 days to 150 days when the flowers have been shed, early harvesting gives good healthy fibers.

The plant from 8 to 12 feet high are cut with stickles at or close the ground level.

In flooded land, plants are up rooted. The harvested plants are left in field for 3 days for the leaves to shed.

The stems are then made up into bundles for steeping in water. Steeping is carried out immediately after harvest.

Retting Retting is a process in which the tied bundles of jute stalks are taken to the tank by which fibres get loosened and separated from the woody stalk. The bundles are steeped in water at least 60 cm to 100 cm depth. The retting process is completed in 8 to 30 days, when the barks separate out easily from the

stick or wood and the fibres are ready for extraction. A development in recent years is adoption of ribbon retting technology in jute growing trade of the country.

Stripping (Fibre Extraction) Stripping is the process of removing the fibres from the stalk after the completion of retting. Fibres are removed from the stalk by any one of the following methods : (i) Single plants are taken and their fibers are taken off. (ii) Taken off a handful of stalks,breaking it in a to and fro motion in water. (iii) Washing the stalks first by standing in waist deep water and then stripping afterwards.

When there is a plenty of water, bundles of stalks are laid in the pond ditches or

slow moving streams and left for 5-15 days under water. The bunch of stem is held in one hand and the root end tapped lightly with a mallet. After loosens the rest of fibres, fibres are extracted and washed.

Washing and Drying Extracted fibres are washed in clean water. The dark colour of fibres can be removed by dipping them in tamarind water for 15 to 20 minutes and again washed in clean water. After squeezing excess water the fibres are hang on bamboo railing for sun drying for 2-3 days.

Bailing and Packing The jute fibre is graded into tops, middles, B, C and Xbottoms. Packing into Kutcha bales about 250 pounds for use in the home trade. they are transported to jute market or direct to jute mills.

their products.

Jute work has become a household activity in Bagulamari now. All members of family work on jute during their leisure time.Before joining our training programmes the income of beneficiaries of Bagulamari were almost nil. But now average income of each beneficiary has gone up to Rs2,500 to Rs3,000 per month per person. Jute work has changed the economic and social life of the beneficiaries of Bagulamari. Now the people of Bagulamari Jute Cluster can think of better food, cloth, shelter and education for their children.

A good number of Master Trainers on Jute Handicrafts in Bagulamari Jute Cluster had been development and out of them 10 beneficiaries have been empanelled by National Jute Board for their good works. Besides maintaining their own production units they have been imparting Training of National Jute Board and other Govt and Non Govt departments.Bagulamari Jute Cluster has become a Model Cluster of Jute Products not only in the district but in the state of Assam.

The beneficiaries of the cluster have developed a number of unique jute products like jute Hat, Jute Japi, Jute Floor Mat and some ladies Jute Bags.

Khudimari Jute Clusterof Dhubri District in Assam Khudimari village is 6 KM away from Gauripur town.

80% of total population belong to Rajbongshi Community. Economic condition of the people was very poor. The people do not

have sufficient land for cultivation. People work in the agricultural land of others and get wages. Some people work in Gauripur town.

On completion of a promotional work conducted in Khudimari village it has been found the area most suitable for developing Jute Cluster. Awareness Workshop in the village had been conducted and explained various developmental schemes of National Jute Board in details. Like Bagulamari Jute Cluster here also Basic Training on weaving which had been followed by Advance Training, Design Dissemination Training, Skill Up gradation Training and Technical Demonstration on Dyeing and Bleaching had been conducted recently. On completion of Training Programmes post training

support had been extended to all the beneficiaries.

They were assisted to obtain registration number from District Industries and Commerce Centre, Dhubri and helped them to form Women Self Help Group in the village. The members of the camp helped them to buy and install looms and arranged for continuous supply of required raw materials from Jute Raw Material Bank, Dhubri at mill-gate price. The trained women beneficiaries started production of various jute handloom products in their own houses. In Khudimari village also majority of the beneficiaries did not have money to buy jute yarn and other materials to start and continue production. In those cases the members had to supply raw materials to them on credit so

that they can continue production. In many occasions the members had to buy the unsold products from the beneficiaries and sell them from our show room at Dhubri and Guwahati. The team members of the camp closely supervised the production of beneficiaries so that they can maintain quality.

Among WSHGs formed in the cluster area Khudimari WSHG has been found most promising. At present they have 10 looms. They have been running the weaving unit very successfully. They produce Door Mat, Floor Mat, Puja Ashan, Durry and Dining Mat. These items have high demand in the local market. They do not have marketing problem. This WSHG always participate in the Trade Fair in Guwahati and Silchar.

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